Washing machine

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 proposes a prior art washing machine which is adapted to supply ozone generated by an ozone generator into a washing tub through a connection tube for sterilization of laundry in the washing tub.

In the washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connection tube horizontally extends from the ozone generator to be connected to a water supply case. Therefore, the ozone generated by the ozone generator flows horizontally through the connection tube into the water supply case, and then flows down through a duct to be supplied into the washing tub.

When a temperature difference occurs between the inside and the outside of the connection tube, water is condensed in the connection tube. If water droplets resulting from the water condensation adhere to the interior surface of the connection tube, the water droplets are liable to flow horizontally through the connection tube into the ozone generator. If the water droplets intrude into the ozone generator and adhere to ozone generating electrodes of the ozone generator, the ozone generation efficiency, i.e., the laundry sterilization efficiency, is disadvantageously reduced. Further, water bubbles and detergent bubbles generated in the washing tub during a washing process are liable to enter the connection tube through the duct and the water supply case. If the bubbles are broken to form water droplets, these water droplets, like the water droplets resulting from the water condensation, are liable to intrude into the ozone generator.

Of course, it is desirable to position the aforementioned components in a compact and functionally efficient manner in the washing machine.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which is arranged to efficiently clean laundry while preventing water from intruding into a gas generator that generates a gas effective for cleaning the laundry.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which includes a gas generator that generates a gas effective for cleaning laundry, and yet has a compact construction.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which is functionally efficient and yet has a simplified construction.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 1, there is provided a washing machine, which includes: a washing tub in which laundry is contained; an air duct through which air is introduced into the washing tub; a gas generator which generates a gas effective for cleaning the laundry contained in the washing tub, the gas generator being disposed above the washing tub; and a conduit through which the gas generated by the gas generator is introduced into the air duct, the conduit extending downward from the gas generator to be connected to the air duct.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 2, the gas generator includes a gas generating member having a gas generating surface that generates the gas effective for cleaning the laundry, and the gas generating member is disposed with its gas generating surface being perpendicular to a horizontal plane or inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the washing machine of claim 1.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 3, there is provided a washing machine, which includes: a washing tub in which laundry is contained; an air duct through which air is introduced into the washing tub; a gas generator which generates a gas effective for cleaning the laundry contained in the washing tub; a conduit through which the gas generated by the gas generator is introduced into the air duct, the conduit communicating with the air duct and the gas generator; wherein the gas generator includes a gas generating member having a gas generating surface that generates the gas effective for cleaning the laundry, and the gas generating member is disposed with its gas generating surface being perpendicular to a horizontal plane or inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 4, the washing machine of any of claims 1 to 3 further includes an air blower which supplies the air into the washing tub from the air duct, the air blower being disposed in the air duct, wherein the conduit is connected to a portion of the air duct upstream of the air blower with respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows from the air duct to the washing tub, and the air blower is disposed adjacent the gas generator.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 5, the washing machine of claim 4 further includes: a first water supply unit which supplies water into the washing tub; a housing which accommodates the first water supply unit and the gas generator in adjacent relation and serves as an outer casing of the washing machine; and a wall provided in the housing to isolate the first water supply unit and the gas generator from each other.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 6, the housing has a load/unload opening through which the laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the washing tub in the washing machine of claim 5. The washing machine of claim 5 further includes a door which covers and uncovers the load/unload opening, the door being provided in the housing in a slidable manner, wherein the gas generator is disposed in a door sliding region of the housing in which the door is slid, and the first water supply unit is disposed outside the door sliding region in the housing.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 7, the sliding of the door is guided by the wall in the washing machine of claim 6.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 8, the washing machine of claim 6 or 7 further includes a second water supply unit which supplies water into the washing tub, wherein the air blower is disposed between the second water supply unit and the gas generator.

According to an inventive aspect as set forth in claim 9, the second water supply unit is disposed outside the door sliding region in the housing in the washing machine of claim 8.