Drum-type washing machine

Abstract

To provide a drum type washing machine which can shorten the time of an ozone washing step, by allowing ozone water to permeate quickly to the entire laundry in a drum.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine 1 includes: a drum 23 arranged inside an outer tub 20, and is rotatable around a horizontal axis; a drive motor 30 for rotating the drum 23; an ozone water generation device 62 for generating ozone water; a drain part 40 for draining water from the outer tub 20; a control part for controlling operations of the drive motor 30, the ozone water generation device 62 and the drain part 40; and a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the outer tub 20. The control part executes an ozone washing step in which ozone water generated by the ozone water generation device 62 is stored in the outer tub 20, and the drum 23 in which laundry is stored is rotated by the drive motor 30, and in the ozone washing step, the rotation of the drum 23 is started before the time when the water level of the ozone water in the outer tub 20 becomes the water level at which the ozone water enters the drum 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum washing machine. Such a drum washing machine may perform continuously from washing to drying, or may perform washing but not drying.

Background Art

[0002] In a washing machine in which a washing tub is disposed in an outer tub, in order to apply an action such as sterilization to clothes, a configuration in which ozone water generated by an ozone water generation device is supplied into the outer tub in a washing step is described in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a drum washing machine capable of shortening the time of an ozone washing step by making ozone water easily penetrate quickly into the entire laundry in the drum.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A drum-type washing machine according to the main aspect of the present invention comprises an outer tub disposed within a housing, a drum disposed within the outer tub and rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotation axis inclined with respect to the horizontal, a drive motor for rotating the drum, an ozone water generating unit for generating ozone water, a drainage unit for draining water from the outer tub, a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive motor, the ozone water generating unit and the drainage unit, and a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the outer tub. Here, the control unit stores ozone water generated by the ozone water generating unit in the outer tub and performs an ozone washing process in which the drum containing the laundry is rotated by the drive motor. As the first step of rotating the drum in the outer tank containing water after the start of operation In the ozone washing process, the rotation of the drum is started before the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tank reaches the level at which the ozonated water enters the drum.

[0006] According to the above configuration, in the ozone washing process, ozonated water is absorbed into the laundry, and this ozonated water acts on bacteria and other microorganisms inside the laundry, thereby disinfecting it.

[0007] Furthermore, with the above configuration, as soon as ozonated water begins to enter the drum, it immediately begins to be absorbed by the laundry. Therefore, the ozonated water can quickly penetrate all of the laundry inside the drum, thus shortening the time required for the ozone washing process.

[0008] In the drum-type washing machine according to this embodiment, the control unit may be configured to rotate the drum at a rotational speed that causes the laundry inside the drum to tumble during the ozone washing process.

[0009] With the above configuration, the laundry is pounded against the inner surface of the drum, making it easier for bacteria and other contaminants inside the laundry to come out and come into contact with the surrounding ozonated water. This enhances the disinfecting effect on the laundry. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a drum-type washing machine can be provided that shortens the time of the ozone washing process by allowing ozonated water to penetrate the entire laundry inside the drum more quickly.

[0011] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the following description of embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the control process for the washing cycle of the sterilization course according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control process for the ozone washing step included in the washing cycle of the sterilization course according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control process for the ozone washing step according to Modification Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, which does not have a drying function, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine 1.

[0015] The drum-type washing machine 1 comprises a rectangular casing 10. On the front of the casing 10, a circular opening 11 for loading laundry is formed in the center. The opening 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

[0016] Inside the housing 10, an outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. Inside the outer tub 20, a drum 23 is rotatably arranged. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on the front surface, and the outer tub 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23.

[0017] The peripheral edge of the opening 20a of the outer tub 20 and the peripheral edge of the inlet 11 of the housing 10 are connected by an annular packing 24 made of an elastic material. The peripheral surface of the closed door 12 contacts the packing 24, and the space between the inlet 11 and the door 12 is sealed against water.

[0018] On the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, a large number of dewatering holes 23b are formed. Also, on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, an annular balancer 25 is provided at the front part, and three baffles 26 having a substantially triangular prism shape are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0019] Behind the outer tub 20, a drive motor 30 for generating a torque to rotate the drum 23 is arranged. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. During the washing process and the rinsing process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed such that the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is smaller than the gravitational force. On the other hand, during the dewatering process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed such that the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is much larger than the gravitational force.

[0020] At the bottom of the outer tub 20, a drain port 20b is formed. A drain valve 41 is provided at the drain port 20b. The drain valve 41 includes, for example, a valve and a torque motor for opening and closing the valve. The drain valve 41 is connected to a drain hose 42. The drain valve 41 and the drain hose 42 constitute a drain part 40 for draining water from inside the outer tub 20. When the drain valve 41 is opened, the water stored in the outer tub 20 is discharged outside the machine through the drain hose 42.

[0021] At the upper part inside the housing 10, a water supply section 50 for supplying water into the outer tub 20 is arranged. The water supply section 50 includes a first water supply valve 51, a detergent box 52, a water supply hose 53, and a water injection pipe 54. The first water supply valve 51 is arranged at the upper rear part of the housing 10, and the detergent box 52 is arranged at the upper front part of the housing 10. In the detergent box 52, a detergent container 52a for containing detergent is accommodated so as to be pullable out from the front. One end of the water supply hose 53 is connected to the first water supply valve 51, and the other end is connected to the detergent box 52. One end of the water injection pipe 54 is connected to the detergent box 52, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the outer tub 20.

[0022] When the first water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water flows from the water tap through the water supply hose 53, the detergent box 52, and the water injection pipe 54 and is supplied into the outer tub 20. At this time, if detergent is contained in the detergent container 52a, the detergent is washed away by water and supplied into the outer tub 20.

[0023] At the rear part inside the housing 10, an ozone water supply section 60 for supplying ozone water into the outer tub 20 is arranged. The ozone water supply section 60 includes a second water supply valve 61, an ozone water generator 62 for generating ozone water, an introduction pipe 63, and a lead-out pipe 64. The second water supply valve 61 is arranged at the upper rear part of the housing 10 and is constituted by a two-way electromagnetic valve together with the first water supply valve 51. The ozone water generator 62 corresponds to the ozone water generation section of the present invention.

[0024] The ozone water generator 62 is arranged at the upper part of the outer tub 20 and includes a case 65 and an ozone electrode 66. A flow path is formed inside the case 65, and the ozone electrode 66 is arranged in the flow path. The ozone electrode 66 includes a round bar-shaped anode, a linear cathode spirally wound around the outer periphery of the anode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. For example, a diamond electrode is used for the anode, and a platinum electrode is used for the cathode.

[0025] One end of the introduction pipe 63 is connected to the second water supply valve 61, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the case 65. One end of the lead-out pipe 64 is connected to the outlet of the case 65, and the other end is connected to the lower part of the outer tub 20.

[0026] When the second water supply valve 61 is opened, tap water flows from the water tap into the case 65 via the inlet pipe 63 and flows through the flow path. The ozone electrode 66 is energized, and the water flowing through the flow path is electrolyzed to generate ozone. The generated ozone dissolves in the water, producing ozonated water. The ozonated water flows out of the case 65 and is supplied to the outer tank 20 via the outlet pipe 64. Any ozone that does not dissolve in the water in the case 65 dissolves in the water as it flows through the outlet pipe 64.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drum-type washing machine 1.

[0028] In addition to the above-described configuration, the drum-type washing machine 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, a water level sensor 104, a motor drive unit 105, a water supply drive unit 106, a drain drive unit 107, and an electrode energizing unit 108.

[0029] The control unit 103 includes a power button for turning the power to the device on and off, a start button for starting the operation, and a course selection button for selecting a course from a number of washing courses. The control unit 103 outputs an input signal to the control unit 101 corresponding to the button pressed by the user.

[0030] The water level sensor 104 detects the water level in the outer tank 20 and outputs a water level signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control unit 101.

[0031] The motor drive unit 105 drives the drive motor 30 according to the control signal from the control unit 101. The motor drive unit 105 includes a rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the drive motor 30, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts the drive power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotational speed set by the control unit 101.

[0032] The water supply drive unit 106 drives the first water supply valve 51 and the second water supply valve 61 according to the control signal from the control unit 101. The drainage drive unit 107 drives the drainage valve 41 according to the control signal from the control unit 101. The electrode energizing unit 108 energizes the ozone electrode 66 according to the control signal from the control unit 101.

[0033] The memory unit 102 includes an EEPROM, RAM, etc. The memory unit 102 stores programs for executing various washing cycles. The memory unit 102 also stores various parameters and control flags used for executing these programs.

[0034] Based on signals from the operation unit 103, water level sensor 104, etc., the control unit 101 controls the motor drive unit 105, water supply drive unit 106, drainage drive unit 107, electrode energizing unit 108, etc., according to a program stored in the memory unit 102. As a result, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the drive motor 30, drainage unit 40, water supply unit 50, and ozone water generator 62.

[0035] The drum-type washing machine 1 performs various washing cycles based on the user's operation of the control unit 103.

[0036] The operating courses include standard courses and other courses that use detergent. In these operating courses, during the washing process, water containing detergent is filled into the outer tub 20 to a predetermined water level corresponding to the load of clothes in the drum 23, and the clothes immersed in this water are tumbled by the repeated forward and reverse rotation of the drum 23. The water containing detergent penetrates deep into the clothes, and dirt attached to the surface and inside of the clothes is removed by the force of the detergent and the mechanical force of tumbling.

[0037] After the washing cycle, the intermediate dewatering, rinsing, and final dewatering cycles are performed sequentially. Depending on the cycle, the rinsing and intermediate dewatering cycles may be performed two or more times.

[0038] During the rinsing process, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward with water up to a predetermined level in the outer tub 20, causing the clothes to tumble. This allows the detergent contained in the laundry to be discharged along with the water, rinsing the clothes.

[0039] In the intermediate and final dewatering processes, the drive motor 30 rotates at high speed in one direction, causing the drum 23 to rotate in one direction at a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is much greater than that of gravity. Due to the action of centrifugal force, the laundry is pressed against the inner surface of the drum 23 and dewatered. In the intermediate dewatering process, for example, the drum rotates at 600 rpm, and in the final dewatering process, the drum 23 rotates at a higher speed than in the intermediate dewatering process, for example, at 750 rpm.

[0040] In addition to standard cycles and other cycles that use detergent to wash laundry, the washing machine also offers a sterilization cycle that uses ozonated water to remove bacteria and viruses from laundry. The sterilization cycle not only sterilizes but also removes sebum stains, which are primarily composed of oleic acid, and inactivates pollen allergens. Therefore, the sterilization cycle can be used when you want to sterilize laundry before drying it indoors after washing with detergent, when you want to wash clothes that may have viruses or pollen attached, or when you want to wash without detergent to prevent conditions such as atopic dermatitis.

[0041] The following provides a detailed explanation of the washing cycle for the sterilization program.

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the control process for the washing cycle of the sterilization course. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control process for the ozone washing step included in the washing cycle of the sterilization course.

[0043] In the control unit 103, when the sterilization course is selected using the course selection button and then the start button is pressed, the sterilization course washing operation begins.

[0044] Referring to Figure 3, the control unit 101 first performs an ozone washing process (S1).

[0045] Referring to Figure 4, when the ozone washing process begins, the control unit 101 first closes the drain valve 41 (S101). Next, the control unit 101 opens the second water supply valve 61 (S102) and then energizes the ozone electrode 66 (S103). The ozone water generator 62 generates ozone water at a predetermined concentration, for example, a concentration of about 0.4 ppm to 1.0 ppm that provides high disinfecting power. The generated ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply unit 60 into the outer tank 20 and accumulates in the outer tank 20. The flow rate of ozone water supplied into the outer tank 20 is, for example, about 2 liters / minute.

[0046] When the supply of ozonated water to the outer tub 20 begins, the control unit 101 rotates the drive motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 (S104). At this time, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 23 in both forward and reverse directions, with a stop in between. For example, the on time is set to 20 seconds and the off time is set to 0 seconds. That is, as soon as the drum 23 stops, it rotates in the opposite direction. The rotation speed of the drum 23 is set to a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is less than gravity and the laundry tumbles, for example, 45 rpm. An off time of 1 to several seconds may be provided.

[0047] As the ozonated water level in the outer tub 20 rises and enters the drum 23, the ozonated water is absorbed by the tumbling laundry. This causes the ozonated water to come into contact with bacteria and other microorganisms present inside the laundry, killing them. In addition, bacteria and other microorganisms attached to the surface of the laundry are killed when they come into contact with the surrounding ozonated water. Furthermore, some of the bacteria and other microorganisms inside the laundry are knocked out of the laundry as it falls from the top of the drum 23 and hits the inner surface of the drum 23 during tumbling, and are killed when they come into contact with the surrounding ozonated water.

[0048] The control unit 101 detects the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tub 20 using the water level sensor 104 and determines whether the water level has reached a specified water level L (S105). The specified water level L is set to a level at which approximately 15 liters of ozonated water can be stored in the outer tub 20 when water is supplied with no laundry in the drum 23. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, when the specified water level L is reached, the ozonated water is stored up to the lower part of the packing 24 that seals the door 12 with water.

[0049] When the water level in the outer tank 20 reaches the specified water level L (S105: YES), the control unit 101 stops the power supply to the ozone electrode 66 (S106), and then closes the second water supply valve 61 (S107). The supply of ozone water from the ozone water supply unit 60 to the outer tank 20 stops. Furthermore, the control unit 101 stops the drive motor 30 and stops the drum 23 (S108). Thus, the ozone washing process is completed.

[0050] In this embodiment, as soon as the supply of ozonated water begins, that is, before the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tub 20 reaches the level at which the ozonated water enters the drum 23, the drum 23 starts to rotate. Therefore, as soon as the ozonated water begins to enter the drum 23, it immediately begins to be absorbed by the tumbling laundry. As a result, the ozonated water can quickly penetrate all of the laundry inside the drum 23, thus shortening the time required for the ozone washing process.

[0051] Returning to Figure 3, once the ozone washing process is complete, the control unit 101 performs a drainage process by operating the drainage unit 40 (S2). That is, the control unit 101 opens the drain valve 41. Ozone water is discharged from the outer tank 20. Along with the ozone water, dead bacteria and other substances are also flushed out of the outer tank 20. Once the discharge of ozone water from the outer tank 20 is complete, the drainage process is finished. The drain valve 41 remains open.

[0052] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether the ozone washing process has been completed a specified number of times (S3). The specified number of times is two or more, for example, it is set to three times.

[0053] Since the ozone washing process has only been completed once and not the prescribed number of times (S3:NO), the control unit 101 performs the dewatering process (S4). That is, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 23 at high speed so that the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is much greater than gravity. The rotation speed of the drum 23 at this time is set to a higher rotation speed than the rotation speed of the drum 23 during the intermediate dewatering process in washing operations using detergent, such as the standard course. For example, the drum 23 can be rotated at a rotation speed equal to the rotation speed of the drum 23 in the final dewatering process, such as 750 rpm. Water is removed from the laundry inside the drum 23, and the water retention rate of the laundry is significantly reduced.

[0054] After a predetermined dewatering time, for example 4 minutes, the control unit 101 stops the drum 23. Thus, the dewatering process is completed.

[0055] Next, the control unit 101 performs a second ozone washing process (S1). Due to the dewatering process performed before this ozone washing process, the water retention rate of the laundry in the drum 23 has been sufficiently reduced, and the new ozonated water supplied to the outer tub 20 in this ozone washing process is fully absorbed by the laundry. As a result, bacteria and other microorganisms that were not killed in the previous ozone washing process and are present inside the laundry come into contact with the ozonated water and are killed.

[0056] Once the second ozone washing cycle is complete, the control unit 101 performs a draining process (S2). Furthermore, if the ozone washing cycle has not yet reached the specified number of cycles (S3:NO), the control unit 101 performs a dewatering process (S4) and then performs the ozone washing cycle again (S1). In this ozone washing cycle as well, the new ozonated water supplied into the outer tub 20 is sufficiently absorbed by the laundry, and any bacteria or other microorganisms present inside the laundry that were not killed in the previous ozone washing cycle are killed upon contact with the ozonated water.

[0057] Subsequently, when the control unit 101 determines in S3 that the ozone washing process has reached the specified number of times (S3: YES) after the drainage process (S2) has been completed, it performs the final dewatering process (S5).

[0058] In the final dewatering step, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 23 at the same rotational speed as in the dewatering step of S4. After a predetermined final dewatering time, for example, the same time as the dewatering time (for example, 4 minutes), the control unit 101 stops the drum 23. Thus, the final dewatering step is completed, and the washing operation of the sterilization course is finished. Note that in the final dewatering step, the control unit 101 may rotate the drum 23 at a higher rotational speed than in the dewatering step of S4, or it may rotate the drum 23 for a final dewatering time longer than the dewatering time.

[0059] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the ozone washing process, in which ozonated water is stored in the outer tub 20 and the drum 23 containing the laundry is rotated, is performed multiple times, with a draining process in between to discharge the ozonated water from the outer tub 20 and a dewatering process in which the drum 23 is rotated to dewater the laundry inside the drum 23. As a result, when the ozonated water absorbed inside the laundry has been used up by acting on bacteria, etc., the ozonated water is discharged from the laundry and new ozonated water is absorbed by the laundry, allowing the new ozonated water to act on bacteria, etc. inside the laundry. Therefore, the disinfecting effect on the laundry can be enhanced.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in the ozone washing process, the drum 23 rotates at a rotational speed that causes the laundry inside the drum 23 to tumble, so the laundry is struck against the inner surface of the drum 23, making it easier for bacteria and other contaminants inside the laundry to come out of the laundry and come into contact with the ozonated water surrounding the laundry. This further enhances the disinfecting effect on the laundry.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in the dehydration process, the drum 23 rotates at a higher rotation speed than the rotation speed during the intermediate dehydration process performed after the washing process in a washing operation using detergent. This allows for a sufficient reduction in the water retention rate of the laundry, and increases the absorption rate of ozonated water by the laundry in the subsequent ozone washing process. This further enhances the sterilization effect on the laundry.

[0062] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way by the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible to the embodiments of the present invention other than those described above.

[0063] <Example of change 1> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control process for the ozone washing step according to Modification Example 1.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the rotation of the drum 23 began when the supply of ozonated water into the outer tank 20 was started.

[0065] In contrast, in Modification Example 1, as shown in Figure 5, when the supply of ozonated water into the outer tank 20 is started by opening the second water supply valve 61 (S102) and energizing the ozone electrode 66 (S103), the control unit 101 determines whether the water level of ozonated water in the outer tank 20 has reached the starting water level (S111). The starting water level is set to the water level at which the ozonated water begins to enter the drum 23, or a slightly lower water level, for example, the water level at which the ozonated water comes into contact with the outer surface of the drum 23.

[0066] When the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tank 20 reaches the starting level (S111: YES), the control unit 101 rotates the drive motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 (S104).

[0067] In the configuration of Modification Example 1, the drum 23 can be rotated at the moment when the ozonated water stored in the outer tub 20 begins to come into contact with the laundry inside the drum 23.

[0068] <Other examples of changes> In the above embodiment and the above modified example 1, when the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tank 20 reaches the specified water level L, the energization to the ozone electrode 66 is stopped (S107), the second water supply valve 61 is closed (S107), and the drum 23 is stopped (S108). However, when the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tank 20 reaches the specified water level L, the energization to the ozone electrode 66 is stopped (S107), the second water supply valve 61 is closed (S107), and then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the drum 23 is stopped (S108).

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the final dewatering step was performed after the last ozone washing step. However, a configuration in which the dewatering step is performed even after the last ozone washing step may also be adopted. In this case, the determination of whether the ozone washing step in S3 has been completed the prescribed number of times is made after the dewatering step has been performed, and the washing operation of the sterilization course is terminated based on the completion of the prescribed number of times.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outlet pipe 64 of the ozone water supply unit 60 may be formed in a meandering shape using one or more pipes. In this case, the outlet pipe 64 may be routed along the outer surface of the outer tank 20. With this configuration, the outlet pipe 64 can be made longer, making it easier for ozone that was not dissolved in the water in the case 65 of the ozone water generator 62 to dissolve in the water as it flows through the outlet pipe 64.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, during the ozone washing process, the drum 23 rotated at a speed that caused the laundry to tumble. However, the drum 23 may be configured to rotate at a speed such that the laundry does not tumble but sticks to the inner surface of the drum 23, for example, at 80 rpm.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, during the dewatering process, the drum 23 rotated at a higher rotational speed than that during the intermediate dewatering process performed after the washing process in a washing operation using detergent. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the drum 23 rotates at a rotational speed lower than or equal to that during the intermediate dewatering process.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the load of laundry in the drum 23 may be detected before the first ozone washing process, and the number of predetermined ozone washing cycles may be determined according to the detected load. In this case, the larger the load, the more predetermined cycles will be performed.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the drum-type washing machine 1 is configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. However, the drum-type washing machine 1 may also be configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a rotation axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0075] Furthermore, although the drum-type washing machine 1 of the above embodiment does not have a drying function, the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washing machine with a drying function, i.e., a drum-type washer-dryer. The drum-type washer-dryer includes, in addition to the configuration of the drum-type washing machine 1 of the above embodiment, a drying unit consisting of a circulating air passage connecting an outlet provided at the bottom of the outer tub 20 and an inlet provided at the top of the outer tub 20, and a fan and heater arranged in the circulating air passage. In this case, the outlet pipe 64 of the ozone water supply unit 60 may be connected to the circulating air passage, and ozone water may flow through the circulating air passage and be supplied into the outer tub 20 from the outlet.

[0076] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 10 cabinets 20 Outer tank 23 Drums 30 Drive motor 40 Drainage section 62. Ozone water generator (ozone water generation unit) 101 Control Unit

Claims

1. An outer tank located inside the enclosure, A drum is placed inside the outer tank and is rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotation axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, A drive motor for rotating the drum, An ozone water generating unit that generates ozone water, A drainage unit that drains water from the outer tank, A control unit that controls the operation of the drive motor, the ozone water generation unit, and the drainage unit, The system includes a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the outer tank, The control unit, The ozone washing process, in which ozone water generated by the ozone water generation unit is stored in the outer tub and the drum containing the laundry is rotated by the drive motor, is performed as the first step in rotating the drum in the water stored in the outer tub after the start of operation. In the ozone washing process, the rotation of the drum is started before the water level of the ozonated water in the outer tank reaches the level at which the ozonated water enters the drum. A drum-type washing machine characterized by the following features.

2. In the drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, The control unit rotates the drum at a rotational speed that causes the laundry inside the drum to tumble during the ozone washing process. A drum-type washing machine characterized by the following features.

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