JP2005131444A - Ionic water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ionic water generator by which PH value can be measured with high precision. <P>SOLUTION: The ionic water generator producing alkaline ion water and acidic ion water by electrolyzing water in an electrolytic cell, has a pH reagent adding section 23 which adds a pH reagent to produced water and the inside of which is visible, a liquid crystal display section 27 for displaying pH value, a backlight 28 which displays a color corresponding to the pH value displayed at the liquid crystal display section 27 and color regulating switches 31, 32 which continuously change color of the backlight 28 to an alkaline side and an acidic side. Measurement of pH is performed by the pH value displayed at the liquid crystal display section 27 corresponding to color of the backlight 28 which is made to accord with color of the inside of the pH reagent adding section 23 by the color regulating switches 31, 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion water conditioner that electrolyzes raw water such as tap water to produce alkaline ionized water used for drinking or medical purposes, and acidic ionized water used as skin lotion or sterilizing washing water About.

  In recent years, ion water conditioners have become widespread as continuous electrolysis type ion generators. This ion water conditioner electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and alkaline ion water on the cathode side.

  Hereinafter, a conventional continuous electrolysis type ion water conditioner will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional ion water conditioner.

  This ion water purifier includes a raw water pipe 1 through which raw water such as tap water flows, a faucet 2 installed in the raw water pipe 1, and a water purifier main body 3 connected to the raw water pipe 1 through the faucet 2. have. The water conditioner body 3 confirms the water flow with the water purification unit 4 having a hollow fiber membrane or the like that accurately removes general bacteria and impurities, and adsorbs residual chlorine, trihalomethane, mold odor, etc. in the raw water inside. , A flow rate sensor 5 for instructing the control means 19 to be described later, a calcium supply unit 6 for imparting calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate to the raw water to increase the raw water conductivity, and water passing through the flow rate sensor 5 Electrolyzer 7 that generates alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis, a diaphragm 8 that bisects the electrolytic cell 7 to form electrode chambers 7a and 7b, and each electrode that is divided by the diaphragm 8 The electrode plates 9 and 10 disposed in the chambers 7a and 7b, a drain pipe 11 for discharging water on the electrode plate 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), an electrolytic cell 7 and a drain pipe 11 Near the connection A flow rate adjusting unit 12 for adjusting the discharged water flow rate provided to efficiently generate alkaline ionized water, and a discharge for discharging water on the electrode plate 9 side (alkaline ionized water when the electrode plate 9 is a cathode). Via a drain pipe 11, a water pipe 13, an electromagnetic valve 14 that opens and closes a flow path for discharging the stagnant water in the electrolytic cell 7, and the washing water eluted from the scale made of calcium, magnesium, etc. when washing the electrode plate A discharge pipe 15 for draining water on the electrode plate 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), accumulated water and washing water in the electrolytic cell 7, and a water purification unit detection sensor 16 for detecting the presence or absence of the water purification unit 4. A power-on plug 17, a power supply unit 18 that converts AC power from the power-on plug 17 into DC power, a control unit 19 that controls the operation of the water purifier body 3, An operation display unit 20 for displaying an operation state; The electromagnetic valve 21 that cuts the drainage by closing the valve in the water purification mode, opens the valve when the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water are generated, and the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 when the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water are generated. The electrolysis current detection part 22 which detects the amount of electric current which flows between is provided.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of producing | generating ion water is demonstrated about the conventional ion water adjuster comprised by the above each component.

  The user presses the mode selection button of the operation display unit 20 to select and set the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the acidic ionized water generation mode, or the purified water mode, and operates in the alkaline ionized water generation mode or the acidic ionized water generation mode. A desired pH intensity is selected with the pH intensity button of the display unit 20 and the faucet 2 is opened.

Then, the raw water passed through the faucet 2 removes impurities such as residual chlorine, trihalomethane, mold odor and general bacteria in the raw water in the water purification unit 4, and calcium glycerophosphate in the calcium supply unit 6 through the flow sensor 5. Or calcium lactate or the like is dissolved and treated with water that is easily electrolyzed, and then passed through the electrolytic cell 7.

  On the other hand, for example, AC 100 V is supplied from the power-on plug 17, and a DC voltage / current necessary for electrolysis is generated by the transformer in the power supply unit 18 and the control DC power supply, and the electrode of the electrolytic cell 7 is connected via the control means 19. Electric power necessary for electrolysis is supplied to the plate 9 and the electrode plate 10. At this time, if an electrode plate to which a positive voltage is applied relatively is an anode and an electrode plate to which a negative voltage is applied is a cathode, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by a diaphragm 8 are formed in the electrolytic cell 7. In the alkaline ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 10 serves as an anode and the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode. In the acidic ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode and the electrode plate 10 serves as a cathode.

  Now, after passing water, the control means 19 reads the signal of the flow sensor 5, and when the flow level exceeds a certain amount, it determines that this state is under water. At this time, since the electrolysis conditions are already set by pressing the generation mode selection button of the operation display unit 20, the control means 19 performs predetermined electrolysis on the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 in order to perform electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 7. An operation command is output so that a voltage is applied. Thus, in the alkaline ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode and the electrode plate 10 serves as an anode, and alkaline ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13, and in the acidic ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode and an electrode. The plate 10 serves as a cathode, and acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge tube 13.

  When the raw water is stopped by the faucet 2, the control means 19 determines that the water flow is stopped by the flow sensor 5, and the voltage application control unit stops voltage application to the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 of the electrolytic cell 7. .

  Further, in the water purification mode, no voltage is applied to the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10, and the drainage is cut by closing the electromagnetic valve 21, and the purified water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13.

  The water purification unit 4 removes impurities such as residual chlorine, trihalomethane, mold odor, and general bacteria in the raw water, and thus gradually clogs and lowers electrolysis performance. Therefore, the control means 19 reads the signal from the flow sensor 5 and counts the amount of water flow. When the predetermined amount of water flow is reached, the operation display unit 20 displays that it is time to replace the water purification unit 4. In addition, clogging may proceed before reaching a predetermined flow rate due to the quality of the raw water. In this case, the control unit 19 monitors the change in the signal of the flow sensor 5, so that the replacement time of the water purification unit 4 is changed. Is displayed on the operation display unit 20. When the water purification unit 4 is attached / detached, the control unit 19 detects the presence or absence of the water purification unit 4 by the water purification unit detection sensor 16, and the new water purification unit 4 is assumed to be installed. To. Alternatively, the user can arbitrarily set the water flow count and the water flow state to the initial state by operating the operation display unit 20.

  Here, in the alkaline ion water generation mode and the acidic ion water generation mode, the control means 19 supplies the DC voltage generated in the power supply unit 18 to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7. When a constant DC voltage is supplied to the electrode plates 9 and 10, the current flowing between the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 varies depending on the quality of the tap water and the flow rate of the tap water passing through the water passage. The pH value also changes.

  When the user selects a desired pH intensity with the pH intensity button of the operation display section 20, the control means 19 generates a DC voltage generated in the power supply section 18 in accordance with the pH intensity within a certain period. And alkaline ion water or acidic ion water is produced | generated by changing the time supplied to the electrode plate 10. FIG. Since a large current flows when the tap water has a high conductivity, the control means 19 monitors the current flowing between the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 by the electrolytic current detection unit 22 so that it does not flow more than a certain current. Control the supply time.

  The generated pH value can be measured by comparing the generated water discharged from the discharge pipe 13 with a pH reagent and comparing each pH value with a colorimetric table displayed in color. You can make adjustments. Further, as other means, there is a case where detection is performed by a pH sensor, or calculation is performed from a flow rate flowing through an electrolytic cell and a current value between electrodes, and the detected pH value is color-displayed in a manner that is easy to understand.

The ion water conditioner is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-354868 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-274007.
JP 2000-354868 A JP 09-274007 A

  In a continuous electrolysis type ion water adjuster having such a structure, when the pH value of the produced water is measured with a pH reagent, a bright place where the colors can be compared is required as the surrounding environment.

  Also, the colorimetric table may be faded or lost due to storage conditions or aging.

  When the pH value of the produced water is measured with a pH sensor, the pH sensor itself is expensive, and periodic calibration is necessary to maintain detection accuracy.

  In addition, when detecting the pH value by calculating from the flow rate through the electrolytic cell and the current value between the electrodes, the quality of the raw water is not equivalent in Japan or overseas, and the pH will change even if current is passed between the electrodes. It is difficult to measure an accurate pH value because the water quality is difficult, and conversely, the water quality varies greatly with a little current.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive ion water conditioner capable of measuring a pH value with high accuracy.

  In order to solve this problem, an ion water conditioner of the present invention is an ion water conditioner that electrolyzes water in an electrolytic cell to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and a pH reagent is added to the produced water. The pH reagent addition unit that has been added and the inside is visible, a pH display unit that displays the pH value, a color display unit that displays a color corresponding to the pH value displayed on the pH display unit, and the color A color adjustment switch that continuously changes the color of the display unit between the alkali side and the acid side, and corresponds to the color of the color display unit that matches the color inside the pH reagent addition unit by the color adjustment switch Thus, pH measurement is performed based on the pH value displayed on the pH display section.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided control means for tabulating the light emission amounts of red, green, and blue that are the light sources of the color display unit, and corresponding the display color and pH value of the color display unit.

  The color adjustment switch continuously changes the color of the color display part, and the pH value corresponding to the color is displayed on the pH display part. Therefore, it is possible to measure the pH value with high accuracy using an inexpensive device. An effective effect of becoming possible is obtained.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an ion water conditioner that electrolyzes water in an electrolytic cell to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water. The pH reagent addition section that has become visible, the pH display section that displays the pH value, the color display section that displays the color corresponding to the pH value displayed on the pH display section, and the color of the color display section on the alkali side And a color adjustment switch that continuously changes to the acidic side, and the pH displayed on the pH display unit corresponding to the color of the color display unit matched with the color inside the pH reagent addition unit by the color adjustment switch It is an ion water conditioner that measures pH according to the value, and has an effect that it is possible to measure the pH value with high accuracy by an inexpensive device.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is based on the invention according to claim 1, wherein the light emission amounts of red, green, and blue that are light sources of the color display section are tabulated to display colors and pH values in the color display section. The ion water conditioner is equipped with a control means that makes the pH value correspond to each other, and has an effect that the pH value can be measured with high accuracy by an inexpensive device.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ion water adjuster according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display panel unit in the ion water adjuster of FIG. Here, in these drawings, the same members as those in FIG. 3 already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the ion water adjuster of the present embodiment, a pH reagent addition unit 23 for storing a predetermined amount of generated water and adding a pH reagent thereto, an electrolytic cell 7 and a discharge An electromagnetic valve 24 for passing and stopping the generated water from the water passage connecting the water pipe 13 to the pH reagent adding unit 23, an electromagnetic valve 26 for keeping the amount of water stored in the pH reagent adding unit 23, and a pH reagent adding unit 23, a solenoid valve 25 for draining the stored water, a liquid crystal display unit (pH display unit) 27 for displaying pH value information, a backlight (color display unit) 28 for displaying a color corresponding to the pH value, a back The light source 29 of the light 28, the test water viewing window 30 in which the pH reagent addition portion 23 can be visually confirmed, the color adjustment switch 31 that continuously changes the color of the backlight 28 to the alkali side when pressed, and the back when pressed. The color of the light 28 is continuous on the acidic side And a color adjusting switch 32 to change.

  In the ion water adjuster of this embodiment having such a configuration, when alkaline ion water and acidic ion water are generated in the electrolytic cell 7, the faucet 2 is opened and raw water is introduced into the water purification unit 4. The raw water from which impurities have been removed by the water purification unit 4 passes through the flow sensor 5, and the control means 19 reads the signal from the flow sensor 5, and if the flow level exceeds a predetermined amount, it determines that this state is underwater. At this time, if the alkaline ionized water generation mode or the acidic ionized water generation mode is selected and set by the operation display unit 20, the control means 19 supplies a direct current power source to the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 from the power source unit 18 to generate alkaline ions. Initiate production of water or acidic ionic water. While the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the acidic ionized water generation mode, or the water purification mode is selected and set by the operation display unit 20, the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed and the electromagnetic valves 25 and 26 are opened.

When pH measurement is selected and set by the operation display unit 20 during water flow, the electromagnetic valve 24 is opened and the generated water is passed to the pH reagent adding unit 23, and the electromagnetic valves 24, 25, and 26 are closed after a predetermined time. Thereafter, the electromagnetic valve 26 that sets the water storage amount of the pH reagent adding unit 23 to a predetermined amount is opened, and excess water above a predetermined water level is drained. The control means 19 indicates that the operation display unit 20 stops water and adds a pH reagent to the pH reagent addition unit 23. The control means 19 indicates that the pH display start button is pressed by the operation display unit 20. wait. When the pH measurement start button is pressed, the control means 19 displays the pH value and the color corresponding to the pH value on the backlight 28 on the liquid crystal display unit 27.

  Here, pH measurement using a pH reagent will be described. The pH reagent is such that when a pH reagent is added to a predetermined amount of water, the color of the water changes, and the pH value can be known from the color. In general, the color changes from magenta to red as the acidic side becomes stronger, and from blue-green to yellow as the alkaline side becomes stronger.

  The control means 19 reproduces this color by adjusting the light emission amounts of red, green, and blue that are the light sources of the backlight, and tabulates various colors and pH values corresponding to the colors.

  When the pH value and the color corresponding to the pH value are displayed on the backlight 28 on the liquid crystal display unit 27, the user adds the pH reagent from the observation window 30 of the test water and compares the color with the pH reagent adding unit 23. The color adjustment switch 31 or the color adjustment switch 32 adjusts so that the color of the backlight 28 becomes the same color as the test water. According to the table, the control means 19 changes the color of the backlight to the alkali side when the color adjustment switch 31 is pressed, displays the pH value corresponding to the color on the liquid crystal display unit 27, and the color adjustment switch 32 is pressed. Then, the color of the backlight is changed to the acidic side, and the pH value corresponding to the color is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 27. And the place where the color of test water and the color of the backlight 28 became the same becomes pH value of produced water.

  When the pH measurement is completed, the control means 19 opens the electromagnetic valve 25 and drains all the water stored in the pH reagent adding unit 23. The solenoid valve 24 remains closed until pH measurement is selected and set by the operation display unit 20, and thus has a structure that does not affect the water passage of water discharge.

  Here, the principle of water electrolysis will be briefly described.

  A pair of electrodes is put in water, and a diaphragm having fine pores is provided between the electrodes so that the ionic substance in the water can freely pass therethrough but inhibits free passage of liquid water itself. When one electrode is connected to the positive electrode and the other is connected to the negative electrode, anions such as chloride ions are attracted to the anode of the electrolytic cell, and conversely, cations such as magnesium ions and calcium ions are attracted to the cathode. It is done. At this time, electrolysis of water occurs when a sufficient voltage is applied between the two electrodes. Oxygen gas or chlorine gas is generated from the anode and H ions are released into the water at the same time, and hydrogen gas is generated from the cathode and OH ions are released into the water at the same time. As a result, the water on the anode side is a water in which anions such as chloride ions that are offset toward the acidic side are relatively increased, and the water on the cathode side is a relative of cations such as sodium ions and calcium ions that are offset toward the alkali side. Water is increased. The basic principle of electrolyzed ionic water is to take out and use these waters individually.

  At this time, the reaction occurring on the surface of each electrode is as follows.

Anode side 2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻
2CI ⁻ → CI ₂ + 2e ⁻
Cathode side 6H ₂ O + 6e ⁻ → 6OH ⁻ + 3H ₂
As described above, according to the ion water adjuster of the present embodiment, the color of the backlight 28 is continuously changed by the color adjustment switches 31 and 32, and the pH value corresponding to the color is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 27. Thus, the pH value can be measured with high accuracy by an inexpensive apparatus.

  Moreover, since it does not affect the water flow path of the water discharge, an ion water adjuster that is safe for drinking can be obtained.

  Since the ion water conditioner of the present invention can measure pH with high resolution at a low cost, it can be widely applied in fields where pH value measurement is required.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the ion water adjuster by one form of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the display panel part in the ion water adjuster of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the conventional ion water conditioner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water faucet 3 Water purifier main body 4 Water purifier 5 Flow sensor 6 Calcium supply part 7 Electrolysis tank 8 Diaphragm 9 Electrode plate 10 Electrode plate 11 Drain pipe 12 Flow control part 13 Water discharge pipe 14 Electromagnetic valve 15 Drain pipe 16 Purified water Part detection sensor 17 Power supply plug 18 Power supply part 19 Control means 20 Operation display part 21 Electromagnetic valve 22 Electrolytic current detection part 23 pH reagent addition part 24 Electromagnetic valve 25 Electromagnetic valve 26 Electromagnetic valve 27 Liquid crystal display part (pH display part)
28 Backlight (color display)
29 Light source 30 Test water viewing window 31 Color adjustment switch 32 Color adjustment switch

Claims (2)

An ion water conditioner that electrolyzes water in an electrolytic cell to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water,
A pH reagent addition part in which the pH reagent is added to the generated water and the inside becomes visible;
a pH display for displaying the pH value;
A color display unit for displaying a color corresponding to the pH value displayed on the pH display unit;
A color adjustment switch that continuously changes the color of the color display portion between an alkali side and an acid side;
The ion adjustment is characterized in that the pH adjustment is performed by the pH value displayed on the pH display unit corresponding to the color of the color display unit matched with the color inside the pH reagent addition unit by the color adjustment switch. Water container. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that tabulates light emission amounts of red, green, and blue that are light sources of the color display unit and associates display colors and pH values with the color display unit. Ion water conditioner.

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