Apparatus and method for machine washing
First Claim
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1. A method of machine washing comprising:
- containing washing water in a water reservoir where articles for washing are located;
sterilizing the washing water introduced from the water reservoir through an electrolysis process by a sterilizer; and
circulating the washing water introduced from the water reservoir by a circulator while it is being sterilized and the sterilized washing water is discharged into the water reservoir, the sterilizer being positioned higher than the water level of the washing water so that the washing water is only circulated in the sterilizer during operation of the circulator,wherein the sterilizing comprisessupplying electric current to a first electrode including Ag and a second electrode including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than the ionization tendency of Ag; and
switching the polarity of the electric current applied to the first and second electrodes based on a desired mode of operation of the sterilizing,wherein the sterilizer is positioned higher than the water level of the washing water and the washing water is prevented from contacting the electrodes during non-operation of the circulator.
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Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for machine washing that includes a sterilizer capable of continuously exhibiting antibiotic and sterilization functions during washing and rinsing processes and reducing the consumption amount of Ag. The washing machine comprises a water reservoir to contain washing water, a sterilizer sterilizing the washing water through an electrolysis process, and a circulator circulating the washing water in the sterilizer.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of machine washing comprising:
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containing washing water in a water reservoir where articles for washing are located; sterilizing the washing water introduced from the water reservoir through an electrolysis process by a sterilizer; and circulating the washing water introduced from the water reservoir by a circulator while it is being sterilized and the sterilized washing water is discharged into the water reservoir, the sterilizer being positioned higher than the water level of the washing water so that the washing water is only circulated in the sterilizer during operation of the circulator, wherein the sterilizing comprises supplying electric current to a first electrode including Ag and a second electrode including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than the ionization tendency of Ag; and switching the polarity of the electric current applied to the first and second electrodes based on a desired mode of operation of the sterilizing, wherein the sterilizer is positioned higher than the water level of the washing water and the washing water is prevented from contacting the electrodes during non-operation of the circulator.
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2. A washing machine comprising:
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a water reservoir to contain washing water; a sterilizer comprising a first electrode including Ag and a second electrode including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than the ionization tendency of Ag to sterilize the washing water through an electrolysis process; a circulator to circulate the washing water introduced from the water reservoir, sterilized in the sterilizer, and discharged into the water reservoir; a power supply that supplies electric current to the first and second electrodes, and a controller that switches polarity of the electric current applied to the first and second electrodes, wherein the sterilizer is positioned higher than the water level of the washing water whereby the washing water is only in the sterilizer during operation of the circulator and the washing water is prevented from contacting the electrodes during non-operation of the circulator due to the sterilizer being positioned above the water level of the washing water, and wherein the first and second electrodes are protected from contamination when the circulator is not operating. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification