JP2003117555A - Device for sterilizing stored water - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilizing device for stored water with which chlorine odor is suppressed and sterilizing effect is kept almost constant even when electrical conductivity of the stored water varies. SOLUTION: When water of electrical conductivity different from that of reference water is supplied into a water tank 2, reference voltage V1 changes correspondingly to change of electrical conductivity of water in the water tank 2, output voltage of a first operational amplifier 31 changes, output voltage V3 of a second operational amplifier 32 changes and output voltage of a third operational amplifier 33 also changes. Consequently, current flowing in a fifth transistor 25 is also changed and current i1 flowing in an electrode 4 is corrected. Thereby amount of free residual chlorine generated at the electrode 4 is corrected and amount of the free residual chlorine approaches an amount when the reference water is supplied into the water tank 2, thus sterilizing effect of the water is maintained and chlorine odor of humidified air is suppressed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank. For example, the present invention relates to a sterilization device for stored water in a humidifier, a beverage vending machine, a washing machine, an ice maker, a chiller, etc. The present invention relates to a sterilization device for stored water in a humidifying device or the like that supplies steam vaporized from the body into a room by a blower.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a humidifier is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-1158.
The ultrasonic humidifier disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 18 or the like is well known. This ultrasonic humidifying device supplies water to a vaporizing tank having an ultrasonic vibrator, atomizes the water by the vibrator, mixes it with air taken from the outside to generate humidified air, and supplies it to the room. is there.

However, in the above-mentioned ultrasonic humidifier, there is a problem that Legionella bacteria or the like are easily proliferated and discharged indoors, especially when the vaporization tank is dirty. Therefore, the electrode that generates a substance having a sterilizing effect is buried in the water in the water tank, and the vaporized water vapor from the water absorbing body that absorbs the water in the water tank by the capillary phenomenon is partially immersed in the water tank. A humidifying device that supplies air indoors with a blower is conceivable.

[0004]

However, irrespective of the state and composition of water, if the sterilization treatment is always carried out at regular intervals, there is a problem that untreated water is discharged indoors. there were.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the applicant of the present application immerses an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing action in the water in the water tank and applies an electric current between the electrodes.
We proposed a humidifier that generated free residual chlorine and sterilized the water in the water tank with chlorine.

However, in the above humidifier,
Since a constant current is passed between the electrodes using a constant current circuit regardless of the difference in electric conductivity of water in the water tank (hereinafter referred to as electric conductivity), a difference in electric conductivity of water in the water tank, for example, a humidifier The difference in conductivity depending on the region where the water is used (the conductivity of tap water in Obihiro City is 60uS / cm, the conductivity of tap water in Sapporo City is 145uS / cm, and the conductivity of tap water in Funabashi City is 2).
It is 40 uS / cm. ), There is a large variation in the amount of free residual chlorine generated. As a result, when the amount of generated free residual chlorine is small, the disinfection effect of water is reduced, and when the amount of generated residual chlorine is large, the chlorine odor of humidified air supplied from the humidifying device to the room is increased. The problem occurs.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sterilizing stored water in which the odor of chlorine is suppressed while keeping the sterilizing effect substantially constant even when the conductivity of the stored water is different.

[0008]

Therefore, the first invention is
In a storage water disinfection device for disinfecting water in a storage tank, an electrode for generating a substance having a disinfection effect is buried in water in the storage tank, and the electric conductivity of water in the storage tank is increased. A control device for controlling the current between the electrodes based on the above is provided.

A second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank, wherein an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing action is buried in water in the storage tank, and A control device is provided which detects an electric conductivity of water in the storage tank and corrects a current between the electrodes based on the conductivity.

A third aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank, wherein an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing action is buried in water in the storage tank, and An amplifier circuit having an output voltage that changes based on an input voltage that changes according to the current between the electrodes that changes according to the electrical conductivity of water in the storage tank, and between the electrodes based on the difference in the output voltage of the amplifier circuit. It is characterized in that a correction circuit for correcting the current is provided.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing stored water in a humidifier, a beverage vending machine, a washing machine, an ice maker, a chiller, etc. An example will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is a water supply tank in a humidifier having a prismatic casing, and 2 is a water receiving tank for storing water from the water supply tank 1 through a passage 3.

Although a pair of electrodes 4 described later are arranged in the water tank 2, the electrodes 4 may be arranged in the passage 3. Incidentally, a float (not shown) is provided in the water receiving water tank 2, and when the water in the water receiving water tank 2 reaches a predetermined water level or less, a switch (not shown) is operated to forcibly stop the operation.

In the water receiving water tank 2, a honeycomb-shaped humidifying water absorbing body 5 is arranged so that its end (part) is immersed in water, and the humidifying water absorbing body 5 is in the water tank 2. The water of the above is sucked up by the capillary phenomenon. The moisture absorbent 5
Is made of a non-woven fabric made of, for example, acrylic fiber or polyester fiber.

Then, the fan and the fan motor 1 are provided through a blowout opening (not shown) formed in the body of the humidifying device.
By the blower blower 6 composed of 5
This is a configuration for supplying more vaporized water vapor to the room.

The electrode 4 has, for example, two electrode plates whose base is Ti (titanium) and whose coating layer is made of Ir (iridium), Ta (tantalum), and Pt (platinum), and which has an energizing current of 40. As a miliampere, a predetermined free residual chlorine concentration (for example, 1 ppm) is generated to obtain a sterilizing effect and an antifouling effect (bactericidal action).

Next, the control block diagram of FIG. 2 will be described. Reference numeral 10 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as "microcomputer") that controls the present humidifying device as a whole, and internally has a CPU 11 as a control device, a RAM (random access memory) 12 for storing various data, and a program. ROM (Read Only Memory) 1 to store
3 and timer 14.

Then, the microcomputer 10 operates the electrode 4
And the fan motor 15 of the blower 6 for blowing. In particular,
The former command is, for example, that T1 is applied to the electrode 4 during the humidifying operation.
The control is performed so that energization and non-energization are repeated in a cycle of energizing for + T2 hours and non-energizing for T3 + T4 hours. Further, a free residual chlorine amount correction circuit 16 according to the present invention is connected to the microcomputer 10 via ports P1 and P2, and an electrode 4 is connected to the correction circuit 16. Then, the correction circuit 16 controls the current flowing through the electrode 4 to correct the generation amount of free residual chlorine.

When the water in the passage 3 is energized by the electrode 4 under the above control, the water is 4H ^{+ at the} anode.
+ 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) becomes 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ ), and 2H ₂ O + becomes 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻ at the cathode, and at the same time chlorine contained in water (previously added to tap water)
At the anode, 2Cl ⁻ becomes Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻ , and since this Cl ₂ (chlorine) is easily dissolved in water, Cl ₂ + H
₂ O becomes HClO + HCl.

Therefore, by energizing the electrode 4, HClO (hypochlorous acid), which is free residual chlorine having a large sterilizing power, is generated.

Next, the correction circuit 16 for the amount of free residual chlorine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

21 to 25 are transistors and 2 respectively
Reference numeral 6 is a terminal for detachably connecting the electrodes 4 between the transistors 22 and 24 (attached and detached when cleaning or replacing the electrodes). Reference numerals 31, 32, and 33 are first amplifier circuits, respectively. , Second and third operational amplifiers, R1 and R2 are resistors for determining a correction reference value (hereinafter referred to as reference value determining resistors), R3 is a current limiting resistor, and R4 and R5 are electrodes 4 and 4.
Resistances for determining the current between the electrodes (hereinafter, referred to as interelectrode current determination resistances), R6 and R7 are correction amount determination resistances, and are the transistors 21 to 26, the electrodes 4, 4, first, second, The third operational amplifiers 31, 32, 33 and the resistors R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are connected as shown in FIG. VDD1 is an applied voltage. Thus, the plurality of transistors 21 to 2
The correction circuit 16 can be easily configured by the first, second, third operational amplifiers 31, 32, and 33.
The correction circuit 16 can be simplified as much as possible.

The reference value for correction will be described below. The conductivity is almost the average of tap water in Japan, eg 150u
Put S / cm of water as reference water in the water receiving water tank 2,
The reference voltage between the transistors 24 and 25 is V1, the output voltage of the first operational amplifier 31 is V2, the output voltage of the second operational amplifier is V3, and VDD1 = 20V (volt), R1 = R
2, V1 = 10V, R3 = 100Ω (ohm), R4 =
When 9 KΩ and R5 = 1 KΩ, V1 = V2 = V3, and the correction circuit operates so that the current i1 flowing through the electrode 4 is 10 mA (milliampere).

The operation of the above arrangement will be described with reference to FIG. First, when water (tap water) is put into the water supply tank 1 and incorporated into the humidifying device main body (not shown), water is supplied from the water supply tank 1 to the water receiving water tank 2 through the valve through the passage 3 and is used for the humidification. The water absorbing body 5 sucks up the water in the water receiving water tank 2 uniformly.

Then, the energization time to the electrode 4 is T1 +
When T2 is set and the non-energization time (energization interval time) is set to T3 + T4, an operation switch (not shown) is turned on to turn on the humidifier, and at the energization time T1 + T2, both ports P1 and P2 of the microcomputer 1 are LOW level (hereinafter, low level). That is). Therefore, the first, second, and third transistors 21, 22, and 23 are turned on, and the fourth transistor 24 is turned on.
Therefore, the first and second operational amplifiers 31 and 3 are also turned on.
The third operational amplifier 33 outputs the signal via 2 and the fifth transistor 25 is turned on. As a result, a current flows through the electrode 4. At this time, if the water in the water tank 2 is the reference water,
As described above, for example, a current of 10 mA flows and free residual chlorine is generated in the water tank 2.

The operation when water having a higher conductivity than the reference water is supplied to the water tank 2 will be described. When the ports P1 and P2 become low level as described above, the first, second, and third transistors 21, 22, and 23 are turned on, and the fourth transistor 24 is also turned on, and the first and second operational amplifiers 31 and 32 are turned on. Is output from the third operational amplifier 33, and the fifth transistor 25 is turned on. As a result, a current flows through the electrode 4. At this time, since the electric conductivity of water in the water tank 2 is high, the reference voltage V1 is increased, and the first operational amplifier 31
Output voltage of the second operational amplifier 32 increases
3 decreases, and as a result, the output voltage of the third operational amplifier 33 also decreases.

Due to the decrease in the output voltage of the third operational amplifier 33, the current flowing through the fifth transistor 25 decreases, and the current i1 flowing through the electrode 4 decreases to 5 mA, for example. As a result, the amount of free residual chlorine generated in the electrode 4 is corrected so as to decrease, and the amount of free residual chlorine approaches when the reference water is being supplied to the water tank 2, and the generation of chlorine odor in the humidified air is avoided. To be done.

Next, the operation when water having a conductivity lower than that of the reference water is supplied to the water tank 2 will be described. When the ports P1 and P2 become low level, as described above, the third operational amplifier 33 outputs through the first and second operational amplifiers 31 and 32, the fifth transistor 25 turns on, and the electrode 4
Current flows through. At this time, since the electric conductivity of water in the water tank 2 is small, the reference voltage V1 decreases, the output voltage of the first operational amplifier 31 decreases, and the output voltage V3 of the second operational amplifier 32 decreases.
Is increased, and as a result, the output voltage of the third operational amplifier 33 is also increased.

As the output voltage of the third operational amplifier 33 increases, the current flowing through the fifth transistor 25 increases and the current i1 flowing through the electrode 4 increases. For this reason, the amount of free residual chlorine generated at the electrode 4 is corrected so as to increase, and the amount of free residual chlorine approaches when the reference water is being supplied to the water tank 2, and the sterilizing effect of water is maintained.

As a result, even if the electric conductivity of the water supplied into the water tank 2 changes due to the difference in the place (for example, region) where the humidifier is used, the current flowing through the electrode 4 automatically changes accordingly. The amount of free residual chlorine generated in the electrode 4 is corrected, and the amount of free residual chlorine approaches when the reference water is being supplied to the aquarium 2, keeping the sterilization effect almost constant and chlorine in the humidified air. The odor can be suppressed.

As described above, the current flowing through the electrode 4 is controlled, but the humidifying operation into the room is performed as follows.
That is, the water in the water receiving water tank 2 is sucked up by the humidifying water absorber 5, mixed with the steam vaporized from the water absorbing body 5 by the blower blower 6, and the humidified air is supplied to the room outside the humidifier main body. .

By energizing the electrode 4,
At the anode, 2Cl ⁻ becomes Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻ , and this C
Since l ₂ (chlorine) is easily dissolved in water, Cl ₂ +
H ₂ O becomes HClO + HCl, and H has a large sterilizing power.
ClO (hypochlorous acid) will be generated. Therefore, the propagation of Legionella bacteria, large intestine and other fungi can be prevented, and the Legionella bacteria etc. are not released indoors.

The reference value determining resistor R1 or R2
Is a variable resistance and the resistance value can be arbitrarily adjusted, so that the reference value can also be adjusted, and as a result, the correctable range of the amount of free residual chlorine can be adjusted.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various alternatives, modifications, and variations can be made by those skilled in the art based on the above description, and the various alternatives described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is intended to include examples, modifications or variations.

[0034]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention can provide an apparatus for sterilizing stored water in which the odor of chlorine is suppressed while keeping the sterilizing effect almost constant even when the conductivity of the stored water is different. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a humidifier.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 3 is a correction circuit diagram of the amount of free residual chlorine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 water tank 2 water receiving tank 4 electrodes 5 Water absorbent for humidification 6 Blower for blowout 10 Microcomputer 11 CPU 16 Correction circuit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shuji Hibi             1 Otsuki-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning             Within the corporation F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA03 AA15 BA02 CB39                       MA01 MA02 MA09                 3L055 BB20 DA11                 4C058 AA20 BB07 JJ02 JJ26                 4D061 DA02 DA03 DB10 EA02 EB01                       EB04 EB14 EB30 EB31 EB37                       EB39 GA20 GC12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank, wherein an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing effect is buried in water in the storage tank, and water in the storage tank is sterilized. A sterilizing apparatus for stored water, comprising a control device for controlling a current between the electrodes based on the electric conductivity of the stored water. 2. An apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank, wherein an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing effect is buried in water in the storage tank, and water in the storage tank is sterilized. A sterilizing apparatus for stored water, comprising a control device for detecting the electric conductivity of the electrode and correcting the current between the electrodes based on the electric conductivity. 3. An apparatus for sterilizing stored water for sterilizing water in a storage tank, wherein an electrode for generating a substance having a sterilizing effect is buried in water in the storage tank, and water in the storage tank is sterilized. An amplifier circuit whose output voltage changes according to an input voltage that changes according to the current between the electrodes that changes according to the electric conductivity of the electrode, and corrects the current between the electrodes based on the difference in the output voltage of the amplifier circuit. A sterilization device for stored water, which is provided with a correction circuit.