JP2000263045A - Alkali ion water regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the use of alkali ion water during the time when a hypochlorite is considered to be contained even in the case when the value of flow rate of water is different, thus preventing an unpleasant feeling from being given, by varying the time for sounding a buzzer informing that drinkable water is obtainable by using a value of flow rate detected with a flow rate sensor in accordance with the state in last use of or the present state of this regulator body. SOLUTION: When the formation mode and pH of alkali ion water are set with an operation display section 15, the present state of movement of an alkali ion water regulator 3 is displayed on the operation display section 15. When a faucet 2 is opened to cause to raw water to flow, the odor of residual chlorine or impurities such as common bacteria, and the like, are removed from the supplied raw water in a water cleaning section 4; the raw water passes through a flow rate sensor 5; and thus water flowing through is detected. When the flowing through of water is detected, the content of control of electrolysis output is set according to the formation mode and pH value set by a user. Then, the informing sound is set by the flow rate of water, based on the state of last use, and according to the setting, the buzzer is sound for informing the remaining water of the last use.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the production of alkaline ionized water used for drinking or medical use, or acidic ionized water used for lotion or sterilization washing water by electrolyzing raw water such as water supply. The present invention relates to an alkali ion water purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an alkali ion water conditioner has become widespread as a continuous electrolysis type ion water generator. The alkali ion water regulator electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and generate alkali ion water on the cathode side.

[0003] A conventional continuous electrolysis-type alkali ion water conditioner will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a raw water pipe for tap water or the like;
Is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water purifier connected to the raw water pipe 1 via the faucet 2, 4 is an activated carbon for adsorbing residual chlorine in the raw water, and a hollow fiber membrane for removing general bacteria and impurities. A water purification unit provided, 5 is a flow rate sensor for confirming water flow and instructing control means to be described later, 6 is a calcium supply unit for increasing conductivity by supplying calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate to raw water, and 7 An electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water that has passed through the flow sensor 5 and the calcium supply unit 6, a diaphragm 8 that divides the electrolytic cell 7 into two and forms an electrode chamber, and 9 and 10 that are formed by dividing the diaphragm 8 into two parts. An electrode plate disposed in each electrode chamber, 11 is a water pipe for passing water on the electrode plate 10 side, 12 is a water discharge pipe for discharging water on the electrode plate 9 side,
Reference numeral 13 denotes a drain pipe for draining unnecessary water flowing into the water discharge pipe 12, accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 9, and washing water in which scales made of Ca, Mg, and the like are dissolved when washing the electrode plate.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a pH sensor including a glass electrode, a semiconductor electrode, and an ion conductive diaphragm type. Reference numeral 15 denotes an operation display unit that displays an operation state of the alkali ion water conditioner 3. Reference numeral 16 denotes a power supply plug, reference numeral 17 denotes control means for controlling the operation of the alkali ion water conditioner 3, and reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply unit for changing AC power to DC power from commercial power.

Next, a control system of the alkali ion water conditioner 3 will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. First, an arbitrary pH is displayed on the operation display unit 15 by the user.
The value is set. When the passed water passes through the flow rate sensor 5, a detection signal is transmitted to the MPU 19,
In response to this, the MPU 19 sends a duty signal to the semiconductor switch element 20, and a voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis. The electrolyzed water passes through the pH sensor 14, and a detection signal at this time is transmitted to the MPU 19, where the pH value is converted, and the pH value is displayed on the operation display unit 15. Then, if the transmitted detection signal matches the arbitrarily set pH value, the pulse voltage is continuously applied as it is. Reference numeral 21 denotes a timer in the MPU 19 for managing the control time of the electrolytic cell 7 and the switch element 21. Reference numeral 22 denotes a storage unit that stores the status of the last use.

Next, the operation of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner constructed as described above will be described with reference to the control flowchart of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner shown in FIG. The user can select the mode and pH of the alkaline ionized water
A value is set (S1). The contents set by the user and the current operation state of the alkali ion water conditioner are displayed on the operation display unit 15.

Next, the user opens the faucet 2. The raw water passed through the faucet 2 is subjected to removal of impurities such as residual chlorine odor and general bacteria in the raw water in the water purification section 4, and the flow of water is detected by a signal when passing through the flow rate sensor 5. Sorted without water (S2). When the passage of water is detected, the control content of the electrolytic output is determined according to the generation mode and the pH value set by the user (S3). For 6 seconds from the start of the passage of water, the standing buzzer is sounded in order to notify that the stay water used in the previous use is to be discharged (S3-1, S20). Further, the electrolytic output is performed according to the contents determined in S3 (S22).

Next, when a part of the alkaline ionized water or the acidic ionized water generated by performing the electrolytic output passes through the pH sensor 14, the pH value is detected and transmitted to the MPU 19, where
The PU 19 corrects the electrolytic output to adjust the pH value to the set pH value (S23). Thereafter, the processing of (S1) to (S24) is repeated to generate alkali ionized water or acidic ionized water.

Thereafter, the user closes the faucet 2 (S2).
If it is determined that there is no water flow in step (S24), it is determined whether or not a cleaning request has occurred (S24). Here the cleaning request is
Occurs when the same electrolytic output is output to the electrode plates 9 and 10 over a certain level. When a cleaning request is issued, a reverse electrolysis output is applied to the electrode plate (to separate metal ions attached to the electrode plate surface), and the electrode plate is cleaned (S25). At this time, hypochlorite is generated inside the electrolytic cell 7. Also, when acidic ionized water is generated, hypochlorite is generated on the electrode plate 9 side of the electrolytic cell 7.

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional alkali ion water conditioner, the transition time (the time until the permission to start drinking is given. If the water flow rate value is less than 2.0 L / min because the time is constant, immediately after the transition time ends and the drinkable state is reached, the user may use acidic ionized water last time, When the electrolytic cell 7 is washed, the content of hypochlorite is 5 mg or more, and when drinking, it is a level at which the user feels a bad smell.

When the flow rate of water is 3.5 L / min or more, the content of hypochlorite is less than 5 mg, and there is no problem of odor. there were. Further, since the notification sound of the transition time at the start of water passage is the same, the state of use cannot be understood unless the operator checks the operation panel of the main body.

Therefore, the present invention can reduce the transition time so that the user does not feel the smell of calcium, and when the flow rate of the water is large, can be used depending on the type of the notification sound during the transition. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alkali ion water conditioner that allows the user to recognize the state of operation without looking at the operation panel.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided an alkaline ionized water conditioner comprising: a flow sensor for detecting a flow rate of a water passage;
An electrolytic cell for generating alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a water discharge pipe for discharging the generated ionized water, a drainage pipe for draining water from the electrolytic cell, and control means for controlling electrolysis by a signal of a flow rate sensor, and Equipped with a timer that counts the water flow time and a buzzer that informs the user that drinking is possible, and the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor at the start of water flow according to the last used state or current state of the main unit Depending on the value, the time that the buzzer that indicates that it is possible to drink is sounded is changed.

According to this configuration, the transition time can be shortened so that the user does not feel the smell of chunky and when the flow rate of the water is large, and the length of the buzzer sound, which is the notification sound during the transition, can be reduced. By changing the sound such as pod rhythm, it is possible to realize an alkali ion water conditioner that allows the user to know the current state of use without looking at the operation panel.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 is a flow sensor for detecting a flow rate of a water passage, an electrolytic cell for generating alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and a spout for discharging the generated ionized water. Equipped with a water pipe, a drain pipe for draining water from the electrolytic cell, control means for controlling electrolysis by a signal from the flow sensor, a timer for counting the water flow time, and a notification buzzer for notifying that drinking is possible. According to the last use state and the current state of the main body, the time at which the buzzer for notifying that drinking is possible sounds is changed according to the flow rate value detected by the flow rate sensor at the start of water flow.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the length and the rhythm of the buzzer sound indicating that drinking is possible are changed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an alkali ion water conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the alkali ion water conditioner, FIGS.
5 is a flowchart of a control unit of the alkali ion water conditioner. 1 and 2, the same elements as those of the above-described conventional technology are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, a control system in the above-mentioned alkali ion water conditioner will be described. First, an arbitrary pH value is set on the operation display unit 15 by the user. Then, when the passed water passes through the flow rate sensor 5, a detection signal is transmitted to the MPU 19, and in response to this, the MPU 19 sends a duty signal to the semiconductor switch element 20, and a voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis. Will be The electrolyzed water is used as the pH sensor 1
4, the detection signal at this time is transmitted to the MPU 19, where the pH value is converted, and the pH value is displayed on the operation display unit 15. Then, if the transmitted detection signal matches the arbitrarily set pH value, the pulse voltage is continuously applied as it is. Reference numeral 21 denotes a timer in the MPU 19 for managing the control time of the electrolytic cell 7 and the switch element 20. Reference numeral 22 denotes a storage unit that stores the status of the last use. Reference numeral 23 denotes a variable counter capable of changing the transition time.

Next, the operation of the alkali ion water purifier constructed as described above will be described with reference to the schematic control flows shown in FIGS. The user sets the generation mode and the pH value of the alkaline ionized water using the operation display unit 15 (S
1). The user displays the current operation state of the alkaline ionizer on the operation display unit 15. Next, the user opens the faucet 2. In the raw water passed through the faucet 2, impurities such as residual chlorine odor and general bacteria in the raw water are removed in the water purification section 4,
The water passes through the flow rate sensor 5 to detect the flow of water, and is sorted with and without water (S2). When the passage of water is detected, the control content of the electrolytic output is determined according to the generation mode and the pH value set by the user (S3). Next, the notification sound is set based on the amount of water used in the previous use (S3-2). (S3
According to the setting of -2), the buzzer sounds to notify the staying water at the time of the last use (S3-3, S20).

Based on the operation described above, the flow rate sensor 5 detects the flow rate at the start of the flow, and the flow rate is determined to be 1.0 to 2.0 L / m.
in, 2.0-3.0 L / min, 3.0-4.0 L /
min, 4.0 L / min or more. Also, depending on the state of the last use, when using the same mode as the previous time, when using a mode different from the previous time,
Depending on whether automatic cleaning is performed during standby or how long the automatic cleaning or acid mode has been used and the machine has been left unused, set a transition time that suits the condition and reduce the hypochlorite content to less than 5 mg. And the transition time was made as short as possible. In addition, new cartridge, 2
The transition time after the power is turned on after being left for 4 hours or more will also be described.

When the user opens the faucet 2 and starts water flow,
The counter is cleared (S4). Next, it is determined whether the cartridge is a new cartridge (S5). If it is determined that the cartridge is not a new cartridge, it is read whether or not the cartridge has been washed last time (S6). If it is determined that the cartridge is a new cartridge, the counter is counted by adding 20 seconds to the counter, and the input of the flow sensor 5 is waited (S7). Next, if it is determined that cleaning has not been performed last time, it is read whether or not the mode is the same as the previous time (S10). If the previous and current modes are different, the counter is counted by adding 7 seconds (S11), and the flow rate is monitored by the flow rate sensor 5. If it is determined that cleaning has been performed last time, it is determined whether five minutes have passed since the last use (S8). 5 since last use
If the minute has not elapsed, the counter is counted for 10 seconds (S9), and the flow rate is monitored by the flow rate sensor 5. If 5 minutes or more have elapsed since the last use, the counter is counted by adding 7 seconds (S11), and the flow rate is monitored by the flow rate sensor 5. If the previous mode and the current mode are the same in (S10), the counter is counted for 3 seconds (S12), and it is determined whether only the electrolysis intensity during passing water is changed (S13).

Next, when only the electrolytic strength is changed, the flow rate is monitored by the flow rate sensor 5. If there is no change in the electrolytic strength, the process ends. Next, the state after monitoring the flow rate will be described. In this state, it is first determined whether the flow rate is 4 L / min or more (S14). If the flow rate is 4 L / min or more, the process is terminated. If the flow rate is not 4 L / min or more, the flow rate is 3 L / min.
It is determined whether it is not less than min (S15). Flow rate is 3L / min
If so, the counter is counted by adding one second to the state of the counter (S16). Flow rate 3L / m
If not, it is determined whether the flow rate is 2 L / min or more (S17). If the flow rate is 2 L / min or more, the counter is counted by adding 2 seconds to the state of the counter (S18). If it is not 2 L / min or more, the counter is counted by adding 3 seconds to the state of the counter so far (S19), and the process ends.

At the time counted as described above, a warning sound is sounded to inform the user that drinking is not possible (S20), and then it is determined that drinking is possible with a notification sound corresponding to each mode. In addition, in both cases after leaving for 24 hours or more and when the power is turned on, the process is started from (S4), and the same is performed thereafter. The types of notification sounds are as follows.

Alkaline water flow: continuous "pip-pip, pip-pip, ..." for 4 short sounds every second "Pip-pip, pip-pip, ..." Water flow: short continuous tone "beep beeping beep ..." Warning sound: new cartridge, left for 24 hours, power on → continuous short tone (or melody)

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the use of alkaline ionized water is prevented for a period of time when hypochlorite may be contained, even if the flow rate of water is different when used. It is possible to provide an alkali ion water purifier that does not give a user uncomfortable feeling without a warning sound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional alkali ion water purifier and an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control unit of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control unit of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit of a conventional alkaline ionizer.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 raw water pipe 2 faucet 3 alkali ion water purifier 4 water purification section 5 flow sensor 6 calcium supply section 7 electrolytic tank 8 diaphragm 9,10 electrode plate 11 water flow pipe 12 water discharge pipe 13 drain pipe 14 pH sensor 15 operation display section 16 power supply Input plug 17 Control means 18 Power supply

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate sensor for detecting an amount of water flowing through a water passage, an electrolytic cell for generating alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a water discharge pipe for discharging the generated ionized water, and a drain for discharging water from the electrolytic cell. Equipped with a drain pipe, a control means for controlling electrolysis by a signal from a flow sensor, a timer for counting the water flow time, and a notification buzzer for notifying that drinking is possible. An alkali ion water purifier characterized by changing a time when a buzzer for notifying that drinking is possible sounds depending on a flow rate value detected by a flow rate sensor at the start of water supply according to a state. 2. The alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a length and a rhythm of the notified buzzer sound are changed.