KR20070053045A - Sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a cabinet in which a laundry opening is formed, the door is installed in the cabinet to open and close the opening of the cabinet, the tub is installed to be buffered inside the cabinet containing the wash water, the tub is installed to rotate inside the tub to wash UV sterilization comprising a drum to be built, a gasket installed between the inlet of the cabinet and the tub to seal between the door and the tub, and an ultraviolet light source installed on the gasket to irradiate ultraviolet light into the drum. Provide a washing machine.

Washing machine, cabinet, tub, drum, gasket, ultraviolet light source, sterilization

Description

UV sterilization washing machine {STERILIZABLE WASHING MACHINE USING ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION}

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention;

2 shows another example of the combination of an ultraviolet lamp assembly and a gasket,

3 is a flowchart illustrating a sterilization control method of a sterilization apparatus for a washing machine according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: cabinet 4: spring

5: damper assembly 6: tub

8: drum 10: motor

12: water supply valve assembly 14: detergent box assembly

16: drain pump assembly 18: heater

20: UV lamp assembly 22: UV lamp

24: housing body 26: transmission plate

28 housing cover 30 mounting member

32: seating hole 34: support projection

G: Gasket S: Sealing member

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilizing washing machine, and more particularly, to an ultraviolet sterilizing drum washing machine which irradiates ultraviolet rays into a drum to effect sterilization.

In general, the washing machine washes by using friction between the drum and the laundry rotated by the driving force of the motor while detergent and washing water and laundry are put in the tub and drum installed horizontally, and there is almost no damage to the laundry and the laundry is not tangled with each other. It has a washing effect by tapping and scuffing.

Usually, tap water is used as washing water to be introduced into the tub and drum together with the detergent to remove the dirt of the laundry, but the calcium of the tap water and the surfactant of the detergent react to form insoluble metal soap, which is attached to the drum inner wall. It is easy to do this, and this tendency is more prominent when the detergent uses a powder detergent consisting of sodium high acid fatty acid.

Therefore, the adhesion of the metal soap as described above is attached to the fiber debris from the laundry, dirt, and so on to absorb moisture, causing the growth of microorganisms, causing a surface precipitate that causes decay, and can further cause mold. These molds may cause odors, and furthermore, molds develop and float in the water during the washing process, so that the molds are attached to the laundry. As a result, there is a separate hygiene problem even if the laundry is removed from the laundry.

In addition, since laundry is easily attached to the human body and many bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Cereus bacillus, and atypical anti-acid bacteria are attached to the human body, many such bacteria remain attached to the laundry even after washing in the washing machine. In particular, when the laundry is poorly dried, the remaining germs multiply to produce an odor or discolor.

Furthermore, the laundry in which the above bacteria remain, when worn by the sick or young, infants, and the like with weak immunity, has a problem of threatening health, such as a skin infection.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet sterilization washing machine to be sterilized by irradiating the ultraviolet light to the laundry under certain conditions during the washing process in the washing machine.

To this end, the present invention is a cabinet in which the laundry opening is formed, the door is installed in the cabinet to open and close the opening of the cabinet, the buffer is installed in the cabinet so that the wash water is contained, the tub is installed to rotate inside the tub And a drum for washing the gasket, a gasket installed between the inlet of the cabinet and the tub to seal the door and the tub, and an ultraviolet light source installed on the gasket to irradiate ultraviolet rays into the drum. UV germicidal washing machine to provide.

In a washing machine using a rotating drum and washing water is filled, it is not easy to secure a space for installing the ultraviolet light source in a position where the washing water is not closed without being affected by the rotation of the drum. It is about solving this difficulty by installing an ultraviolet light source in the gasket.

Various forms, for example, an ultraviolet lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode, may be used as the ultraviolet light source, and any type may be used as long as the ultraviolet light source is sterilizable. However, ultraviolet rays can be divided into A (300-400 nm), B (280-320 nm), and C (180-280 nm) depending on the wavelength, and ultraviolet rays in the C (180-280 nm) region kill microorganisms. It is known to have an effect, and accordingly, the ultraviolet light source according to the present invention preferably irradiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 280 nm.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention, the washing machine according to the present invention is installed so as to be suspended by a cabinet (4) and the spring (4) inside the cabinet (2) and at the same time damper A tub 6 installed to be supported by the assembly 5, a drum 8 rotatably installed inside the tub 6, in which washing water and laundry are contained, and a rear of the tub 6. Is installed to be connected to the drum (8) consists of a motor (10) for rotating the drum (8) and a door (50) installed to open and close the inlet on the laundry inlet side of the cabinet (2), A ring-shaped gasket (G) is installed to connect the inlet and the tub (6), and an ultraviolet lamp assembly (20) generating ultraviolet rays at the upper end of the gasket (G) is installed to face the inside of the drum (8). Laundry to generate ultraviolet rays to the drum (8) Is configured to sterilize.

In addition, the water supply valve assembly 12 and the detergent box assembly 14 and the tub (6) installed on the tub 6 to supply washing water and detergent into the tub (6) and the drum (8). Is installed on the bottom of the tub 6 and the drain pump assembly 16 for draining the washing water in the drum 8 and the heater mounting portion 6a protruding downward from the tub 6. Control to control the operation of the heater 18, the motor 10 and the heater 18 and the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 so as to improve the washing performance by heating the wash water inside the tub (6) to a high temperature It further comprises means (not shown).

In this case, the door 50 is hingedly connected to the opening of the front of the cabinet 2 so as to be opened and closed. When the door 50 is closed to the cabinet 2, the door 50 is in close contact with the opening. The wash water is configured not to leak.

Next, the tub 6 may be horizontally installed inside the cabinet 2 in a cylindrical shape, but the front end of the tub 6 may be disposed to facilitate the withdrawal of laundry from the inlet of the cabinet 2. The tub 6 may be configured to be inclined upwardly from the rear end of the cabinet 2.

Next, the drum 8 has a cylindrical shape rotatably installed inside the tub 6, and a plurality of dehydration holes 8h are formed on an inner wall thereof, so that the washing water is directed toward the drum 8 and the tub 6. Not only can it flow freely, but also the washing water is discharged from the laundry by centrifugal force during dehydration, and the drum 8 is rotated by a protruding lift 8a installed on the inner wall surface of the drum 8 at a predetermined interval. As the laundry is pulled up, the laundry is dropped off.

At this time, the drum (8) is made of a stainless material so that the ultraviolet rays are reflected so that the ultraviolet rays can reach anywhere in the drum (8), such a drum (8) of the tub (6) It is installed to be connected to each other by a motor shaft (not shown) installed to penetrate the tub 10 and the motor 10 mounted on the rear, the motor 10 is the drum 8 in both directions And rotates the drum 8 below 1 G (1 gravity) so that the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet light extends over a wider area.

Next, the water supply valve assembly 12 and the drain pump assembly 16 are configured to include a water supply valve (not shown) and a drain pump (not shown), respectively, to supply washing water according to the operation of the water supply valve and the drain pump. Or drain. Of course, the operation of the feed valve and the drain pump is controlled by the control means.

The ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be coupled to the gasket G in various ways, and is preferably coupled to the gasket G of a rubber material in which a ring-shaped protrusion 34 is formed. In addition, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be further provided with a shape fixing means 35 to firmly fix the shape coupling. The shape fixing means 35 may be provided on one side or both sides of the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20, thereby solidifying the fixing of the gasket G and the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20, and further, the gasket G and the ultraviolet ray. It is possible to prevent leakage at the portion where the lamp assembly 20 is coupled. In addition, the gasket G and the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be fixed by banding or taping.

Meanwhile, although the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be used as the ultraviolet light source, an ultraviolet light emitting diode LIGHT EMITTING DIODE may be used. The ultraviolet light emitting diode has a higher reliability than the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20, and also has the advantage of low power consumption.

2 is a view showing another example of the combination of the ultraviolet lamp assembly and the gasket, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 is an ultraviolet lamp 22 for generating ultraviolet light in accordance with a control signal input from the control means, and the ultraviolet lamp ( A housing body 24 on which 22 is mounted, a transmission plate 26 for transmitting ultraviolet rays generated by the ultraviolet lamp 24, and a housing cover 28 mounted on the front surface of the housing body 24. In this case, ultraviolet rays are uniformly irradiated inside the drum 8 in addition to the laundry so that the drum 8 is also sterilized together with the laundry.

In general, the transmissive plate 26 is made of a quartz plate that can transmit ultraviolet rays, so that the transmissive plate 26 is easily broken even in a light impact. In order to prevent the transmissive plate 26, the transmissive plate 26 together with the ultraviolet lamp 22 forms the housing main body 24. ) And a pair of sealing members S are coupled to the front and rear circumferential portions thereof before being installed between the housing cover 28 and the housing covers 28, and the sealing members S are formed by the housing body 24 and the transmission. It is preferably formed in a ring shape of a rubber material which is installed to abut between the plate 26 and the housing cover 28.

On the other hand, the housing main body 24 is a mounting groove (not shown) is formed so that the ultraviolet lamp 22 is slidingly inserted from the side, while the housing cover 28 is coupled to the housing body 24 The transmission hole is formed in the center of the front surface so as to pass the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp 22, the housing cover 28 is screw-assembly around the housing main body 24.

The ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be coupled to the gasket G by installing the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 in the seating hole 32 formed by the protrusion 34 on the upper portion of the gasket G.

Furthermore, although the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be directly installed in the mounting hole 32, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 may be installed in a separate mounting member 30 in a state where the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 is seated.

On the other hand, since the diameter of the tub 6 is larger than the diameter of the inlet of the cabinet 2, the gasket G is formed to have a larger diameter from the front end to the rear end thereof, and thus the gasket G has a larger diameter. Since the mounting hole 32 is formed at the upper end to face the drum 8 like the upper end of the gasket G, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 has the mounting hole 32 and the supporting protrusion 34. It is supported at the same time and automatically installed to face the drum (8).

However, even if the diameter of the inlet port of the cabinet 2 and the diameter of the tub 6 are formed to be the same, when the drum 8 is installed to be inclined downward from the front end to the rear end, the gasket G is mounted on the upper end of the gasket G. Even when the hole 32 is formed horizontally, the mounting hole 32 is also formed to face the drum 8 so that the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 is supported by the mounting hole 32 and the supporting protrusion 34. At the same time it can be installed to automatically face the drum (8).

On the other hand, regardless of the structure of the gasket (G) by adjusting the irradiation angle of the ultraviolet lamp assembly 20 or the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be directed to the inside of the drum (8).

In the present invention, in the sterilization of laundry in a washing machine by ultraviolet irradiation, the wavelength of the ultraviolet ray, the humidity in the washing machine, the flow rate inside the drum, and the like are considered as factors influencing the effect of sterilization. A wavelength of 180 to 280 nm is suitable, the lower the humidity in the washing machine is effective (effective when the relative humidity is less than 60%), and the lower the air flow rate inside the drum is preferable (the flow of 2 m / sec or less) Speed is effective).

Therefore, it is desirable to allow the washing machine to be in the above condition when irradiating ultraviolet rays, and the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays can be adjusted by using an ultraviolet light source of such wavelengths, and the flow rate inside the drum can be adjusted by adjusting the rotational speed of the drum. . However, since the relative humidity generally does not include a sensor for measuring relative humidity in the washing machine, UV irradiation is performed when a humidity below a predetermined level (for example, 40% or less) is detected by a sensor for measuring humidity. can do.

In addition, an element to be considered when using an ultraviolet lamp assembly may include a transmission plate 26. The transmission plate 26 is provided to protect the ultraviolet lamp 22, but most materials (for example, Plastics) do not transmit ultraviolet rays, so a material made of a material which transmits ultraviolet rays such as quartz is used.

Next, the process of sterilizing in the process of washing according to the present invention will be described.

The control means is installed to be connected to the operation button (not shown) installed in the cabinet (2) by the user's course selection, the motor 10, the heater 18, water supply valve or drain pump, ultraviolet lamp 22 Control the operation of the lamp.

Particularly, if the sterilization course is selected by the user, the control means allows the ultraviolet ray to be irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 22 during the rinsing stroke or after the dehydration stroke is completed, while the motor 10 is irradiated with the ultraviolet ray. ) By controlling the operation of the drum (8) in both directions to ensure that the laundry is mixed with each other to be evenly sterilized.

Of course, it is preferable that the control means drive the motor 10 during sterilization so that the drum 8 can be sterilized sufficiently by slowly rotating the drum 8 below 1G.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the control means detects whether the door is opened or closed and stops the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 22 when the door is opened to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside.

In general, ultraviolet rays have a sterilization effect that the wind speed of the ambient air is higher than or equal to the set wind speed, or the relative humidity is higher than or equal to the set value. When the moisture content ratio is equal to or higher than the set value, the ultraviolet ray lamp 22 can be operated so that the ultraviolet ray is not irradiated.

In this case, the control means is connected to a sensor capable of measuring the air velocity inside the drum 8 and a sensor capable of measuring the moisture content to receive the respective measured values, and accordingly whether to irradiate the ultraviolet rays Use it to judge.

Further, the control means determines whether to take out the laundry according to whether the door 50 is opened or closed after all the washing process is completed, if the laundry is not withdrawn even after the set time, periodically from the ultraviolet lamp 22 Ultraviolet rays may be irradiated at set time intervals to control continuous sterilization.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a sterilization control method of a sterilization apparatus for a washing machine according to the present invention. The sterilization control method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

First, in the first step, after the sterilization course is set by the user's selection, the laundry is put in, and the washing administration is performed by supplying detergent and washing water (see S1, S2, and S3).

Here, the user puts the laundry through the inlet of the cabinet (2), and then set the washing course by using the operation button, but can selectively set the sterilization course, washing course including the sterilization course If set, washing is performed according to a washing process input in advance.

Specifically, the control means detects the quantity of the laundry while inverting the drum 8 in both directions by inputting and driving a control signal to the motor 10, and accordingly opening the water supply valve to wash the washing water. It passes through the box assembly 14 and into the tub 6 and the drum 8, thereby allowing an appropriate amount of wash water to be supplied into the tub 6 and the drum 8 together with detergent.

 Thereafter, the control means repeatedly inverts the drum 8 in both directions to allow the washing of the laundry to be carried out at the same time, so that the detergent is dissolved, and then rotates in a predetermined direction or inverts in both directions to wash the laundry. do.

At this time, the laundry is caught by the lift (8a) as the drum (8) is rotated, there is an effect of tapping and rising while falling off.

In the second step, after the washing stroke of the first step is completed, the rinsing stroke and the dehydrating stroke are sequentially performed (see S4 and S5).

Here, the wash water contaminated inside the tub 6 and the drum 8 is drained to the outside by the operation of the drain pump, and then the new wash water is opened as the water valve opens. After a proper amount of water is supplied to the inside, the drum 8 is inverted in both directions, and the rinsing stroke is performed while repeating the process of rinsing the laundry 2-3 times.

Of course, as the intermittent dehydration is made in such a rinsing stroke, the sterilizing action may be set after the intermittent dehydration of the rinsing stroke at the time of setting the sterilization course.

Thereafter, when the rinsing stroke is completed, the rinsed wash water is drained to the outside by the operation of the drain pump, and then the drum 8 is rotated at a high speed in one direction so that the wash water contained in the laundry is discharged by centrifugal force. Dehydration strokes are made, but the rotational speed of the drum 8 in the dehydration stroke is set much faster than the rotational speed of the drum 8 in the washing stroke and rinsing stroke.

In the third step, after the dehydration stroke of the second step is completed, sterilization stroke is performed by irradiating ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time in consideration of the wind speed and moisture content in the drum 8 (see S6, S7, and S8). )

Here, the control means receives a measured value measuring the air velocity and moisture content in the drum 8 and compares it with the set velocity and the set value.

At this time, if the air velocity in the drum 8 is less than the set wind speed, the moisture content measurement value is compared with the set value, and if the air velocity in the drum 8 is equal to or greater than the set wind speed, the sterilization effect is remarkably decreased. Therefore, the air wind speed inside the drum 8 is continuously measured without proceeding the sterilization administration.

Thereafter, if the measured value of the moisture content is less than the set value, the sterilization stroke is performed. If the measured value of the moisture content is more than the set value, the sterilization effect is remarkably decreased. The spin-drying process is performed repeatedly while rotating at high speed.

Therefore, when the air velocity in the drum 8 is less than the set value and the moisture content is less than the set value, power is supplied to the ultraviolet lamp 22 by the control means to generate ultraviolet rays to generate the drum 8. Irradiated to the inside, even if directly irradiated with the laundry inside the drum (8), even if directly irradiated on the drum (8) is made of stainless material is reflected and irradiated with ultraviolet rays evenly everywhere in the drum (8) And the drum 8 are simultaneously sterilized.

At this time, the control means is mixed with the laundry while slowly inverting the drum 8 in both directions while the drum 8 is also less than 1G (when the 1G or more, laundry continues to rotate to the drum by centrifugal force). Sterilize the laundry evenly.

In the fourth step, after the sterilization administration of the third step is completed, if the laundry is not withdrawn, the ultraviolet rays are periodically irradiated at set time intervals and stored. (See S8 and S10.)

At this time, the control means determines whether to take out the laundry through the opening of the door after all the series of washing process and sterilization administration, but do not leave the laundry as it is, if the laundry is not withdrawn even after the set time has elapsed Instead, periodically irradiate ultraviolet rays at set time intervals to allow sterilization.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail by way of examples based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

UV sterilizing washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above is to be sterilized by irradiating the ultraviolet light generated from the ultraviolet light source to the laundry inside the drum by mounting an ultraviolet light source on the gasket top installed between the inlet and the tub of the cabinet, The UV light source can be easily installed to generate ultraviolet rays of a specific wavelength with excellent sterilization effect. Furthermore, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the laundry and drum in consideration of the air velocity and moisture content inside the drum. There is an advantage to maximize.

Claims (9)

A cabinet in which an input port through which laundry is input is formed; A door installed in the cabinet to open and close the inlet of the cabinet; A tub installed in the cabinet so as to be buffered to contain wash water; A drum installed to rotate inside the tub to allow washing; A gasket installed between the inlet of the cabinet and the tub to seal between the door and the tub; And, Ultraviolet light sterilization washing machine comprising a; ultraviolet light source which is installed in the gasket to irradiate ultraviolet light into the drum. The method of claim 1, And the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet lamp assembly. The method of claim 2, The ultraviolet lamp assembly includes an ultraviolet lamp for generating ultraviolet light; And an ultraviolet lamp housing surrounding the ultraviolet lamp, and a transmission plate that transmits ultraviolet rays and is provided in the ultraviolet lamp housing. The method of claim 3, wherein Ultraviolet sterilizing washing machine, characterized in that the transmission plate is made of quartz. The method of claim 1, The gasket is provided with a projection forming a groove, the ultraviolet light source is ultraviolet sterilizing washing machine, characterized in that the shape is coupled to the groove of the projection. The method of claim 5, The ultraviolet light source further comprises a fixing means for firmly fixing the projection and the projection. The method of claim 5, The ultraviolet light source further comprises a band for fixing the protrusion and the shape coupling ultraviolet sterilizing washing machine. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The ultraviolet light source is ultraviolet sterilizing washing machine, characterized in that for irradiating ultraviolet rays of 180 ~ 280 nm wavelength. The method of claim 1, Ultraviolet light sterilizing washing machine, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

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