JP2008168236A - Electrolytic water producing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolytic water producing apparatus which can prevent the delivery of water containing hypochlorous acid or water having a high pH value as water to be used by stopping electrolysis and informing the user of such a fact when a drainage solenoid valve is not normally operated. <P>SOLUTION: In this electrolytic water producing apparatus, a sensing means is provided. The sensing means senses whether or not a drainage solenoid valve provided in a drainage passage for discharging electrolytic water not to be used in electrolytic water parts is normally operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes raw water such as tap water and well water to generate alkaline ionized water used for beverages and medical use and acidic ionized water used for sterilization washing.

  In recent years, an electrolyzed water generating device that electrolyzes raw water to generate electrolyzed water, that is, alkaline ionized water used for beverages or medical use, and acidic ionized water used for sterilization washing has been used. Alkaline ion water is drunk as drinking water as healthy water. As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus, an internal pipe 30 serving as a water flow path is provided in the apparatus main body 3 to which a raw water pipe 1 such as tap water and a water discharge pipe 2 as a water discharge path are connected. And a water purification unit 4 that absorbs residual chlorine and removes general bacteria and impurities from the upstream side of the internal pipe 30, a calcium supply unit 5 that administers calcium ions into the raw water to increase conductivity, and a flow sensor that confirms water flow 6 and an electrolytic cell 7 for electrolyzing water are respectively disposed. The inside of the electrolytic cell 7 is provided with electrode plates 9 and 10 each of which is divided into two by a diaphragm 8, and the electrode chamber provided with one electrode plate 9 contains water generated in this electrode chamber (the electrode plate 9 is a cathode). In this case, the water discharge pipe 2 is connected to discharge water (alkaline ion water), and the electrode chamber provided with the other electrode plate 10 has water generated in this electrode chamber (in the case where the electrode plate 10 is an anode, it is acidic). A drain pipe 13 is connected as a drain path for draining (ion water). The drain pipe 13 is opened when the water generated in the electrode chamber provided with the other electrode plate 10 is drained or when the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 or the water purification unit 4 is drained. A valve 11 is provided. Control of energization of the electrode plates 9 and 10 and control of opening / closing the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage are performed by the control unit 15.

  The control unit 15 is mainly composed of an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 15a, and controls operations of the polarity switching unit 15b, the electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c, and the like according to a signal from the flow sensor 6 or the like or an instruction from the operation unit 18a or the like. It is something to do. The polarity switching unit 15b switches the polarity of the electrode plates 9 and 10 according to an instruction from the MPU 15a, and the electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c is a direct current output from the control power supply unit 16 according to an instruction from the MPU 15a. Is subjected to pulse modulation to change the average voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 7. The pH concentration of the alkaline water can be changed according to the average voltage pulse-modulated by the electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c.

When generating electrolyzed water, if the operation unit 18 is operated to select and set, for example, “alkaline ion water generation mode” or “acidic water generation mode”, the raw water supplied from the raw water pipe 1 is purified by the water purification unit 4. At the same time, the water is easily electrolyzed in the calcium supply unit 5 and supplied to the electrolytic cell 7 through the flow sensor 6. When water flow is detected by the flow sensor 6, a voltage is applied to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 by the control unit 15. At this time, the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is opened and the acidic water is drained from the drain pipe 13 in the alkaline ion water generation mode, and the alkaline ion water is drained from the drain pipe 13 in the acidic water generation mode. In the “purified water mode”, the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is closed and no drainage is performed.
JP-A-2005-211182

  However, in the conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus, depending on the installation state of the apparatus main body 3, it may be difficult or impossible for the user to confirm whether or not the drainage pipe 13 is draining normally. In this case, if the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is broken and closed when generating electrolyzed water, water containing hypochlorous acid or water having a high pH concentration is discharged from the water discharge pipe. There was a fear that it would end up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the purpose of the present invention is that the drainage solenoid valve provided in the drainage path for draining the unused electrolytic water out of the electrolytic water operates normally. By detecting whether or not it is not operating normally, the electrolysis is stopped and the user is informed so that water containing hypochlorous acid or water having a high pH concentration is discharged as use water. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating device that prevents this from occurring.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention includes an electrolyzer 7 that electrolyzes raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and an electric current is applied to the electrolyzed tank 7 to generate raw water. The electrolysis power supply unit 16 for electrolysis, the control unit 15 for controlling energization from the electrolysis power supply unit 16 to the electrolytic cell 7, the operation unit 18a for operating instructions to the control unit 15, and the operation state An operation display notification unit 18 having a display unit 18b to display and a notification unit to notify by voice, and discharges one of alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell 7 as use water and drains the other. Water discharge path 2 and drainage path 3 for drainage, and a drainage solenoid valve 11 provided in the drainage path 3 and opened when draining the other of the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water through the drainage path 3. Prepared Detection means (solenoid valve current) for detecting whether or not the operation of the drainage solenoid valve 11 is normal based on the energized state of the drainage solenoid valve 11 during the generation of alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water A detection unit 19) is provided.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to detect that the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is not operating normally and notify the user.

  According to the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention, it is detected that the solenoid valve for drainage provided in the drainage path for draining the unused electrolyzed water out of the electrolyzed water is not operating normally, and notifies the user. When the drainage solenoid valve is faulty and the drainage solenoid valve is closed, water containing hypochlorous acid or water with high pH concentration is generated when the electrolyzed water is generated. Can be prevented from being swallowed as drinking water.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The electrolyzed water generating device generates alkali ion water or acidic ion water from raw water, or purifies the raw water and discharges it from the water discharge pipe 2. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the electrolyzed water generating device, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the electrolyzed water generating device.

  In the apparatus main body 3 of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus, devices such as an internal pipe 30 and a water purification unit 4, a calcium supply unit 5, and an electrolyzer 7 which are main components of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus are housed. The internal pipe 30 is connected to the raw water pipe 1 such as a water supply at its upstream end, and a water purification unit 4, a flow sensor 6, a calcium supply unit 5, and an electrolytic cell 7 are disposed in the middle of the internal pipe 30 in order from the upstream side. In addition, the downstream side from the electrolytic cell 7 is a water discharge pipe 2 that supplies one of the alkaline ion water and the acidic ion water generated in the electrolytic cell 7 or purified water to the user, and the alkaline ion water from the water discharge pipe 2. -It branches off to the drain pipe 13 which discharges the other of alkaline ion water and acidic ion water when discharging one of acidic ion water. The drain pipe 13 is provided with a drain electromagnetic valve 11. Note that the drain electromagnetic valve 11 may be opened and closed by driving an electric motor.

  The water purification unit 4 includes activated carbon that absorbs residual chlorine in the raw water supplied from the raw water pipe 1 and a hollow paper membrane that removes general bacteria and impurities. The flow sensor 6 confirms water flow and gives a control instruction to the control unit 15 described later. The calcium supply unit 5 increases conductivity by administering calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate into raw water.

  The electrolytic cell 7 includes electrode plates 9 and 10 in each electrode chamber formed by dividing the inside of the cell by a diaphragm 8. Then, water used in this electrode chamber (alkaline ion water when the electrode plate 9 is a cathode, acid ion water when the electrode plate 9 is an anode) is discharged into the electrode chamber on the side provided with one electrode plate 9. The discharge pipe for connecting is connected. On the other hand, the electrode chamber on the side provided with the other electrode plate 10 has a non-used water generated in this electrode chamber (acid ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode, The drainage pipe 13 for discharging (alkaline ion water) is connected, and drainage is performed by opening the drainage electromagnetic valve 11. In addition, a drain bypass pipe 13a branched from a portion upstream of the electrolytic cell 7 of the internal pipe 30 is connected to the upstream portion of the drain solenoid valve 11 of the drain pipe 13, and the drain bypass pipe 13a. Is provided with a throttle 13a. Instead of the throttling portion 13b, a bypass valve 13c is provided in the middle of the drain bypass pipe 13a, and the bypass valve 13c is opened to drain the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 or the accumulated water in the water purification unit 4. It may be. Further, the drain pipe 13 is provided with a flow rate adjusting unit 12 including a flow rate adjusting valve or the like in order to efficiently generate electrolyzed water in the electrolytic cell 7.

  Further, the apparatus main body 3 includes a water purifier sensor 14 for detecting the presence or absence of a cartridge (not shown) in the water purifier 4, a power-on plug 17 connected to a commercial AC power source, and an AC from the power-on plug 17. A control power supply unit 16 that changes the power source to a DC power source, a control unit 15 that controls the operation of the apparatus main body 3, and an operation display notification unit 18 that displays the operation state of the apparatus main body 3 are provided.

  The operation display notification unit 18 includes an operation unit 18a, a display unit 18b, and a notification unit (not shown). The operation part 18a selects and switches among the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the purified water mode, and the acidic ionized water generation mode. When one of the three modes is selected by the operation unit 18a, the selected mode is displayed on the display unit 18b. Further, when water is passed after mode selection, the control unit 15 sets the polarity (that is, which of alkaline ion water generation and acidic ion water generation is generated from the electrode chamber on the side provided with one electrode plate 9) and the water flow state. Is determined, and the water selected in any mode after the electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 7 is discharged. Note that one of the strong mode, middle-up mode, middle-down mode, and weak mode can be selected by a pH adjustment button (not shown), and the display unit 18b displays these operation states by LED or LCD. Displayed and a notification sound is generated by the notification unit as necessary.

  The control unit 15 includes an MPU 15a (Micro Processing Unit), a polarity switching unit 15b, and an electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c. The MPU 15a obtains a control instruction from the flow sensor 6, the water purifier sensor 14, and the operation unit 18a, and performs arithmetic processing. Then, if necessary, the drainage electromagnetic valve 11 and the display unit 18b are instructed to operate. The polarity switching unit 15b switches the polarity in accordance with an operation instruction from the MPU 15a. The electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c changes the average voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 7 by pulse-modulating the direct-current voltage output from the control power supply unit 16 in accordance with an operation instruction from the MPU 15a. The pH concentration of the alkaline ionized water can be changed according to the average voltage pulse-modulated by the electrolytic voltage switching unit 15c.

  Below, the fundamental operation | movement in the case of producing | generating alkali ion water is demonstrated. First, the power-on plug 17 is connected to a commercial power supply, and power is supplied to the control unit 15. At this time, since the display on the display unit 18b is in an initial value state (for example, “water purification mode”), when an arbitrary setting is desired (for example, “alkaline ion water generation mode”), The operation display notification unit 18 selects and sets the alkali ion water generation mode. Then, the raw water supplied from the raw water pipe 1 is treated with the water purifier 4 to remove impurities such as residual chlorine odors and general bacteria in the raw water, and the calcium supply unit 5 dissolves calcium glycerophosphate and the like to easily electrolyze water. Is done. After this treatment, water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7 through the flow sensor 6. When raw water is passed through the apparatus body 3, it is detected by the flow sensor 6, and the controller 15 applies a voltage to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7. At this time, when the drainage solenoid valve 11 is opened and the alkaline ionized water generation mode is selected, the acidic ionized water is discharged from the drainpipe 13 when the acidic ionized water generation mode is selected. Is done. In the water purification mode, the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is closed to cut the drainage. Further, when the supply from the raw water pipe 1 is stopped and the water is stopped, the control unit 15 determines that the water is stopped from the detection signal of the flow sensor 6, and the voltage application from the control unit 15 to the electrode plates 9 and 10 is stopped and electrolysis is performed. Stop water production.

  Here, the operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is monitored by the MPU 15 a of the control unit 15 by the electromagnetic valve current detection unit 19 of the control unit 15. That is, the operating state of the drainage electromagnetic valve 11 (or electric motor) is detected by the electromagnetic valve current detection unit 19 with the voltage feedback signal or current value detected by the electromagnetic valve current detection unit 19, and the control unit 15 monitors the output. If the value is a predetermined value, it is determined that the operation is normal, and the operation of energizing the electrode plates 9 and 10 is continued. When the voltage feedback signal or the current value is not a predetermined value, the voltage supply to the electrode plates 9 and 10 is stopped, an error is displayed on the display unit 18b of the operation display notification unit 18, and a notification sound is generated by the notification unit. Notification is made to inform the user that the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is not operating.

  An example of the operation will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is determined by the control part 15 whether it is alkali ion water production | generation mode (# 1). In the alkaline ionized water generation mode, it is determined whether or not water is being passed by the flow sensor 6 (# 2), and if it is determined that water is passed, the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is opened or an electric motor is used. To open the drainage channel 13 (# 3). Thereafter, the voltage or current signal of the drain electromagnetic valve 11 or the electric motor is detected (# 4), and if the voltage or current signal of the drain electromagnetic valve 11 or the electric motor is not a predetermined value, the electrode plate 9 of the electrolytic cell 7 10 is stopped (energization is stopped) (# 5), an error is displayed on the display unit 18b, and a notification is given by voice in the notification unit (# 6). When the voltage or current signal of the drain electromagnetic valve 11 or the electric motor is a predetermined value in (# 4), the operation state of the drain electromagnetic valve 11 is continuously monitored.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect that the drainage solenoid valve provided in the drainage path for draining the unused one of the electrolyzed water is not operating normally, and notify the user. When the drainage solenoid valve is broken and the drainage solenoid valve is closed, water containing hypochlorous acid or water having a high pH concentration is discharged as use water when the electrolyzed water is generated. Can be prevented from being drunk.

  In addition, by stopping the electrolysis when an abnormality in the operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is detected, it is possible to reliably prevent drinking of water containing hypochlorous acid or water having a high pH concentration. it can. Further, when an abnormality in the operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage is detected, it is displayed on the display unit 18b and also notified by the notification unit, thereby informing the user of the abnormality of the electromagnetic valve 11 for drainage and hypochlorous acid. It is possible to prevent drinking water containing acid or water having a high pH concentration.

It is a block diagram in one Embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of an electrolyzed water generating apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of the other example of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of the conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water discharge pipe 3 Apparatus main body 30 Internal piping 4 Water purification part 5 Calcium supply part 6 Flow sensor 7 Electrolytic tank 8 Diaphragm 9 Electrode plate 10 Electrode plate 11 Electromagnetic valve 12 for drainage Flow control part 13 Drain pipe (drainage path)
13a Drain bypass pipe 13b Bypass valve 14 Water purifier sensor 15 Control unit 15a MPU
15b Polarity switching unit 15c Electrolytic voltage switching unit 16 Power source unit 17 Power-on plug 18 Operation display notification unit 18a Operation unit 18b Display unit 19 Electromagnetic valve current detection unit (detection means)

Claims (3)

  An electrolytic cell that electrolyzes raw water to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, an electrolysis power source unit for electrolyzing the raw water by applying an electric current to the electrolytic cell, and the electrolysis from the electrolysis power source unit Generated by an electrolytic cell, an operation display notification unit having a control unit for controlling energization to the tank, an operation unit for instructing operation to the control unit, a display unit for displaying an operation state, and a notification unit for reporting by voice Water discharge path and drainage path for discharging one of the alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water as use water and draining the other, and alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water provided in the drainage path via the drainage path In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising a drain electromagnetic valve that is opened when the other of the two is drained, the drain electromagnetic is based on the energized state of the drain electromagnetic valve during the generation of alkaline ion water and acidic ion water. Electrolyzed water production apparatus characterized by operation of made by providing a detecting means for detecting whether normal or not.   2. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein electrolysis is stopped when an abnormality in the operation of the electromagnetic valve for drainage is detected.   3. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an abnormality in the operation of the electromagnetic valve for drainage is detected, the electrolysis water generating device is displayed on the display unit and also notified on the notification unit.

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