WO2019129017A1

WO2019129017A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2019129017A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/123695
Authority: WO
Inventors: 野吕胜
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; Aqua株式会社
Priority date: 2017-12-28
Filing date: 2018-12-26
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: JP7093072B2; JP2019118413A; CN111492104A; CN111492104B

Abstract

The present invention implements a washing machine, which can protect, in a manner of not generating residuals, an ozone electrolyzing portion from damage and achieve continuous sterilization and deodorization effects. The washing machine comprises: a water supply passage (3a), for supplying water to a washing tub (1b); and an ozone generating device (4), for generating ozone in the water supply passage (3a). The ozone generating device (4) comprises the ozone electrolyzing portion (41), the ozone electrolyzing portion (41) being provided in an ozone generating region (Ar) which is provided substantially horizontally on a part of the water supply passage (3a), and a water supply valve (31) for opening and closing the water supply passage (3a) being provided upstream and above the ozone generating region (Ar). Furthermore, when the opening and closing operation of the water supply valve (31) is repeated, the ozone electrolyzing portion (41) of the ozone generation device (4) continuously maintains a state in which the ozone generation region (Ar) is immersed in water.

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine which improves washing ability by generating ozone water inside.

Background technique

In the past, ozone water was used in washing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine for cleaning an object to be cleaned. The washing machine includes a cartridge that can store water for cleaning the object to be cleaned, an electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water, and a drain mechanism for discharging water stored in the cartridge. In addition, the cartridge cleaning operation execution unit is disposed in a state in which the electrolyzed water having a predetermined concentration generated by the electrolyzed water generating device is stored in the cartridge, and is then sterilized in the cartridge for a sufficient period of time. The cylinder cleaning operation operates the drainage mechanism to discharge the electrolyzed water in the cylinder.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrolyzed water generating and discharging device for discharging electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis to a body part of an animal or a human body for washing or disinfecting. The electrolyzed water production and discharge device includes an electrolysis unit that uses an electrolysis electrode that uses at least an anode of the diamond electrode as an anode, generates electrolyzed water by electrolysis of the supplied water or aqueous solution, and connects the nozzle to the electrolysis unit; the pump is operated at a predetermined flow rate. Water or an aqueous solution is supplied to the electrolysis unit, and electrolyzed water generated by the electrolysis unit is discharged from the nozzle; and a control unit controls the operation of the electrolysis unit and the pump. Further, the control unit is configured to intermittently discharge the electrolyzed water from the nozzle so as to repeatedly start and stop the operation of the electrolysis unit and the pump at predetermined time intervals.

However, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that sodium hypochlorite, which is a main component of acidic electrolyzed water generated in an intermediate process, remains.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 has a problem in that it is a portable ozone water generator for cleaning the wounded parts of animals and humans, and thus the amount of generated ozone water is small.

Therefore, in order to continuously remove bacteria and deodorize by generating ozone without generating residual substances, it is considered as an effective solution to arrange ozone generation in the water supply path to generate ozone. The ozone electrolysis unit referred to herein includes an ozone electrode and an electrolytic film.

However, as a result of research by the present inventors, it has been found that if the ozone electrolysis unit is disposed indiscriminately, the desired effect cannot be achieved. For example, when the ozone electrolysis unit is driven by a constant current, when the electrolytic film of the ozone electrolysis unit is dried, the resistance value increases, and as a result, the voltage rises. In addition, even when the ozone electrolysis unit is immersed in water once, the voltage is measured, and after the ozone electrolysis unit is pulled once, and the ozone electrolysis unit is immersed in water to measure the electrolysis voltage, the initial trend of the electrolysis unit is The resistance value rises, and as a result, the voltage rises. The increase in the electrolysis voltage is related to the aging of the membrane, which in turn accelerates the damage and breakage of the ozone electrolysis unit.

Further, it has been found that this voltage rise causes adhesion of impurities between the electrodes due to electrolysis during drying. Therefore, the state in which the electrolytic film is dried while being wetted without being repeated is advantageous for alleviating the aging of the electrolytic film. Therefore, an ideal configuration is that the ozone electrolysis unit is immersed in water once after being immersed in water once.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-73248

Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-161762

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the problem, and an object thereof is to realize a washing machine capable of protecting an ozone electrolysis portion from damage in a manner that does not generate a residual substance, and which maintains a sterilization and deodorizing effect.

Solution to solve the problem

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following scheme.

That is, the washing machine of the present invention includes: a water supply path for supplying water to the washing tub; and an ozone generating device that generates ozone in the water supply path, wherein the ozone generating device includes an ozone electrolysis unit, the ozone electrolysis The ozone distribution region is disposed substantially horizontally on a portion of the water supply passage, and a valve that opens and closes the water supply passage is disposed above the ozone generation region and upstream. The washing machine is arranged such that the ozone electrolysis unit of the ozone generator is always immersed in water in the ozone generation region during the process of opening and closing the valve.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention includes: a main body of the washing machine; an outer cylinder disposed in the main body of the washing machine; and a drum rotatable in the outer cylinder, wherein an ozone generating region of the water supply passage is in the outer cylinder The position adjacent to the rear surface is disposed near the upper wall of the washing machine body, and the water supply path of at least one of the upstream side or the downstream side of the ozone generating region is disposed to be curved with respect to the ozone generating region, by the bending The ozone electrolysis unit can be inserted and removed into the ozone generating region.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention is characterized in that the ozone generating pipe constituting the ozone generating region is constituted by a pair of pipe portions which are arranged in series with a gap, and an elastic cylinder which is fluid-tightly connected between the two pipe portions. The elastic cylinder is supported by the washing machine body via the support member, and the ozone electrolysis unit can be inserted into and removed from each of the pipe portions via the curved portion of the water supply path on the upstream side and the curved portion of the water supply path on the downstream side.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention includes a control unit that is responsible for opening and closing control of the valve and energization on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit, wherein the control unit performs control such as: during the washing process At the beginning of sterilization, the valve is switched from the closed state to the open state, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the switching of the valve, or directly or indirectly after detecting a rise in the water level in the drum, the ozone is electrolyzed The power supply of the part is switched from off to on.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention includes a control unit that controls opening and closing control of the valve and energization on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit, wherein the control unit performs control such as: during the washing process When the sterilization is stopped, the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit is switched from on to off, and after a predetermined time elapses from the switching, the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit is switched from on to off.

Further, the present invention includes a control unit that is responsible for rotation/stop control of the drum at a predetermined cycle, and energization on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit, and is characterized in that the ozone electrolysis unit is In the state in which the energization is turned on, when the sterilization process is a sterilization and rinsing process in which the rinsing is performed while the ozone water is being replenished, the control unit performs a rotation operation time that accounts for one cycle of the drum and is smaller than the rotation operation. The control of the ratio of time to one cycle of the usual washing process.

Effect of the invention

In the washing machine of the present invention, the ozone electrolysis unit is disposed in the substantially horizontal ozone generating region, and the water is supplied to the ozone generating region in the downstream region through the valve disposed above. Therefore, even if the valve is opened and closed repeatedly, the water supply path is closed when the valve is closed. Since the inside becomes a negative pressure and the ozone generation region is disposed substantially horizontally, it is possible to maintain a state in which water is stored therein. As a result, the ozone electrolysis unit is always maintained in a state of being immersed in water, and it is possible to suppress a voltage rise and perform stable energization. The sterilization and deodorizing effect can be continued in such a manner that no residual substances are generated and the ozone electrolysis portion is not damaged.

Further, in the washing machine of the present invention, the outer cylinder in which the drum is accommodated is disposed in the structure of the washing machine main body, and the ozone generating region of the water supply path is horizontally disposed near the upper wall of the washing machine main body at a position adjacent to the rear surface of the outer cylinder. Therefore, in addition to easily avoiding interference with the drum, the outer cylinder, the driving device, and other piping, the influence on the height of the product can be suppressed. Further, since the water supply path upstream and downstream of the ozone generation region is curved, it is easy to realize a structure in which the ozone electrolysis portion can be inserted and removed from the curved portion as compactly as possible.

In addition, the ozone generating pipe of the washing machine of the present invention is configured such that a pair of pipe portions are connected by an elastic cylinder, and the ozone generating pipe is supported via the cylinder, and the ozone electrolysis unit can be passed through the upstream side or the downstream side. The bent portions are inserted and removed to the respective pipe portions. Therefore, it is possible to avoid excessive stress on the ozone electrolysis portion and to easily put in or take out the ozone electrolysis portion. Further, by forming a structure in which the washing water flows through the two ozone electrolysis portions, the sterilization effect can be further enhanced.

Further, in the washing machine of the present invention, when the control unit controls the opening and closing of the valve and the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit, the control for switching the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit to ON is performed after the valve is opened, and thus, for example, ozone electrolysis is performed. When the part is immersed in water, it can prevent the water from boiling and damage the ozone electrolysis unit.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention controls the switching of the valve to the closing after the opening and closing of the control unit is controlled by the control unit and the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit, so that even the ozone is controlled, for example. When the electrolysis unit is immersed in water, it is also possible to prevent the water from boiling and damage the ozone electrolysis unit.

Further, in the sterilizing and rinsing process in which the washing machine of the present invention performs rinsing while replenishing the ozone water while the electric current is turned on, the control unit performs the rotation control at a predetermined cycle of the drum each time. The control is performed such that the ratio of the rotational working time to one cycle is smaller than the ratio of the rotational working time to one cycle of the usual washing process, thereby preventing the generated ozone from immediately disappearing and effectively performing the sterilization and rinsing.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration including an external appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing a specific mounting structure around the ozone electrolysis unit in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water supply path around the ozone electrolysis unit in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure at the start of sterilization of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure at the time of stopping the sterilization of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a sterilization and rinsing process of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1: washing machine body; 1a: upper wall; 1b: washing tub; 2: drum; 3: outer cylinder; 3a: water supply road; 3d: rear surface; 3x, 3y: curved portion; 4: ozone generating device; Member (carrier); 31: valve (water supply valve); 33c: piping portion; 33d: elastic cylinder; 41: ozone electrolysis section; Ar: ozone generation zone; C: control section; W: washing machine.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

1 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of a drum washing machine W, FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine W, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a periphery of an ozone electrolysis unit in the washing machine W. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water supply path around the ozone electrolysis unit in the washing machine W, in a perspective view of a specific assembly structure.

The washing machine body 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening 11 for taking a laundry to the drum 2 is formed on the front surface 10a of the washing machine main body 1, and an opening and closing cover (not shown) capable of opening and closing the opening 11 is attached. An outer cylinder 3 is disposed outside the drum 2, and the drum 2 and the outer cylinder 3 constitute a washing tub 1b. The washing tub 1b is assembled in such a manner that the core is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

The outer tube 3 is a bottomed cylindrical member that is disposed inside the washing machine body 1 and includes a side surface 3c and a rear surface 3d, and can store washing water therein.

The outer cylinder 3 is connected to a water supply passage 3a for supplying washing water to the inside and a discharge passage 3b for discharging the washing water to the outside. A water supply valve 31 is provided in the water supply path 3a, and a drain valve 32 is provided in the discharge path 3b. A solenoid valve is used for the water supply valve 31, and a drain valve controlled by a torque motor is used for the drain valve 32. The opening and closing signals Sv1 and Sv2 are input to the

valves

31 and 32 from the control unit C. The water supply valve 31 is an ozone-dedicated water supply valve. In addition to the water supply valve 31, a water supply valve (not shown) for supplying ordinary washing water is provided, and the control unit C performs opening and closing control. The water supply valve 31 operates only during sterilization and rinsing.

The drum 2 is a bottomed cylindrical member that is disposed coaxially with the outer cylinder 3 in the outer cylinder 3 and that is rotatably supported. The inside of the drum 2 can accommodate laundry, and its wall surface has a plurality of water-passing holes.

The drum 2 is driven by a drive unit Dr. The drive device Dr is a member that rotates the pulley 15 and the belt 15b by the motor 10, rotates the drive shaft 17 that extends toward the bottom portion 2d of the drum 2, and applies a driving force to the drum 2 to rotate the drum 2. The motor 10 is controlled by the inverter 34, and a control signal Sm is input from the control unit C to the inverter 34.

In the above configuration, the present embodiment is provided with an ozone generating device 4 that generates ozone in the water supply path 3a in order to perform sterilization. The ozone generating device 4 includes an ozone electrolysis unit 41 disposed in the ozone generating region Ar. The ozone generating region Ar is disposed substantially horizontally on a portion of the water supply path 3a, and an opening and closing water supply path 3a is disposed above the ozone generating region Ar and upstream. The water supply valve 31 as a valve of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 of the ozone generator 4 is always maintained in a state where the ozone generation region Ar is immersed in water during the opening and closing operation of the water supply valve 31.

In other words, when the water supply valve 31 is closed upstream of the ozone generation region Ar during the opening and closing operation of the water supply valve 31, the inside of the water supply passage 3a becomes a negative pressure, and the ozone generation region Ar is disposed substantially horizontally. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a state in which water is stored inside. As a result, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is always maintained in a state of being immersed in water, and it is possible to suppress a voltage rise and perform stable energization. In addition, if the ozone generating region Ar is disposed vertically, there is a risk that the water in the piping portion is completely discharged and the ozone electrolysis portion 41 is in a dry burning state when the air enters, and even if the air enters, the risk of being dry is also caused. Will become lower.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the ozone generating region Ar of the water supply path 3a is constituted by the ozone generating pipe 33, and the ozone generating pipe 33 is disposed at the position adjacent to the rear surface 3d of the outer cylinder 3 at the washing machine. The vicinity of the upper wall 1a of the main body 1 is suspended and supported by the washing machine main body 1 via a bracket 5 as a supporting member. In the ozone generating pipe 33, a first connecting portion 33a extending upward is formed on the upstream side, and a second connecting portion 33b extending downward is formed on the downstream side.

The first connecting portion 33a is connected to the water supply valve 31 via the first line 35a, and the second connecting portion 33b is connected to the water supply port 3d1 provided on the rear surface of the outer tube 3 via the second line 35b. The first connecting portion 33a has a funnel shape, and is formed into a small diameter at the entrance of the ozone generating region Ar. In order to increase the electrolysis efficiency of the ozone electrolysis unit, the diameter of the ozone generating pipe 33 is also substantially equal to the small diameter. The water supply valve 31 is connected to an introduction pipe 36 that introduces washing water from the outside. When the water supply valve 31 is opened, the external washing water flows into the water supply path 3a, and supplies water to the washing tub 1b via the water supply port 3d1.

In other words, the ozone generating piping 33 forming the ozone generating region Ar has a structure in which the washing water falls from the upstream side and flows in from the first connecting portion 33a on the one end side, and flows substantially horizontally inside, and from the downstream region. The second connecting portion 33b is dropped and flows out.

Since the ozone generation region Ar is disposed substantially horizontally in this manner, it is easy to avoid interference with the drum 2, the outer cylinder 3, the drive device Dr, and other piping, and the influence on the height of the product can be suppressed.

As shown in Fig. 4, the ozone generating pipe 33 is a pair of

pipe portions

33c and 33c which are arranged in series with a gap, and an elastic tube which is fluid-tightly connected between the opposite end portions of the

pipe portions

33c and 33c. The body 33d is configured such that the elastic cylinder 33d is suspended and supported by the upper wall 1a of the washing machine body 1 via the bracket 5. The upstream side of the other end portion of each of the

piping portions

33c and 33c is opened in the horizontal direction at the upward crank-shaped curved portion 3x, and the downstream side is opened in the horizontal direction at the crank-shaped curved portion 3y facing downward. The ozone electrolysis unit 41 is inserted and removed. The ozone electrolysis unit 41 has a structure in which a flange portion 41a is attached to the proximal end, and the flange portion 41a can be screwed to the open end of the pipe portion 33c. The wiring 41b for energizing the ozone electrolysis portion 41 is pulled out from the flange portion 41a, and is connected to the energizing portion 40 as shown in Fig. 2 . The energization ON/OFF signal Se is input from the control unit C to the energization unit 40. The wiring 41b is disposed so as to pass through the fuse 4x provided in the piping portion 33c, and cuts the fuse 4x in the event of overheating to protect the ozone electrolysis portion 41.

In this way, since the ozone generating device 4 is provided such that the pair of

electrolytic units

41 and 41 are connected in series to electrolyze water to generate ozone, the water can be firstly sterilized and purified by the electrolysis unit 41, and then passed through the electrolysis unit 41. The ozone concentration is increased, and the necessary concentration and the necessary amount of ozone water are stably supplied to the washing tub 1b. Further, the concentration of ozone water supplied to the washing tub 1b can be further increased without requiring preliminary sterilization. Moreover, no residual substances are generated due to the formation of ozone.

In addition, since the ozone disposing device 4 is disposed horizontally and the

electrolysis portions

41 and 41 can be inserted and removed in the

curved portions

3x and 3y on both sides, ozone can be electrolyzed as the ozone electrolysis portion 41 is disposed substantially horizontally. The part is always maintained in a state of being immersed in water. Further, since only the long-sized electrode and the special electrode are not required to clean or replace the aged electrolysis portion 41, the ozone electrolysis portion 41 is easy to maintain and contributes to cost reduction.

In the present embodiment thus arranged, the control unit C controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 31 and the energization ON/OFF control to the ozone electrolysis unit 41.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit C performs the rotation control of the drum 2 by the motor 10 and the energization on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit 41.

Hereinafter, the steps performed by the control unit C will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7.

First, Figure 5 is the sequence at the start of sterilization.

The control unit C switches the water supply valve 31 from off to on in step S1. Thereby, water supply to the washing tub 1b is started via the ozone generating device 4.

Next, the control unit C determines in step S2 whether or not the water level in the drum 2 has started to rise. Therefore, a signal of a water level sensor or a water flow sensor (not shown) provided in the washing machine body 1 is input to the control unit C. Then, in the case of "Yes", the process proceeds to step S3, and in the case of "NO", step S2 is repeated.

Upon receiving the determination result of YES in step S2, the control unit C switches the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit 41 from off to on in step S3. Thereby, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 electrolyzes the washing water to generate ozone.

Thus, the control unit C performs control to switch the water supply valve 31 from the closed state to the open state at the start of the sterilization rinsing in the washing process, and to directly or indirectly detect the rise in the water level in the drum 2, to the ozone The energization of the electrolysis unit 41 is switched from off to on.

In other words, the ozone electrolysis unit is turned on, and the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is immersed in water, for example, so that the water is boiled and the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is damaged. Of course, instead of the addition of the water level rise, the energization switching may be performed after a predetermined time elapses from the switching of the switching water supply valve 31.

Figure 6 is the sequence at the time of sterilization. The sequence in which the sterilization is stopped is started by the control unit C at a predetermined timing.

The control unit C switches the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit 41 from on to off in step S1. Thereby, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 stops the electrolysis of the wash water.

Next, in step S12, the control unit C determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the power supply to the ozone electrolysis unit 41 was turned off. This is because the electrolysis phenomenon does not stop instantaneously. Then, in the case of "Yes", the process proceeds to step S13, and in the case of "No", the process proceeds to step S12.

Upon receiving the determination result of YES in step S12, the control unit C switches the water supply valve 31 from open to closed in step S13. Thereby, the supply of water to the washing tub 1b via the ozone generating device 4 is stopped.

In this way, the control unit C performs control to switch the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit 41 from on to off when the sterilization is stopped during the washing, and to electrolyze the ozone after a predetermined time elapses from the switching. The energization of the unit 41 is switched from on to off.

In other words, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is first turned off and the water supply is stopped. Therefore, even if the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is immersed in water, for example, it is possible to prevent the water from boiling and damage the ozone electrolysis unit 41.

Figure 7 is a sequence at the time of sterilization washing. The sterilization accompanying the water supply from the water supply path 3a and the rotation of the drum 2 are performed under certain conditions.

The control unit C stops the drum 2 in step S21. When the drum is stopped, the water supply valve 31 is switched from off to on, and the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is also switched from off to on to perform ozone water supply until the set water level is reached. In step 21a, it is judged whether or not the set water level has been reached. If YES, the process proceeds to step S22.

The control unit C starts the rotation of the drum in step S22. At this time, the water supply valve 31 is switched from on to off, and the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is also switched from on to off.

After the drum starts to rotate, the control unit C determines in step S23 whether or not the water level is lower than, for example, a predetermined water level. If "NO", the next step S24 is skipped, and if YES, the ozone replenishing step of step S24 is executed.

When the determination in step S23 is YES, the control unit C rotates the drum 2 forward and backward in a predetermined cycle until it returns to the predetermined water level, and simultaneously switches the water supply valve 31 from off to on, and also energizes the ozone electrolysis unit 41. The disconnection is turned on to supply ozone water. The drum rotation control by the control unit C during the ozone water replenishment process is different from the normal washing process, and the ratio of the drum rotation operation time to one cycle is different from the drum rotation and off time. For example, in the process of supplying the washing water of the non-ozone water or the step S22 of not supplying the ozone water, when the drum rotating working time is set to 8 seconds and the drum rotating off time is set to 2 seconds, the ozone water is In the state where the drum rotation operation time is 2 seconds and the drum rotation OFF time is 8 seconds during replenishment, the drum rotation operation time of one cycle is decreased and the drum disconnection time is increased to prevent the ozone from immediately disappearing.

The control unit C determines in step S25 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the rotation of the drum. To this end, the control unit C operates the timer in advance at the start of the sterilization and rinsing process. Then, if "yes", the process ends. If "no", the process returns to step S22.

When the control unit C performs the rotation control in the predetermined cycle of the drum 2 every time the control unit C performs the rinsing and rinsing process in which the rinsing is performed while the ozone water is supplied to the ozone electrolysis unit 41, the control unit C performs the rotation control at a predetermined cycle of the drum 2 The ratio of the rotational working time to one cycle is less than the control of the ratio of the rotating working time to one cycle of the usual washing process.

That is, even if ozone is generated, the flow of water generated when the drum 2 is rotated is easily eliminated. On the other hand, if the ratio of the rotational working time to the one cycle of the drum 2 is reduced in the ozone water replenishing process as in the present embodiment, the generated ozone can be prevented from immediately disappearing, and the sterilization and rinsing can be efficiently performed.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration of each portion is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, although the ozone generating device 4 is constituted by the pair of ozone electrolysis units 41 in the above embodiment, there may be only one ozone electrolysis unit 41, in which case it can be from one side or the other side of the ozone generating region Ar. The ozone electrolysis unit 41 can be inserted and removed.

Further, the ozone generating device 4 may be disposed on a normal water supply path, but may be disposed on and disposed on an ozone-dedicated water supply path that is independent of the ordinary water supply path.

Other configurations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

A washing machine comprising: a water supply path for supplying water to the washing tub; and an ozone generating device for generating ozone in the water supply path, wherein

The ozone generating device includes an ozone electrolysis unit, the ozone electrolysis unit is disposed in an ozone generating region, and the ozone generating region is disposed substantially horizontally on a portion of the water supply path, above and upstream of the ozone generating region a valve that opens and closes the water supply path,

The washing machine is arranged such that the ozone electrolysis unit of the ozone generator is maintained in a state of being immersed in water in the ozone generation region during the process of repeatedly opening and closing the valve.
A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

The utility model has a main body of a washing machine, an outer cylinder disposed in the main body of the washing machine, and a drum which can rotate in the outer cylinder.

The ozone generating region of the water supply path is disposed in the vicinity of the upper wall of the washing machine main body at a position adjacent to the rear surface of the outer cylinder, and the water supply path of at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the ozone generating region The ozone generating region is provided so as to be curved with respect to the ozone generating region, and the ozone electrolysis portion can be inserted and removed into the ozone generating region.
A washing machine according to claim 2, wherein

The ozone generating pipe constituting the ozone generating region is composed of a pair of piping portions that are arranged in series with a gap, and an elastic cylindrical body that is fluid-tightly connected between the two pipe portions, and the elastic tubular body is supported by the washing machine via the supporting member. In the main body, the ozone electrolysis unit can be inserted into and removed from each of the pipe portions via the curved portion of the water supply path on the upstream side and the curved portion of the water supply path on the downstream side.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

Providing a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the valve and energizing on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit,

The control portion performs control to switch the valve from a closed state to an open state at the start of sterilization of the washing process, and to detect the roller directly or indirectly after a predetermined time has elapsed since the valve was switched After the water level in the interior rises, the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit is switched from off to on.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

Providing a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the valve and energizing on/off control to the ozone electrolysis unit,

The control unit performs control to switch the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit from on to off when the sterilization of the washing process is stopped, and to the valve after a predetermined time elapses from the switching. The power is switched from on to off.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

The control unit is provided to be responsible for the rotation/stop control of the drum at a predetermined cycle and the energization on/off of the ozone electrolysis unit.

In a state where the energization to the ozone electrolysis unit is turned on, the control unit performs a sterilizing and rinsing process of rinsing while replenishing the ozone water, and the control unit performs the rotation operation time to occupy the drum. The ratio of one cycle is less than the control of the ratio of the rotational working time to one cycle of the normal washing process.