WO2004011710A1

WO2004011710A1 - Laundry machine

Info

Publication number: WO2004011710A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/009494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hirofumi Yoshikawa; Rie Hiramoto; Mugihei Ikemizu
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2002-07-26
Filing date: 2003-07-25
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: HK1080913A1; JP2004105692A; AU2003255162A1; KR20050025664A; CN1671911B; CN1671911A

Abstract

A laundry machine (1) imparts an antibacterial effect to the laundry with metal ions. The laundry machine (1) has an ion-dissolving unit (100), which applies a voltage between electrodes (113, 114) to dissolve metal ions into the water from the anode. A drive circuit (120) of the ion-dissolving unit (100) is controlled so that the quantity of metal ions dissolved may be sufficient for the amount of laundry. The electrodes (113, 114) are made of silver, and water containing silver ions at a concentration of 50 ppb or more is used for rinsing. The operation program is set so that the water is in contact with the laundry for more than five minutes. At the initial stage of the contact, a stirring step of predetermined time is provided. After the step, a rest step of predetermined time is provided. The stirring power at the stirring step is controlled depending on the amount of laundry.

Description

Description Washing machine Technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of subjecting laundry to antibacterial treatment with metal ions. Background art

When performing the washing with the washing machine, water, typical of a good line dividing _¾ treatment substance be added to substances finish especially rinsing water is softener and sizing agent. In addition to this, there is a growing need for finishing treatments that provide laundry with antibacterial properties.

Laundry should be sun-dried from a hygienic point of view. However, in recent years, due to the increase in the female employment rate and the progress of nuclear families, more and more families are now homeless. In such homes, you have to rely on indoor drying. Even in a home where somebody is at home during the day, when it rains, it will dry indoors.

In the case of indoor drying, bacteria and mold are more likely to grow on the laundry than in the case of sun drying. This tendency is remarkable when it takes a long time to dry the laundry, such as in the rainy season, when it is wet, and when it is cold. Depending on the breeding situation, the laundry may give off a bad smell. Recently, there has been an increasing awareness of savings, and many households reuse bath water for washing after bathing. However, the bath water that has been placed has an increased number of bacteria, and these bacteria adhere to the laundry and further propagate, causing a problem of causing an offensive odor.

For this reason, households who are forced to dry indoors on a daily basis are strongly demanding that antibacterial treatment be applied to fabrics in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold.

Recently, the number of garments with antibacterial and antibacterial treatments on fibers has been increasing. However, it is difficult to prepare all household textile products with antibacterial and deodorant finishes. In addition, the effect of antibacterial and deodorant processing decreases as washing is repeated.

Thus, the idea was born to wash the laundry with antibacterial treatment each time it was washed. For example Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-744487 discloses an electric washing machine equipped with an ion generator for generating metal ions having a sterilizing power such as silver ions and copper ions. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-093691 describes a washing machine in which a cleaning liquid is sterilized by generating an electric field. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-2766484 describes a washing machine provided with a silver ion-added unit for adding silver ions to washing water.

Although not limited to washing machines, a sterilizing and purifying apparatus for purifying water with ions is described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-129699.

In the washing machine described in JP-A-2001-2766484, silver ions are added to water at a concentration of 3 to 50 ppb to impart antibacterial properties to the laundry. However, recent washing machine designs require the ability to wash a large amount of laundry at a time, so the bath ratio (the amount of water with respect to the amount of laundry) is reduced, and as much load as possible (= Laundry). For this reason, when the laundry with the maximum load is thrown in, the silver ion concentration of 3 to 50 ppb has a problem in that the total amount of silver ions sufficient for antibacterial treatment of all the laundry cannot be obtained. Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of treating laundry with metal ions in proportion to the antibacterial treatment of the laundry with metal ions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of sufficiently exhibiting the antibacterial effect of metal ions.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a washing machine is configured as follows. In other words, in a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, the amount of the metal ions is adjusted to the amount of the laundry. According to this configuration, antibacterial properties can be sufficiently imparted even when the amount of laundry is large. It fits very well with a washing machine structure with a low bath ratio and a large maximum load.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine configured as described above, a metal exhibiting antibacterial properties by ionization is used as an electrode, and elution is performed by applying a voltage between the electrodes. The metal ions thus used were used. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain as many metal ions as needed on the spot. Also, an ion elution unit that can be installed in a narrow water supply channel can be realized. Adjustment of the amount of metal ions is also easy.

Further, in the present invention, in the washing machine configured as described above, silver is selected as the metal and the silver ion concentration of water is set to 50 ppb or more. According to this configuration, sufficient antibacterial properties can be imparted to the laundry even under conditions such as a large load and a small bath ratio. Thereby, the deodorizing effect can be reliably obtained. Further, in the present invention, in the washing machine configured as described above, the silver ion concentration of water is set to 50 to 100 ppb and used. According to this configuration, it is possible to impart necessary and sufficient antibacterial properties to the laundry even under conditions such as a large load and a small bath ratio.

Further, in the present invention, in the washing machine configured as described above, the silver ion concentration of water is set to 50 to 900 ppb and used. According to this configuration, sufficient antibacterial properties can be reliably imparted to the laundry even under conditions such as a large load and a small bath ratio. Treatment at such a high concentration is effective when the antibacterial properties of silver are reduced by softeners and glues, and is effective in imparting antibacterial properties to nylon and the like, which have a lower water absorption than cotton. In addition, it can also exert an effect on fungi that require a higher concentration of silver ions than bacteria in controlling them. In addition, it is also effective in cases where a large amount of dirt is attached to the laundry to provide bacterial nutrition and the antibacterial properties are impaired. In the present invention, in the washing machine configured as described above, the operation program is set so that the water having the silver ion concentration contacts the laundry for 5 minutes or more. According to this configuration, silver ions can be sufficiently adhered to the laundry. The antibacterial properties of silver ions can be reliably exhibited by preventing the silver ions from flowing off without being attached to the wash.

Further, in the present invention, in a washing machine using silver ions having antibacterial properties added to water, in contacting the metal ion-added water with the laundry, a stirring step for a predetermined time is provided at an initial stage of the contact, Thereafter, a stationary process for a predetermined time is provided. According to this configuration, silver ions can be sufficiently adhered to the laundry while preventing damage to the cloth. The power consumption of the washing machine can also be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, in a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, when the laundry is immersed in the metal ion-added water and stirred, the stirring is performed according to the amount of the laundry. The force was adjusted. According to this configuration, regardless of the amount of the laundry, a flow having a certain strength or more is generated in the laundry and the rinsing water-silver ions are surely spread to every corner of the laundry. Therefore, when the amount of laundry is large, there is no uneven adhesion of silver ions, and when the amount of laundry is small, the cloth is not severely damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the water supply port.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of the entire washing process.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of the washing process.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of the rinsing process.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the dewatering process.

FIG. 7 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the ion elution unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the ion elution unit.

FIG. 9 is a drive circuit diagram of the ion elution unit.

FIG. 10 is a first flowchart showing a metal ion input sequence. FIG. 11 is a table of an experimental example in which the set water amount and the silver ion amount are proportional.

Figure 12 is a table of experimental examples in which the effect of silver ion concentration on the antibacterial effect was examined.

Figure 13 is a table of experimental examples in which the effect of soaking time on antibacterial effect when soaking laundry in water containing silver ions was examined.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the results of the experiment of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a second flowchart showing the metal ion input sequence. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the entire configuration of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 is of a fully automatic type and includes an outer box 10. The outer box 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, is formed of metal or synthetic resin, and has an opening on the top and bottom surfaces. An upper surface plate 11 made of synthetic resin is stacked on the upper surface opening of the outer case 10 and fixed to the outer case 10 with screws. In Fig. 1, the left side is the front of the washing machine 1 and the right side is the back.The synthetic resin pack panel 12 is also placed on the upper surface of the upper surface plate 11 located on the back side, and the upper surface plate 11 is screwed. Fix it. A base 13 made of synthetic resin is placed on the bottom opening of the outer case 10 and fixed to the outer case 10 with screws. None of the screws described so far are shown.

Four corners of the base 13 are provided with legs 14a and 14b for supporting the outer box 10 on the floor. The rear leg 14 b is a fixed leg integrally formed with the base 13. The front leg 1 4a is a variable height screw leg, which is turned to level the washing machine 1.

A laundry input port 15 for inputting laundry into a washing tub described later is formed in the upper surface plate 11. The lid 16 covers the laundry inlet 15 from above. The lid 16 is connected to the top plate 11 by a hinge 17 and rotates in a vertical plane.

A water tub 20 and a washing tub 30 also serving as a dehydration tub are arranged inside the outer box 10. Both the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 have the shape of a cylindrical buckle with an open top, with the axes vertical to each other, with the water tub 20 outside and the washing tub 30 inside. Concentrically arranged. The suspension member 21 suspends the water tank 20. The suspension members 21 are provided at a total of four locations so as to connect the lower part of the outer surface of the water tank 20 and the inner corner of the outer box 10 and support the water tank 20 so that it can swing in a horizontal plane. The washing tub 30 has a peripheral wall that extends upward and has a gentle taper. Except for a plurality of dehydration holes 31 arranged in an annular shape at the top of this peripheral wall, there is no opening for allowing liquid to pass through. That is, the washing tub 30 is a so-called “holeless” type. At the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 30, an annular balancer 32 that functions to suppress vibration when the washing tub 30 is rotated at a high speed for dehydrating the laundry is attached. The inside bottom of the washing tub 30 is used to generate the flow of washing water or rinsing water in the tub. Place the pulsator 3 3.

The drive unit 40 is mounted on the lower surface of the water tank 20. The drive unit 40 includes a motor 41, a clutch mechanism 42, and a brake mechanism 43, and has a dewatering shaft 44 and a pulsator shaft 45 protruding upward from the center thereof. The dewatering shaft 4 4 and the pulsator shaft 4 5 have a double shaft structure with the dewatering shaft 44 outside and the pulsator shaft 45 inside, and after entering the water tank 20, the dewatering shaft 4 4 It is connected to the washing tub 30 to support it. The pulsator shaft 45 further enters the washing tub 30 and is connected to and supports the pulsator 33. Seal members are provided between the dewatering shaft 44 and the water tank 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45 to prevent water leakage.

A water supply valve 50 that opens and closes electromagnetically is arranged in a space below the back panel 12. The water supply valve 50 has a connecting pipe 51 that protrudes upward through the pack panel 12. A water supply hose (not shown) for supplying tap water such as tap water is connected to the connection pipe 51. A water supply pipe 52 extends from the water supply valve 50. The tip of the water supply pipe 52 is connected to a container-like water supply port 53. The water supply port 53 is located at a position facing the inside of the washing tub 30 and has a structure shown in FIG.

Figure 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the water supply port 53, viewed from the front. The water supply port 53 has an open upper surface, and the inside is divided into right and left. The compartment on the left is a detergent room 54, which is a space for storing detergent. The compartment on the right is the finishing agent room 55, which is a preparation space for storing the finishing agent for washing. In the front of the bottom of the detergent room 54, a horizontally-long water inlet 56 for pouring water into the washing tub 30 is provided. A siphon section 57 is provided in the finishing agent chamber 55.

The siphon section 57 includes an inner pipe 57a that rises vertically from the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and a cap-shaped outer pipe 57b that covers the inner pipe 57a. A gap through which water passes is formed between the inner pipe 57a and the outer pipe 57b. The bottom of the inner tube 57a opens toward the inside of the washing tub 30. The lower end of the outer pipe 57b keeps a predetermined gap with the bottom of the finishing agent chamber 55, and this is the water inlet. When water is poured into the finishing agent chamber 55 to a level exceeding the upper end of the inner pipe 57a, a siphon action occurs, and the water is sucked out of the finishing agent chamber 55 through the siphon part 57 and the washing tub Fall to 30. The water supply valve 50 includes a main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply valve 50b. The connection pipe 51 is common to both the main water supply valve 50a and the sub water supply valve 50b. The water supply pipe 52 also includes a main water supply pipe 52a connected to the main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply pipe 52b connected to the sub water supply valve 50b.

The main water supply pipe 52a is connected to the detergent chamber 54, and the sub water supply pipe 52b is connected to the finishing agent chamber 55. In other words, the path from the main water supply pipe 52a to the washing tub 30 through the detergent room 54 is different from the path from the sub water supply pipe 52b to the washing tub 30 through the finishing agent room 55 to the washing tub 30. It has become. .

Returning to FIG. 1, the explanation will be continued. At the bottom of the water tank 20, a drain hose 60 for draining water in the water tank 20 and the washing tank 30 to the outside of the outer box 10 is attached. Water flows into the drain hose 60 from the drain pipes 61 and 62. The drain pipe 61 is connected to a position near the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the water tank 20. The drain pipe 62 is connected to a location near the center of the bottom of the water tank 20.

An annular partition wall 63 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the water tank 20 so as to surround the connection point of the drain pipe 62 inside. An annular seal member 64 is attached to the upper part of the partition 63. When the sealing member 64 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the disk 65 fixed to the outer surface of the bottom of the washing tub 30, an independent drainage space 66 is formed between the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30. Is done. The drainage space 66 communicates with the inside of the washing tub 30 through a drainage port 67 formed at the bottom of the washing tub 30.

The drain pipe 62 is provided with a drain valve 68 that opens and closes electromagnetically. An air trap 69 is provided at a location on the upstream side of the drain valve 68 of the drain pipe 62. A pressure guiding tube 70 extends from the air trap 69. A water level switch 71 is connected to the upper end of the pressure guiding tube 70.

The control unit 80 is arranged on the front side of the outer box 10. The control unit 80 is placed under the top plate 11 and receives an operation command from the user through an operation / display unit 81 provided on the top surface of the top plate 11 to drive the drive unit 40 and supply water. An operation command is issued to the valve 50 and the drain valve 68. The control unit 80 issues a display command to the operation / display unit 81. The _c control unit 80 includes a drive circuit for an ion elution cut described later.

The operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. Open lid 16 and wash from laundry slot 15 Put laundry into tub 30. Detergent is put in the detergent room 54 of the water supply port 53. If necessary, a finishing agent is put into the finishing agent chamber 55 of the water supply port 53. Finishing agents may be added during the washing process.

After the preparation for detergent addition is completed, the lid 16 is closed, and the operation conditions are selected by operating the operation buttons on the operation Z display section 1 1. Finally, when the start button is pressed, the washing process is performed according to the flowcharts in FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the entire washing process. In step S201, it is confirmed whether or not the scheduled operation to start washing at the set time has been selected. If the reserved operation has been selected, the process proceeds to step S206. If not, go to step S202.

When the process proceeds to step S206, it is confirmed whether or not the operation start time has come. When the operation start time comes, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not a washing step has been selected. If the selection has been made, the process proceeds to step S300. The contents of the washing step in step S300 will be described separately with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the completion of the washing process, the process proceeds to step S203. If the washing process has not been selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S202 to step S203.

In step S203, it is confirmed whether or not the rinsing step has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S400. The contents of the rinsing step of step S400 will be described separately with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the rinsing process is completed, the process proceeds to step S204. If the rinsing process has not been selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S203 to step S204.

In step S204, it is confirmed whether or not a dehydration step has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S500. The details of the dehydration step in step S500 will be described separately with reference to the flowchart in FIG. After the dehydration step, the process proceeds to Step S205. If the dehydration step has not been selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S204 to step S205.

In step S205, the termination process of the control unit 80, particularly the arithmetic unit (microphone computer) included therein, is automatically advanced according to the procedure. Also laundry The completion sound is notified by a completion sound. After everything is finished, washing machine 1

戻る Return to the standby state in preparation for the rinsing step.

Next, the details of each of the washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of the washing process. In step S301, water level data in the washing tub 30 detected by the water level switch 71 is acquired. In step S302, it is checked whether capacitive sensing has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S308. If not selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S302 to step S303.

In step S308, the amount of laundry is measured by the rotation load of the pulsator 33. After the capacitance sensing, go to step S303.

In step 303, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and water is poured into the washing tub 30 through the main water supply pipe 52a and the water supply port 53. The detergent put in the detergent room 54 of the water supply port 53 is also mixed with water and put into the washing tub 30. The drain valve 68 is closed. When the water level switch 71 detects the set water level, the main water supply valve 50a is closed. Then, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the running-in operation is performed. The pulsator 33 reverses rotation and stirs the laundry and the water, so that the laundry is adapted to the water. This allows the laundry to absorb water sufficiently. In addition, let air trapped in various places of the laundry escape. If the water level detected by the water level switch 71 is lower than the initial level as a result of the running-in operation, the main water supply valve 50a is opened in step S305 to capture water and recover the set water level.

If a laundry course that performs “cloth sensing” is selected, the fabric sensing will be performed along with the running-in operation. After the running-in operation, the change in water level from the set water level is detected, and if the water level falls below the specified value, it is determined that the fabric has high water absorption.

After a stable set water level is obtained in step S305, the process proceeds to step S306. According to the setting of the user, the motor 41 rotates the pulsator 33 in a predetermined pattern to form a main water flow for washing in the washing tub 30. This main stream The laundry is washed. The dehydrating shaft 44 is braked by the brake device 43, and the washing tub 30 does not rotate even if the washing water and the laundry move.

After the elapse of the main water flow, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the pulsator 33 is turned upside down to loosen the laundry so that the laundry is distributed in the washing tub 30 in a well-balanced manner. This is to prepare for the spinning of the washing tub 30.

Subsequently, the contents of the rinsing step will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, a dehydration step of step S500 is performed, which will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After dehydration, proceed to step S401. In step S401, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and water is supplied to the set water level.

After water supply, go to step S402. In step S402, the running-in operation is performed. In the running-in operation of step S402, in step S500 (dehydration process), the laundry stuck to the washing tub 30 is peeled off, and the water is absorbed into the washing tub 30 to allow the laundry to sufficiently absorb water. .

After the running-in operation, go to step S403. As a result of the running-in operation, if the water level detected by the water level switch 71 is lower than the initial level, the main water supply valve 50a is opened to capture water and recover the set water level.

After the set water level is recovered in step S404, the process proceeds to step S404. According to the setting of the user, the motor 41 rotates the pulsator 33 in a predetermined pattern to form a main water flow for rinsing in the washing tub 30. Washing of the laundry is performed by this main water flow. The dehydrating shaft 44 is braked by the brake device 43 so that the washing tub 30 does not rotate even if rinsing water and laundry move.

After the period of the main water flow has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the pulsator 33 is turned upside down to loosen the laundry. This allows the laundry to be distributed in the washing tub 30 in a well-balanced manner, and prepares for the spin-drying operation.

In the above explanation, the rinsing water is stored in the washing tub 30 and the “rinsing” is performed.However, the “water rinsing” that always collects fresh water or the washing tub 30 is It is also possible to perform “shower rinsing” by pouring water into the laundry from the water supply port 53 while rotating at low speed. Next, the contents of the dehydration step will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, at step S501, the drain valve 68 is opened. The washing water in the washing tub 30 is drained through the drainage space 66. The drain valve 68 remains open during the dewatering process.

When most of the washing water is drained from the laundry, the clutch device 42 and the brake device 43 are switched. The switching timing of the clutch device 42 and the brake device 43 may be before the start of drainage or at the same time as drainage. The motor 41 turns the spinning shaft 44 this time. Thus, the washing tub 30 performs a spin-drying operation. The pulsator 33 also rotates with the washing tub 30.

When the washing tub 30 rotates at a high speed, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral wall of the washing tub 30 by centrifugal force. The washing water contained in the laundry also collects on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the washing tub 30, but as described above, the washing tub 30 is tapered and spreads upward. Rises inside the washing tub 30. When the washing water reaches the upper end of the washing tub 30, it is discharged from the dehydration hole 31. The rinsing water leaving the dewatering hole 31 is beaten to the inner surface of the water tank 20 and flows down the inner surface of the water tank 20 to the bottom of the water tank 20. Then, the water is discharged out of the outer box 10 through the drain pipe 61 and the drain hose 60 following the drain pipe 61.

In the flow of FIG. 6, after performing a relatively low-speed dehydration operation in step S502, a high-speed dehydration operation is performed in step S503. After step S503, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the power supply to the motor 41 is stopped, and a stop process is performed.

Now, the washing machine 1 includes the ion elution unit 100. The ion elution unit 100 is disposed in the middle of the main water supply pipe 52 a, that is, between the main water supply valve 50 a and the detergent chamber 54. Depending on the specification of the product, during the supplicant water supply pipe 5 2 b, i.e. ion elution based on the main water supply valve 5 0 b and treatment agent compartment 5 5 good _c hereinafter also possible to place between 7 to 1 5 Yunitto The structure and function of 100 and the role of the washing machine 1 will be described.

7 and 8 are schematic sectional views showing a first embodiment of the ion elution unit 100, FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, and FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view. The ion elution unit 100 has a case 110 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, silicon, and rubber. The case 110 has a water inlet 1 1 1 at one end and a water outlet 1 1 2 at the other end. Inside the case 110, two plate-like electrodes 113 and 114 are arranged in parallel with each other and at a predetermined interval. The electrodes 113 and 114 are made of a metal that is a source of metal ions having antibacterial properties, such as silver, copper, and zinc. Terminals 115, 116 are provided at one end of the electrodes 113, 114, respectively. It is only necessary to be able to integrate electrode 1 13 with terminal 1 15 and electrode 1 14 with terminal 1 16 respectively.If integration is not possible, the joint between the electrode and terminal and the terminal part in case 110 Is coated with a synthetic resin to cut off contact with water so that electrolytic corrosion does not occur. Terminals 115 and 116 protrude out of case 110 and are connected to the drive circuit in controller 80.

Water flows inside the case 110 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the electrodes 113 and 114. When a predetermined voltage is applied to electrodes 113 and 114 in the presence of water in case 110, metal ions of the metal constituting the electrodes elute from the anode side of electrodes 113 and 114 I do. The electrodes 113 and 114 are, for example, silver plates of 2 cm × 5 cm and a thickness of about 1 mm, and are arranged at a distance of 5 mm. In the case of a silver electrode, a reaction of Ag → Ag ⁺ + e— occurs at the electrode on the anode side, and silver ions Ag ⁺ are eluted in water.

After the metal ion supply process is completed, the bottom of case 110 should be sloped so that the downstream side is low, so that water does not collect in case 110. .

FIG. 9 shows a drive circuit 120 of the ion elution unit 100. The transformer 122 is connected to the commercial power supply 122, and steps down 100 V to a predetermined voltage. After the output voltage of the transformer 122 is rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 123, the output voltage is made constant by the constant voltage circuit 124. The constant voltage circuit 124 is connected to a constant current circuit 125. The constant current circuit 125 operates so as to supply a constant current to the electrode drive circuit 150 described later irrespective of a change in the resistance value in the electrode drive circuit 150.

A rectifier diode 1 26 is connected to the commercial power supply 1 2 1 in parallel with the transformer 1 2 2. The output voltage of the rectifier diode 1 26 is smoothed by the capacitor 127 and then made constant by the constant voltage circuit 128, and the microcomputer 13 Supplied to 0. The microphone computer 130 controls activation of the triac 129 connected between one end of the primary coil of the transformer 122 and the commercial power supply 121.

The electrode driving circuit 150 is configured by connecting NPN transistors Q 1 to Q 4, diodes D 1 and D 2, and resistors R 1 to R 7 as shown in the figure. Transistor Q 1 and diode D 1 make up photocoupler 15 1, and transistor Q 2 and diode D 2 make up photocoupler 15 2. That is, the diodes D 1 and D 2 are photodiodes, and the transistors Q 1 and Q 2 are phototransistors.

Now, when a high-level voltage is applied to the line L1 and a low-level voltage or OFF (zero voltage) is applied to the line L2 from the microcomputer 130, the diode D2 is turned on, and the accompanying The transistor Q2 is also turned on. When transistor Q2 turns on, current flows through resistors R3, R4, and R7, biasing the base of transistor Q3, turning transistor Q3 on.

On the other hand, since the diode D1 is OFF, the transistor Q1 is OFF and the transistor Q4 is also OFF. In this state, a current flows from the electrode 113 on the anode side to the electrode 114 on the cathode side. As a result, a metal ion and an anion are generated in the ion elution unit 100.

When a current is applied to the ion elution unit 100 in one direction for a long time, the electrode 113 on the anode side in FIG. 9 is depleted, and the electrode 114 on the cathode side contains calcium in water. Impurities such as adhere to the scale. Electrode components Metal chlorides and sulfides are generated on the electrode surface. This causes the performance of the ion elution unit 100 to deteriorate, so that the electrode driving circuit 150 can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrode.

When reversing the polarity of the electrodes, the microphone mouth computer 130 switches the control so that the voltages of the lines Ll and L2 are reversed so that current flows in the electrodes 113, 114 in the reverse direction. In this case, the transistor Ql, <34, becomes 〇, and the transistors Q2, Q3 become OFF. The microcomputer 130 has a power counter function, and performs the above-described switching every time a predetermined count is reached. If a change in the resistance of the electrode drive circuit 150, especially a change in the resistance of the electrodes 113, 114, causes a decrease in the current flowing between the electrodes, etc., the constant current circuit 1 2 5 raises its output voltage and prevents the current from decreasing. However, as the cumulative usage time becomes longer, the ion elution unit 100 reaches the end of its life, and the polarity of the electrode is reversed, and the specific electrode is made longer than normal to forcibly remove impurities adhering to the electrode. Switching to the electrode cleaning mode or increasing the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 cannot prevent the current from decreasing.

Therefore, in this circuit, the current flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 of the ion elution unit 100 is monitored by the voltage generated at the resistor R7, and when the current reaches a predetermined minimum current value, this is monitored. The current detecting means detects the current. The current detection circuit 160 is the current detection means. Information that the minimum current value has been detected is transmitted from the photodiode D3 constituting the photocoupler 163 to the microcomputer 130 via the phototransistor Q5. The microcomputer 130 drives the notification means via the line L3, and performs a predetermined warning notification. Warning notification means 13 1 is the notification means. The warning notification means 13 1 is arranged on the operation Z display section 81 or the control section 80.

In the event of an accident such as a short circuit in the electrode drive circuit 150, current detection means for detecting that the current has exceeded a predetermined maximum current value is provided. Based on this, the microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131. The current detection circuit 16 1 is the current detection means. Further, when the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 falls below a predetermined minimum value, the voltage detection circuit 162 detects this, and the microcomputer 130 similarly issues a warning notification means 131. Drive.

The drive circuit 120 drives the ion eluting unit 100 mounted on the washing machine 1 as follows.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of elution and introduction of metal ions. The sequence of FIG. 10 corresponds to step S401 (water supply) or step S403 (water supply) in the flow of FIG. Is carried out at the stage. That is, when the rinsing is started, it is checked in step S 411 whether the input of metal ions is selected. This confirmation step may be preceded, if at all. If “input of metal ions” is selected by the selection operation of the operation display section 81, the process proceeds to step S412. If not, go to step S414.

In step S412, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and a predetermined flow rate of water flows through the ion elution unit 100. At the same time, the drive circuit 120 applies a voltage between the electrodes 113 and 114 to elute ions of the metal constituting the electrodes into water. The current flowing between the electrodes is DC. The metal ion added water is supplied to the washing tub 30 from the water supply ft 53. When a predetermined amount of metal ion-added water was charged, and when it was determined that the metal ion concentration of the rinse water had reached the predetermined value, the application of voltage to the electrodes 113, 114 was stopped, and water was supplied to the set water level. By the way, close the main water supply valve 50a.

Subsequently, in step S413, the rinsing water is stirred to promote the contact between the laundry and the metal ions. Stir for a predetermined time.

Subsequently, in step S414, it is confirmed whether or not the supply of the finishing agent is selected. This confirmation step may be preceded, if at all. In step S411, the confirmation may be made simultaneously with the confirmation of the metal ion injection setting. If "injection of finishing agent" is selected by the selection operation through the operation / display unit 81, the flow advances to step S415. If not, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the pulsator 33 is turned in small increments to loosen the laundry, and the laundry is distributed in the washing tub 30 in a well-balanced manner to prepare for the spin-drying operation.

In step S415, the sub water supply valve 50b is opened, and water flows into the finishing agent chamber 55 of the water supply port 53. If a finishing agent is put in the finishing agent room 55, the finishing agent is put into the washing tub 30 together with water from the siphon section 57. Since the siphon effect occurs only when the water level in the finishing agent chamber 5 reaches the predetermined height, the liquid finishing agent is supplied with the finishing agent until the time comes and water is injected into the finishing agent room 5 5. It can be kept at 5.

When a predetermined amount of water (a sufficient amount to cause the siphon section 57 to have a siphon action or more) is injected into the finishing agent chamber 55, the sub water supply valve 50b is closed. Note that this water injection step, that is, the finishing agent charging operation is automatically performed if the finishing agent charging step is selected, regardless of whether the finishing agent is in the finishing agent chamber 55. Is executed.

Subsequently, in step S416, the rinsing water is stirred to promote the contact between the laundry and the finishing agent. After stirring for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S405.

According to the above sequence, after the injection of the metal ions into the rinsing water, the elapse of a predetermined period of time waits for the elapse of a predetermined time, and then the finishing agent is injected into the rinsing water. Therefore, if the metal ions and the finishing agent (softening agent) are added to the rinsing water at the same time, the metal ions react with the softening agent components to reduce the antibacterial properties, but after the metal ions have sufficiently adhered to the laundry, the finishing is completed. The reaction between the metal ions and the finishing component is prevented, and the antibacterial effect of the metal ions can be left on the laundry.

As the metal constituting the electrodes 113 and 114, copper, an alloy of silver and copper, zinc, and the like can be selected in addition to silver. Silver ions eluted from the silver electrode, copper ions eluted from the copper electrode, and zinc ions eluted from the zinc electrode exhibit excellent bactericidal and antimicrobial effects. Silver and copper ions can be simultaneously eluted from an alloy of silver and copper.

Silver ions are cations. Laundry is negatively charged in water, which causes silver ions to be electrically absorbed by the laundry. Silver ions are electrically neutralized when they are absorbed by the laundry. Therefore, it is difficult to react with chloride ion (anion) which is a component of the finishing agent (softening agent). However, silver ions are absorbed into the laundry over time, so some time must be allowed before the finishing agent is charged. Therefore, the stirring time after adding silver ions should be more than 5 minutes. A stirring time of about 3 minutes after the finish is charged is sufficient.

Metal ions are supplied from the main water supply pipe 52 a through the detergent chamber 54 to the washing tub 30. The finishing agent is put into the washing tub 30 from the finishing agent room 55. As described above, since the path for charging the metal ions into the rinsing water and the path for charging the finishing agent to the rinsing water are different systems, the path for charging the finishing agent to the rinsing water is a metal ion. As a result, metal ions do not come into contact with the finishing agent remaining in this pathway to become a compound, and the antibacterial activity is not lost.

In addition, according to the above sequence, the stirring of the rinsing water is performed with the introduction of the metal ions and the finishing agent. This makes it possible to wash metal ions and finishes. It can be securely attached to the whole object.

In the present invention, the following conditions are imposed on the operation of the washing machine 1 in order to make the antibacterial treatment of laundry with metal ions effective.

<Condition 1> '

The first condition is the amount of metal ions. Adjust the amount of metal ions to match the amount of laundry. In the flowchart of the washing process in FIG. 4, capacitance sensing is performed in step S308. The amount of water to be injected into the washing tub 30 in the washing step and the rinsing step is set based on the amount of laundry detected by the capacity sensing. Elute metal ions in proportion to the set water volume.

The table in FIG. 11 shows an experimental example in which silver ions were eluted so as to satisfy the above condition 1. Rinsing water is set in three stages: 23 L, 35 L, and 46 L. The set amount of water was proportional to the amount of electricity (current X voltage application time) flowing between electrodes 113 and 114. As a result, the silver ion concentration was 90 ppb at any set water volume. This means that silver ions eluted in proportion to the set water volume. Since the set water amount is determined based on the amount of laundry, the amount of silver ions is equal to the amount of laundry. Thus, when the amount of laundry is large, by increasing the amount of metal ions, the same antibacterial effect as when the amount of laundry is small can be obtained.

If the accuracy of capacitance sensing is increased and the set water volume is increased in more than three steps, the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 is also changed in multiple steps accordingly. By adjusting one or both of the current and the voltage application time, the amount of electricity can be easily adjusted.

Methods for adjusting the amount of metal ions added to water to match the amount of laundry include adjusting the amount of metal ions eluted based on the volume sensing of laundry as described above (first method), There are the following.

The second method is that the user determines the amount of laundry by actual measurement or measurement based on the scale, and determines the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 based on the measurement, not capacitance sensing. Things. It is advisable that the amount of electricity be determined by selecting an appropriate one from several weight options. The third method is to determine the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 according to the maximum capacity of the washing machine 1 (the upper limit of the amount of laundry that can be washed), and to apply it in any case. is there. The maximum capacity is unique to each washing machine model. Eluting the amount of metal ions corresponding to the maximum capacity is nothing more than setting the maximum capacity as a parameter and the amount of metal ions corresponding to the amount of laundry.

According to this method, the amount of metal ions is always supplied in proportion to the maximum capacity.Therefore, the amount of laundry is underestimated as compared to the actual amount due to an error in capacitance sensing or an error in actual measurement or measurement based on the scale. As a result, when the amount of metal ions becomes too small, no unexpected situation occurs.

The second condition is the type of metal and the concentration of metal ions. Silver is selected as the metal, and water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more is used for rinsing.

The table in Fig. 12 shows an experimental example in which the effect of silver ion concentration on the antibacterial effect was examined. An actual washing machine was used in the experiment, and the evaluation of the antibacterial and deodorant properties of the dried fabric was performed in accordance with JISL 1902 (Antibacterial test of textile products). When the standard cloth Initial number of bacteria 1. 2 X 1 0 ⁵ or Zm 1 become so coated with Staphylococcus aureus, was examined the number of bacteria after incubation 1-8 hours, 1. 9 X 1 0 ⁷ cells / m1. When 8 kg of the laundry was rinsed with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb for 10 minutes, dehydrated and dried, the same experiment was carried out. As a result, the number of remaining bacteria was 2.4 × 10 ⁶ _m 1. Was. Bacteriostatic activity value

(The difference between the number of bacteria and the increase / decrease in the number of bacteria from the standard cloth) was 0.9. When this value is 2.0 or more, antibacterial and deodorant properties are recognized. Therefore, if 8 kg of laundry is rinsed with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb, the antibacterial and deodorant properties cannot be said to be clear.

Now initial number of bacteria is also 1. 2 X 1 0 ⁵ cells / _∞ 1 become as rinsing for 10 minutes the laundry 8 kg coated with Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of silver ions 9 0 ppb of water, after dehydration and drying When the same experiment was performed, the number of remaining bacteria was 2.5 × 10 ⁴ Z ml. The bacteriostatic activity value was 2.9, confirming that antibacterial and deodorant properties were imparted. That is, when the silver ion concentration is 50 to 100 ppb, a necessary and sufficient antibacterial property can be imparted to the laundry. If the silver ion concentration is further increased, the antibacterial property is further enhanced. However, if the silver ion concentration in the water is too high, silver will be visible on the surface of the laundry when the laundry dries. The precipitated silver turns black due to oxidation and sulfidation, and stains the laundry. Therefore, there is a practical upper limit to the silver ion concentration of water used for antibacterial treatment of laundry.

Repeated rinsing with water at a silver ion concentration of 900 ppb showed no apparent change in the laundry when rinsing was performed three times, but after sun drying when rinsing was performed five times Reflectivity decreased by 3% compared to before rinsing. Such a decrease in reflectance is difficult to identify visually. However, it may be a problem for white laundry where the decrease in reflectance (blackening) is noticeable, or when the laundry is not white and the reflectance has accumulated due to repeated washing. Therefore, the practical upper limit of silver ion concentration is considered to be about 900 ppb.

In controlling the silver ion concentration to 50 ppb or more, a numerical value of 50 ppb may be used as the lower limit of the control target, but a slightly wider target value may be provided in consideration of measurement error. It is practical and preferable to set the lower limit of the control target to about 5 1 to 55 p pb.

The third condition is the contact time between water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more and the laundry. Set an operation program so that the laundry is immersed in water with a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more for 5 minutes or more.

The table in FIG. 13 and the graph in FIG. 14 are experimental examples in which the effect of the contact time between the rinse water and the laundry on the antibacterial effect was examined. Laundry was put on rinse water having a silver ion concentration of 90 ppb, and the bacteriostatic activity value was examined. When kept for more than 5 minutes, a bacteriostatic activity value that could be recognized as an antibacterial effect was obtained. When the soaking time was 4 minutes, the bacteriostatic activity was 1.7 and no antibacterial and deodorant properties could be recognized.

The fourth condition is the method of contacting the laundry with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more. A stirring process for a predetermined time is provided at the initial stage of the contact, and a stationary process for the predetermined time is provided. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence obtained by adding the above stationary step to the metal ion input sequence of FIG. After the stirring step of step S 4 13, the stationary step of step S 4 30 was provided. Stir the rinse water, bring the rinse water with a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more (in this case, 50 to 100 ppb) into contact with every corner of the laundry, and leave it still for a while Is what you do. Instead of being completely stationary, the pulsator 33 may be slowly moved from time to time so that the user can know that the washing is in progress.

Silver ions are absorbed over the laundry over time, whether or not the water containing them is moving. Therefore, if the water is stirred first to allow silver ions to reach all corners of the laundry, the silver ions will adhere to the laundry even after the water is stopped. By waiting for the attachment of silver ions in a stationary state in this way, it is possible to reduce damage to the laundry. In addition, the steps S413 and S430 are combined so that the laundry comes into contact with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more (in this case, 50 to 100 ppb) for 5 minutes or more.

The fifth condition is the stirring power. When the laundry is immersed in water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more, the stirring power is adjusted according to the amount of the laundry.

If the amount of laundry is large, increase the number of rotations of the pulsator 33 and increase the time required for rotation. If the amount of laundry is small, reduce the number of rotations of the pulsator 33 and reduce the time required for rotation. In this way, whether the amount of laundry is large or small, the laundry and the rinsing water flow with a certain strength or more, and silver ions are surely spread to every corner of the laundry. .

The above conditions 1 to 5 may be realized independently, but it is more preferable if many conditions are realized simultaneously.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the location of ion elution unit 100 is from water supply valve 50 to water supply port 5 3 It is not limited to until. It can be anywhere between the connecting pipe 51 and the water supply port 53. That is, it can be placed upstream of the water supply valve 50. If the ion elution unit 100 is placed upstream of the water supply valve 50, the ion elution unit 100 will always be immersed in water, and the seal member will dry and deteriorate, causing water leakage. Will not occur.

Further, the ion elution cut 100 may be placed outside the outer box 10. For example, a configuration is conceivable in which the ion elution cut 100 is formed in a replaceable cartridge shape, attached to the connection pipe 51 by means such as screwing, and a water supply hose is connected to this cartridge.

Regardless of whether it is in the form of a cartridge or not, if the ion elution unit 1 is to be placed outside the outer box 10, the ion elution unit 1 can be installed without opening the door provided on a part of the washing machine 1 or removing the panel. The elution unit 100 can be replaced, making maintenance easy. In addition, it is safe because it does not touch the charged part inside the washing machine 1.

To the ion elution unit 100 placed outside the outer case 10 as described above, a cable extending from the drive circuit 120 may be connected via a waterproof connector, and current may be supplied. Instead of relying on the power supply from the drive circuit 120, a battery may be used as a power supply, or a hydraulic power generation device provided with a water turbine so as to be in contact with the water flow of the supply water may be used as a power supply.

The ion elution unit 100 may be sold as an independent product to promote its installation in equipment other than the washing machine.

The present invention is not limited to a fully automatic washing machine of the type described in the above embodiment. The present invention is applicable to all types of washing machines, such as a horizontal drum (tumbler type), an oblique drum, a dryer that also serves as a dryer, or a two-tub type. Industrial applicability

As described above, the present invention relates to a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, wherein the amount of metal ions is adjusted to the amount of laundry. Therefore, the antibacterial property can be sufficiently imparted even when the amount of laundry is large, and it is extremely well suited to a washing machine structure having a small bath ratio and a large maximum load. In addition, since a metal that exhibits antibacterial properties by ionization is used as an electrode and metal ions eluted by applying a voltage between the electrodes are used, it is possible to obtain as many metal ions as needed on the spot. it can. Since silver was selected as the metal and water with a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more was used, it was possible to impart sufficient antibacterial properties to the laundry even under conditions such as a large load and a low bath ratio. However, the deodorizing effect can be surely obtained. This will further enhance the original purpose of the washing machine to improve the hygiene of clothes, and contribute to improving the hygiene level of citizens' lives.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. In a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, the amount of the metal ions is adjusted to the amount of the laundry.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1,

Metals that exhibit antibacterial properties by ionization were used as electrodes, and metal ions eluted by applying a voltage between the electrodes were used.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2,

Silver was selected as the metal, and the silver ion concentration of water was set to 50 ppb or more.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3,

The silver ion concentration of water was set at 50 to 100 ppb.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3,

The silver ion concentration of water was set to 50 to 900 ppb.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5,

The operation program was set so that the water having the silver ion concentration contacted the laundry for 5 minutes or more.

7. In a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, in contacting the metal ion-added water with the laundry, a stirring step for a predetermined time is set at an initial stage of the contact, and then a stationary state for a predetermined time. A process was set.

8. In a washing machine in which metal ions having antibacterial properties are added to water, the washing is performed by immersing the laundry in the metal ion-added water and stirring the laundry. The agitation power was adjusted according to the amount of.