JP2000093959A - Electrolyzed water generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus which can control concn. of a specified ion in accordance with requirement of a user by controlling amt. of electrolyte in accordance with quality of water of raw water. SOLUTION: Raw water is introduced into an electrolyte feeding apparatus 4. The electrolyte feeding apparatus 4 is provided with an electrolyte feeding cylinder 62 in a jacket cylinder 61. The jacket cylinder 61 is provided with an inlet pipe 63 through which the raw water is introduced and outlet pipes 64a and 64b respectively communicated with two electrode rooms provided in an electrolytic cell. By rotating the electrolyte feeding cylinder 62, a condition where it is forwarded out from the inlet pipe 63 into the outlet pipe 64b through the electrolyte feeding cylinder 62 and a condition where it is forwarded out from the inlet pipe 63 into the outlet pipes 64a and 64b through the electrolyte feeding cylinder 62 are switched each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus for generating alkaline water and acidic water by electrolyzing raw water such as city water or water obtained by adding an electrolyte to raw water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an electrolyzed water generating apparatus having a structure shown in FIG. The illustrated example is mainly used for the purpose of generating weakly alkaline water, and is generally called an alkali ion water conditioner. This electrolyzed water generation device electrolyzes water that has passed through the water purification device 2 and a water purification device 2 that removes impurities such as organic substances and inorganic substances and odor components such as hypochlorous acid from raw water such as city water. An electrolytic cell 3 for generating cathodic water (also referred to as alkaline water or alkaline ionized water) and anode water (also referred to as acidic water or acidic ionized water) is provided. The water purification device 2 generally includes a microfilter such as a hollow fiber membrane for removing impurities and an activated carbon filter that has been subjected to an antibacterial treatment for removing odor components.

The inside of the electrolytic cell 3 is divided into two electrode chambers 14 and 18 by an electrolytic diaphragm 5.
8 are provided with electrodes 12A and 12B, respectively. Here, the electrode 12A provided in the electrode chamber 14 for producing alkaline water is usually a cathode, and the electrode 12B provided in the electrode chamber 18 for producing acidic water is usually an anode. Also, the electrode chamber 14
Has a larger volume than the electrode chamber 18. Inflow passages 20 and 22 and outflow passages 21 and 23 are provided in each of the electrode chambers 14 and 18, and the electrolyte supply device 4 is provided in the inflow passage 22. The electrolyte supply device 4 is for adding an electrolyte to water as needed, and an organic calcium salt such as calcium lactate or calcium glycerophosphate is generally used as the electrolyte.

[0004] With the above-described configuration, water that has passed through the water purification device 2 is introduced into the electrode chamber 14 through the inflow channel 20 and water that is introduced into the electrode chamber 18 after the electrolyte is added through the inflow channel 22. Shunted. In the electrolytic cell 3, a direct current is passed between the electrodes 12A and 12B to perform electrolysis.
Cathode water is generated in the electrode chamber 14 and anode water is generated in the electrode chamber 18. The cathodic water is taken out through the outflow channel 21 and the anodic water is taken out through the outflow channel 23. The cathodic water and the anodic water are taken out through a separate path.

[0005] As described above, the electrode chamber 1 passes through the inflow passage 20.
The water introduced into the electrode chamber 18 is discharged as cathodic water from the outflow channel 21, and the water introduced into the electrode chamber 18 through the inflow channel 22 is discharged as anodic water from the outflow channel 23. Since the electrolyte is mixed into the cathodic water used for drinking and the like when provided in the inflow passage 20, the electrolyte supply device 4 generally supplies the inflow water that communicates with the electrode chamber 18 that generates the anodic water that is not used for drinking. It is provided only on the road 22. That is, calcium ions that have passed through the electrolytic diaphragm 5 are added to the cathodic water, but lactate ions are discharged together with the anodic water. As described above, the cathode water contains calcium ions, and the cathode water to which calcium ions are added can be obtained without using more electrolyte than necessary. Such a technique of adding an electrolyte only to water on the anode side is referred to as an “anodic addition method”.
The “anodic addition method” has an electric conductivity of 100 to 300 μS /
cm of general city water can sufficiently achieve the purpose of promoting electrolysis.

However, even in city water, the electric conductivity may be 100 μS / cm or less, and even if the electric conductivity is 100 μS / cm or more, a large amount of ions (such as bicarbonate ions) having a buffering action may be contained. In the case of water (mainly city water whose source is spring water, groundwater, etc.), the purpose of promoting electrolysis may not be sufficiently achieved by the “anode addition method”.

Therefore, when this kind of water is used as raw water, as shown in FIG. 18, the water purification apparatus 2 is designed so that the electrolyte is added to both the water introduced into the two electrode chambers 14 and 18. Immediately thereafter, an electrolyte supply device 4 'is provided and two inflow paths 2 are provided.
It has been considered that the electrolyte is added to both of the water flowing into both electrode chambers 14 and 18 by adding the electrolyte before being diverted to 0 and 22. In other words, the electrolysis efficiency is increased by further increasing the electric conductivity of the water in which the electrolysis is performed, as compared with the “anode addition method”, and even when using raw water that cannot sufficiently promote electrolysis with the “anode addition method”. That is, the electrolysis can be performed efficiently. This type of electrolyzed water generation apparatus is called “bipolar addition system”.

In both configurations of the "anodic addition method" and the "bipolar addition method", the anolyte water generated simultaneously with the cathodic water is acidic water containing lactate ions and has an astringent effect (astringent effect). It is used as needed for purposes other than drinking. In addition, water quality measuring devices 8B and 8A are disposed in the outflow channels 21 and 23 for taking out the cathode water and the anode water, respectively, and detect the water quality of the cathode water and the anode water. The water quality measuring devices 8A and 8B electrochemically measure water quality, and for example, those measuring pH value, oxidation-reduction potential, calcium concentration, electric conductivity and the like are used. By constantly measuring the water quality in this manner, it is possible to control the electrolysis conditions such as the voltage and flow rate during electrolysis so as to stabilize the quality of the discharged water.

[0009]

As described above, the "anode addition method" has an electric conductivity of 100 μm for raw water.
When the S / cm is not more than S / cm or when a large amount of ions having a buffering action is contained, there is a problem that it is not possible to supply a sufficient amount of electrolyte to promote the electrolysis, and it is not possible to perform the electrolysis sufficiently. Therefore, "Anode addition method"
In order to cope with this problem, the user must reduce the flow rate of the electrolyzed water generator by reducing the discharge water amount or providing a flow control valve for adjusting the supply water amount. However, in any case, since the amount of supplied water is reduced, it takes time for the user to obtain a desired amount of water, and the usability is deteriorated.

In the "anodic addition method", the amount of calcium ions contained in the cathodic water can be increased by about 30 to 40% with respect to the raw water. When trying to ingest ions, the “anodic addition method” cannot satisfy the user.

On the other hand, the "bipolar addition method" can solve the above-mentioned problems with the "anodic addition method", but has the following problems. That is, since calcium lactate is generally added as an electrolyte, lactate ions are contained in the cathodic water that can be drunk. In general,
Users who drink the cathodic water generated by the electrolyzed water generator have high expectations for the taste.However, water containing lactate ions has a slight odor and taste. It is undesirable to include it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to secure the electrolysis efficiency by adjusting the amount of an electrolyte that promotes electrolysis according to the quality of raw water, and to further improve the calcium ion It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of adjusting the concentration of a specific ion as described above according to the expectation of a user.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus comprising: an electrode disposed in each of two electrode chambers divided by an electrolytic membrane; An electrode tank for taking out water from an outlet provided in each of the electrode chambers, and an electrolyte supply device capable of adding an electrolyte to water introduced into each of the electrode chambers are provided, and the electrolyte supply device is introduced into each of the electrode chambers. It is provided with a means for adjusting the amount of electrolyte added to water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electrode is disposed in each of two electrode chambers divided by an electrolytic diaphragm, and a voltage is applied between the two electrodes so that electrolytic water generated in each electrode chamber is supplied to each electrode chamber. An electrode tank to be taken out from the outlet provided respectively, and an electrolyte supply device capable of adding an electrolyte to water introduced into each electrode chamber are provided.
It is provided with a means for selecting between a state in which the electrolyte is added only to the water introduced into the electrode chamber provided with the electrode serving as the anode and a state in which the electrolyte is added to the water introduced into both electrode chambers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device includes: an introduction pipe into which water is introduced;
It comprises first and second outlet pipes communicating with the respective electrode chambers, and switching means for opening and closing one outlet pipe to switch the flow path.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device communicates with an introduction pipe that communicates only with the water introduction side, and communicates with the water introduction side and communicates with one of the electrode chambers. It has a first outlet pipe, a second outlet pipe communicating with the other electrode chamber, and switching means for opening and closing the inlet pipe to switch the flow path.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device includes an electrolyte charging cylinder in which an electrolyte is stored, and a jacket cylinder serving as an outer cylinder of the electrolyte charging cylinder. The switching means switches the flow path by moving one of the electrolyte charging cylinder and the jacket cylinder relative to the other.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water quality measuring device for measuring at least one of water introduced into the electrolytic cell and water taken out of the electrolytic cell, Means for adjusting the supply concentration of the electrolyte to be supplied to each electrode chamber in accordance with the result of measurement by the water quality measuring device so that the water taken out from the water becomes the target water quality.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, if the water quality measurement result obtained by the water quality measuring device does not reach the target water quality, the electrolyte supply device includes means for increasing the supply concentration of the electrolyte. It is.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claims 1 to 7, the electrolyte added in the electrolyte supply device is calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate,
It is selected from calcium gluconate, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium sulfate.

[0021]

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6
As shown in FIG. 1, a water purification device 2, an electrolytic cell 3, an electrolyte supply device 4, a water quality measuring device 8, a flow path switching valve 3
2 etc. are stored.

The present invention is characterized by the configuration of the electrolyte supply device 4, and the configuration of the other parts is basically the same as the conventional configuration. Therefore, the electrolyte supply device 4 will be described first.
The electrolyte supply device 4 is attached to a cover body 11 that forms the upper part of the housing 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and has a configuration in which an electrolyte charging cylinder 62 is provided inside a jacket cylinder 61 as shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the electrolysis chamber charging cylinder 62 is being mounted on the jacket cylinder 61 at a predetermined position. The jacket cylinder 61 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top surface, is fixed to the housing 1, has an inlet pipe 63 connected to the bottom face, and outlet pipes 64a and 64b connected to two different side faces, respectively. I have. The outlet pipe 64a joins the relay pipe 65 from the water purification device 2 and communicates with the inflow path 20 of the electrolytic cell 3. The introduction pipe 63 is connected to a relay pipe 65 from the water purification device 2. In other words, the relay pipe 65 from the water purification device 2 is branched into two, one of which is connected to the introduction pipe 63, and the other merges with the outlet pipe 64 a to reach the inflow path 20. The outlet pipe 64b is connected to the inflow passage 21 of the electrolytic cell 3.
Communicate with

The electrolyte charging cylinder 62 has a through-hole 62a at a position corresponding to the introduction pipe 63 provided in the jacket cylinder 61, and has a lid 6 that can open and close the flow path to the discharge pipe 64a.
2b, and is rotatable with respect to the jacket cylinder 61 within a predetermined angle range (for example, about 90 degrees). That is, a plurality of through-holes are formed in the lower peripheral wall of the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 in the circumferential direction, and a portion where no through-hole is formed is the lid portion 62b. The introduction pipe 63 communicates with the lead-out pipe 64b from the through-hole 62a through the internal space of the electrolyte charging tube 62. It communicates through the internal space of the charging cylinder 62. Also,
When the lid 62b closes the outlet pipe 64a, the inlet pipe 63 communicates only with the outlet pipe 64b and is cut off from the outlet pipe 64a. The lid portion 62b is configured such that the electrolyte charging tube 62 is
The outlet pipe 64a is closed at one end of the range of rotation with respect to 1,
The other end side is provided so as to open the outlet pipe 64a. In other words, by the rotation of the electrolyte injection cylinder 62, FIG.
The state where the introduction pipe 63 communicates only with the lead-out pipe 64b as shown in FIG. 2A, and the state where the introduction pipe 63 communicates with both the lead-out pipes 64a and 64b as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B. And the flow path can be switched. Thus, the flow path switching means is constituted by the jacket cylinder 61 and the electrolyte charging cylinder 62. Here, water flows from the inlet pipe 63 to the outlet pipe 64 through a gap between the jacket pipe 61 and the electrolyte charging pipe 62.
A packing 66 is interposed between the jacket cylinder 61 and the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 so as not to go around the a and 64b.

An electrolyte (calcium lactate, etc.) 67 is charged into the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 in the form of pellets, and a part of the electrolyte 67 is dissolved in water introduced into the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 through the introduction pipe 63 and the through hole 62a. Becomes an electrolyte solution,
It is sent to the electrolytic cell 3 through the outlet pipes 64a and 64b.

The electrolyte supply device 4 is provided with a cap 68. The cap 68 is connected to the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 and is rotatable together with the electrolyte charging cylinder 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the cap 68 is formed in a circular shape, and a linear knob 68a passing near the center is formed. The knob 68a is provided on the housing 1
By turning the cap 68 to adjust the position of the knob 68a to one of the marks 1a, the introduction pipe 63 and the two extraction pipes 64a and 64b are associated with each other.
And the introduction pipe 63 and one of the extraction pipes 64b
Only the state where only the communication is possible can be selected. Here, in a state where only the outlet pipe 64b communicates with the inlet pipe 63, the water to which the electrolyte has been added is introduced into the electrode chamber 18 and the water to which the electrolyte has not been added is introduced into the electrode chamber 14; Addition method ", and both outlet pipes 64a, 64b
Is connected to the introduction tube 63, the water to which the electrolyte is added is introduced into the electrode chambers 14 and 18, so that the "bipolar addition method" is adopted.

By the way, as is apparent from the above configuration, the water introduced into the electrode chamber 14 when the “bipolar addition method” is adopted reaches the inflow passage 20 without adding the electrolyte from the relay tube 65. Since it contains water and water reaching the inflow path 20 from the relay pipe 65 via the electrolyte charging cylinder 62, the electrode chamber 1 always passes from the relay pipe 65 via the electrolyte charging cylinder 62.
As compared with the water introduced in 8, the added concentration of the electrolyte becomes smaller. At the time of general use, alkaline water (cathode water) is generated in the electrode chamber 14 using the electrode 12A as a cathode. Since the alkaline water is drinkable, it is sufficient if the electrolyte is added to such an extent that electrolysis can be performed efficiently. It is not preferable to include lactate ions and the like more than necessary. In the above-described configuration, the concentration of the electrolyte in the electrode chamber 14 is relatively low even in the “bipolar addition method”, so that the content of lactate ions and the like in the alkaline water does not increase so much that the alkaline water suitable for drinking is used. Can be obtained.

With the above-described configuration of the electrolyte supply device 4, the electrolyzed water generation device of the present invention can be switched between the "anode addition system" and the "bipolar addition system". 5 and FIG. 6 schematically describe the flow path in. Here, FIG. 5 corresponds to a state in which the “anodic addition method” is selected, and FIG. 6 corresponds to a state in which the “both electrode addition method” is selected. Hereinafter, portions excluding the electrolyte supply device 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The water purifier 2 has a filter material 3 composed of an active-end filter subjected to an antibacterial treatment for removing odorous components such as hypochlorous acid from raw water such as city water, similarly to the conventional configuration.
4 and a filter medium 35 formed of a hollow fiber membrane for removing impurities such as organic substances and inorganic substances. In addition, both filter media 34 and 35 are housed in a single cartridge,
Each cartridge is replaceable.

The electrolytic cell 3 is connected to the electrode 1 via the electrolytic diaphragm 5.
Electrode chamber 14 with 2A and electrode chamber 1 with electrode 12B
8 are divided. Each electrode chamber 1 is located at the lower part of the electrolytic cell 3.
Inflow channels 20 and 2 for introducing water into 4, 18 respectively
2 are formed, and each of the electrode chambers 14 and 18 is provided above the electrolytic cell 3.
Outflow passages 21 and 23 for discharging water are provided. The flow path switching valve 32 is provided in the outflow paths 21 and 23.
The discharge pipes 36 and 37 are connected via the. Flow path switching valve 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes an electromagnetic rotary valve or a motor-operated switching valve capable of switching the connection relationship between the outflow paths 21 and 23 and the discharge pipes 36 and 37. Two states can be switched between a state in which the pipe 37 communicates with the pipe 37 and a state in which the outflow path 21 communicates with the discharge pipe 37 and the outflow path 23 communicates with the discharge pipe 36. The flow rate of the inflow channel 22 is set to be 1/3 to 1/4 of the inflow channel 20.

Raw water such as city water is introduced, for example, through a switching lever unit 43 provided on a water supply caran 42. The switching lever unit 43 switches between a state in which the raw water is introduced into the electrolyzed water generator and a state in which the raw water is discharged as it is. On the flow path between the switching lever unit 43 and the water purification device 2, a thermistor 39 for detecting the temperature of the raw water and a constant flow valve 41 for stabilizing the flow rate are arranged. In addition, a flow rate detection sensor 38 for detecting a flow rate is disposed on a flow path from the water purification device 2 to the electrolytic cell 3.
A drain pipe 44 is connected to a flow path from the flow rate detection sensor 38 to the electrolytic cell 3, and the drain pipe 44 is connected to a drain valve 4 formed of an electromagnetic valve.
It is designed to be opened and closed by 0.

The drain valve 40 closes when water flow is detected by the flow rate detection sensor 38, and opens after a predetermined time has elapsed after the flow rate detection sensor 38 detects that water flow is stopped. Therefore, after the passage of water is stopped, the drain valve 40 is opened and the residual water is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 44. Here, in the electrolytic cell 3, after the water supply is stopped, a voltage having the opposite polarity to that of the time of collecting the cathode water is applied to the electrodes 12A and 12A.
B is applied to the electrode B to remove calcium and the like adhering to the electrodes 12A and 12B. Since backwashing requires water in the electrolytic cell 3, the drain valve 40
Is closed for a certain period of time to leave water in the electrolytic cell 3. When the drain valve 40 is opened after the backwash, the drainage generated by the backwash is discharged to the outside from the drain pipe 44 by opening the drain valve 40.

By the way, from the flow path switching valve 32 to the discharge pipe 37
A water quality measuring device 8 is provided on the flow path leading to. There are various types of water quality measuring devices 8, and the following are used as needed. FIG. 7 shows a water quality measuring device 8 for detecting the concentration of calcium ions, which comprises a cylindrical sensor body 50 and a holding member 51 arranged in the lower part of the sensor body 50.
Thus, the inside of the sensor body 50 is vertically partitioned. The upper space of the holding member 51 is an internal liquid chamber 53 for storing the internal liquid 52, and the lower space of the holding member 51 is a measurement chamber 54 into which water to be inspected is introduced. The internal solution 52 is usually a saturated aqueous solution of potassium chloride or having a molarity of 3.3 M.
(= Mol / l) aqueous potassium chloride solution is used. A replenishing port 55 for replenishing the internal liquid 52 to the internal liquid chamber 53 is provided. The holding member 51 is a liquid junction (salt bridge) 5 made of a porous material such as alumina ceramics.
6 is retained. The liquid junction 56 elutes the internal liquid 52 introduced into the internal liquid chamber 53 into the measuring chamber 54, thereby electrically connecting the water introduced into the measuring chamber 54 and the internal liquid 52 in the internal liquid chamber 53. Is conducted.

A reference electrode 57 is arranged in the internal liquid chamber 53. In general, a silver / silver oxide electrode is used for the reference electrode 57.
The internal liquid 52 has a viscosity of 400 to stably elute potassium chloride into the measuring chamber 54 and to prevent crystallization.
It is adjusted to 0 cps or more (preferably 10000 cps or more), and a cellulose-based thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose may be added for this purpose. In the measuring chamber 54, an ion-sensitive membrane electrode using an organic polymer material such as crown ether is disposed as a working electrode 58. This working electrode 58
Is designed to be suitable for measuring the concentration of calcium ions. An amplifier 60 is attached to the upper end of the sensor body 50. The amplifier 60 amplifies the potential difference between the comparison electrode 57 and the working electrode 58 so that an electric signal corresponding to the measured value can be output to the outside. It is.

The water quality measuring device 8 may be of a complex type which can measure the pH value in addition to the concentration of calcium ions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a composite type water quality measuring instrument 8 can be configured by adding a working electrode 59 in which an internal electrode is sealed in a glass sensitive film to the configuration of FIG. This working electrode 5
Numeral 9 generates an output corresponding to the pH value of the water contacting the lower end, and this output is amplified by the amplifier 60 and output to the outside. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pH value and the concentration of calcium ions are measured using the composite water quality measuring device 8 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the water quality measuring device 8 is supplied with a voltage of ± 12 V as a power source, and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the concentration of calcium ions and a voltage signal corresponding to the pH value. Both voltage signals are generally in the range of 0-5V. These voltage signals are converted into digital signals by an A / D converter 70a provided in a control circuit 70 having a microcomputer as a main component, which will be described later.
0 is processed. The calcium ion concentration and the pH value detected by the water quality measuring device 8 are displayed on the display operation unit 71.

As shown in FIG. 11, the display operation unit 71
A first display unit 72a composed of a segment type liquid crystal display capable of displaying characters, and a plurality of light emitting diodes Ld1 to Ld1.
A second display section 72b in which Ld7 is arranged, and further various switches SW1 to SW5, SW10 to be pressed.
W12 is provided. The display operation unit 71 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1 of the electrolyzed water generator as shown in FIG.

The switches SW1 to SW3 select whether the water to be discharged from the discharge pipe 37 is alkaline water (cathode water), non-electrolyzed purified water, or acidic water (anode water). is there. The switch SW4 is used for fine adjustment of the pH value, the switch SW5 is used for turning on / off a melody for selecting whether the generation of the electrolyzed water is to be left as a melody or to be notified by a buzzer sound, and the switch SW10 is operated when the cartridge is replaced. Switch SW1 for resetting the accumulated flow
Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation for increasing the concentration of calcium ions, and a switch SW12 is provided for instructing the start of cleaning of the water quality measuring device 8.

The first display section 72a displays the result of the water quality measurement by the water quality measuring device 8, and displays the pH value and the concentration of calcium ion in numerical values in two stages. Also,
The second display section 72b displays a selection state selected by the switches SW1 to SW3. That is, the switch SW1
~ SW3 can be roughly divided into alkaline water, purified water and acidic water by pressing the switch. In alkaline water, four levels of pH values can be selected according to the number of times of pressing. Accordingly, a two-step pH value can be selected. Thus, the switch SW1
The state selected by SW3 is displayed on the second display section 72b.

The display operation unit 71 is connected to a control unit configured as shown in FIG. This control unit is shown in FIG.
13, the flow rate detection sensor 38, the electrodes 12A and 12B, the flow path switching valve 32,
The electrolyte supply device 4 and the water quality measuring device 8 are connected. The control unit has a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 81 as a main configuration. The display operation unit 71 is connected to the microcomputer 70 ′, and the microcomputer 70 ′ is connected to the switch SWi.
(Including SW1 to SW5, SW10 to SW12), and based on the detection results of the water quality measuring device 8 and the flow rate detection sensor 38, control of the electrolyte supply device 4 (described later), and to the electrodes 12A and 12B. Control of the magnitude and polarity of the applied voltage, control of switching of the flow path switching valve 32, and control of opening and closing of the drain valve 40.

The control of the voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B is as follows.
This is performed by a power supply circuit 82 that is under PWM control.
By controlling the voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B in this manner, the pH value of the water discharged from the discharge pipe 37 can be controlled, and the pH value measured by the water quality measuring device 8 is substantially constant. The feedback control of the applied voltage is performed so that With this feedback control, 2
The control is performed so that the change of the pH value per second is within ± 0.1. Control for switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B is performed by the relay contacts r1 and r2. The integrated value of the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection sensor 38 is stored in the memory 83, and when the integrated value reaches a preset specified value, the display operation unit 71 notifies that it is time to replace the cartridge of the water purification device 2. .

The switch SW of the display operation unit 71
When discharge of alkaline water is instructed by pressing operation 1, the electrode 12A provided in the electrolytic cell 3 is used as a cathode,
A voltage is applied so that B serves as an anode. At this time, the flow path switching valve 32 connects the outflow path 23 to the discharge pipe 37. That is, the flow path switching valve 32 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, and the alkaline water (cathode water) can be taken out from the discharge pipe 37. At this time, acidic water (anode water) is simultaneously discharged from the discharge pipe 36.

On the other hand, when the discharge of the acidic water is instructed by pressing the switch SW3, the operation varies depending on the acidity. When discharging weakly acidic water (hereinafter referred to as weakly acidic water), for example, acidic water having a pH value of about 5.5, the electrode 12A provided in the electrolytic cell 3 is used as an anode,
The electrode 12B is used as a cathode. That is, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that in the case of extracting alkaline water is applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B. Further, the flow path switching valve 32 is set at the same position as when the alkaline water is taken out. In this state, weakly acidic water (anode water) is taken out from the discharge pipe 37, and alkaline water is taken out from the discharge pipe 36.

When a strongly acidic water (hereinafter referred to as a strongly acidic water), for example, an acidic water having a pH value of about 3 is ejected, the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B is alkaline water. It will be the same as the case. That is, electrode 1
2A is a cathode and the electrode 12B is an anode. However, the flow path switching valve 32 is switched to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. That is, the strongly acidic water (anode water) is taken out from the discharge pipe 37,
The alkaline water is taken out from the discharge pipe 36.

The reason why the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B is switched between the case of obtaining the weakly acidic water and the case of obtaining the strongly acidic water is that the electrode 12B is disposed in comparison with the electrode chamber 14 in which the electrode 12A is disposed. In addition to reducing the volume of the electrode chamber 18, the amount of water flowing into the electrode chamber 18 is made smaller than the amount of water flowing into the electrode chamber 14, and it is easier to increase the acidity when obtaining anodic water in the electrode chamber 18. Because. In short, the acidity can be more easily increased by generating the acidic water in the electrode chamber 18 than by generating the acidic water in the electrode chamber 14.

When the switching lever unit 43 connected to the curran 42 is switched to introduce water into the electrolyzed water generator, water flow is detected by the flow rate detection sensor 38, and electrolysis in the electrolyzer 3 is started. At this time, the display operation unit 71
The voltage applied to the electrodes 12A and 12B is adjusted based on the value detected by the water quality measuring device 8 so that the pH value set by the above is maintained.

(Second Embodiment) The structure shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be adopted as the electrolyte supply device 4. That is. In the electrolyte supply device 4 shown in the first embodiment, an introduction pipe 63 is connected near the center of the bottom wall of the jacket cylinder 61, and a lid 62 b is provided on the electrolyte introduction cylinder 62,
The flow path is switched by changing the position of 2b. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the introduction pipe 63 is shifted from the center of the bottom wall of the jacket cylinder 61.
Are connected to each other, and the through-hole 62a in the bottom wall of the medicine injection cylinder 62 is also provided at a position shifted from the center. Further, by rotating the medicine injection cylinder 62, the through-hole 62a and the introduction pipe 63 can be made to coincide with each other. On the other hand, the medicine injection cylinder 6
A plurality of through-holes are formed in the lower peripheral wall of the two discharge pipes 64a, 6 regardless of the rotational position of the medicine injection cylinder 62.
4b is always in communication through the internal space of the medicine injection cylinder 62.

According to the above-described configuration, the water introduced from the water purification device 2 introduced through the relay pipe 65 is shown in FIG.
When the introduction tube 63 does not coincide with the through hole 62a as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the introduction tube 63 is sent to the electrode chamber 14 without adding an electrolyte, and the introduction tube 63 passes through the inside of the medicine introduction tube 62 from the exit tube 64a. Then, it is sent to the outlet tube 64b and sent to the electrode chamber 18, and is divided into two. That is, it operates as an “anodic addition method”.

On the other hand, if the introduction pipe 63 is located in the through-hole 62a as shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B, the flow of water becomes as shown by the arrow in the figure. The water introduced into the medicine injection cylinder 62 is supplied to each of the outlet pipes 64a, 64
b are introduced into the electrode chambers 14 and 18 respectively. That is, it operates as a “bipolar addition method”. In this configuration, the packing 66 is provided at the bottom of the medicine injection cylinder 62. As is apparent from the above description, the switching means is constituted by the jacket cylinder 61 and the electrolyte charging cylinder 62. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment is different from FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a water quality measuring device 9 is added between the thermistor 39 and the constant flow valve 41. Since the water quality measuring device 9 measures the water quality (pH value and calcium ion concentration) of the raw water, if the measurement result of the water quality measuring device 8 and the measurement result of the water quality measuring device 9 are compared, the discharge is performed. It becomes possible to know the degree of increase in the concentration of calcium ions in the raw water discharged from the pipe 37. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In each of the above-described embodiments, manual switching is performed by manually switching between the “anodic addition method” and the “bipolar addition method”. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the rotating shaft 62 is rotated or a configuration in which the flow path can be switched by an electromagnetic valve. As shown by reference numeral E in FIGS. It is also possible to control the motor and the solenoid valve by connecting to a unit.
For example, when the switch SW11 for instructing the increase of calcium ions is pressed, the "bipolar addition method" may be adopted, or the raw water is hardly ionized and the detection result of the water quality measuring device 8 reaches the target value. If this is not possible, it is possible to automatically switch to the "bipolar addition method".

By changing the amount of electrolyte added to the water introduced into the electrode chambers 14 and 18, the electrolysis efficiency can be adjusted, the content of calcium ions contained in the cathode water can be adjusted, or It is possible to adjust the content of lactate ions and the like contained in the cathodic water in the case of the “bipolar addition method”. That is, it is also possible to set the operation mode of the appropriate number of stages between the “anodic addition method” and the “bipolar addition method”. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electrolyte charging cylinder 62 is rotated with respect to the jacket cylinder 61, but the jacket cylinder 61 may be configured to rotate, or both may be configured to rotate.

When the cathodic water is used for drinking, an organic calcium salt (selected from calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate and calcium gluconate) is used as the electrolyte to be added in the electrolyte supply device 4. Also,
When a strongly acidic water is generated for use, an inorganic chloride (selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride) and an inorganic sulfate compound (sodium sulfate) are used.

[0053]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an electrode is disposed in each of two electrode chambers divided by an electrolytic diaphragm, and a voltage is applied between the two electrodes to apply electrolytic water generated in each electrode chamber to each electrode chamber. An electrode tank that is taken out from an outlet provided in each of the chambers, and an electrolyte supply device that can add an electrolyte to water introduced into each of the electrode chambers. The electrolyte supply device is an electrolyte for water introduced into each of the electrode chambers. In the case where the electric conductivity of the raw water is low or when the raw water contains ions having a buffering action, the electrolyte is introduced into both electrode chambers to adjust the addition amount of the raw water. It is possible to operate as a “system”, and it is possible to perform electrolysis efficiently, and it is not necessary to take measures such as limiting the flow rate. That is, it is possible to increase the electrolysis efficiency and sufficiently secure the amount of water. Similarly, when trying to use water containing a large amount of specific ions such as calcium ions, by operating as a “bipolar addition method”, the concentration of ions can be increased by 50 to 100% with respect to raw water. is there. In particular, it is suitable when a large amount of calcium ions are to be contained in the cathode water to be drunk.

On the other hand, when the cathode water to be used for drinking is dissatisfied with the odor and taste due to the addition of the electrolyte, or when the specific ions in the electrolyte are not desirable depending on the use of the cathode water, the electrode chamber on the anode side may be used. It is possible to prevent or suppress the incorporation of specific ions by operating as an “anode addition method” by introducing only water to which an electrolyte is added.

In short, according to the structure of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select the "both electrode addition method" and the "anodic addition method" as necessary, and the electrolyte introduced into each electrode chamber can be selected. It is possible to set the electrolysis efficiency and the residual ions to a state desired by the user by adjusting the concentration of each.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the electrodes are disposed in the two electrode chambers divided by the electrolytic diaphragm, and the electrolytic water generated in each of the electrode chambers is applied to each electrode chamber by applying a voltage between the two electrodes. An electrode tank to be taken out from the outlet provided respectively, and an electrolyte supply device capable of adding an electrolyte to water introduced into each electrode chamber are provided.
Claims comprising means for selecting between a state in which an electrolyte is added only to water introduced into an electrode chamber provided with an electrode serving as an anode and a state in which an electrolyte is added to water introduced into both electrode chambers, The same effect as the first invention can be expected. However, in the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, only two states of the “anodic addition method” and the “bipolar addition method” are selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device includes an introduction pipe into which water is introduced, a first and a second extraction pipe communicating with each electrode chamber, and one of the extraction pipes. And switching means for switching the flow path by opening and closing the pipe. The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2,
An electrolyte supply device, an introduction pipe communicating only with the water introduction side, a first extraction pipe communicating with the water introduction side and communicating with one electrode chamber, and a second extraction pipe communicating with the other electrode chamber; Pipe, and a switching means for switching the flow path by opening and closing the introduction pipe, and in any invention, only the relatively simple flow path switching, the `` anodic addition method '' and `` bipolar addition method '' Can be supported.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte supply device includes an electrolyte charging cylinder for storing the electrolyte, and a jacket cylinder serving as an outer cylinder of the electrolyte charging cylinder, The switching means switches the flow path by moving one of the electrolyte charging cylinder and the jacket cylinder relative to the other. The switching means has a simple structure of a double cylinder and includes an "anodic addition method" and a "bipolar addition method". Can be realized. In particular, since the electrolyte charging cylinder is provided separately from the jacket cylinder, the replenishment of the electrolyte can be easily performed simply by removing the electrolyte charging cylinder from the jacket cylinder.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water quality measuring device for measuring at least one of water introduced into the electrolytic cell and water taken out of the electrolytic cell, It is equipped with means for adjusting the supply concentration of the electrolyte supplied to each electrode chamber according to the measurement result by the water quality measuring device so that the water taken out from the target water quality is obtained, and the water quality is managed by the water quality measuring device Thus, it is possible to obtain electrolyzed water of stable water quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an electrolysis supply device used in a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view in a state of an “anodic addition method”, and FIG. It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 2 shows an electrolysis supply device used in the above, wherein (a) is a perspective view in a state of an “anodic addition method”, and (b) is a perspective view of a state in a “bipolar addition method”.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrolysis supply device used in the power supply system.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing an electrolysis supply device used in the same as above.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram in the same state as in the “anode addition method”.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram in the same state as in the above-mentioned “bipolar addition method”.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a water quality measuring device used in the above.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a water quality measuring instrument used in the above.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage example of the water quality measuring device used in the above energy management system;

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the same.

11A is a plan view of the same, and FIG. 11B is a front view of the same.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control unit used in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a connection relationship with a control unit used in the embodiment.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view in an “anodic addition method”, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view in a “bipolar addition method”.

15A and 15B show the electrolytic supply device used in the above, wherein FIG. 15A is a perspective view in a state of an “anodic addition method”, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view in a state of a “bipolar addition method”.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a main part configuration diagram showing a conventional example of “anode addition method”.

FIG. 18 is a main part configuration diagram showing a conventional example of the “bipolar addition method”.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 electrode tank 4 electrolyte supply device 5 electrolytic diaphragm 8, 9 water quality measuring instrument 12A, 12B electrode 14, 18 electrode chamber 22, 23 outlet 20, 21 inlet 61 jacket cylinder 62 electrolyte charging cylinder 62a through-hole 62b lid 63 introduction Pipe 64a, 64b Outgoing pipe

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Genki Nakano 1048 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. F term (reference) 4D061 AA03 AB07 AB08 BA02 BB01 BB04 BB12 BB37 BB38 BB39 BD12 BD13 CA06 CA09

Claims (8)

[Claims] An outlet in which electrodes are respectively disposed in two electrode chambers divided by an electrolytic diaphragm and electrolytic water generated in each electrode chamber is provided in each electrode chamber by applying a voltage between the two electrodes. An electrode tank taken out from the
An electrolyte supply device capable of adding an electrolyte to water introduced into each electrode chamber, wherein the electrolyte supply device includes means for adjusting the amount of electrolyte added to water introduced into each electrode chamber. Electrolyzed water generator. 2. An outflow port in which each electrode is disposed in two electrode chambers divided by an electrolytic diaphragm and electrolytic water generated in each electrode chamber is provided in each electrode chamber by applying a voltage between the two electrodes. An electrode tank taken out from the
An electrolyte supply device capable of adding an electrolyte to water introduced into each of the electrode chambers, wherein the electrolyte supply device has a state in which the electrolyte is added only to water introduced into an electrode chamber provided with an electrode serving as an anode; An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising means for selecting a state in which an electrolyte is added to water introduced into a chamber. 3. A switching means for switching the flow path by opening and closing one of the outlet pipes, the inlet pipe into which water is introduced, the first and second outlet pipes communicating with the respective electrode chambers. The electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to claim 2, comprising: 4. An electrolyte supply device, comprising: an introduction pipe communicating only with the water introduction side; a first extraction pipe communicating with the water introduction side and communicating with one of the electrode chambers; The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second outlet pipe communicating with the first outlet pipe, and switching means for opening and closing the inlet pipe to switch a flow path. 5. The electrolyte supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrolyte charging cylinder in which an electrolyte is stored, and a jacket cylinder serving as an outer cylinder of the electrolyte charging cylinder, wherein the switching unit switches one of the electrolyte charging cylinder and the jacket cylinder to the other. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flow path is switched by relatively moving the flow path. 6. A water quality measuring device for measuring the quality of at least one of water introduced into the electrolytic cell and water taken out of the electrolytic cell, wherein the water quality is measured so that the water taken out of the electrolytic cell has a target water quality. 3. The apparatus for producing electrolyzed water according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a supply concentration of the electrolyte to be supplied to each of the electrode chambers in accordance with a result of measurement by the measuring device. 7. The electrolytic water generation apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for increasing the supply concentration of the electrolyte in the electrolyte supply device if the measurement result of the water quality by the water quality measurement device does not reach the target water quality. apparatus. 8. The electrolyte to be added in the electrolyte supply device includes calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium gluconate, sodium chloride, calcium chloride,
The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is selected from potassium chloride and sodium sulfate.