JP2007152318A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolyzed water generator capable of detecting residual retaining water in an electrolytic bath by electrolyzing current detected by a current detecting part when voltage is applied to the electrolytic bath. <P>SOLUTION: The electrolyzed water generator is provided with a discharge pipe 5 discharging retaining water in the electrolytic bath 1 when a supply of raw water is stopped, wherein the current detecting part 6 detecting the electrolyzing current of the electrolytic bath 1 is provided, and a control part 7 is also provided for judging whether the retaining water still remains or not in the electrolytic bath 1 by detecting the electrolyzing current at the current detecting part 6, after a given time from the stop of the raw water supply. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes raw water such as tap water to generate alkali ion water and acidic ion water.

  In the electrolyzed water generator, an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes the supplied raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a supply pipe that supplies the raw water to the electrolytic cell, and alkaline ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell Or a discharge pipe for discharging acidic ion water and a drain pipe for draining, and a discharge pipe for discharging the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell from the supply pipe to the drain pipe when the supply of raw water is stopped ing.

And in order to discharge | emit the said stagnant water reliably, the pump which forcibly drains the stagnant water in an electrolytic vessel is provided in the drain pipe, and after the supply of raw water is stopped, the pump is driven, There has been proposed an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that discharges accumulated water from a supply pipe to a drain pipe through a discharge pipe and forcibly drains the water using a pump (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-185282 A

  However, in the water treatment apparatus described in Patent Document 1 of the background art, the drainage pipe, which is often made of a soft resin such as vinyl chloride, is blocked due to the installation state of the electrolyzed water generation apparatus. When it is difficult to discharge the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell even when the pump is driven, there is a problem that it is not possible to detect that the accumulated water remains without being discharged.

  This invention solves the subject of the said background art, and it aims at detecting the electrolysis current of an electrolytic cell with an electric current detection part, and detecting the stagnant water in an electrolytic cell with the detected electrolytic current .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 of the present application includes an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a supply pipe that supplies the raw water to the electrolytic cell, and an electrolytic cell An electrolysis having a water discharge pipe for discharging alkaline ion water or acid ion water generated in step 1 and a drain pipe for draining, and a discharge pipe for discharging accumulated water in the electrolytic cell when the supply of raw water is stopped A water generation device comprising a current detection unit for detecting an electrolysis current of an electrolytic cell, and a predetermined time after the supply of raw water is stopped, the current detection unit detects the electrolysis current, thereby retaining the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell. The control part which judges the presence or absence of residual is provided.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell when the supply of raw water is stopped, and the predetermined time It is characterized in that an electrolytic voltage is applied again to the electrolytic cell later, and the presence or absence of residual water in the electrolytic cell is determined by detecting the electrolytic current in the current detection unit.

  Invention of Claim 3 of this application WHEREIN: In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the said Claim 1 or 2, it is equipped with the alerting | reporting part which alert | reports to a user, When a control part detects the stagnant water in an electrolytic vessel, It is characterized by controlling the notification unit so as to notify the user.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electrolysis current of the electrolyzer is detected by the current detector, and it is detected whether or not stagnant water remains in the electrolyzer by the detected electrolysis current. An electrolyzed water generating device that can be provided can be provided.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, in particular, when the supply of raw water is stopped, the application of the electrolysis voltage is stopped until a predetermined time elapses, thereby reducing power consumption. In addition, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic cell from being heated by continuing to apply the electrolysis voltage while the supply of raw water is stopped.

  In the electrolyzed water generating device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in particular, by notifying the user when stagnant water is detected in the electrolyzer, the user is in an installation state of the electrolyzed water generating device. It can be urged to solve the problem and ensure that the accumulated water is always discharged.

  FIG. 1 shows an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes an electrolytic cell 1 that electrolyzes raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a supply pipe 2 that supplies the raw water to the electrolytic cell 1, and an electrolytic cell 1. A water discharge pipe 3 for discharging alkaline ion water or acidic ion water generated in step 4 and a drain pipe 4 for draining, and a discharge pipe 5 for discharging the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 when the supply of raw water is stopped, And a current detection unit 6 that detects the electrolysis current of the electrolytic cell 1, and the current detection unit 6 detects the electrolysis current a predetermined time after the supply of raw water is stopped. Thus, a control unit 7 is provided for determining whether or not the remaining water remains in the electrolytic cell 1.

  Further, the control unit 7 stops the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolysis tank 1 when the supply of raw water is stopped, and applies the electrolysis voltage to the electrolysis tank 1 again after the predetermined time. The presence or absence of residual water in the electrolytic cell 1 is determined by detecting the electrolytic current.

  Furthermore, the control part 7 is controlling the buzzer 8 so that a user may be alert | reported by the buzzer 8 as an alerting | reporting part, when the stagnant water in the electrolytic cell 1 is detected.

  Hereinafter, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a main body 9 of an electrolyzed water generator, and in the main body 9, a purified water part 10 that performs a purification process of raw water, and an alkali obtained by electrolyzing the raw water purified in the purified water part 10. An electrolytic cell 1 that generates ionic water and acidic ionic water, and a control unit 7 that controls an electrolysis voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 1 are provided.

  In addition, an operation display unit 11 that operates the main body 9 and displays an operation state of the main body 9 is provided on a side portion of the main body 9.

  A power supply unit 13 having a power cord 12 and the operation display unit 11 are connected to the lower part of the main body 9 and includes a control unit 7 incorporating a CPU or the like. The electrolytic voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 1 and operation display are provided. The unit 11 and the like are controlled.

  The water supply pipe 14 to which the raw water is supplied is connected to the water purification unit 10 in which activated carbon for removing residual chlorine, turbidity, trihalomethane, etc. contained in the raw water, a hollow fiber membrane or the like is incorporated, and the water supply pipe 14 Is provided with a faucet 15 for starting or stopping the supply of raw water.

  The water purification unit 10 is connected to the electrolytic cell 1 through a supply pipe 2, and the supply pipe 2 detects an ultrasonic water supply or electromagnetic system that detects the supply of raw water and transmits it to the control unit 7, or a blade. The flow rate sensor 16 which consists of a vehicle system etc., and the addition part 17 which adds electrolysis adjuvants, such as calcium glycerophosphate, to the raw | natural water supplied by storing are provided.

  The electrolytic cell 1 is divided into two chambers by a diaphragm 18, and each chamber contains an electrode 19 and an electrode 20. Usually, alkaline ionized water is generated on the negative side of the electrode 19. Acidic ionic water is generated on the positive side.

  The supply pipe 2 is branched into two before the electrolytic cell 1 and then connected to each chamber of the electrolytic cell 1.

  The supply pipe 2 is provided with a discharge pipe 5 for discharging the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2, and the diameter of the discharge pipe 5 is smaller than the diameter of the supply pipe 2. Has been.

  A discharge pipe 3 made of a metal flexible hose or the like is provided on the downstream side of the chamber on the electrode 19 side, and a drain pipe 4 made of a soft resin such as vinyl chloride is provided on the downstream side of the chamber on the electrode 20 side. From the water discharge pipe 3, alkaline ionized water is discharged, and from the drain pipe 4, acidic ionized water is discharged.

  The drain pipe 5 is connected in the middle of the drain pipe 4 so that the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 can be drained from the drain pipe 4.

  Furthermore, when the electrolysis voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 1, the control unit 7 includes a current detection unit 6 that detects an electrolytic current flowing between the electrode 19 and the electrode 20, and a notification unit that notifies the user. A buzzer 8 is connected.

  In the above configuration, the operation of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the user sets the operation display unit 11 to perform electrolysis, the operation display unit 11 displays that there is electrolysis.

  Next, when the faucet 15 is opened, raw water is supplied from the water supply pipe 14 to the main body 9 and introduced into the water purification unit 10. In the water purification part 10, after residual chlorine, trihalomethane, etc. in raw | natural water are adsorb | sucked with activated carbon, general bacteria, an impurity, etc. are removed by a hollow fiber membrane, and a water purification process is carried out.

  The purified water subjected to the water purification process passes through the flow sensor 16 through the supply pipe 2. At this time, the flow rate of the supply pipe 2 is measured by the flow sensor 16, and the measured flow rate is transmitted to the control unit 7.

  When the measured flow rate is transmitted to the control unit 7, the control unit 7 applies a predetermined electrolytic voltage to the electrolytic cell 1, and the purified water to which an electrolysis auxiliary agent such as calcium glycerophosphate is added in the addition unit 17 is the electrolytic cell 1. In the chamber, the alkaline ionized water is generated in the chamber on the electrode 19 side, and the acidic ionized water is generated in the chamber on the electrode 20 side.

  Then, the generated alkaline ionized water is discharged from the discharge pipe 3, and the acidic ion water is discharged from the drain pipe 4. At this time, a part of the purified water is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 to the drain pipe 4 without being supplied to the electrolytic cell 1, and then drained from the drain pipe 4, but the diameter of the discharge pipe 5 is larger than the diameter of the supply pipe 2. Since this is configured to be smaller, most of the purified water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 1.

  When the faucet 15 is closed, the supply of raw water is stopped, and when the flow rate sensor 16 detects the flow rate stop of the supply pipe 2 and transmits it to the control unit 7 (Y in step ST1), the control unit 7 supplies the electrolytic cell 1 to the electrolytic cell 1. The application of the electrolysis voltage is temporarily stopped (step ST2), and the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 connected to the supply pipe 2, and then the drain pipe to which the discharge pipe 5 is connected. 4 is drained.

  After the time T1 has elapsed since the flow sensor 16 detects the supply stop of the raw water and transmits it to the control unit 7, the control unit 7 applies the electrolytic voltage again to the electrolytic cell 1 (step ST3), and the current detection unit. 6 detects the electrolytic current of the electrolytic cell 1 (step ST4).

  At this time, usually, all of the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 during the time T1, and therefore the electrode 19 and the electrode 20 provided in the electrolytic tank 1 are used. Since no water is present between them, the current detection unit 6 does not detect the electrolytic current (N in step ST4).

  When the electrolysis current is not detected as described above, the control unit 7 determines that the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 has been normally discharged, and the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device is completed.

  On the other hand, when the drainage pipe 4 made of a soft resin such as polyvinyl chloride is blocked due to the installation state of the electrolyzed water generating device, the electrolytic cell 1 after the time T1 has elapsed. The staying water in the supply pipe 2 remains without being discharged.

  Therefore, at this time, when the control unit 7 applies an electrolytic voltage to the electrolytic cell 1, the current detection unit 6 detects the electrolytic current of the electrolytic cell 1 (Y in step ST4). When the electrolysis current is detected, the control unit 7 operates the buzzer 8 to notify the user that the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 remains without being discharged (step ST5).

  Similarly, the control unit 7 displays on the operation display unit 11 so as to check the installation status of the drain pipe 4 so as to alert the user.

  When the bending of the drain pipe 4 is eliminated and the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged as usual, water exists between the electrode 19 and the electrode 20 provided in the electrolytic cell 1. Therefore, the current detection unit 6 does not detect the electrolytic current in the electrolytic cell 1 (N in step ST4).

  When the electrolysis current is no longer detected, the control unit 7 stops the buzzer 8 (step ST6), and the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device is completed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 7 detects the supply stop of the raw water using the flow sensor 16, the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 is temporarily stopped and the supply of the raw water is stopped. Then, the electrolytic voltage is again applied to the electrolytic cell 1 after time T1, and the current detection unit 6 can detect the electrolytic current of the electrolytic cell 1.

  Therefore, even when the drainage pipe 4 made of a soft resin such as vinyl chloride is blocked by being bent or the like, even if the accumulated water remains in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 without being discharged. The residual water can be detected.

  Further, since the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 is stopped until the time T1 elapses after the supply of raw water is stopped, the power consumption can be reduced and the electrolysis voltage can be reduced in the state where the supply of raw water is stopped. It is possible to prevent the electrolytic cell 1 from being heated by continuing the application of.

  Further, when the control unit 7 detects the electrolytic current of the electrolytic cell 1 by the current detection unit 6, that is, when the residual water is detected, the control unit 7 confirms that the residual water remains in the user by the buzzer 8. In addition to notifying, the operation display unit 11 is displayed so as to check the installation status of the drain pipe 4, and the user is alerted so that the installation status can be returned to normal and the accumulated water can be discharged normally. be able to.

  FIG. 3 shows a water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, only matters different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the first embodiment is used for those having the same configuration, operational effects, and the like.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that a pump 21 for forcibly draining drainage is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 4 as shown in FIG.

  Based on the above differences, the operation of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  After the user sets the operation display unit 11 to perform electrolysis, the control unit 7 detects the supply stop of the raw water by the flow sensor 16, and temporarily stops the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 (step The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment until the stagnant water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 connected to the supply pipe 2.

  When application of the electrolytic voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 is stopped, the control unit 7 drives the pump 21 provided in the drain pipe 4 (step ST13), and the electrolytic cell 1 discharged from the discharge pipe 5 to the drain pipe 4 and The staying water in the supply pipe 2 is forcibly drained from the drain pipe 4 by the pump 21.

  Here, since the drainage from the stagnant water drain pipe 4 is forcibly performed by the pump 21, the stagnant water can be drained in a shorter time and more reliably than the drainage by the natural flow of the stagnant water.

  After the time T2 has elapsed since the pump 21 was driven, the control unit 7 applies the electrolytic voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 again (step ST14), and the current detection unit 6 detects the electrolytic current in the electrolytic cell 1 (step ST15). ).

  At this time, normally, all the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 by the pump 21 while the time T2 elapses. Therefore, the electrode 19 provided in the electrolytic cell 1 Since no water is present between the electrode 20 and the electrode 20, no electrolysis current is detected by the current detector 6 (N in step ST15).

  When the electrolysis current is not detected as described above, the control unit 7 determines that the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 has been normally discharged, stops the pump 21 and ends the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device. (Step ST17).

  On the other hand, the time T2 has elapsed even if the pump 21 is driven when the drain pipe 4 made of a soft resin such as polyvinyl chloride is blocked due to the installation state of the electrolyzed water generating device. After that, the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 remains without being discharged.

  Therefore, at this time, when the control unit 7 applies an electrolytic voltage to the electrolytic cell 1, the current detection unit 6 detects the electrolytic current in the electrolytic cell 1 (Y in step ST15). When the electrolysis current is detected, the control unit 7 operates the buzzer 8 to notify the user that the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 remains without being discharged (step ST16).

  Similarly, the control unit 7 displays on the operation display unit 11 so as to check the installation status of the drain pipe 4 so as to alert the user.

  When the bending of the drain pipe 4 is eliminated and the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged as usual, water exists between the electrode 19 and the electrode 20 provided in the electrolytic cell 1. Therefore, the current detection unit 6 does not detect the electrolytic current in the electrolytic cell 1 (N in step ST15).

  When the electrolysis current is no longer detected, the control unit 7 stops the pump 21 and stops the buzzer 8 (step ST17) (step ST18), and the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 1 and the supply pipe 2 is discharged from the discharge pipe 5 to the drain pipe 4 and drained from the drain pipe 4, Since the pump 21 can be driven to force the drainage, the stagnant water can be drained in a shorter time and more reliably than the drainage by the natural flow of the stagnant water.

  In both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, when the control unit 7 detects the supply stop of the raw water by the flow sensor 16, the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell 1 is temporarily stopped. The application of the electrolytic voltage may be continued during a predetermined time T1 or T2.

  Further, for example, during a predetermined time T1 or T2, reverse electrolysis is performed on the electrolytic cell 1 (in this case, the electrode 19 is on the positive side and the electrode 20 is on the negative side), and in particular, calcium adhering to the electrode 19 Etc., the scales may be peeled off, and the accumulated water may be discharged together.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, although the time T1 is not particularly shown, it is desirable that the time is 10 seconds to 30 seconds, preferably about 15 seconds to 20 seconds.

  Also in the second embodiment of the present invention, the time T2 is not particularly shown, but it is desirable to set the time from 5 seconds to 10 seconds, preferably from 7 seconds to 8 seconds.

The front view which shows the whole structure of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement after the raw | natural water supply stop in the same electrolyzed water generating apparatus. The front view which shows the whole structure of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement after the raw | natural water supply stop in the same electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 2 Supply pipe 3 Water discharge pipe 4 Drain pipe 5 Discharge pipe 6 Current detection part 7 Control part 8 Buzzer (notification part)

Claims (3)

  An electrolytic cell that electrolyzes raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a supply pipe that supplies the raw water to the electrolytic cell, a water discharge pipe that discharges alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell, and An electrolyzed water generating device having a drain pipe for draining and a drain pipe for discharging accumulated water in the electrolyzer when the supply of raw water is stopped, and current detection for detecting an electrolysis current of the electrolyzer And a control unit for determining whether or not residual water remains in the electrolytic cell by detecting an electrolysis current in the current detection unit after a predetermined time after the supply of raw water is stopped. Electrolyzed water generator.   The control unit stops application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell when the supply of raw water is stopped, applies the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell again after the predetermined time, and detects the electrolysis current in the current detection unit. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of residual water in the electrolytic cell is determined.   A notification section for notifying a user is provided, and the control section controls the notification section so as to notify the user when stagnant water in the electrolytic cell is detected. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to 1 or 2.

Images