Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine comprises: an outer tub disposed in a casing for receiving washing water therein; an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub for receiving laundry therein; and a plasma discharge unit for performing a plasma discharge on the washing water. According to this, a washing performance and a rinsing performance are enhanced and an amount of washing water is reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising: 
 an outer tub disposed in a casing for receiving washing water therein;    an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub for receiving laundry therein; and    a plasma discharge unit for performing a plasma discharge on the washing water.    
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge unit includes: 
 an inflow passage connected to the outer tub for introducing washing water inside the outer tub;    a discharge box for receiving washing water introduced through the inflow passage and having a space where a plasma discharge is performed;    an electrode disposed at the discharge box; and    a high voltage generator electrically connected to the electrode for applying a voltage to the electrode.    
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein a filter for filtering washing water is installed at the inflow passage.  
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a circulation unit for re-circulating washing water inside the discharge box into the outer tub.  
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the circulation unit includes: 
 a circulation duct of which one end is connected to the discharge box and another end is connected to the outer tub; and    a circulation pump disposed at the circulation duct for pumping washing water.    
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a spray nozzle connected to the inflow passage and disposed in the discharge box, for expandably spraying washing water introduced through the inflow passage into the discharge box.  
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein a dielectric particle for accelerating a plasma discharge is disposed in the discharge box.  
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a catalyst for changing a pH level of washing water at the time of a plasma discharge in the discharge box.  
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of γ-Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , ZrO 3 , glass pellet, and etc. is used as the catalyst.  
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the catalyst is TiO 2 .  
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a contamination degree sensor for detecting a contamination degree of washing water is disposed in the outer tub.  
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising an air supply unit for supplying air into the discharge box.  
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the discharge box is divided into a first space and a second space, the electrode is composed of a first electrode disposed to be adjacent to the first space and a second electrode disposed to be adjacent to the second space, and a first catalyst for increasing a pH level of washing water at the time of a plasma discharge is disposed in the first space and a second catalyst for decreasing a pH level of washing water at the time of a plasma discharge is disposed in the second space.  
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of γ-Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 3 , and glass pellet is used as the catalyst.  
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the second catalyst is TiO 2 .  
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , further comprising an air supply unit for supplying air into the discharge box.  
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , further comprising a circulation unit for re-circulating washing water inside the discharge box into the outer tub.  
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the circulation unit includes: 
 a circulation duct of which one end is connected to the discharge box and another end is connected to the outer tub; and    a circulation pump connected to the circulation duct for pumping the washing water.    
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein a dielectric particle for accelerating a plasma discharge is disposed in the discharge box.  
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein a filter for filtering washing water is disposed at the inflow passage.  
     
     
         21 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , further comprising a contamination degree sensor for detecting a contamination degree of washing water in the outer tub.