Electrolytic mist generator and washing machine using it

Abstract

An electrolytic mist generating device includes electrode parts arranged inside an electrolytic cell, a piezoelectric element that generates mist of electrolytic water, a water supply device that supplies water into the electrolytic cell, a discharging device that discharges the mist generated in the electrolytic cell from an outlet, and a control circuit that controls steps, wherein in an electrolysis step, a voltage that does not permit the mist to be generated is applied to the piezoelectric element to generate a water column.

1 . An electrolytic mist generating device comprising:
 an electrolytic cell;   electrode parts where a pair of positive pole and negative pole are arranged in parallel and opposed to one another in the electrolytic cell;   a piezoelectric element that generates mist of electrolytic water generated inside the electrolytic cell;   a water supply device that supplies water into the electrolytic cell;   a discharging device that discharges the mist from the electrolytic cell; and   a control circuit that controls steps,   wherein in an electrolysis step, a voltage that does not permit the mist to be generated is applied to the piezoelectric element to generate a water column.   
   
   
       2 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit executes a drainage step of discharging electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell. 
   
   
       3 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit executes a water supply step of supplying water into the electrolytic cell after the drainage step. 
   
   
       4 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit executes a cleaning step of cleaning an inside of the electrolytic cell after the drainage step. 
   
   
       5 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the control circuit executes a water supply step of supplying water into the electrolytic cell after the cleaning step. 
   
   
       6 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the voltage that does not permit the mist to be generated and is applied to the piezoelectric element is ⅓ or more and ½ or less of a rated voltage permitting the mist to be generated. 
   
   
       7 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water column generated from the piezoelectric element is formed by a water flow passing though the electrode parts. 
   
   
       8 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolytic cell has a recessed part having a predetermined depth in a bottom portion thereof, and the piezoelectric element is arranged so as to be inclined in the recessed part. 
   
   
       9 . The electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis step is controlled by a constant current circuit. 
   
   
       10 . A washing machine comprising:
 the electrolytic mist generating device according to  claim 1 ;   a washing tub that contains laundry;   an outer tub in which the washing tub is internally mounted rotatably; and   a water supply device that supplies washing water to the outer tub,   wherein mist of electrolytic water generated by the electrolytic mist generating device is supplied to the washing tub.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein an inner surface of an introduction part from the electrolytic mist generating device to the washing tub is subjected to water repellent treatment. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrolytic mist generating device supplies mist of Ag ion electrolytic water of 20 ppm or more and 200 ppm or less. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the supply of the mist to the washing tub is performed while laundry is tumbled after a final spin drying step.