Drum type washing machine

Abstract

In a drum type washing machine according to the present invention, an electrolytic device 60 for electrolyzing water stored in an outer tub 2 is attached to an outer peripheral surface wall 21 of the outer tub 2 . The water stored in the outer tub 2 flows into an electrolytic tub 62 through an inlet tube 64 A and a connection tube 63 A, and is electrolyzed by a plurality of electrode plates 61 , after which it is returned to the outer tub 2 through a connection tube 63 B and an outlet tube 64 B. The electrolyzed water contains active oxygen (O 2 − ), hypochlorous acid (HClO), etc. having a sterilizing effect. Accordingly, the detergency is improved.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub capable of storing water at the time of washing; and    a drum provided in the outer tub and rotatable around an axis of rotation set within a range of predetermined angles to the horizontal direction,    the outer tub being provided with an electrolytic device having an electrode plate provided, when water is stored in the outer tub, at a position where it is immersed in the stored water such that the stored water can be electrolyzed.    
     
     
         2 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the drum has a peripheral surface wall that can be rotated around the axis of rotation,    the electrolytic device comprising the electrode plate and an electrolytic tub accommodating the electrode plate,    the electrolytic tub being attached to a position opposite to the peripheral surface wall of the drum.    
     
     
         3 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the electrolytic device has an inlet, which communicate through the electrolytic tub and the outer tub, for allowing the water stored in the outer tub to enter the electrolytic tub, and an outlet, which communicate through the electrolytic tub and the outer tub, for returning the water in the electrolytic tub to the outer tub,    the inlet and the outlet being provided in a state where there is a difference in height therebetween.    
     
     
         4 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 the inlet is so arranged as to be at a position lower than the water level of the water stored in the outer tub, and    the outlet is so arranged as to be at a position higher than the water level of the water stored in the outer tub.    
     
     
         5 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 the inlet and the outlet are so arranged as to be respectively at positions lower than the water level of the water stored in the outer tub.    
     
     
         6 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 the inlet faces the tangent of the peripheral surface wall of the drum.    
     
     
         7 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 the drum is rotated toward the inlet from the outlet at the time of spin-drying.    
     
     
         8 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 the drum is alternately rotated in a direction from the outlet to the inlet and a direction opposite thereto at the time of washing and rinsing, and    the electrolytic device electrolytes the water stored in the outer tub only when the drum is rotated in the opposite direction.    
     
     
         9 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub in the shape of a cylinder arranged so as to extend sideward for storing water at the time of washing; and    a drum accommodated in the outer tub approximately coaxially and rotated around an axis of rotation set within a range of predetermined angles to the horizontal direction with laundry put therein, further comprising    an inlet provided in a cylindrical portion of the outer tub and directed sideward from a lower end of the cylinder;    an outlet provided in the cylindrical portion of the outer tub and opened sideward from a position higher than the inlet by a predetermined distance, and    an electrolytic device, connected to the inlet and the outlet and attached obliquely so as to be parallel to a surface of the outer tub, for electrolyzing water flowing in through the inlet and returning the water to the outer tub from the outlet.    
     
     
         10 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein 
 the electrolytic device is attached to the outer tub so as to be detachable.    
     
     
         11 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub capable of storing water at the time of washing; and    a drum, provided in the outer tub and rotated around an axis of rotation set within a range of predetermined angles to the horizontal direction, for putting laundry in,    an electrolytic device for causing the water stored in the outer tub to flow in, electrolyzing the water, and returning the water to the outer tub being provided on an end surface of the outer tub opposite to an end surface along the axis of rotation of the drum.    
     
     
         12 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub capable of storing water at the time of washing;    a drum, provided in the outer tub and rotated around an axis of rotation set within a range of predetermined angles to the horizontal direction, for putting laundry in,    an electrolytic device for electrolyzing the water stored in the outer tub; and    a drying device for feeding warm air into the outer tub in order to dry the laundry which has been spin-dried.    
     
     
         13 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 the drum has a peripheral surface wall rotated around the axis of rotation, and    the electrolytic device is attached to the outer tub where a position is opposite to the peripheral surface wall of the drum.    
     
     
         14 . The drum type washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the drum is stopped for a predetermined time period until rinsing is started after the laundry has been washed, and    the electrolytic device electrolytes the water stored in the outer tub during the predetermined time period.    
     
     
         15 . A drum type washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub capable of storing water at the time of washing; and    a drum, provided in the outer tub and rotated around an axis of rotation set within a range of predetermined angles to the horizontal direction, for putting laundry in, further comprising    an electrolytic device having an electrode plate for electrolyzing the water stored in the outer tub, and capable of detecting whether or not bubbles remain in the outer tub by causing a current to flow in the electrode plate before or during spin-drying to detect its electrical resistance.