JP2000054178A - Electrolyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easily handleable electrolyzer without depositing an electrolyte even when not used for a long period. SOLUTION: A timer contained in a controller 41 is started when the generation of acidic water (operation for electrolysis) of a device main body 7 is stopped. When the fact that the stoppage is continued until the predetermined reference time is confirmed by the signal from the timer, a control signal is outputted from the controller 41 to a raw water solenoid valve 5, pump 13, water supply control valve 31, etc., to generate acidic water for a predetermined time by supplying power to a couple of electrodes. Besides, the pump 13 is controlled by the controller 41 to make the brine supply to a mixing part 37 by the pump 13 from a tank 9 larger than that when normal electrolysis is conducted during the time until a specified time has passed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrolyzing a supplied electrolyte.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrolysis apparatus, it is intended to prevent the occurrence of solidification or clogging due to the precipitation of electrolyte in a pipe for guiding a high-concentration electrolyte solution from a storage tank to a mixing section due to non-use for a long time. As a countermeasure, a method of using a pipe having a large inner diameter or a method of using a low-concentration electrolyte solution at a level at which electrolyte precipitation hardly occurs is adopted.

[0003]

In the former method of the above two methods, although the pipe has a large inner diameter, the pipe is hardly clogged, but the precipitation of the electrolyte cannot be prevented. It cannot be a drastic measure. In addition, there is a problem that the use of a pipe having a large inner diameter inevitably increases the size of the apparatus itself.

[0004] On the other hand, in the latter case, a method of using a low-concentration electrolyte solution to increase the value of an electrolysis current and supplying it to an electrode in an electrolytic cell as compared with a case of using a high-concentration electrolyte solution, In the mixing section, it is necessary to select one of the methods for increasing the supply amount of the electrolyte solution mixed with the raw water supplied from the water supply source. However, when the method of increasing the value of the electrolytic current is selected, there is a problem that the increase in the size and the cost of the electrolytic cell power supply are inevitable, while the method of increasing the supply amount of the electrolytic solution is problematic. When the is selected, there is a problem that the frequency of replenishment of the electrolyte solution into the storage tank cannot be avoided.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolysis apparatus which is easy to use and which does not cause the deposition of electrolyte even if it is left unused for a long time.

[0006]

An electrolyzer according to a first aspect of the present invention electrolyzes a supplied electrolytic solution, controls each part of the apparatus, and controls each part of the apparatus for electrolysis. Means for activating each unit of the apparatus when the operation of the apparatus is continuously stopped for a reference time or more.

[0007] According to the above configuration, since each section of the apparatus is started when the section for the electrolysis is continuously stopped for the reference time or more, the tank for storing the high concentration of the electrolyte is stored. Even when the deposition of the electrolyte is about to occur in the pipe that communicates with the electrolytic cell, the deposition of the electrolyte is suppressed by the electrolyte to be supplied from the tank to the pipe.

In a preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, each part of the apparatus includes a supply mechanism interposed between a tank for storing a relatively high-concentration electrolyte solution and an electrolytic cell. In the present embodiment, the electrolyte solution supplied from the tank via the supply mechanism was mixed with the raw water supplied from the water supply source in the mixing section located on the upstream side of the electrolytic tank to become the electrolyte to be subjected to the predetermined concentration. Later, it is supplied to the electrolytic cell. The supply mechanism is a pump for supplying the electrolyte solution from the tank to the mixing section. In the present embodiment, a saline solution is used as the electrolyte solution.

The above-mentioned reference time is adjusted according to at least one of the temperature of the installation environment of the apparatus and the concentration of the electrolyte solution. As described above, by adjusting the reference time in accordance with the temperature of the installation environment of the apparatus (that is, room temperature) which affects the state of deposition of the electrolyte and the concentration of the electrolyte solution, clogging in the pipe due to deposition of the electrolyte can be prevented. Re-driving of each part of the apparatus can be performed at the minimum frequency that can be prevented. for that reason,
The usability of the device user can be improved, and wasteful consumption of raw water and the like can be prevented.

Each part of the apparatus is driven for a predetermined time. The control means increases the drive amount of each unit of the apparatus during the determined time as compared with the normal time. As described above, by increasing the driving amount of each part of the apparatus, the electrolyte solution which is about to be deposited can be promptly supplied to the mixing part through the pipe.

In a modification of the above-described embodiment, a plurality of times are provided as reference times, and a predetermined time is set for each of the plurality of times. Also, a plurality of times may be provided as the reference time, and the combination of each unit to be started may be different for each of the plurality of times.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program medium for electrolyzing a supplied electrolytic solution,
The above-described control means in the electrolysis apparatus, comprising means for controlling each part of the apparatus and activating each part of the apparatus when each part of the apparatus is continuously stopped for the electrolysis operation for a reference time or more. A computer program for causing a computer to operate as a computer.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an electrolyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The above-mentioned apparatus is for producing acidic water containing hypochlorous acid from a saline solution and supplying it to a faucet or the like for hand washing. As shown in the figure, a raw water supply port 3 and a raw water solenoid valve 5 are provided. When,
The apparatus includes a device main body 7, a saline solution tank (tank) 9, a saline solution supply pipe (supply pipe) 11, a saline solution supply pump (pump) 13, a water outlet 15, and a dedicated faucet 19.

The raw water supply port 3 communicates between the water supply pipe 1 connected to a water supply source (not shown) and a piping system inside the apparatus main body 7. Valve 5 is facing. The pump 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 7, and is interposed between the supply pipe 11 having one end opening to the tank 9 and a piping system inside the apparatus main body 7. The dedicated faucet 19 is provided facing, for example, a dedicated sink (not shown), and communicates with the water outlet 15 through an acidic water supply pipe (supply pipe) 17. SW) 21 and an acidic water generation stop switch (generation stop SW) 23. Device body 7
Is mounted with an operation panel 29 having a display 25 and an operation switch (operation SW) 27.

The supply pipe 11 has a structure in which the saline solution in the pipe 11 is maintained as it is even when the pump 13 stops driving. This is because it is necessary to suck the saline from the tank 9 to the apparatus main body 7 every time the apparatus is started unless the saline is held in the pipe 11, so that it takes time until the acidic water generation operation is started. This is because the usability of the device deteriorates.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each unit provided in the apparatus main body shown in FIG.

The apparatus main body 7 includes a raw water supply port 3, a raw water solenoid valve 5, a pump 13 and a water discharge port 15 as well as a water supply adjusting valve 31, a flow rate sensor 33, a check valve 35, and a mixing section 37. , Electrolytic cell 39 and controller 41
Is provided.

The raw water solenoid valve 5 opens and closes under the control of the controller 41 to control the flow of raw water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) through the water supply pipe 1 into the apparatus main body 7. . The flow rate sensor 33 is attached to an internal pipe communicating with the electrolytic cell 39 through the mixing section 37, and detects a flow rate Q of raw water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) and outputs the detected flow rate Q to the controller 41.

A water supply amount adjusting valve (for example, a valve mechanism configured to control the water supply amount by variably adjusting the valve opening) 31 is installed at an appropriate place in the internal piping, and is connected to the raw water supply system by the raw water supply system. A certain amount of raw water is supplied to the mixing section 37 through the valve 5.
Is controlled by the controller 41 based on the flow rate detection signal Q from the flow rate sensor 33.

In the tank 9, for example, a salt solution set to a predetermined concentration is stored. This saline solution is driven by the pump 13 placed under the control of the controller 41.
The mixture is supplied to the mixing section 37 through the supply pipe 11 and the check valve 35 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the pump 1
A tube pump provided with a stepping motor (pulse motor) is used for the step 3, and the stepping motor is controlled by the controller 41 so that a fixed amount of saline is supplied to the mixing section 37.

The mixing section 37 has a predetermined amount of raw water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) through the water supply pipe 1 or the like, and a predetermined concentration of raw water supplied from the tank 9 through the supply pipe 11, the pump 13 and the check valve 35. A predetermined concentration of saline is produced by mixing with a certain amount of saline. Then, the generated saline solution is supplied to the electrolytic cell 39 through a saline solution injection pipe.

The electrolytic cell 39 has a pair of electrodes (not shown).
It has. In the electrolytic cell 39, the controller 41
The saline supplied from the mixing section 37 through the saline injection tube is electrolyzed by a direct current (electrolytic current) of a predetermined magnitude supplied from the pair of electrodes. As a result, acidic water containing hypochlorous acid having strong sterilizing power is generated. In the present embodiment, the controller 41 supplies a current of which polarity is inverted to each of the electrodes every time a predetermined time (for example, about several tens of minutes) elapses. As a result, the electrodes are washed and impurities such as scales generated in the process of generating acidic water containing hypochlorous acid from the saline solution are prevented from adhering to the electrodes. The acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 39 is discharged from the dedicated faucet 19 through the water outlet 15 and the supply pipe 17. At the same time, the electrolytic cell 39
The alkaline water generated in (1) is drained from a drain section (not shown).

When the generation start SW 21 is operated,
Output an acidic water generation start command signal to the controller 41,
On the other hand, the generation stop SW 23 outputs an acidic water generation stop command signal to the controller 41 when operated.

The controller 41 reads detection signals from various sensors (not shown) including the flow rate sensor 33, and output signals from the generation start SW 21 and the generation stop SW 23, and executes predetermined arithmetic processing to obtain raw water. In addition to controlling the electromagnetic valve 5, the pump 13, and the water supply amount adjustment valve 31, the power supply to the pair of electrodes and the like are controlled.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the controller 41 executes the following arithmetic processing operation.

The controller 41 starts a built-in timer (not shown) when the apparatus main body 7 stops the acidic water generation operation (operation for electrolysis). When it is confirmed from the output signal from the timer that the stop state has continued up to the predetermined reference time, the controller 41 performs the raw water electromagnetic valve 5 and the pump to perform the acidic water generation operation for the predetermined time. 13. A control signal is output to each unit such as the water supply amount adjustment valve 31 to supply power to the pair of electrodes.

Here, the above-mentioned reference time is a time from the time when the apparatus main body 7 stops the operation for electrolyzing the saline solution to the time when the salt starts to be precipitated from the saline solution. The length of the reference time can be adjusted according to the room temperature, which is the temperature of the installation environment of the apparatus, the concentration of saline solution, and the like.

Further, the above-mentioned predetermined time means that the salt solution in which salt is about to be precipitated is supplied from the supply port of the tank 9 to the mixing section 37 through the supply pipe 11 and the check valve 35 by the drive of the pump 13. It is time with enough length.

It should be noted that the controller 41 normally transmits the gas from the tank 9 by the pump 13 to the mixing unit 37 until the predetermined time elapses, compared to when the apparatus is operating for electrolysis. The pump 13 is controlled so that the supply amount of the saline solution increases.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation sequence in the electrolyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the operation sequence shown in FIG.
In step 1, an acidic water generation start command is given from the generation start SW 21 to the controller 41 so that the controller 41
Starts the operation of each part of the apparatus such as the pump 13 and applies a DC voltage to a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell 39 from a DC power supply (not shown). As a result, the saline solution in the electrolytic cell 39 is electrolyzed to generate acidic water containing hypochlorous acid. When an acidic water generation stop command is given from the generation stop SW 23 at the time T2, the controller 41 stops driving of each unit of the device and application of the DC voltage. Time T2
Starts a timer built in the controller 41. When the count value t of the timer reaches the time T3 at which the reference value a is reached, the controller 41 drives each unit of the apparatus for a predetermined time b. At this time, the pump 13 is controlled so that the supply amount of the saline solution from the tank 9 to the mixing unit 37 by the pump 13 increases. The counting operation of the time b is performed by a timer (not shown) different from the timer.

As described above, the reference value (reference time) a is defined as the time from when the apparatus main body 7 stops the operation for electrolyzing the saline solution to when the salt starts to be precipitated from the saline solution. Time. As described above, the time “b” is long enough that the salt solution in which the salt is about to be precipitated is supplied from the supply port of the tank 9 to the mixing unit 37 through the supply pipe 11 and the check valve 35 by the drive of the pump 13. It's a time that lasts.

Next, when reaching the time T4 when the time b has elapsed, the controller 41 stops driving the respective parts of the apparatus. This stopped state is continued from time T4 to time T5 when the reference time a elapses. Then, from time T5 to time T6, the same control of each unit of the apparatus as that performed at time T3 to T4 is executed, and when time T6 is reached, the drive of each unit of the apparatus is stopped. Thereafter, until an acidic water generation start command is given from the generation start SW 21 to the controller 41,
The above series of operations will be repeated.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the stop time of the acidic water generation operation reaches the predetermined reference time (a), only the predetermined time (b) is used. An acidic water generation operation was performed. Therefore, even if the precipitation of salt is about to occur in the supply pipe 11, the precipitation of the salt is suppressed by the saline solution supplied from the pump 13 to the supply pipe 11. Therefore,
Even when the apparatus has not been used for a long period of time, the use of the apparatus can be immediately resumed without replacing or cleaning the supply pipe 11.

Until the predetermined time (b) elapses, the controller 41 normally sends the gas from the tank 9 to the mixing section 37 more frequently than when the apparatus is in operation for producing acidic water. Pump 1 to increase the amount of saline solution supplied
3 was controlled. Therefore, the salt solution which is about to be precipitated can be quickly supplied to the mixing section 37 through the supply pipe 11.

Further, the length of the reference time (a) is
Since it can be adjusted in accordance with the room temperature or the salt solution concentration which affects the salt precipitation state, the acidity of the apparatus main body 7 can be adjusted at the lowest frequency at which clogging in the supply pipe 11 due to salt precipitation can be prevented. Operation for water generation can be performed. Therefore, the usability of the apparatus user can be improved, and wasteful consumption of raw water and the like can be prevented.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the operation sequence in the electrolyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In this modified example, when the respective units of the apparatus stop operating and reach a reference time (a ') shorter than the reference time (a), a time shorter than the predetermined time (b) ( b '), only the pump 13 is driven, and each time the cumulative value of the reference time (a') reaches a predetermined value, each unit of the apparatus is driven for the time b.

That is, in FIG. 4, first, at time T11, an acidic water generation start command is given from the generation start SW 21 to the controller 41, so that the controller 41 starts driving each unit of the apparatus such as the pump 13 and the DC power supply. A DC voltage is applied to a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell 39 (not shown). As a result, the saline solution in the electrolytic cell 39 is electrolyzed to generate acidic water containing hypochlorous acid. When an acid water generation stop command is given from the generation stop SW 23 at the time T12, the controller 41 stops driving of each unit of the device and application of the DC voltage. At time T12, a timer built in the controller 41 is started. Then, when the count value t of the timer reaches time T13 at which the above-mentioned reference value a 'is reached, the controller 41 drives only the pump 13 for a predetermined time b'. The above time b '
Is performed by a timer (not shown) different from the above timer, as in the operation sequence shown in FIG.

Next, at time T14 when the time b 'has elapsed, the controller 41 stops driving the pump 13. This stop state is continued from time T14 to time T15 when the reference time a 'elapses. Then, between time T15 and time T16, control of only the pump 13 is executed in the same manner as performed at time T13 to T14, and when time T16 is reached, driving of the pump 13 is stopped. Next, when the time reaches the time T17 at which the reference time a 'has elapsed from the time T16, the accumulated value of the reference time a' has reached the predetermined value N.
1 is a time T18 when the above-described time b elapses from the time T17.
Is driven until the pressure reaches. Again,
As in the operation sequence shown in FIG.
The pump 13 is controlled so that the supply amount of the saline solution from the tank 9 to the mixing section 37 by 3 increases. Then, after reaching the time T18, the driving of each unit of the apparatus is stopped from the time T18 to a time T19 when the reference time a 'elapses. When the time reaches T19, control for starting only the pump 13 is executed again. This control is performed at time T when time b 'elapses from time T19.
Runs up to 20.

After the time T20, the generation start SW21
The above series of operations will be repeated until an acidic water generation start command is given to the controller 41 from.

As described above, according to the modified example of the embodiment of the present invention, when the reference time (a ') shorter than the reference time (a) is reached after each unit of the apparatus stops operating. , Time (b ′) shorter than the time (b) determined above
Only the pump 13 is driven. Therefore, the high-concentration saline solution in the supply pipe 11 maintains a fluid state, so that it is possible to maintain a state in which precipitation hardly occurs, thereby increasing the intervals at which each unit of the apparatus for preventing precipitation is driven. Can be. Therefore, the usability and water saving of the device can be improved.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned contents relate only to an embodiment of the present invention, and do not mean that the present invention is limited to only the above-described contents.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an easy-to-use electrolysis apparatus in which no electrolyte is deposited even when the electrolysis apparatus is left unused for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an electrolyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each unit included in the apparatus main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation sequence in the electrolysis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the operation sequence in the electrolyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tap water piping 3 Raw water supply port 5 Raw water solenoid valve 7 Device body 9 Salt water tank (tank) 11 Salt water supply pipe (supply pipe) 13 Salt water supply pump (pump) 15 Water outlet 17 Acid water supply pipe (supply pipe 19 Dedicated faucet 21 Acid water generation start switch (generation start SW) 23 Acid water generation stop switch (generation stop SW) 25 Display 27 Operation switch (operation SW) 29 Operation panel 31 Water supply amount adjustment valve 33 Flow sensor 35 Check Valve 37 Mixing unit 39 Electrolyzer 41 Controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Hiroyuki Seki 2-1, 1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture Inside Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Shigeru Kuboen 2 Nakajima, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture No. 1-1, Toto Kiki Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroshi Takamatsu 2-1-1, Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term in Toto Kiki Co., Ltd. 4D061 AA03 AA04 AB07 AB10 BA02 BB01 BB05 BB39 BD13 4K021 AB07 BA03 BC01 BC06 CA08 CA15 DC07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for electrolyzing a supplied liquid to be electrolyzed, wherein the apparatus controls each section of the apparatus and, when each section of the apparatus continuously stops the operation for electrolysis for a reference time or longer. An electrolysis apparatus comprising: means for activating the electrolysis. 2. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each part of the apparatus includes a supply mechanism interposed between a tank for storing a relatively high-concentration electrolyte solution and the electrolysis tank. Electrolysis equipment. 3. The electrolyzer according to claim 2, wherein the electrolyte solution supplied from the tank via the supply mechanism is supplied from a water supply source in a mixing section upstream of the electrolytic cell. And an electrolytic solution, which is supplied to the electrolytic cell after being mixed with an electrolytic solution to obtain a predetermined concentration of the electrolytic solution. 4. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the supply mechanism is a pump for supplying an electrolyte solution from the tank to the mixing section. 5. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrolyte solution is a saline solution. 6. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference time is set according to at least one of a temperature of an installation environment of the apparatus and a concentration of the electrolyte solution. An electrolyzer characterized by being adjusted. 7. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each part of the apparatus is driven for a predetermined time. 8. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means increases the driving amount of each part of the apparatus during the predetermined time as compared with a normal operation. 9. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of times are provided as the reference time, and the determined time is set for each of the plurality of times. An electrolysis apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of times are provided as the reference time, and a combination of each unit to be started is different for each of the plurality of times. An electrolysis apparatus, characterized in that: 11. An apparatus for electrolyzing a supplied liquid to be electrolyzed, wherein the apparatus controls each section of the apparatus, and when each section of the apparatus continuously stops the operation for electrolysis for a reference time or longer. A computer-readable program medium carrying a computer program for causing a computer to operate as the control means in the electrolysis apparatus, the program medium comprising: