JP2016064375A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolyzed water generator which can detect electric conductivity with high accuracy in consideration of an influence of water temperature variations, and can set a pH of electrolyzed water generated to a target value.SOLUTION: The electrolyzed water generator comprises: an electrolytic cell for generating electrolyzed water, comprising an inflow port through which water flows in from a water supply source, an outflow port through which water flows out, and a pair of opposing electrodes; temperature measurement means for measuring temperature of water which passes through the electrolytic cell; and a control part for calculating electric conductivity of water which passes through the electrolytic cell and controlling an electric current to the pair of electrodes. The control part carries out calculation of the electric conductivity based on temperature measured by the temperature measurement means, and determines a target electric current so that the pH becomes the target value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed water by passing an electric current through an electrode, such as the electrolyzed water generating device described in Patent Document 1, has been provided. In such an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, for example, when using electrolyzed water for alkaline drinking water generation or sterilized water generation, not only simply generate a constant current but also generate electrolyzed water, depending on the application. It is required to set the generated electrolyzed water to a target pH value.
Therefore, for example, in the electrolyzed water generating device described in Patent Document 2, the voltage and current applied to the electrodes are measured, and the electric conductivity obtained based on the measured voltage and current (electric conductivity EC = There is a means for controlling the pH value of the electrolyzed water by adjusting the power supplied to the electrodes according to the value of the distance between the electrodes L / electrode area A / water quality resistance value R).

JP2011-206622A JP2003-027556

  However, in the case where the electrical conductivity is measured from the water quality resistance value as in Patent Document 2, the value of the electrical conductivity obtained based on the water quality resistance value because the value of the electrical conductivity fluctuates particularly due to variations in the water temperature. There is a problem that the electrical conductivity cannot be accurately measured because the electrical conductivity value at the actual water temperature does not match (for example, calculated based on 25 ° C.).

  In addition, the electrode is deteriorated over time by reducing the area of the electrode by repeatedly passing the current. Thereby, when measuring electrical conductivity from the water quality resistance value as in Patent Document 2, the water quality resistance value cannot be accurately measured due to the influence of the deterioration of the electrode, and the appropriate pH value of the electrolyzed water is set. There is a problem that it cannot be controlled.

  1st invention passes the electrolytic cell which produces | generates the electrolyzed water which has the inflow port into which the water from a water supply source flows in, the outflow port from which water flows out, and a pair of electrode which opposed. Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of water, and a control unit for calculating the electrical conductivity of water passing through the electrolytic cell and controlling the current to the pair of electrodes, It is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that calculates the electrical conductivity based on the temperature of the temperature measuring means and determines a target current so as to obtain a predetermined pH value.

  According to the first invention, the electric conductivity can be detected with high accuracy in consideration of the influence of variations in water temperature, and the resulting electrolyzed water can be set to a target pH value.

  The second aspect of the present invention further includes a heating unit that is disposed on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell and that heats water flowing into the electrolytic cell, and has a heating control unit that controls the heating unit, The said heating control part is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus which makes the temperature of the said water predetermined temperature with the said heating means.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the electrical conductivity can be detected with higher accuracy without being affected by the temperature of the season or the like by setting the predetermined temperature, and as a result, the pH of the electrolyzed water to be generated is targeted. It can be set to a value.

  3rd invention is the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which provided the pair of electrode for measuring the electrical conductivity of water separately from the said pair of facing electrode.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the current smaller than the current for generating the electrolyzed water is supplied to the pair of electrodes for measuring the electrical conductivity to detect the water quality resistance value, the influence of the deterioration of the electrodes This makes it possible to detect an appropriate water quality resistance value.

  As a result, the electrical conductivity can be detected with high accuracy in consideration of the influence of variations in the water temperature, and the resulting electrolyzed water can be set to a target pH value.

It is a circuit block diagram which illustrates the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Embodiment 1 concerning the present invention. It is a figure showing the relationship between the water quality resistance value with respect to the temperature of water, and electrical conductivity. It is a circuit block diagram which illustrates the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Embodiment 2 concerning the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram which illustrates the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Embodiment 3 concerning the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 100 includes an AC / DC conversion unit 2, a microcomputer unit 3 that calculates electrical conductivity as a control unit, an electrode drive unit 6 that controls current to the electrodes, and an electrolytic cell. A pair of opposed first electrodes 7 provided in 400, a water quality resistance detector 8 that detects a water quality resistance value, and a thermistor 9 that measures the water temperature are provided. Power supply to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 100 is performed by an AC power source 1.

  Water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 400 from the water supply source 20 through the flowing water channel 200. Water electrolyzed by the electrolytic bath 400 is discharged from the discharge unit 30. The electrolyzed water discharged from the discharge unit 30 is sprayed on the bowl as washing water for the toilet bowl, for example. The flowing water channel 200 is a water channel connecting the water supply source 20 to the discharge unit 30.

  The AC / DC conversion unit 2 converts the AC voltage input from the AC power source 1 into a DC voltage, and supplies power to the microcomputer unit 3, the electrode driving unit 6, and the thermistor 9.

  The thermistor 9 as a temperature measuring means is provided in the flowing water channel 200 connecting the water supply source 20 and the electrolytic bath 400, measures the temperature of the water where the thermistor 9 is located, and transmits the information to the microcomputer unit 3. That is, the thermistor 9 measures the temperature of water passing through the electrolytic cell 400.

  The electrode driving unit 6 receives a command from the microcomputer unit 3 and controls a current that flows to the pair of first electrodes 7 facing each other.

  The water quality detection unit 8 detects the water quality resistance value of the water flowing into the electrolytic cell 400 from the inlet 10.

  The electrolytic cell 400 is located between the thermistor 9 and the water discharge unit 30, and has an inlet 10 into which water from the water supply source 20 flows, an outlet 11 from which water flows out, and a pair of electrodes 7 facing each other. Generate electrolyzed water.

  Next, an operation until the electrolytic water is set to a target pH value will be described.

  The temperature of the water in the flowing water channel 200 read by the thermistor 9 and the water quality resistance value detected by the water quality resistance detection unit 8 are transmitted to the microcomputer unit 3.

  The microcomputer unit 3 calculates the electrical conductivity according to the water temperature from the temperature of the water in the flow channel 200 transmitted from the thermistor 9 and the water quality resistance value of the water in the flow channel 200 transmitted from the water quality detection unit 8.

  The microcomputer unit 3 determines a current corresponding to the electric conductivity and transmits a control signal to the electrode driving unit 6.

  The electrode drive unit 6 receives a command from the microcomputer unit 3 and controls the current to the pair of first electrodes 7 facing each other.

  By supplying current to the first electrode 7, the water in the electrolytic cell 400 is electrolyzed, and electrolyzed water having a target pH value can be obtained.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the water resistance value and the electric conductivity with respect to the temperature of the water. The electrical conductivity changes as the temperature of the water changes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the water quality resistance value increases, the electrical conductivity decreases, and conversely, when the water quality resistance value decreases, the electrical conductivity increases. In addition, even with the same water quality resistance value, the value of electrical conductivity varies depending on the temperature of water. When the water temperature is high, the electric conductivity is smaller than when the water temperature is low. Therefore, it is possible to accurately measure the electrical conductivity by detecting the water temperature, and as a result, it is possible to set the generated electrolyzed water to a target pH value.

  That is, the electrical conductivity EC can be expressed by the following equation using the interelectrode distance L, the electrode area A, the water resistance R, and the temperature coefficient k.

  In the second embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 100 is further provided with a heater 5, and the heater 5 is controlled to set the temperature of the water in the tank 300 to a predetermined temperature. For example, it is set to 30 ° C.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating the electrolyzed water generating device according to the second embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the difference from the first embodiment includes a heating control unit 4 that controls the heater 5 and a heater 5 as a heating unit that heats water in the tank 300.

  A tank 300 is installed downstream of the water supply source 20 and upstream of the thermistor 9.

  The heating control unit 4 is connected to the AC power source 1 and controls power supply to the heater 5.

  Next, an operation until the electrolytic water is set to a target pH value will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heating control unit 4 supplies power to the heater 5 so as to reach a predetermined temperature, for example, 30 ° C., according to the temperature information of the water in the flowing water channel 200 received from the microcomputer unit 3.

  The microcomputer unit 3 that has received the water temperature information heated to 30 ° C. and has received the information on the water quality resistance value from the water quality detection unit 8 performs calculation, determines the current according to the electrical conductivity, and the electrode driving unit 6 Send a control signal to

  The electrode drive unit 6 receives a command from the microcomputer unit 3 and controls the current to the pair of first electrodes 7 facing each other.

  By supplying current to the first electrode 7, the water in the electrolytic cell 400 is electrolyzed, and electrolyzed water having a target pH value can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment, a pair of second electrodes 12 for measuring the electrical conductivity of water is provided separately from the pair of opposed first electrodes 7.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram illustrating the electrolyzed water generating device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

  A pair of opposed second electrodes 12 are in the electrolytic bath 400 and are connected to the water quality resistance detector 8.

  The water resistance value in the electrolytic cell 400 is detected by the water quality resistance detection unit 8 using the second electrode 12.

  In the first and second embodiments, the generation of electrolyzed water reduces the area of the electrode, making it difficult to accurately calculate the electrical conductivity. In the third embodiment, a pair of second electrodes 12 for measuring the electrical conductivity of water is provided separately from the first electrode 7 for generating electrolyzed water, and therefore, compared with the first and second embodiments. Thus, the influence of electrode deterioration can be suppressed, and an accurate electrical conductivity can be calculated.

  Next, the operation until the electrolyzed water in Embodiment 3 is set to a target pH value will be described.

  The temperature of the water in the flowing water channel 200 read by the thermistor 9 and the water quality resistance value of the water detected by the water quality resistance detection unit 8 are transmitted to the microcomputer unit 3 through the pair of opposed second electrodes 12. .

  The microcomputer unit 3 calculates the electrical conductivity according to the water temperature from the temperature of the water in the flow channel 200 transmitted from the thermistor 9 and the water quality resistance value of the water in the flow channel 200 transmitted from the water quality detection unit 8.

  The microcomputer unit 3 determines a current corresponding to the electric conductivity and transmits a control signal to the electrode driving unit 6.

  The electrode drive unit 6 receives a command from the microcomputer unit 3 and controls the current to the pair of first electrodes 7 facing each other.

  By supplying a current to the first electrode 7, the water in the electrolytic cell 400 is electrolyzed, the influence of electrode deterioration can be suppressed, and electrolytic water having a target pH value can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... AC power source 2 ... AC / DC conversion part 3 ... Microcomputer part 4 ... Heating control part 5 ... Heater 6 ... Electrode drive part 7 ... 1st electrode 8 ... Water quality resistance detection part 9 ... Thermistor 10 ... Inlet 11 ... Current Outlet 12 ... Second electrode 20 ... Water supply source 30 ... Discharge unit 100 ... Electrolyzed water generating device 200 ... Flow channel 300 ... Tank 400 ... Electrolyzer

Claims (3)

An electrolytic cell for generating electrolyzed water having an inlet through which water from a water supply source flows, an outlet through which water flows out, and a pair of opposed electrodes;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of water passing through the electrolytic cell;
A controller that calculates the electrical conductivity of water passing through the electrolytic cell and controls the current to the pair of electrodes;
The said control part is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus which calculates the said electrical conductivity based on the temperature of the said temperature measurement means, and determines a target electric current so that it may become a predetermined pH value. A heating means disposed on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell and heating water flowing into the electrolytic cell;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating means,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating control unit sets the temperature of the water to a predetermined temperature by the heating unit.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pair of electrodes for measuring electric conductivity of water is provided separately from the pair of opposed electrodes.