JP4417404B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  When washing in a washing machine, it is often done to add a finishing substance to water, especially rinse water. Common finish materials are softeners and pastes. In addition to this, recently, there is an increasing need for finishing treatments that impart antibacterial properties to laundry.

  Laundry is preferably sun-dried from a hygienic point of view. In recent years, however, the number of households that have nobody in the daytime has increased due to an increase in the employment rate of women and the advancement of nuclear families. In such a home, it must be dried indoors. Even in a home where someone is at home during the day, folding in the rain will dry the room.

  In the case of indoor drying, bacteria and molds are more likely to propagate in the laundry than in the sun. This tendency is conspicuous when the laundry takes time to dry, such as at high humidity such as during the rainy season or at low temperatures. Depending on the breeding situation, the laundry may give off an odor.

  Recently, awareness of saving has increased, and more households reuse bath water after taking a bath for washing. However, the bath water left overnight has an increasing number of bacteria, and there is also a problem that these bacteria adhere to the laundry and propagate further, causing a strange odor.

  For this reason, there is a strong demand for antibacterial treatment on fabrics in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and fungi at homes where daily indoor drying is required or bath water is reused for washing.

  Recently, there are an increasing number of clothing with antibacterial and antibacterial and antibacterial treatments applied to the fibers. However, it is difficult to prepare all textile products in the home with antibacterial and deodorant processed products. In addition, the effect of antibacterial and deodorant finishes with repeated washing.

  This led to the idea of antibacterial treatment of laundry every time it was washed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric washing machine equipped with an ion generator that generates metal ions having sterilizing power, such as silver ions and copper ions. Patent Document 2 describes a washing machine in which a cleaning liquid is sterilized by generation of an electric field. Patent Document 3 describes a washing machine including a silver ion addition unit for adding silver ions to washing water.

  Although not limited to a washing machine, Patent Document 4 describes a sterilization and purification device that purifies water with ions.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-74487 JP 2000-93691 A JP 2001-276484 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-126099

In the washing machine described in Patent Document 3, 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 relative to the amount of laundry) is reduced and the load is as large as possible (= laundry) Tend to be accepted. For this reason, when the laundry with the maximum load amount is charged, there is a problem that the total amount of silver ions for antibacterial treatment cannot be obtained with a silver ion concentration of 3 to 50 ppb.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of treating laundry with metal ions commensurate with the amount of laundry when the laundry is antibacterial treated with metal ions. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine is configured as follows in the present invention.

In washing machines using antibacterial silver ions added to water, setting means for setting the amount of water based on the amount of laundry, and between the silver electrodes based on the set amount of water or the rated capacity of the amount of laundry Silver ion elution means for eluting silver ions by controlling the amount of electricity flowing through the water. Silver ions are eluted so that the ratio of the amount of ions increases, and the silver ion concentration is higher than the silver ion concentration when the amount of laundry is less than the rated capacity.

  According to this configuration, even when the amount of laundry is large, sufficient antibacterial properties can be imparted. Very well suited to washing machine construction with small bath ratio and maximum load.

According to the present invention, even when the amount of laundry is large, the antibacterial property can be sufficiently imparted, the deodorizing effect can be surely obtained, and the washing machine structure having a small bath ratio and a large maximum load can be obtained. Fits well. Moreover, since the silver ion elution means for eluting silver ions by controlling the amount of electricity flowing between the silver electrodes is provided, as many silver ions as necessary can be obtained on the spot.

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

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

  Legs 14 a and 14 b for supporting the outer box 10 on the floor are provided at the four corners of the base 13. The rear leg portion 14 b is a fixed leg integrally formed with the base 13. The front leg portion 14a is a screw leg of variable height, and the level of the washing machine 1 is adjusted by turning this leg.

  The upper surface plate 11 is formed with a laundry loading port 15 for loading laundry into a laundry tub described later. A lid 16 covers the laundry input port 15 from above. The lid 16 is coupled to the upper surface plate 11 by a hinge portion 17 and rotates in a vertical plane.

  A water tub 20 and a washing tub 30 that also serves as a dewatering tub are disposed inside the outer box 10. Both the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 have the shape of a cylindrical cup having an open top surface, and are arranged concentrically with the axis line vertical, the water tub 20 being the outside, and the washing tub 30 being the inside. A suspension member 21 suspends the water tank 20. Suspension members 21 are provided at a total of four locations so as to connect the lower outer surface of the water tank 20 and the inner corners of the outer box 10 and support the water tank 20 so that it can swing within a horizontal plane.

  The washing tub 30 has a peripheral wall extending upward with a gentle taper. The peripheral wall has no opening for allowing liquid to pass through except for the plurality of dewatering holes 31 arranged in an annular shape at the top. That is, the washing tub 30 is a so-called “no hole” type. An annular balancer 32 is attached to the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 30 so as to suppress vibration when the washing tub 30 is rotated at a high speed for the dehydration of the laundry. A pulsator 33 for generating a flow of washing water or rinsing water in the tub is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the washing tub 30.

  A drive unit 40 is attached to 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 a dehydrating shaft 44 and a pulsator shaft 45 are projected upward from the center thereof. The dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45 have a double shaft structure with the dewatering shaft 44 on the outside and the pulsator shaft 45 on the inside. After entering the water tank 20, the dewatering shaft 44 is connected to the washing tub 30. Support this. The pulsator shaft 45 further enters the washing tub 30 and is connected to and supports the pulsator 33. Seal members for preventing water leakage are disposed between the dewatering shaft 44 and the water tank 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45, respectively.

  A water supply valve 50 that opens and closes electromagnetically is disposed in the space below the back panel 12. The water supply valve 50 has a connecting pipe 51 that penetrates the back panel 12 and protrudes upward. A water supply hose (not shown) for supplying tap water or the like 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.

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

  The siphon unit 57 includes an inner tube 57a that rises vertically from the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and a cap-shaped outer tube 57b that covers the inner tube 57a. A gap through which water passes is formed between the inner tube 57a and the outer tube 57b. The bottom of the inner pipe 57a opens toward the inside of the washing tub 30. The lower end of the outer tube 57b maintains a predetermined gap with the bottom surface 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 portion 57 and falls into the washing tub 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 52 a is connected to the detergent chamber 54, and the sub water supply pipe 52 b is connected to the finishing agent chamber 55. That is, the path from the main water supply pipe 52a through the detergent chamber 54 to the washing tub 30 and the path from the sub water supply pipe 52b through the finishing agent chamber 55 to the washing tub 30 are different systems.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. A drain hose 60 for draining water in the water tank 20 and the washing tub 30 out of the outer box 10 is attached to the bottom of the water tank 20. Water flows into the drain hose 60 from the drain pipe 61 and the drain pipe 62. The drain pipe 61 is connected to a location 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 surface 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 enclose the connection portion of the drain pipe 62 inside. An annular seal member 64 is attached to the upper part of the partition wall 63. When the seal 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. 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.

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

  The operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. The lid 16 is opened, and the laundry is put into the washing tub 30 from the laundry loading port 15. A detergent is put into the detergent chamber 54 of the water supply port 53. If necessary, the finishing agent is put into the finishing agent chamber 55 of the water supply port 53. The finish may be added during the washing process.

  After preparing the detergent to be put in, the lid 16 is closed, and the operating buttons of the operation / display unit 81 are operated to select the washing conditions. Finally, when the start button is pressed, the washing process is performed according to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the entire washing process. In step S <b> 201, it is confirmed whether or not a reserved operation for starting washing at the set time is selected. If the reserved operation is selected, the process proceeds to step S206. If not selected, the process proceeds to step S202.

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

  In step S202, it is confirmed whether a washing process has been selected. If a selection has been made, the process proceeds to step S300. The contents of the washing process in step S300 will be separately described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It progresses to step S203 after completion | finish of a washing process. If no washing process has been selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S202 to step S203.

  In step S203, it is confirmed whether or not a rinsing process has been selected. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S400. The contents of the rinsing process in step S400 will be separately described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the rinsing process ends, the process proceeds to step S204. If no rinsing process has been selected, the process immediately proceeds from step S203 to step S204.

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

  In step S205, the end process of the control unit 80, particularly the arithmetic unit (microcomputer) included therein, is automatically advanced according to the procedure. In addition, the end sound is notified that the washing process has been completed. After all is finished, the washing machine 1 returns to the standby state in preparation for the next washing process.

  Subsequently, the contents of the individual steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the washing process. In step S301, the water level data in the washing tub 30 detected by the water level switch 71 is fetched. In step S302, it is confirmed whether or not capacitive sensing is selected. If it is 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 rotational load of the pulsator 33. After capacitive sensing, the process proceeds 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 chamber 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 operation is performed. The pulsator 33 rotates in reverse, stirs the laundry and water, and adjusts the laundry to water. As a result, water is sufficiently absorbed by the laundry. In addition, the air trapped in various places in the laundry is released. When the water level detected by the water level switch 71 has fallen from the beginning as a result of the running-in operation, in step S305, the main water supply valve 50a is opened to supply water, and the set water level is restored.

  If a laundry course for “clothing sensing” is selected, clothing sensing is carried out along with the running-in operation. After performing the acclimation operation, a change in the water level from the set water level is detected, and if the water level is lower than 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. Washing of the laundry is performed by this main water flow. 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 main water flow period elapses, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the pulsator 33 reverses in small increments 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 spin-drying of the washing tub 30.

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

  It progresses to step S402 after water supply. In step S402, the running-in operation is performed. In the running-in operation in step S402, the laundry attached to the washing tub 30 in step S500 (dehydration process) is peeled off, and is made familiar with water, so that the laundry sufficiently absorbs water.

  After the running-in operation, the process proceeds to step S403. When the water level detected by the water level switch 71 has fallen from the beginning as a result of the running-in operation, the main water supply valve 50a is opened to supply water, and the set water level is restored.

  After the set water level is recovered in step S403, 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. The main water stream rinses the laundry. The dehydrating shaft 44 is braked by the brake device 43, and the washing tub 30 does not rotate even if the rinse water and the laundry move.

  After the main water flow period elapses, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the pulsator 33 reverses in small steps to loosen the laundry. As a result, the laundry is distributed in a well-balanced manner in the washing tub 30 to prepare for the spin-drying.

  In the above description, “rinse rinsing” is performed in which the rinse water is stored in the washing tub 30, but “water rinsing” in which new water is constantly replenished, or the washing tub 30 is rotated at a low speed. However, “shower rinsing” in which water is poured into the laundry from the water supply port 53 may be performed.

  Next, the contents of the dehydration step will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S501, the drain valve 68 is opened. Washing water in the washing tub 30 is drained through the drainage space 66. The drain valve 68 remains open during the dehydration process.

  The clutch device 42 and the brake device 43 are switched when most of the washing water is removed from the laundry. The switching timing of the clutch device 42 and the brake device 43 may be before the start of drainage or simultaneously with drainage. The motor 41 now rotates the dewatering shaft 44. Thereby, the washing tub 30 performs dehydration rotation. 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. As described above, the washing tub 30 spreads upward in a tapered shape, so that the washing water that receives centrifugal force is washed away. The inner surface of 30 is raised. When the washing water reaches the upper end of the washing tub 30, it is discharged from the dewatering hole 31. The washing water leaving the dewatering hole 31 is struck on the inner surface of the water tank 20 and flows down to the bottom of the water tank 20 along the inner surface of the water tank 20. Then, it is discharged out of the outer box 10 through the drain pipe 61 and the drain hose 60 subsequent thereto.

  In the flow of FIG. 6, a relatively low speed dewatering operation is performed in step S502, and then a high speed dewatering operation is performed in step S503. After step S503, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the energization of the motor 41 is cut off and a stop process is performed.

  Now, the washing machine 1 includes an 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 specifications of the product, it may be arranged in the middle of the sub water supply pipe 52b, that is, between the main water supply valve 50b and the finishing agent chamber 55. Hereinafter, the structure and function of the ion elution unit 100 and the role of the ion elution unit 100 mounted on the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the first embodiment of the ion elution unit 100, FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, and FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view. The ion elution unit 100 has a case 110 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, silicon, or rubber. The case 110 includes a water inlet 111 at one end and a water outlet 112 at the other end. Inside the case 110, two plate-like electrodes 113 and 114 are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. The electrodes 113 and 114 are made of a metal that is a source of antibacterial metal ions, that is, silver, copper, zinc, or the like.

  The electrodes 113 and 114 are respectively provided with terminals 115 and 116 at one end. The electrode 113 and the terminal 115, and the electrode 114 and the terminal 116 may be integrated, respectively. However, when the integration cannot be performed, the joint portion between the electrode and the terminal and the terminal portion in the case 110 are coated with synthetic resin, Cut off contact so that no electric corrosion occurs. The terminals 115 and 116 protrude from the case 110 and are connected to a drive circuit in the control unit 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 the electrodes 113 and 114 while water is present in the case 110, metal ions of the electrode constituent metal are eluted from the anode side of the electrodes 113 and 114. The electrodes 113 and 114 are, for example, silver plates having a size of about 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 in the electrode on the anode side, and silver ions Ag ⁺ are eluted in water.

  In addition, after the metal ion supply process is completed, in order to prevent water from accumulating in the case 110, the bottom surface of the case 110 may be inclined so that the downstream side is lowered.

  FIG. 9 shows a drive circuit 120 of the ion elution unit 100. A transformer 122 is connected to the commercial power source 121 to step down 100V to a predetermined voltage. The output voltage of the transformer 122 is rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 123 and then made constant by the constant voltage circuit 124. A constant current circuit 125 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 124. The constant current circuit 125 operates to supply a constant current to the electrode driving circuit 150 described later regardless of a change in the resistance value in the electrode driving circuit 150.

  A rectifier diode 126 is connected to the commercial power source 121 in parallel with the transformer 122. The output voltage of the rectifier diode 126 is smoothed by the capacitor 127, is then made constant by the constant voltage circuit 128, and is supplied to the microcomputer 130. The microcomputer 130 controls the activation of the triac 129 connected between one end of the primary coil of the transformer 122 and the commercial power source 121.

  The electrode drive circuit 150 is configured by connecting NPN transistors Q1 to Q4, diodes D1 and D2, and resistors R1 to R7 as shown in the figure. The transistor Q1 and the diode D1 constitute a photocoupler 151, and the transistor Q2 and the diode D2 constitute a photocoupler 152. That is, the diodes D1 and D2 are photodiodes, and the transistors Q1 and Q2 are phototransistors.

  Now, when a high level voltage is applied to the line L1 from the microcomputer 130 and a low level voltage or OFF (zero voltage) is applied to the line L2, the diode D2 is turned on, and the transistor Q2 is also turned on accordingly. When the transistor Q2 is turned on, current flows through the resistors R3, R4, and R7, a bias is applied to the base of the transistor Q3, and the transistor Q3 is turned 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 anode-side electrode 113 toward the cathode-side electrode 114. As a result, cation metal ions and anions are generated in the ion elution unit 100.

  When a current is passed through the ion elution unit 100 for a long time, the electrode 113 on the anode side in FIG. 9 is depleted, and impurities such as calcium in water are used as a scale on the electrode 114 on the cathode side. Stick. Further, chlorides and sulfides of the component metals of the electrode are generated on the electrode surface. This brings about a decrease in the performance of the ion elution unit 100, so that the electrode drive circuit 150 can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.

  In reversing the polarities of the electrodes, the microcomputer 130 switches the control so that the voltages of the lines L1 and L2 are reversed and current flows through the electrodes 113 and 114 in the reverse direction. In this case, the transistors Q1 and Q4 are turned on and the transistors Q2 and Q3 are turned off. The microcomputer 130 has a counter function, and performs the above switching every time a predetermined count number is reached.

  When a change in resistance in the electrode driving circuit 150, particularly a change in resistance of the electrodes 113 and 114, causes a decrease in the value of the current flowing between the electrodes, the constant current circuit 125 increases its output voltage, To prevent the decrease. However, when the accumulated use time becomes longer, the ion elution unit 100 reaches the end of its life, and the polarity of the electrode is reversed, and the electrode cleaning mode for forcibly removing impurities adhering to the electrode by making the time of the specific electrode longer than normal time. Even if switching or increasing the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 is performed, current reduction cannot be prevented.

  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 in the resistor R7, and when the current reaches a predetermined minimum current value, the current detecting means detects it. ing. 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. The warning notification means 131 is the notification means. The warning notification unit 131 is disposed in the operation / display unit 81 or the control unit 80.

  In addition, for accidents 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 prepared, and based on the output of this current detection means, The microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131. The current detection circuit 161 is the current detection means. Further, when the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined minimum value, the voltage detection circuit 162 detects this, and similarly, the microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131.

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

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of elution and input of metal ions. The sequence of FIG. 10 is performed in the step of S401 (water supply) or step S403 (makeup water) in the flow of FIG. That is, when rinsing is started, it is confirmed in step S411 whether or not metal ion introduction is selected. This confirmation step may be placed further forward. If “input of metal ions” is selected in the selection operation by the operation / display unit 81, the process proceeds to step S 412. If not selected, the process proceeds to step S414.

  In step S412, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and a predetermined flow rate of water is allowed to flow 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 the ions of the electrode constituent metal into water. The current flowing between the electrodes is a direct current. Metal ion added water is introduced into the washing tub 30 from the water supply port 53.

  When it is determined that a predetermined amount of metal ion-added water has been introduced and the metal ion concentration of the rinse water has reached a predetermined value, the application of voltage to the electrodes 113 and 114 is stopped, and when the water is supplied to the set water level, the main water supply valve 50a. Close.

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

  Subsequently, in step S414, it is confirmed whether or not finishing agent charging is selected. This confirmation step may be placed further forward. You may confirm simultaneously with the confirmation of the injection setting of a metal ion by step S411. If “input of finishing agent” is selected in the selection operation through the operation / display unit 81, the process proceeds to step S415. If not selected, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the pulsator 33 reverses in small steps to loosen the laundry, and prepares for the spin-drying so that the laundry is distributed in a balanced manner in the washing tub 30.

  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 the finishing agent is put in the finishing agent chamber 55, the finishing agent is put into the washing tub 30 from the siphon unit 57 together with water. Since the siphon effect occurs only after the water level in the finish agent chamber 55 reaches a predetermined level, the liquid finish agent is held in the finish agent chamber 55 until the time comes and water is injected into the finish agent chamber 55. I can keep it.

  The sub-water supply valve 50b is closed when a predetermined amount of water (an amount sufficient for causing the siphon portion 57 to cause siphon action or more) is injected into the finishing agent chamber 55. This water injection step, that is, the finishing agent charging operation, is automatically executed if the finishing agent charging step is selected regardless of whether the finishing agent is put in the finishing agent chamber 55 or not.

  Subsequently, the rinse water is stirred in step S416, and the contact between the laundry and the finish is promoted. After stirring for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S405.

  According to the above sequence, after the metal ions are charged into the rinse water, the finishing agent is charged into the rinse water after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, if metal ions and a finishing agent (softening agent) are poured into rinsing water at the same time, the metal ions react with the softening agent component to reduce antibacterial properties. The reaction between the metal ions and the finishing agent 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, or 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 antifungal effects. Silver ions and copper ions can be eluted simultaneously from the alloy of silver and copper.

  Silver ions are cations. Laundry is negatively charged in water, so silver ions are electrically adsorbed on the laundry. Silver ions are electrically neutralized when adsorbed on the laundry. Therefore, it becomes difficult to react with chloride ions (anions) which are components of the finishing agent (softening agent). However, since silver ions are adsorbed on the laundry over time, it is necessary to leave some time before the finish is added. Therefore, the stirring time after adding silver ions is ensured to be 5 minutes or more. About 3 minutes is sufficient for the stirring time after adding the finishing agent.

  Metal ions are put into the washing tub 30 from the main water supply pipe 52 a through the detergent chamber 54. The finishing agent is put into the washing tub 30 from the finishing agent chamber 55. As described above, the path for introducing metal ions into the rinsing water and the path for introducing finishing agents into the rinsing water are separate systems, so the metal ions pass through the path for introducing the finishing agent into the rinsing water. The finishing agent remaining in this route does not lose its antibacterial activity due to the contact of metal ions with the finish.

  Moreover, according to the said sequence, stirring of rinse water is performed with each injection | throwing-in of a metal ion and a finishing agent. Thereby, a metal ion and a finishing agent can be reliably made to adhere to the whole laundry.

  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 the laundry with metal ions effective.

<Condition 1>
The first condition is the amount of metal ions. Make the amount of metal ions commensurate with the amount of laundry. In the flowchart of the washing process of FIG. 4, capacitive sensing is performed in step S308. The amount of water poured into the washing tub 30 in the washing step and the rinsing step is set based on the amount of laundry grasped by the capacity sensing. The metal ions are eluted in proportion to the set amount of water.

  The table in FIG. 11 shows an experimental example in which silver ions were eluted so as to satisfy the above condition 1. The set amount of rinsing water is in three stages: 23L, 35L, and 46L. This set amount of water was made proportional to the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 (current × voltage application time). As a result, the silver ion concentration was 90 ppb at any set amount of water. This means that an amount of silver ions in proportion to the set amount of water was eluted. Since the set amount of water is determined based on the amount of laundry, it is the amount of silver ions commensurate with 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.

  When the accuracy of the capacity sensing is increased and the set amount of water is increased from three steps, the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 is changed in multiple steps accordingly. The amount of electricity can be easily adjusted by adjusting one or both of the current and the voltage application time.

  As a method of making the amount of metal ions added to water commensurate with the laundry, in addition to the method of adjusting the elution amount of metal ions based on the capacity sensing of the laundry as described above (first method), There are the following.

  In the second method, the user determines the amount of laundry by actual measurement or measurement based on a scale amount, and determines the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 based on the measurement, without using capacitive sensing. The quantity of electricity may be determined by selecting an appropriate one from several weight options divided into several stages.

  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. The maximum capacity is specific to each type of washing machine. Elution of an amount of metal ions corresponding to the maximum capacity is none other than making the amount of metal ions commensurate with the amount of laundry using the maximum capacity as a parameter.

  According to this method, an amount of metal ions corresponding to the maximum capacity is always supplied, so the amount of laundry is underestimated below the actual level due to errors in capacity sensing, or errors in measurement due to actual measurement or measurement. As a result, a situation in which the amount of metal ions becomes too small is not caused.

<Condition 2>
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 influence of the silver ion concentration on the antibacterial effect was examined. In the experiment, an actual washing machine was used, and the antibacterial and deodorant property of the dried fabric was evaluated in accordance with JIS L1902 (antibacterial property test for textiles). Staphylococcus aureus was applied to a standard cloth so that the initial bacterial count was 1.2 × 10 ⁵ cells / ml, and after culturing for 18 hours, the bacterial count was determined to be 1.9 × 10 ⁷ cells / ml. It was. A similar experiment was performed after rinsing 8 kg of laundry with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb for 10 minutes, dehydrating and drying, and the number of remaining bacteria was 2.4 × 10 ⁶ cells / ml. The bacteriostatic activity value (log increase / decrease value difference in the number of bacteria with the standard cloth) was 0.9. Since this value is 2.0 or more and antibacterial and deodorant properties are recognized, it cannot be said that the antibacterial and deodorant properties are clear when 8 kg of laundry is rinsed with water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb.

This time, 8 kg of laundry coated with Staphylococcus aureus was rinsed with water with a silver ion concentration of 90 ppb for 10 minutes so that the initial number of bacteria was 1.2 × 10 ⁵ cells / ml, followed by dehydration and drying. However, the number of remaining bacteria was 2.5 × 10 ⁴ cells / 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, necessary and sufficient antibacterial properties 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 visibly deposited on the surface of the laundry when the laundry is dry. The deposited silver turns black due to oxidation and sulfurization, and stains the laundry. Therefore, there is a practical upper limit for the silver ion concentration of water used for antibacterial treatment of laundry.

  When rinsing was repeated with water having a silver ion concentration of 900 ppb, no apparent change was observed in the laundry when the number of rinses was 3, but when the number of rinses was 5, the reflectivity after sun drying However, it was 3% lower than before rinsing. Such a decrease in reflectance is difficult to identify visually. However, there may be a problem in a white laundry where the decrease in reflectance (blackening) is conspicuous, or in which the decrease in reflectance is accumulated by repeated washing even if it is not white. Therefore, the practical upper limit of the 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 set as the lower limit of the control target, but the target value may be slightly wider in consideration of measurement errors. It is practical and preferable that the lower limit of the control target is about 51 to 55 ppb.

<Condition 3>
The third condition is the contact time between water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more and the laundry. The operation program is set so that the laundry is immersed in water having 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 influence of the contact time between the rinse water and the laundry on the antibacterial effect was examined. The laundry was put on rinse water with a silver ion concentration of 90 ppb, and the bacteriostatic activity value was examined. When left on for 5 minutes or more, a bacteriostatic activity value allowing an antibacterial effect could be obtained. When the soaking time was 4 minutes, the bacteriostatic activity value was 1.7, and the antibacterial and deodorant properties could not be recognized.

<Condition 4>
The fourth condition is how to make contact when water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more is brought into contact with the laundry. A stirring step for a predetermined time is placed at the beginning of contact, and then a stationary step for a predetermined time is placed.

  FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the above-described stationary process added to the metal ion input sequence of FIG. The static process of step S430 was placed after the stirring process of step S413. The rinsing water is agitated to bring the rinsing water having 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 then left still for a while. In addition, it may not be made into a complete stationary state, but it may be made to let a user know that it is in the middle of washing by moving the pulsator 33 slowly occasionally.

  Silver ions are adsorbed on the laundry over time, whether or not the water containing it is moving. For this reason, if the water is stirred first so that the silver ions can reach every corner of the laundry, the silver ions will adhere to the laundry even after the water is stopped. By waiting for the adhesion of silver ions in a stationary state in this way, it is possible to reduce the damage to the laundry cloth. It should be noted that step S413 and step 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.

<Condition 5>
The fifth condition is stirring power. When the laundry is immersed in water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more and stirred, the stirring force is adjusted according to the amount of the laundry.

  When the amount of laundry is large, the number of rotations of the pulsator 33 is increased and the rotation time is lengthened. When the amount of laundry is small, the rotation speed of the pulsator 33 is reduced and the time for rotation is shortened. In this way, even if the amount of laundry is large or small, a flow having a certain level of strength is generated in the laundry and the rinsing water, and silver ions are reliably distributed to every corner of the laundry.

  The conditions 1 to 5 may be realized independently, but it is preferable that many conditions are realized at the same time.

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

  For example, the arrangement location of the ion elution unit 100 is not limited to between the water supply valve 50 and the water supply port 53. It may be anywhere between the connecting pipe 51 and the water supply port 53. That is, it can also 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 is always immersed in water, so that the seal member does not dry out and change quality, causing water leakage. .

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

  If the ion elution unit 1 is placed outside the outer box 10 apart from whether it is in the shape of a cartridge, the ion elution is performed without opening the door provided on a part of the washing machine 1 or removing the panel. The unit 100 can be replaced and maintenance is easy. Moreover, it is safe because the charging part inside the washing machine 1 is not touched.

  The ion elution unit 100 placed outside the outer box 10 as described above may be connected to a cable extending from the drive circuit 120 via a waterproof connector and supplied with current. Without relying on, it is good also as driving a battery as a power supply, and it is good also as driving as a power supply the hydroelectric generator provided with the water wheel so that the flow of water supply may be touched.

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

  Further, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the fully automatic washing machine of the type described in the above embodiment. The present invention can be applied to all types of washing machines such as a horizontal drum (tumbler system), an oblique drum, a dryer combined use, or a two-tank type.

The vertical sectional view showing the embodiment of the washing machine concerning the present invention Model vertical cross section of water inlet Flow chart of the entire washing process Flow chart of washing process Rinse process flowchart Flow chart of dehydration process Model horizontal cross section of ion elution unit Model vertical section of ion elution unit Ion elution unit drive circuit diagram First flowchart showing a metal ion charging sequence Table of experimental example in which the set amount of water and the amount of silver ions are proportional Table of experimental examples investigating the effect of silver ion concentration on antibacterial effects Table of experimental examples investigating the effect of soaking time on antibacterial effect when washing is put on water containing silver ions The graph which shows the result of the experiment of FIG. Second flowchart showing a metal ion charging sequence

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 10 Outer box 20 Water tank 30 Washing tank 33 Pulsator 40 Drive unit 50 Water supply valve 50a Main water supply valve 50b Sub water supply valve 53 Water supply port 54 Detergent room 55 Finishing agent room 68 Drain valve 80 Control part 81 Operation / display part 100 Ion Elution unit 113, 114 Electrode 120 Drive circuit 125 Constant current circuit 150 Electrode drive circuit

Claims (1)

In a washing machine using antibacterial silver ions added to water,
Setting means for setting the amount of water based on the amount of laundry;
Silver ion elution means for eluting silver ions by controlling the amount of electricity flowing between the silver electrodes based on the rated capacity of the set amount of water or the amount of laundry,
When the amount of laundry is rated capacity, the amount of water is increased and the silver ion concentration is increased so that the ratio of the amount of silver ions to the amount of water is larger than when the amount is less than the rated capacity. The washing machine is characterized in that it is higher than the silver ion concentration when the amount of laundry is less than the rated capacity.

Images