CN113417114B

CN113417114B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113417114B
Application number: CN202011445910.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 森山圭一
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2020-03-02
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2024-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-09
Also published as: JP2021137114A; JP7420594B2; CN113417114A

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine capable of improving cleaning effect based on fine bubble water. A washing machine is provided with: a water tub; and a plurality of water supply paths for supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the tub, the plurality of water supply paths including a first water supply path having: a pressurized dissolving device for dissolving air components in water from the external water supply source; and a first fine bubble generator provided on a downstream side of the pressure dissolution device, for generating fine bubbles containing micro bubbles from water flowing out of the pressure dissolution device.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Background

In recent years, a technique for improving the cleaning effect by using fine bubble water containing fine bubbles such as micro bubbles called microbubbles and ultrafine microbubbles in a washing machine has been attracting attention. However, in the conventional structure, there is room for improvement in sufficiently exhibiting the cleaning effect by the fine bubble water.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-97865

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Accordingly, a washing machine capable of improving the cleaning effect by fine bubble water is provided.

Means for solving the problems

A washing machine according to an embodiment includes: a water tub; and a plurality of water supply paths for supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the tub, the plurality of water supply paths including a first water supply path having: a pressurized dissolving device for dissolving air components in water from the external water supply source; and a first fine bubble generator provided on a downstream side of the pressure dissolution device, for generating fine bubbles containing micro bubbles from water flowing out of the pressure dissolution device.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine capable of improving the cleaning ability, that is, the washing and rinsing performance, by simultaneously using a plurality of water supply paths capable of supplying water containing a large amount of microbubbles and water containing a large amount of ultrafine microbubbles.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal structure of the water injection device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pressurized dissolving apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pressurized tank of a pressurized dissolving apparatus according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the microbubble generator according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the fine bubble generator of an embodiment along the line X7-X7 of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the electrical configuration of the control device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the water supply path in the washing step and the rinsing step according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal structure of the water injection device according to the modification.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the water supply path in the washing step and the rinsing step according to the modification.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 20 … washer, 12, 22 … tub, 18, 28 … circulation path, 32 … first water supply valve, 33 … second water supply valve, 34 … third water supply valve, 40 … water injection cartridge, 50 … wash treatment cartridge, R1 … first water supply path, R2 … second water supply path, R3 … third water supply path, 70 … pressurized dissolving device, 801 … first fine air bubble generator, 802 … second fine air bubble generator

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is applicable to either a horizontal-axis or diagonal-axis drum-type washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1 or a vertical-axis drum-type washing machine 20 shown in fig. 2.

The washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1 includes an outer casing 11, a tub 12, a tub 13, a motor 14, a drain path 15, a drain valve 16, a filter 17, a circulation path 18, and a circulation pump 19. In fig. 1, the vertical lower side, which is the installation surface side of the washing machine 10, is referred to as the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the vertical upper side, which is the opposite side to the installation surface, is referred to as the upper side of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is a horizontal shaft type drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the tub 13 is inclined downward toward the horizontal or rearward. In this case, the tub 12 and the tub 13 function as a tub for storing laundry.

The washing machine 20 shown in fig. 2 includes an outer casing 21, a tub 22, a tub 23, a motor 24, a drain path 25, a drain valve 26, a filter 27, a circulation path 28, and a circulation pump 29. In fig. 2, the vertical lower side, which is the installation surface side of the washing machine 20, is referred to as the lower side of the washing machine 20, and the vertical upper side, which is the opposite side to the installation surface, is referred to as the upper side of the washing machine 20. The washing machine 20 is a vertical washing machine in which the rotation axis of the tub 23 is oriented in the vertical direction. In this case, the tub 22 and the tub 23 function as a tub for storing laundry. In place of the circulation pump 29, a vane member for lifting water may be provided on the rear side of the baffle 231, and the water in the tub 22 may be circulated by a circulation water path, not shown, provided between the tub 23 and the tub 22 by driving the baffle 231.

In the drum-type washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1 and the upright-type washing machine 20 shown in fig. 2, the water tanks 12 and 22 are disposed in the outer cases 11 and 21 and are elastically supported by a suspension not shown. The rotary drums 13 and 23 are rotatably disposed in the water tub 12 and 22, and are driven to rotate by motors 14 and 24.

The drain paths 15 and 25 are paths for draining water stored in the water tanks 12 and 22 to the outside of the washing machines 10 and 20. The drain paths 15 and 25 are formed of, for example, flexible drain hoses, one end of which is connected to the drain valves 16 and 26, and the other end of which is led out of the washing machines 10 and 20.

The drain valves 16 and 26 are liquid on-off valves that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The drain valves 16, 26 are provided between drain ports 121, 221 provided at the bottoms of the tub 12, 22 and the drain paths 15, 25. The drain valves 16 and 26 open and close the drain paths 15 and 25 based on a control signal from the control device 80 shown in fig. 8.

The filter 17, 27 is provided between the drain opening 121, 221 and the drain valve 16, 26. The filter devices 17 and 27 have mesh-shaped filters 171 and 271 inside, and lint and trash contained in water passing through the filter devices 17 and 27 are collected by the filters 171 and 271.

The circulation paths 18, 28 are paths for drawing in the water stored in the tub 12, 22 and re-supplying the drawn water into the tub 12, 22 from the upper portion of the tub 12, 22. The circulation paths 18, 28 are provided outside the tub 12, 22. One end of the circulation path 18, 28 is connected to the drain port 121, 221 of the water tub 12, 22 via the filter 17, 27, and the other end is connected to the nozzle portion 181, 281 provided at the upper portion of the water tub 12, 22. Although not shown in detail, the nozzle portions 181 and 281 are configured such that water ejected from the nozzle portions 181 and 281 is directed toward the center side of the tub 12 and 22.

The circulation pumps 19, 29 are provided in the circulation paths 18, 28. When the circulation pumps 19 and 29 are driven in a state where the drain paths 15 and 25 are closed by the drain valves 16 and 26, the circulation pumps 19 and 29 draw in the water tanks 12 and 22 through the drain ports 121 and 221, and water is again injected into the water tanks 12 and 22 from the nozzle portions 181 and 281. Thus, the circulation pumps 19 and 29 circulate the water stored in the water tanks 12 and 22 through the circulation paths 18 and 28.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the washing machines 10 and 20 each include a water injection device 30. The water injection device 30 is provided at the upper portions of the outer tanks 11 and 21, respectively. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the water filling device 30 is connected to an external water supply source such as a tap of a tap water pipe, not shown, via a water supply hose 100. The water filling device 30 is configured to have a detergent box 50 capable of storing a detergent therein, and has a function of receiving water supplied from the outside such as tap water and bath water to flush the detergent into the water tub 12, 22. In the present embodiment, the washing treatment agent is a concept including a detergent such as a powder detergent or a liquid detergent, and a treatment agent such as a softener or a fragrance imparting agent.

As shown in fig. 3, the water filling device 30 has a connection port 31, water supply valves 32, 33, 34, and a water filling cartridge 40. The connection port 31 is connected to an external water supply source such as a tap of a tap water pipe via a hose 100. The downstream side of the connection port 31 is connected to the water filling cartridge 40 via water supply valves 32, 33, 34. That is, the connection port 31 and the water injection cartridge 40 are connected by a plurality of water supply paths. In the case of the present embodiment, the downstream side of the connection port 31 branches into three.

The water supply valves 32, 33, 34 are liquid on-off valves that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The inflow side of the water supply valves 32, 33, 34 is connected to the connection port 31, and the discharge side is connected to the water filling cartridge 40. In the present embodiment, the water supply valve 32 of the three water supply valves is referred to as a first water supply valve 32, the water supply valve 33 is referred to as a second water supply valve, and the water supply valve 34 is referred to as a third water supply valve.

Here, in the present embodiment, a path through which water supplied from an external water supply source to the connection port 31 passes through the first water supply valve 32, the pressurized dissolving device 70, and the first fine bubble generator 801 to reach the inside of the water injection cartridge 40 is referred to as a first water supply path R1. The path through which water supplied from the external water supply source to the connection port 31 reaches the inside of the water injection cartridge 40 through the second water supply valve 33 and the second fine bubble generator 802 is referred to as a second water supply path R2. The path through which water supplied from the external water supply source to the connection port 31 reaches the water injection cartridge 40 through the third water supply valve 34 is referred to as a third water supply path R3. That is, the third water supply path R3 is a water supply path through which water supplied from an external water supply source is directly supplied to the water injection cartridge 40 through the third water supply valve 34. In the present embodiment, three water supply paths including the first water supply path R1, the second water supply path R2, and the third water supply path R3 are provided between the connection port 31 and the water injection cartridge 40.

In the present embodiment, the washing machines 10 and 20 have the three water supply paths R1, R2, and R3, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the water supply paths may be provided in a double system, for example, a configuration having the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2, or a configuration having the first water supply path R1 and the third water supply path R3. That is, the water supply path may be appropriately selected according to the use environment of the user, in other words, according to the required cleaning performance.

The water injection box 40 constitutes a case of the water injection device 30, and is formed in a box shape having a space therein, for example, made of resin. In this case, the water injection cartridge 40 has a housing space 41 therein, and has a water injection port 42 in a lower portion. The water filling port 42 communicates the storage space 41 inside the water filling box 40 with the outside and opens toward the tub 12, 22 side. That is, the water filling port 42 has a function of filling water flowing into the water filling box 40 into the tub 12, 22.

Here, in general, fine bubbles or microbubbles are classified according to the particle size of the bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle diameter of several μm to 100 μm, that is, micron-sized bubbles are called microbubbles as described above. On the other hand, the bubbles having a particle diameter of less than 50nm to 1,000 nm, that is, the nano-sized bubbles are called ultrafine microbubbles as described above.

For example, microbubbles have the following properties. The microbubbles are negatively charged as an electrical characteristic and are easily electrostatically adsorbed by dirt such as sebum dirt attached to laundry and having a positive charge. Dirt peeled from the laundry by the electrical reaction with the microbubbles floats on the water surface by the buoyancy of the microbubbles and stays in a state of being adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles. Further, since the microbubbles having negatively charged bubble surfaces repel each other and are dispersed in the liquid without binding, the dirt removed from the laundry can be prevented from adhering to the laundry again in the washing water. In particular, it is expected to exert an effect in a washing step from the viewpoint of cleaning ability such as removal of dirt adhering to a laundry and floating on the water surface, and prevention of reattachment to the laundry due to dispersion in a liquid. On the other hand, microbubbles have a property of disappearing after generating for several minutes due to floating on the water surface or the like.

Next, the ultrafine microbubbles can prevent the detergent from forming micelles by interaction with the surfactant contained in the detergent, and can improve the cleaning ability. Further, since the particle diameter is small, the detergent composition penetrates deep into the fiber, and the detergent composition can exert a cleaning effect of removing dirt and remaining detergent components, that is, surface active components, from the laundry. Therefore, the performance of rinsing in the rinsing process of the cleaning operation can be improved. In addition, the ultrafine microbubbles have the following properties: the particle size is nano-scale, the buoyancy is small, and the hydrophobicity is large compared with micro bubbles, so that the particles are difficult to dissolve in water, and the residence time in the liquid is long.

As described above, the micro bubbles and the ultrafine bubbles have different characteristics and thus the expected cleaning ability is different, and thus the cleaning effect can be further improved by using both. For example, when washing a laundry with remarkable dirt, the microbubbles remove large dirt on the surface of the laundry, and after the detergent liquid is easily permeated into the gaps of the fibers, the ultrafine microbubbles remove the dirt from the deep portions of the fibers, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

As shown in fig. 3, the washing machines 10 and 20 of the present embodiment include a pressurized dissolving device 70, a first fine air bubble generator 801, and a second fine air bubble generator 802. The pressurized dissolving device 70 is provided in the first water supply path R1. More specifically, the pressurized dissolving device 70 is provided on a path from the first water supply valve 32 to the water filling port 42, which is an outlet of the water filling cartridge 40. In the present embodiment, the pressurized dissolving device 70 is a member different from the water injection cartridge 40, and is configured to be detachable from the water supply path R1. The pressure dissolving device 70 has a function of pressurizing and dissolving air for water supplied from an external water supply source. Thus, a large amount of microbubbles can be generated in the water passing through the first microbubble generator 801 provided on the downstream side of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70.

The pressurized dissolving device 70 has a function of dissolving an air component in water from an external water supply source. As shown in fig. 4, the pressurized dissolving device 70 forms a flow path through which water flows in the direction of arrow a. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the pressure dissolving device 70 includes a pressure tank 71, an inlet portion 72, an outlet portion 73, and an air introduction portion 74.

The pressure tank 71 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin container having air tightness and water tightness and pressure resistance. In this case, the pressure resistance means that the pressure can withstand a pressure equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure. The inlet 72 is provided at an upper portion of the pressurized tank 71 and connected to a discharge side of the first water supply valve 32. Water supplied from an external water supply source to the first water supply valve 32 through the connection port 31 is introduced into the pressurized tank 71 through the inlet portion 72. In this case, since there is no structure that causes a large resistance between the first water supply valve 32 and the inlet portion 72, the water discharged from the first water supply valve 32 is supplied to the pressurized tank 71 in a relatively high-pressure state.

The outlet 73 is provided in the lower part of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70. The water flowing into the pressurized tank 71 from the inlet 72 flows out of the pressurized tank 71 through the outlet 73. In the present embodiment, the water discharged from the outlet 73 is performed only by the water pressure of the water stored in the pressure tank 71, that is, the hydrostatic pressure, and a dedicated driving source such as a pump for discharging the water is not required.

The air introduction portion 74 is provided at an upper portion of the pressure tank 71, and communicates the inside of the pressure tank 71 with the outside in an openable and closable manner. In the present embodiment, the air introduction portion 74 includes an air introduction tube 741 and an intake valve 742. The intake valve 742 is configured by, for example, an air solenoid valve that is driven to open and close based on a signal from the control device 80. When the intake valve 742 is opened based on a signal from the control device 80, outside air is supplied to the pressurized tank 71 through the air introduction pipe 741.

Normally, the intake valve 742 is closed when the first water supply valve 32 is opened to supply water. After the water supply is started by the opening of the first water supply valve 32, when the water level in the pressurized tank 71 rises to a predetermined position or when a predetermined time elapses, the first water supply valve 32 is closed based on a signal from the control device 80, and the water supply into the pressurized tank 71 is temporarily stopped. Then, the intake valve 742 is opened while the first water supply valve 32 is closed, so that new air is introduced into the pressurized tank 71.

In the case of the present embodiment, a first fine bubble generator 801 is provided on the downstream side of the outlet portion 73. The first fine air bubble generator 801 has a function of generating fine air bubbles by locally throttling a flow path of water to precipitate air dissolved in the water. Here, when the first water supply valve 32 is opened in a state where the pressure in the pressurized tank 71 is atmospheric pressure, the amount of water flowing into the pressurized tank 71 from the inlet portion 72 is larger than the amount of water flowing out of the pressurized tank 71 from the outlet portion 73.

Therefore, when the first water supply valve 32 is opened in the state where the pressure in the pressure tank 71 is at the atmospheric pressure, that is, in the initial stage where there is almost no water accumulation in the pressure tank 71, the remaining water, which is not discharged from the outlet portion 73, of the water flowing into the pressure tank 71 from the inlet portion 72 is stored in the pressure tank 71, and the water level in the pressure tank 71 rises. At this time, the air in the pressure tank 71 is compressed by the rising water surface, and the pressure in the pressure tank 71 rises.

After that, when water continues to flow from the inlet portion 72 and the water level in the pressure tank 71 rises to a predetermined level, the pressure in the pressure tank 71 is equalized with the pressure of water flowing from an external water supply source, in this case, the tap water pressure. As a result, the amount of water flowing into the pressure tank 71 from the inlet portion 72 is substantially equal to the amount of water flowing out of the pressure tank 71 from the outlet portion 73, and the pressure in the pressure tank 71 is the maximum pressure, in this case, the pressure close to the running water pressure. In this way, the pressure in the pressure tank 71 increases from the atmospheric pressure, so that the air in the pressure tank 71 is easily dissolved in the water stored in the pressure tank 71.

That is, by passing water supplied from an external water supply source through the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70, water in which a large amount of air is dissolved as compared with normal water that does not pass through the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70 can be supplied to the first fine bubble generator 801 provided on the downstream side of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70.

As shown in fig. 5, the pressure dissolving device 70 has a partition wall 75. A partition wall 75 is provided at the bottom of the inside of the pressure tank 71 to partition the space at the lower part of the space inside the pressure tank 71 in the horizontal direction. That is, the partition wall 75 divides the space at the lower part of the space in the pressure tank 71 into the space on the inlet portion 72 side and the space on the outlet portion 73 side.

A slit 751 is formed in the partition wall 75. The slit 751 has a function of blocking bubbles having a large particle diameter, that is, a function of preventing outflow of air from the inside of the pressurized tank 71. Of the water flowing into the pressurized tank 71 from the inlet portion 72, the water located below the upper end of the partition wall 75 passes through the slit 751 of the partition wall 75 and flows into the space on the outlet portion 73 side. At this time, relatively large bubbles of, for example, millimeter scale generated by dropping or the like from the inlet portion 72 disappear without passing through the slit 751, and do not flow out to the space on the outlet portion 73 side.

Instead of the intake valve 742, air may be introduced by an air pump. The intake valve 742 may be configured by, for example, a check valve that has a function of passing air from the outside of the pressure tank 71 toward the inside of the pressure tank 71, but blocking air from the inside of the pressure tank 71 toward the outside of the pressure tank 71. In this case, the intake valve 742 is configured as follows: the pressure inside the pressure tank 71 is higher than the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure inside the pressure tank 71 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure inside the pressure tank is opened. Thus, when the first water supply valve 32 is opened and water flows into the pressure tank 71, the pressure tank 71 is pressurized with an increase in the water level in the pressure tank 71. On the other hand, when the first water supply valve 32 is closed, the pressure in the pressure tank 71 is reduced to the atmospheric pressure or lower with the decrease in the water level in the pressure tank 71, and the intake valve 742 is opened to introduce outside air.

The first fine bubble generator 801 is provided on the downstream side of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70 in the first water supply path R1. In addition, the second fine bubble generator 802 is provided in the second water supply path R2. In the present embodiment, the first and second microbubble generators 801 and 802 have the same structure, and have a function of separating micro-sized and nano-sized microbubbles from water supplied to the water tanks 12 and 22. In the present embodiment, the term "nanobubbles" refers to bubbles having a particle diameter of nanometer scale, and the term "ultrafine bubbles" refers to bubbles having a particle diameter of nanometer scale.

Here, the inventors of the present application found that the amount of air dissolved in water passing through the microbubble generators 801, 802 increases as compared with the ultrafine microbubbles. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressurized dissolving device 70 is provided on the upstream side of the first fine bubble generator 801. Thus, since the water having the increased dissolved air is supplied to the first fine bubble generator 801 by the pressurized dissolving device 70, a large amount of micro bubbles are precipitated in the water having passed through the first fine bubble generator 801. That is, in the water supplied from the first water supply path R1 to the tub 12, 22, the micro bubbles are contained in a larger amount than the water supplied from the second water supply path R2 and the third water supply path R3 to the tub 12, 22.

On the other hand, the pressurized dissolving device 70 is not provided on the upstream side of the second fine bubble generator 802. Therefore, the amount of dissolved air of the water supplied to the second fine bubble generator 802 is smaller than the amount of dissolved air of the water supplied to the first fine bubble generator 801 via the pressurized dissolving device 70. Thus, among the fine bubbles contained in the water passing through the second fine bubble generator 802, there are more fine bubbles than the micro bubbles. That is, the water supplied from the second water supply path R2 to the tub 12, 22 contains a large amount of ultrafine microbubbles as compared to the water supplied from the first water supply path R1 and the third water supply path R3 to the tub 12, 22.

Next, the configuration of the microbubble generators 801 and 802 will be described with reference to fig. 6 and 7. The diameters and the overall lengths of the microbubble generators 801 and 802 are set to, for example, about several mm to several tens of mm, specifically, about 15mm at maximum and about 10mm at maximum. The microbubble generators 801 and 802 are members different from the water injection cartridge 40, and are configured to be detachable from the water supply paths R1 and R2.

In the present embodiment, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 locally reduce the area through which water can pass, so that the water passing through the microbubble generators 801 and 802 contains microbubbles or ultrafine microbubbles. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 have a throttle portion 81, an upstream straight portion 82, a collision portion 83, and a downstream straight portion 84. The throttle 81, the upstream straight portion 82, and the downstream straight portion 84 are holes penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the microbubble generators 801 and 802, and form a flow path through which water flows in the direction of arrow a.

The throttle 81 is provided on the inflow side, i.e., the upstream side of the microbubble generators 801 and 802. The throttle 81 is formed in a so-called frustoconical taper shape in which the cross-sectional area, i.e., the inner diameter of the flow path continuously decreases gradually from the upstream end portion in the longitudinal direction of the microbubble generators 801 and 802 to the halfway portion. The upstream straight portion 82 is provided downstream of the throttle portion 81. The upstream straight portion 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape, i.e., a so-called straight pipe shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, i.e., the cross-sectional area of the flow path, i.e., the area through which the liquid can pass does not change.

The collision portion 83 is provided at a boundary portion between the upstream straight portion 82 and the downstream straight portion 84. That is, the collision portion 83 is provided at the downstream end of the upstream straight portion 82 and at the upstream end of the downstream straight portion 84. The collision portion 83 can generate fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the fine bubble generators 801 and 802 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area through which the water in the fine bubble generators 801 and 802 can pass. That is, the collision portion 83 can generate micro bubbles or ultra fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the upstream straight portion 82 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area of the upstream straight portion 82. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the portion of the upstream straight portion 82 where the portion 83 to be collided is locally reduced, that is, the cross-sectional area of the portion where water flows out from the fine bubble generator 801 is constituted by a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet portion 72 of the pressurized dissolving device 70.

The downstream straight portion 84 is provided downstream of the collision portion 83, that is, on the outflow side of the microbubble generators 801, 802. The downstream straight portion 84 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a constant inner diameter, that is, a constant cross-sectional area of the flow path, that is, an area through which liquid can pass, like the upstream straight portion 82, that is, a so-called straight pipe shape. The downstream straight portion 84 maintains the velocity of the water passing through the collision portion 83 at a high velocity, thereby promoting the generation of micro bubbles or ultra fine bubbles.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 are divided into two members, for example, a member 851 having a throttle portion 81, an upstream straight portion 82, and an upstream side of the collision portion 83, and a member 852 having a downstream straight portion. However, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 are not limited to this configuration. The microbubble generators 801 and 802 may be configured such that, for example, the upstream member 851 and the downstream member 852 are integrally configured, and the throttle portion 81, the upstream straight portion 82, the collision portion 83, and the downstream straight portion 84 are provided in one member. In the present embodiment, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 are each composed of the same member, but the microbubble generators 801 and 802 may be composed of different members.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the collision portion 83 is formed of, for example, four rod-shaped portions with tapered tips, and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the downstream straight portion 84 toward the center direction on the cross section of the downstream straight portion 84. The four collision portions 83 are arranged so as to be equally spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section of the downstream straight portion 84. In this case, the downstream side surface of each collision portion 83 is formed as a flat surface.

When water flows into the upstream side of the microbubble generators 801, 802, the flow path cross-sectional area is throttled in the throttle portion 81 formed to be reduced in a truncated cone shape, thereby increasing the flow rate by a so-called venturi effect of fluid mechanics. Then, this high-speed flow collides with the collision portion 83 while passing through the downstream side straight portion 84, so that the pressure is drastically reduced. Thus, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 can cause the air dissolved in the water passing through the microbubble generators 801 and 802 to be deposited in large amounts as ultrafine microbubbles and supply the ultrafine bubble water.

The microbubble generators 801 and 802 can generate ultrafine bubble water without actively obtaining a supply of gas from the outside. That is, the microbubble generators 801 and 802 do not require a dedicated drive source such as a pump for generating ultrafine microbubbles in addition to the water pressure.

Here, the water supplied to the tub 12, 22 through the first water supply path R1 contains a large amount of micro bubbles. Further, by washing and rinsing with the water containing a large amount of microbubbles, sebum dirt and the like adhering to the laundry can be effectively peeled off by the microbubbles contained in the water. In addition, the microbubbles which are taken in by the dirt are floated on the water surface by the buoyancy thereof, and the microbubbles repel each other, so that the reattachment of the dirt to the laundry can be suppressed.

In addition, the water supplied to the tub 12, 22 through the second water supply path R2 contains a large amount of ultrafine micro bubbles. Further, by washing and rinsing with the water containing a large amount of ultrafine bubbles, dirt and remaining detergent components deep in the fiber of the washed article can be removed. Thus, by using both the water containing a large amount of microbubbles through the first water supply path R1 and the water containing a large amount of ultrafine microbubbles through the second water supply path R2, it is possible to achieve improvement of the cleaning ability, that is, improvement of the washing and rinsing performance.

The operation of the washing machines 10, 20 is controlled by a control device 80. The control device 80 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and has a function of controlling a cleaning operation such as a washing process and a rinsing process. The control device 80 receives signals from, for example, an operation panel, a water level sensor, and rotation sensors disposed in the motors 14 and 24, and performs drive control of the motors 14 and 24, the drain valves 16 and 26, the water supply valves 32, 33, and 34, and the intake valve 742 based on the signals.

In this case, the control device 80 can switch the water supply path configuration based on the water supply paths R1, R2, R3 corresponding to the water supply valves 32, 33, 34 by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valves 32, 33, 34. Accordingly, the water supply path is appropriately changed to supply water according to the state of the laundry and the washing operation, and thus the washing operation can be effectively performed.

In fig. 9, "good" is marked on the water supply paths used for water injection in the washing step and the rinsing step in the water supply paths R1, R2, and R3. As shown in fig. 9, in the present embodiment, water containing a large amount of microbubbles through the first water supply path R1 and water containing a large amount of ultrafine bubbles through the second water supply path R2 are mainly used for water injection performed in the washing step. In addition, water containing a large amount of ultrafine bubbles passing through the second water supply path R2 and water passing through the third water supply path R3 are mainly used for water injection in the rinsing step.

In this way, by using the water supply of the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 at the same time in the washing step, the cleaning effect can be improved by increasing the supply amount of the ultrafine bubbles, and by replenishing the supply amount of water, the water supply time can be shortened as compared with the water supply of only the first water supply path R1.

In the rinsing step, water is supplied from the second water supply path R2 having the second fine bubble generator 802 without the pressurized dissolving device 70, so that the detergent components remaining deep in the fibers of the laundry can be effectively removed. Further, since the rinsing process is performed a plurality of times of water exchange, water is supplied from the third water supply path directly supplying water from the external water supply source to the tub 12, 22 in addition to the water supply from the second water supply path, whereby shortening of the water supply time can be achieved.

In this case, the water injection in the washing step does not need to be performed entirely from the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2. That is, the water injection in the washing step may include water injection from the third water supply path R3 if the water injection does not interfere with the effect of the micro bubbles supplied from the first water supply path R1 and the micro bubbles supplied from the second water supply path R2. Similarly, the water injection in the rinsing step does not need to be entirely performed from the second water supply path R2 and the third water supply path R3. That is, the water injection in the rinsing step may include water injection from the first water supply path R1 if the water injection time is not so long.

In the water injection in the washing step, the period of water supply from the first water supply path R1 and the period of water supply from the second water supply path R2 may or may not overlap. That is, for example, the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 may be used to supply water at the same time, or a period in which the first water supply path R1 is used and a period in which the second water supply path R2 is used may be alternately set. Similarly, in the water injection in the rinsing step, the period of water supply using the second water supply path R2 and the period of water supply using the third water supply path R3 may or may not overlap. That is, for example, the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 may be used to supply water at the same time, or a period in which the first water supply path R1 is used and a period in which the second water supply path R2 is used may be alternately set. By alternately setting the water supply periods in this manner, for example, a state in which the water supply amount on the side of the second water supply path R2 where the resistance of the water path is large is influenced due to the opening of the third water supply path R3 having a large water supply amount can be avoided as much as possible, and the generation of micro bubbles or the like can be stabilized. The washing machines 10 and 20 may be provided with two or more water supply paths R1, R2, and R3, respectively.

According to the above-described embodiments, the washing machines 10, 20 include the tub 12, 22, and the plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3. The plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3 are for supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the tub 12, 22. The plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3 are configured to include the first water supply path R1. The first water supply path R1 has the pressurized dissolving device 70 and the first fine bubble generator 801. The pressurized dissolving device 70 has a function of dissolving an air component in water from an external water supply source. The first microbubble generator 801 is provided downstream of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70, and has a function of generating microbubbles containing microbubbles from water flowing out of the pressurized dissolving apparatus 70.

Accordingly, water containing a large number of micro bubbles is supplied from the first water supply path R1 to the tub 12, 22. This can realize an improvement in cleaning efficiency by the interaction between: the microbubbles remove large dirt on the surface of the laundry, and after the detergent liquid is easily permeated into the gaps of the fibers, the ultrafine microbubbles remove the dirt from the deep portions of the fibers. Accordingly, not only in the case of using normal water such as tap water, but also in the case of supplying only ultrafine bubble water, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained.

The plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3 are configured to further include a second water supply path R2, and the second water supply path R2 is provided with the second fine bubble generator 802 without the pressurizing and dissolving device 70. The second fine bubble generator 802 has a function of generating fine bubbles containing nanobubbles, that is, ultrafine bubbles, from water supplied from an external water supply source. Accordingly, the water containing ultrafine bubbles is supplied, whereby the cleaning effect during washing can be improved, and the water supply amount can be supplied, whereby the water supply time can be shortened as compared with the water supply through the first water supply path R1 alone.

The plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3 are configured to further include a third water supply path R3. The third water supply path R3 is a water supply path connected to an external water supply source and directly supplies water supplied from the external water supply source to the tub 12, 22. In this case, since the third water supply path R3 does not have the fine bubble generators 801 and 802, the water supply amount per unit time is larger than the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2. Therefore, when the water supply time is shortened in preference to the cleaning performance, for example, when the cleaning performance is not a problem in the water supply like the defoaming step, the water supply time can be shortened by supplying water from the third water supply path R3, and further the entire washing time can be shortened.

The washing machines 10 and 20 further include a plurality of water supply valves 32, 33, 34, and a control device 80. The water supply valves 32, 33, 34 are provided in correspondence with the water supply paths R1, R2, R3, and have a function of opening and closing the plurality of water supply paths R1, R2, R3. The control device 80 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valves 32, 33, 34. The control device 80 can execute the following processing: by changing the water supply valves 32, 33, 34 to be opened and closed according to the state of the washing operation, the number and combination of the water supply paths R1, R2, R3 used for supplying water to the water tanks 12, 22 are switched.

In other words, the control device 80 can selectively use the first water supply path R1 through which a large amount of water containing microbubbles can be injected, the second water supply path R2 through which a large amount of water containing ultrafine bubbles can be injected, and the third water supply path R3 that does not contain any of the microbubbles and the ultrafine microbubbles but has a larger flow rate than the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 in the water injection to the tub 12, 22. Accordingly, the water supply paths R1, R2, R3 used for water injection are changed according to the use environment of the user such as the laundry and the state of the washing operation, so that the efficient washing operation can be performed.

The washing machines 10 and 20 further include a first water supply path R1 and a second water supply path R2. The control device 80 is capable of executing a process of opening the first water supply valve 32 to supply water from the first water supply path R1 to the tub 12, 22 in the washing process. The control device 80 can perform a process of opening the second water supply valve 33 to supply water from the second water supply path R2 to the tub 12, 22 in the rinsing process.

Accordingly, in the washing step, the cleaning effect by the microbubbles can be improved by the water supply from the first water supply path R1. In the rinsing step, the detergent remaining in the deep portion of the fibers of the laundry can be effectively removed by the action of the ultrafine air bubbles by the water supplied from the second water supply path R2, and the rinsing effect can be improved.

The washing machines 10 and 20 further include a first water supply path R1 and a third water supply path R3. The control device 80 is capable of executing a process of opening the first water supply valve 32 to supply water from the first water supply path R1 to the tub 12, 22 in the washing process. The control device 80 can perform a process of opening the third water supply valve 34 to supply water from the third water supply path R3 to the tub 12, 22 in the rinsing process.

Accordingly, the cleaning effect by the microbubbles can be improved by the water supply from the first water supply path R1 in the washing step, and the water supply time can be shortened by the water supply from the third water supply path R3 in the rinsing step.

In the present embodiment, the washing machines 10 and 20 include the first water supply path R1, the second water supply path R2, and the third water supply path R3. The control device 80 can perform a process of supplying water from the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 to the tub 12, 22 by opening the first water supply valve 32 and the second water supply valve 33 in the washing process. The control device 80 can perform a process of opening the second water supply valve 33 and the third water supply valve 34 and supplying water from the second water supply path R2 and the third water supply path R3 to the buckets 12 and 22 in the rinsing process.

Accordingly, in the washing step, water is supplied from the second water supply path R2 in addition to the water supplied from the first water supply path R1, and thus both the effect of the microbubbles and the effect of the ultrafine microbubbles can be obtained, and therefore the washing performance is remarkably improved. Further, by supplying water using both the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2, the flow rate reduced by the microbubble generators 801 and 802 can be supplemented, and the water supply time can be shortened. In the rinsing step, the water supply through the third water supply path R3 can achieve a reduction in the water supply time while achieving an improvement in the rinsing performance by the ultrafine bubbles.

(modification)

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 10 and 11. The water filling device 30 according to the modification example has a fourth water supply valve 35 and a fifth water supply valve 36 in place of the water supply valves 32, 33, and 34 according to the above-described embodiment. In addition, the water injection device 30 has a shuttle valve 37. The fourth water supply valve 35 serves as both the first water supply valve 32 and the second water supply valve 33 in the above embodiment, and opens and closes the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2. The fifth water supply valve 36 also serves as the second water supply valve 33 and the third water supply valve 34 in the above embodiment, and opens and closes the second water supply path R2 and the third water supply path R3.

The shuttle valve 37 is provided between the fourth water supply valve 35, the fifth water supply valve 36 and the second fine bubble generator 802. The shuttle valve 37 has two input ports 371, 372 and one output port 373. One of the two input ports 371 and 372 is connected to the fourth water supply valve 35, and the other is connected to the fifth water supply valve 36. Further, the output port 373 of the shuttle valve 37 is connected to the second fine bubble generator 802.

The shuttle valve 37 has a function of allowing water supplied from the two input ports 371 and 372 to flow out only from the output port 373 without flowing back to the outside from the other input ports 371 and 372. In this case, the water supplied from the fourth water supply valve 35 to the input port 371 of the shuttle valve 37 is not supplied from the other input port 372 to the third water supply path R3 side, but is supplied from the output port 373 to the second fine bubble generator 802. The water supplied from the fifth water supply valve 36 to the input port 372 of the shuttle valve 37 is not returned from the other input port 371 to the first water supply path R1, but is supplied from the output port 373 to the second fine bubble generator 802.

Accordingly, as shown in fig. 11, the control device 80 can perform a process of supplying water from the first water supply path R1 and the second water supply path R2 to the tub 12, 22 by opening only the fourth water supply valve 35 in the washing process. In addition, the control device 80 may perform a process of supplying water from the second water supply path R2 and the third water supply path R3 to the tub 12, 22 by opening only the fifth water supply valve 36 in the rinsing process. As a result, the same structure and operational effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other modes, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine is provided with:

a water tub; and

a plurality of water supply paths for supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the tub,

the plurality of water supply paths are configured to include a first water supply path and a second water supply path, the first water supply path having: a pressurized dissolving device for dissolving air components in water from the external water supply source; and a first fine bubble generator provided downstream of the pressure dissolution device, for generating fine bubbles containing microbubbles from water flowing out of the pressure dissolution device, wherein the second water supply path does not include the pressure dissolution device, and includes a second fine bubble generator for generating fine bubbles containing nanobubbles from water supplied from the external water supply source.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of water supply valves provided in correspondence with the plurality of water supply paths, the plurality of water supply paths being opened and closed; and

a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valves,

the control device is capable of performing the following processing: the water supply valve to be opened and closed is changed according to a state of the washing operation, thereby switching the number and combination of the water supply paths for supplying water to the tub.

3. A washing machine according to claim 2,

the plurality of water supply valves are configured to include a first water supply valve for opening and closing the first water supply path and a second water supply valve for opening and closing the second water supply path,

the control device may perform a process of opening the first water supply valve to supply water from the first water supply path to the tub in the washing process and a process of opening the second water supply valve to supply water from the second water supply path to the tub in the rinsing process.

4. A washing machine is provided with:

a water tub; and

The plurality of water supply paths are configured to include a first water supply path and a third water supply path, and the first water supply path has: a pressurized dissolving device for dissolving air components in water from the external water supply source; and a first fine bubble generator provided downstream of the pressure dissolution device, for generating fine bubbles containing fine bubbles from water flowing out of the pressure dissolution device, wherein the third water supply path is connected to the external water supply source, and directly supplies water supplied from the external water supply source to the water tub.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

6. A washing machine according to claim 5,

the plurality of water supply valves are configured to include a first water supply valve for opening and closing the first water supply path and a third water supply valve for opening and closing the third water supply path,

The control device may perform a process of opening the first water supply valve to supply water from the first water supply path to the tub in the washing process and a process of opening the third water supply valve to supply water from the third water supply path to the tub in the rinsing process.

7. A washing machine is provided with:

a water tub; and

the plurality of water supply paths are configured to include a first water supply path, a second water supply path, and a third water supply path, the first water supply path having: a pressurized dissolving device for dissolving air components in water from the external water supply source; and a first fine bubble generator provided downstream of the pressure dissolution device and configured to generate fine bubbles containing fine bubbles from water flowing out of the pressure dissolution device, wherein the second water supply path does not include the pressure dissolution device, and includes a second fine bubble generator configured to generate fine bubbles containing nano bubbles from water supplied from the external water supply source, and wherein the third water supply path is connected to the external water supply source and configured to directly supply water supplied from the external water supply source to the water tub.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

9. A washing machine according to claim 8,

the plurality of water supply valves are configured to include: a first water supply valve for opening and closing the first water supply path; a second water supply valve for opening and closing the second water supply path; and a third water supply valve for opening and closing the third water supply path,

the control device may perform a process of opening the first and second water supply valves to supply water from the first and second water supply paths to the tub in a washing process, and a process of opening the second and third water supply valves to supply water from the second and third water supply paths to the tub in a rinsing process.