Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine with which the washing effect of a laundry treatment agent can be fully achieved.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes a water drum, a pressure dissolution unit that causes air components to be dissolved in water passing through its inside, a fine air bubble discharging unit which is located on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution unit and with which fine air bubbles are deposited in water supplied to the water drum, a fine air bubble generating device that supplies, to the water drum, fine-air-bubble-containing water which contains fine air bubbles, and a mixing enhancement unit that is connected to the water drum and enhances mixing by disturbing the flow of mixed water which is a mixture of a laundry treatment agent used for a washing cycle and water that has not or has passed through the fine air bubble generating device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the technical field of washing machines, when a washing treatment agent such as detergent is put into a water tank, a technique is known in which the washing treatment agent is sufficiently mixed with water and then supplied to the water tank, so that the washing treatment agent easily penetrates into the laundry together with the water and the effect of the washing treatment agent is easily exerted. However, in the conventional configuration, there is room for improvement in sufficiently exerting the cleaning effect of the washing treatment agent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, a washing machine capable of sufficiently exerting the cleaning effect of the washing treatment agent is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a water tank, a pressure dissolution unit that dissolves an air component in water passing through the inside, and a fine bubble discharge unit that is provided on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution unit and deposits fine bubbles in the water supplied to the water tank. A fine bubble generator that supplies fine bubble water containing the fine bubbles to the water tank, and a mixing promotion unit that is connected to the water tank and disturbs the water flow of the mixed water in which the washing treatment agent used in the washing operation and the water before or after passing through the fine bubble generator are mixed to promote the mixing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

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Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0008] (First Embodiment) The washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a drum - type washing machine of a horizontal - axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub 13 is horizontal or an inclined - axis type in which the rotation axis is inclined downward toward the rear. Note that the washing machine 10 is not limited to the drum type, and may be a so - called vertical - type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub is in the vertical direction. Also, the washing machine 10 may have a drying function or may not have a drying function.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 10 includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a rotary tub 13, a motor 14, an operation panel 15, a filter device 16, a circulation path 18, a circulation pump 17, a drainage device 19, a water injection mechanism 20, a fine - bubble generating device 30, and a mixing promotion unit 40. In FIG. 1, the installation - surface side of the washing machine 10, that is, the vertically lower side, is defined as the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the side opposite to the installation surface, that is, the vertically upper side, is defined as the upper side of the washing machine 10. The side in front of the user of the washing machine 10, that is, the right side of the paper surface in FIG. 1, is defined as the front side of the washing machine 10, and the side opposite to the user, that is, the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 1, is defined as the rear side of the washing machine 10.

[0010] The outer box 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular hollow box shape, for example, by a steel plate or the like. The outer box 11 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 10. Both the water tub 12 and the rotary tub 13 are formed in a so - called bottomed - cylindrical shape in which one side in the axial direction, that is, the front side, of the cylindrical shape is open and the other side, that is, the rear side, has a bottom. The water tub 12 is provided inside the outer box 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown).

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the water tub 12 has a water inlet 121 and a drain outlet 122. The water inlet 121 and the drain outlet 122 communicate the inside and the outside of the water tub 12. The water inlet 121 is provided, for example, in a portion near the upper rear of the water tub 12. The drain outlet 122 is provided near the bottom on the rear side of the water tub 12.

[0012] The rotating tank 13 is rotatably arranged in the water tank 12. The rotating tank 13 is rotationally driven by a motor 14. A plurality of baffles (not shown) are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating tank 13. The baffles have the function of stirring and scooping up the laundry accommodated in the rotating tank 13.

[0013] The motor 14 is provided outside the bottom of the water tank 12. Although not shown in detail, the motor 14 is composed of, for example, a brushless direct drive motor whose rotation speed can be changed. The motor 14 is connected to the rotating tank 13 and has the function of rotationally driving the rotating tank 13 relative to the water tank 12. In this case, the shaft portion 141 of the motor 14, the central axis of the water tank 12, and the rotation axis of the rotating tank 13 overlap each other.

[0014] The operation panel 15 is provided with a display portion and an operation portion (not shown), accepts input operations such as setting a washing operation course by the user, and displays the input operation content, operation status, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 15 is provided, for example, at the front side portion of the upper surface of the outer box 11.

[0015] The filter device 16 is provided between the drain port 122 and the drain valve 191. The filter device 16 has a mesh filter (not shown) inside, and the filter collects lint and dust contained in the water passing through the filter device 16. The circulation pump 17 is provided on the circulation path 18. The circulation pump 17 is for pumping up the water in the water tank 12 through the drain port 122 and injecting it back into the water tank 12. Thereby, the circulation pump 17 circulates the water stored in the water tank 12 through the circulation path 18.

[0016] The circulation path 18 is a path for supplying the water flowing out of the water tank 12 back into the water tank 12. The circulation path 18 is provided outside the water tank 12. One end of the circulation path 18 is connected to the drain port 122 of the water tank 12 via the filter device 16, and the other end is connected to the discharge port 181. The circulation path 18 is, for example, a path that reaches the water tank 12 through the filter device 16, the circulation pump 17, and the discharge port 181. The discharge port 181 is connected to a water tank cover (not shown) provided on the front side of the water tank 12. Although not shown in detail, the water tank cover forms a space between itself and a water channel forming member (not shown) disposed on the rear surface of the water tank cover. In this case, the water discharged from the discharge port 181 can be configured to pass through the space and then be supplied toward the center side of the water tank 12.

[0017] The drainage device 19 has a function of draining the water in the water tank 12 outside the washing machine 10. The drainage device 19 has a drain valve 191 and a drain hose 192. The drain valve 191 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. One end of the drain hose 192 is connected to the drain valve 191, and the other end is drawn out outside the washing machine 10.

[0018] When the drain valve 191 is opened with water stored in the water tank 12, the water stored in the water tank 12 is discharged outside the washing machine 10 through the drain hose 192. That is, the drain valve 191 opens and closes a drainage path for draining the water stored in the water tank 12 to the outside. On the other hand, when the circulation pump 17 is driven with the drainage path closed by the drain valve 191, the circulation pump 17 pumps up the water in the water tank 12 through the drain port 122 and supplies the water stored in the water tank 12 to the discharge port 181.

[0019] The water injection mechanism 20 has a function of supplying water from an external water source such as a water supply to the water tank 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the water injection mechanism 20 includes a plurality of water supply valves 21a, 21b, a water injection case 22, a flow path 23 for treatment agent, a flow path 24 for microbubble water, and a water injection path 25. The water supply valves 21a, 21b are configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. Each of the water supply valves 21a, 21b is connected to an external water source such as a faucet of a water supply (not shown). Then, each of the water supply valves 21a, 21b individually opens and closes a plurality of paths leading from the external water source to the inside of the water tank 12 via the water injection case 22. Note that the configuration is not limited to opening and closing a plurality of paths by dedicated water supply valves 21a, 21b, and a configuration in which a plurality of paths are simultaneously opened and closed by a common water supply valve may also be used.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the water injection case 22 is provided on the downstream side of the water supply valves 21a, 21b and the microbubble generator 30. The water injection case 22 is configured to be able to accommodate a laundry treatment agent inside. The laundry treatment agent includes, for example, detergents such as powder detergents and liquid detergents, and finishing agents such as softeners and fragrances.

[0021] The flow path 23 for treatment agent and the flow path 24 for microbubble water are paths that branch from each other upstream of the water supply valves 21a, 21b and merge at the water injection case 22 through different paths. The flow path 23 for treatment agent is a path through which water supplied from an external water source is directly supplied to the water injection case 22 through the water supply valve 21a. The flow path 24 for microbubble water is a path through which water supplied from an external water source passes through the water supply valve 21b, the connecting member 26, and the microbubble generator 30 and is supplied to the water injection case 22. And the flow path 24 for microbubble water has a function of supplying microbubble water containing microbubbles in the water supplied from an external water supply source into the water tank 12. Microbubbles include bubbles having particle diameters in the milli-order, micro-order, and nano-order.

[0022] The water injection path 25 is a path for supplying the water supplied into the water injection case 22 into the water tank 12. One end of the water injection path 25 is connected to the water injection case 22, and the other end is connected to the water injection port 121. In this case, for example, when the water supply valves 21a and 21b are opened with the washing treatment agent stored in the water injection case 22, the water mixed with the washing treatment agent in the water injection case 22 through the treatment agent flow path 23 and the fine air bubbles generated by passing through the fine air bubble flow path 24 merge in the water injection case 22 and are then supplied into the water tank 12 through the water injection path 25. That is, the water injection path 25 supplies the water passing through the fine air bubble generator 30 and the water injection case 22 to the water tank 12.

[0023] The fine air bubble generator 30 has a function of supplying fine air bubble water containing fine air bubbles to the water tank 12. The fine air bubble generator 30 is provided on the downstream side of the water supply valve 21b. The fine air bubble generator 30 has a pressure dissolution part 50 and a fine air bubble discharge part 60. The pressure dissolution part 50 dissolves the air component in the water passing through it. In this case, the pressure dissolution part 50 has a function of pressurizing the water supplied from an external water source with the pressure of the water to dissolve the air component. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure dissolution part 50 has a pressure dissolution tank 51 and an air intake valve 52.

[0024] The pressure dissolution tank 51 is provided on the fine air bubble flow path 24, on the downstream side of the water supply valve 21b and on the upstream side of the water injection case 22. The pressure dissolution tank 51 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal, and is configured to have airtightness and watertightness and pressure resistance. The pressure resistance means that even when the internal pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 rises due to the pressure of the water flowing in from an external water source (in this case, the water supply pressure), the deformation of the pressure dissolution tank 51 is suppressed and the airtightness and watertightness are maintained. The pressure dissolution tank 51 can be configured to have an inlet part 511, an outlet part 512, a water guiding part 513, a partition wall 514, and an air introduction pipe 515.

[0025] The inlet part 511 is provided at the upper part of the pressure dissolution tank 51 and is directly or indirectly connected to the discharge side of the water supply valve 21b via other members. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the inlet part 511 is connected to the water supply valve 21b via the connection member 26. Then, the water supplied from an external water source to the water supply valve 21b passes through the connection member 26 and flows into the pressure dissolution tank 51 from the inlet part 511. In this case, since there is no configuration that causes a large resistance between the water supply valve 21b and the inlet part 511, the water discharged from the water supply valve 21b is supplied into the pressure dissolution tank 51 in a relatively high-pressure state.

[0026] The outlet part 512 is provided at the lower part of the pressure dissolution tank 51 and is the part where the water flowing into the pressure dissolution tank 51 flows out to the outside. The discharge-side end of the outlet part 512 is connected to the water injection case 22. In the present embodiment, the drainage from the outlet part 512 is performed only by the water pressure, that is, the hydrostatic pressure, of the water stored in the pressure dissolution tank 51, and no driving source such as a dedicated pump for drainage is required.

[0027] The water guiding part 513 is connected to the inlet part 511. The water guiding part 513 is for guiding the water flowing through the inlet part 511 to a predetermined position inside the pressure dissolution tank 51. The water guiding part 513 can be configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of the pressure dissolution tank 51 at a predetermined interval from the bottom of the pressure dissolution tank 51. The water guiding part 513 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and one end, that is, the base end, is attached to the inner wall of the pressure dissolution tank 51, and the other end, that is, the tip end, is closed. Note that the tip end of the water guiding part 513 is not limited to the configuration where it is closed and may be open.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the water flowing into the water guiding part 513 from the inlet part 511 is vigorously discharged downward from the opening part 513a. At this time, the water discharged from the opening part 513a causes the water level and pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 to rise. In addition, the water discharged from the opening part 513a violently collides with the water surface while drawing in the air above the water surface stored inside the pressure dissolution tank 51. As a result, the water and air in the pressure dissolution tank 51 are agitated, and the contact between the air and the water is promoted. In this way, by actively contacting the water and air under a high-pressure environment, the air component can be efficiently dissolved in the water in the pressure dissolution tank 51.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the partition wall 514 is provided so as to rise from the bottom of the pressure dissolution tank 51. When the pressure dissolution tank 51 is viewed in plan, the partition wall 514 divides the region inside the pressure dissolution tank 51 into a region on the inlet part 511 side and a region on the outlet part 512 side. As a result, the water flowing into the pressure dissolution tank 51 through the water guiding part 513 is agitated on the water surface in the region on the inlet part 511 side of the pressure dissolution tank 51, so that the water and air in the pressure dissolution tank 51 can be efficiently contacted.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the partition wall 514 can have a gap 514a formed by being notched in the vertical direction. The gap 514a can divide and miniaturize relatively large millisecond-order bubbles generated when the water discharged from the opening part 513a collides with the water surface. Therefore, when passing through the gap 514a, the relatively large millisecond-order bubbles are divided into a plurality of finer bubbles.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the air introduction pipe 515 is provided, for example, at the upper part of the pressure dissolution tank 51, and communicates the inside and the outside of the pressure dissolution tank 51. The intake valve 52 is provided in the middle of the air introduction pipe 515. The intake valve 52 has a function of opening and closing the air introduction pipe 515 and can be configured by, for example, a check valve. In this case, the intake valve 52 has a function of allowing air to pass from the outside of the pressure dissolution tank 51 to the inside of the pressure dissolution tank 51, but blocking air from passing from the inside of the pressure dissolution tank 51 to the outside of the pressure dissolution tank 51. Then, the intake valve 52 can be configured to close when the pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure and open when the pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 approaches a value close to the atmospheric pressure.

[0032] Further, the intake valve 52 can be configured to be openable and closable electromagnetically, for example. In this case, when the intake valve 52 is opened, outside air is replenished into the pressure dissolution tank 51 through the air introduction pipe 515. Note that, instead of the intake valve 52, a configuration may be adopted in which air is introduced into the pressure dissolution tank 51 by an air pump.

[0033] Next, the state in which the air component is dissolved in the water in the pressure dissolution tank 51 in the pressure dissolution unit 50 will be described. In the present embodiment, the pressure dissolution unit 50 can pressurize the inside of the pressure dissolution tank 51 only by the water supply pressure, for example, by making the amount of water flowing into the pressure dissolution tank 51 larger than the amount of water flowing out of the pressure dissolution tank 51. In this case, for example, when the water supply valve 21b is opened, the remaining water that has not flowed out from the outlet 512 among the water flowing in from the inlet 511 is stored in the pressure dissolution tank 51, and the water level in the pressure dissolution tank 51 rises. At this time, the air in the pressure dissolution tank 51 is compressed by the rising water surface, whereby the pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 rises and the intake valve 52 closes.

[0034] After that, when the inflow of water from the inlet 511 continues and the water level in the pressure dissolution tank 51 rises to a predetermined level, the pressure in the pressure dissolution tank 51 and the pressure of the water flowing in from the external water source (in this case, the water supply pressure) are balanced. As a result, the amount of water flowing in from the inlet 511 and the amount of water flowing out of the pressure dissolution tank 51 from the outlet 512 become substantially equal, and the pressure inside the pressure dissolution tank 51 reaches the maximum pressure (in this case, a pressure close to the water supply pressure). In this way, when the pressure inside the pressure dissolution tank 51 rises above atmospheric pressure, the air inside the pressure dissolution tank 51 is more likely to dissolve in the water stored in the pressure dissolution tank 51. That is, by passing the water supplied from the external water source through the pressure dissolution section 50, it is possible to supply water with a larger amount of dissolved air components to the water supplied to the downstream side of the pressure dissolution section 50 compared to normal water that does not pass through the pressure dissolution section 50.

[0035] Then, when water supply starts in the pressure dissolution tank 51 and, for example, the water supply valve 21b is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed, as the water level in the pressure dissolution tank 51 drops, the pressure inside the pressure dissolution tank 51 also drops to near atmospheric pressure, and the intake valve 52 opens to introduce outside air into the pressure dissolution tank 51. In this way, by repeatedly opening and closing the water supply valve 21b, the pressure dissolution section 50 can repeatedly discharge water with dissolved air components.

[0036] The fine bubble discharge section 60 is provided on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution tank 51. In this case, the fine bubble discharge section 60 is attached to an intermediate portion of the outlet 512 of the pressure dissolution tank 51. The fine bubble discharge section 60, by itself, has a function of depositing mainly nano-order fine bubbles in the water passing through the fine bubble discharge section 60. The outer diameter and the total length of the fine bubble discharge section 60 are set to be, for example, on the order of several mm to several tens of mm. Specifically, the maximum outer diameter is about 15 mm and the total length is about 10 mm.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the fine bubble discharge portion 60 has a throttle portion 61, a straight portion 62, and a collision portion 63. The throttle portion 61 is provided on the inflow side, i.e., the upstream side, of the fine bubble discharge portion 60. The throttle portion 61 is formed in a so-called truncated conical tapered tube shape in which the cross-sectional area, i.e., the inner diameter, of the flow path continuously and gradually decreases from the upstream end portion in the longitudinal direction of the fine bubble discharge portion 60 to the middle portion. The straight portion 62 is provided on the downstream side of the throttle portion 61. The straight portion 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape, i.e., a so-called straight tube shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, that is, the cross-sectional area of the flow path, i.e., the area through which the liquid can pass, does not change.

[0038] The collision portion 63 is provided at the downstream end portion of the straight portion 62. By locally reducing the cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the fine bubble discharge portion 60, the collision portion 63 can generate a large amount of fine bubbles mainly below the nano order in the liquid passing through the fine bubble discharge portion 60.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the collision portion 63 is composed of, for example, four rod-shaped portions with pointed tips, and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 62 toward the center direction in the cross-section of the straight portion 62. The four collision portions 63 are arranged at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross-section of the straight portion 62. In this case, the downstream surface of each collision portion 63 is formed as a flat surface. Also, the area of the gap formed by each collision portion 63 becomes the minimum cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the fine bubble discharge portion 60.

[0040] When water flows into the upstream side of the microbubble discharge part 60, the flow path cross-sectional area is constricted in the throttle part 61 formed so as to shrink into a truncated conical taper shape. Based on the so-called Bernoulli's theorem of fluid mechanics, the flow velocity is increased and cavitation due to pressure reduction occurs. Then, the high-speed flow collides with the collision part 63, and microbubbles subdivided by the shearing force acting thereby are generated. As a result, the microbubble discharge part 60 can deposit a large amount of air dissolved in the water passing through the microbubble discharge part 60 as microbubbles, and supply microbubble water containing a larger amount of microbubbles than before passing through the microbubble discharge part 60.

[0041] Here, generally, microbubbles or fine bubbles are classified as follows according to the particle diameter of the bubbles. For example, bubbles with a particle diameter of about several μm to 100 μm, that is, in the micro order, are called microbubbles. On the other hand, bubbles with a particle diameter of less than 50 nm to less than 1,000 nm, that is, in the nano order, are called ultrafine bubbles. In this specification, nano-order microbubbles, ultrafine bubbles, and nanobubbles are all synonymous and mean bubbles with a particle diameter in the nano order.

[0042] Microbubbles are negatively charged as an electrical property and are easily electrostatically adsorbed to dirt with a positive charge attached to a cleaning object such as laundry. The dirt peeled off from the cleaning object by the electrical reaction with the microbubbles floats and stays on the water surface by the buoyancy of the microbubbles while remaining adsorbed on the microbubble surface. Furthermore, since microbubbles with negatively charged bubble surfaces disperse in the liquid without repelling and bonding to each other, it is possible to suppress the dirt removed from the cleaning object from adhering to the cleaning object again in the washing water.

[0043] On the one hand, because of its fine particle size, ultrafine bubbles can penetrate into intricate parts such as water tanks and fibers, and can exhibit a cleaning effect of removing dirt on objects that cannot be completely removed by other fine bubbles such as microbubbles. In addition, ultrafine bubbles have the property that their particle size is on the nano order, their buoyancy is small, and their hydrophobicity is greater than that of microbubbles and they are less soluble in water, so they have a long residence time in the liquid. As described above, since the cleaning capabilities expected from the differences in the characteristics of microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are different, it is possible to enhance the cleaning effect by using both of them together.

[0044] Now, the inventor of the present application conducted a verification test on the generation amount of fine bubbles by the pressure dissolution unit 50 and the fine bubble discharge unit 60. In this test, a comparison was made between two specifications: the configuration of the fine bubble discharge unit 60 alone and the configuration in which the pressure dissolution unit 50 was provided in addition to the fine bubble discharge unit 60, that is, the specification of the present embodiment.

[0045] Figures 6 and 7 show the relationship between the particle size of the generated fine bubbles and the generation amount of the fine bubbles in each specification, with the concentration of the fine bubbles on the vertical axis and the diameter of the fine bubbles on the horizontal axis. First, regarding the generation situation of ultrafine bubbles, as shown in Figure 6, in the specification with the pressure dissolution unit 50 provided, although there is no particular change in the width of the generated particle size compared to the specification without the pressure dissolution unit 50, a significant improvement in the concentration of the fine bubbles was confirmed. In particular, in the vicinity of the particle size of 150 nm showing the peak of the concentration distribution, the concentration of the fine bubbles increased by about 4 times due to the provision of the pressure dissolution unit 50. Thus, it can be seen that providing the pressure dissolution unit 50 upstream of the fine bubble discharge unit 60 contributes to significantly increasing the generation amount of ultrafine bubbles compared to the fine bubble discharge unit 60 alone.

[0046] Next, regarding the generation status of microbubbles, as shown in FIG. 7, in the specification without the pressure dissolution unit 50, the generation of microbubbles was not confirmed. On the other hand, in the specification with the pressure dissolution unit 50, the generation of microbubbles was confirmed in the range where the particle diameter is about several μm to 100 μm. This is presumably because when the amount of air dissolved in water increases, the number of ultrafine bubbles generated when passing through the microbubble discharge unit 60 increases significantly, and as a result, a part of the generated ultrafine bubbles combines with each other and develops into microbubbles. Thus, the microbubble discharge unit 60 mainly has the function of depositing ultrafine bubbles alone, but by increasing the amount of air dissolved in the water passing through the microbubble discharge unit 60 using the pressure dissolution unit 50, it can be seen that the generation amount of microbubbles can be dramatically improved.

[0047] Then, by using the water that has passed through the pressure dissolution unit 50 and the microbubble discharge unit 60 to wash the object to be washed such as laundry, an improvement in the washing effect can be expected. That is, microbubbles are likely to contribute to the removal of relatively large dirt adhering to the object to be washed. On the other hand, ultrafine bubbles are likely to contribute to the removal of relatively small dirt adhering to the intricate parts of the object to be washed. Thus, by the interaction between microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles, a significant improvement in the washing effect can be achieved.

[0048] Also, when the amount of air dissolved in water increases, as described above, the ultrafine bubbles generated when passing through the microbubble discharge unit 60 increase. When the ultrafine bubbles generated in large quantities repeatedly collide with the surface of the object to be washed, the ultrafine bubbles combine with each other and develop into microbubbles at the collision points. At this time, the rapid expansion of microbubbles occurs due to the head-on collision of ultrafine bubbles, and the dirt adhering to the surface of the object to be washed is lifted and peeled off. Thereby, it can be expected to obtain a higher washing effect.

[0049] The mixing promotion part 40 has a function of disturbing the water flow of the mixed water in which the laundry treatment agent used in the washing operation is mixed with the water before or after passing through the fine bubble generator 30, thereby promoting mixing. In the present embodiment, the mixing promotion part 40 has a function of disturbing the water flow of the mixed water in which the laundry treatment agent used in the washing operation is mixed with the water after passing through the fine bubble generator 30, thereby promoting mixing.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the mixing promotion part 40 is provided in the middle of the water injection path 25 and is directly or indirectly connected to the water tank 12 via other members. The discharge-side end of the mixing promotion part 40 is directly connected to the water injection port 121, that is, the water tank 12. That is, the mixed water mixed in the water injection case 22 after the laundry treatment agent stored in the water injection case 22 and the water passing through the fine bubble generator 30 is disturbed in the water flow by the mixing promotion part 40, mixed and agitated, and then supplied into the water tank 12 through the mixing promotion part 40.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the mixing promotion part 40 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular container shape and can be configured to include a space having a certain volume. The mixing promotion part 40 has an inflow part 41, an outflow part 42, and a changing part 43. The inflow part 41 is provided, for example, at the upper part of the mixing promotion part 40, is connected to the discharge side of the water injection case 22, and is a part for allowing the laundry treatment agent and water passing through the water injection case 22 to flow into the inside of the mixing promotion part 40. The inflow part 41 is arranged, for example, in a downward vertical direction.

[0052] The outflow part 42 is provided, for example, at the lower part of the mixing promotion part 40, and is a part for allowing the water and bubbles in which the laundry treatment agent and water are mixed inside the mixing promotion part 40 to flow out of the mixing promotion part 40. The outflow part 42 is preferably provided at a position as far as possible from the inflow part 41. In this case, the outflow part 42 is arranged, for example, below the inflow part 41 and in a horizontal direction. Then, the laundry treatment agent and water flowing into the mixing promotion part 40 reach the outflow part 42 from the inflow part 41 through a path longer than the path directly connecting the inflow part 41 and the outflow part 42.

[0053] The changing part 43 receives the water flowing in from the inflow part 41, changes the direction of the water flow, and has a function of disturbing the water flow. In the present embodiment, the changing part 43 corresponds to the bottom of the mixing promotion part 40. Note that the changing part 43 is not particularly limited as long as it can disturb the water flow, and for example, it may be configured to have an impeller, a protrusion, or the like.

[0054] The mixed water in which the laundry treatment agent flowing into the mixing promotion part 40 from the inflow part 41 and the fine bubble water generated by passing through the fine bubble generator 30 are mixed is discharged downward from the inflow part 41. This mixed water violently collides with the water surface stored inside the mixing promotion part 40, so that the laundry treatment agent and the fine bubble water inside the mixing promotion part 40 are mixed and stirred. At this time, by stirring and mixing, the adsorption of the laundry treatment agent to the fine bubbles contained in the fine bubble water is promoted, so that the cleaning effect is sufficiently enhanced.

[0055] In addition, near the water surface inside the mixing promotion part 40, bubbles are generated by mixing the laundry treatment agent, the fine bubble water, and the air inside the mixing promotion part 40. These bubbles are discharged from the outflow part 42 together with the mixed water inside the mixing promotion part 40, and then supplied into the water tank 12. Then, by using the bubbles for washing the laundry, the effect of the laundry treatment agent can be sufficiently exerted. In the mixing promotion part 40, mixing and stirring are performed only by the pressure of the water supplied to the mixing promotion part 40 without using mechanical force such as a motor.

[0056] According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 includes a water tank 12, a fine bubble generator 30, and a mixing promotion part 40. The fine bubble generator 30 is for supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles to the water tank 12. Further, the fine bubble generator 30 has a pressure dissolution part 50 and a fine bubble discharge part 60. The pressure dissolution part 50 dissolves an air component in the water passing through the inside. The fine bubble discharge part 60 is provided on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution part 50, and precipitates fine bubbles in the water supplied to the water tank 12.

[0057] The mixing promotion part 40 is connected to the water tank 12 and disturbs the water flow of the mixed water in which the laundry treatment agent used in the washing operation is mixed with the water before or after passing through the pressurized dissolution part 50 to promote mixing. According to this, by mixing and stirring the mixed water in the mixing promotion part 40, for example, the adsorption between the detergent and the fine air bubbles can be promoted, and the cleaning effect of the detergent can be fully exerted by the synergistic effect between the detergent and the fine air bubbles.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, the fine air bubbles are agitated in the mixing promotion part 40 so that the water flow is disturbed, and the air dissolved in the fine air bubbles can be precipitated as fine air bubbles. Thereby, the cleaning effect by the fine air bubbles can be further enhanced.

[0059] The washing machine 10 further includes a water injection case 22. The water injection case 22 can accommodate a laundry treatment agent inside and is for injecting the water supplied from an external water source into the water tank 12. And the mixing promotion part 40 is provided on the downstream side of the water injection case 22.

[0060] According to this, by using the water supplied from an external water source that does not contain dirt etc. attached to the laundry, for example, the detergent and the fine air bubbles are efficiently mixed in the mixing promotion part 40, and mixed water with high cleaning ability etc. can be generated. Thereby, the improvement of the cleaning effect etc. can be achieved.

[0061] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The configuration of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the structure of the mixing promotion part 40. Specifically, the mixing promotion part 40 in the first embodiment is shown in a configuration formed in a substantially rectangular container shape, but the mixing and mixing promotion part 40 in this embodiment can be configured in a frustum shape where, for example, the upper side is cylindrical and the inner diameter gradually decreases from the middle downward as shown in FIG. 9.

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the inflow portion 41 is disposed, for example, above the mixing promotion portion 40 and facing in the horizontal direction. Further, the outflow portion 42, for example, below the inflow portion 41, is disposed downward in the vertical direction. And the modification portion 43 corresponds to the inner wall surface of the mixing promotion portion 40. Also by this second embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, in the mixed water in which the detergent for laundry treatment flowing into the mixing promotion portion 40 from the inflow portion 41 and the microbubble water are mixed, when the mixed water flows from the inflow portion 41 toward the outflow portion 42, further mixing in the mixing promotion portion 40 is achieved by the swirling flow shown by the black arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10. Thereby, the adsorption of the detergent and the microbubble water is promoted, and the cleaning effect can be improved by the synergistic effect of the detergent and the microbubble water.

[0063] (Third Embodiment) Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The configuration of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the arrangement position of the mixing promotion portion 40. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the mixing promotion portion 40 was provided in the middle of the water injection path 25 on the downstream side of the water injection case 22, whereas in this embodiment, the mixing promotion portion 40 is provided in the middle of the circulation path 18. The configuration other than the arrangement position of the mixing promotion portion 40 shown in FIG. 11 can be configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0064] In the case of this embodiment, the mixing promotion portion 40 is provided on the downstream side of the circulation pump 17 and on the upstream side of the discharge port 181. That is, the mixed water of the detergent for laundry treatment and the microbubble water, which is supplied from an external water source, passes through the water injection case 22 and the microbubble generator 30 and is once supplied into the water tank 12, is supplied to the mixing promotion portion 40. In this case, the mixing promotion portion 40 is provided at a position closer to the discharge port 181 than the circulation pump 17 on the circulation path 18. Thereby, the path for supplying the water and the like that have passed through the mixing promotion portion 40 into the water tank 12 can be shortened as much as possible.

[0065] According to such a third embodiment, by disposing the mixing promotion part 40 on the circulation path 18, it is possible to further mix and stir the mixed water in a state where, for example, detergent and micro-bubbly water are mixed in the water tank 12 and supply it again into the water tank 12 through the mixing promotion part 40. That is, by continuously passing the water passing through the circulation path 18 through the mixing promotion part 40, a high cleaning effect can be continuously obtained.

[0066] (Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the difference from the above-described embodiments is that the micro-bubble generator 30 and the mixing promotion part 40 are provided in the middle of the circulation path 18. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the micro-bubble generator 30 is provided in the middle of the circulation path 18 and on the upstream side of the mixing promotion part 40. And the micro-bubble generator 30 is disposed near the discharge side of the circulation pump 17, while the mixing promotion part 40 is provided at a position near the discharge port 181. Note that the micro-bubble generator 30 may be provided at a position near the discharge port 181. Also, in this embodiment, the water supply valve 21b and the micro-bubbly water flow path 24 are not provided. That is, the micro-bubble generator 30 does not exist on the path from the external water source to the inside of the water tank 12. Therefore, the water supplied from the external water source into the water tank 12 does not contain micro-bubbly water, and the water circulated in the water tank 12 by the circulation path 18 contains micro-bubbly water.

[0067] According to such a fourth embodiment, by providing the micro-bubble generator 30 in the middle of the circulation path 18, it is possible to continuously supply the micro-bubbly water generated by the micro-bubble generator 30 into the water tank 12. And the micro-bubbly water and the detergent etc. supplied into the water tank 12 can be mixed by the mixing promotion part 40 provided on the circulation path 18 in the same manner as the micro-bubble generator 30. Thereby, it is possible to continuously supply cleaning water with high cleaning ability into the water tank 12.

[0068] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, as described above, the pressure dissolution unit 50 mainly has a function of pressurizing the water supplied to the pressure dissolution unit 50 with the pressure of the water to dissolve the air component. In order to exhibit its function, the pressure dissolution unit 50 employs a configuration in which the water and air in the pressure dissolution tank 51 are agitated to promote the contact of air with water. Therefore, using the configuration of the pressure dissolution unit 50, it is possible to disturb the water flow of the mixed water in which the laundry treatment agent used in the washing operation is mixed with the water before or after passing through the pressure dissolution unit 50, thereby promoting the mixing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pressure dissolution unit 50 also serves as the mixing promotion unit 40.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 13, the pressure dissolution unit 50, that is, the fine bubble generator 30, is provided downstream of the water injection case 22 and on the water injection path 25. In the example of FIG. 14, the fine bubble generator 30 is provided downstream of the circulation pump and on the circulation path 18. And in the examples of FIGS. 13 and 14, the mixing promotion unit 40 is not provided. Also by such a fifth embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained. Further, by also using the pressure dissolution unit 50 as the mixing promotion unit 40, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, achieve space saving within the washing machine 10 and manufacturing costs, and improve the washing effect and the like.

[0070] Note that the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other. Also, only the characteristic parts of two or more embodiments can be extracted and combined. The above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 10... Washing machine, 11... Outer case, 18... Circulation path, 22... Water injection case, 25... Water injection path, 30... Fine bubble generator, 40... Mixing promotion section, 50... Pressure dissolution section, 60... Fine bubble discharge section

Claims

1. A water tank, a pressure dissolution part for dissolving air components in water passing through the inside, a fine bubble discharge part provided on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution part for depositing fine bubbles in the water supplied to the water tank, and a fine bubble generator for supplying the water tank with fine bubble water containing the fine bubbles, a water injection case capable of accommodating a laundry treatment agent used in a washing operation and injecting water supplied from an external water source into the water tank, a water injection path for supplying the water supplied into the water injection case into the water tank, a container-shaped body having a space inside, provided in the middle of the water injection path, and receiving mixed water in which a laundry treatment agent used in a washing operation and water before or after passing through the fine bubble generator are mixed, and a mixing promotion part for disturbing the water flow of the mixed water to promote mixing, The mixing promotion part promotes mixing only by the pressure of the water supplied to the mixing promotion part. A washing machine.

2. A water tank, a pressure dissolution part for dissolving air components in water passing through the inside, a fine bubble discharge part provided on the downstream side of the pressure dissolution part for depositing fine bubbles in the water supplied to the water tank, and a fine bubble generator for supplying the water tank with fine bubble water containing the fine bubbles, a circulation path provided outside the water tank for pumping up the water flowing out of the water tank and supplying it again toward the center side inside the water tank, a circulation pump for circulating the water stored in the water tank through the circulation path, a container-shaped body having a space inside, provided between the circulation pump and the discharge port constituting the outlet of the circulation path in the middle of the circulation path, and receiving mixed water in which a laundry treatment agent used in a washing operation and water before or after passing through the fine bubble generator are mixed, and a mixing promotion part for disturbing the water flow of the mixed water to promote mixing, A washing machine.

3. The pressure dissolution part also serves as the mixing promotion part. The washing machine according to Claim 1 or 2.

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