KR20080043721A - Washing machine and washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A washer and a method for washing laundry are provided to sterilize bacteria and to remove fungus from laundry by washing laundry with optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent added water and radiating light to the laundry. A washer comprises a body(1), a washing tub(4), an optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent supplying unit, and a light radiating unit(5). The optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent supplying unit supplies optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent added water to the washing tub by discharging the optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent and adding the optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent to water. The optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent supplying unit has an electrolytic cell(10) having a metal electrode, and supplies metal ion to the water by electrically discomposing the metal of the electrolytic cell. The light radiating unit radiates light to the laundry soaked by the optically stimulated anti-bacteria agent added water.

Description

Washing machine and washing method {WASHING MACHINE AND WASHING METHOD}

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing method having a function of disinfecting laundry.

In the conventional type of washing machine, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-57423, the silver ions are brought into contact with the laundry during the dehydration operation so that the silver ions are attached to the laundry. In addition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-105692, the silver ion concentration is set to 50 ppb to 100 ppb or 50 ppb to 900 ppb by the amount of laundry, for example, to sufficiently exhibit the antibacterial effect of silver ions. . Further, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-87712, silver ions dissolved in water are crystallized once by drying the water by bringing the silver ion-containing substance into contact with the laundry as a liquid droplet of small diameter particles that are easy to dry. When it starts to melt in water for the second time, the effect of silver ions is more easily exhibited.

The configuration and operation of the washing machine of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-105692 are described with reference to FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a conventional fully automatic washing machine. As shown in FIG. 13, the outer side box 102 of the washing machine 101 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has the opening 103 for injecting laundry on the upper surface. The outer box 102 is provided with a storage cylinder 104, a cover 105 is provided on the upper surface of the opening 103, and is fixed by screws. The inner cylinder 106 is rotatably provided in the storage cylinder 104, and the pulsator 107 for stirring laundry is provided in the bottom part of this inner cylinder 106. As shown in FIG. The inner cylinder 106 and the pulsator 107 are rotationally driven by the motor 108. Water to the inner cylinder 106 and the water bottle 104 (supplying water) is executed from the water flow passage 109 through the ion supply unit 110.

Next, the operation | movement at the time of performing the disinfection and antibacterial process to laundry in the washing machine 101 is demonstrated. In the washing machine 101, the ion supply unit 110 is controlled when water is supplied from the water flow path 109, and supplies silver in the ion water in an ion state. As a result, the concentration of silver ions contained in the water becomes a predetermined concentration, and the pulsator 107 and the inner cylinder 106 are driven to rotate by the motor 108, whereby silver ions adhere to the laundry, Sterilization of attached bacteria is performed. In addition, since silver ions adhered to the laundry remain in the laundry, it has an antibacterial effect that suppresses the growth of bacteria in the laundry even after washing.

However, in the structure of a conventional washing machine, it is necessary to elute a high concentration of silver ions from the ion supply unit 110 in order to antibacterial or disinfect a large amount of laundry, and the laundry is discolored if the repeated laundry is continuously treated with silver ions. There is a problem with discarding.

In addition, although silver ions are effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, there is a problem that the effects are lowered against bacteria and fungi other than that.

The washing machine of the present invention is a photoexcitation antibacterial agent for supplying a washing tank with a main body, a washing tank built into the main body accommodating laundry, and a water-excited antibacterial agent added water added to water by eluting a photoexcitation antibacterial agent having a photoexcitation action. It is a structure provided with the supply apparatus and the light irradiation apparatus which irradiates light to the laundry containing the water excitation antibacterial material addition water.

In the washing machine having such a configuration, the water-excited antibacterial agent-added water is brought into contact with the laundry to kill bacteria adhered to the laundry by the light-excited antibacterial agent eluted in water. By irradiating the light emitted from the light irradiation device to the photoexcitation antimicrobial material attached to the laundry and the photoexcitation antimicrobial additive supplied in the washing tank, active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals having a high bactericidal action are generated by the photocatalytic action. The bacteria can be decomposed by the oxidative action of the active oxygen species. Therefore, even with a low concentration of the antibacterial material due to the photoexcitation antibacterial material and active oxygen species, it is possible to effectively carry out the antibacterial and antibacterial treatment of the laundry. In addition, since oxidative decomposition by active oxygen species is used, the antimicrobial spectrum can be expanded to be effective against bacteria and fungi other than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is sectional structure drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and FIG. 3 is in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the step of a washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 of the washing machine includes an outer tub 2 and an inner tub 3 rotatably provided in the outer tub 2, so that the washing tub ( 4) is formed. The light irradiation apparatus 5 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the short peripheral part of the opening part 2a provided in the front side of the outer tub 2. As shown in FIG. One end of the drain passage 6 is connected to the lower part of the outer tank 2, and a drain valve 7 is connected to the drain passage 6 to drain the wash water in the washing tank 4. The water supply to the washing tank 4 opens the water supply valve 8 of the water supply passage 9, and supplies water to the washing tank 4 through the electrolytic bath 10.

The inner tub 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a plurality of water passage holes 3a are formed on the circumferential surface thereof, and the baffles 11 protruding inward are provided at a plurality of positions of the inner circumferential surface. have. At the rotation center of the inner tub 3, the rotation shaft 3b is provided in the substantially inclined direction, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 is inclined upward from the back side to the front side, and is arrange | positioned. The motor 12 attached to the rear side of the outer tub 2 is connected to this rotating shaft 3b, and the inner tub 3 is rotationally driven in the direction of forward rotation and reverse rotation.

Moreover, the cover 13 covers the opening part 2a provided in the upward inclination surface of the front side of the outer tub 2 so that opening and closing is possible. And by opening this cover 13, the laundry can be put in and out in the inner tank 3. As shown in FIG. Since the cover 13 is provided on an upward inclined surface, the laundry can be put in and out without bending. Therefore, the washing machine of this structure improves the disadvantage of the workability of the washing machine which takes out the laundry 14 from the side opening or facing up.

In addition, the control device 15 performs the operation control of the drain valve 7, the water supply valve 8, and the motor 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic cell 10 which is a photoexcitation antimicrobial material supply apparatus has two silver plate-shaped electrodes 32 in the case 31, and the water inlet 33 of the water in one end of the longitudinal direction, and the other A water outlet 34 is provided at one end and connected to the water supply passage 9. In the case 31, it arrange | positions toward two plate-shaped electrodes 32 in the form according to the water flow from the inflow port 33 to the outflow port 34, and can supply silver which is a photoexcitation antimicrobial material with ions. In addition, a part of the electrode 32 is provided with a connection terminal 35 for applying a voltage.

In a state where water is present in the case 31, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode 32, metal ions of the constituent metals of the electrode 32 are eluted from the anode side of the electrode 32. In the electrolytic cell 10, elution and non-emission of metal ions can be selected depending on whether voltage is applied or not.

In addition, the amount of metal ions eluted can be controlled by controlling the current or voltage application time. When current flows in the electrolytic cell 10 in one direction for a long time, the electrode 32 on the anode side is attenuated, and impurities such as calcium in the water scale on the electrode 32 on the cathode side. Adheres to).

In addition, chlorides and sulfides of the constituent metals of the electrode 32 are generated on the surface of the electrode 32. Since chloride and sulfide cause the performance of the electrolytic cell 10 to deteriorate, it is comprised so that the electrode drive circuit which is not shown in figure can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrode 32.

Next, operation | movement of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. When the cover 13 is opened and the laundry 14 and detergent are put into the inner tank 3 to start the washing machine operation, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from the water supply passage 9 into the outer tank 2, and the motor 12 ), The inner tank 3 is driven to rotate and the washing step is started. By the rotation of the inner tank 3, the laundry 14 accommodated in the inner tank 3 is lifted in the rotation direction by the baffle 11 provided in the inner peripheral surface of the inner tank 3, and falls from the appropriate height lifted. The stirring operation is repeated, and washing is performed by tapping.

When washing for a predetermined time is performed, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drainage passage 6. Then, the washing liquid contained in the laundry 14 is dewatered by a dehydration operation of rotating the inner tank 3 at high speed, and then, the water to which silver ionized water generated by the electrolytic cell 10 is added into the outer tank 2 is supplied with water. Watering from (9) and a rinse step are performed. Also in this rinsing step, the laundry 14 accommodated in the inner tank 3 is lifted up to the baffle 11 by the rotation of the inner tank 3, and the falling stirring operation is repeated, and rinsing washing is performed.

When the rinse washing for a predetermined time is performed, the rinse liquid is discharged from the drainage passage 6. And the rinse liquid contained in the laundry 14 is dehydrated by the dehydration operation | movement which rotates the inner tank 3 at high speed, and a rinse dehydration step is complete | finished. In this rinsing dehydration step, light is irradiated to the rinse liquid to which the laundry 14 and the metal ionized water were added by the light irradiation apparatus 5.

In addition, when the cover 13 is formed of a light transmissive material, in addition to the light of the light irradiation apparatus 5, light of indoor illumination can be taken into the inner tank 3, and the sterilization effect by the light can be enhanced.

In addition, when the washing tank 4 is configured to have an inclined angle in which the front is raised, and the cover 13 is formed of a light transmissive material, it is possible to easily receive the light of the indoor illumination in addition to the light of the light irradiation apparatus 5. It can increase the disinfection effect by light. This is because the cover 13 which inclines the washing tank 4 as the inclination angle which raised the front rather than the cover provided in the horizontal direction conventionally receives more diffused light even if it is the same area.

Moreover, in Embodiment 1 of this invention, the center of rotation of the inner tank 3 is made into the rotating shaft 3b of the substantially inclined direction, and arrange | positions the axial center direction of the inner tank 3 inclined upwards toward the front side from the back side, and arrange | positions, have. However, you may arrange | position the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 in a substantially horizontal direction, making the rotation center of the inner tub 3 into a substantially horizontal rotation axis. Moreover, you may arrange | position the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 in a substantially vertical direction, making the rotation center of the inner tub 3 into a substantially vertical rotation axis.

In addition, in Embodiment 1 of this invention, although the light irradiation apparatus 5 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the short peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the outer tub 2, the cover 13 of the substantially extended shape of the rotation center of the inner tub 3 is carried out. ) May be disposed.

In addition, in the electrolytic cell 10, the current or the energization time is adjusted in accordance with the amount of water in the washing tank 4 so that the silver ion concentration after water supply becomes 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm. Thereby, the sanitization and antibacterial performance of the laundry 14 are maintained. When the amount of laundry 14 or the amount of main water is small, the silver ion concentration is lowered. In addition, when the quantity of the laundry 14 is large, since the amount of main water does not increase in proportion to the quantity of the laundry 14, it adjusts by the control apparatus 15 so that silver ion concentration may become high.

In addition, the control apparatus 15 performs control of a washing | cleaning step and a rinse dehydration step. Specifically, in the washing step and the rinsing dewatering step, control of the main water operation, the washing (rinsing) operation, the draining operation, and the dehydration operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, in Embodiment 1 of this invention, a rinse dehydration step (constitution by water injection, rinsing, drainage, and dehydration) is performed twice, and silver ion is supplied to the water supply line at the time of each water injection operation (9). Is dissolved in water. In addition, light is irradiated to the water which melt | dissolved the laundry 14 and silver ion by the light irradiation apparatus 5 at the time of pouring, rinsing, draining, and dehydration.

In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, silver ions are dissolved and irradiated with light in all the rinsing and dehydration steps in order to maximize the disinfection and antibacterial effect. However, when the rinsing dehydration step is executed a plurality of times, the bactericidal antibacterial effect can be exhibited by performing at least once therein.

In addition, if silver ions are supplied from the electrolytic cell 10 during the last watering operation of the rinse dehydration step, the laundry 14 can be sterilized and antibacterial can be most efficiently used using silver ions. In addition, when it has a drying step after completion | finish of the last dehydration step, disinfection and antibacterial can be performed more effectively by irradiating light also in this drying step.

Silver ion concentration becomes an important factor when performing the disinfection and antibacterial treatment of the laundry 14. If the laundry 14 to be treated is a minimum amount (0.5 kg of laundry with respect to 12 L of water in a washing tank), a silver ion concentration of 0.01 ppm can provide sufficient bactericidal and antibacterial effects. As the amount of the laundry 14 increases, the silver ion concentration is increased. However, when the silver ion concentration in water in the electrolytic cell 10 is increased, precipitation occurs, and this precipitation phenomenon starts to occur from 1 ppm, It cannot be dissolved enough. Therefore, when performing sterilization efficiently, it is necessary to make it 1 ppm or less. If the silver ion concentration is 1 ppm or less, the laundry 14 may not be colored by silver ions in normal use.

In addition, in order to effectively sterilize and antibacterial microorganisms such as bacteria attached to the laundry 14, it is necessary to generate active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals by photocatalysis. For that purpose and the amount of silver to attach the laundry 14 to ^{0.001㎍ / cm 2 ~0.30㎍ / cm 2} . Thereby, radicals are generated while minimizing the consumption of the deposited silver, and active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals can be efficiently generated from the silver deposited on the surface of the laundry 14, so that the bactericidal and antibacterial effects can be improved. have.

4 is a diagram showing a time graph of another example of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a rinsing step after the washing step is executed three times. In "rinse 2" and "rinse 3" after performing "rinse 1", silver ion is melt | dissolved and it is made to irradiate light. When the rinsing water used in "Rinse 1" is drained by opening the drain valve 7 (A), the inner tank 3 is rotated at a high speed for a predetermined time to perform intermediate dehydration, and when the number of rinsing water contained in the laundry decreases, the rotation is slowed. The water supply valve 8 is opened to supply water to the washing tank 4 (B). At this time, after adding silver ion to the rinsing water supplied to the washing tank 4 which energized the electrolytic cell 10 for predetermined time, light is irradiated by LED (light irradiation apparatus 5) (C). When a predetermined amount of rinsing water enters the washing tank 4, the inner tank 3 is rotated forward and reverse by the motor (drive device 12) (D), and the position of the laundry 14 in the inner tank 3 changes. Irradiation of the light is continued while stirring the laundry 14 for a predetermined time.

After the operation of the "rinse 2" is finished, the same operation as the "rinse 2" in the "rinse 3" continues, and then transfers to a dehydration step. In the dehydration step, the inner tank 3 rotates at high speed and irradiates light while dewatering the laundry.

Next, the light irradiation apparatus 5 is demonstrated. The light irradiation apparatus 5 is provided in the vicinity of the short periphery of the opening part 2a of the outer tub 2, and irradiates light inside the inner tub 3. In the washing tank 4, since the laundry 14 rotates by rotation of the inner tank 3, wash water also scatters. However, when the light irradiation apparatus 5 is provided in the vicinity of the short peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the washing tank 4, the light irradiation apparatus 5 is for example lower part near the short peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the outer tank 2, or Compared with the case in which the cover 13 of the substantially extended shape of the rotation center of the inner tank 3 is provided, light can be irradiated into the inner tank 3 efficiently without being influenced by the scattering of water.

Moreover, when the light irradiation apparatus 5 is provided in the upper part of the periphery of the short peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the outer tub 2, it can prevent that wash water adheres and becomes dirty. In addition, light can be irradiated at a position away from the laundry 14 in the inner tank 3, so that light can be prevented from being blocked by the laundry 14 in the vicinity of the light irradiation apparatus 5.

It is a figure which shows schematic drawing of the cross section of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention. In FIG. 5, an electrode 17 is formed on the substrate 16. On the electrode 17, the LED 18 which is a light source of the light irradiation apparatus 5 is connected in series. The resistor 19 is set so that the forward current flowing through the LED 18 becomes a predetermined value. In a typical LED, the current value is set to be 20 mA to 30 mA.

In FIG. 5, a plurality of LEDs 18 are connected in series. One large output LED 18 may be used, but a large output requires a heat dissipation configuration due to a rise in temperature. Moreover, it is more advantageous to disperse | distribute in multiple numbers from a viewpoint of lifetime.

In addition, the case 20 accommodates the LED 18, and the lead wire 21 connects the electrode 17 and the control device 15. The insulating material 22 is filled above and below the substrate 16, and the waterproof cover 23 is made of methacrylate resin, and in the case of 2.0 mm in thickness, transmits 90% or more of light from 320 nm to visible light. can do.

In general, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PC (polycarbonate), etc., which can be used as transparent resins, are excellent in the transmission of visible light, but almost no ultraviolet light. Since it does not transmit, when ultraviolet light is used for LED, it cannot be used as the waterproof cover 23. When ultraviolet light is used in the LED, glass other than tetramethyl ethylene perfluoro alkylvinyl ethylene copolymer (PFA), quartz glass, borosilicate glass, and soda glass can be used except for the methacryl resin. In addition, methacryl resin was used in Embodiment 1 of this invention because it is easy and damage is easy.

The light irradiation apparatus 5 has the waterproof cover 23 which consists of glass, methacryl resin, and PFA resin. Since the light source is covered by the waterproof cover 23, the visible light can be transmitted by 80% or more from ultraviolet light and irradiated to the laundry, so that it can be effectively sterilized.

In addition, as a light source, for example, in the case of an ultraviolet light source, although it is good also in black light, a sterilization lamp etc. which are generally used, since the light irradiation apparatus 5 is installed inside the main body 1 of a washing machine, a light source can be made very small. LEDs are preferred. In addition, the LED 18 can select a direction angle (angle of light emission: the angle at which the luminous intensity is 0.5 with respect to luminous intensity 1 on the optical axis) of about 10 ° to 140 ° according to the purpose. In addition, the LED 18 can emit light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 660 nm, and can be selected according to the purpose of use such as monochromatic light such as ultraviolet light, purple, blue, green, yellow, red, and white.

By using a light source as LED, a light source can be made small and it can arrange | position compactly in a small space. Moreover, since the irradiation angle (direction angle) can be changed by the structure of LED, the irradiation range in the inner tank 3 can be set arbitrarily.

Fig. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the bactericidal effect of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength (color) of the LED 18 and the bactericidal effect. The bacteria are suspended in sterile water, the bacteria are collected in a test cloth, and then placed in a washing machine together with the laundry 14, and after washing, a rinsing and dehydration step is performed with photoexcitation antibacterial water, followed by a drying step. Investigated. 6 shows the ratio (-logE _L / E _O ) to the number of bacteria E _O before light irradiation of the bacteria number E _L remaining on the test cloth at that time, with respect to the LED wavelength. Although the effect can be acquired also by the light (red) of 630 nm long wavelength from the result of FIG. 6, the disinfection effect rises with the short wavelength, and an ultraviolet-ray is preferable as a light source of the light irradiation apparatus 5. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, the light irradiation apparatus 5 is preferably a light source containing ultraviolet light, and can effectively generate active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals having a great bactericidal action by the photocatalytic effect, and the bactericidal effect is improved. Improve.

Thus, the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention wash | cleans the washing tank 4 which accommodates the laundry 14, and the optical excitation antibacterial material addition water which eluted the optical excitation antimicrobial agent which has a photoexcitation action, and added to water. And an optical irradiation device 5 for irradiating light to the laundry 14 containing the optically excited antibacterial material supplying device (electrolyzer) 10 and the water 14 containing the optically excited antibacterial material addition water. Therefore, when the light radiated from the light irradiation apparatus 5 is irradiated with the light excitation antibacterial material attached to the laundry 14 and the light excitation antibacterial material addition water supplied in the washing tank 4, it is effective in the bactericidal action by a photocatalytic action. Active oxygen species, such as large hydroxy radicals, are produced and sterilized by their strong oxidizing power. Photoexcitation antibacterial material and active oxygen species can exert bactericidal and antibacterial effect even at low concentration. In addition, since oxidative decomposition by active oxygen species is used, the antibacterial spectrum can be expanded, and the effect can also be exerted on bacteria and fungi other than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Moreover, the photoexcitation antibacterial material supply apparatus 10 has the electrolytic cell which has the electrode 32 containing at least a metal, and supplies the ion of a metal in water by electrolysis. As a result, the metal element having the photoexcitation action is eluted by electrolysis, so that the current and the energization time can be controlled to adjust the concentration of the metal element in the photoexcited antimicrobial additive-added water, and stably supply at a predetermined concentration. .

In addition, since the metal element having a photoexcitation action is eluted to the water flowing through the electrolytic cell 10 and supplied to the washing tank 4, the generation and control of the photoexcited antibacterial material addition water can be controlled by a simple configuration.

In addition, in the rinse dehydration step, the light 14 is impregnated with the water 14 impregnated with the light-excited antibacterial material added water supplied to the washing tank 4, thereby effectively washing the light-excited antibacterial material eluted in the water. It can be impregnated and can produce active oxygen species, such as a hydroxy radical with a great bactericidal action, by photocatalysis.

In addition, the light irradiation apparatus 5 irradiates the laundry 14 with light when the light-excited antimicrobial additive water in the washing tank 4 is discharged or after the light-excited antimicrobial additive water is discharged, whereby the light-excited antibacterial material-added water Light can be irradiated to the laundry 14 exposed from this, and active oxygen species can be produced effectively.

Table 1 shows the removal effect of the mold of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The mold is suspended in sterile water, the bacteria are collected in the test cloth, placed in the washing tank 4 together with the laundry 14, and after washing, rinsing and dehydration step while irradiating light with light-excited antibacterial material (silver ions) added water. The removal rate of the mold was measured for the case of rinsing and dehydration step without irradiating light. When irradiated with light, the removal rate of mold is greatly improved compared with the case where light is not irradiated, and it is known that it is effective also to remove the mold by bringing silver ions into the light.

Silver ion + light effect % Removal Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) Mold (Cladosporium) Silver ions only > 99 22 Silver ions + light > 99 90

Table 2 shows the removal rate of bacteria against the photoexcitation antimicrobial (silver ion) concentration. The silver ion concentration changes depending on the amount of the laundry 14. Here, each silver ion concentration was 0.01 ppm, 0.03 ppm, and 0.1 ppm with respect to 0.5 kg, 3.5 kg, and 7 kg of laundry amount. After the bacteria are suspended in sterile water and the bacteria are collected in the test cloth, the bacteria are placed in the washing tank 4 together with the laundry 14, and after washing, rinsing and dehydration step while irradiating light with the light-excited antibacterial material (silver ion) added water. After the test, the removal rate of the bacteria was measured. High silver removal rate was obtained by irradiating light even at low concentration with a silver ion concentration of 0.01 ppm.

Silver ion concentration and bacteria removal rate Silver ion concentration (ppm) Clothing amount (kg) Removal rate (%) 0.01 0.5 > 99 0.03 3.5 > 99 0.10 7 > 99

FIG. 7A is a schematic sectional view showing a light irradiation method of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a schematic sectional view showing another light irradiation method of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the further light irradiation method of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention. As shown to FIG. 7A, the light irradiation apparatus 5 may be set so that it may irradiate toward the bottom part (part where water excitation antibacterial agent addition water collects at the time of rinsing) in the inner tank 3. As shown in FIG. In this case, by using a relatively small directivity angle, the light is concentrated in a narrow range and the disinfection effect of the portion is promoted. At the time of rinsing, the laundry 14 is lifted upward by the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the baffle 11, and then the operation of dropping the light-excited antibacterial material addition water is repeated. Therefore, if it irradiates toward the bottom part in the inner tank 3, the laundry 14 will always irradiate light, and the laundry 14 will be disinfected.

Therefore, light is irradiated toward the bottom part of the inner tank 3 by the light irradiation apparatus 5, and light can be reliably irradiated to the laundry 14 which impregnated the optical excitation antibacterial material addition water and the optical excitation antibacterial material addition water. Can be.

Further, the light irradiation device 5 irradiates light toward the water surface of the water-excited antimicrobial agent-added water in the inner tank 3, thereby washing the laundry 14 exposed on the water surface and the laundry 14 appearing on the water surface. Light can be irradiated efficiently in the state in which the photoexcitation antibacterial material addition water was fully impregnated.

The washing tub 4 includes an outer tub 2 provided in the main body 1 and an inner tub 3 rotatably provided in the outer tub 2, and a motor 12 (driving device) which rotationally drives the inner tub 3. The laundry 14 in the inner tank 3 is stirred. And by changing the position of the laundry 14 and irradiating light, the overlapping laundry 14 is stirred, and the laundry 14 which exposes to the surface in the inner tank 3 is replaced. Therefore, light can be irradiated to the laundry 14 without missing, and the active oxygen species in a photoexcitation antimicrobial material generate | occur | produce without a spot, and the bactericidal effect is improved. In addition, by rotating the inner bath 3 forward and backward, the stirring effect of the laundry 14 can be enhanced, and light can be irradiated uniformly.

In addition, it is possible to rotate the inner tank 3 at a speed of lifting and dropping the laundry by the baffle 11, for example, 45 revolutions / minute, irradiating the laundry 14 with light, and stirring the laundry effectively, The light can be irradiated without missing.

In addition, as the light irradiation apparatus 5, as shown in FIG. 7B, the radiation angle of radiation can also be used. In this case, although it is not possible to concentrate light in a narrow range as shown in FIG. 7A, sterilization is performed by uniformly irradiating the inside of the inner tank 3. In addition, since the inner tank 3 is usually comprised of metals, such as stainless steel, when the LED 18 with a big directivity angle is used, it reflects light in the surface of the inner tank 3, and emits light directly from the LED 18. The opportunity for light to reach this unwashed laundry 14 also increases, and sterilization is performed.

In this case, however, a configuration in which the radiated light does not leak directly outside the washing tub 4, that is, through the cover 13 is preferable. By doing in this way, light can be utilized effectively in order to disinfect in the washing tank 4. Moreover, especially when using the LED 18 of the wavelength of an ultraviolet light, by setting it as the structure which does not leak out directly, it can suppress the influence on a human body. Therefore, by setting the directing angle of the light source of the light irradiation apparatus 5 or the installation angle of the light source so that light does not directly irradiate out of the inner tank 3, light can be efficiently introduced into the inner tank 3. In addition, the effect of ultraviolet light on the human body can be reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7C, the light irradiation apparatus 5 may be configured to irradiate a wider range than that in the washing tank 4 using the plurality of LEDs 18. By using the LEDs 18 having a small directivity angle and irradiating different places, a plurality of relatively large irradiated portions are formed and a wide range is irradiated, so that the same effect as in the case of FIG. 7B can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)

It is a block diagram of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Since the basic structure of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 of this invention is the same as that of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention, only a difference is demonstrated. In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a plurality of LEDs 18 are connected in series. In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the LEDs 18 are connected in parallel (L1 to L4 in FIG. 8), and the resistor 19 is connected. Corresponding to each LED 18 is provided (R1-R4 of FIG. 8). Moreover, the provision of the conversion apparatus 24 makes it possible to arbitrarily set the irradiation method of the some LED 18, such as using LED of a different orientation angle, respectively. In addition, even when a defect occurs in one light source and the light cannot be emitted, light emission can be continued by another light source and the sterilization operation can be continued.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9 which is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the light irradiation method of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 of this invention, the several periphery of the opening part 2a of the opening part 2a of the outer tub 2 is provided with several LED 25,26. It is arrange | positioned at a different position, can divide the irradiation area of light, and can set an irradiation method arbitrarily for each area | region. Therefore, the distance from an irradiation object can be set short, and light can be irradiated by focusing on an irradiation object for every area | region.

In addition, by connecting the LEDs 18 in parallel, the irradiation method can be changed at the time of rinsing and dehydration. At the time of rinsing, the laundry 14 is lifted upward by the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the baffle 11, and then the stirring operation that falls to the water-excited antibacterial agent addition water is repeated.

Moreover, when irradiating toward the bottom part of the inner tank 3, the laundry 14 will always irradiate light, and the laundry 14 will be disinfected. On the other hand, in the case of dehydration, the laundry 14 is in a state of being attached to the inner wall of the inner tank 3 by centrifugal force in order to rotate at high speed. Therefore, at the time of dehydration, it is applied to irradiation of the lower part of the inner tank 3 by the LED 25, and irradiates the upper part in the inner tank 3 with the LED 26, and irradiates light to the laundry 14 effectively, and disinfects it. You can run

In addition, the irradiation method of the LEDs 25 and 26 can also be set according to the quantity of the laundry 14. In Embodiment 1 of this invention, although it was said that the density | concentration of silver ion is changed according to the quantity of the laundry 14, it is also possible to change the irradiation method of light according to the quantity of the laundry 14, too. In other words, when the amount of the laundry 14 is small, efficient disinfection is possible by turning on the LED 25 irradiating the lower part of the washing tank 4 and lighting the LEDs 25 and 26 when the laundry 14 is large.

Moreover, by irradiating the same place in the inner tank 3 using a some light source, the part to which light is irradiated can be concentrated and the generation efficiency of active oxygen species can be improved. By providing a plurality of light sources, the load of each light source can be reduced and the life of the light source can be extended.

In addition, by arranging a plurality of light sources at different positions of the short peripheral portion of the opening 2a side of the outer tub 2, the laundry 14 can be irradiated with light from different directions, and the portion of the sound which is not exposed to light is removed. Light can be irradiated efficiently by making it small.

(Embodiment 3)

It is sectional drawing of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of this invention, and FIG. 11 is a characteristic view of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Since the basic structure of the light irradiation apparatus is the same as that of Embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention, only a difference is demonstrated.

Normally available LEDs have a maximum intensity of radiation above the optical axis, and the intensity decreases as the angle is widened from the optical axis, but the LED 27 emits light on the optical axis (line of angle 0 °) as shown in FIG. The intensity is small, showing the tendency that the intensity becomes stronger as the angle widens from the optical axis. Such an LED 27 can be obtained by forming a recess in the tip of the LED or smoothing the tip, as shown in FIG. 10. The irradiation method can be arbitrarily set by connecting at least one of the plurality of LEDs 18 in parallel with the LEDs 27 so that the emission intensity becomes stronger as these angles become wider from the optical axis.

That is, as described in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the LED 18 having the maximum intensity is lit on the optical axis during rinsing, and the LED 18 has the maximum intensity at a position off the optical axis with the LED 18 when dewatering. The LED 27 lights up. Moreover, you may change the irradiation method according to the quantity of the laundry 14. That is, when the amount of the laundry 14 is small, the LED 18 having the maximum intensity is turned on over the optical axis, and when the amount of the laundry 14 is large, the LED 18 has the maximum intensity at a position off the optical axis together with the LED 18. The LED 27 lights up. In this case, the LED 18 and the LED 27 may be housed in one case 20 as shown in FIG. 10, and as shown in FIG. 9, at different positions of the short peripheral portion of the outer tub 2. You may arrange.

(Embodiment 4)

It is sectional drawing of the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Since the basic structure of the light irradiation apparatus is the same as that of Embodiment 1-Embodiment 3 of this invention mentioned above, only a different point is demonstrated.

In Fig. 12, LED 28 emits a wavelength region of visible light. At least one of the ultraviolet rays LEDs 18 having a great bactericidal effect is replaced by this LED 28. It is more effective to use LED 18 which originally emits all ultraviolet rays for the bactericidal. However, since ultraviolet rays are invisible to humans, it is difficult to recognize that the laundry 14 or the like containing the fluorescent agent is in the washing tank 4 unless it is in the washing tank 4. Here, by lighting the LED 18 of ultraviolet rays and lighting the visible light LED 28 at the same time, it is possible to visually notify that the bacteria are being disinfected.

As shown in Fig. 6, the shorter the wavelength is, the greater the effect is for the disinfection. Although the bactericidal effect can be obtained even with light having a wavelength of 630 nm (red), the visible light LED 28 preferably has a wavelength of about 460 nm (blue) in order not to impair the bactericidal effect.

Therefore, the light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention can be made into visible light, and can visually inform that the disinfection operation is performed. In addition, by combining light sources having different wavelengths including ultraviolet light, active oxygen species such as large hydroxy radicals having bactericidal action can be effectively generated by photocatalytic action.

(Embodiment 5)

The washing method of the present invention includes a photoexcitation antibacterial agent addition water supplying step of supplying the photoexcitation antibacterial agent addition water to the washing tank 4, an impregnation step of including the photoexcitation antibacterial agent addition water in the laundry, and a photoexcitation antibacterial agent addition. And a light irradiation step of irradiating light to the laundry including water.

The photoexcitation antimicrobial agent eluted in water adheres to the laundry by bringing the water of the photoexcitation antibacterial additive into contact with the laundry. By irradiating the photoexcitation antibacterial material with light, active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals having a great bactericidal action are generated by the photocatalytic action, and bacteria can be decomposed by the oxidation action of the active oxygen species. Therefore, even with a low concentration of the antibacterial material due to the photoexcitation antibacterial material and active oxygen species, it is possible to effectively carry out the antibacterial and antibacterial treatment of the laundry. In addition, since oxidative decomposition by active oxygen species is used, the antimicrobial spectrum can be expanded to be effective against bacteria and fungi other than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Moreover, in embodiment of this invention, silver was selected as a photoexcitation antimicrobial material, the silver electrode was provided in the electrolytic cell 10, and the dissolution concentration to water was adjusted by electrolysis, but as a photoexcitation antimicrobial material which has antibacterial effect. In addition to silver, there are zinc, nickel and copper. By using these differently according to the target of the microorganisms to be disinfected and antibacterial, an appropriate antibacterial and antimicrobial effect can be expected. For example, zinc is effective for molds, and copper and nickel are effective for algae.

1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

2 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of a washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

3 is a diagram showing a step of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram showing a time graph of another example of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a schematic view of a cross section of a light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a characteristic diagram showing the bactericidal effect of the washing machine;

7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the light irradiation method of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention;

7B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another light irradiation method of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention;

7C is a schematic sectional view showing still another light irradiation method of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light irradiation method of the washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a sectional view of a light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a characteristic diagram of a light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a sectional view of a light irradiation apparatus of the washing machine in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: body 2: outer tank

2a: opening 3: inner tank

3a: water passage 4: washing tub

5: light irradiation apparatus 6: drainage

7: drain valve 8: feed valve

9: water supply furnace 10: electrolyzer

11: baffle 12: motor

13: cover 14: laundry

15: control device 17, 32: electrode

18, 25, 26, 27, 28: LED 21: lead wire

24: converting device 31: case

33: inlet 34: outlet

35: connection terminal

Claims (20)

With the body, The washing tank built in the main body which accommodates laundry, A photoexcitation antibacterial material supply device for eluting a photoexcitation antibacterial material having a photoexcitation action and supplying the water with the photoexcitation antibacterial material added to the washing tank; A light irradiation device for irradiating light to the laundry containing the light-excited antibacterial material addition water washer. The method of claim 1, The photoexcitation antibacterial material supply device has an electrolytic cell having an electrode containing at least a metal, and is configured to supply ions of the metal in water by electrolysis. washer. The method of claim 1, The washing tub has an outer tub provided in the main body and an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, provided with a driving device for rotationally driving the inner tub, agitating the laundry in the inner tub by the driving apparatus, and positioning the laundry. To irradiate the light washer. The method of claim 3, wherein A baffle is provided in the inner tank, and the light is irradiated to the laundry by rotating the inner tank at a speed of lifting and dropping the laundry by the baffle. washer. The method of claim 1, The light irradiation apparatus irradiates the light to the laundry impregnated with the water-excited antibacterial material added water supplied to the washing tank in a rinse dehydration step. washer. The method of claim 5, wherein The light irradiation apparatus is configured to irradiate the laundry with the light when the light-excited antibacterial agent-added water in the washing tank is discharged or after the light-excited antimicrobial agent-added water is discharged. washer. The method of claim 1, The said light irradiation apparatus provided in the vicinity of the short peripheral part by the side of the opening part which draws out the said laundry of the said outer tank washer. The method of claim 1, The light irradiating device irradiates the light toward the bottom of the inner tank. washer. The method of claim 8, The light irradiating device irradiates the light toward the water surface of the light-excited antimicrobial agent-added water in the inner tank. washer. The method of claim 1, The said light irradiation apparatus irradiates the same place in the said inner tank with a some light source. washer. The method of claim 10, The said light irradiation apparatus arrange | positioned the said some light source in the different position of the short peripheral part by the side of the opening part which takes out the said laundry of the said outer tank washer. The method of claim 10, The said light irradiation apparatus connected the said some light source in parallel. washer. The method of claim 1, The light irradiation apparatus is a light source containing ultraviolet light. washer. The method of claim 13, The light irradiation apparatus sets a direction angle of the light source or an installation angle of the light source so that the light is not directly irradiated out of the inner tank. washer. The method of claim 13, The light irradiation apparatus is configured by combining light sources of different wavelengths. washer. The method of claim 1, The light irradiation apparatus uses the light source as LED washer. The method of claim 1, A cover for opening and closing an opening for opening and receiving the laundry in the inner tank is provided, and the cover is formed of a light transmissive material. washer. The method of claim 17, Tilt the washing tank to the front washer. The method of claim 1, The light irradiation apparatus includes a waterproof cover made of any one of glass, methacryl resin, and PFA resin, and covers the light source with the waterproof cover. washer. A photoexcitation antibacterial material addition step of supplying photoexcitation antibacterial material addition water to a washing tank, An impregnation step of including the optically excited antibacterial material addition water in laundry; And a light irradiation step of irradiating light onto the laundry including the water-excited antibacterial agent added water. How to wash.

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