KR100401688B1 - Laundry machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and in the water supply path (30) to the washing tank (6), an installation unit (46) for installing a solid (45) made of an organic compound having a nitrogen-halogen atom bond in a molecule is provided, By supplying the water containing hypohalogenic acid released from the solid 45 by contact with water into the washing tank 6, it suppresses the propagation of bacteria that are microorganisms in the washing tank or laundry, and prevents mold and odor. It is characterized by the fact that generation | occurrence | production of a discoloration etc. can be suppressed and a sanitary washing performance is obtained.

Description

Washing machine {LAUNDRY MACHINE}

The present invention mainly relates to a washing machine capable of sanitary washing with suppressed propagation of microorganisms.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, household washing machines put laundry into a washing tank, supply a required amount of detergent and washing water (usually tap water), and stir and wash these to ensure sufficient washing performance against laundry dirt.

However, during this washing, the calcium powder in tap water and the surfactant in the detergent react with each other to form an insoluble metal soap, and part of it adheres to the washing tank. This tendency is more pronounced when the detergents use powder detergents, especially those consisting of higher fatty acid sodium. In addition, it is easy to attach the fiber debris or the dirt separated from the laundry to the attached metal soap deposits, and this dirt or deposit absorbs moisture and causes microorganisms to multiply, causing corruption and flocking. And, furthermore, the occurrence of mold. This fungus causes odor generation by its metabolites or further develops them, causing them to peel off and adhere to the laundry in subsequent washing operations. It wasn't enough to get.

In general, the dehydrating combined use washing machine basically has a double tank structure, and a drip tank is disposed on the outside, a washing tank having a dehydrating tank is installed in the inside thereof, and a stirring body is installed at the bottom of the washing tank. to be. As is well known, the laundry put into the washing tank is subjected to washing and rinsing washing by rotating the stirring body, and centrifugal dewatering is performed by driving the washing tank at high speed. Therefore, in this type of washing machine, since there is no frictional contact by laundry between the washing tank and the drip tank, the metal soap or fiber residues are attached to the portion (the outer circumferential wall of the washing tank and the inner circumferential wall of the drip tank) of the washing tank. easy. In addition, the back side of such a washing tank cannot be disassembled and cleaned by the general user, and since the washing tank or the drip tank has a concave-convex shape mainly made of reinforcing ribs for strength improvement, metal soap or foreign matter adheres and accumulates, causing more mold. Are under easy conditions. In addition, many bacteria are easily attached from the human body or outside air by wearing laundry, and the attached bacteria remain in the laundry even when the laundry is washed. I will cause discoloration. This is especially noticeable when the remaining water is used after bathing for saving water, and in the past, at least in the last rinsing stroke, the use of the remaining water after bathing is avoided, and a stroke using tap water is often provided. In families with infants who are vulnerable to patients or pathogens, care is taken to ensure that laundry is sufficiently sanitized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of suppressing the growth of microorganisms (bacteria) to suppress the occurrence of mold, odor, discoloration, and the like and to expect a satisfactory cleaning performance in a sanitary manner. have.

1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water supply path portion showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a longitudinal side view of the entire washing machine;

3 is an external perspective view of the whole of the lid open state;

4 is a longitudinal side view of the water supply passage portion;

5 is a chemical reaction diagram showing a change due to hydrolysis of a solid,

6 is a view showing the number of bacteria in the wash water against the rinsing time,

7 is a view showing a change over time of the residual chlorine concentration in the wash water,

8 shows the relationship between the concentration of hypochlorous acid and the bactericidal effect;

9 is a flowchart of an essential part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

3: top panel 4: drip tray

6: washing tank 28: operation unit

29: display unit 30: water supply path

31: water hole 32: sterilization means

33: first switching valve 35: water supply case

39 pump 41 second switching valve

45: solid 46: mounting portion

44: cassette container 47: filter

48: cushioning material 49: cover body

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tank that washes laundry and water, and installs a solid made of an organic compound having a nitrogen-halogen atom bond in the molecule in a water supply path to the washing tank. An installation unit is provided, and water containing hypohalogen acid released from the solid by contact with water is supplied into the washing tank (Invention 1).

According to such a structure, the water containing hypohalogen acid is supplied to a washing tank, and the germicidal action suppresses the growth of microorganisms in the washing tank or laundry, thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence of mold, odor and discoloration. The hygienic cleaning effect can be expected to be effective even in families with infants who are weak in patients and pathogens, and have a great effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria on the back side of a dehydrating combined use washing tank, such as a dehydrating combined use washing machine. .

The solid according to claim 1, wherein the solid is one or plural kinds of mixtures of a brominated or chlorinated or oxo-hydantoin compound (invention of claim 2).

According to this configuration, the effective chlorine concentration can be easily suppressed, and the washing water in the washing tank can be controlled to a concentration at which chlorine odor is hardly felt, and the solid made of the individual is stably stored so as not to collapse when not in use. It is possible to supply hypohalogenic acid having a bactericidal effect by contacting water if necessary.

The solid according to claim 1, wherein the solid contains a component having a rust preventing function against the iron-based material (invention of claim 3).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to have a rust prevention effect on stainless steel or other steels, and therefore it is possible to prevent corrosion of the site by chlorine even if it is necessary to use the iron-based material in a site where strength is necessary. have.

Moreover, the filter which filters the said solid is installed downstream rather than the installation part of the solid of a water supply path, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to such a structure, even if there exists a slight collapse at the edge part of a solid, it can prevent it from flowing into a washing tank as it is in a solid state. This may cause discoloration such as discoloration when the solid is directly attached to the laundry, but this problem can be reliably solved.

Further, the water supply means for supplying water containing hypohalogenic acid released from the individual in contact with the solid to the washing tank and the water supply means for supplying the water not in contact with the solid into the washing tank can be selected. In addition, the washing administration with water containing hypohalogen acid was longer than the washing administration time with water containing no hypohalogen acid (Invention 5).

According to such a structure, the water containing hypohalogenic acid, what is called sterilizing water, can be spread evenly throughout the laundry, and it can remove | eliminate the germs adhered to the laundry with few residuals. Therefore, when the bacteria remain, there is a possibility that the laundry in the wet state may grow again and cause a bad smell, which is effective in solving such a situation.

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a counter mechanism for counting the number of times the water in contact with the solid is supplied to the washing tank, and when at least a predetermined count is reached, a corresponding display is performed (claim 6). Invention).

According to such a structure, since the exchange time of a solid can be known beforehand, there is no problem of selecting a sterilization course because solid state is not consumed and a handleability improves practically.

The water supply means in the case of washing with water containing hypohalogenic acid released from the solid, according to claim 1, after supplying water that has not been in contact with the solid at the beginning of the water supply for a while, the water in contact with the solid is supplied. Characterized in that the invention (invention of claim 7)

According to such a structure, the produced water (sterilization water) containing the comparatively high concentration of hypohalogenate can be diluted to an effective concentration in a washing tank. In this case, high concentrations of hypohalogenated acid may be attached to the solid surface by the water used last time. Therefore, when the sterilized water of high concentration is directly poured on the laundry at the same time as the start of water supply, it may cause discoloration. Although it can also be considered, since a predetermined amount of water is supplied in advance and the laundry is also wet, there is no problem of directly attaching a high concentration of sterilizing water.

Moreover, the water supply means which supplies bath water to a washing tank is provided, This water supply means is connected to the water supply path of the upstream of a solid installation part, It is characterized by the invention of Claim 8.

According to such a configuration, the remaining hot bath water can be effectively used, and a sterilization effect and a water saving effect can be obtained. In this case, more hygienic cleaning performance can be obtained by using tap water in the final rinsing.

The dissolution rate of the solids into water is characterized in that the effective chlorine concentration in the water supply immediately after contact with the solid is increased by 0.1 ppm or more and 10 ppm or less than the chlorine concentration before contacting when the water temperature is 25 ° C. Invention of claim 9).

According to such a structure, the water in a washing tank can be controlled to the effective chlorine concentration required for sterilization, and can be used without chlorine gas or odor emission.

Embodiment of the Invention

(1st embodiment)

Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a combined washing machine for dehydration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

First, Figures 2 and 3 are described based on these figures in a longitudinal side view and an external perspective view respectively showing the overall configuration of the washing machine. The rectangular box-shaped basket 1 is attached to the outer box 2 and its upper surface. It consists of a top cover (3), the drip tank (4) is elastically supported by the elastic suspension support mechanism (5) inside the basket (1), and the washing tank (6) serving as a dehydration tank therein is rotated. It is installed as possible and forms what is called a dual structure. More specifically, the washing tank 6 forms a large number of holes 6a necessary for the dehydration tank in almost the entire area of the circumferential wall, and is provided with, for example, a balancing ring 7 sealed with liquid at the upper end thereof. The stirring body 8 is rotatably provided in the inner bottom part, and the inside surface of this stirring body 8 has the radial back wing 9. Then, one end is in communication with a part of the outer circumferential side of the rear wing (9), the other end is attached to the water channel cover 10 extending along the inner wall of the washing tank 6 to the upper balance ring (7), between the inner wall A channel 11 is formed in the filter unit, and a filter 12 for trapping seams or the like is provided in an opening of the upper end of the channel 11. This is pumped by pumping the wash water into the water passage 11 by using the pumping action when the rear blade 9 is rotated, and then returns to the washing tank 6 through the upper filter 12. It is to circulate to capture seams in this circulation water.

In addition, the outer bottom surface of the drip tray 4 is provided with a drive mechanism 17 including a motor 13 as a driving source, a belt transmission mechanism 14, a clutch mechanism 15, a brake mechanism 16, and the like. The agitator body 8 and the washing tank 6 are selectively rotated by a control device (not shown), that is, the washing stroke and the dehydrating stroke are executed based on the operation program. In addition, a drain valve 19 or an air trap 20 is installed in communication with a drain 18 formed at the bottom of the drip tank 4, and in particular, the air trap 20 connects the air tube 21. It is connected to the water level sensor 22 provided in the said top cover 3. The water level sensor 22 is configured to function as so-called water level detection means for detecting the water level in the drip tank 4 (the washing tank 6) through the air trap 20 or the air tube 21 as is well known. have. Moreover, the water channel 23 is provided in the outer side part of the drip tank 4, and the ring-shaped jaw cover 24 is attached to the upper end opening part of the drip tank 4. As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening and closing cover 25 is provided on the upper surface portion of the top cover 3. The opening and closing cover 25 opens and closes the inlet port 26 formed in the top cover 3 to draw in and out the laundry not shown in relation to the washing tank 6. When the opening and closing cover 25 is opened, the front cover part 25a and the rear cover are opened. It is the structure which can be folded by two parts 25b.

Moreover, the operation panel 27 is provided in the foremost part of the top cover 3, and this operation panel 27 has many operation part 28 and the display part 29 for various setting operation according to the driving | running course of a washing machine. Have Among them, the operation units 28a and 28b are for selecting and setting the " Yes " and " none " of the sterilization function described later in detail, and the operation unit 28a is for " YES " By pressing each of them easily, the selection setting of "Yes" and "None" of the sterilization function is made.

Moreover, the water supply path | route 30 as a water supply means to the said washing tank 6 is provided in the back inside of the top cover 3 as shown in FIG. This water supply path 30 is a configuration in which tap water and bath water can be selectively used as a water supply source, and water is supplied into the washing tank 6 from the water inlet 31 opened in the inlet 26 shown in FIG. On the way, the sterilization means 32 which is mentioned later which functions according to the setting operation of "is present" and "none" of the above-described sterilization function is incorporated.

The detail of this water supply path 30 is described first when the water source mainly used as the water supply means, as shown in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, is connected to a faucet (not shown) inside the top panel 3. The 1st switching valve 33 which protrudes the hose connection port 33a is provided, branched from this switching valve 33 to the pipe lines 34 and 38, and the one pipe line 34 is the water supply case 35. As shown in FIG. The lower conduit 36 is connected to the lower conduit 36, and the conduit 36 is connected to the main water outlet 31 (see Fig. 3). In the water supply case 35, the above-described sterilization means 32, which will be described later in detail, is disposed on an upstream side, and a siphon pipe 37 is integrally provided with the water supply case 35 on the downstream side thereof. .

On the other hand, the other conduit 38 branched from the first switching valve 33 is connected to the most downstream region of the water supply case 35 and communicates with the conduit 36 so that the sterilization means 32 is in the middle. And a water supply directly from the water inlet 31 to the washing tank 6 without passing through the siphon pipe passage 37.

Subsequently, a description will be given of a water supply means in the case of using a water source as a bath water, which is provided with an absorption pump 39 having a hose connection port 39a for connecting a bath water absorption hose (not shown). Connected to the second switching valve 41 provided through 40, branched from the switching valve 41, and one of the pipe lines 42 is connected to the water supply case 35 in common with the pipe line 34 described above. The other branch pipe line 43 is connected to the lowermost region of the water supply case 35 in common with the pipe line 38 described above.

Therefore, after the second switching valve 41, the path of water supply into the washing tank 6 through the sterilization means 32 and the siphon pipe passage 37 and the washing tank directly without passing through the water supply passage from the bath water. 6) It is in the structure provided with the path | route supplied in. The switching valves 33 and 41 and the pump 39 described above are driven before and after the program of the selected stroke based on the setting operation of the operation unit 28 of the operation panel 27.

The sterilization means 32 installed in the water supply case 35 will be described in detail with reference to the longitudinal side view of FIG. First, as a constitution of the water supply case 35, an accommodating chamber 35a is formed at an upstream side of the siphon pipe line 37, and an inlet hole 35b communicating with the pipe lines 34 and 42 in an upper portion thereof. (35d) is formed in the lowest part of the bottom part 35c which inclines in one direction of the lower part, and this discharge port 35d is formed adjacent and the siphon room 35g which has the said siphon pipe path 37 ) Is communicating. In the storage chamber 35a, a mounting portion 46 for installing a tablet-like solid 45 made of a halogenated hydantoin compound is provided in detail later.

By the way, this installation part 46 is comprised on the condition that it is a support structure especially with good water permeability with respect to the said solid 45, and in this embodiment, it consists of a rough lattice-shaped cassette accommodated so that it may enclose a solid 45. When the container 44 and this cassette container 44 are accommodated in the storage chamber 35a, it consists of the several longitudinal rib 35e and the horizontal rib 35f which partially contact and support this installation state from the circumference. . The double transverse ribs 35f are formed so as to protrude, for example, from the inclined bottom portion 35c so as to extend in the inclined direction, and the upper surface formed by the two tanks is in a horizontal state. Accordingly, the cassette container 44 containing the solid 45 is partially and horizontally supported by the groups of ribs 35e and 35f constituting the mounting portion 46 in the storage chamber 35a. The outer surface of the solid 45 is installed and supported in the state exposed to the space as much as possible.

In addition, the solid 45 is housed below the inlet 35b and positioned on the upper surface of the solid 45 so that the water supplied from the inlet 35b does not directly concentrate on the solid 45 to be injected. A sponge-like buffer material 48 rich in water permeability is mounted in the storage chamber 35a. In addition, a lid main body 49 made of a transparent member is provided in the upper opening portion of the storage chamber 35a so as to be openable and closed, and the interior of the interior is opened by allowing the inside of the lid main body 49 to be visible and opened. The cassette container 44 can be mounted. In addition, on the outer circumferential surface of the cassette container 44, a filter 47 having no gap of 1 mm or less is integrally formed.

Here, when the solid 45 is described in detail, it is a tablet of a halogenated hydatoin compound which releases hypohalogenous acid by contact with water in a tablet form by press molding, and each portion thereof is chamfered (A) (arc shape is also possible). ), So that each part with weak bonding force is not easily collapsed. In this connection, the halogenated hydantoin compound includes 1,3-dichloro 5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1-bromo-3-dichloro5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro5,5-ethyl Methyl hydantoin etc. are mentioned, for example. These compounds have a nitrogen-chlorine, nitrogen-bromine or nitrogen-oxo bond in the molecule, and these so-called nitrogen-halogen atom bonds are hydrolyzed by contact with water, respectively, hypochlorous acid, hypobromic acid and hypooxo Acids are produced, and these so-called hypohalogenates have an oxidizing action and have a bactericidal action.

As described above, the solid 45 for discharging hypochlorous acid by contact with water is provided as the sterilization means 32 in the middle of the feed path through the first switching valve 33 in the feed path 30. The mounting portion 46 has a support structure in which the outer surface of the solid 45 is exposed to the space as much as possible. This is for increasing the effective contact area with water, which will be described later in the description of the operation.

In addition, since the solid 45 is generally white, the top cover 3 of the washing machine is often made of a white resin, and accordingly, in the present embodiment, the solid 45 accommodated in the storage chamber 35a In order to improve visibility by color differentiation, for example, a red pigment is added and molded. In addition, since the solid 45 is in contact with water to release the hypohalogenated acid and has strong oxidizing property, the functionality of the resin molded product around the top cover 3, the installation part 46, the water supply case 35, and the like is oxidized. However, in the present embodiment, for example, it is molded from any one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and fluorine resin to prevent deterioration or discoloration of the material.

Subsequently, the operation of the dehydration combined-use washing machine having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 as appropriate.

In the case of washing operation, first, laundry is put into the washing tank 6 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the washing machine is started by supplying an appropriate amount of detergent and water. By the way, in this type of washing machine, after the laundry is put in, the subsequent operation such as water supply operation is automatically proceeded by setting operation of the operation unit 28 of the operation panel 27, or the washing operation is artificially performed by appropriate manual operation. Although the present embodiment is implemented, for example, a normal standard course is selected, and the control device (not shown) is automatically operated according to a predetermined program. In this case, especially in this structure, operation part 28a, 28b selects the presence of sterilization function "Yes" and "None", for example, "Yes" of operation part 28a, and starts operation. This standard course is usually performed in the order of washing-one rinse-medium dehydration-two rinse-final dehydration.

Among these, the water supply operation of the washing stroke is an internal pipe line in which the tap water constitutes the water supply path 30 by opening the water supply path 30 by operating the first switching valve 33 for water supply connected to the faucet of the set water source. 38 is supplied to the downstream side of the water supply case 35a, and is directly supplied into the washing tank 6 (drain tank 4) from the water inlet 31 (see FIG. 3) via the conduit 36 and the air trap ( 20) is supplied to the set water level by the water level detection means by the air tube 21, the water level sensor 22, or the like. When the water supply operation is completed, the drive mechanism 17 such as the motor 13 is continuously energized to rotate the stirring body 8 forward and backward so that the water in the washing tank 6 is agitated together with the detergent and the laundry. Is carried out. When the washing for a predetermined time is completed, the drain valve 19 is opened, and the laundry in the washing tank 6 and the drip tank 4 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine, and the washing operation is finished.

Then, once the water is rinsed in a single rinsing cycle, the water supply operation is started, and similarly to the washing stroke, the water pipe 38 is first opened by the first switching valve 33 so that the washing tank is discharged from the water tank 31 through the same path. (6) It is watered directly into. However, in this rinse cycle, the driving course of the sterilization function " is present " set by the operation unit 28a is executed. Therefore, if the tap water at the beginning of water supply is supplied to, for example, a predetermined time or a predetermined quantity, the first The switching valve 33 is switched so as to open the other side of the pipe 34, and the siphon pipe 37 of the corresponding pipe 34, the storage chamber 35a of the water supply case 35, and the siphon chamber 35g, the pipe The water is supplied into the washing tank 6 via the path 36 and the water inlet 31. By the way, a sterilization means 32 is provided in the middle of the path, that is, the solid 45 accommodated in the cassette container 44 is accommodated in a state in which the outer surface of the solid 45 is largely exposed so as to have good water permeability. It is accommodated and supported by the mounting part 46 in the chamber 35a, and the shock absorbing material 48 is mounted on the upper surface.

Therefore, the water flowing into the storage chamber 35a from the inlet 35b via the pipe 34 is buffered by the buffer material 48 and diffused widely in the transverse direction so that the entire surface of the solid 45 Drop in contact. Then, the falling water (to be described later as sterilizing water) flows into the siphon chamber 35g from the outlet 35d of the inclined bottom portion 35c, and after obtaining a predetermined water level, it is possible to obtain a low water level using a siphon phenomenon. It flows out from the siphon pipe line 37, is supplied to the washing tank 6 (drip tank 4) via the pipe line 36 and the water pouring hole 31, and is controlled by the above-mentioned water level detection means to a prescribed water level.

By the way, in the present embodiment employing 1,3-dichloro5,5-dimethylhydantoin as a compound of the solid 45, it is hydrolyzed upon contact with water by the water supply, and as a hypohalogen acid. In this case, hypochlorous acid is produced and released. Fig. 5 shows this change, and water (2H ₂ O) is brought into contact with 1,3-dichloro5,5-dimethylhydantoin to form isocyanuric acid chlorine to generate hypochlorous acid (2HClO).

This hypochlorous acid has an oxidizing action and a bactericidal action as described above. In particular, in the present configuration, the surface area of the tablet-shaped solid 45 itself is chamfered (A) to increase the surface area, and the solid 45 is accommodated in a water-permeable cassette container 44 and at the same time a cushioning material 48 or an installation. Since it is partially supported by the part 46 and is installed in the state exposed as much as possible in the space, it is sufficiently contacted with the water introduced into the storage chamber 35a over a large area to effectively release hypochlorous acid. The released hypochlorous acid is contained in the water in the water supply, is produced as so-called sterilized water, and supplied into the washing tank 6.

In this case, in the present embodiment, since a predetermined amount of normal tap water which does not pass through the solid 45 is supplied in advance at the start of water supply, the generated sterilized water of relatively high concentration is diluted to the desired concentration in the washing tank 6. . In addition, in this embodiment, the stirring body 8 is driven to rotate before the prescribed water level is reached, that is, the stirring (rinse) of the laundry is started early with sterilizing water. As a result, the effect of penetration of the sterilizing water into the laundry from the water supply process is increased, so as to rinse the soap content of the laundry, and sterilize and reduce various germs adhered to the laundry after washing. In addition, as the time of the rinsing cycle, the selection course of the sterilization function "with" is set to be longer than the time of the normal rinsing cycle (the sterilization function "no"), so that the whole laundry is sterilized evenly.

Here, FIG. 6 shows the decrease of the number of bacteria in accordance with the progress of the rinsing cycle by experiment, and shows the change in the graph diagram. In the figure, the white arrow at the top is the time of the rinsing full stroke (including water supply operation) of the sterilization function "is", and the solid arrow is the time of each operation state showing the details, and the white The arrow shows the total stroke time of a general rinse with so-called normal tap water of sterilization function "none".

In general, hundreds to thousands of (CFU / ml) bacteria are attached to the water contained in the laundry after washing.

By the way, according to FIG. 6, when the sterilization function "is present", after supplying normal tap water for about 1 minute, supply of sterilization water starts and reaches the prescribed level in almost 4 minutes, but from the start of water supply earlier than that. After about 2 minutes, stirring by the stirring body 8 is started. Then, the change in the number of bacteria is noticeably reduced in the vicinity of the start of this agitation, and then rinses the detergent powder soaked in the laundry, and sterilizes the attached bacteria. From the results of this experiment, it is possible to obtain the desired sterilization effect from 8 to 10 minutes, which shows that it is effective to set slightly longer than the normal rinsing time of about 6 minutes. In addition, even after rinsing with sterilizing water, bacteria of several hundreds (CFU / ml) level remain in 6 minutes, and if these bacteria are left under wet conditions as they are, they are prone to breeding and cause odor.

When the rinsing is completed once, the water in the washing tank 6 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine in accordance with the opening operation of the drain valve 19, and then the power switching of the clutch mechanism 15 is performed to drive the drive mechanism 17 from the driving mechanism unit 17. Rotational transmission of the intermediate | middle dewatering stroke which performs the centrifugal dehydration from laundry by rotating the stirring body 8 simultaneously with the washing tank 6 is performed. As a result, the detergent residue remaining in the laundry is removed and the hypochlorous acid penetrated into the laundry is also removed. And, since the detailed description is omitted, two rinses are carried out by supplying the usual tap water directly to the washing tank 6, as is well known, and proceeds to the final dehydration stroke to complete a series of washing operations.

On the other hand, a description will be given of a washing operation using bath water as a source of water. When the washing operation using the bath water is started, similarly to the use of tap water described above, laundry, detergent and water are first introduced into the washing tank 6. The washing operation is started. By the way, in the operation part 28 of the operation panel 27 performed after the laundry is put in, for example, a so-called pump absorption addition standard course using bath water for washing administration is selected and set by a control device (not shown). According to this, a series of washing operations are operated automatically. Also in this case, the operation | movement is started by selecting "Yes" of the operation part 28a among the sterilization functions "Yes" and "None" by the operation parts 28a and 28b. In this standard course of pump absorption addition, for example, the washing and rinsing stroke water supply operation is substantially the same as above except that the pump 39 is based on the absorption of the pump 39, and the washing-one rinse-medium dehydration-two rinse-final dehydration In the following order, the different operations will be mainly described.

First, the water supply operation of the washing stroke is driven by the pump 39 based on the set program control, and the bath water of the water source is sucked in through the absorption hose (not shown) connected to the hose connecting port 39a. This water flows from the conduit 43 branched from the conduit 40 via the second switching valve 41 to the lowermost region of the water supply case 35, and passes through the conduit 36 to the main drain 31 (FIG. 3, the water is supplied directly into the washing tank 6 (drip tank 4) and supplied to the prescribed level by the water level detection means by the water level sensor 22 or the like. When the water supply operation is completed, the washing operation is started by the rotational driving of the stirring body 8 as described above, and when the washing for the predetermined time is finished, the drain valve 19 is opened and the washing water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine to wash. The administration ends.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to a one-time rinsing cycle, in which the bath water is absorbed by the pump 39 similarly to the washing stroke, and in the same way as the washing stroke, the pipeline 40, the second switching valve 41, and the pipeline 43, which are water supply passages, are sequentially It flows into the most downstream side of the water supply case 35, and is supplied directly into the washing tank 6 (drip tank 4) from the water supply port 31 (refer FIG. 3) via the pipe 36. In this rinsing stroke, a sterilization function "with" operation course is executed, and after the water supply is performed for a predetermined time, the second switching valve 41 is switched to operate, and one pipe line 42 side is opened, and water is a pipe line. The water supply case 35 is reached from 42 and injected into the sterilization means 32 therein. This water comes into contact with the solid 45 to release hypochlorous acid, so-called sterilized water containing the hypochlorous acid, which is hypohalogenic acid, is produced, and the washing tank 6 is discharged from the water tank 31 (see FIG. 3) via the pipe 36. (Drain tank) 4 is supplied. Thereby, it is diluted by the water previously stored in the washing tank 6, supplied to the prescribed | prescribed water level by the water level detection means by the water level sensor 22, etc., and it diluted and adjusted to effective concentration.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the stirring body 8 is rotationally driven and the stirring operation is started before the prescribed water level is reached, stirring (rinsing) of the laundry is started early with sterilizing water. As a result, the effect of penetration of the sterilizing water into the laundry from the water supply process is increased, and at the same time, the soap content of the laundry is rinsed, and at the same time, the germs attached to the laundry after washing are sterilized and reduced. Moreover, not only stirring is started early, but also in this rinsing stroke, it is set for a longer time than normal rinsing stroke (sterilization function "no") time, and it is performed so that the washing | cleaning effect may fully spread evenly over the whole laundry.

When the rinsing once with the sterilized water using the bath water is finished, the water in the washing tank 6 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine in accordance with the opening operation of the drain valve 19, and then the clutch mechanism 15 and the like as described above. The rotational power from the drive mechanism part 17 which has this is transmitted to the stirring body 8 together with the washing tank 6 simultaneously, and the intermediate dewatering stroke by centrifugal dehydration is performed from laundry. As a result, the detergent powder remaining in the laundry is removed and the hypochlorous acid penetrated into the laundry is also removed.

And, since the following detailed description is omitted, two rinsing starts from the absorption of the bath water by the pump 39 to be exactly the same as the previous washing stroke, and from the second switching valve 41 to the conduit 43 side of the water supply case ( Water flows into the washing tank 6 from the water inlet 31 through the pipe 36 and flows to the most downstream side of 35). Thereafter, drainage and intermediate dewatering operation are executed from this two rinses, the final dewatering stroke is performed, and a series of washing operations are completed.

Therefore, except that the water source is a water supply means provided with an absorption pump 39 according to different water sources, it is substantially the same as the washing operation (washing-rinsing) with tap water, and of course the operation course of the "with" sterilization function (the first) The sterilization action of rinse) is also effectively performed in the same way. Moreover, when the course of sterilization function "none" is selected and set, it is always supplied directly to the washing tank 6 also in all said water sources, and a series of washing operations are performed by what is called normal laundry.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the water source has the following effects regardless of tap water or bath water. That is, water containing hypochlorous acid, which is hypohalogenic acid, is supplied into the washing tank 6, and the growth of bacteria in the washing tank 6 and the laundry is suppressed by the washing water having the sterilizing action. Of households with an effect that can effectively suppress the occurrence of bacteria, and in particular, the effect of suppressing the propagation of bacteria on the back side of the dehydration combined use washing tank 6, such as a dehydration combined use washing machine, which is difficult to clean, and which is weak to patients and pathogens. Hygienic cleaning effect can be expected.

And the sterilization course with the sterilization function "is present" was performed once in a rinse stroke. This is because hypochlorous acid is consumed to oxidize them due to organic substances contained in detergents, etc. in the washing administration, so that the sterilizing effect cannot be sufficiently exerted.In the washing administration, the washing administration is supplied directly from the water source to the washing tank 6 and rinsed with cleaner water. It is to supply sterilization water which shows effective sterilization function in the administration. Therefore, the sterilization effect by the solid 45 made of the halogenated hydantoin compound works effectively, and the solid 45 can be used efficiently, thereby enabling long-term use (life).

In addition, in the present embodiment, since a predetermined amount of normal tap water or bath water not passing through the solid 45 at the beginning of water supply is supplied in advance, the generated sterilized water of relatively high concentration is diluted to the desired concentration in the washing tank 6. do. In this case, a high concentration of hypochlorous acid may adhere to the surface of the solid 45 by the water used last time. Therefore, when the sterilizing water is directly poured on the laundry at the same time as the start of water supply, discoloration such as discoloration may occur. In this embodiment, since a predetermined amount of water is supplied in advance and the laundry is wet, the problem caused by the direct attachment of a high concentration of sterilizing water does not occur.

In addition, in this embodiment, the stirring body 8 is driven to rotate before the prescribed water level is reached, so that the stirring operation is started, and the stirring (rinsing) of the laundry by the sterilizing water is started early. Since the penetration effect of the sterilized water into the laundry can be increased, and the detergent powder of the laundry is rinsed and removed, and at the same time, the germs attached to the laundry after washing are sterilized and reduced. In addition, the agitation starts early and the rinsing cycle is set to have a longer time than the normal rinsing cycle (with no sterilization function). Sufficient bactericidal effect is exerted.

On the other hand, in the specific configuration, the halogenated hydantoin compound, which is the solid 45 of the main body constituting the sterilization means 32, is formed into a tablet shape in which each part is chamfered (A) (or may be an arc shape). Each part of this organic compound can be increased when water is poured to obtain hypochlorous acid (hypohalogenous acid) emitted from the solid 45 while improving the handling area and preventing the collapse of the weakly bound portions. Because it does not easily disintegrate, it does not suddenly release a large amount (high concentration) of hypochlorous acid, and it is possible to prevent discoloration such as discoloration caused by the disintegrated solids flowing out and attaching to the laundry, thus providing a stable concentration. Can release hypochlorous acid.

The same phenomenon applies to the case where the solid 45 is consumed and reduced, but in the present embodiment, the solid 45 which becomes small particles is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rough cassette container 44 containing the solid 45. Since the airtight filter 47 is provided, this does not leak and there is no problem of discoloration as described above. In addition, since the buffer member 48 is provided on the upper surface of the solid 45, the strength of the water supply may be alleviated to prevent unbalanced consumption of the organic compound that is the solid 45, thereby increasing its lifespan. In addition, the buffer member 48 diffuses the supplied water widely, and is provided in a state where the surface of the solid 45 is widely exposed to the space by the mounting portion 46 in the storage chamber 35a. It is also effective to be able to drop smoothly in contact with silver solid 45 extensively and to discharge hypochlorous acid uniformly and efficiently as a whole.

Fig. 7 shows the change in the residual chlorine concentration in the wash water based on the inventor's experiment, and the experiment was carried out under the same conditions as those of the “with” and “none” sterilization functions employed in the above-described one rinse stroke. . Here, the measurement result of the residual chlorine concentration in the wash water every week when the washing machine was used once a day for 17 weeks of about 3 months is shown, The residual chlorine concentration of the wash water is 0.1 only in normal tap water It is understood that the residual chlorine concentration of the wash water as the sterilizing water using the solid 45 is 0.5 to 0.8 (ppm), while being ˜0.4 (ppm), and it continues to exhibit sufficient sterilizing function over a long period of time.

8 shows the relationship between the sterilization action (bacterial number change) with respect to various concentrations of hypochlorous acid (sterile water), which is hypohalogenate, by experiment. The experiment shows the sterilization state of the bacteria water supplied into the washing tank 6. Investigated. According to this, it turns out that an effective sterilization effect is exhibited when the residual chlorine concentration in the wash water which diluted the produced sterilizing water to various concentration is about 0.5 (ppm) or more. In order to obtain the above-mentioned effective chlorine concentration, the effective chlorine concentration of water immediately after contacting with the solid 45 is the chlorine concentration before contacting when the dissolution rate of the organic compound as the solid 45 by water is 25 ° C. If it is increased by more than 0.1 (ppm) and less than 10 (ppm), it can be easily controlled by washing with a concentration of 0.5 (ppm) or more effective for sterilization by diluting with non-contact water (washing water of ordinary tap water). have. In this case, if the saturation solubility is equal to or less than 12000 (ppm) at 25 DEG C, the effective chlorine concentration can be controlled by non-contact water, and can be easily controlled to a few hundred ppm (ppm) or less in which chlorine odor is hardly felt. have.

Therefore, as a means for diluting the effective concentration of the sterilized water with high chlorine concentration immediately after contact with the solid 45, the sterilized water and the usual tap water are switched as described in the above embodiment, In addition to the means for supplying the sterilized water after supplying the non-contact water, there are various conceivable means, for example, a means for setting the effective concentration by water supply control for supplying sterilized water and ordinary water in parallel, or supplying it into the washing tank 6. It is possible to control the degree of release of hypochlorous acid by adjusting the dilution means beforehand, or by adjusting the contact time with the solid 45, and the construction of the water supply path 30 and the control means according to this can be considered. It is easy.

Moreover, the lid main body 49 which opens and closes the upper opening part of the accommodating chamber 35a is shape | molded by the transparent member, and the solid 45 accommodated in the inside does not become series color like the top cover 3 in this embodiment. Not only the visibility of the constituent parts of the periphery by coloring with a red pigment, but also through the cover body 49 is good to check the presence and consumption of the solid 45. Moreover, the storage chamber 35a which accommodated this solid 45 can ensure safety by providing a cover lock mechanism in the lid main body 49 so that an infant does not accidentally take out the solid 45 and drink it. At the same time, it is possible to prevent odor by making it a sealed structure.

In the present embodiment, when the water source is bath water, the bath water is used for both rinsing once and twice, but in general, the bath water is free of chlorine contained in the original tap water due to dissolved organic matter and heating. It is said that bacteria are easy to multiply and 10000 to 100,000 (CFU / ml) are present in the bath water overnight. Therefore, the sterilization is performed by using the solid 45 emitting hypochlorous acid, so that the bacterium can be greatly reduced, but in order to obtain a more hygienic cleaning effect, the amount of hypochlorous acid released in two rinses or one rinse is obtained. It is good to make more than the case of tap water, and it can make it easy to control a program by selecting by the operation part 28 and setting a course beforehand.

(2nd embodiment)

In view of the above, Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the second embodiment of the present invention, which differs only in that it can automatically know the replacement timing of the solid 45 in the first embodiment, and is otherwise common. As a means, the counter device by a microcomputer is provided in the control apparatus which is not shown in figure, the washing | cleaning frequency of the sterilization course is counted, and when it exceeds the predetermined number of times preset, the notice display by the lighting indication corresponding to it, for example, is shown. It is to be done. In this case, the number of washings is stored as a switchable nonvolatile memory, and the counter mechanism is set to function at the end of the so-called main routine of the washing machine to count the number of times at the end of the entire washing process including the sterilization course.

Then, as is clear from the flowchart of FIG. 9, the counter mechanism by the microcomputer counts and accumulates the sterilization course unit every time the washing operation is executed, and when the washing count is many (YES) compared with the preset limit number, As a sign urging the replenishment of the solid 45, a lamp (not shown) corresponding thereto is lit. The counting process by the counter mechanism ends at the step exceeding the above limit number of times. On the other hand, if the number of washing times is smaller than the threshold number (NO), the initial routine returns to the beginning. After replacing the solid 45 on the basis of the sign, the counter mechanism is reset by appropriate means and set to " 0 " of the initial value.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the replacement time of the solid 45 can be known in advance, there is no problem such as selecting a sterilization course because the solid 45 is consumed and disappeared. This is improved.

The number of washings is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be a unit for counting a special action when a sterilization course is executed. For example, a switching valve 33 for guiding water to the solid 45 side, etc. May correspond to the opening operation of.

In addition, even if it is a lighting display as a sine foretelling the replacement time, it is not limited to this, for example, the display unit 29 of the first embodiment may display the corresponding content as the initial value of the coefficient. Various display means are conceivable, such as flashing and notifying a lamp that cannot be generated.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the above and also the drawings, for example, the cassette container 44 containing the solid 45 or the mounting portion 46 for installing the same includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs 35e. ), The horizontal ribs 35f or the like, but the point is that the solid 45 may be a support structure capable of wide contact with water, and a filter without any gaps integrally installed with the cassette container 44. Also, 47 may be provided on the downstream side of the solid 45, and may be appropriately changed and carried out within a range not departing from the gist of the solid 45.

As described above, in the water supply path to the washing tank, an installation unit for installing a solid made of an organic compound having a nitrogen-halogen atom bond in a molecule is provided, and the discharged discharged from the solid by contact with water is provided. Water containing halogen acid is supplied into the washing tank. Therefore, water containing hypohalogen acid can be supplied into the washing tank, and the growth of bacteria in the washing tank or laundry can be suppressed by the washing water having the bactericidal action. In addition, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can expect a hygienic cleaning effect suitable for families with infants who are weak to patients or pathogens.

Claims (9)

In the washing tank which puts laundry and water, and wash | cleans, In the water supply path | route to the washing tank, And a mounting portion for installing a solid made of an organic compound having a nitrogen-halogen atom bond in the molecule, and supplying water containing hypohalogenic acid released from the solid by contact with water to the washing tank. Washing machine. The method of claim 1, A solid washing machine, characterized in that one or a plurality of mixtures of brominated or chlorinated or oxo-hydantoin compounds. The method of claim 1, Washing machine, characterized in that the solid contains a component having an antirust function against the iron-based material. The method of claim 1, The washing machine provided with the filter which filters the said solid downstream from the installation part of the solid of a water supply path | route. The method of claim 1, It is possible to select water supply means for supplying water containing hypohalogenic acid released from the solid in contact with the solid to the washing tank and water supply means for supplying water not in contact with the solid into the washing tank. The washing process by the containing water was made longer than the time of the washing | cleaning administration by the water which does not contain hypohalogenic acid. The method of claim 1, And a counter mechanism for counting the number of times the water in contact with the solid is supplied to the washing tub, and performing a display corresponding to at least a predetermined count when the count is reached. The method of claim 1, The water supply means in the case of washing with water containing the hypohalogen acid discharged from the solid was supplied with the water which was not in contact with the solid at the beginning of the water supply, and was then supplied with the water in contact with the solid. . The method of claim 1, And a water supply means for supplying bath water to the washing tank, wherein the water supply means is connected to a water supply path upstream of the solid installation portion. The method of claim 1, The rate of dissolution of solids into water is a washing machine characterized in that the effective chlorine concentration in the feed water immediately after contact with the solid is increased by 0.1 ppm or more and 10 ppm or less when the water temperature is 25 ° C.