WO2012140956A1

WO2012140956A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012140956A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/054249
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勉畑山; 小嶋　健司
Original assignee: 株式会社東芝; 東芝コンシューマエレクトロニクス・ホールディングス株式会社; 東芝ホームアプライアンス株式会社
Priority date: 2011-04-12
Filing date: 2012-02-22
Publication date: 2012-10-18
Also published as: CN103459706B; CN103459706A; JP6143412B2; JP2012217709A

Abstract

The washing machine of an embodiment is equipped with a water supply path (9) that connects the inside and the outside of the washing machine tub, a water supply pump (12) that supplies water stored outside of said washing machine tub to the inside of said washing machine tub through said water supply path (9), and a water-purifying device (11) provided in said water supply path (9). The water-purifying device (11) comprises a photocatalyst (19) provided along the direction of water flow in the water supply path (9) and through which the water passes, and an ultraviolet lamp (20) that irradiates ultraviolet light on said photocatalyst (19) and the water passing through said photocatalyst (19).

Description

Washing machine

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Conventionally, water stored outside the washing machine, for example, bath water stored in a bathtub, can be used as washing water instead of or directly in combination with tap water supplied directly from the water supply. Have been made. In addition, when bath water is used, it is known that if the bath water temperature is high, cleaning performance is improved, which also saves energy. From such a viewpoint, the washing machine is provided with a function of supplying water stored outside the washing machine to the inside of the washing tub, for example, a bath water supply function.

For example, the washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a bath water supply path and a bath water pump as a bath water supply function. The bath water pump supplies bath water from the bathtub to the inside of the washing tub through the bath water supply channel. In this case, a filter is provided at the tip of the bath water supply path that is immersed in the bath water in the bathtub. This filter captures impurities such as human body stains and hair contained in bath water.

JP-A-2005-152212

The filter provided at the tip of the bath water supply channel is rough, and it can catch impurities such as human body stains and hair contained in the bath water, but it has been able to capture impurities that have propagated in the bath water. The fine impurities cannot be captured. Even if you wash in bath water that contains these germs etc., the germs may adhere to the laundry, causing unpleasant odors especially when the room is dried, and the cleanliness may be impaired. . For this reason, such a bath water supply function is often not used.

Note that the above Patent Document 1 also describes a technique in which a photocatalytic filter is provided in the bath water supply path, and a light emitting device is provided outside the bath water supply path so as to surround the photocatalytic filter. However, this photocatalytic filter is formed in a porous shape by, for example, a ceramic mixed with titanium oxide, and other details are not clear. In addition, although the light emitting device is also used for regeneration of the photocatalytic filter, particularly by radiating and irradiating ultraviolet rays, how the ultraviolet rays are spread from the outside of the bath water supply path to the photocatalytic filter inside the bath water supply path. It is unclear whether to make it.

Therefore, a washing machine capable of sufficiently purifying water stored outside the washing machine, particularly bath water stored in a bathtub is provided.

The washing machine of this embodiment includes a water supply path that connects the inside and the outside of the washing tub, and a water supply pump that supplies water stored outside the washing tub to the inside of the washing tub through the water supply path. And a water purifier provided in the water supply path. The water purifier includes a photocatalyst that is provided along a direction in which water flows in the water supply path and passes the water, and an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates the photocatalyst and water passing through the photocatalyst with ultraviolet light.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows 1st Embodiment Perspective view of the entire washing machine Rear view of the upper part of the washing machine with a part broken away Exploded perspective view of main parts FIG. 1 equivalent diagram showing the second embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the third embodiment

Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
In this embodiment, a washing machine that uses bath water stored in a bathtub as washing water will be described as an example of a washing machine that uses water stored outside as washing water.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine includes an outer box 1 and a top cover 2 attached to the uppermost portion of the outer box 1. The outer box 1 and the top cover 2 constitute an outer shell 3 of the entire washing machine. An operation panel 4 is provided at the front portion of the top cover 2. A lid 5 is provided on the rear side of the operation panel 4. The rear portion of the top cover 2 is constituted by a back panel 6. The back panel 6 is provided with a water supply hose connection port 7 and a bath water hose connection port 8. A water supply hose (not shown) is connected to the water supply hose connection port 7, and tap water is supplied from a water tap.
A bath water hose 9 is connected to the bath water hose connection port 8. A filter 10 is provided at the tip of the bath water hose 9. The filter 10 has a relatively coarse eye and can capture impurities such as human body stains and hair contained in the bath water.

As shown in FIG. 3, a water purifier 11, a bath water pump 12, and a water injection case 13 are provided inside the back panel 6, which is the inside of the top cover 2. As shown in detail in FIG. 1, the water purifier 11 has a tank 14 as a main component. The tank 14 includes a tank main body 14a and a tank lid 14b. The tank body 14a is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end, in this case, the right end in FIG. The tank lid 14b closes the opening of the tank body 14a. A water inlet 15 is provided at the upper part of one end of the tank body 14a, that is, the uppermost part of the end on the tank lid 14b side. One outlet 16 a of the switching valve 16 is connected to the water inlet 15. As a whole, the tank 14 is formed in a horizontally long shape in which the horizontal dimension, that is, the cylindrical axial length is larger than the vertical dimension, that is, the cylindrical radial length. Therefore, the water purifier 11 is also formed in an oblong shape as a whole.

The switching valve 16 has the other outlet 16b in addition to the one outlet 16a, and has a common inlet 16c for the

outlets

16a and 16b. The switching valve 16 performs opening switching for selectively opening one outlet 16a and the other outlet 16b with respect to the inlet 16c. The inlet 16c of the switching valve 16 is connected to the bath water hose connection port 8 shown in FIG.

Further, the tank main body 14a has a water outlet 17 at the upper end of the other end, that is, the end opposite to the tank lid 14b, that is, the uppermost portion of the left end in FIG. One outlet 18 a of a check valve 18 is connected to the water outlet 17. The check valve 18 has the other inlet 18b in addition to the one inlet 18a, and has a common outlet 18c for the

inlets

18a and 18b. The check valve 18 allows water to flow from the one inlet 18a and the other inlet 18b to the outlet 18c. Further, the check valve 18 blocks water from the outlet 18c to the one inlet 18a, water from the outlet 18c to the other inlet 18b, and water from the other inlet 18b to the one inlet 18a. .

Inside the tank 14, a photocatalyst 19 and an ultraviolet lamp 20 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the photocatalyst 19 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the inner shape of the tank body 14a. In this case, the photocatalyst 19 is set such that the horizontal dimension, that is, the cylindrical axial length is larger than the vertical dimension, that is, the cylindrical radial length. For this reason, the photocatalyst 19 is formed in a long cylindrical shape along the flow direction of the water flowing in the tank 14. The photocatalyst 19 is formed, for example, by applying a titanium oxide coating to a substrate formed of, for example, ceramic and porous so-called open cells. The photocatalyst 19 is inserted into the tank body 14 a so that the radial outer peripheral surface of the photocatalyst 19 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tank 14.

As shown in FIG. 1,

gaps

21 and 22 are formed by the tank 14 and the photocatalyst 19 at both ends of the tank 14. In this case, the gap 21 is formed between the photocatalyst 19 and the tank lid 14b at the end of the tank 14 on the water inlet 15 side. The gap 22 is formed between the photocatalyst 19 and the bottom of the tank body 14a at the end of the tank 14 on the outlet 17 side.

The ultraviolet lamp 20 is configured by covering the arc tube 20a with a quartz glass tube 20b larger than the arc tube 20a. The ultraviolet lamp 20 is inserted into the cylindrical interior of the photocatalyst 19 through an insertion / removal port 23 formed at the center of the tank lid 14b. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp 20 is inserted so that the radially outer peripheral surface of the quartz glass tube 20 b is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the photocatalyst 19 and the tip of the quartz glass tube 20 b does not protrude from the photocatalyst 19. The cap portion 20c and the power supply line 20d of the ultraviolet lamp 20 are exposed outside the tank lid 14b.

A water level detector 24 is provided at the upper part of the tank body 14a on the water outlet 17 side. The water level detector 24 has, for example, a pair of electrodes 24a provided in the tank body 14a. The water level detector 24 detects the water level inside the tank 14 by immersing the electrode 24a in the water of the tank body 14a and conducting between the pair of electrodes 24a. In this case, the water level detector 24 functions as a water level detection means. The washing machine turns on the ultraviolet lamp 20 based on the water level detected by the water level detector 24.

The other outlet 16 b of the switching valve 16 is connected to the other inlet 18 b of the check valve 18 via the bypass hose 25. Further, the outlet 18c of the check valve 18 is connected to the water inlet 12a of the bath water pump 12 via a connection hose 26 as shown in FIG. The discharge port 12 b of the bath water pump 12 is connected to the bath water inlet 13 a of the water injection case 13 via the connection hose 27. The water injection case 13 has a tap water inlet (not shown) in addition to the bath water inlet 13a. An outlet of a water supply valve (not shown) connected to the water supply hose connection port 7 in the back panel 6 is connected to the tap water inlet. Connected.

Although not shown in detail, the water injection case 13 has a detergent placing part and a soft finishing agent placing part inside, and the detergent placed in the detergent placing part or the soft finishing agent placed in the soft finishing agent placing part. Can be drained selectively with tap water or bath water. In this case, although not shown in detail, the outlet of the water injection case 13 is provided facing the inside of a washing tub (not shown) arranged in the outer box 1 in a vertical axis.

With this configuration, the bath water is mainly supplied to the inside of the washing tub through the path of the bath water hose 9, the tank 14 of the water purifier 11, the connection hose 26, the bath water pump 12, the connection hose 27, and the water injection case 13. . Therefore, the bath water hose 9, the connection hose 26, the connection hose 27, and the water injection case 13 function as a water supply path that connects the inside and the outside of the washing tub, in this case, the bath water supply path. And the bath water pump 12 and the water purifier 11 are provided in the water supply path, ie, the bath water supply path. In this case, the bath water pump 12 functions as a water supply pump that supplies water stored outside the washing tub to the inside of the washing tub through the water supply path, that is, the bath water supply path.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When bath water is used as the wash water, first, the tip of the bath water hose 9 connected to the bath water hose connection port 8, that is, the filter 10 is immersed in the bath water inside the bathtub outside the washing machine. Then, the bath water pump 12 is operated. Then, the bath water in the bathtub is sucked into the tank 14 of the water purifier 11 from the filter 10 through the bath water hose 9 and the switching valve 16. That is, at this time, the bath water pump 12 functions as a water absorption pump that sucks external water. At this time, the switching valve 16 is in a state where one outlet 16a, that is, the tank 14 side of the water purifier 11 is opened with respect to the inlet 16c.

The bath water sucked into the tank 14 by the bath water pump 12 passes through the photocatalyst 19 while raising the water level in the tank 14. When the water level in the tank 14 reaches the electrode 24a of the water level detector 24, the water level detector 24 detects that the water level in the tank 14 has reached the electrode 24a of the water level detector 24. Then, the ultraviolet lamp 20 is turned on based on the detection of the water level by the water level detector 24. The ultraviolet light emitted from the lit ultraviolet lamp 20 directly acts on the bath water passing through the photocatalyst 19 and the germs contained in the bath water, and the sterilization operation is performed. Moreover, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 20 also reaches the photocatalyst 19, and the photocatalyst 19 is excited by the energy. As a result, OH radicals having a strong oxidizing power are generated from the photocatalyst 19, and various bacteria and organic substances contained in the bath water are oxidatively decomposed by the OH radicals. In addition, since the water outlet 17 of the water purifier 11 is provided in the upper part of the water purifier, bath water passes through the tank 14 while filling the tank 14.

Thus, external water, in this case bath water, is purified in the process of passing through the tank 14 of the water purifier 11. Then, the purified bath water is sucked into the bath water pump 12 from the check valve 18 through the connection hose 26, and then supplied to the inside of the washing tub through the connection hose 27 and the water injection case 13 in order.

In addition, if the bath water pump 12 is operated in a state in which the switching valve 16 is switched to the state in which the other outlet 16b, that is, the bypass hose 25 side is opened with respect to the inlet 16c, the bath water hose 9 is sucked from the bathtub. Bath water is supplied to the inside of the washing tub through the bypass hose 25, the check valve 18, the connection hose 26, the bath water pump 12, the connection hose 27, and the water injection case 13 in this order without passing through the water purifier 11. Is done.

This makes it possible to use the bath water for washing without purifying it. The mode of use is a mode in which the bath water is purified at the time of washing with the detergent washing and the rinsing, for example, the bath water is purified both at the time of the detergent washing and the rinse washing, and the bath water is purified at the time of washing the detergent. This is a mode in which bath water is purified and used only during rinsing. Such usage modes can be switched and executed, and the operation can be performed on the operation panel 4.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bath water supplied to the inside of the washing tub through the bath water supply channel passes through the bath water supply channel, and is supplied from the water purifier 11 provided in the bath water supply channel. It is purified by the photocatalyst 19 and the ultraviolet lamp 20. Moreover, in this embodiment, the photocatalyst 19 is formed long along the flow direction of the water flowing in the tank 14 of the water purifier 11. Therefore, the water purifier 11 can ensure a large contact length of the bath water with the photocatalyst 19, and as a result, the action of purifying the bath water by the photocatalyst 19 can be made higher. Further, the ultraviolet lamp 20 can be lengthened according to the length of the photocatalyst 19. For this reason, the irradiation length of the ultraviolet light with respect to the bath water, that is, the irradiation range can be ensured to be large, and as a result, the bath water purification action by the ultraviolet lamp 20 can be enhanced. As described above, the water purifier 11 can sufficiently purify the bath water, and as a result, effectively suppresses the generation of unpleasant odor and the cleanliness of the laundry washed with the bath water. be able to.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the water purifier 11 is configured in a horizontally long shape and is disposed inside the top cover 2. Due to the compact design of the washing machine, the top cover 2 is restricted in height, and the height is also restricted inside. On the other hand, the water purification apparatus 11 installed in the inside of the top cover 2 with restrictions in height can be lengthened by making the water purification apparatus 11 into a horizontally long shape. As a result, the purification effect of the bath water can be obtained higher, and the bath water can be sufficiently purified.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water outlet 17 is provided in the upper part of the water purifier 11. Thus, the bath water passes through the water purifier 11 while filling the tank 14. Therefore, the water purifier 11 cleans the passing bath water by irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 20, that is, the water passing through the water purifying device 11, and the passing bath water by contact with the photocatalyst 19 without waste. be able to. Thereby, bath water can be purified efficiently.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the water purifier 11 has the water level detector 24 as water level detecting means for detecting the water level at the upper part of the water purifier 11. The ultraviolet lamp 20 is turned on based on detection of the water level by the water level detector 24. Thereby, the ultraviolet lamp 20 can be turned on at the position where the water level in the tank 14 reaches the upper part of the water purifier 11. Therefore, it is possible to avoid lighting the ultraviolet lamp 20 at a lower water level than the electrode 24a of the water level detector 24. As a result, the ultraviolet lamp 20 can be turned on in a lean state, and as a result, the bath water can be purified more efficiently.

In contrast, FIG. 5 shows the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, respectively. Is omitted and only different parts are described.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in the photocatalyst 19, the density on the inner peripheral side 19a on the ultraviolet lamp 20 side is equal to the density on the outer peripheral side 19b on the opposite side to the anti-ultraviolet lamp 20 side, that is, the ultraviolet lamp 20 side. It is lower.
Thereby, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 20 easily reaches the outer peripheral side 19 b of the photocatalyst 19. Therefore, the sterilizing effect on the bath water passing through the photocatalyst 19 can be reliably exerted from the inner peripheral side 19a to the outer peripheral side 19b, and the above-mentioned OH radical generating effect on the photocatalyst 19 is also reliably obtained from the inner peripheral side 19a to the outer peripheral side 19b. be able to. In this case, the inner peripheral side 19a of the photocatalyst 19 can easily pass bath water and contact with the photocatalyst 19, but can easily be exposed to the ultraviolet light of the ultraviolet lamp 20, so that a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained. Can do.

In this case, the photocatalyst 19 is divided into two parts according to the density at the inner peripheral side 19a and the outer peripheral side 19b. Instead, from the inner peripheral side 19a, particularly from the innermost peripheral part, to the outer peripheral side 19b, particularly outermost peripheral part. The density may be gradually increased.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the photocatalyst 19, a plurality of unit photocatalyst divided so as to separate the flow direction of water is made of, for example in groups of four photocatalyst 19 1 _to 19 _4. Then, during each unit photocatalyst ₁₉ 1 to 19 ₄ are respectively water passage hole 31 is formed partition plates ₃₀ 1 to 30 ₃ are provided. The partition plates 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ are disposed so that the positions of the water passage holes 31 of the adjacent partition plates 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ do not overlap each other in the direction of water flow.

By doing so, bath water, the first partition plate 30 ₁ from water passing holes 31 to sequentially reach the next water passage holes 31, each unit photocatalyst 19 _2-19 ₄ through the unit optical catalyst 19 ₁ Flows not only in the axial direction but also in the radial and circumferential directions. Thus, the bath water, increasing the contact between the unit photocatalyst ₁₉ 2-19 _4. Further, in this case, the flow of the bath water may be complicated, and a stirring action of the bath water is generated, and the contact of the ultraviolet lamp 20 with the ultraviolet light is increased. Thus, according to the third embodiment, a more effective and efficient water purification effect can be obtained.

The washing machine described above is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the washing machine is not limited to a vertical washing machine having a vertical washing tub, and may be a drum-type washing machine having a drum that is a horizontal or oblique washing tub. In the drum type washing machine, the upper part of the washing machine corresponds to the top cover.
Moreover, in each said embodiment, the water stored outside for using as washing water is not restricted to the bath water stored by the bathtub. For example, it may be possible to use well water, rain water, river water, or the like stored in a water tank provided outside the washing machine as washing water.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

A water supply path connecting the inside and outside of the washing tub,
A water supply pump for supplying water stored outside the washing tub to the inside of the washing tub through the water supply path;
A water purifier provided in the water supply path,
The said water purifier is a washing machine which has a photocatalyst which is provided along the direction through which the water of the said water supply path flows, and lets the water pass, and an ultraviolet lamp which irradiates ultraviolet light to the water which passes the said photocatalyst and the said photocatalyst.
The photocatalyst is elongated along the direction of water flow,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water purifier is horizontally long and is disposed inside the top cover.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water purifier has a water outlet at an upper portion of the water purifier.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water purifier has a water level detecting means for detecting a water level at an upper portion of the water purifier, and the ultraviolet lamp is turned on based on the detection of the water level.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the photocatalyst has a lower density on the ultraviolet lamp side than a density on the opposite side to the ultraviolet lamp side.
The photocatalyst is composed of a plurality of unit photocatalysts divided in the direction in which water flows, and partition plates each having a water passage hole are provided between the unit photocatalysts, and the partition plates are adjacent to each other. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a position of a water passage hole of a partition plate to be fitted is shifted.
The water supply path is a bath water supply path that connects the washing tub and the inside of the bathtub outside the washing tub,
The said water supply pump is a bath water pump which inhales the bath water stored in the said bathtub, and supplies the bath water to the said washing tub through the said bath water supply path. The washing machine described.