JP3545313B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry.
[0002]
[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
There is a washing machine that includes a tub capable of storing laundry and water, generates a water flow in the tub to wash and rinse the laundry, and rotates the tub in which the laundry is stored at a high speed to perform dehydration.
Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, a neutral detergent has been mainly used for washing laundry, but recently, the amount of the neutral detergent has been reduced from the viewpoint of environmental considerations, or a neutral detergent has been used. The use of soap (liquid soap, powdered soap, etc.), which is considered more environmentally friendly, has been spreading to general households.
[0003]
However, if the amount of neutral detergent used is reduced below the specified amount, or if the soap is replaced with a soap that has lower detergency than the neutral detergent, the detergency will be insufficient and the laundry will not be washed properly. There is a problem that is easy to occur.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel washing machine that can wash laundry cleanly even when the amount of a neutral detergent used is reduced below a specified amount or when the soap is replaced with a soap having a lower detergency than the neutral detergent. To provide.
[0004]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The invention according to claim 1 includes a tub capable of storing laundry and water, a rotation driving means for rotating the tub, and a water supply means for supplying water to the tub, wherein the water supply means comprises at least two sheets. An electrolyzed water generating unit that has an electrode set composed of an electrode plate, generates electrolyzed water by energizing the electrode set and electrolyzes water, and a return path for returning water overflowing from the tank to the electrolyzed water generating unit And a return pump for flowing water through the return path, and a water supply path for supplying water supplied from the faucet to the electrolyzed water generator, and when the operation is started, the power supply to the electrode set is stopped. In this state, water is supplied from the tap to the tank via the electrolyzed water generator through the electrolyzed water generator, thereby supplying water that also serves as washing of the electrolyzed water generator.The water level in the tank reaches a predetermined water level and washing starts. After a certain period of time has passed since the power was turned on, Conductive and a control unit for performing a reflux and the electrolytic treatment of water by the operation of the reflux pump, a washing machine, characterized in that it includes.
[0008]
According to the configuration of claim 1, the electrolyzed water itself, which is sterilized and has detergency generated by the electrolyzed water generation unit, can be used as water used for washing and rinsing laundry. Even when the amount of use is reduced below a specified amount or replaced with a soap having a lower detergency than a neutral detergent, it is possible to cleanly wash the laundry without leaving behind.
Further, the time required for washing and rinsing can be made shorter than before, so that the total time from washing to dehydration can be shortened, and the power consumption associated therewith can be reduced.
[0009]
Of course, if the laundry is very dirty, a specified amount of neutral detergent may be added. Even in such a case, the laundry can be washed cleanly without leaving unwashed, for example, without increasing the amount of the neutral detergent from the specified amount or extending the time for washing and rinsing.
On the other hand, if the laundry is less soiled, it is possible to wash with only electrolytic water without using a neutral detergent or soap at all.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation and proliferation of black mold which easily occurs in the tank particularly when soap is used, by the sterilizing effect of the electrolytic water.
[0011]
In the washing machine, when energized electrode set comprising at least two electrode plates, the opposite polarity electrode plates constituting the field electrodes sets likened respectively housed in two electrolysis chamber spaced with a septum and placed electrolysis In the case of a tank, the following reaction proceeds on the anode side and the cathode side.
(Anode side)
4H ₂ O-4e ⁻ → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ ↑ + 2H ₂ O
2Cl ^- → Cl ₂ + 2e ^-
H ₂ O + Cl ₂ @ HClO + H ⁺ + Cl ⁻
(Cathode side)
^{_{4H 2 O + 4e - → 2H}} 2 ↑ + 4OH -
Then, washing and rinsing can be performed while supplying the electrolytic water generated on the cathode side, which has detergency itself, to the tub through the alkaline water supply path.
[0012]
The acidic electrolyzed water generated on the anode side is drained through, for example, a drain port of a washing machine through an acidic water drainage path.
Also, housing the electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly into a single electrolysis chamber, when the placement the electrolyzer further the following reaction proceeds in addition to the above reaction.
(Anode side + cathode side)
_{^{H + + OH - → H 2}} O
Then, neutral electrolyzed water containing chlorine-containing compounds such as hypochlorous acid (HClO), hypochlorite ion (ClO ⁻ ), and chlorine gas (Cl ₂ ), which itself has sterilizing power, Washing and rinsing can be performed while supplying water to the tank through the neutral water supply path.
[0013]
Furthermore, in any of the above-described electrolytic cells, an effect of sterilizing water supplied to the cell with active oxygen (O ₂ ⁻ ) generated for a very short time in the above reaction process can be obtained. When tap water is used as water to be supplied to the tank by the water supply means, the above reaction proceeds sufficiently only by using a chlorine ion content contained in the tap water as an ion source. Salts such as (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl ₂ ) may be added to water as an ion source.
[0016]
Through Contact the reflux path such, when performing washing while returning the overflowing water from the tank to the electrolytic water generating unit, washing the beginning, washing water immediately after neutral detergent or soap is turned is the return path If the neutralized detergent and the soap itself are electrolyzed by being returned to the electrolyzed water generator through the electrolysis water generator, there is a possibility that the detergency thereof is greatly reduced.
Therefore, the function of the control means to an operation control of the washing machines, at the time of washing the start does not energize the electrode assembly, a predetermined time has elapsed from the washing start, current supply when the detergency of the detergent or soap calm Then, it is efficient to start the electrolytic treatment of the water returned through the reflux path.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of a washing machine W according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the washing machine W of this example includes a tub 1 capable of storing laundry and water, a rotation driving unit 2 for rotating an inner tub 12 and a pulsator 13 of the tub 1, which will be described later. And a water supply means 3 for supplying water to the housing 4.
[0019]
Among the above, the tub 1 is concentric with the outer tub 11 suspended by the hanging rods 10 and 10 with respect to the housing 4 so that vibration during rotation is not transmitted to the housing 4. An inner tub 12 as a washing and dewatering tub arranged in a shape, and a pulsator 13 provided at the bottom of the inner tub 12 are provided.
The rotation driving means 2 includes a motor 20 whose rotation shaft 20a is directly connected to the pulsator 13, and a clutch 21 interposed between the pulsator 13 and the inner tub 12, and is used for washing and rinsing. With the clutch 21 disengaged and the inner tank 12 stopped, the motor 20 rotates only the pulsator 13 in one direction or both directions.
[0020]
Further, at the time of dehydration, the clutch 21 is connected, and the pulsator 13 and the inner tub 12 are integrally rotated at high speed in one direction by the motor 20.
Due to the centrifugal force of the rotation, the laundry adheres to the side wall of the inner tub 12, and the moisture contained in the laundry passes through a number of small holes 12 a formed in the inner tub 12 and the inner tub 12 and the outer tub 11. , And is drained from a drain port of a washing machine (not shown) through a drain path (not shown).
[0021]
In a part of the side wall of the inner tank 12, a small water channel 12 b is formed, which is separated from the inner tank 12 and extends from a position below the pulsator 13 at the bottom to a position near the inlet at the top. A dust removal filter 14 for removing dust from the water in the tank is detachably attached to the inner tank 12 so as to cover the outlet of the small water channel 12b.
At the time of washing and rinsing, a water flow that flows upward from below in the small water passage 12b is generated with the rotation of the pulsator 13, and dust such as lint is continuously removed from the water flow by the dust removal filter 14. Removed.
[0022]
Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the dust removing filter 14 further removes a laminate 14c in which a layer 14a of adsorbent particles such as activated carbon or Bincho charcoal is sandwiched between two nonwoven fabrics 14b, 14b. Is constructed in a laminated structure sandwiched between the double nets 14d, 14d for the purpose of removing dirt separated from the laundry by the action of the neutral detergent or soap and the electrolytic water as described above. The adsorbent particles can be adsorbed on the layer 14a and removed from the washing water.
[0023]
Further, when the adsorbent particles constituting the layer 14a have lost the adsorbing power, the whole dust removing filter 14 is replaced.
The water supply means 3 includes a main water supply path 31 for directly supplying water supplied from a tap (not shown) or the like to the inner tank 12 as shown by a white arrow in FIG. Electrolyzed water for generating electrolyzed water by applying electricity to a softener supply path 32 for supplying water to the inner tank 12 after adding a softener and an electrode set 51 composed of two electrode plates 51a and 51b to electrolyze water. A sub-water supply path 33 for supplying water to the generator 5 and a priming water supply path 34 for supplying priming water to the pump body 60 of the bath water pump 6 at the time of startup are provided, and water is supplied according to the operation stage of the washing machine W. A water supply valve 30 is provided for switching to supply continuously or intermittently to each of the paths 31 to 34 based on a control signal from the control means.
[0024]
Further, the water supply means 3 filters water overflowing from the inner tub 12 to the gap between the outer tub 11 and the inner tub 12 at the time of washing and rinsing with a filtration filter 35a as shown by a double solid line arrow in the figure. A recirculation path 35 is also provided for returning dirt such as lint and returning to the electrolyzed water generator 5. In the drawing, reference numeral 35b denotes a reflux pump for flowing water through the reflux path 35 in the above-described direction.
As shown in FIG. 3, the electrolyzed water generation unit 5 accommodates two electrode plates 51a and 51b having opposite polarities constituting the electrode set 51 in two electrolysis chambers 53a and 53b separated by a diaphragm 52, respectively. An electrolytic cell 53 is provided.
[0025]
The electrolytic cell 53 includes a tank main body 53c having two electrolytic chambers 53a and 53b separated by the diaphragm 52 as described above, and a lid 53d covering an upper opening of the cell main body 53c. Drainage paths 55a and 55b are connected to the bottoms of the main body 53c and are connected to the two electrolysis chambers 53a and 53b.
The combined drainage paths 55a and 55b are then branched in two directions again, and one is an alkaline water supply for supplying alkaline electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic tank 53 to the tank 1 via the on-off valve 56a. The other end is connected to a passage 57a, and the other end is connected to an acidic water drainage passage 57b for draining the acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic tank 53 from a drain port of a washing machine (not shown).
[0026]
In order to supply the water from the sub-water supply path 33 to both of the electrolysis chambers 53a and 53b, the lid 53d is connected to the branch paths 330a and 330b branched by the connector 330 and the water from the return path 35 to both the electrolysis chambers. In order to supply the chambers 53a and 53b, branch paths 350a and 350b branched by a connector 350 are connected. Among the above, the electrode plates 51a and 51b are set so as to periodically reverse the polarity to be applied in accordance with the total time of electrolysis, the total number of times, etc., in order to prevent one-sided consumption due to electrolysis. For example, when the electrode plate 51a is a cathode and the electrode plate 51b is an anode, electrolysis is performed using the electrolytic chamber 53a as a cathode chamber and the electrolytic chamber 53b as an anode chamber.
[0027]
The alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic chamber 53a, which is a cathode chamber, discharges the drainage path 55a by opening the on-off valves 54a and 56a and closing the on-off valves 54b and 56b during washing and rinsing. The tank 1 is supplied with water through the alkaline water supply path 57a. The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic chamber 53b, which is an anode chamber, has a drain path 55b and an acidic water when the on-off valves 54b and 56b are opened and the on-off valves 54a and 56a are closed when water is not supplied. The water is drained from the drain port through the drain path 57b.
[0028]
When the electrode plate 51a is used as an anode and the electrode plate 51b is used as a cathode, the electrolysis is performed using the electrolytic chamber 53a as an anode chamber and the electrolytic chamber 53b as a cathode chamber.
The alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic chamber 53b, which is a cathode chamber, has drainage paths 55b when the on-off valves 54b and 56a are opened and the on-off valves 54a and 56b are closed during washing and rinsing. The tank 1 is supplied with water through the alkaline water supply path 57a. The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolysis chamber 53a, which is an anode chamber, has a drain path 55a and an acid water when the on-off valves 54a and 56b are opened and the on-off valves 54b and 56a are closed when water is not supplied. The water is drained from the drain port through the drain path 57b.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the electrolytic cell 53 may be one in which electrode plates 51a and 51b constituting the electrode set 51 are accommodated and arranged in one electrolytic chamber 53e.
In this case, since there is only one electrolytic chamber 53e as described above, the sub-water supply path 33 and the reflux path 35 are not branched and are directly connected to the lid 53g constituting the electrolytic tank 53. Also, a single drainage path 55c from the tank main body 53f is provided, which is directly connected to the neutral water supply path 57c connected to the tank 1 via the on-off valve 54c, and the drainage path connected to the drain port is omitted. ing.
[0030]
In this case, too, the electrode plates 51a and 51b are configured to periodically reverse the polarity to be applied in accordance with the total time of electrolysis, the total number of times, etc., in order to prevent one-sided consumption due to electrolysis. Is set.
Then, the electrode plate 51a is used as an anode and the electrode plate 51b is used as a cathode, or conversely, the electrode plate 51a is used as a cathode and the electrode plate 51b is used as an anode to perform electrolysis, and neutrality generated in the electrolytic chamber 53e is generated. The electrolyzed water is supplied to the tub 1 through the drain path 55c and the neutral water supply path 57c by opening the on-off valve 54c at the time of washing or rinsing.
[0031]
The electrolytic cell 53 in FIG. 3 can be used for generating neutral electrolyzed water in the same manner as in FIG. That is, the alkaline and acidic electrolyzed waters generated in the two electrolysis chambers 53a and 53b respectively open and close the on-off valves 54a, 54b and 56b and close the on-off valves 56b at the time of washing and rinsing, so that the drainage paths 55a and It is also possible that the water is fed into the tank 1 through the alkaline water supply path 57a after being merged into the neutral electrolytic water through the water 55b.
[0032]
The bath water pump 6 includes a pump main body 60 and a bath water suction pipe 61 formed of a flexible pipe body such as a vinyl hose and extending outside the housing 4 while being connected to the pump main body 60. , A filtration filter 62 disposed immediately after the suction port 61a of the bath water at the end of the suction pipe 61, and a water supply pipe 63 connecting the pump main body 60 and the sub-water supply path 33. . In addition, when water such as tap water is supplied from the water supply valve 30 to the electrolyzed water generator 5 through the sub water supply path 33 on the water supply pipe 63, a part or all of the water is prevented from flowing into the water supply pipe 63. A check valve 64 is provided to perform the check.
[0033]
When the remaining water in the bath is supplied to the electrolyzed water generator 5 using the bath water pump 6, first, the above-described water supply valve 30 is opened and closed, and a small amount of water flows through the priming water supply path 34 through the pump body. The pump main body 60 is started while being supplied to the pump 60. Then, the bath water is sucked up from the suction port 61a of the bath water at the end of the suction pipe 61 charged in the bath water as shown by the black arrow in the figure, and dust such as hair is removed through the filter 62. After that, the water is supplied to the electrolyzed water generator 5 through the water supply pipe 63 and the auxiliary water supply path 33.
[0034]
The electrode plates 51a and 51b constituting the electrode set 53 among the above-mentioned parts are, for example, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and platinum-iridium (Pt) over the entire surface of a titanium (Ti) substrate. A thin film of a noble metal such as -Ir) coated by a plating method or a baking treatment is used.
Further, as the tank main bodies 53c and 53f, the lids 53d and 53g, and the drainage paths 55a to 55c, etc., each of these members is located very close to the electrode set 51. It is formed of a resin having sufficient resistance to generated chlorine-containing compounds and active oxygen.
[0035]
As the diaphragm 52, any of diaphragms made of various materials used for electrolysis can be used.
As the filtration filters 35a and 66, a nonwoven fabric made of natural or chemical fibers is used. More specifically, in consideration of its durability and the like, in order not to lower the flow rate of the non-woven fabric formed of polypropylene fiber or the like, in particular, the water to be refluxed by the reflux pump 35b, or the bath water sucked up by the bath water pump 6, A nonwoven fabric having an average diameter exceeding 100 μm is suitably used.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine W of FIG.
As shown in the figure, the washing machine W includes a control unit 70 as a control unit that operates the rotation driving unit 2, the water supply unit 3, and the like while controlling the power supply to the electrode set 51.
The output of the operation unit P1 for inputting the operation mode of the washing machine W and the like and the output of the water level sensor S1 for detecting the water level of the inner tub 12 are provided to the control unit 70. The control unit 70 includes a timer 71 for defining the timing of various operations, and a memory 72 in which initial values such as operation modes are registered.
[0037]
The control unit 70 performs various calculations based on the outputs of the operation unit P1 and the water level sensor S1, the timing specified by the timer 71, and the initial value registered in the memory 72, and outputs a control signal based on the calculation. Give to.
The driver 73 performs energization control such as energization output (energization current) to the electrode set 51 and energization time based on a given signal, and controls driving of the motor 20, the clutch 21, the recirculation pump 35, and the bath water pump 6. , And the water supply valve 30 and the open / close valves 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of the delay operation of the electrolytic treatment at the time of starting the washing in the control performed by the control unit 70.
When the power of the washing machine W is turned on, the washing mode is selected and the operation is started, first, water is supplied to the inner tub 12 (step SP1).
At this time, the user puts a predetermined amount of neutral detergent and soap into the inner tank 12. Alternatively, the water supply unit is provided with an automatic water supply means for supplying a predetermined amount of a neutral detergent or soap into the inner tank 12 by a water flow of the water supply, and using this automatic water supply means, the automatic water supply is automatically performed almost simultaneously with the start of water supply. Alternatively, a neutral detergent or soap may be charged into the inner tank 12.
[0039]
One or more of the following three modes are selected as a mode for supplying water to the inner tank 12.
(1) Water is supplied directly from the faucet through the main water supply path 31.
(2) From a water tap, etc., via the sub-water supply path 33-the electrolytic tank 53-the drainage paths 55a and 55b-the alkaline water supply path 57a (or the latter two stages-the drainage path 55c-the neutral water supply path 57c). Water supply.
[0040]
At this time, as described above, in order to prevent the neutral detergent and the soap itself from decomposing, the power supply to the electrode set 51 in the electrolytic tank 53 is stopped. Further, the water supply in a state in which the power supply is stopped also serves to wash and supply the above-mentioned components constituting the electrolyzed water generation unit 5, and particularly in the case of the electrolysis tank 53 of FIG. 3, the water is supplied to the electrolysis chamber 53 a, It is preferable to open both on-off valves 54a and 54b so as to pass through both 53b.
(3) Water is supplied from a bathtub or the like via the bath water pump 6-the electrolytic tank 53, and thereafter, along the same route as in the above (2).
[0041]
Also in this case, the power supply to the electrode set 51 in the electrolytic cell 53 is stopped. In the case of the electrolytic cell 53 in FIG. 3, it is preferable to open both the on-off valves 54a and 54b so that the water also passes through both the electrolytic chambers 53a and 53b.
Next, when the water level sensor S1 detects that the water level in the inner tub 12 has reached a predetermined water level, the water supply is stopped, the timer 71 starts measuring the washing time, and the clutch 21 is disengaged. In this state, the motor 20 is rotated to start washing while rotating only the pulsator 13 (step SP2).
[0042]
At the same time, the reflux pump 35b is operated to return the water overflowing from the inner tank 12 to the electrolytic water generator 5 through the reflux path 35, and from the electrolytic tank 53 of the electrolytic water generator 5 to the drain path 55a. , 55b-alkaline water supply path 57a (or drainage path 55c-neutral water supply path 57c), and return to the inner tank 12 is started. At this time, in order to prevent the decomposition of the neutral detergent and the soap itself, it is necessary that the power supply to the electrode set 51 in the electrolytic tank 53 be stopped.
[0043]
Then, it is determined whether or not a fixed time (for example, 5 minutes in the case of the drawing) has elapsed from the start of the washing (step SP3), and only when the fixed time has elapsed, the electrode set 51 is energized to start the electrolytic treatment. (Step SP4).
The flow of water during the electrolytic treatment is as described above.
Then, the water reflux and the electrolytic treatment are continuously performed until the end of the washing mode (step SP5).
[0044]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the reflux path 35 and the bath water pump 6 may be omitted. Further, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to a two-tub washing machine in which a washing tub and a dewatering tub are separately provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing a structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a layer configuration of a dust removal filter incorporated in the washing machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of an electrolyzed water generation unit incorporated in the washing machine of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration of the electrolyzed water generation unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the washing machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a delay operation of an electrolytic process at the start of washing, among the control contents performed by the control unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
W Washing machine 1 Tub 2 Rotation drive means 3 Water supply means 5 Electrolyzed water generator 51 Electrode set 51a, 51b Electrode plate

Claims (1)

A tub capable of storing laundry and water,
Rotation driving means for rotating the tank,
Water supply means for supplying water to the tank,
The water supply means has an electrode set composed of at least two electrode plates, an electrolyzed water generating unit for generating electrolyzed water by energizing the electrode set and electrolyzing water, and water overflowing from the tank. A return path that returns the electrolyzed water to the electrolyzed water generator, a reflux pump that circulates water through the reflux path, and a water supply path that supplies water supplied from a water tap to the electrolyzed water generator,
When the operation is started, in a state where the power supply to the electrode set is stopped, by supplying water from the tap of the water supply to the tank via the electrolytic water generation unit, the water supply which also serves as washing of the electrolytic water generation unit is performed, After the water level in the tub reaches a predetermined water level and washing is started, when a certain period of time has passed, electricity is supplied to the electrode set, and the current is supplied to the electrode set and the reflux pump is operated to return water and perform electrolytic treatment. The control unit to perform
Washing machine characterized by comprising.

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