JP2008080220A - Electrolytic water generator with function of regenerating water softener - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolytic water generator with the function of regenerating a water softener, connected to the water softener which is structured so that the softener always softens tap water to supply soft water during the operation of the electrolytic water generator, and that regeneration treatment is carried out in a state of affecting no operation of the electrolytic water generator during the regeneration of the water softener. <P>SOLUTION: In the electrolytic generator TH connected to the water softener 5, the residual amount of soft water in the water softener 5 is calculated. When the calculated residual amount is equal to or less than the amount of soft water of the water softener 5 used in one day and a signal is sent from a timer 11 at the preset time, a controller 10 instructs the water softener 5 to regenerate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function configured to regenerate the function of a connected water softener (ion exchange resin).

  The raw water used for the electrolyzed water generator uses tap water, but the tap water contains magnesium and calcium, which are hardness components, and this becomes a scale that adheres to the electrolyzer and piping, blocking the inside of the tube. There is. As a countermeasure, a water softener is installed in front of the generator to soften the water, but the water softener requires periodic regeneration treatment of the internal ion exchange resin.

Therefore, conventionally, by using a regenerating means such as “a water softener with a regenerating device” described in Patent Document 1 and “a method for controlling regeneration of a water softener” described in Patent Document 2, a water softener, that is, an ion exchange resin is used. Is trying to play.
JP-A-63-305984 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-202191

  However, the “hard water softener with regenerator” described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a device that counts the usage time of the ion exchange resin in the water softener and outputs a signal when a predetermined time is reached to perform a regenerating operation. In addition, since a signal is generated when the effectiveness of the ion exchange resin is lost, there is a disadvantage that the supply of the soft water is stopped when the soft water is continuously required, and the generation is forced to be interrupted. In addition, since the water softener regenerates its function independently of the generator, there is a problem that affects the operation of the generator.

  Further, the “water softener regeneration control method” described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a flow meter, a timer and a failure detection means for the flow meter in the water softener, and usually the water softener is regenerated using the integrated value of the flow meter. When the flow meter fails, regeneration is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous regeneration time. In normal times, the flow meter integrates the flow rate, and when a predetermined value is reached or the flow meter fails Since the water softener is sometimes regenerated after a predetermined time has elapsed, there is a problem in that the generation of electrolyzed water is interrupted when soft water is required continuously.

  Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is that in an electrolyzed water generating apparatus connected with a water softener, the water softener always softens and supplies tap water when the electrolyzed water generating apparatus is operated, and at the time of regenerating the water softener, a regeneration process is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating device with a water softener regeneration function configured to be performed in a state that does not affect the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device.

(1) In order to solve the above technical problem, an electrolyzed water generating device with a water softener regeneration function according to claim 1 of the present invention directly electrolyzes tap water or adds an electrolyte to tap water. The electrolyzed water to be electrolyzed is provided with an electrolyzed water generator for generating electrolyzed water and a function for removing hardness components contained in the tap water, and the recovery function is recovered and regenerated. An electrolyzed water generating device comprising a combination with a water softener that can be configured, which can be set at an arbitrary time, a timer device that sends a signal every day at the set time, the hardness of tap water, and the water softener An input device configured to be able to input a sampling amount set value, a daily electrolyzed water generation amount of the electrolyzed water generator, and a flow meter capable of measuring a flow rate of electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator; , Each input input from the input device A water sampling capacity of the water softener calculated from the values, a calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of soft water that can be sampled from the measured amount of the flowmeter, and a function of controlling the electrolyzed water generator and the water softener And a control device having a function for performing arithmetic processing on the arithmetic means and a function of recording arithmetic data calculated by the arithmetic means and input data from the input device. When the remaining amount of soft water calculated by the above is less than the daily use amount and a signal is transmitted from the timer device, the control device is configured to instruct the regeneration of the water softener. It is a feature.

(2) Moreover, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function according to claim 2 of the present invention directly electrolyzes tap water or electrolyzes electrolyzed water obtained by adding an electrolyte to tap water. A combination of an electrolyzed water generator that generates electrolyzed water and a water softener that has a function of removing the hardness component contained in the tap water and that can be regenerated by recovering the removing function. An electrolyzed water generating device comprising: a tank for storing electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator; a full sensor provided in the tank; the hardness of tap water; and a sampling rate set value for the water softener. From the input device configured to be able to input the daily electrolyzed water generation amount of the electrolyzed water generator, the flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate of electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator, and the input device Calculated from each input value entered A calculation means for calculating a water sampling capacity of the water softener, a remaining amount of soft water that can be sampled from a measured amount of the flow meter, a function of controlling the electrolyzed water generator and the water softener, and the calculation Soft water computed by the computing means, comprising a function for computing the means and a control device having a function of recording the computation data computed by the computing means and the input data from the input device. When the remaining amount of water becomes less than the daily usage amount and a full signal is input from the full sensor of the tank, the control device instructs the regeneration of the water softener. Yes.

(3) Moreover, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the hardness of the tap water is preset in the control device as an initial value.

(4) Moreover, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function according to claim 4 of the present invention is an electrolysis sent from the flow meter based on a signal transmitted every day at a time set by the timer device. When the daily production amount of water updates the daily electrolytic water production amount of the electrolyzed water generator input by the input device, the control device automatically updates the input information of the electrolytic water production amount. It is characterized by that.

(5) Moreover, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener reproduction | regeneration function which concerns on Claim 5 of this invention makes the said electrolyzed water generator use the amount of soft water by the said water softener after reproduction | regeneration, or electrolyzed water of 1 day. The present invention is characterized in that a display capable of displaying either one or both of the generation amounts is provided.

(6) Further, in the electrolyzed water generating device with a water softener regeneration function according to claim 6 of the present invention, the time setting of signal transmission by the timer device is a time zone in which the electrolyzed water generator does not generate electrolyzed water. It is characterized by being set to.

  According to the invention according to claim 1 described in (1) above, when the remaining amount of soft water is equal to or less than the daily use amount and a signal is input from the timer device, the control device Resin) is instructed to regenerate the function, so that soft water disappears during generation of electrolyzed water, generation of electrolyzed water is forced to be interrupted, or the generation of electrolyzed water is affected in the state of hard water Various problems that occur due to deterioration of the function of the water softener, such as giving water or attaching a scale in the pipe, can be solved.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 2 described in (2) above, when the remaining amount of soft water is less than or equal to the daily use amount and a full signal is received from the tank for storing the electrolyzed water, the control device Instructing the regeneration of the water softener (ion exchange resin) and enabling the regeneration of the function, the soft water disappears during the generation of electrolyzed water, the generation of electrolyzed water must be interrupted, or electrolysis is performed in the state of hard water It is possible to solve various problems that occur due to the deterioration of the function of the water softener, such as affecting the generation of water or attaching a scale in the pipe.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 3 described in (3) above, if the hardness of the tap water in the area to be used is the same as the initial value, it is possible to save the labor of inputting the hardness to the control device and Can be easy.

  Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 4 described in said (4), the production amount of the electrolyzed water of the day on the basis of the signal sent from the said timer apparatus is the daily When the generation amount is updated, the control device automatically updates the input information of the electrolyzed water generation amount, so that even if the generation amount of the electrolyzed water is increased from the set value, an automatic response is enabled.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 5 described in the above (5), since the amount of soft water used after regeneration is known by looking at the display, in addition, the maximum amount of water collected by the water softener is also known. The amount of soft water that can be used until the next regeneration can be grasped, and it can also be seen at a glance that the maximum amount of electrolyzed water produced per day has been updated.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 6 described in the above (6), the water softener is set in a time zone in which the generation is not performed by setting the time setting of the timer in a time zone in which the electrolyzed water generator does not generate. It is possible to perform the reproduction process.

  Therefore, according to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function according to the present invention, it is possible to solve the problems such as the absence of soft water during the generation of electrolyzed water or the scale adhering to the piping, and the electrolyzed water generator Since the function of the water softener (ion exchange resin) can be regenerated in accordance with the downtime of the water, it is not necessary to stop the production of the electrolyzed water to regenerate the function of the water softener. An advantage that can be achieved.

  The embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener regeneration function according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the whole of the present invention. In the figure, a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell having an interior divided into an anode chamber 1A and a cathode chamber 1B by a membrane, 3A and 3B are a positive electrode and a negative electrode provided in the anode chamber 1A and the cathode chamber 1B, The raw | natural water introduction pipe | tube which introduce | transduces the to-be-electrolyzed water which added the electrolyte to tap water or tap water to the said electrolytic vessel 1 is shown.

  5 is a water softener provided in the middle of the raw water introduction pipe 4, such as calcium and magnesium contained in the raw water by passing the raw water through the water softener 5 containing a cation exchange resin. It is structured to soften raw water by adsorbing and removing metal ions on the cation exchange resin.

  6 and 7 are an acidic water storage tank and an alkaline water storage tank that take in the acidic water and alkaline water generated in the anode chamber 1A and the cathode chamber 1B by electrolyzing the raw water in the electrolytic cell 1, respectively. , 6T and 7T are water supply pipes of the generated acidic water and alkaline water, and 6S and 7S are full sensors provided in the water storage tanks 6 and 7, respectively.

  Further, in the figure, TH represents the entire electrolyzed water generator, and 10 represents a control device equipped with control means such as a microcomputer. The control device 10 is connected to a flow meter 8 provided in the middle of the raw water introduction pipe 4, the water softener 5 described above, and full sensors 6S and 7S of the water storage tanks 6 and 7, and a timer device 11 The input device 12, the display device 13, and the operation board 14 including the mode change switch are connected to each other, and are configured to exchange various signals with the control device 10 in a wired or wireless manner. .

  That is, a regeneration processing signal (control signal) is transmitted from the control device 10 to the water softener 5 during the regeneration processing, and the amount of raw water (soft water) supplied from the flow meter 8 to the control device 10 is supplied. The electrolysis water full signal is transmitted from the full sensors 6S and 7S of the water storage tanks 6 and 7, respectively.

  Further, a signal is transmitted to the control device 10 once a day at a preset time from the timer device 11 (specifically, a time zone in which the electrolytic cell 1 does not generate electrolyzed water). , The hardness of tap water, the sampled water amount setting value of the water softener 5 and the daily amount of electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 1 are set and input, and the mode switching signal and other operation signals are input from the operation board 14. Is entered. Further, the display unit 13 displays the amount of soft water (tap water) treated after the water softener 5 is regenerated by the control device 10 or the amount of electrolyzed water generated per day.

Among the setting items input by the input device 12, the “tap water hardness” uses a regional hardness table or actually measures the total hardness (mg / L) of tap water used in the area. And enter the value. In addition, “specified water sampling amount of the water softener 5 to be used / 1 regeneration (m ³ )” is input as the “soft water sampling amount setting value”. Furthermore, “the amount of electrolyzed water generated per day in the electrolyzer” counts the amount of electrolyzed water generated per day in the electrolyzer 1 and inputs the count amount. The amount of softened electrolyzed water counted by the flow meter 8 and the amount of electrolyzed water generated by the electrolytic cell 1 are substantially the same and the same amount. It is possible to actually measure “the amount of electrolyzed water produced per day in the electrolyzer”, and therefore, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the flow meter 8 is also used as a flow meter for measuring the amount of electrolyzed water produced.

In addition, the maximum water sampling amount of the water softener 5 is calculated | required from the following formula | equation.
(1) Maximum water sampling amount (m ³ ) = (60 ÷ raw water hardness setting value) × soft water sampling amount setting value In the above formula (1), “60” is the hardness standard value of the water softening device 5. “Raw water hardness setting value” is the hardness of the raw water in the area. The “softener sampling amount setting value” is an allowable amount of the water softener 5.

  Even if the accumulated water flow amount reaches the above “maximum water withdrawal amount”, if the signal for regenerating the water softener 5 is not input from the control device 10, the electrolytic cell 1 stops the generation of the electrolyzed water and forcibly Regeneration of the water softener 5 is started. The case where the regeneration signal is not input includes the case where the timer device 11 is not turned on and the case where the full water signal is not input from the full sensor 6S or 7S. In this case, the regeneration operation of the water softener 5 is forcibly performed. When completed, the generation of electrolyzed water by the electrolytic cell 1 is resumed.

Moreover, the appropriate amount of water sampling of the water softener 5 is calculated | required from the following formula | equation.
(2) Appropriate water sampling amount (m ³ ) = (maximum water sampling amount × 0.9) −maximum daily production amount When an appropriate water sampling amount is obtained by the above equation (2), the ON signal from the timer device 11 or full The full water signal from the sensors 6S and 7S is a condition for starting the regeneration process of the water softener 5.

  Since the amount of electrolysis generated per day by the electrolytic cell 1 is set to be sent from the timer device 11 once a day at the same time, after the signal of the timer device 11 is input, Next, the amount of electrolyzed water produced until the signal is input (one day has elapsed) is counted, and the maximum amount is updated to make it the amount of electrolyzed water produced (the maximum amount produced) per day. . Moreover, it can suppress that a water flow integrated amount exceeds the specification water sampling amount of the water softener 5 by providing this daily maximum production amount.

  The daily maximum production amount can be confirmed by operating the mode switch on the operation board 14 and setting the function setting mode of the control device 10 to “daily maximum production amount check”. The maximum production amount can be changed.

  Further, the control device 10 can calculate the “remaining amount of soft water that can be sampled” from the “water softener sampling capacity” and the “electrolyzed water generation amount of the electrolytic cell per day”. When the calculated “remaining amount of soft water that can be collected” becomes equal to or less than the daily usage amount used by the water softener 5 and a signal once a day is received from the timer device 11, A playback process start signal is sent to start the playback process.

  The regeneration process of the water softener 5 is performed, for example, according to a regeneration start signal from the control device 10 by opening a valve and supplying a regeneration solution such as saline from the regeneration tank (not shown) attached to the water softener 5 for a certain period of time. A predetermined amount of water is supplied to regenerate the ion exchange resin stored in the water softener 5.

  In FIG. 1, two water storage tanks 6 and 7 are provided for acid water and alkaline water, but a full signal may be input from one of the full sensors 6S and 7S. However, since the person who actually uses the electrolyzed water often uses only one electrolyzed water, only the remaining amount of the water storage tank 6 or 7 with the larger amount of use is reduced, so the two full sensors 6S and There are cases where 7S series signals (both are ON) are used. Further, there may be a case where only one of the water storage tanks 6 or 7 is installed by using the other electrolyzed water which is not used as a dripping system.

  Moreover, it is also possible to use a national average value as an initial value (default) as the hardness of the target raw water (tap water) for setting the water sampling amount of the water softener 5. Incidentally, although the national average value of tap water hardness is approximately 60 mg / L (ppm), the hardness of the target raw water at the shipping destination may be examined and set in advance.

  Next, the operation of the present invention described above will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  In the first step S1 shown in FIG. 2, the signal transmission time of the timer device 11 is set to an arbitrary time, specifically, the time when the electrolyzed water generator TH is not generating electrolyzed water (for example, night time or rest Then, the process proceeds to step S2, and the input amount of water is set and input using the input device 12, and the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the hardness of tap water (raw water) is to be set. When the hardness is input and set (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S4 and is described above using the input set value (1). ) After determining the maximum amount of water sampled using Equation (2), determine the appropriate amount of water sampled using Equation (2) and proceed to the next Step S5. If hardness is not determined (in the case of NO), go to Step S6. Proceedingly, an appropriate amount of water is determined using the above formulas (1) and (2) at the initial value (hardness standard value · 60 mg / L), and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, generation of electrolyzed water by the electrolytic cell 1 is started according to the set value described above. When it is confirmed that the maximum generation amount is updated in the next step S7, the process proceeds to step S8 and the maximum generation amount is updated. Thereafter, the regeneration condition of the water softener 5 set in step S9 shown in FIG. 3 is updated, and then in step S10, the remaining amount of soft water in the water softener 5 is less than the daily usage amount. It is determined whether or not the amount is less than the daily usage amount (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not a signal is sent from the timer device 11 (whether or not the timer is turned on). If a signal is sent (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S12. Is not sent (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S13 to determine whether or not a full signal is received from any of the full sensors 6S and 7S, and if a full signal is received (in the case of YES) Proceed to step S12.

  In step S12, an instruction to perform the regeneration process is sent to the water softener 5, and then the process proceeds to step S14 where the regeneration process of the water softener 5 is executed. When the regeneration process ends in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16 and the electrolysis is performed. The normal operation of the water generator TH is resumed, and the regeneration process of the water softener 5 is completed.

The block diagram explaining the whole electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water softener reproduction | regeneration function based on this invention. The flowchart explaining the processing operation | movement of the water softener reproduction | regeneration by this invention. The flowchart which described the continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

TH Electrolyzed water generator 1 Electrolytic tank 4 Raw water introduction pipe 5 Water softener 6 Acidic water storage tank 7 Alkaline water storage tank 6S, 7S Full sensor 8 Flow meter 10 Control device 11 Timer device 12 Input device 13 Display 14 Operation board

Claims (6)

An electrolyzed water generator that generates electrolyzed water by directly electrolyzing tap water or electrolyzing electrolyzed water with an electrolyte added to tap water, and a hardness component contained in the tap water An electrolyzed water generating device comprising a combination with a water softener having a function of removing and recovering the removing function and configured to be recyclable,
A timer device that can be set to any time and sends a signal every day at the set time;
An input device configured to be able to input the hardness of tap water, the sampling amount setting value of the water softener, and the daily electrolyzed water generation amount of the electrolyzed water generator,
A flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate of the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator;
The water sampling capacity of the water softener calculated from each input value input from the input device, and a calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of soft water that can be sampled from the measured amount of the flow meter,
A function for controlling the electrolyzed water generator and water softener, and a function for performing arithmetic processing on the arithmetic means, and arithmetic data calculated by the arithmetic means and input data from the input device are recorded. And a control device with a function,
The controller is configured to instruct the regeneration of the water softener when the remaining amount of soft water calculated by the calculator is less than or equal to the daily usage amount and a signal is transmitted from the timer device. An electrolyzed water generator with a water softener regeneration function. An electrolyzed water generator that generates electrolyzed water by directly electrolyzing tap water or electrolyzing electrolyzed water with an electrolyte added to tap water, and a hardness component contained in the tap water An electrolyzed water generating device comprising a combination with a water softener having a function of removing and recovering the removing function and configured to be recyclable,
A tank for storing the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator;
A full sensor in this tank,
An input device configured to be able to input the hardness of tap water, the sampling amount setting value of the water softener, and the daily electrolyzed water generation amount of the electrolyzed water generator,
A flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate of the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator;
The water sampling capacity of the water softener calculated from each input value input from the input device, and a calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of soft water that can be sampled from the measured amount of the flow meter,
A function for controlling the electrolyzed water generator and water softener, and a function for performing arithmetic processing on the arithmetic means, and arithmetic data calculated by the arithmetic means and input data from the input device are recorded. And a control device with a function,
When the remaining amount of soft water calculated by the calculating means is less than the daily usage amount and a full signal is input from the full sensor of the tank, the control device instructs the regeneration of the water softener. An electrolyzed water generating device with a water softener regeneration function, characterized in that it is configured as described above.   The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tap water hardness is preset in the control device as an initial value.   Based on the signal transmitted every day at the time set by the timer device, the daily amount of electrolyzed water sent from the flow meter is the daily amount of the electrolyzed water generator input by the input device. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein when the electrolyzed water generation amount is updated, the control device automatically updates input information of the electrolyzed water generation amount.   The electrolyzed water generator is provided with a display capable of displaying either one or both of the amount of soft water used by the water softener after regeneration and the amount of electrolyzed water generated per day. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.   The electrolyzed water according to claim 1, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the time setting of signal transmission by the timer device is set to a time zone in which the electrolyzed water generator does not generate electrolyzed water. Generator.

Images