JP2001353204A - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain propagation of bacteria by sterilizing the bacteria on the basis of a prediction value by predicting a propagating state of the bacteria at an object part. SOLUTION: A propagation predicting means 12 is provided for predicting the propagating state of the bacteria of the object part, and a sterilizing means 10 is controlled on the basis of an predicted result of this propagation predicting means 12, and after sterilizing the object part, the next sterilizing timing and sterilizing strength can be properly set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to kitchen equipment, kitchens,
The present invention relates to a sterilizer for predicting and growing the growth state of bacteria around water in toilets, washbasins, baths, washing machines, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a sterilizing apparatus for periodically supplying sterilizing water to a toilet to suppress the growth of bacteria (for example,
JP-A-10-88640).

As shown in FIG. 5, the sterilizing apparatus includes a control means 3 for supplying an appropriate amount of sterilizing water generated in the electrolytic cell 2 to the toilet 1, and a control means 3 for supplying an appropriate amount of sterilized water to the toilet bowl 1 when the scheduled time has elapsed or the scheduled time has come.
Is provided, and the storage means 5 for storing the supply status of the sterilizing water at the lapse of the scheduled time or at the scheduled time, so that if the sterilizing water is not supplied, some sort of data is stored based on the stored contents. I am trying to respond. Thereby, the growth of bacteria in the toilet 1 is suppressed, and odor and dirt are prevented.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional sterilizing apparatus, sterilizing water is supplied to the toilet at a scheduled time. However, the propagation of bacteria in the toilet depends on the environment surrounding the bacteria. For example, the temperature of the toilet varies greatly depending on the temperature and water temperature, and the amount of pre-purified water in the toilet varies the amount of nutrients such as urine and other bacteria attached to the toilet and the wet state of the toilet. . Therefore, even if the environment changes, if the attempt is made to suppress the growth of bacteria, the supply conditions of sterilizing water will be adjusted to the conditions that are most likely to grow, and the chlorine concentration of sterilizing water will be increased more than necessary, and It was necessary to increase the frequency of water supply.
For this reason, there are problems that not only the running cost is increased but also the pollution of the wastewater by the sterilizing water becomes a problem.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a sterilizing means for performing a sterilizing treatment on a target site, and a growth predicting means for predicting a bacterial growth state of the target site. And control means for controlling the sterilizing means based on the prediction result of the growth predicting means.

The point of the present invention is that the growth state of bacteria at a target site can be predicted by the growth predicting means, so that the timing of the next sterilization and the sterilization intensity after sterilizing the target site can be appropriately set.

[0007]

A sterilizing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a sterilizing means for performing a sterilizing treatment on a target site, a growth predicting means for predicting a bacterial growth state of the target site,
There is provided control means for controlling the sterilizing means based on the result of the prediction by the growth predicting means.

[0008] Since the growth state of the bacteria at the target site can be predicted by the growth prediction means, the timing of the next sterilization and the sterilization intensity can be appropriately set after the target site is sterilized.

Further, the growth predicting means of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the growth storage means for obtaining and storing in advance the elapsed time since the sterilization treatment of the target site and the bacterial growth characteristics at the target site. Means and time setting means for obtaining a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means.

[0010] By sterilizing at the time set by the time setting means, the number of bacteria does not grow more than a predetermined number of bacteria, so that the number of bacteria can be suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

Further, the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention includes an environment detecting means for detecting a habitat of the bacterium at the target site, and a bacterium growth characteristic based on the time and habitat of the target site. And a time setting means for calculating a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the detection environment of the environment detection means and the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means.

Since the sterilization time is set based on the growth characteristics based on the habitat of the bacterium, sterilization corresponding to the change in the habitat of the bacterium can be performed.

Further, the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention includes at least one of a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the target portion and a moisture detecting means for detecting moisture at the target portion. Consists of one.

Since the sterilization time is set based on the growth characteristics based on the temperature and water content of the target site, which are the main factors in the bacterial growth, accurate bacterial growth corresponding to each change in the temperature and water content of the target site. Can be predicted.

Further, the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention comprises a nutrient substance detecting means for detecting the amount of bacterial nutrient substances at the target site.

Since the sterilization time is set based on the growth characteristic based on the amount of nutrient at the target site, which is the main factor in bacterial growth, it is possible to accurately predict bacterial growth corresponding to changes in the amount of nutrient at the target site. .

Further, the nutrient substance detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention comprises: a frequency detecting means for detecting a frequency of use of the target site;
It comprises time detecting means for detecting the usage time of the target part, and estimating means for estimating the amount of the nutrient substance from at least one of the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means.

In the case where a kitchen, a bath, a wash surface, or the like is used as a target part, nutrient substances such as kitchen garbage, soap, detergent, and dirt are brought into the target part and accumulated depending on the frequency and time of use. The amount of nutrient can be estimated according to the frequency of use and the time of use.

Further, the nutrient substance detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention comprises: a dirt detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of the target site;
It consists of estimating means for estimating the amount of nutrients from the degree of pollution.

If the target site is the surface of bath water, drainage or sanitary equipment, there is a high correlation between the turbidity of the water and the amount of contamination on the surface and the amount of bacterial nutrients. Nutrient content can be estimated well.

Further, the nutrient detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth estimating means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises: a contaminant determining means for determining a contaminant in the target portion; Frequency detecting means for detecting the amount of contaminants, time detecting means for detecting the time of contamination of the target site, and contaminant determining means, and estimating means for estimating the amount of nutrient substances from at least one of the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means. ing.

When the target site is a kitchen facility, there are various types of nutrients brought into it, such as raw vegetables, meat, fish, detergents, and kitchen garbage. The contaminant determination means specifies these by the user and estimates the amount of nutrients according to the specified contaminants and the frequency and time of use, so that accurate estimation is possible.

Further, the growth predicting means of the sterilization apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention clears the predicted number of bacteria when the target portion is sterilized.

When the sterilization treatment is performed, the bacteria at the target site are killed. Therefore, the number of bacteria in the growth prediction is reset to zero, and the prediction is performed from the beginning.

Further, the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 10 of the present invention operates the sterilization means at a stage earlier than the time required to reach the predetermined number of bacteria determined by the growth prediction means, and performs sterilization treatment of the target site.

When it is attempted to suppress the growth of bacteria to a predetermined number of bacteria or less, there is a variation in the growth prediction and a time period from the time the sterilization treatment is performed to the time the bacteria are killed. Take action. Thus, the number of bacteria at the target site can be reliably suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

Further, the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 11 of the present invention changes the sterilization strength of the sterilization means according to the growth rate predicted by the growth prediction means.

If the growth rate of the bacteria is predicted to be high, the sterilization strength is increased, and if the growth rate is low, the sterilization strength is reduced, whereby safe and reliable sterilization without waste can be achieved.

The sterilizing means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention includes an electrolytic cell having at least a pair of electrodes for electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions to generate electrolyzed water, And supply means for supplying electrolyzed water to the apparatus.

When water containing chlorine ions is electrolyzed, hypochlorite and electrolyzed water containing hypochlorite ions having high sterilizing power are produced. Then, sterilization can be performed by supplying the electrolyzed water to the target site.

The sterilizing means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes an electrolytic cell having at least one pair of electrodes, wherein the electrolytic cell generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions in a stagnant state. The control means sets the electrolysis start time so that the electrolysis is completed before the sterilization start time.

Since the sterilizing means performs the retained electrolysis for electrolyzing the water in a retained state, it is possible to perform the electrolysis with higher efficiency than the flowing water electrolysis. In addition, since the residence electrolysis requires time until the electrolysis is completed, the electrolysis is controlled in advance by the control means so as to be in time for the sterilization start time.

Further, the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 14 of the present invention adjusts at least one of a current to the electrode, a current supply time, a chlorine ion concentration, a supply amount of electrolytic water, a supply time of electrolytic water, and a dilution water amount. To change the sterilization strength.

Then, the sterilizing effect is changed by adjusting the concentration of the electrolyzed water and the supply amount and the supply time of the electrolyzed water for the target site.

Further, the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 15 of the present invention has a notifying means for notifying the prediction result of the growth predicting means.

By operating the sterilizing means while the user checks the growth status of the bacteria, the user can sterilize under any conditions of the user.

Further, the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention has a notifying means for notifying when the time to reach the predetermined number of bacteria determined by the growth predicting means has been reached.

Then, at the time when the notification is made, the user judges the necessity of sterilization and operates the sterilization means, thereby preventing forgetting to sterilize and sterilizing at the discretion of the user.

[0039]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a target site 1 for sterilization.
1 is a sterilization means for performing a sterilization treatment. Numeral 12 denotes a growth predicting means for predicting the growth state of the bacteria breeding at the target portion 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a control unit that controls the sterilization unit 10 based on the prediction result of the growth prediction unit 12.

The target portion 11 is a surface of a plumbing facility such as a toilet, a kitchen, a bath, and a washbasin in a general household, piping and garbage storage, a commercial kitchen facility, a toilet, a washroom, a public bath, a pool, and a sewage facility. For example, in the case of toilets, the inside and outside surfaces of the toilet, drain traps, the water and the inside of the washing tank, the inside of the hot water tank of the hot water washing toilet seat, the contact surface with the washing nozzle, toilet seat surface, and toilet bowl, the floor surface, the bowl surface for hand washing, etc. Is targeted.

In the kitchen, kitchen sinks, drainage baskets, drainage traps, cooking utensils such as cutting boards and kitchen knives, towels, sponges and kitchen garbage can be used. Garbage disposal equipment is also a target site.

In this embodiment, the present invention is limited to a kitchen drain basket.
Electrolyzed water was supplied here to suppress the growth of bacteria, and a sterilizing device for preventing odor and slime was formed.

The sterilizing means 10 comprises: an electrolytic tank 14 for electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions to produce electrolyzed water; a supply means 15 for supplying electrolyzed water to the target portion 11; It comprises a saline solution supply means 16 for supplying.

The electrolytic cell 14 is provided with a pair of electrodes, an anode 21 and a cathode 22, opposed to each other. A water outlet 23 is provided at an upper portion, a water inlet 24 is provided at a central portion, and a saline solution inlet 25 is provided at a lower portion.

The supply means 15 comprises a water supply means 26 for controlling the supply of the electrolyzed water, and a mixing means 29 for mixing the electrolyzed water and the water at an arbitrary mixing ratio.

The water supply means 26 is a water supply passage 27 directly connected to the water supply.
And is connected to the water inlet 24 of the electrolytic cell 14 so that water can be supplied into the electrolytic cell 14. The water supply means 26 is an electric open / close valve and has a constant flow rate function (not shown).
Is provided.

The mixing means 29 communicates with the water outlet 23 through a water discharge passage 28 and is connected so as to be able to supply the electrolytic water from the electrolytic cell 14. Reference numeral 30 denotes a bypass passage, which connects the water on the downstream side of the water supply means 26 of the water supply path 27 to the mixing means 29. The mixing means 29 is arranged to mix the electrolytic water in the water discharge passage 28 and the water in the bypass passage 30 at an arbitrary mixing ratio, and discharge the mixed water to the electrolytic water supply passage 31. The mixing means 29 is composed of a mixing valve that changes the mixing ratio by an electric motor (not shown).

Reference numeral 34 denotes a DC power supply for applying a voltage to both electrodes 21 and 22 to electrolyze water.

The salt solution supply means 16 includes a salt tank 37 filled with salt 36 in a solid state and a water supply pump 39 and a salt supply passage 40 for supplying a salt solution through a water supply pipe 38 branched from the upstream of the electrolytic cell 14. A predetermined amount of a saturated saline solution (salt concentration: 26%) is supplied in the electrolytic cell 14.

The growth predicting means 12 includes an environment detecting means 41 for detecting a habitat of bacteria in the target portion 11,
A growth storage means 42 for storing in advance the growth characteristics of the bacteria based on the time 1 and the habitat, and a time setting for obtaining a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the detection environment of the environment detection means 41 and the growth characteristics of the bacteria from the growth storage means 42. Means 43.

The environment detecting means 41 includes a temperature detecting means 4 for detecting a temperature by a temperature sensor 44 provided at the target portion 11.
5, a moisture detecting means 47 for detecting moisture by a moisture sensor 46 provided in the target portion 11, and a nutrient detecting means 49 for detecting the amount of bacterial nutrients from the dirt detecting means 48 provided in the target portion 11.

The nutrient substance detecting means 49 detects the degree of dirt by the reflected light of the light on the back surface of the drainage basket 11 by a photo sensor (not shown) which is the dirt detecting means 48,
Estimating means (not shown) estimates the amount of nutrients of bacteria from the degree of contamination. The estimating means obtains in advance the correlation between the degree of dirt detected by the photosensor and the amount of organic substances attached to the drainage basket 11, and estimates the amount of nutrient substances using this correlation.

The proliferation storage means 42 sterilizes the drainage basket 11 with the electrolyzed water, measures and determines in advance the proliferation characteristics of the number of bacteria and the elapsed time from that time, and stores this. The growth characteristics at this time are obtained by setting the level within the range of use with the temperature, moisture and organic matter content of the drainage basket 11 as factors. Specifically, the drainage basket 11 is sterilized with electrolyzed water, and the time from when the number of bacteria is killed or in a non-proliferating state to when the number of bacteria grows to a predetermined number of bacteria (for example, at a level of 10 ³ per 100 cm ^{2 on the} surface) is experimentally determined. Ask and memorize it. Temperature conditions are less than 10 ° C, 10-20 ° C, 20
Four levels of -30 ° C and 30 ° C or higher, and moisture conditions include three levels of a moisture content of less than 1%, 1-5% and 5% or more, and a small, medium, and large degree of contamination detected by the photosensor as the amount of organic matter. 3
As the level, the level of each factor was combined (4
(× 3 × 3) The representative growth time under 36 pattern conditions is stored.

The time setting means 43 includes a temperature detecting means 45,
The temperature, moisture and nutrient content of the drainage basket 11 are detected from the water detecting means 47 and the nutrient substance detecting means 49, respectively, and the bacterial growth characteristics under these environmental conditions are called from the growth storing means 42, and the time required to reach the predetermined number of bacteria is obtained. Ask for. Here, one of the 36 patterns of growth time stored in the growth storage means 42 that is suitable for the detected temperature, moisture, and nutrient substance amount is called, and this is set as the required time.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a notifying means for notifying the user of the time set by the time setting means 43.
It consists of a buzzer, a speaker and the like. In this cited example, the time until the next sterilization start is displayed on the LCD.

Generally, the growth characteristics of bacteria are classified into a lag period, a logarithmic growth period, a stationary period, and a death period as shown in FIG. What is important when sterilizing the target site 11 is the time required to shift from the lag phase to the logarithmic growth phase. This lag period is greatly affected by the stress applied to the bacteria and the nutritional conditions, and changes as shown in FIGS. In the figure, a indicates a case where the temperature is high and d indicates a case where the temperature is low. In the embodiment, typical influencing factors are temperature, moisture, kind and amount of nutrients to be put into a drainage basket, concentration and amount of electrolyzed water, and sterilization time.

Next, the operation and operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the operation is started at 60 in FIG.
At step 1, environmental conditions are input. This is to detect the temperature, moisture and nutrient amount detected by the environment detecting means 41 of FIG. 1, and the environmental condition of the drainage basket 11 is detected by a temperature sensor 44, a moisture sensor 46 and a dirt detecting means 48 (photo sensor), respectively. To detect.

Numeral 62 denotes a growth time judging section for estimating the time required for the bacteria in the drainage basket 11 to reach the predetermined number of bacteria.

As described with reference to 42 in FIG. 1, the multiplication storage means 63 is representative of 36 patterns of conditions in which four levels of temperature conditions, three levels of moisture conditions, and three levels of dirt levels are combined. Remembers the growth time. Then, the multiplication time judging section 62 calls one multiplication time from the temperature, the moisture and the degree of contamination obtained from the input of the environmental condition.

At 64, the electrolysis start time Td is calculated from the growth time Tz obtained at 62 by the following equation (1).

Td = Tz−Ta−Tb (1) where Ta is the time required for electrolysis, Tb is a margin time, and is an estimated error of the growth time Tz. Thus, the electrolysis start time Td is obtained by dividing Ta and Tb from the growth time Tz. By accelerating the subtraction electrolysis time, the growth of bacteria can be surely suppressed.

Reference numeral 65 indicates the remaining time (current time−Tz−Tb) until the start of sterilization on the notifying means 50.

Reference numeral 66 denotes a time elapsed since the start, Td.
Is determined, and if it is exceeded, the process proceeds to 67 to start electrolysis, and if not, the process returns to 61.

At 67, a salt supply operation is performed. Here, the water supply pump 39 shown in FIG. 1 operates to supply water into the salt tank 37 via the water supply pipe 38, and the saturated saline solution inside is supplied into the electrolytic cell 14 and accumulates at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 14.

Next, in the electrolytic operation 68, the DC power supply 34 is operated, a voltage is applied between the electrodes 21 and 22, and electrolysis is started.

Immediately after the start of electrolysis, most of the electrodes 21 and 22 are in contact with water, so that electrolysis of water occurs preferentially, and hydrogen and oxygen gas are generated between the electrodes 21 and 22. Since these gases are lighter than tap water, the electrolytic cell 14
Ascends to the upper part of. The movement of this gas causes the electrode 2
An upward flow of water occurs between 1 and 22. And
The saline solution retained at the bottom of the electrolytic cell 14 is sucked up between the electrodes 21 and 22 by the flow of water generated by the floating of the gas, and diffuses into the water in the electrolytic cell 14. Generally, the higher the chloride ion concentration, the more chlorine compounds such as hypochlorous acid (hereinafter, referred to as
It is said that the generation efficiency of hypochlorous acid) is high, and the following reaction is likely to occur.

2Cl ⁻ + 2e ⁻ → Cl ₂ ＣｌCl ₂ + OH ⁻ → HClO + Cl ⁻ Cl ₂ + 2OH ⁻ → ClO ⁻ + Cl ⁻ + H ₂ O When hypochlorous acid is produced by electrolysis, the amount of the supplied saline solution is as follows. It greatly affects the production efficiency of chlorite. That is, when the supply amount of the saline solution to the electrolytic cell 14 increases, the generation efficiency increases, the concentration of hypochlorous acid generated in the electrolytic cell 14 increases, and when the supply amount of the saline solution decreases, the hypochlorite decreases. Since the concentration of the generated acid is low, a fixed amount of saturated saline is sent by the water supply pump 39.

Further, a DC power supply 34 is provided between the electrodes 21 and 22.
Therefore, if current is supplied for a predetermined time at a constant current, hypochlorous acid having substantially the same concentration can be generated each time. That is, the production concentration of hypochlorous acid, which is electrolyzed water, depends on the supply amount of salt and the electrodes 21 and 22.
Is determined by the amount of current supplied to the

Upon completion of the electrolysis operation, the flow shifts to 69. Here, the water supply means 26 is opened, water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 14, and high concentration (for example, 2000 ppm) electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged from the water discharge passage 28 to the mixing means 29. On the other hand, water is supplied to the mixing means 29 from the bypass passage 30,
Here, the mixed and diluted electrolytic water is taken from the electrolytic water supply passage 31.

Reference numeral 70 predicts the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic cell 14 and controls the mixing means 29 so that the concentration from the electrolytic water supply passage 31 becomes a predetermined value.

The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic cell is predicted by experimentally determining the electrolytic water concentration attenuation characteristics in advance and predicting the characteristics from the characteristics. Equation (2) shows a characteristic example.

X = DE−t−F · Δw (2) where X: predicted value of hypochlorous acid concentration D: initial concentration of hypochlorous acid immediately after electrolysis E: coefficient of elapsed time t: from the end of electrolysis F: Coefficient of water supply amount Σw: Integrated value of water supply amount from the end of electrolysis The electrolytic water generation concentration, which is the initial concentration of hypochlorous acid D, is determined by the supply amount s of salt and the electrode 21 as described above. 22 is determined by the amount of current q. Therefore, it is obtained from equation (3).

D = G · s · q (3) where G is a coefficient of the amount of supplied salt and the amount of supplied electricity (non-linear amount of supplied salt s
When the supply of the electrolyzed water ends, it is determined at 71 whether to continue the sterilization operation. Here, the determination is made based on the on / off state of the operation switch (not shown) set by the control means 13. If the processing is to be terminated, the process proceeds to 72 and the device is stopped. In the case of continuation, the timer is reset at 73 to clear the growth time, the hypochlorous acid concentration predicted value, and the like. And it returns to 61.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the growth time of bacteria according to the temperature, moisture, and the degree of contamination in the drainage basket is determined, and sterilization treatment is performed with electrolyzed water before the growth. The bacteria growth of the drainage basket is suppressed without any hassle, and no odor or slime is generated.

Further, since a change in the concentration of the electrolyzed water is predicted and used after being diluted to a predetermined concentration, a large amount of the electrolyzed water having a constant concentration can be supplied.

In this embodiment, the nutrient substance detecting means detects the degree of dirt by the dirt detecting means, and estimates the amount of bacterial nutrient substances by the estimating means from the degree of contamination. Instead, the following configuration functions similarly.

The nutrient substance detecting means includes a frequency detecting means (not shown) for detecting the frequency of use of the target portion 11 based on the presence or absence of water flowing into the drainage basket, which is the target portion 11, and a nutrient substance detecting means for detecting the frequency of water flowing into the drainage basket. It comprises time detecting means (not shown) for detecting time, and estimating means (not shown) for estimating the amount of nutrients from both the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means. Is used. When washing kitchen utensils and ingredients when working in a kitchen in an ordinary household, bacteriostatic nutrients flow into a drainage basket, so that there is a high correlation between the amount of bacteriostatic nutrients and the frequency and time of running water. The estimating means quantifies the correlation to estimate the amount of the nutrient substance.

Further, in order to identify pollutants flowing into the drainage basket, a pollutant determination means (not shown), which is a switch for designating vegetable waste, meat fish, garbage, etc., and frequency detection for detecting the frequency of contamination of the drainage basket Means (not shown), time detecting means (not shown) for detecting the pollution time of the drainage car,
Estimating means (not shown) for estimating the amount of nutrients from information of these pollutant determining means, frequency detecting means and time detecting means
With the configuration consisting of, the contaminant can be specified, so that more accurate estimation of bacterial growth can be performed.

(Embodiment 2) Components having the same structure as the electrolysis apparatus of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the drainage basket is sterilized with electrolyzed water by the proliferation storage means at 80 in FIG. 4, and the number of bacteria and the proliferation characteristics of the elapsed time from that point are measured in advance and obtained. Remember. The breeding characteristics at this time were determined by setting the level within the range of use using the temperature, moisture and organic matter of the drainage basket as factors.
Example 1 is the same as Example 1, except that the drainage basket is sterilized with electrolyzed water, and from the time when the number of bacteria is killed or in a non-proliferating state, to the time when the number of bacteria grows to a predetermined number of bacteria (for example, 10 ³ levels per 100 cm ² surface). Only the time is experimentally determined and stored, whereas in Example 2, in addition to this, the memorized value has the growth rate when the bacteria entered the logarithmic growth phase. This is the same as the growth time,
The moisture level is less than 0 ° C, 10 to 20 ° C, 20 to 30 ° C, and 30 ° C or higher.
% Or more, and the level of dirt detected by the photosensor as the amount of organic matter is set as small, medium, and large, and the levels of the respective factors are combined, and the conditions of (4 × 3 × 3) 36 patterns are used. Remember typical growth rates.

At step 81, one growth rate is called from the temperature, moisture and dirt obtained from the environmental condition input 61.

In the control of the mixing means 82, the dilution concentration of the electrolytic water is determined and controlled according to the growth rate set in 81. Specifically, when the growth rate of bacteria is high (for example, the number of bacteria doubles within 30 minutes), the concentration of electrolyzed water is increased (for example, hypochlorous acid concentration of 500 ppm), and when the growth rate is low (for example, Is doubled in 3 hours or more), the concentration of the electrolyzed water is reduced (for example, 50 ppm). If the growth rate is during that time (for example, the number of bacteria doubles from 30 minutes to 3 hours), the concentration of the electrolyzed water is set to an intermediate value (for example, 300 ppm).

As the environmental conditions improve for bacteria, the growth rate increases. This state is a condition where sterilization is generally difficult to be effective. Therefore, in this example, for highly active bacteria, the use of electrolyzed water with a higher bactericidal strength is used to ensure sterilization. The impact on equipment is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the sterilization strength of the electrolyzed water is changed by diluting the electrolyzed water. However, the power of electrolysis, that is, the current value to the electrode and the duration of the current may be changed. May be changed to adjust the supply amount of the saline solution to the electrolytic cell 14. Further, the supply amount and supply time of the electrolytic water may be changed.

The growth predicting means in the first and second embodiments is a growth storage means which sterilizes a drainage basket with electrolyzed water, measures and measures the growth characteristics of the number of bacteria and the elapsed time from that time in advance, and stores them. It is configured to be. The growth characteristics may be expressed as a function of temperature, moisture, and the degree of contamination, and the mathematical expression may be used to predict bacterial growth.

[0087]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the sterilizing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, a sterilizing means for performing a sterilizing treatment on the target site and a prediction of the bacterial growth state of the target site. Proliferation prediction means, and control means for controlling the sterilization means based on the prediction result of the proliferation prediction means, it is possible to predict the growth state of the bacteria in the target site by the growth prediction means, sterilize the target site After that, the next sterilization timing and sterilization strength can be appropriately set.

According to the growth predicting means of the sterilization apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a growth memory for obtaining and storing in advance the elapsed time since the sterilization treatment of the target site and the bacterial growth characteristics at the target site. Means, and time setting means for obtaining a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means. Therefore, by sterilizing at the time set by the time setting means, the bacteria can be multiplied by the predetermined number of bacteria or more. Therefore, the number of bacteria can be suppressed below a predetermined value.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for predicting the growth of a sterilizing apparatus, comprising: an environment detecting means for detecting a habitat of a bacterium at a target site; and a growth characteristic of the bacterium based on the time and habitat of the target site. Multiplication storage means for obtaining and storing in advance
It is composed of time setting means for obtaining a time to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the detection environment of the environment detection means and the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means, and the sterilization time is set based on the growth characteristics based on the bacterial habitat. Sterilization that responds to changes in the habitat.

According to the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention, the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the target portion, the moisture detecting means for detecting the moisture of the target portion, Consisting of at least one nutrient detection means for detecting the amount of nutrients in the bacteria of the site,
The sterilization time is set based on the growth characteristics based on the temperature, water content, and nutrient content of the target site, which are the main factors in bacterial growth. Predict good bacterial growth.

According to the nutrient substance detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the frequency detecting means for detecting the frequency of use of the target site and the use time of the detecting means are determined. It comprises time detecting means for detecting, and estimating means for estimating the amount of the nutrient substance from at least one of the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means. Therefore, when kitchen, bath, wash surface, etc. are targeted,
Depending on the frequency and time of use, kitchen waste, soap,
Since nutrient substances of bacteria such as detergents and grime are brought in and accumulated, it is possible to estimate the amount of nutrient substances according to the frequency of use and the time of use.

According to the nutrient substance detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, the nutrient substance detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of the target site and the amount of the nutrient substance from the degree of contamination are determined. If the target site is the surface of bath water, drainage or sanitary equipment, there is a high correlation between the turbidity of water and the amount of soil on the surface and the amount of bacterial nutrients. The amount of nutrients can be estimated with high accuracy from the degree of contamination.

According to the nutrient detecting means of the environment detecting means in the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention, the contaminant determining means for determining the contaminant at the target site, and the contamination frequency of the target site. From the frequency detecting means for detecting, the time detecting means for detecting the contamination time of the detecting means, and the estimating means for estimating the amount of nutrients from at least one of the pollutant determining means, the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means. When the target site is a kitchen facility, the nutritional substances brought into the target site include raw vegetables, meat, fish, detergents, and kitchen waste. The contaminant determination means specifies these by the user and estimates the amount of nutrients according to the specified contaminants and the frequency and time of use, so that accurate estimation is possible.

According to the growth predicting means of the sterilizing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention, when the sterilization treatment is performed on the target portion, the predicted number of bacteria is cleared. In response to the death of the bacteria at the site, the number of bacteria in the growth prediction is reset to zero, and the prediction is performed from the beginning, so that accurate estimation is possible.

According to the control means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the sterilizing means is operated at a stage earlier than the time required to reach the predetermined number of bacteria obtained by the growth predicting means by a predetermined time, thereby performing the sterilizing treatment of the target site. Therefore, when trying to suppress the growth of bacteria to a predetermined number of bacteria or less, since there is a time period between the dispersion of the growth prediction and the sterilization treatment and the elimination of the bacteria, the sterilization treatment is performed earlier by that time. . Thus, the number of bacteria at the target site can be reliably suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

[0096] According to the control means of the sterilization apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the sterilization strength of the sterilization means is changed according to the growth rate predicted by the growth prediction means. Therefore, if the growth rate of bacteria is expected to be high, increase the bactericidal strength,
If it is predicted that the growth rate is low, the sterilization strength can be reduced to achieve safe and reliable sterilization without waste.

According to the control means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the notifying means for notifying the prediction result of the growth predicting means is provided, the user can check the bacterial growth status while checking the bacterial growth status. By operation, sterilization can be performed under user's arbitrary conditions.

According to the sterilizing means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying means for notifying when the time reaches the predetermined number of bacteria determined by the growth predicting means.
Therefore, the user judges the necessity of sterilization at the time of the notification and operates the sterilization means, thereby preventing forgetting to sterilize and sterilizing at the user's discretion.

According to the control means of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, there is provided an electrolytic cell having at least a pair of electrodes, for electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions to generate electrolyzed water, And supply means for supplying electrolyzed water to the apparatus. Therefore, when water containing chloride ions is electrolyzed, hypochlorite and electrolyzed water containing hypochlorite ions having high sterilizing power are generated. Then, sterilization can be performed by supplying the electrolyzed water to the target site.

According to the sterilizing means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolytic cell having at least a pair of electrodes, which electrolyzes water containing chlorine ions in a stagnant state to produce electrolyzed water. The control means sets the electrolysis start time so that the electrolysis is completed before the sterilization start time. Therefore, the sterilizing means performs the stationary electrolysis in which the water is electrolyzed in a stagnant state, so that the electrolysis with higher efficiency than the flowing water electrolysis can be performed. In addition, the stationary electrolysis requires time until the electrolysis is completed, but the electrolysis can be performed by the control means in time for the sterilization start time.

According to the sterilizing means of the sterilizing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, as means for changing the sterilizing strength, the current to the electrode, the current supply time, the chloride ion concentration, the supply amount of the electrolytic water, the supply time of the electrolytic water, Adjust at least one of the dilution water volumes.
Therefore, the sterilization action can be changed by adjusting the concentration of the electrolyzed water and the supply amount and the supply time of the electrolyzed water for the target site.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sterilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bacterial growth characteristic diagram showing Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an electrolysis apparatus showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sterilization means 11 Target part 12 Growth prediction means 13 Control means 14 Electrolyzer 21, 22 Electrode 41 Environment detection means 42 Growth storage means 43 Time setting means 45 Temperature detection means 47 Water detection means 49 Nutrient substance detection means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C02F 1/50 540 C02F 1/50 540B 550 550D 550H 550L 560 560F 1/76 1/76 A E03D 5/10 E03D 5/10 9/02 9/02 (72) Inventor Takemi Okeda 1006 Odakadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) in Sangyo Co., Ltd. GC19 GC20

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A sterilizing means for performing a sterilizing treatment on a target site, a growth predicting means for predicting a growth state of bacteria at the target site, and a control means for controlling the sterilizing means based on a prediction result of the growth predicting means. A sterilizer having a. 2. The growth predicting means includes a growth storage means for preliminarily storing the time and the growth characteristics of the number of bacteria at a target site, and a time setting means for obtaining a time required for a predetermined number of bacteria from the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. An environment detecting means for detecting a habitat of bacteria at a target site, a growth storage means for preliminarily storing a growth characteristic of the bacteria based on a time and a habitat of the target site; 2. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising time setting means for obtaining a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria from the detection environment of the detection means and the bacterial growth characteristics from the growth storage means. 4. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the environment detecting means includes at least one of a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the target part and a moisture detecting means for detecting moisture of the target part. 5. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said environment detecting means comprises a nutrient substance detecting means for detecting an amount of nutrient substances of bacteria at a target site. 6. The nutritional substance detecting means includes a frequency detecting means for detecting a frequency of use of the target part, a time detecting means for detecting a use time of the target part, and at least one of the frequency detecting means and the time detecting means. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 5, comprising an estimating means for estimating a nutrient substance amount from the nutrient. 7. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the nutrient substance detecting means includes a dirt detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of the target portion and an estimating means for estimating the amount of the nutrient substance from the degree of contamination. 8. A nutrient detection unit includes: a contaminant determination unit configured to determine a contaminant in a target site; a frequency detection unit configured to detect a frequency of contamination of the target site; and a time detection unit configured to detect a contamination time of the target site. 6. The sterilizer according to claim 5, comprising: a contaminant determination unit; and an estimation unit configured to estimate an amount of a nutrient substance from at least one of the frequency detection unit and the time detection unit. 9. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the growth predicting means clears the predicted number of bacteria when the target portion is sterilized. 10. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means activates the sterilization means at a stage earlier than the time required to reach the predetermined number of bacteria determined by the growth prediction means, and performs sterilization treatment of the target site. 11. The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the sterilizing strength of the sterilizing means according to the growth rate predicted by the growth predicting means. 12. The sterilizing means having at least a pair of electrodes, comprising an electrolytic tank for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions, and a supply means for supplying electrolyzed water to a target site. Item 9. A sterilizer according to Item 1. 13. A sterilizing means having at least a pair of electrodes, an electrolytic tank for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions in a staying state, and a supply means for supplying electrolyzed water to a target site The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets the electrolysis start time so that the electrolysis is completed before the sterilization start time. 14. The control means includes: a current to the electrode, a current supply time, a chlorine ion concentration, an electrolytic water supply amount, an electrolytic water supply time,
14. The sterilizer according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the dilution water amounts is adjusted to change the sterilization strength. 15. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a notifying means for notifying a prediction result of the growth predicting means. 16. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a notifying means for notifying at a time required to reach a predetermined number of bacteria determined by the growth predicting means.