JP2007000740A - Sterilization washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilization washing device comprising a constant flow valve, and further comprising an electrolytic cell electrolytically eluting silver ions into feed water, in which the elution of surplus electrolytic solution of silver ions is suppressed, and also, power consumption is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: In the sterilization washing device equipped with: a constant flow valve provided in the middle of a water feed path, and almost fixedly controlling the flow rate of feed water to the downstream; a flow rate sensor of detecting the flow rate of feed water; an electrolytic cell having a pair of electrodes in which at least either is made of silver and electrolytically eluting silver ions into feed water by energizing to the electrode; and a control part of controlling the electric current energized to the electrodes in the electrolytic cell, the control part performs changing from the electric current control corresponding to a previously set flow rate to the control corresponding to a reduced flow rate when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor can not be controlled by the constant flow valve. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization cleaning apparatus, and more particularly to a sterilization cleaning apparatus that elutes sterilizing metal ions such as silver ions into feed water.

  Conventionally, toilet bowl cleaning is performed by, for example, detecting the presence of a user with a human body sensor and automatically flushing clean water or medium water with flush water.

  However, since these washings simply flow clean water or medium water after using the toilet bowl, water scum and slimy were gradually generated on the toilet bowl surface and other water supply channels, causing odors. In the urinal, urine stones adhere to the inside of the pipe, narrowing the passage of sewage. These adhesions impair the appearance of the entire toilet, become a hotbed for bacterial growth, and emit odors. Moreover, once the urine stone has adhered, it is difficult to remove it by ordinary cleaning, and it cannot be removed unless it is rubbed strongly with a brush. For this reason, it is necessary to request a specialist to remove urine stones, which has been a heavy burden.

  In order to eliminate these drawbacks, a method for suppressing the growth of bacteria by widely eluting silver ions into water is widely known. Specifically, an ion generator having a silver electrode plate is provided in a toilet cleaning water supply channel, and a sterilization cleaning device that electrolyzes and elutes silver ions by feeding the silver electrode plate in conjunction with a water supply operation is known (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  Also, as such a sterilizing and cleaning device, there is also known a device that detects the electrical conductivity of water supply, controls the electrolytic elution of silver ions based on the detected value, and contains silver ions effective for water supply in the water supply channel. It has been. In consideration of the fact that the elution of silver ions to be mixed for sterilization depends on the electrical conductivity of water, the silver ions having a predetermined concentration are controlled according to the quality of the water supply.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-17391

  By the way, in the conventional sterilization washing | cleaning apparatus, the water supply from a clean water, a middle water, etc. is used as a wash water supply to a toilet bowl via a constant flow valve. This constant flow valve has a function of reducing the pressure of water supplied from tap water, middle water, etc., and this function makes the flow rate of water supplied to the toilet substantially constant. Thus, since the constant flow valve is provided, in the conventional sterilization washing | cleaning apparatus, the amount of water supply was not considered.

  However, depending on the installation location of the sterilizing and cleaning apparatus, it may be necessary to use this sterilizing and cleaning apparatus in an environment in which only water with a water pressure extremely lower than the water pressure at which the constant flow valve can depressurize can be supplied.

  When used in such an environment, the water supply cannot be made at a substantially constant flow rate, and the flow rate of the water supply is reduced, so that the silver ion concentration becomes an appropriate value or more. As a result, not only excess silver ions are supplied, but also extra power for electrolyzing the silver ions is consumed.

  In particular, in a sterilization washing apparatus of a type that generates electricity using the power of the feed water and operates with this generated power, the extra amount of water for the electrolytic elution of silver ions despite the fact that the amount of supplied water is small Power consumption is greater than the amount of power generated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a sterilization washing apparatus having a constant flow valve and an electrolytic bath for electrolytically eluting sterilizing metal ions such as silver ions in water supply, It aims at providing the sterilization washing apparatus which suppresses electrolytic elution and suppresses power consumption.

  In order to solve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided in the middle of the water supply channel, a constant flow valve that adjusts the downstream water supply flow rate to be substantially constant, a flow rate sensor that detects the water supply flow rate, At least one has a pair of electrodes having a bactericidal metal electrode, and an electrolyzer that electrolyzes and elutes bactericidal metal ions into the water supply by energizing this electrode, and a control unit that controls the current energized to the electrode of the electrolyzer When the flow rate detected by the flow sensor is a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve, the control unit reduces the current control of the flow rate that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve. It is configured to change to control corresponding to the flow rate.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes a first control information that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve and a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve. Storage means for storing the corresponding second control information is provided, and when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor is larger than a preset flow rate, the control unit is configured based on the first control information. The current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell is controlled, and when the flow rate is lower than a preset flow rate, the current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell is controlled based on the second control information. It is characterized by comprising.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an electrical conductivity detector for detecting electrical conductivity of water supply is provided, and the controller is configured to provide the electrical conductivity. An energization current to the electrode of the electrolytic cell is calculated according to the detection result of the detection unit.

  Moreover, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a generator for generating electric power from water supply flowing through the water supply path is provided, and the flow rate sensor is provided for the generator. The flow rate of the water supply in a water supply channel is detected based on the amount of power generation.

  According to the present invention, when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor is lower than the flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve, the current control corresponding to the preset flow rate is changed to the control corresponding to the reduced flow rate. Since it comprised so that it might change, excessive electrolysis elution of a bactericidal metal ion can be suppressed and power consumption can be suppressed. Here, the flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve is the flow rate of the feed water flowing through the water supply channel when the water pressure of the feed water source is lower than the predetermined water pressure that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve, and is substantially constant adjusted by the constant flow valve. The flow rate is lower than the water supply flow rate.

  Further, if the control unit is provided with the first control information and the second control information, and the current control is performed by selecting any of these information according to the flow rate of the water supply, the current control can be easily changed. Can be done.

  Moreover, if current control is changed according to the electrical conductivity of feed water, the control precision for the electrolysis elution of bactericidal metal ions can be improved according to the quality of the feed water.

  In addition, if a generator that generates electricity from the water supply flowing through the water supply channel is provided and the flow rate of the water supply in the water supply channel is detected based on the amount of power generated by this generator, a special configuration for detecting the flow rate can be separately provided. There is no need to receive, and the configuration becomes simple.

  The sterilization cleaning device in the present embodiment is provided in the middle of the water supply channel, and when the water supply source is equal to or higher than a predetermined water pressure, a constant flow valve that adjusts the downstream water supply flow rate to be substantially constant, a flow rate sensor that detects the supply water flow rate, , At least one of which has a pair of electrodes having a bactericidal metal electrode, and an electrolysis tank that electrolyzes and elutes bactericidal metal ions into the feed water by energizing the electrodes, and a control for controlling the current flowing to the electrodes of the electrolysis tank Part. This sterilizing and cleaning apparatus supplies sterilizing cleaning water containing sterilizing metal ions to a urinal or the like. Note that both electrodes of the electrolytic cell may be bactericidal metal electrodes. In the present embodiment, a silver electrode is used as the bactericidal metal electrode, and silver ions are eluted. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Moreover, if the flow rate detected by the flow sensor is less than or equal to the flow rate that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve and is lower than the preset flow rate, it can be adjusted by the constant flow valve. The control is changed from the current control at a proper flow rate to the control corresponding to the reduced flow rate.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive electrolytic elution of bactericidal metal ions and to reduce power consumption in an environment in which only water having a water pressure lower than the water pressure at which the constant flow valve can reduce pressure can be supplied.

  The control unit is provided with storage means for storing first control information that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve and second control information that corresponds to the flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve. As the first and second control information, function information can be used, and a current value table can be used.

  When the flow rate detected by the flow sensor is larger than the preset flow rate, the control unit controls the current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell based on the first control information, and sets the preset flow rate. When the flow rate is smaller than the above, the current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell is controlled based on the second control information.

  As described above, since any of these pieces of information can be selected and controlled in accordance with the flow rate of the water supply, the current control can be easily changed.

  Moreover, while providing the electrical conductivity detection part which detects the electrical conductivity of feed water, the electrical conductivity of feed water is related with 1st control information and 2nd control information. And a control part calculates the energization current to the electrode of an electrolytic cell not only according to the flow rate of water supply but the detection result of an electric conductivity detection part. Control accuracy for electrolytic elution of bactericidal metal ions can be improved according to the quality of the feed water.

  In addition, since a generator that generates electricity from the water supply flowing through the water supply channel is provided and the flow rate of the water supply in the water supply channel is detected based on the amount of power generated by this generator, a special configuration for detecting the flow rate is separately provided. Therefore, the configuration is simplified.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the sterilization cleaning apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus 20 in the present embodiment.

  The sterilizing and cleaning apparatus 20 in the present embodiment is connected to a water supply source such as clean water or middle water, and a water supply path 1 that is a flow path of urinal cleaning water supplied from the water supply source, and a lower level of the water supply source A constant flow valve 2 that adjusts the water supply flow rate from the water supply channel 1 to the urinal 6 substantially constant, and a latch type solenoid valve 3 that is provided downstream of the water supply flow to the urinal 6 and interrupts the supply of water. Further, a flow rate sensor 4 provided downstream thereof for detecting the feed water flow rate to the urinal 6, an electrolytic cell 5 provided downstream of the flow rate sensor 4, and energization of the electrolytic cell 5, and electrolysis An energizing circuit 7 for detecting the voltage of the tank 5, a human body sensor 8 for detecting a human body, a control unit 9 for controlling the entire sterilizing and cleaning device 20, and an electromagnetic valve driving circuit for driving the latch electromagnetic valve 3 10 and a power supply unit 11.

  In the present embodiment, the urinal 6 is described as an example of the object to be sterilized and washed, but is not limited thereto.

  Here, the constant flow valve 2 adjusts the flow rate of the water supply to a substantially constant flow rate with respect to the water supply from a water supply source that is equal to or higher than a predetermined water pressure. Limited to When the water pressure of the water supply source is lower than a predetermined water pressure that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2, the constant flow rate cannot be secured because the constant flow valve 2 cannot perform pressurization control, and the flow rate of the water supply is not adjusted. . Accordingly, the water supply having a flow rate according to the water pressure of the water supply source flows into the urinal 6 through the constant flow valve 2.

  FIG. 3 shows the characteristics of the constant flow valve 2. The flow rate of the feed water when the constant flow valve 2 is not used is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the flow rate of the feed water when the constant flow valve 2 is used is plotted vertically. It is expressed as an axis. Here, the minimum flow rate that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2 is L1 (see FIG. 3).

  In the sterilizing and washing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment, a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2, that is, a flow rate Lx that is equal to or lower than the flow rate L1 is set in advance in the calculation information storage unit 15 to be described later. When the flow rate of the water supply becomes smaller than the flow rate (hereinafter referred to as “set flow rate”), the control of the current supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 is controlled with respect to the flow rate (flow rate of L1 or more) that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2 The current control is changed to the control corresponding to the reduced flow rate.

  Thus, in order to change the flow current control when the water pressure of the water supply source is lower than the predetermined water pressure that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2, the sterilization washing device 20 changes the flow rate supplied via the constant flow valve 2. It has a flow rate detection function to detect and an energization control function to control the current to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 in accordance with the detected flow rate of the water supply.

  Next, the flow sensor 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow rate sensor 4 includes a generator 41 provided in the water supply channel 1 and a flow rate detection unit 42 that detects the flow rate based on the output from the generator 41.

  The generator 41 has a rotating shaft like a water wheel, and when water supply flows in the flow path 1, the coil connected to the rotating shaft rotates and outputs an alternating voltage. The AC voltage generated by the generator 41 is used for flow rate detection and also as a power source for the sterilization cleaning device 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flow rate detection unit 42 includes a rectifying and smoothing circuit 43 and resistors R1 and R2, and the AC voltage obtained by the generator 41 is converted into a DC voltage by the rectifying and smoothing circuit 43. A value obtained by dividing the DC voltage thus converted by the resistors R1 and R2 is output. The level of the divided value corresponds to the amount of water. For example, when there is no flow rate of water supply, the divided voltage is 0 V, and when the flow rate of water supply is substantially constant as described above, the divided voltage is V1. As will be described later, the control unit 9 determines the flow rate by inputting the divided voltage to the A / D conversion terminal.

  Thus, since the flow sensor 4 in the present embodiment uses the generator 41 that generates power, there is no need to provide a separate flow sensor, and the circuit configuration is simplified and no electric power is required for operation. This is advantageous.

  As the flow rate sensor 4, a flow rate sensor that detects the rotation of the rotating body may be employed. This flow sensor 4 has a function of detecting that water is being supplied by providing a rotating body having a rotating shaft such as a water wheel in the water supply channel 1 and rotating the rotating body by water supply. A photo interrupter or a magnetic sensor is used as a device for detecting the movement of the rotation axis of the rotating body. The photo interrupter has a striped pattern with different light reflectivity, such as black and white, in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body. This is a method for detecting a pattern and detecting rotation.

  Next, the electrolytic cell 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrolytic cell 5. The electrolytic cell 5 has a pair of electrodes 51 and 52. Further, at least one of the pair of electrodes 51 and 52 is silver, and silver ions are electrolytically eluted into the water supply by a current supplied from the energization circuit 7 between the electrodes 51 and 52.

  As the current flowing between the electrodes 51 and 52 increases, the amount of silver ions eluted in the water supply increases. That is, if the flow rate of the feed water is constant, the concentration of silver ions contained in the feed water increases as the current flowing through the electrodes 51 and 52 increases.

  Here, if the content concentration of silver ions in the water supply is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the urinal 6 can be sterilized. On the other hand, in order to sterilize the urinal 6, silver ions are contained more than necessary for the water supply. In this case, not only the life of the silver electrode is shortened, but also the electric power for electrolytic elution is consumed.

  In the sterilization washing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment, the water supply is supplied to the urinal 6 via the constant flow valve 2, and the flow rate of the water supply is substantially constant when the water supply source is equal to or higher than a predetermined water pressure. Therefore, in the range where the flow rate is substantially constant, the current flowing through the electrodes 51 and 52 may be constant.

  However, when the sterilization washing apparatus 20 is installed in an environment where the water supply source is smaller than the predetermined water pressure as described above, the flow rate of the water supply is reduced, so that the same current as that in the range where the flow rate is substantially constant flows. As a result, excess silver ions are electrolytically eluted and power for this electrolytic elution is excessively consumed. Therefore, in the sterilization washing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, when the water supply source is smaller than the predetermined water pressure, the current control to the electrodes 51 and 52 is changed. This will be explained in detail later.

  By the way, this electrolytic cell 5 is also used to detect the electric conductivity σ of the water supply, and by detecting this electric conductivity σ, the degree of contamination (water quality) of the water supply can be detected.

  The water quality of the feed water is detected in this way because the current that needs to flow in order to elute silver ions differs depending on the quality of the feed water. As described above, when the water supply source is at or above a predetermined water pressure, the flow rate of the water supply is substantially constant. However, when the quality of the water supply water is different, Current needs to be based on water quality. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the current required to contain silver ions at a constant rate in the water supply and the electric conductivity σ of the water supply.

  Therefore, in the sterilization washing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment, the electrical conductivity σ of the feed water is detected in order to detect the quality of the feed water. The electrodes 51 and 52 of the electrolytic cell 5 are used for detecting this electric conductivity σ. Specifically, a predetermined current is passed through the electrodes 51 and 52 by the energization circuit 7, and the electrical conductivity σ is detected by the control unit 9 according to the level of the voltage generated between the electrodes 51 and 52.

  The electrical conductivity σ is an index indicating how much electricity an object conducts, and correlates with the degree of contamination of the water supply. When the water supply is dirty, the electrical conductivity is high, and when the water supply is clean, the electrical conductivity is low. Electrical conductivity is expressed as the reciprocal of electrical resistance (electrical conductivity = 1 / electrical resistance). The number obtained by multiplying the electric resistance value between electrodes at a distance of 1 cm by 1000 is the electric conductivity (milli Siemens: mS / cm).

  Next, the energizing circuit 7 will be described. The energization circuit 7 has a function of eluting silver ions into the water supply by flowing a current according to the control content from the control unit 9 to the electrodes 51 and 52 of the electrolytic cell 5.

  The energizing circuit 7 supplies a predetermined current to the electrodes 51 and 52 of the electrolytic cell 5 in accordance with the control contents from the control unit 9 and detects the voltage between the electrodes 51 and 52 at that time to control the current. It also has a function of outputting to the unit 9. Note that the voltages of the electrodes 51 and 52 may be directly detected by the control unit 9 without going through the energization circuit 7. In this case, the electrodes 51 and 52 are connected to the two A / D terminals of the control unit 9, respectively, and the control unit 9 can detect the voltage difference between the electrodes 51 and 52.

  The human body sensor 8 is composed of a combination of a light emitting element such as an LED, a light receiving element such as a photodiode, and a microcomputer that serves as a controller for both elements. When a detection object such as a human body or a hand enters the front of the water-washing bracket in the case of a basin or basin, the human body is detected by the microcomputer that the received light amount state of the light receiving element has changed, and the control unit 9 A signal is generated.

  The solenoid valve drive circuit 10 is controlled by the control unit 9 and controls opening and closing of the latch type solenoid valve 3. By this control, water supply and water supply to the urinal 6 are controlled.

  The power supply unit 11 is used as a power supply for the sterilization washing apparatus 20, and supplies power to the control unit 9, the electromagnetic valve drive circuit 10, the energization circuit 7, the human body sensor 8, and the like, and is also supplied from the generator 41. It has a function to store electric power.

  The power supply unit 11 includes a diode D1 for preventing a reverse flow of power supplied from the generator 41, an electric double phase capacitor C1 for storing power supplied from the generator 41, and an electric double phase. A battery BAT for supplying power to the control unit 9 and the like when the voltage of the capacitor C1 drops, and a diode D2 for preventing current from flowing into the battery BAT are configured.

  Since the power supply unit 11 is configured in this way, the generator 41 operates every time water is supplied to the urinal 6 and power is supplied to the electric double-phase capacitor C1. The control unit 9 and the like are operated by the electric power stored in the double phase capacitor C1. On the other hand, when the voltage of the electric double phase capacitor C1 decreases, the power from the battery BAT is supplied to the control unit 9.

  Next, the configuration and control of the control unit 9 will be described. In the present embodiment, the control unit 9 is composed of a microcomputer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 9 includes a flow rate calculation unit 12 that calculates the flow rate, an electrical conductivity detection unit 13 that detects the electrical conductivity σ of the electrolytic cell 5, and the electrolytic cell 5 via the energization circuit 7. A current calculation unit 14 for calculating a current value supplied to the electrodes, and a calculation information storage unit 15 for storing calculation information used in the current calculation unit 14, a set flow rate Lx, and the like.

  The flow rate calculation unit 12 has a function of inputting a signal output from the flow rate sensor 4 and detecting the flow rate of the water supply.

  The electrical conductivity detector 13 controls the energization circuit 7 to pass a predetermined current through the electrodes 51 and 52 of the electrolytic cell 5 and detects the level of voltage generated between the electrodes 51 and 52. The electric conductivity σ is calculated from the voltage level thus detected. Since the electrical conductivity σ has a correlation with the detected voltage level, the electrical conductivity detector 13 does not need to calculate the electrical conductivity σ itself, and calculates information corresponding to the electrical conductivity σ. The detected voltage level itself may be used as information on the electrical conductivity σ. Hereinafter, the electrical conductivity σ including information corresponding to the electrical conductivity σ is used.

  The current calculation unit 14 calculates a current value to be supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell 5 based on the flow rate of the water supply detected by the flow rate calculation unit 12 and the electrical conductivity σ detected by the electrical conductivity detection unit 13. It has the function to do. The calculation by the current calculation unit 14 is performed using information stored in the calculation information storage unit 15 described below.

  The calculation information storage unit 15 includes a feed water flow rate at which the feed water supplied to the urinal 6 is substantially constant by the constant flow valve 2 and a flow rate smaller than the feed water flow rate, that is, a range where the constant flow valve 2 can be adjusted and a range where the constant flow valve 2 cannot be adjusted. In order to distinguish, the value of the setting flow rate Lx is set.

  Furthermore, as a first control information used when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 4 is equal to or higher than the set flow rate Lx, the second function I1 (σ) is used when the flow rate is smaller than the set flow rate Lx. A function I2 (σ) is stored in the calculation information storage unit 15 as control information.

In this embodiment, the function I1 (σ) and the function I2 (σ) are respectively
I1 (σ) = K1 × f1 (σ) K1: Constant I2 (σ) = K2 × f2 (σ) K2: Constant Further, FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the current and electrical conductivity according to these functions I1 (σ) and I2 (σ). As shown in FIG. 6, with the same electrical conductivity, the calculation result by the function I2 (σ) is smaller than the calculation result by the function I1 (σ).

  Thus, since the set flow rate Lx, the first control information, and the second control information are stored in the calculation information storage unit 15, the current calculation unit 14 uses the information to store the flow rate sensor 4. When the flow rate detected by the flow rate is lower than the feed water flow rate that is made substantially constant by the constant flow valve 2 and smaller than the preset flow rate (set flow rate Lx), the flow rate is higher than the set flow rate Lx. Can be changed from current control corresponding to (control according to the function I1 (σ)) to control corresponding to the reduced flow rate (control according to the function I2 (σ)).

  Next, the operation of the control unit 9 of the sterilizing and cleaning apparatus 20 will be specifically described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, when the sterilization / cleaning apparatus 20 is turned on, the human body sensor 8 is operated by the control unit 9 (step S101), and the operation is repeated until a human body is detected (step S102: N). When a human body is detected by the human body sensor 8 (step S102: Y), the solenoid valve drive circuit 10 energizes the latch type solenoid valve 3 to open the valve (step S103), and the water supply in the water supply channel 1 is urinal. 6 to flow.

  Next, the flow rate calculation unit 12 detects the flow rate when the water supply starts flowing by the flow rate sensor 4, and stores the detection result (step S104). If the flow rate is equal to or higher than the set flow rate Lx stored in the calculation information storage unit 15 (step S105: Y), this function is used to calculate the current value supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 by the function I1 (σ). The information is taken out from the calculation information storage unit 15 (step S106).

  If the flow rate of the water supply channel 1 is smaller than the set flow rate Lx (step S105: N), in order to reduce the amount of silver ions that are electrolytically eluted, in other words, the current value supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 is expressed by the function I2 (σ). This function is extracted from the calculation information storage unit 15 for calculation (step S107). Next, in order to detect the electric conductivity σ detection operation in a stable period of water flow, avoid a transient state at the beginning of the flow, and after a certain time until the flow rate becomes stable (step S108), the energization circuit 7 The function is switched and the electrical conductivity σ is detected and stored in the calculation information storage unit 15 (step S109). This control is performed by the electrical conductivity detector 13.

  Using the electric conductivity σ obtained in S109 as a parameter, the current calculation unit 14 calculates the current to be passed through the electrolytic cell 5 using the function extracted from the calculation information storage unit 15 in step S106 or step S107 (step S110). ).

  Based on the result calculated in step S110, the current calculation unit 14 starts energizing the electrode of the electrolytic cell via the energization circuit 7 (step S111), and the total amount of water supplied by the flow sensor 4 becomes the set value. Energization is performed until it reaches (step S112: N), and when the total amount of water supply reaches the set value (step S112: Y), energization of the latch-type solenoid valve 3 and current supply to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell 5 are stopped (step S113). And return to step S101.

  Here, the water supply start is described as from the time when the human body is detected, but the water supply may be started after detecting that the human body has left the front of the human body sensor 8. Furthermore, there is no inevitability to supply water once by using the urinal 6, and water supply may be started immediately after the human body sensor 8 detects the human body and twice when the human body leaves the front of the human body sensor. Moreover, the timer (step S108) for avoiding the transitional state at the beginning of the flow of water supply is not necessary.

  Since the sterilization washing apparatus in the present embodiment is configured and operates as described above, the current control corresponding to the flow rate is performed in the range in which the constant flow valve can be adjusted, and the current flow rate is adjusted to be appropriate. Silver ions are electrolytically eluted. However, when the water pressure drops to a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve, the current control corresponding to the flow rate is configured so that excessive elution of silver ions can be suppressed. In addition, power consumption can be suppressed. In addition, since the current control according to the flow rate is an extremely simple configuration with only two stages, the design and control thereof are very simple.

  In addition, in the sterilization cleaning device that operates with the power generated by the generator that generates electricity with the water supply water in this way, even if the amount of supplied water is reduced and the power generation amount is reduced, an excessive amount of silver ions is electrolyzed. Power consumption can be suppressed, and battery consumption can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the electrolytic cell 5 is provided downstream of the flow sensor 4, but the position may be changed and a flow sensor may be provided downstream of the electrolytic cell 5.

  In the present embodiment, the current to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 is calculated by the current calculation unit 14 using the function I1 (σ) and the function I2 (σ). However, the current as shown in FIG. You may make it determine the electric current which should energize the electrolytic cell 5 from a value table. In this case, a current value corresponding to the detected electrical conductivity σ is extracted from the first table instead of selecting the function I1 (σ) and from the second table instead of selecting the function I2 (σ), and the current The electrolytic cell 5 can be energized depending on the value. For example, when the constant flow valve 2 has a flow rate that can be adjusted and the electrical conductivity a2 of the water supply, the current calculation unit 14 takes A2 out of the first table, and the constant flow valve 2 has a small flow rate that cannot be adjusted and the water supply When the electrical conductivity is a2, the current calculation unit 14 extracts A5 from the second table.

(Second Embodiment)
The sterilization and cleaning apparatus 20 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the sterilization and cleaning apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, and only the configurations of the current calculation unit 14 and the calculation information storage unit 15 are different. Are the same, and the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the water supply is a flow rate smaller than the set flow rate Lx, the control can be performed more finely, which will be described in detail below.

  The calculation information storage unit 15 includes a function I1 (σ) used by the current calculation unit 14 when the flow rate is equal to or higher than the set flow rate Lx, and a flow rate in a first range smaller than the set flow rate Lx (Lx1 ≦ L <Lx). A function I3 (σ) used in the case of the above, a function I4 (σ) used in the case of a flow rate in the second range (Lx2 <L ≦ Lx1) smaller than the flow rate in the first range, The function I5 (σ) used when the flow rate in the third range (L ≦ Lx2) is smaller than the flow rate in the range is stored.

  In addition to the set flow rate Lx, the calculation information storage unit 15 stores the above-described Lx1 and Lx2.

  The current calculation unit 14 determines the current to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 based on the information stored in the calculation information storage unit 15 configured as described above.

  For example, when the flow rate L detected by the flow sensor 4 is greater than or equal to the set flow rate Lx, the function I1 (σ) is used, and the function I1 (σ) is used with the electric conductivity σ detected by the electric conductivity detector 13 as a parameter. The electrolytic cell 5 is energized with a current value based on the calculation result. When the flow rate L detected by the flow sensor 4 is in the range of Lx2 <L ≦ Lx1, the function I4 (σ) is used, and the function I4 (σ) detected by the electrical conductivity detector 13 is used as a parameter. The electrolytic cell 5 is energized with a current value based on the result of the calculation by σ). Further, when the flow rate L detected by the flow sensor 4 is Lx2 or less, the function I5 (σ) is used, and the electric conductivity σ detected by the electric conductivity detector 13 is used as a parameter to calculate the function I5 (σ). The electrolyzer 5 is energized with a current value based on the result.

  In this way, when the flow rate cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve 2, the current value to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 5 can be determined using a plurality of functions according to the flow rate. While being able to suppress, it becomes possible to also suppress power consumption more.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the sterilization washing | cleaning apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the sterilization washing | cleaning apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the characteristic of the constant flow valve of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the electrolytic cell of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed the relationship between electrical conductivity and the energization current to an electrolytic cell. The figure which showed the arithmetic function of one Embodiment of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the sterilization washing apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed the electric current value table of one Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the calculation function of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water supply path 2 Constant flow valve 3 Latch type | formula solenoid valve 4 Flow sensor 5 Electrolyzer 6 Urinal 9 Control part 13 Electrical conductivity detection part 14 Current calculation part 15 Calculation information storage part 20 Sterilization washing apparatus

Claims (4)

A constant flow valve provided in the middle of the water supply channel to adjust the flow rate of the downstream water supply to be substantially constant;
A flow rate sensor for detecting the feed water flow rate;
At least one of which has a pair of electrodes having a bactericidal metal electrode, and an electrolytic cell for electrolytically eluting bactericidal metal ions into the water supply by energizing this electrode;
In a sterilization cleaning apparatus provided with a control unit that controls the current that is passed through the electrode of the electrolytic cell,
When the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor is a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve, the control unit changes the current control of the flow rate adjustable by the constant flow valve to control corresponding to the reduced flow rate. A sterilizing and cleaning apparatus characterized by comprising. The control unit is provided with storage means for storing first control information that can be adjusted by the constant flow valve and second control information according to a flow rate that cannot be adjusted by the constant flow valve,
When the flow rate detected by the flow sensor is larger than a preset flow rate, the control unit controls a current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell based on the first control information, and is set in advance. 2. The sterilization cleaning according to claim 1, wherein when the flow rate is lower than the flow rate, the current supplied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell is controlled based on the second control information. apparatus. While providing an electrical conductivity detector that detects the electrical conductivity of the water supply,
The water supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates an energization current to the electrode of the electrolytic cell in accordance with a detection result of the electrical conductivity detection unit. Providing a generator for generating electricity from the water supply flowing through the water supply channel;
The said flow sensor detects the flow volume of the water supply in a water supply channel based on the electric power generation amount of the said generator, The sterilization washing | cleaning apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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