CN114867900A

CN114867900A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114867900A
Application number: CN202080090523.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 樋口秀一
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-26
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-08-05
Also published as: WO2021129292A1; JP2021104214A

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine which improves washing performance by magnesium particles. A washing machine (1) comprising: a box body (2); a washing tub (4) which is disposed in the cabinet (2) and accommodates the laundry (L); a water supply path (11) for supplying water to the washing tub (4); and a box body (51) which constitutes a part of the water supply path (11), accommodates the magnesium particles (M), and can store water.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Washing methods using magnesium are known. When magnesium is poured into a water tub of a washing machine, magnesium (Mg) and water (H) in the water tub ₂ O) to produce magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) ₂ ) And hydrogen (H) ₂ ) The water in the water tub is modified to contain magnesium ions (Mg) ²⁺ ) And hydroxide ion (OH) ^- ) The alkaline ionized water of (1). Since alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing oil and fat components as in the case of a detergent, dirt can be removed from laundry in a water tub by alkaline ionized water. In addition, the alkaline ionized water has a sterilization function, so that the negative ionized water can be used for sterilizing the washings in the water barrel and the water barrel.

The alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 includes a main body portion made of sponge and magnesium particles accommodated in the main body portion. The alkaline ionized water generating tool is put into a water tub of the washing machine together with the laundry. When water is injected into the water tub, magnesium is dissolved out from magnesium particles in the alkaline ionized water generator into the water in the water tub, and thus magnesium chemically reacts with the water in the water tub to generate alkaline ionized water.

If high-concentration alkaline ionized water having a high concentration of alkaline components is sprayed on the laundry, the laundry can be washed efficiently, but it takes a certain amount of time to increase the concentration of alkaline components in the alkaline ionized water by dissolving magnesium into the water. On the other hand, the alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 is suspended in water in a water tank. In this case, there is a case where all the magnesium particles in the alkaline ionized water generating tool are not immersed in the water tub. Further, the alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 has a small amount of magnesium particles contained therein. Thus, in the case of the alkaline ionized water producing tool described in patent document 1, there is a limit to promote the chemical reaction between magnesium and water to produce alkaline ionized water.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-99486

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine in which washing performance is improved by magnesium particles.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a box body; a washing tub disposed in the cabinet and accommodating laundry; a water supply path supplying water to the washing tub; and a box body which constitutes a part of the water supply path, accommodates the magnesium particles and can store water.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the washing machine includes: a tray; an ultrasonic cleaning unit which is disposed on the tray and generates ultrasonic waves; and a water guide path guiding water in the case to the tray.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the cabinet is provided with a partition portion for partitioning an entrance and an exit for taking in and out the laundry in the washing tub, and the box body is attached to the partition portion so as to be able to be pulled out.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that an exposed portion of the case body exposed to the inlet and outlet in a state of being attached to the partitioning portion is transparent or translucent.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, since the magnesium particles are contained in the casing constituting a part of the water supply path for supplying water to the washing tub, the water flowing through the water supply path when supplying water to the washing tub in the casing chemically reacts with the magnesium particles to generate alkaline ionized water. The alkaline ionized water thus generated is stored in the cartridge and aged, whereby the concentration of the alkaline component in the alkaline ionized water is increased, the alkaline ionized water in the cartridge becomes high concentration, and the alkaline ionized water is supplied to the washing tub at the time of the next water supply or the like, and thus the laundry in the washing tub can be effectively washed by the high concentration alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be improved by the magnesium particles.

Further, according to the present invention, the alkaline ionized water accumulated in the cartridge body is guided to the tray by the water guide passage to be accumulated in the tray. Since the alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing oil and fat components in the same manner as the detergent, for example, when a user immerses the laundry in the alkaline ionized water in the tray and the ultrasonic cleaning unit applies ultrasonic vibration to the laundry, the laundry can be ultrasonically cleaned in the same manner as in the case of using the detergent. That is, in this washing machine, the laundry can be ultrasonically cleaned by using alkaline ionized water instead of the detergent.

Further, according to the present invention, the case is attached to a partition part which partitions an entrance and an exit of the laundry in the cabinet in a withdrawable manner, so that the user can draw out the case and replenish the magnesium grains in the case.

Further, according to the present invention, the exposed portion of the case body exposed to the doorway in a state of being attached to the partitioning portion is transparent or translucent, so that a user can visually confirm the magnesium particles in the case body through the exposed portion.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical right side view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cabinet included in the washing machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge body viewed from a direction different from that of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view including the pulled-out cartridge and its peripheral portion.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view including the pulled-out cartridge and its peripheral portion.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a longitudinal section including the cartridge in the attached position and its peripheral portion.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a longitudinal section including the cartridge in the attached position and its peripheral portion.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 2: a box body; 2D: a dividing section; 4: a washing tub; 11: a water supply path; 15: an entrance and an exit; 42: a water conducting path; 45: a tray; 46: an ultrasonic cleaning section; 51: a box body; 53: a front wall; l: washing the article; m: and (5) magnesium particles.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a vertical right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A direction perpendicular to the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing machine 1, a left-right direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-back direction Y of the washing machine 1, and an up-down direction in fig. 1 is referred to as an up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1. The left-right direction X is an example of the lateral direction in the present embodiment. In the left-right direction X, the back side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a left side X1, and the front side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a right side X2. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. Among the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2.

The washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2 constituting a housing of the washing machine 1; a water tub 3 accommodated in the cabinet 2 and capable of storing washing water; a washing tub 4 accommodated in the water tub 3, accommodating the laundry L and storing washing water; a rotary wing 5 accommodated in the washing tub 4; a motor 6 for generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5; and an electric transmission mechanism 7 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 6 to the washing tub 4 and the rotary blade 5. The washing machine 1 includes: a guide cover 8 disposed in the washing tub 4 for circulating the washing water; a filter unit 9 attached to the guide cover 8 and capturing foreign matters from the washing water; a water discharge path 10 for discharging the washing water stored in the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4; and a water supply path 11 supplying water to the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4. The washing machine 1 includes: an ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 for cleaning the washing L by ultrasonic waves; and an alkaline ionized water generating unit 13 for generating alkaline ionized water by using the magnesium particles M. The washing water in the present embodiment is tap water or water in which a detergent or the like is dissolved in tap water.

The case 2 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a box shape. In the case 2, the upper end portions of the upper surface 2A and the rear surface 2B are formed by, for example, a resin-made upper surface plate 2C. An inlet and outlet 15 for communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A. The upper panel 2C is provided with a tubular partition 2D extending downward Z2 while wrapping the doorway 15. The inner space of the partition 2D is a part of the doorway 15, and the entrance 15 is defined in the inner circumferential surface 2E of the partition 2D. A first opening 2F associated with the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 and a second opening 2G associated with the alkaline ion water generating unit 13 are formed in a region of the rear side Y2 of the inner circumferential surface 2E. The first opening 2F and the second opening 2G are substantially rectangular openings penetrating a part of the partitioning portion 2D in the front-rear direction Y, and are shown as being aligned in the vertical direction Z in fig. 1, but are actually arranged in the left-right direction X, and the first opening 2F is located on the left side X1 of the second opening 2G, specifically, the first opening 2F is located in the central portion in the left-right direction X in the region of the rear side Y2 of the inner peripheral surface 2E (see fig. 2 described later).

A door 16 for opening and closing the doorway 15 is provided on the upper surface 2A of the box 2. A display operation unit 17 formed of a liquid crystal operation panel or the like is provided in a region around the entrance 15 of the upper surface 2A. The user of washing machine 1 can freely select the operating conditions of washing machine 1, or instruct washing machine 1 to start operation, stop operation, and the like by operating a switch of display operation unit 17, or the like. Information related to the operation of the washing machine 1 is visually displayed on a liquid crystal panel or the like of the display operation unit 9.

The water tub 3 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The water tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along the vertical direction Z; a bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C that protrudes toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A while wrapping the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. An inlet/outlet 18 communicating from the upper side Z1 to the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is formed inside the annular wall 3C. The doorway 18 faces and communicates with the doorway 15 of the box body 2 from the lower side Z2. The annular wall 3C is provided with a door 19 for opening and closing the doorway 18. The door 19 may be omitted. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a substantially horizontally extending disc shape, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 3B.

The washing tub 4 is made of, for example, metal, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape one turn smaller than the water tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry L therein. The rotary tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged in the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B provided at a lower end of the washing tub 4 and blocking a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from a lower side Z2.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A and the upper surface of the bottom wall 4B are inner surface portions of the washing tub 4. An inlet/outlet 20 that is covered with the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is formed at the upper end of the washing tub 4. The inlet/outlet 20 exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1, and communicates with the inlet/outlet 18 of the water tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The user brings washing tub 4 into and out of washing tub 4 from upper side Z1 through open doorway 15, doorway 18, and doorway 20.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated within the water tub 3. The washing tub 4 in a state of being accommodated in the water tub 3 is rotatable about a rotation axis J extending in the up-down direction Z through a center of the washing tub 4. The rotation axis J in the present embodiment extends strictly in the vertical direction, but may extend in an oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction. As an example, the inclination direction is a direction shifted toward the front side Y1 as approaching the upper side Z1. The rotation axis J also passes through the center of the water tub 3. The rotation direction of the washing tub 4 coincides with the circumferential direction P around the rotation axis J. Hereinafter, a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction R, a side closer to the rotation axis J in the radial direction R is referred to as a radial direction inner side R1, and a side farther from the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction outer side R2. A plurality of through holes 4C are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and washing water in the water tub 3 can pass between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4C. Thereby, the washing water can be stored in the washing tub 4, and the water level in the water tub 3 is equal to the water level in the washing tub 4.

An annular balancer 25 is attached to an upper end portion of the inner circumferential surface of washing tub 4 along circumferential direction P. The balancer 25 reduces vibration of the washing tub 4 during rotation, and a liquid such as salt water for contributing to the reduction of vibration is contained in a cavity 25A inside the balancer 25.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disc shape extending substantially in parallel with the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 at an interval on the upper side Z1. A through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4B in the vertical direction Z is formed in the bottom wall 4B at a center position coinciding with the rotation axis J. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 26 extending to the lower side Z2 along the rotation axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 26 is inserted through the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 26 is positioned below the bottom wall 3B at Z2.

The rotary blade 5 is a so-called pulsator, is formed in a disk shape with the rotation axis J as a center, and is disposed on the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. A plurality of protrusions 5A protruding upward Z1 and radially arranged around the rotation axis J are provided on the upper surface of the rotary wing 5 facing the inlet/outlet 20 of the washing tub 4. A plurality of blades 5B radially arranged around the rotation axis J are provided on the lower surface of the rotary wing 5. The lower end of the back blade 5B in which the rotary wing 5 is disposed in the inner space of the washing tub 4 is referred to as a space S. The rotary wing 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 27 extending from the center thereof to the lower side Z2 along the rotation axis J. The rotation shaft 27 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 26, and the lower end portion of the rotation shaft 27 is located below the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 at Z2.

The motor 6 is an electric motor such as a variable frequency motor. The motor 6 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the water tub 3 in the case 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 26 that rotates about the rotation axis J, and generates a driving force to be output from the output shaft 26.

The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower end portions of the support shaft 26 and the rotary shaft 27 and the upper end portion of the output shaft 28 protruding upward Z1 from the motor 6. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 28 of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 26 and the rotary shaft 27. As the transmission mechanism 7, a known mechanism can be used. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 26, the washing tub 4 receives the driving force of the motor 6 and is rotationally driven around the rotation axis J as a rotation center. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 27, the rotary wing 5 receives the driving force from the motor 6 and is rotationally driven around the rotation axis J as the rotation center. The guide hoods 8 are provided in plural and arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A in a dispersed manner in the circumferential direction P. The guide covers 8 are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P. Each guide cover 8 is tubular extending from the lower end of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4 to the upper side Z1, and is made of, for example, resin, and is formed in an arc shape convexly curved toward the radially inner side R1 in a plan cross section thereof. The guide cover 8 is fixed to the circumferential wall 4A so as to cover a part of the circumferential wall 4A from the radially inner side R1. Thus, a circulation flow path 29 extending from the lower end of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1 in the washing tub 4 is formed between the guide cover 8 and the circumferential wall 4A. That is, the guide cover 8 constitutes the circulation flow path 29. Since there are a plurality of guide covers 8, a plurality of circulation flow paths 29 are also provided.

The lower end of the circulation flow path 29 is connected as an inlet 29A of the circulation flow path 29 from the radially outer side R2 to a space S in which the back blade 5B of the rotary vane 5 is disposed in the internal space of the washing tub 4. That is, the inlet 29A is disposed on the bottom wall 4B side of the washing tub 4. The guide cover 8 is formed with an opening 9A penetrating the guide cover 8 in the radial direction R. The portion of the circulation flow path 29 exposed radially inward R1 from the opening 9A is an outlet 29B, and the outlet 29B is disposed at a position higher than the inlet 29A and faces the inside of the washing tub 4.

The filter unit 9 includes a frame 30 which is fittingly received in the opening 9A of the guide cover 8, and a filter 31 mounted to the frame 30. The filter 31 is, for example, a sheet made of a net or the like, and covers the opening 9A.

The drainage channel 10 is connected to the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and water in the water tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drainage channel 10. A drain valve 35 that opens and closes to start or stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drain passage 10.

One end of the water supply path 11 is connected to the annular wall 3C of the water tub 3 from the upper side Z1, and the other end of the water supply path 11 is connected to a tap of tap water. The water supply path 11 supplies tap water from the water supply path 11 into the water tub 3. A water supply valve 36 that opens and closes to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 11.

In association with the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12, a first concave housing chamber 41 that wraps the first opening 2F and is concave toward the rear side Y2 is provided in the partition portion 2D of the upper surface plate 2C of the case 2. To the first housing chamber 41 are connected: a water conduit 42 that branches from a downstream portion of the water supply path 11 on the water tub 3 side of the water supply valve 36; and an outflow path 43 extending from the first accommodation chamber 41 mainly downward Z2 and connected to the annular wall 3C of the water tub 3. A switching valve 44 is provided at a connection portion between the water supply path 11 and the water conduit 42. The switching valve 44 is a so-called multi-way valve, and causes the water flowing through the water supply path 11 to continue to flow to the water supply path 11 or to flow to the water conduit 42.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 includes a tray 45 and an ultrasonic cleaning portion 46. Referring to fig. 2, which is a perspective view of the upper surface plate 2C of the box body 2 and its peripheral portion, the tray 45 has a recess 45A opening to the upper side Z1 and a handle 45B disposed on the front side Y1 of the recess 45A. The end of the water conduit 42 is opened to the tray 45 in the first housing chamber 41. The outflow path 43 is connected to the bottom of the tray 45 in the first accommodation chamber 41. An outflow valve (not shown) is provided in the middle of the outflow path 43. The water that is branched from the water supply path 11 to the water conduit 42 in a state where the outflow valve is closed is guided to the tray 45 by the water conduit 42 and is stored in the recess 45A. In this state, when the outflow valve is opened, the water in the tray 45 flows out through the outflow path 43, and then falls down from the outflow path 43 to be stored in the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 has a nozzle shape extending in the front-rear direction Y, and a tip portion 46A located at the tip thereof is bent toward the lower side Z2. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 generates ultrasonic waves at the distal end portion 46A by being energized. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 is positioned with respect to the tray 45 such that at least the distal end portion 46A is disposed on the tray 45.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is slidably supported in the front-rear direction Y by a first housing chamber 41 provided in the upper surface plate 2C of the housing 2. Specifically, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is slidable between a storage position (see fig. 1) stored in the first storage chamber 41 and a pull-out position (see fig. 2) pulled out from the first storage chamber 41 to the front side Y1 through the first opening 2F of the partition portion 2D of the upper surface plate 2C. The user can slide the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 by pushing and pulling the handle 45B of the tray 45.

The water conduit 42 and the outflow conduit 43 may be configured to be blocked when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is located at the pulled-out position and to be opened when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is located at the storage position. The partition 2D may be provided with a shutter (not shown) for opening and closing the first opening 2F in conjunction with the sliding of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12. The shutter closes the first opening 2F when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is in the accommodated position, and opens the first opening 2F when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 in the accommodated position starts sliding. In this case, even in a state where the shutter closes the first opening 2F, the handle 45B is exposed from the inside of the doorway 15 of the upper surface panel 2C and is gripped by the user.

The alkaline ion water generating unit 13 includes, for example, a box body 51 having a substantially cubic shape and a second housing chamber 52 constituting a part of the partition portion 2D of the upper surface plate 2C of the housing 2. Referring to fig. 3, the box body 51 has a front wall 53, a rear wall 54, a left wall 55, a right wall 56, a top wall 57, and a bottom wall 58 each having a substantially square flat plate shape. The front wall 53 has the same size as the second opening 2G of the partition 2D (see also fig. 2). A substantially cubic internal space 51A surrounded by a front wall 53, a rear wall 54, a left wall 55, a right wall 56, a top wall 57, and a bottom wall 58 is formed in the box 51.

Referring to fig. 4, the rear wall 54 is one turn smaller than the front wall 53. In the region of the rear wall 54 along the left wall 55, a circular tube-shaped inflow tube 59 projecting toward the rear side Y2 is provided so as to project toward the rear side Y2. The inner space of the inflow tube 59 is an inflow port 59A, and penetrates the rear wall 54 to communicate with the inner space 51A of the case 51 from the rear side Y2. A cylindrical first outlet 54A recessed toward the front side Y1 into the internal space 51A is formed adjacent to the right side of the inflow pipe 59 of the rear wall 54. The first outflow port 54A has: a large diameter portion 54B formed at a rear end thereof; and a small diameter portion 54C disposed at a position further to the front side Y1 than the large diameter portion 54B, and having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 54B. The small diameter portion 54C is provided with a known check valve 60. The check valve 60 has a spool 60A slidable in the forward-backward direction Y between a closed position closing the first outflow port 54A and an open position opening the first outflow port 54A.

Left wall 55 extends from the left end of rear wall 54 to front side Y1, and is connected to a portion of front wall 53 that is slightly to the right X2 of the left end of front wall 53. The right wall 56 extends from the right end of the rear wall 54 to the front side Y1, and is connected to a portion of the front wall 53 that is slightly to the left X1 from the right end of the front wall 53.

The top wall 57 extends from the upper end of the rear wall 54 to the front side Y1, and is connected to a portion of the front wall 53 slightly below the upper end of the front wall 53Z 2. A circular refill port 57A penetrating the ceiling wall 57 in the vertical direction Z is formed in the center of the ceiling wall 57 in plan view. The case 51 includes a disk-shaped lid 61 that closes the refill port 57A. The outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the refill port 57A in a state where the refill port 57A is closed are screwed together by forming a screw portion W (see fig. 6 described later). A recess 61A recessed in a hemispherical shape toward the lower side Z2 and a tab 61B extending across the recess 61A are provided on the upper surface portion of the lid portion 61. The user can remove the lid portion 61 by pinching the knob 61B and twisting the lid portion 61 counterclockwise to open the refill port 57A. On the other hand, the user can screw the lid 61 to the refill port 57A by pinching the knob 61B and twisting the lid 61 clockwise with the lid 61 fitted to the refill port 57A.

The bottom wall 58 extends from the lower end of the rear wall 54 to the front side Y1, and is connected to a portion of the front wall 53 that is located above the lower end of the front wall 53 and above the Z1. The user's finger can be hooked on the lower end portion of the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 58 in the front wall 53. A recess 58A recessed from the lower surface portion of the bottom wall 58 to the front of the first outlet 54A is formed in the bottom wall 58 immediately below the first outlet 54A of the rear wall 54. An upper edge portion of the concave portion 58A is curved in a semicircular shape so as to extend along the first outflow port 54A.

Fig. 5 to 8 are vertical sectional perspective views of the 2 nd accommodating chamber 52 including the cartridge 51 and the periphery thereof. Fig. 5 and 7 show the same longitudinal section, and fig. 6 and 8 show the same longitudinal section. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, a bulging portion 51B bulging upward Z1 in a semi-cylindrical shape from the bottom wall 58 is provided in the internal space 51A of the case 51. The bulging portion 51B extends from the front surface portion of the rear wall 54 to the front side Y1. The first outlet 54A and the recess 58A are disposed in the bulge portion 51B (see fig. 6). The distal end surface 51C of the bulging portion 51B is disposed at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction Y in the internal space 51A. The small diameter portion 54C of the first outlet 54A is exposed from the front end surface 51C and communicates with the internal space 51A.

The second housing chamber 52 is formed in a concave shape recessed toward the rear side Y2 while wrapping the second opening 2G in the partition portion 2D of the upper surface plate 2C of the box body 2, and has substantially the same shape and size as the portion of the box body 51 from which the front wall 53 is removed. The partition 2D is provided with a left wall 65 (see fig. 2), a right wall 66, a top wall 67, a bottom wall 68, and a rear wall 69 that partition the second housing chamber 52. The left wall 65 and the right wall 66 are substantially rectangular vertical plates, and are disposed to face each other in the left-right direction X. The top wall 67 and the bottom wall 68 are generally rectangular cross plates, the top wall 67 spanning between the upper ends of the left and

right walls

65, 66, and the bottom wall 68 spanning between the lower ends of the left and

right walls

65, 66. The front end edges of the left wall 65, the right wall 66, the top wall 67, and the bottom wall 68 define a second opening 2G.

The rear wall 69 is block-shaped, and the front surface 69A thereof is a substantially flat vertical surface. A cylindrical insertion opening 69B (see fig. 5) extending to the rear side Y2 in the rear wall 69 is formed in the front surface portion 69A at a position closer to the left. The insertion port 69B has a large diameter portion 69C at the front half thereof and a small diameter portion 69D smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 69C and continuous with the large diameter portion 69C from the rear side Y2. The large diameter portion 69C is provided with a known check valve 70. The check valve 70 has a spool 70A slidable in the front-rear direction Y between a closed position closing the insertion port 69B and an open position opening the insertion port 69B.

A circular tube-shaped outflow pipe 71 protruding toward the front side Y1 is provided at a position adjacent to the right side of the insertion port 69B of the front surface 69A. The outflow pipe 71 has a cylindrical large diameter portion 71A connected to the front surface portion 69A, and a small diameter portion 71B having a circular tube shape with a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 71A and disposed coaxially with the large diameter portion 71A. In the small diameter portion 71B, the rear half portion is inserted into the large diameter portion 71A, and the front half portion protrudes from the large diameter portion 71A to the front side Y1 (see fig. 6). The outflow pipe 71 is formed with a circular second outflow port 71C penetrating its central portion in the front-rear direction Y. The second outlet 71C is exposed from the front surface of the small diameter portion 71B to the front side Y1.

The outflow pipe 71 includes a columnar protruding portion 71D protruding from the second outflow port 71C toward the front side Y1, and a small-piece-shaped support portion 71E that extends between the inner peripheral surface of the outflow pipe 71 in the second outflow port 71C and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the protruding portion 71D and supports the protruding portion 71D. The rear end of the projection 71D is inserted into the second outlet 71C with play. The plurality of support portions 71E are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the protruding portion 71D. A cylindrical third outlet 69E (see fig. 6) elongated and extending upward Z1 from the rear end of the second outlet 71C is formed in the rear wall 69.

The second housing chamber 52 is provided in the water supply path 11 at a middle portion 11A (see fig. 1) between the water supply valve 36 and the switching valve 44. Therefore, the insertion port 69B, the second outlet 71C, and the third outlet 69E of the rear wall 69 are part of the water supply path 11.

The box body 51 is attached to the second accommodation chamber 52 provided at the dividing portion 2D of the upper surface plate 2C in a withdrawable manner. The cartridge 51 shown in fig. 5 is in a state of being pulled out substantially entirely from the 2 nd accommodating chamber 52 to the front side Y1, the cartridge 51 shown in fig. 6 is in a state of being pulled out completely from the 2 nd accommodating chamber 52 to the front side Y1, and the cartridge 51 shown in fig. 7 and 8 is in an attaching position attached to the 2 nd accommodating chamber 52. When the cartridge 51 is pulled out from the attachment position toward the front side Y1, the valve body 60A of the check valve 60 provided in the cartridge 51 is placed at the closed position to close the first outlet 54A (see fig. 6), and the valve body 70A of the check valve 70 provided in the rear wall 69 of the second accommodation chamber 52 is placed at the closed position to close the inlet 69B (see fig. 5). This cuts off the middle part 11A of the water supply path 11.

On the other hand, when the pulled-out box body 51 is pressed into the attaching position of the rear side Y2, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, in the box body 51, all wall surfaces other than the front wall 53 are accommodated in the second accommodating chamber 52. At this time, the inlet pipe 59 of the box body 51 is inserted into the insertion port 69B of the rear wall 69 of the second accommodation chamber 52 from the front side Y1, and the valve body 70A of the check valve 70 is pressed toward the rear side Y2, so that the valve body 70A is placed in the open position to open the insertion port 69B (see fig. 7). Further, the outflow pipe 71 of the rear wall 69 is inserted into the first outflow port 54A of the rear wall 54 of the case 51 from the rear side Y2, and the protrusion 71D of the outflow pipe 71 presses the valve body 60A of the check valve 60 toward the front side Y1, so that the valve body 60A is disposed at the open position and opens the first outflow port 54A (see fig. 8).

As described above, the insertion port 69B is connected to the inlet port 59A of the inlet pipe 59, the internal space 51A, the first outlet port 54A of the box 51, the second outlet port 71C of the outlet pipe 71, and the third outlet port 69E in the rear wall 69, so that the middle portion 11A of the water supply path 11 is opened over the entire area, and the box 51 constitutes a part of the water supply path 11. Since the normal cartridge 51 is accommodated in the second accommodating chamber 52 in the attached position without being exposed to the entrance 15, space saving can be achieved in the arrangement of the cartridge 51. When the box body 51 is at the attached position, the gap between the inlet pipe 59 and the insertion port 69B and the gap between the outlet pipe 71 and the first outlet 54A are closed by a sealing member such as a packing.

A plurality of magnesium particles M are accommodated in the internal space 51A of the case 51. The magnesium particles M are magnesium particles, and the particle diameter of the magnesium particles M in the case of a new product is set to a size of about several mm. The user can supply the magnesium particles M from the supply port 57A to the internal space 51A of the case 51 by hooking the fingers on the lower end portion of the front wall 53 of the case 51, pulling out the case 51 from the attachment position, and removing the lid 61 (see fig. 5 and 6). In the state where the cartridge 51 is pulled out from the attachment position, the valve body 60A of the check valve 60 and the valve body 70A of the check valve 70 are in the closed positions, respectively, and therefore water leakage from the middle portion 11A of the water supply path 11 that is cut off can be prevented.

Referring to fig. 1, washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 80, which is constituted by a microcomputer, for example, and is built in cabinet 2. The control unit 80 includes a memory such as a CPU, ROM, or RAM, and a timer for counting time. The motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the display operation unit 17, the drain valve 35, the water supply valve 36, the switching valve 44, and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 are electrically connected to the control unit 80.

The control unit 80 controls the motor 6 to rotate at a desired rotation speed by controlling the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6. The control unit 80 controls the transmission mechanism 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 26 and the rotary shaft 27. When the user operates the display operation unit 17 to select the operation conditions or the like, the control unit 80 receives the selection. The control unit 80 controls the display of the display operation unit 17. The control unit 80 controls opening and closing of the drain valve 35 and the water supply valve 36. The control unit 80 controls the opening and closing of the switching valve 44 to continue the flow of water flowing through the water supply passage 11 to the water supply passage 11 or to the water guide passage 42. The control unit 80 energizes the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 to generate ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46.

The control unit 80 controls the operations of the motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the water supply valve 36, the drain valve 35, and the switching valve 44 to perform the washing operation. As described later, since the control unit 80 opens the water supply valve 36 during the washing operation, the city water from the faucet flows through the water supply path 11, and flows into the internal space 51A of the box 51 through the insertion port 69B of the rear wall 69 of the second housing chamber 52 and the inlet port 59A of the box 51 at the midway portion 11A (see arrow V1 in fig. 7). Thereby, water is accumulated in the internal space 51A. When the water level in the internal space 51A rises to the first outflow port 54A, a part of the water in the internal space 51A flows out from the first outflow port 54A, flows through the second outflow port 71C and the third outflow port 69E (refer to an arrow V2 of fig. 8), and reaches the switching valve 44. The switching valve 44 continues to flow water into the water supply path 11 or to the water conduit 42 according to the state. Then, the water flowing through the water supply path 11 is supplied into the water tub 3 and can be accumulated in the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4. As described later, the water flowing from the switching valve 44 to the water conduit 42 is stored in the tray 45 in the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46.

In this way, in the internal space 51A of the water storable case 51, the water chemically reacts with the magnesium component dissolved in the water from the magnesium particles M. As described above, the chemical reaction between water and magnesium causes the pH of the water in the internal space 51A to increase, thereby changing the water to alkaline ionized water. Then, since the alkaline ionized water in the internal space 51A is stored in the internal space 51A for a long time and is aged even during the washing operation and other operations, the high-concentration alkaline ionized water is always stored in the internal space 51A by increasing the increase in the alkaline component in the alkaline ionized water. The alkaline ionized water is stored in the internal space 51A in an amount that can be used in, for example, three washing operations.

Based on the above, the washing operation will be described. As an example, the washing operation includes: a cleaning operation of cleaning the washing L; a rinsing operation of rinsing the laundry L after the washing operation; and a dehydration operation for dehydrating the washing L after the rinsing operation.

For example, when the laundry L is a shirt and the neckline of the shirt has tough dirt, the user performs ultrasonic cleaning of the neckline by the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 before the start of the washing operation. Specifically, in a state where the

doors

16 and 19 are opened, the user grips the handle 45B of the tray 45 of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 located at the storage position and pulls out the same to the front side Y1, and as shown in fig. 2, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 is placed at the pulled-out position.

Next, when the user operates the display operation unit 17 or the like, the control unit 80 controls the switching valve 44 to supply the alkaline ionized water in the cartridge 51 to the tray 45 through the water conduit 42. Thus, since a small amount of alkaline ionized water is guided to the tray 45 by the water conduit 42 and stored in the recess 45A of the tray 45, the user, for example, immerses the collar of a shirt in the alkaline ionized water in the tray 45 and then approaches the distal end portion 46A of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46. Then, the alkaline ionized water entering the neck opening is vibrated and cracked by the ultrasonic vibration generated at the distal end portion 46A of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 46 to separate the dirt from the neck opening by the impact. The user applies the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 to the stubborn dirt of the laundry L for a predetermined time in this manner, thereby ultrasonically cleaning the laundry L in advance.

When the user who has finished the ultrasonic cleaning operates the display operation unit 17 or the like, the control unit 80 stops the energization of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 46 and opens the outflow valve. As a result, the water in the tray 45 flows out through the outflow path 43, and then drops down from the outflow path 43 to be stored in the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4 (see fig. 1). Thereby, the tray 45 becomes empty. Then, the user grasps the handle 45B of the tray 45 and pushes the same toward the rear side Y2 to return the ultrasonic cleaning unit 12 to the storage position, and then puts all the laundry L including the laundry L that has just been subjected to the ultrasonic cleaning into the washing tub 4, closes the door 16 and the door 19, and operates the display operation portion 17. Thereby, the control unit 80 starts the washing operation. The user may put the laundry L that is not subjected to the ultrasonic cleaning into the washing tub 4 in advance before the ultrasonic cleaning.

In this way, in the washing machine 1, the washing L can be ultrasonically cleaned by using the alkaline ionized water instead of the detergent. In particular, the viscosity of alkaline ionized water is the same as that of ordinary tap water and is lower than that of a liquid detergent. For example, when a liquid detergent is automatically put into the tray 45 from a cartridge dedicated to the liquid detergent and then ultrasonic cleaning is performed to cause the used liquid detergent to flow out from the outflow path 43, the liquid detergent may block the outflow path 43 due to its viscosity, and the flow path of the liquid detergent such as the outflow path 43 needs to be maintained. However, in the case of using alkaline ionized water instead of liquid detergent as in the washing machine 1, the problem such as blocking the outflow path 43 does not occur, and therefore the maintenance described above is not required.

Referring to fig. 1, controller 80, which has started the washing operation, first opens water supply valve 36 to supply water to washing tub 4 during the washing operation. During the washing operation, the water flowing through water supply path 11 is directly supplied to washing tub 4 without being diverted to water guide path 42, and is stored in washing tub 4 as washing water. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to the washing water level higher than the upper end of the laundry L in the washing tub 4, the control part 80 stops the water supply by closing the water supply valve 36. As described above, the washing water stored in the washing tub 4 is alkaline ionized water, and the alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing oil and fat components, specifically acidic sebum dirt, and the like, as in the case of the detergent. Therefore, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 is immersed in the alkaline ionized water accumulated in the washing tub 4, and the dirt is removed.

Then, the control unit 80 rotates the rotary blade 5 during the cleaning operation. Thereby, the washing water in the space S on the bottom wall 4B side in the washing tub 4 is pushed to the radial outer side R2 by the back blades 5B of the rotary blades 5 rotating at high speed and sent to the inlets 29A of the circulation flow paths 29. The washing water flowing through each circulation flow path 29 to the upper side Z1 passes through the filter 31 of the filter unit 9 and flows out from the outlet 29B of the circulation flow path 29 to the radially inner side R1 (see a thick dotted arrow V3 in fig. 1). The filter 31 captures foreign matter such as lint from the washing water passing through the filter 31 and accumulates in the filter unit 9. The washing water returned from the outlet 29B into the washing tub 4 sprays the laundry L in the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1, then flows down to the space S, and circulates so as to spray the laundry L through the circulation flow path 29 again.

In the cleaning operation, the washing water circulates as the rotary blades 5 rotate, and the washing L is sprayed with the alkaline ion water. Since the laundry L is agitated by the swelling portion 5A of the rotating wing 5, dirt on the laundry L can be mechanically removed. The detergent may be automatically supplied into the washing tub 4 at the start of the washing operation or the like, or may be supplied manually by a user. In this case, the washing water contains a detergent component, and dirt of the laundry L is chemically decomposed by the detergent component during the washing operation. Since the alkaline component in the alkaline ionized water functions similarly to the detergent, even if the amount of the detergent used is small or zero, a high cleaning effect can be obtained by using the alkaline component to assist or replace the detergent. By suppressing the amount of the detergent used in this way, the load on the environment caused by the detergent can be reduced. When a predetermined washing time has elapsed since the circulation of the washing water is started with the rotation of the rotary wing 5, the control unit 80 stops the rotary wing 5, opens the drain valve 35, and discharges the water from the washing tub 4, thereby ending the washing operation.

Subsequently, the control unit 80 starts the rinsing operation. Specifically, controller 80 opens water supply valve 36 to supply water to washing tub 4, and stores the washing water up to a predetermined rinsing water level in washing tub 4. Then, the control unit 80 rotates the rotary wing 5. In the rinsing operation, the washing water circulates as the rotary wing 5 rotates, and the alkaline ionized water is sprayed to the laundry L, the water tub 3 of the washing tub 4, and the washing tub 4, as in the cleaning operation. Thus, the dirt remaining in the laundry L is removed by the alkaline ionized water, and the laundry L, the water tub 3, and the washing tub 4 are sterilized by the negative ions and the like included in the alkaline ionized water. When a predetermined rinsing time has elapsed since the start of the circulation of the washing water with the rotation of the rotary wing 5, the controller 80 stops the rotary wing 5, opens the drain valve 35, and discharges the water from the washing tub 4, thereby ending the rinsing operation. The rinsing operation may be performed plural times. As described above, by suppressing the amount of detergent used by the alkaline ionized water, the amount of water required for the rinsing operation can be suppressed and the laundry L can be rinsed in a short time, so that water saving, energy saving, and time reduction can be achieved.

Subsequently, the control unit 80 starts the dehydration operation. Specifically, the control unit 80 spin-rotates the washing tub 4 in a state where the drain valve 35 is opened. The rotation speed of washing tub 4 during the spin-drying operation is increased in stages, and eventually, for example, when the rotation speed reaches a maximum rotation speed of 800rpm, the application of voltage to motor 6 is stopped, and washing tub 4 is thereby rotated by inertia. The laundry L in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by a centrifugal force caused by the dehydration rotation of the washing tub 4. The water seeped out of the laundry L by the dehydration is discharged from the drain passage 21 to the outside of the washing machine. When the inertial rotation of washing tub 4 is stopped, control unit 80 ends the spin-drying operation. The dewatering operation may be performed immediately after the end of the washing operation as the final dewatering operation, or may be performed immediately after the end of the washing operation or the like as the intermediate dewatering operation.

As described above, in washing machine 1, since box 51, which constitutes part of water supply path 11 for supplying water to washing tub 4, contains magnesium particles M, in box 51, water flowing through water supply path 11 at the time of supplying water to washing tub 4 chemically reacts with magnesium particles M to generate alkaline ionized water. The alkaline ionized water thus generated is stored in the case 51 and aged, so that the concentration of the alkaline component in the alkaline ionized water is increased, the alkaline ionized water in the case 51 becomes high concentration, and the alkaline ionized water is supplied to the washing tub 4 at the time of the next water supply or the like, and thus the laundry L in the washing tub 4 can be effectively washed by the high concentration alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the washing L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be improved. In particular, since a large amount of magnesium particles M can be accommodated in a dedicated space such as the case 51, a large amount of alkaline ionized water having a high concentration can be generated to improve the washing performance. Further, since the high-concentration alkaline ionized water is already present in the cartridge 51 at the start of the washing operation, the time required for generating the alkaline ionized water can be saved during the washing operation, thereby shortening the time.

The magnesium particles M have, for example, a silver surface when they are new, but when they repeatedly come into contact with washing water due to use, they form an oxide film on the surface and deteriorate, for example, they turn black. The deteriorated magnesium particles M are difficult to chemically react with the washing water. Therefore, as maintenance other than replenishing the magnesium particles M from the replenishment port 57A into the cartridge 51 as described above, the user may manually put a predetermined detergent into the cartridge 51 storing alkaline ionized water, for example. Examples of the detergent include tablets and liquids of citric acid.

Thus, the citric acid aqueous solution is generated in the case 51, and the magnesium particles M in the case 51 are immersed in the citric acid aqueous solution. Then, the magnesium particles M are regenerated by removing the oxide film from the surface. The user may pull out the cartridge 51 and immerse the cartridge in a citric acid aqueous solution stored in a tank or the like to maintain the magnesium particles M in the cartridge 51.

In the upper surface plate 2C, in the case 51 in a state attached to the second housing chamber 52 of the partition portion 2D partitioning the entrance 15, the front wall 53 is an exposed portion exposed to the entrance 15. The front wall 53 may be transparent or translucent so that the user can visually confirm the remaining amount and state of the magnesium particles M in the box body 51 over the front wall 53.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

For example, in the washing machine 1, the alkaline ionized water generating operation for supplying water to the cartridge 51 may be performed at a timing other than the washing operation in order to generate alkaline ionized water. The control unit 80 executes the alkaline ion water generating operation in accordance with the operation of the display operation unit 17 by the user.

For example, although the washing machine 1 is a vertical type washing machine in the above-described embodiment, it may be a drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis J of the washing tub 4 extends horizontally in the front-rear direction Y. Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying machine having a drying function, or may be a double tub washing machine.

Claims

A washing machine, characterized by comprising:

a box body;

a washing tub disposed in the cabinet and accommodating laundry;

a water supply path supplying water to the washing tub; and

and the box body forms one part of the water supply path, contains magnesium particles and can store water.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a tray;

an ultrasonic cleaning unit which is disposed on the tray and generates ultrasonic waves; and

a water guide path guiding water in the case to the tray.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the box body is provided with a dividing part for dividing an entrance for the washings to enter and exit the washing barrel,

the case is attached to the partitioning portion in a pull-out manner.
A washing machine according to claim 3,

an exposed portion of the case body exposed from the inlet and outlet in a state of being attached to the partitioning portion is transparent or translucent.