Electric washing machine

Abstract

An electric washing machine according to the present invention performs a washing process with the use of electrolyzed water. When the level of supplied water reaches an electrolyzing water level which is lower than a washing water level, energization of an electrolyzing device ( 31 ) is started. At this time, air is supplied into an electrolyzing chamber ( 32 ) by an air pump ( 89 ), so that water in the electrolyzing chamber ( 32 ) is caused to flow, thereby assisting efficient electrolysis of the water. The water thus electrolyzed has an enhanced cleaning capability thereby to improve the washing performance of the washing machine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry, water level detecting means for detecting a level of water supplied into the washing tub, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing the water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by energization controlling means which starts energizing of the electrolyzing device for the electrolysis when the water level detecting means senses that the level of the water contained in the washing tub reaches a predetermined water level which is lower than a water level required for a washing or rinsing operation after water supply into the washing tub is started for the washing or rinsing operation.    
     
     
         2 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry, an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, and energization controlling means for controlling energization of the electrolyzing device for the electrolysis, 
 the electrolyzing device including an electrolyzing chamber, at least one pair of electrodes disposed in the electrolyzing chamber, and a water communication path which permits communication between the electrolyzing chamber and the washing tub for water passage,    the electric washing machine characterized by air supplying means for supplying air into the electrolyzing chamber from a lower portion of the electrolyzing chamber, wherein the air supplying means supplies the air during the energization by the energization controlling means.    
     
     
         3 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry, an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, and energization controlling means for controlling energization of the electrolyzing device for the electrolysis, 
 the energization controlling means including means for detecting an energization electric current, wherein the energization controlling means changes conditions for the energization of the electrolyzing device according to the detected energization electric current.    
     
     
         4 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub provided in a housing for containing laundry, an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, and energization controlling means for controlling energization of the electrolyzing device for the electrolysis, 
 the housing having an openable lid covering a loading port through which the laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the washing tub,    the energization controlling means including means for detecting the opening and closing of the lid, wherein the energization controlling means stops the energization upon detection of the opening of the lid.    
     
     
         5 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry and washing the laundry therein, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by washing controlling means which selectively effects a first course in which the detergent is added to water contained in the washing tub for a washing operation and a second course in which the water electrolyzed by the electrolyzing device is employed for the washing operation without the addition of the detergent to the water contained in the washing tub, and    intermediate dehydration period reducing means for reducing a period of an intermediate dehydrating operation to be performed after the washing operation or a rinsing operation when the second course is effected by the washing controlling means as compared with that when the first course is effected.    
     
     
         6 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry and washing the laundry therein, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by washing controlling means which selectively effects a first course in which the detergent is added to water contained in the washing tub for a washing operation and a second course in which the water electrolyzed by the electrolyzing device is employed for the washing operation without the addition of the detergent to the water contained in the washing tub, and    water drainage period reducing means for reducing a period of water drainage from the washing tub when the second course is effected by the washing controlling means as compared with that when the first course is effected.    
     
     
         7 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by energization controlling means which, where the detergent is added to water contained in the washing tub for the washing process, stops energization of the electrolyzing device during a washing operation but effects the energization of the electrolyzing device during a rinsing operation.    
     
     
         8 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry and washing the laundry therein, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by washing controlling means which selectively effects a first course in which the detergent is added to water contained in the washing tub for a washing operation and a second course in which the water electrolyzed by the electrolyzing device is employed for the washing operation without the addition of the detergent to the water contained in the washing tub, wherein    the energization controlling means reduces a period of energization of the electrolyzing device or an energization electric current when the first course is effected as compared with that when the second course is effected.    
     
     
         9 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing laundry, and an electrolyzing device for electrolyzing water in use for a washing process to impart a cleaning capability to the water without addition of a detergent, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by energization controlling means which, where a dry-cleaning course is predefined for performing the washing process with the use of a dry-cleaning detergent, performs one of three control operations in the dry-cleaning course, the three control operations including a control operation in which energization of the electrolyzing device is stopped and control operations in which an energization period or an energization electric current is reduced as compared with that in a course accompanying the energization of the electrolyzing device.    
     
     
         10 . An electric washing machine comprising a washing tub for containing water and laundry and washing the laundry therein by agitating the water and the laundry, 
 the electric washing machine characterized by water treatment means for electrolyzing the water to impart a cleaning capability to the water, and    air bubble generating means for generating minute air bubbles by injecting air into the water.