Ion eluting unit and device loaded with same

• US 7,708,896 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tadano, Minoru, Ooe, Hirokazu, Yoshikawa, Hirofumi, Ikemizu, Mugihei
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilkins; Harry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mendez; Zulmariam
• Application Number:
  US10/535,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20060151316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,385 Days
• Field of Search: 204/242, 204/278.5, 210/748
• US Class Current: 210/748.18
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4606 for producing oligodynamic substances to disinfect the water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4613 Inversing polarity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/003 using electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

An ion elution unit generates metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes. Terminals are formed integrally to the electrodes. An interval between the electrodes becomes narrower from an upstream side to a downstream side with respect to a water current flowing through an inside of a casing of the ion elution unit. Terminals that are so laid as to run from the electrodes out of a casing of the ion elution unit are disposed on an upstream side with respect to a water current flowing through an inside of the casing.

Claims

1. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes,

wherein an interval between the electrodes becomes narrower from an upstream side to a downstream side with respect to a water current flowing through an inside of a casing of the ion elution unit.

8. The ion elution unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

wherein, of the electrodes, a positive electrode is made of one of silver, copper, zinc, or silver-copper alloy.

9. The ion elution unit according any one of claims 1 to 7,

wherein, of the electrodes, both positive and negative electrodes are made of one of silver, copper, zinc, or silver-copper alloy.

10. An appliance, comprising:

the ion elution unit according to claim 9,

wherein polarities of the electrodes are reversed periodically.

11. An appliance, comprising:

the ion elution unit according to claim 9,

wherein the metal ions generated by the ion elution unit are used by being added to water.

12. An appliance comprising:

the ion elution unit according to claim 10,

wherein the metal ions generated by the ion elution unit are used by being added to water.

13. The appliance according to claim 11,

wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

14. The appliance according to claim 12,

wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

2. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing having a water inlet and a water outlet allowing a water current to flow through the casing, constantly in a horizontal direction, from the inlet to the outlet; and

terminals that are so laid as to extend from the electrodes and out of the casing, the terminals being disposed on an upstream side with respect to the water current flowing through an inside of the casing,

wherein the electrodes extend along a direction of water flowing out of the inlet.

3. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing having a water inlet and a water outlet allowing a water current to flow through the casing, constantly in a horizontal direction, from the inlet to the outlet; and

terminals that are so laid as to extend from the electrodes and out of the casing, the terminals being disposed on an upstream side with respect to the water current flowing through an inside of the casing, and a supporting portion for supporting downstream-side parts of the electrodes being formed on an inner surface of the casing,

wherein the electrodes extend along a direction of water flowing out of the inlet.

4. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing having a casing body and a lid attached to the casing body, the lid having a support that extends into a chamber defined inside the casing;

terminals laid from the electrodes being so formed as to penetrate a bottom wall of the casing body and protrude downward; and

a sleeve that engages with a surface of an electrode and makes contact with the support when the lid is attached to the casing body.

5. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing body;

a water inflow port and a water outflow port extending from the casing body, a cross-sectional flow area of the water inflow port and a cross-sectional flow area of the water outflow port being smaller than a cross-sectional flow area of the casing body,

wherein the water outflow port is given a smaller cross-sectional flow area than the water inflow port.

6. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing body; and

a water inflow port and a water outflow port extending from the casing body,

wherein a cross-sectional flow area of the casing body gradually decreases from an upstream side to a downstream side.

7. An ion elution unit generating metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes, comprising:

a casing having a water inflow port and a water outflow port, such that a water current flows through the casing constantly in a horizontal direction from the inlet port to the outlet port,

wherein a bottom surface of the casing and an inner surface of a lowest portion of the water outflow port share a common plane.