JP2003211162A - Electrolytic water production device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolytic water production device that is convenient to carry and has a small power consumption and that supplies any amount of the anodic electrolytic water or the cathodic electrolytic water in any time and in any site. <P>SOLUTION: The electrolytic water production device is provided with an electrolyte aqueous tank 8, a pump 14 which feeds under pressure an electrolyte aqueous solution in the tank 8 having a power storage part provided therein to an electrolytic tank 18, the electrolytic tank 18 which produces the anodic electrolytic water and the cathodic electrolytic water by electrolyzing the electrolyte aqueous solution, a nozzle 26 which discharges either one of the resulting anodic electrolytic water or the cathodic electrolytic water, a waste tank 30 which stores the other resulting electrolytic water, a switch 36 which is interlocked with the power storage part and a constant-current circuit 34 which feeds an electric power to the electrolytic tank when the switch is turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water producing apparatus which sprays anode-side electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution or cathode-side electrolyzed water and is convenient to carry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Alkali is used as a diaphragm using an electrolytic cell in which an inert electrode made of platinum or a platinum alloy is arranged through a charged film made of a film of ion exchange resin or an uncharged film having a microporous structure. A technique of electrolyzing a dilute aqueous electrolytic solution of a metal chloride to take out electrolyzed water (acidic water) having a low pH, which is electrolytically generated on the anode side, and utilizing this for sterilization and disinfection is already well known ( Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-9
0442). Further, a technique of producing electrolyzed water using an electrolytic cell having no diaphragm is known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-2462).
72).

Since the electrolyzed water on the anode side generated on the anode side contains hypochlorous acid in it, it uses the strong oxidizing action and chlorinating action of hypochlorous acid for sterilization and disinfection. , Such usage is popular in medical institutions. Moreover, since ozone and dissolved oxygen contained in a small amount in the electrolyzed water on the anode side have a granulation generation promoting action, their use as an aid to surgical treatment has also been studied. It is also known that electrolyzed water decreases its beneficial action as time passes after production. Therefore, it is preferable to use the electrolyzed water immediately after production.

These electrolyzed water producing apparatuses are equipped with electrolyzers, pumps, etc., and are relatively large-sized equipment installed in hospitals and the like. Therefore, the above-described electrolyzed water producing apparatus is not suitable for a personal use intended to supply a required amount of fresh electrolyzed water immediately after being produced at any time.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-276826 describes a small-sized electrolyzed water generator which is portable and can be easily used in general households. This electrolyzed water generator is an anode-side electrolyzed water that is produced by electrolyzing by applying a voltage to the electrode and electrolyzing while supplying the electrolyte aqueous solution to the electrolytic cell while the switch is turned on. It has a structure in which the cathode side electrolyzed water and the cathode side electrolyzed water are sprayed together without being separated.

However, in the case of this device, in addition to the power required for electrolysis, the power required for driving the pump is required,
If this is supplied from the battery, the battery will be considerably consumed.

Further, the electrolyzed water on the anode side and the electrolyzed water on the cathode side are
Different properties and uses. Since the above electrolyzed water generator sprays the anode-side electrolyzed water and the cathode-side electrolyzed water together without separation, it can be used for optimal applications according to the respective properties of the anode-side electrolyzed water and the cathode-side electrolyzed water. There is a problem that cannot be done.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to be convenient to carry, to consume less power, to be used at any time and at any place.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water generation device capable of supplying an arbitrary amount of electrolyzed water on the anode side or electrolyzed water on the cathode side.

[0009]

The present invention which achieves the above object is described below.

[1] An electrolyte aqueous solution tank for storing the electrolyte aqueous solution; a pump having a power storage unit for pumping the electrolyte aqueous solution in the electrolyte aqueous solution tank to the electrolytic cell;
An electrolysis tank for electrolyzing the electrolyte aqueous solution that has been pumped to generate anode-side electrolyzed water and cathode-side electrolyzed water, a nozzle that discharges either the generated anode-side electrolyzed water or cathode-side electrolyzed water, and the generation An electrolyzed water generation device having a waste liquid tank for storing the other electrolyzed water, a switch interlocking with a power storage unit, and a constant current circuit for supplying power to the electrolyzer when the switch is on.

[2] The electrolyzed water generator according to [1], in which the pump pumps a predetermined amount of the electrolyte aqueous solution by the energy stored in the power storage unit.

[3] The electrolyzed water generator according to [1], wherein the power storage unit uses energy accumulated by deformation of the spring.

[4] The electrolyzed water generator according to [1], wherein the power storage unit uses energy accumulated by compressing gas.

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

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes an electrolyzed water generator, and a grip portion 4 and a base portion 6 are integrally formed in a lower portion of a synthetic resin casing 2.

An electrolyte aqueous solution tank 8 is provided in the housing 2.
Is provided, and the electrolyte aqueous solution 10 is stored therein. The electrolyte aqueous solution is a solution in which an inorganic electrolyte such as an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth salt or an organic electrolyte such as ascorbic acid is dissolved in water. The electrolyte concentration is 0.1 to
About 2 mass% is preferable.

A first supply pipe 12 connects the electrolyte aqueous solution tank 8 to the suction side of the pump 14, and supplies the electrolyte aqueous solution 10 in the aqueous solution tank 8 to the pump 14 through the first supply pipe 12. ing.

The pump 14 is provided with a power storage unit (not shown) which will be described later, and by manually operating a lever 16 provided on the pump 14 in the direction of arrow A, pump drive energy is stored in the power storage unit. Then, by this energy, a predetermined amount of the electrolytic aqueous solution 10 is pressure-fed to the electrolytic cell 18 described later.

A second supply pipe 20 connects the discharge side of the pump 14 and the inlet side of the electrolytic cell 18. The electrolytic cell 18 has an anode 22 and a cathode 24 which are arranged in parallel in a flat electrolytic cell housing. An electrolyzed water discharge nozzle 26 is connected above the anode 22, and one end of a waste liquid pipe 28 is connected above the cathode 24. Incidentally, 30 is a waste liquid tank connected to the other end of the waste liquid pipe.

Reference numeral 32 is a battery for supplying this electric power to a constant current device 34.
And supplies a controlled constant current to the anode 22 and the cathode 24. A power switch 36 interlocks with the power storage unit. When the lever 16 is pulled in the direction of arrow A, the lever 16 and the power switch 36 come into contact with each other, and the switch 36 is turned on.

The lever 16 of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is moved to the arrow A
When pulled in the direction, energy is stored in the power storage unit provided in the pump 10, and the switch 36 is turned on to supply a constant current to the anode 22 and the cathode 24 of the electrolytic cell 18. On the other hand, the energy stored in the power storage unit causes the pump 14 to work, whereby the electrolyte solution 10 in the electrolyte solution tank 8 is supplied to the first supply pipe 12, the pump 14, and the second supply pipe 2.
It is sent to the electrolytic cell 18 via 0.

The electrolyte aqueous solution flowing from the lower part of the electrolytic cell 18 into the electrolytic cell moves upward in the electrolytic cell 18 while maintaining a laminar flow state, and a constant current is generated by the voltage applied between the anode 22 and the cathode 24. It is electrolyzed to generate anode-side electrolyzed water (acidic water) near the anode 22, and cathode-side electrolyzed water (alkaline water) near the cathode 24.

Since the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer 18 flows in a laminar state, the generated electrolyzed water on the anode side flows upward along the surface of the anode 22, and only the electrolyzed water on the anode side is on the upper side of the electrolyzer 18. It is sprayed to the outside through the nozzle 26 formed in the.

On the other hand, the cathode-side electrolyzed water produced in the electrolysis tank 18 moves upward along the cathode 24 and is sent to the waste liquid tank 30 provided below the electrolysis tank 18 through the waste liquid pipe 28. It is temporarily stored as a waste liquid 38 and then discarded.

FIG. 2 shows the flow of liquid (electrolyte aqueous solution, electrolyzed water, etc.) and electricity in the electrolyzed water generator of the present invention.

(Example of pump provided with first power storage unit) FIG.
Shows an example of a pump and a power storage unit provided in the pump that can be used in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 40 denotes a housing formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the tip of which is liquid-tightly closed by a closing plate 42. Reference numeral 44 is an outflow hole formed in the closing plate 40. A spindle shaft 46 is inserted from the rear end side into the housing 40, and a diaphragm 48 is provided at the front end thereof.
The pump chamber 50 is formed by mounting the same and fixing the peripheral edge of the diaphragm 48 to the housing 40.

Reference numeral 52 is a power storage spring provided in the housing, and biases the spindle shaft 46 in the front end direction of the housing 40 (direction of arrow B). A rack 54 is formed on the spindle shaft 46 along the axial direction.

The first lever 56 and the second lever 58 are independently rotatably attached to the housing 40 with the pin 60 as a pivot point, and the second lever 58 is engaged with the rack 54 formed on the spindle shaft 46. Together, they form a ratchet mechanism.

In the above structure, first, the spindle shaft 46
Is manually pulled toward the rear end side of the housing (direction of arrow C) to suck the electrolyte aqueous solution from the outflow hole 44 and fill the pump chamber 50 with the electrolyte aqueous solution. In this state, the spindle shaft 46 is biased in the direction of the arrow B by the power storage spring 52, but the first lever 56 contacts the pin 62 of the second lever 58 engaged with the rack 54, and 1 The balance between the repulsive force of the spring 64 inserted between the lever 56 and the housing 40 is maintained, and the spindle shaft 4
6 has stopped moving in the direction of arrow B.

Next, the case where a predetermined amount of the electrolyte aqueous solution is sent by the pump having this structure will be described. First, by manually pressing the first lever 56 in the direction of arrow D, the second lever 56
The pin 62 of the lever 58 is pushed, and the engagement between the second lever 58 and the rack 54 is released. As a result, spindle axis 4
6 moves in the direction of arrow B for the time during which the first lever 56 is pressed in the direction of arrow D, and feeds a predetermined amount of aqueous electrolyte solution.

On the other hand, the contact 6 formed on the housing 40 is manually operated by pushing the first lever 56 in the direction of arrow D.
6 and the contact point 68 formed on the first lever 56 are turned on, and a constant current is supplied to the electrolytic cell to electrolyze as described above.

(Example of pump provided with second power storage unit) FIG.
(A) shows the example of a pump provided with the 2nd power storage part. In this example, the tip of the cylinder 80 is
It is closed by a closing plate 84 having an electrolyte aqueous solution outflow hole 82. The piston shaft 88 of the piston 86 provided in the cylinder 80 is connected to the rotary cap 90 provided at the rear of the cylinder 80, and the projection 92 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 90 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 80. It fits in the drilled spiral groove 94. 96 is a cylinder 80
With the power storage spring arranged inside, the piston 86 is urged in the tip direction of the cylinder 80 (direction of arrow E). In addition, 98 is a piston packing and 100 is an electrolyte solution stored in the pump chamber 102.

When filling this pump with an electrolyte aqueous solution, first, the cap 90 is rotated to move the projection 92 to the most distal side of the spiral groove 94. As a result, the piston 8
6 moves to the tip side of the cylinder 80. In this state,
By rotating the cap 90 and moving the protrusion 92 to the rear end of the spiral groove 94, the piston 86 retracts, the electrolyte aqueous solution 100 flows into the pump chamber 102 through the outflow hole 82, and the power storage spring 96 compresses. Deformed, spring 9
Discharge energy is accumulated in 6.

When the aqueous electrolyte solution 100 is pressure-fed to the electrolytic cell, the cap 90 is manually rotated to move the projection 92 to the tip of the spiral groove 94. This causes the piston 86 to move toward the tip side due to the pressing force of the power storage spring 96,
The aqueous electrolyte solution in the pump chamber 102 is sent to the electrolytic cell through the outflow hole 82. In this case, since the pressing force of the power storage spring 96 has a constant value specific to the spring, the liquid feed rate of the electrolyte aqueous solution and the total liquid feed amount are always constant. This stroke profile is shown in FIG.

A pressure switch (not shown) is provided in the second supply pipe connecting the pump and the electrolytic cell,
When pumping the aqueous electrolyte solution, the driving pressure of the pump is detected to turn on the constant current circuit for electrolysis, thereby supplying power to the electrolytic cell.

(Example of Pump Having Third Power Storage Unit) In this example, as shown in FIG.
Is preferably a pump that discharges a fixed amount such as a piston pump. By manually operating the lever 121 of the pump, the aqueous electrolyte solution passes through the first supply pipe 122 and the pump 1
20 and flows out to the second supply pipe 124. 1
Reference numerals 26 and 128 are check valves provided in the first and second supply pipes 122 and 124, and 130 is a throttle valve.

The second supply pipe 124 is branched between the throttle valve 130 and the check valve 128, and the branch pipe 132 is connected to the accumulator 134. The accumulator 134 is installed in the liquid-tight container 136 in the diaphragm 13
8 and a power storage spring 140 that presses the same. When the electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied to the second supply pipe 124 by the pump 120, the electrolyte aqueous solution passes through the branch pipe 132 and flows into the accumulator 134 due to the back pressure generated by the throttle valve 130 that acts as a flow path resistance, and further the power storage spring. The diaphragm 138 is pushed up against the pressing force of 140. As a result, discharge energy is accumulated in the power storage spring 140.

Thereafter, the energy stored in the power storage spring 140 pushes the aqueous electrolyte solution in the accumulator 134 into the branch pipe 132 at a predetermined flow rate according to the pressing force of the power storage spring 140, and further through the throttle valve 130. It is sent to an electrolytic cell (not shown).

A pressure switch (not shown) is provided in the second supply pipe connecting the pump and the electrolytic cell,
The drive pressure of the pump turns on the electrolysis constant current circuit to supply power to the electrolytic cell only while the pump is operating.

(Example of Pump Having Fourth Power Storage Unit) Fourth
FIG. 6 shows an example of a pump provided with the power storage unit. In this example, the pump piston is an accumulator. That is, a power storage spring 166 is provided on the piston shaft 164 connected to the piston 162 in the cylinder 160, and the piston 162 is biased toward the tip side of the cylinder 160 (direction of arrow F). Manual lever 172
Is pulled in the direction of arrow G, the power storage spring 166 is pressed by the back pressure generated by the flow path resistance of the throttle valve 170 provided in the second supply pipe 168, and the discharge energy is stored in the power storage spring 166. To do. This energy presses the piston 162 with a pressing force peculiar to the spring, whereby a predetermined amount of the electrolyte aqueous solution 174 in the pump is supplied to a not-shown electrolytic cell through the second supply pipe 168 at a predetermined flow rate. In the figure,
Reference numeral 176 is a check valve provided in the first supply pipe, and 186 is a check valve provided in the second supply pipe 168.

A pressure switch (not shown) is provided in the second supply pipe 168 connecting the pump and the electrolytic cell, and the driving pressure of the pump is detected to turn on the constant current circuit for electrolysis. Power is supplied to the electrolytic cell only during the driving period of the pump.

[0043]

Since the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention uses a manual pump for feeding the electrolytic aqueous solution and spraying the electrolyzed water, the electric power required for feeding the electrolytic solution is not required, and as a result, the apparatus configuration is compact. It is lightweight and convenient to carry. Also,
Since the pump used in the present invention is provided with a power storage unit to reduce the fluctuation of the flow rate, the electrolysis conditions can be optimized,
It is possible to efficiently obtain the electrolyzed water having preferable properties. Further, since the liquid supply amount can be controlled to be constant, it is possible to avoid waste such as excessive generation of electrolyzed water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a pump including a power storage unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a pump having a power storage unit used in the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a graph showing its stroke profile.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing still another example of a pump provided with a power storage unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing still another example of a pump including a power storage unit used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

200 Electrolyzed water generator 2 Synthetic resin casing 4 grip 6 base 8 Electrolyte solution tank 10 Electrolyte solution 12 First supply pipe 14 pumps 16 levers 18 Electrolyzer 20 Second supply pipe 22 Anode 24 cathode 26 Electrolytic water discharge nozzle 28 Waste pipe 30 waste liquid tank 32 batteries 34 Constant current device 36 power switch 38 waste liquid 40 housing 42 Block 44 Outflow hole 46 spindle axis 48 diaphragm 50 pump room 52 Power storage spring 54 racks 56 First lever 58 Second lever 60 pin 62 pin 64 spring 66 contacts 68 contacts 80 cylinders 82 Outflow hole 84 Block 86 pistons 88 Piston shaft 90 rotating cap 92 Protrusion 94 spiral groove 96 power storage spring 98 Piston packing 100 Electrolyte solution 102 pump room 120 pumps 121 lever 122 First supply pipe 124 Second supply pipe 126, 128 Check valve 130 Throttle valve 132 Branch pipe 134 Accumulator 136 Liquid tight container 138 diaphragm 140 power storage spring 160 cylinders 162 piston 164 Piston shaft 166 power storage spring 168 Second supply pipe 170 Throttle valve 172 Manual lever 174 Electrolyte solution 176 Check valve 186 Check valve

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 4C058 AA12 BB07 CC02 JJ07 JJ24                 4D061 DA03 DB07 DB08 DB10 EA02                       EB02 EB04 EB12 EB13 EB14                       EB19 EB30 ED12                 4K021 AB25 BA02 BA04 BA08 BB01                       BC01 CA08 CA09 DC07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electrolyte aqueous solution tank for storing an electrolyte aqueous solution, a pump having a power storage unit for pumping the electrolyte aqueous solution in the electrolyte aqueous solution tank to an electrolytic cell, and an electrolyte for electrolyzing the pumped electrolyte aqueous solution. Electrolysis tank for generating side electrolyzed water and cathode side electrolyzed water, a nozzle for discharging one of the produced anode side electrolyzed water or cathode side electrolyzed water, and a waste liquid tank for storing the other electrolyzed water produced above An electrolyzed water generator having a switch that works with the power storage unit and a constant current circuit that supplies power to the electrolytic cell when the switch is on. 2. The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 1, wherein the pump pumps a predetermined amount of the aqueous electrolyte solution by the energy stored in the power storage unit. 3. The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit uses energy accumulated by deformation of the spring. 4. The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 1, wherein the power storage unit uses energy accumulated by compressing gas.