Device for mounting on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for mounting on the inner peripheral surface (7) of a washing machine drum (8), comprising a housing (2), a voltage source and at least one electrode connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and serving as an anode, through which washing liquid can flow, the device comprising at least one inlet (6) for introducing washing liquid into the device (1) and at least one outlet for discharging washing liquid from the device (1), wherein the at least one inlet (6) and the at least one outlet are arranged on the device (1) so that when the device (1) is in its use position, the inlet and the outlet are located directly above the inner peripheral surface (7) of the washing machine drum (8), and the at least one inlet (6) is located in a plane (E) in which the surface normal (N) extends, substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (W) of the washing machine drum (8) when the device (1) is in its use position, and at least one electrode is arranged in the device (1) in such a way that its longitudinal extent extends substantially parallel to the surface normal (N) of the plane (E), wherein the surface normal (N) of the plane (E) has at least one inlet (6). The invention also relates to the use of such a device (1) and to a method for activating a mediator substance by means of such a device (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mounting on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum, comprising a housing, a voltage source and at least one electrode, the at least one electrode being connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and acting as an anode, the device being suitable for activating a mediator species into a bleach-active species by electrolysis.

[0002] In the context of the present invention, mediator substances are understood to be materials which are bleach-active in the activated, ie oxidized, state. In this state, mediator substances are also referred to as bleach-active substances.

[0003] The invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, in particular to the field of domestic washing machines. Many everyday stains can only be removed inadequately from textiles using commercially available detergents. For example, these stains include dyes containing anthocyanins (e.g. from berries) or dyes from the carotenoid group (e.g. from carrots and tomatoes). Background Art

[0004] It is known that the stains can be removed by oxidation of the chromogens of the corresponding dyes. Through oxidation of the delocalized p-electron system, the dye loses the property of absorbing light in the visible spectrum and thus becomes colorless. In addition, under certain circumstances, the dye can also be broken down into smaller, more water-soluble substances.

[0005] For this purpose, in solid detergents, bleaching systems are usually used which contain a combination of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and a bleaching agent such as sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate, wherein TAED acts as an activator for the bleaching agent. This is disadvantageous because these bleaching systems require relatively high washing temperatures to develop their full effect.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known that customer acceptance of solid detergents is generally lower than that of liquid detergents. In contrast, liquid detergents generally contain ingredients such as enzymes, dyes and perfumes, which in turn are attacked and destroyed by bleaching agents. This makes it difficult to develop liquid detergents with strong bleaching effects suitable for home use.

[0007] It is known in the prior art that electrochemically mediated bleaching reaction can avoid the problem of high washing temperature in solid detergents and the problem of incompatibility of enzymes and other components in bleaching agents and liquid products. The principle of this bleaching process can be seen in the transfer of the oxidation reaction on the anode surface of the electrochemical cell to the textile to be bleached. It is presumed that the mediator molecules initially present in reduced form are oxidized at the anode of the electrochemical cell. This oxidized and therefore activated mediator substance can in turn oxidize the dye molecules, so it has bleaching activity, and returns to the reducing substance itself, so that it can be used for reoxidation (activation). In this way, a bleaching effect can be achieved with a relatively small amount of mediators, because compared with conventional systems, it is not necessary to select a stoichiometric amount of use for the substrate to be bleached. In addition, the mediator molecules can only oxidize the substrate together with the electrochemical cell. For this purpose, it is not desirable to react with the undesired oxidation-sensitive components (e.g., enzymes) contained in the detergent. In addition, unlike conventional bleaching systems (e.g., bleaching systems based on TAED and sodium percarbonate), electrochemical treatment can be carried out without increasing the washing temperature.

[0008] EP 3134500 B1 discloses the use of specific organic mediator compounds to enhance the cleaning performance of detergents and cleaners on stains, washing or cleaning methods using bleach active substances generated by such mediator compounds, and washing and cleaning agents containing the mediator compounds. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a device which is suitable for activating mediator substances into bleach-active substances by electrolysis and which can be used in commercial washing machines. In particular, another object of the present invention is to design the device so that the electrolysis process is as efficient as possible and the amount of detergent and mediator substances used can be kept as low as possible.

[0010] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 , a use according to claim 16 and a method according to claim 17 .

[0011] The dependent claims relate to special embodiments and developments of the invention.

[0012] According to claim 1, a device according to the invention comprises a housing, a voltage source and at least one electrode, the at least one electrode being connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and acting as an anode, through which washing liquid can flow, and which comprises at least one inlet for introducing washing liquid into the device and at least one outlet for draining washing liquid from the device. The device is characterized in that the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are arranged on the device such that when the device is in its use position, the inlet and the outlet are directly above the inner peripheral surface of the drum of the washing machine, and the at least one inlet is located in a plane whose surface normal is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum of the washing machine when the device is in its use position, and the device is characterized in that the at least one electrode is arranged in the device such that the longitudinal extension of the at least one electrode extends substantially parallel to the surface normal of the plane in which the at least one inlet is located.

[0013] In other words, the present invention relates to a device which is intended and suitable for being mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum. In particular, the device can be retrofitted into existing washing machines. Ordinary domestic washing machines can thus be retrofitted with the device according to the invention in a simple manner without further modifications or adjustments.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the inner circumferential surface of the washing machine drum is understood to be the circumferential surface of the washing machine drum facing the laundry to be washed.

[0015] The at least one electrode generally has a length dimension, a width dimension and a height dimension. The longitudinal extension of the at least one electrode is understood to be the longest of these three dimensions.

[0016] Device according to the present invention comprises its own voltage source and at least one electrode, and described at least one electrode is connected to the positive terminal of voltage source and is used as anode.When the washing liquid that contains mediator substance flows through device, mediator molecule is oxidized on the surface of this anode.In this way, oxidized and therefore activated mediator molecule is bleaching active, and can turn to oxidation dye molecule now.In this process, they themselves return to the material of reduction, so that they can be used for reoxidation on the anode surface.

[0017] The device according to the invention is characterized in that, due to its special structural design, in its use position, it is able to scoop up a particularly large amount of washing liquid while the washing machine is in operation, so that a particularly efficient convection of the mediator substance to the anode surface is achieved. In this way, even with small amounts of mediator substance, sufficient activation and a sufficient bleaching effect can be ensured.

[0018] A high efficiency is achieved in the device according to the invention in that at least one inlet and at least one outlet are arranged on the device so that, when the device is in its use position, said inlet and outlet are located directly above the inner peripheral surface of the washing machine drum, and at least one inlet for introducing washing liquid into the device is located in a plane whose surface normal extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the washing machine drum when the device is in its use position, and said at least one electrode is arranged in the device so that the longitudinal extension of said at least one electrode extends substantially parallel to the surface normal of the plane in which said at least one inlet is located. In other words, when the washing machine drum rotates, the opening of the at least one inlet of the device or the surface normal of the inlet is always directed in the direction of rotation. In this way, in particular when the washing machine is running past a sump collecting washing liquid in the lower region of the washing machine drum, the device mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the washing machine drum can scoop up a relatively large amount of washing liquid from the sump and then immediately guide this scooped washing liquid along the anode extending as an extension of the inlet.

[0019] Since the direction of rotation of the washing machine drum usually changes several times during the operation of the washing machine, according to one embodiment of the invention, at least one outlet is also located in a plane whose surface normal extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the washing machine drum when the device is in its use position. A device designed in this way ensures sufficient convection of the activated mediator to the textiles to be cleaned and sufficient convection of the deactivated mediator to the anode of the device, regardless of the direction of rotation of the washing machine drum.

[0020] According to a suggestion of the present invention, the shell surrounds a first receiving space and a second receiving space, the at least one electrode is received in the first receiving space and the voltage source is received in the second receiving space, and the washing liquid can flow through the first receiving space, and the first receiving space is separated from the second receiving space in a liquid-tight manner.

[0021] The housing is preferably designed as a dimensionally stable housing made of a non-conductive material. Advantageous materials are, for example, plastic materials with low specific gravity and high strength and impact resistance.

[0022] Suitable material selection and suitable dimensions make it possible to limit the total mass of the device according to the invention to a maximum of approximately 1 kg. In this way, the formation of imbalances during the spinning phase can be substantially prevented. For this purpose, it is also conceivable to mount two devices according to the invention of equal weight and synergistic action on mutually opposite regions of the inner circumferential surface of the washing machine drum. This measure can further reduce imbalances.

[0023] The side of the housing that faces the inner peripheral surface of the washing machine drum when the device is in its use position may be convex so as to best fit into the curvature of the washing machine drum. Furthermore, the housing may be substantially smooth and edgeless to minimize damage to the laundry items caused by excessive mechanical stress during operation.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises two or more electrodes, each electrode being connected to a terminal of a voltage source. In this way, at least one electrode of the device is always connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and therefore acts as an anode. In addition, more electrodes can be connected either as an anode or as a cathode. In principle, each electrode of the device can be connected as an anode or a cathode. The ratio of (number of anodes) / (number of cathodes) and / or (anode surface area) / (cathode surface area) can be freely selected in principle and can be changed during the electrolysis process.

[0025] Basically, there must be an electrode connected as cathode in order to provide sufficient counter reaction for the electrochemical activation reaction at the anode. One or more electrodes of the device can be connected as cathode. However, according to one proposal of the invention, by appropriate electrical contact with the device according to the invention, all electrodes of the device can also be connected as anodes and the washing machine drum connected as cathode. In this way, the anode surface required for activation of the mediator can be maximized, because the device according to the invention itself does not have to provide its own cathode surface. In addition, it has been shown that connecting the washing machine drum as cathode has a positive effect on the corrosion resistance and material stability of the washing machine drum.

[0026] If the washing machine drum is connected as cathode, the device according to the invention preferably comprises means for establishing electrical contact with the washing machine drum.

[0027] The electrode connected as anode can have various shapes and / or surface characteristics.For example, the anode can be a planar shape such as a sheet or a formed body based on machining or non-machining forming.The surface of the anode can be designed as a thin layer applied to the substrate by evaporation or plasma deposition.Alternately, the surface of the anode can be the surface of a hairy structure, a spongy structure and / or a textile property, such as weaving or nonwoven knitted fabric.In any case, it is important to have enough conductivity for electrolytic process and enough surface areas fully exchanged with washing liquid in the material.The known methods for surface treatment such as roughening, grinding, etching and / or pickling can be used to expand the anode surface.

[0028] If an electrode of the device acts as a cathode, it may be formed in the same or different material as the anode or anodes. The size and / or volume and / or surface area and / or mass of the cathode may be the same or different than in the anode design.

[0029] In order to maximize the anode surface available for activation reaction, according to another suggestion of the present invention, at least one electrode can be a tubular form through which washing liquid can flow. This tubular design of the electrode provides a reaction surface both inside and outside the tube, and therefore can be very efficiently activated by the mediator substance. The tube can have a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section, and if there are multiple tubes, all tubes can have the same cross-sectional shape or different cross-sectional shapes. The tube can be made of a metallic material.

[0030] The tubes are arranged inside the device so that, when the device is in its use position, the longest axis of the tubes is in each case oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the washing machine drum. In this way, the amount of washing liquid scooped up by the device can be efficiently guided when the washing machine drum rotates past the anode surface and thus the mediator substance can be fully activated.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the tube can vary over the length of the tube. In particular, the diameter of the tube can be widened in the manner of a funnel at the end of the tube facing the inlet and / or outlet of the device. This effectively supports efficient scooping of washing liquid into the interior of the tube.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the tubular electrode may also include two half-tubes that are connected in a non-conductive manner to form the tubular electrode. One half-tube may be connected as an anode, while the other half-tube, which is electrically isolated from the first half-tube, may be connected as a cathode. In this way, ionic resistance may presumably be minimized.

[0033] In another embodiment of the inventive concept, the tubular electrode can be divided in the direction of its longitudinal axis into at least two tubular segments, each of which is separated from each other by a layer of non-conductive material and which can be connected differently. In combination with an acceleration sensor and a suitable control unit, this ensures that the washing liquid always flows first through the anode and only then through the cathode, regardless of the direction of rotation of the washing machine drum and therefore also the flow direction of the washing liquid through the tubular electrode. In this way, the concentration of bleach-active, activated mediator substances in the washing liquid can be maximized.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one tubular electrode in the form of a tube comprises an inner cavity or protrusion which is filled with washing liquid during the scooping process (in which the device scoops washing liquid from the sump) and is emptied again at a later point in the rotation only when the device has just moved out of the sump again. In this way, the average retention time of the scooped washing liquid containing the mediator substance on the electrode surface of the device can be extended. This increases the efficiency of the electrochemical process, since the specific yield of activated mediator per rotation is maximized.

[0035] In a variant, the device according to the invention comprises at least one sensor for recording at least one variable selected from conductivity, temperature, motion state, acceleration and sound. In this case, the device preferably also comprises an electronic control system and / or a control unit, to which the signal from the at least one sensor is supplied, and to which the electronic control system and / or the control unit controls and / or regulates the voltage source as a function of the signal from the sensor. Using such sensors, it is possible to detect the start and / or end of a washing cycle and / or other characteristic states during a washing cycle, such as a heating phase, a specific rinse cycle, the addition of detergent, the direction of rotation of the washing machine drum, etc. In response to the signal from the sensor, the device according to the invention can be controlled and / or regulated, for example activated and deactivated, by means of the control unit and / or the electronic device.

[0036] Furthermore, the device may comprise at least one interface for optical communication and / or acoustic communication and / or radio communication. The operating parameters of the device can be read via these interfaces and, if necessary, influenced. Optical communication can be achieved, for example, via infrared rays, and acoustic communication can be achieved, for example, via sound waves. Common radio protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee or Z-Wave can be used for radio communication.

[0037] The voltage source of the device is used to apply the potential required for the electrochemical reaction to the electrodes. The magnitude of the potential difference between the electrodes is between 0V and 5V, preferably between 0.5V and 4.5V, particularly preferably between 1.5V and 3.5V. The polarization can be freely selected. The voltage source is designed so that it can provide the current intensity required for the selected potential. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the voltage source is in the form of a battery or a rechargeable auxiliary battery. In the case of an auxiliary battery, it can be removed from the device and charged, for example, in a separate external device; however, the device can also be directly connected to an external charging device. In principle, charging can be carried out via a cable or by an induction process. Alternative known charging mechanisms are also possible.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a generator. According to the principle of "energy harvesting", such a generator can convert part of the kinetic energy from the movement of the device together with the washing machine drum into electrical energy and thus directly operate the device or charge an energy storage device. For example, the generator can absorb or pick up energy via a pendulum, a flywheel or a turbine.

[0039] Since the device according to the invention comprises its own voltage source, it is intrinsically functional and is therefore compatible with a large number of commercially available washing machines, without requiring certain structural modifications or adaptations of these washing machines.

[0040] As already mentioned above, the device can include an electronic control system by means of which the voltage can be adjusted. The voltage can be adjusted as a function of the sensor signal; the voltage can also be adjusted as a function of parameters stored in a memory unit or received via a communication interface. In particular, by adjusting the voltage, the activity of the bleaching process can be controlled, for example, as a function of the degree of soiling of the laundry to be cleaned. It can also be adjusted at which point in time which electrodes are connected as anode or as cathode.

[0041] The area around the voltage source within the housing may be padded with a suitable flexible material to protect the voltage source from vibration and / or shock.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, fastening means are provided, by means of which the housing of the device can be removably fastened to the inner peripheral surface of the drum of the washing machine. For example, the fastening can be achieved by bonding with glue, using magnets or using a mechanical tensioning mechanism. Auxiliary elements can also be provided, which are first fastened to the inner peripheral surface of the washing machine drum and then the housing of the device according to the invention is fastened to the auxiliary elements. In principle, each form of fastening can be reversible or irreversible, that is, the device can be fastened to the inner peripheral surface of the washing machine drum permanently or only for a limited period of use. Due to the fastening means mentioned by way of example, the device according to the invention is compatible with a large number of commercially available washing machines and can be easily retrofitted into these washing machines.

[0043] According to claim 16, the invention also comprises the use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 15 on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum of a washing machine in order to activate the mediator substance during the washing process.

[0044] Finally, according to claim 17, the invention also relates to a method for activating a mediator substance during operation of a washing machine, comprising the following steps:

[0045] Mounting a device according to one of claims 1 to 15 on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum of a washing machine such that at least one inlet of the device is located in a plane whose surface normal extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the washing machine drum;

[0046] providing a mediator substance in the wash solution;

[0047] Operating appliances and washing machines.

[0048] Due to the particularly simple installation and adaptability, the device according to the invention, its use and the method provided according to the invention make it possible for the consumer to use the new bleaching process with mediator substances in a particularly efficient manner in commercially available washing machines. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

[0051] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic exploded view of the device.

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention (in its position of use), mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a washing machine drum. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figure 1 and 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the invention, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a housing 2 made of plastic material, which in turn comprises three housing parts 2a, 2b and 2c. Housing part 2b is arranged between housing parts 2a and 2c.

[0054] The device 1 comprises nine inlets 6 in the region of the end face 5 for introducing washing liquid into the device 1. The inlets 6 are located in a common plane E formed by the end face 5. Figure 1 and 2 In an embodiment of the device 1, the end face 5 is formed by the housing parts 2b and 2c. Figure 1 and 2 On the side which is distal in the view of FIG. 1 , the device 1 comprises nine outlets (not shown) for discharging washing liquid from the device 1 , each inlet 6 being arranged in alignment with one of the outlets.

[0055] The housing 2 surrounds a first receiving space 3 and a second receiving space 4, which are separated from each other in a liquid-tight manner. The first receiving space 3 is bounded by the housing parts 2b and 2c, while the second receiving space 4 is bounded by the housing parts 2a and 2b. The housing part 2b thus serves as a liquid-tight partition between the two receiving spaces 3 and 4.

[0056] A plurality of electrodes are received in the first receiving space 3, which are not shown in the drawings for the sake of clarity. The electrode is designed as a tube with a circular cross section, through which washing liquid can flow, and the longitudinal extension of the tube extends substantially parallel to the surface normal N of the plane E where the inlet 6 is located. The surface normal N is orthogonal to the plane E. The electrode in the form of a tube therefore extends substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow R in the first receiving space 3. During the operation of the device 1, washing liquid can flow into the first receiving space 3 through the inlet 6. In the receiving space 3, the washing liquid flows along the electrode, and an electrochemical activation reaction described in more detail below occurs at the electrode. The activated washing liquid is then guided out of the device 1 again from the outlet and can be used for the remaining washing process. Since the housing part 2b separates the first receiving space 3 and the second receiving space 4 liquid-tight, the washing liquid cannot enter the second receiving space 4.

[0057] A voltage source (also not shown for the sake of clarity) is arranged in the second receiving space 4. Here, the voltage source is in the form of a secondary battery with a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The electrodes in the first receiving space 3 are connected to the negative terminal or the positive terminal of the voltage source via corresponding line connections, while approximately the same number of electrodes are connected to the positive terminal as to the negative terminal of the voltage source. The line connections are led through the housing part 2b, through which they are led so that no liquid can enter the second receiving space 4 from the first receiving space 3. The electrode connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source acts as an anode, while the electrode connected to the negative terminal of the voltage source acts as a cathode.

[0058] In addition to the voltage source, an electronic control system (also not shown) is also received in the second receiving space 4 , by means of which the voltage supplied by the voltage source can be regulated.

[0059] Figure 3 is a purely schematic illustration of a device 1 (in its position of use), which is mounted on the inner peripheral surface 7 of a washing machine drum 8 of a washing machine 9. Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can also be seen that the device 1 is convex on its outer side in the region of the housing part 2a, so that it can be inserted through said housing part 2a into the curvature of the washing machine drum 8. The inlet 6 and also the outlet of the device 1 are arranged so that when the device 1 is in its use position, they are located directly above the inner circumferential surface 7 of the washing machine drum 8. Furthermore, the inlet 6 is located in a plane E, the surface normal N of which extends substantially perpendicularly to the rotation axis W of the washing machine drum 8 when the device 1 is in its use position, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The device 1 is fixedly but detachably secured to the inner peripheral surface 7 of the washing machine drum 8 by means of a mechanical tensioning mechanism and thus moves together with the washing machine drum 8 when the washing machine 9 is in operation.

[0060] Due to the special structural design of the device 1 (i.e. in particular due to the location of the inlet 6 directly above the inner circumferential surface 7 and the arrangement of the inlet in a plane E, the surface normal of which extends approximately perpendicularly to the rotation axis W of the washing machine drum 8 when the device 1 is in its use position) and due to the electrodes (the longitudinal extension of which extends approximately parallel to the surface normal E, in particular when passing through the sump, wherein the sump collects washing liquid in the lower area of ​​the washing machine drum 8 when the washing machine 9 is in operation), the device 1 mounted on the inner circumferential surface 7 of the washing machine drum 8 can scoop up a relatively large amount of washing liquid from the sump, and the scooped washing liquid is then immediately guided along the anode as an extension of the inlet 6.

[0061] If the washing machine 9 is operated with a washing liquid containing a mediator substance (in Figure 3 assuming a rotation direction w in the washing machine), the device 1 scoops up a certain amount of washing liquid, in particular when passing through the sump (the sump collects the washing liquid in the lower area of ​​the washing machine drum 8). The washing liquid enters the first receiving space 3 of the device 1 through the inlet 6 and flows along the anode extending as an extension of the inlet 6. The mediator molecules initially present in the washing liquid in reduced form are oxidized at the anode of the device 1. In this way, the washing liquid enriched with oxidized mediator molecules is discharged again from the outlet of the device 1. The oxidized mediator molecules can in turn oxidize dye molecules in the washing liquid or on the textiles, are therefore bleach-active, and are themselves returned to the reduced substance, so that they can be used again for reoxidation.

[0062] The design according to the invention of the device 1 thus provides a particularly efficient convection of the mediator substance to the anode surface, the device utilizing the rotation of the washing machine drum (8) to scoop up the washing liquid when it is in the use position. In this way, even with small amounts of mediator substance, sufficient activation of the mediator substance and thus a corresponding bleaching effect can be ensured.

Claims

1. A device (1) for mounting on the inner peripheral surface (7) of a washing machine drum (8), comprising a housing (2), a voltage source and at least one electrode, the at least one electrode being connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and serving as an anode, washing liquid being able to flow through the device (1), and comprising at least one inlet (6) for introducing washing liquid into the device (1) and at least one outlet for discharging washing liquid from the device (1), characterized in that The at least one inlet (6) and the at least one outlet are arranged on the device (1) so that when the device (1) is in its use position, the inlet and the outlet are located directly above the inner peripheral surface (7) of the washing machine drum (8), and the at least one inlet (6) is located in a plane (E) whose surface normal (N) extends perpendicular to the rotation axis (W) of the washing machine drum (8) when the device (1) is in its use position, and at least one electrode is arranged in the device (1) so that the longitudinal extension of the at least one electrode extends parallel to the surface normal (N) of the plane (E) in which the at least one inlet (6) is located, and the at least one electrode is in the form of a tube through which washing liquid can flow.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The shell (2) surrounds a first receiving space (3) and a second receiving space (4), the at least one electrode is received in the first receiving space (3) and the voltage source is received in the second receiving space (4), the washing liquid can flow through the first receiving space (3), and the first receiving space is separated from the second receiving space (4) in a liquid-tight manner.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The device (1) comprises two or more electrodes, each electrode being connected to a terminal of the voltage source.

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that All electrodes of the device (1) are connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and act as anodes.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The device (1) comprises means for establishing electrical contact with the washing machine drum (8).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The tube has a circular, oval or polygonal cross section.

7. The device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The diameter of the tube varies over the length of the tube.

8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The diameter of the tube widens in the manner of a funnel at the end of the tube facing the at least one inlet (6) and / or the at least one outlet.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The device (1) comprises at least one sensor for recording at least one variable selected from conductivity, temperature, motion state, acceleration and sound.

10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The device (1) comprises a control unit and / or an electronic control system, to which the signal from the at least one sensor is supplied, and the control unit and / or the electronic control system controls and / or regulates the voltage source according to the signal from the sensor.

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The voltage source is in the form of a battery or auxiliary battery.

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The device (1) comprises a generator.

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The device (1) comprises at least one interface for optical communication and / or acoustic communication and / or radio communication.

14. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Fastening means are provided, by means of which the housing (2) of the device (1) can be detachably fastened to the inner peripheral surface (7) of the washing machine drum (8).

15. Use of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 on the inner circumferential surface (7) of a washing machine drum (8) of a washing machine (9) in order to activate mediator substances during a washing process.

16. A method for activating a mediator substance during operation of a washing machine (9), comprising the steps of: Mounting a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 on the inner peripheral surface (7) of a washing machine drum (8) of a washing machine (9) such that at least one inlet (6) of the device (1) is located in a plane (E) whose surface normal (N) extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (W) of the washing machine drum (8); providing a mediator substance in the wash solution; The device (1) and the washing machine (9) are operated.

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