Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine comprises a wash tub having an opening, a door for covering the opening, and an electrostatic atomizer. The electrostatic atomizer is configured to produce mist of charged fine water particles by means of electrostatic atomization to spray the mist into the wash tub and thereby perform elimination and deodorization with respect to laundry in the wash tub.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub having an opening;   a door for covering the opening; and   an electrostatic atomizer,   wherein the electrostatic atomizer is configured to produce mist of charged fine water particles by means of electrostatic atomization to spray the mist into the wash tub and thereby to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to laundry in the wash tub.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the electrostatic atomizer is configured to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry independent of a series of wash operations in response to an elimination and deodorization mode, said series of wash operations including a wash operation for performing wash with respect to the laundry. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a fan located together with the electrostatic atomizer between an air intake line and a discharge line to the wash tub,
 wherein the fan is configured to send air into the wash tub when the electrostatic atomizer performs elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a motor,
 wherein the washing machine is configured to rotate the laundry in the wash tub by means of the motor when the electrostatic atomizer performs elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a door sensor for detecting whether the door is opened or closed,
 wherein the electrostatic atomizer is configured: to stand by in response to the elimination and deodorization mode; and to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry for a given time when the door sensor detects that the door is opened and subsequently closed.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising: a door sensor for detecting whether the door is opened or closed; and a weight sensor for detecting weight of the laundry in the wash tub,
 wherein the electrostatic atomizer is configured: to stand by in response to the elimination and deodorization mode; and to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry for a given time when the door sensor detects that the door is opened and subsequently closed and the weight detected through the weight sensor exceeds predetermined weight.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller that is configured to sequentially control: a wash operation for performing wash with respect to the laundry; a rinse operation for performing rinse with respect to the laundry; a spin-drying operation for performing spin-drying with respect to the laundry; and an elimination and deodorization operation for performing elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry;
 wherein the electrostatic atomizer is activated in case of the elimination and deodorization operation, and then produces the mist of charged fine water particles to spray the mist into the wash tub and thereby to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising: a dryer mechanism for drying the laundry; and a controller that is configured to sequentially control a wash operation for performing wash with respect to the laundry, a rinse operation for performing rinse with respect to the laundry, a spin-drying operation for performing spin-drying with respect to the laundry, a dry operation for drying the laundry, and an elimination and deodorization operation for performing elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry;
 wherein: the dryer mechanism is activated in case of the dry operation and then dries the laundry; and   the electrostatic atomizer is activated in case of the elimination and deodorization operation, and then produces the mist of charged fine water particles to spray the mist into the wash tub and thereby to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , further comprising a motor,
 wherein the controller controls to activate motor to rotate the laundry in the wash tub when the electrostatic atomizer performs elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller that is configured to sequentially control: an elimination and deodorization operation for performing elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry; and a series of wash operations including a wash operation for performing wash with respect to the laundry;
 the electrostatic atomizer is activated in case of the elimination and deodorization operation, and then produces the mist of charged fine water particles to spray the mist into the wash tub and thereby to perform elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a motor,
 wherein the controller controls to activate motor to rotate the laundry in the wash tub when the electrostatic atomizer performs elimination and deodorization with respect to the laundry.