JP2017154103A - Apparatus for generating electrolysis water - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the flow volume of water used through a water-purification cartridge to be known even when an apparatus for generating electrolysis water is used in a power-off state.SOLUTION: An apparatus body 4 which interchangeably retains a water-purification cartridge 3 includes: electricity generation means 25 which generates electricity die to water flow in a water flow channel 8; a flow meter 31 which uses the electricity generation means 25 as a power supply and can measure the flow volume of water through the water flow channel 8 in a power-off state; and an assistant controller 26 which allows the flow volume in the power-off state measured by the flow meter 31 to be stored in a memory unit 26M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 below proposes that in an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, an IC tag (wireless tag) is attached to a water purification cartridge, and a reader / writer that reads data from the IC tag is attached to the apparatus body. In this proposed device, by comparing the data read from the IC tag with the data of the list of usable water purification cartridges stored in the device body in advance, it is possible to identify whether the water purification cartridge is a genuine product, The use of non-genuine products can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in the electrolyzed water generating device, it is necessary to replace the water purification cartridge in accordance with the accumulated amount of purified water.

  Therefore, the present inventor has proposed the following. The cumulative water flow amount data of the water purification cartridge is recorded on the IC tag, and the water flow amount of the water purified by the water purification cartridge is measured with a flow meter every use. At the end of use, communication with the IC tag is performed via the reader / writer, and the accumulated water flow data of the IC tag is updated based on the water flow used. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify a user of the replacement time of a water purification cartridge correctly.

  However, some users may adopt the following usage method to reduce standby power. That is, normally, the power plug is turned off with the plug of the electrolyzed water generating device removed from the outlet (power supply from the commercial power supply is cut off). And when purifying water, while using it in this power-off state, only when producing electrolyzed water, it connects and uses a plug for an outlet.

  With such a method of use, it is impossible to know the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge in the power-off state. For this reason, it is difficult to accurately accumulate the water flow rate, and there is a problem that it is impossible to accurately notify the user of the replacement timing of the water purification cartridge.

JP 2012-016643 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating device that can measure and record the amount of water flow of a water purification cartridge used in a power-off state and enables accurate accumulation of the amount of water flow in the water purification cartridge. .

The present invention includes a water purification cartridge that purifies water from a water supply source, and an apparatus main body that holds the water purification cartridge in a replaceable manner.
In addition, the apparatus main body electrolyzes water from the water purification cartridge to generate electrolyzed water, a main control section that is supplied with power from a commercial power source and controls each section of the apparatus including the electrolysis section, and the water An electrolyzed water generating device comprising a flow channel connecting at least a supply source, a water purification cartridge, and an electrolysis unit,
The device body is
Power generation means capable of generating electric power by a water flow flowing in the flow channel,
A flow meter that uses the power generation means as a power source and can measure the amount of water passing through the flow channel in a power-off state in which power supply from the commercial power source is interrupted;
The power generation unit includes a power source, and a sub-control unit that stores the water flow rate measured by the flow meter in a memory unit in the power-off state.

In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the water purification cartridge includes a wireless tag that stores information including cumulative water flow amount data of water purified by the water purification cartridge,
It is preferable that the apparatus main body includes a communication unit that can communicate with the wireless tag and can read and rewrite information of the wireless tag.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, when the main control unit recovers from the power-off state, the main control unit communicates with the wireless tag via the communication unit, and in the power-off state stored in the memory unit. It is preferable to rewrite the accumulated water flow data of the wireless tag based on the water flow.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, when the main control unit recovers from the power-off state, the main control unit checks whether the water-purifying cartridge is the same as the water-purifying cartridge before the power-off state. It is preferable to rewrite the accumulated water flow amount data of the wireless tag based on the water flow amount in the power-off state stored in the unit.

In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus body includes a power storage unit that can store the power of the power generation means,
The sub-control unit uses the power of the power storage unit as a power source, and communicates with the wireless tag via the communication unit when the water passing through the flow channel is stopped in the power-off state, and stores it in the memory unit The accumulated water flow amount data of the wireless tag can be rewritten based on the water flow amount in the power-off state.

  As described above, the present invention includes power generation means, a flow meter, and a sub-control unit. The power generation means may generate electric power by a water flow that flows in the flow channel. Therefore, the power generation means can function as a power source in a power-off state in which power supply from the commercial power source is interrupted. Further, the flow meter and the sub-control unit function with the electric power of the power generation means, and can measure the amount of water flow in the power-off state and store the amount of water flow in the memory unit.

  Therefore, even when the electrolyzed water generating device is used in a power-off state, the amount of water flow of the used water purification cartridge can be grasped, and the accurate accumulation of the amount of water flow in the water purification cartridge can be grasped.

It is a block diagram which shows schematically the composition of one embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the power supply system of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an electric power generation means notionally.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a water purification cartridge 3 that purifies water from a water supply source 2 (for example, tap water), and an apparatus main body 4 that holds the water purification cartridge 3 in a replaceable manner. Including. The apparatus body 4 includes an electrolysis unit 5 that electrolyzes water from the water purification cartridge 3 to generate electrolyzed water, a main control unit 7 that controls each unit including the electrolysis unit 5, and a water supply source 2. And a flowing water channel 8 through which the water passes.

  The flowing water path 8 includes a first flow path portion 8A that connects the water supply source 2 and the water purification cartridge 3, a second flow path portion 8B that connects the water purification cartridge 3 and the electrolysis section 5, and an electrolysis section. 5 and a third flow path portion 8 </ b> C that connects the outlet 9. The take-out port 9 includes a port portion 9A for taking out desired electrolyzed water and a drain port portion 9B for discharging unnecessary electrolyzed water.

  The second flow path portion 8B is composed of an upstream main flow path portion 8B1, and a downstream first branch path portion 8Ba and a second branch path portion 8Bb branched into two from the main flow path portion 8B1. The In this example, the first branch path portion 8Ba is conducted to the first electrode chamber H1 in the electrolysis unit 5, and the second branch channel portion 8Bb is conducted to the second electrode chamber H2 in the electrolysis unit 5. .

  The third flow path portion 8C includes an extraction flow path portion 8Ca extending from the first pole chamber H1 to the mouth portion 9A, and a drain flow path portion 8Cb extending from the second pole chamber H2 to the mouth portion 9B. .

  In this example, a faucet 30 that can open and close the water flow channel 8 by manual operation is disposed at the upstream end of the water flow channel 8. The main flow path portion 8B1 is provided with a flow meter 31 that can measure the passage of water in the flow channel 8 and the amount of water that has passed through.

  A wireless tag 11 is disposed on the water purification cartridge 3. The wireless tag 11 is a storage medium called an electronic tag, an IC tag, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag or the like, and can read and write information by short-range wireless communication. The wireless tag 11 stores information including accumulated water flow data of water purified by the water purification cartridge 3. As the information, in addition to the accumulated water flow data, for example, identification information for identifying the water purification cartridge 3 (for example, an ID number), information on the specifications of the water purification cartridge 3 (for example, expiration date, recommendation of the water flow amount of the water purification cartridge 3) Information such as an upper limit value and a recommended upper limit value for use time).

  The wireless tag 11 is wirelessly communicated with a communication unit 23 attached to the apparatus main body 4 to read / write the information. As the communication unit 23, for example, an RFID reader / writer can be preferably employed.

  The electrolysis unit 5 is disposed between an electrolysis tank 15, first and second electrodes 16 and 17 disposed opposite to each other in the electrolysis tank 15, and first and second electrodes 16 and 17. And a diaphragm 18. The diaphragm 18 divides the space in the electrolytic cell 15 into a first electrode chamber H1 on the first electrode 16 side and a second electrode chamber H2 on the second electrode 17 side. Water is supplied from the first branch portion 8Ba to the first pole chamber H1, and water is supplied from the second branch portion 8Bb to the second pole chamber H2.

  Then, when a DC voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes 16 and 17, the water in the electrolytic cell 15 is electrolyzed. The diaphragm 18 can pass ions generated by electrolysis. As a result, acidic water is generated in the anode chamber and hydrogen water is generated in the cathode chamber. Note that the polarity and current value of the DC voltage applied to the first and second electrodes 16 and 17 are controlled by the main controller 7.

  In this example, a throttle valve 32 is interposed in the second branch portion 8Bb, and the amount of water supplied to the second pole chamber H2 is adjusted to be lower than the amount of water supplied to the first pole chamber H1. . Thereby, generation amount of unnecessary electrolysis water can be restrained low among electrolysis water (acid water, hydrogen water).

  Next, as shown in the block diagram of the power supply system in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 4 includes a power supply unit 22 connected to the commercial power supply 20 via an insertion plug 21. The power supply unit 22 is connected to the electrolysis unit 5, the main control unit 7, the communication unit 23, the measurement unit 24, and the like, and the electric power from the commercial power supply 20 is converted into a voltage corresponding to each unit and supplied. .

  The measurement unit 24 includes the flow meter 31. Although not specifically defined as the measurement unit 24, for example, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the electrolytic cell 15, an ammeter that measures the current flowing between the electrodes 16 and 17, and the pH value of the electrolyzed water that passes through the extraction flow path portion 8Ca. A pH sensor to be measured can be included.

  The main control unit 7 is a CPU, for example, and controls each unit including the electrolysis unit 5. In this example, the electrolysis unit 5, the power supply unit 22, the communication unit 23, and the measurement unit 24 are controlled by the main control unit 7.

  An example of the control by the main control unit 7 will be shown. In the ON state of the main switch SW, a signal of a desired operation mode is input from the user to the main control unit 7 from an operation panel (not shown). Moreover, the water from the water supply source 2 is sent to the electrolytic cell 15 through the water flow path 8 by the user's manual operation on the water tap 30. At this time, the flow meter 31 detects the passage of water. In addition, the main control unit 7 instructs the power supply unit 22 to apply a voltage between the first and second electrodes 16 and 17 by this detection signal. Thereby, the production | generation of electrolyzed water is performed.

  The main control unit 7 includes a memory unit 7M. The flow rate data sent from the flow meter 31 is received and stored in the memory unit 7M. In this example, when the electrolyzed water is generated and / or the water is purified a plurality of times while the main switch SW is in the ON state, the main control unit 7 sums the water flow amount for a plurality of times by the calculation function. To be stored in the memory unit 7M. In addition, it is also possible to store the plurality of times of water flow separately in the memory unit 7M without adding them up.

  When the main switch SW is turned off, the main control unit 7 operates the communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 communicates with the wireless tag 11 to read and rewrite information on the wireless tag 11. Specifically, the main control unit 7 reads the accumulated water flow amount data in the wireless tag 11 through the communication unit 23, and sums it with the data of the water flow amount stored in the memory unit 7M. Obtain water volume data. Then, the updated accumulated water flow data is transmitted from the communication unit 23, and the accumulated water flow data of the wireless tag 11 is rewritten. The communication with the wireless tag 11, that is, the update of the accumulated water flow amount data can be performed every time the water flow is completed.

  Next, the apparatus main body 4 further includes a power generation means 25 and a sub-control unit 26 in order to measure and record the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 3 used in the power-off state. The power-off state means a state in which power supply from the commercial power source 20 is cut off. For example, a state in which the plug 21 is removed from an outlet that is the commercial power source 20, a power failure state, and the like correspond to this state. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation means 25 is disposed in the flowing water channel 8. Strictly speaking, between the water tap 30 and the branch point of the first and second branch path portions 8Ba and 8Bb, in this example, it is arranged in the first flow path portion 8A or the main flow path portion 8B1, and in the flowing water path 8 Electricity is generated by the flowing water flow. Such a power generation means 25 is not particularly restricted, and various types including a rotating body that rotates by a water flow and a converter that converts the kinetic energy of the rotating body into electric energy can be adopted. However, in order to obtain a high power generation capacity, a magnet type fluid pressure motor 40 conceptually shown in FIG. 3 can be preferably employed.

  The fluid pressure motor 40 includes a first magnet 42 </ b> A that is fixed to the housing 41 and a second magnet 42 </ b> B that is supported on the housing 41 via a rotation shaft 43. The first and second magnets 42 </ b> A and 42 </ b> B are arranged to face each other with a gap D in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 43. The facing surfaces As and Bs have the same polarity (for example, S pole), and the first and second magnets 42A and 42B repel each other.

  The housing 41 is provided with a flow path 44 connected to the water flow path 8. The flow path 44 includes an annular gap d1 between the rotating shaft 43 and the housing 41 and an annular gap d2 between the second magnet 42A and the housing 41 from the connection portion 8a on the upstream side of the water flow path 8. And through the gap D to the connecting portion 8b on the downstream side of the flowing water channel 8. And since the water from the connection part 8a passes the flow path 44, the 2nd magnet 42B rotates with the rotating shaft 43, and can obtain a kinetic energy. Reference numeral 45 in the figure is a converter.

  The power generation means 25 supplies power to the flow meter 31 when the power is off. In other words, in this example, the flow meter 31 functions as the power source in the power-off state, and functions as the power source in the power-on state. Note that a flow meter that functions as the power generation means 25 and a flow meter that functions as the power source 22 can be provided separately.

  The sub-control unit 26 functions as the power source of the power generation means 25 and stores the water flow amount in the power-off state measured by the flow meter 31 in the memory unit 26M. The sub control unit 26 may be incorporated in the main control unit 7. In other words, a part or all of the main control unit 7 may constitute the sub-control unit 26, and in this case, a portion that can function with the electric power of the power generation means 25 becomes the sub-control unit 26. The memory unit 26M may be incorporated in the memory unit 7M.

  Here, the amount of power generated by the power generation means 25 is not sufficient, and it is difficult to further function the communication unit 23.

  Therefore, in this example, the main control unit 7 checks the memory unit 26M when recovering from the power-off state. When the water flow amount data in the power-off state is stored in the memory unit 26M, the accumulated water flow amount data of the wireless tag 11 is updated based on the water flow amount data in the memory unit 26M. Specifically, the main control unit 7 reads the accumulated water flow amount data in the wireless tag 11 through the communication unit 23, and sums it with the water flow amount data in the power-off state stored in the memory unit 26M. Then, the updated cumulative water flow data is obtained. Then, the updated accumulated water flow data is transmitted from the communication unit 23, and the accumulated water flow data of the wireless tag 11 is rewritten.

  In addition, when recovering from a power-off state, it is preferable that the main control part 7 confirms whether the currently installed water purification cartridge 3 is the same as the water purification cartridge 3 before a power-off state. Whether or not they are the same can be confirmed by controlling as follows. For example, when the power switch is turned on and the main switch SW is turned on, the main control unit 7 is controlled to read the wireless tag 11 of the water purification cartridge 3 currently mounted and record the identification information in the memory unit 7M. . In this case, when the power is turned off, the identification information of the water purification cartridge 3 attached before the power is turned off is recorded in the memory unit 7M.

  Therefore, when recovering from the power-off state, the wireless tag 11 of the currently installed water purification cartridge 3 is read, and control is performed so that the identification information is collated with the identification information recorded in the memory unit 7M in advance. Thus, it can be confirmed whether or not they are the same. And only when it is confirmed that it is the same, the accumulated water flow amount data of the wireless tag 11 is rewritten based on the water flow amount data in the power-off state stored in the memory unit 26M.

  The apparatus main body 4 preferably includes a power storage unit that can store the power of the power generation means 25. As such a power storage unit, for example, a capacitor or the like can be suitably employed.

  In this case, it is possible to cause the communication unit 23 to function in addition to the sub-control unit 26 and the flow meter 31 by using the power of the power storage unit as a power source. Therefore, when the water passing through the flow channel 8 is stopped in the power-off state, that is, when the purification of the water is finished, the power-off state stored in the memory unit 26M is communicated with the wireless tag 11 via the communication unit 23. The accumulated water flow data of the wireless tag 11 can be rewritten based on the water flow data at.

  As mentioned above, although especially preferable embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to embodiment of illustration, It can deform | transform and implement in a various aspect.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 2 Water supply source 3 Water purification cartridge 4 Apparatus main body 5 Electrolysis part 7 Main control part 8 Flow path 11 Radio tag 20 Commercial power supply 22 Power supply part 23 Communication part 24 Measurement part 25 Electric power generation means 26 Sub control part 26M Memory part 31 Flow meter

Claims (5)

Including a water purification cartridge for purifying water from a water supply source, and an apparatus main body for holding the water purification cartridge in an exchangeable manner,
In addition, the apparatus main body electrolyzes water from the water purification cartridge to generate electrolyzed water, a main control section that is supplied with power from a commercial power source and controls each section of the apparatus including the electrolysis section, and the water An electrolyzed water generating device comprising a flow channel connecting at least a supply source, a water purification cartridge, and an electrolysis unit,
The device body is
Power generation means capable of generating electric power by a water flow flowing in the flow channel,
A flow meter that uses the power generation means as a power source and can measure the amount of water passing through the flow channel in a power-off state in which power supply from the commercial power source is interrupted;
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising: a sub-control unit that uses the power of the power generation means as a power source and stores the water flow rate measured by the flow meter in a memory unit in the power-off state. The water purification cartridge includes a wireless tag that stores information including cumulative water flow data of water purified by the water purification cartridge,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body includes a communication unit that can communicate with the wireless tag and can read and rewrite information of the wireless tag.   When the main control unit recovers from the power-off state, the main control unit communicates with the wireless tag via the communication unit, and accumulates the wireless tag based on a water flow amount in the power-off state stored in the memory unit. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water flow amount data is rewritten.   When the main control unit recovers from the power-off state, the main control unit checks whether the water-purifying cartridge is the same as the water-purifying cartridge before the power-off state, and when the same, in the power-off state stored in the memory unit 4. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 3, wherein the accumulated water flow data of the wireless tag is rewritten based on the water flow. The apparatus body includes a power storage unit that can store the power of the power generation means,
The sub-control unit uses the power of the power storage unit as a power source, and communicates with the wireless tag via the communication unit when the water passing through the flow channel is stopped in the power-off state, and stores it in the memory unit The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 2, wherein the accumulated water flow amount data of the wireless tag is rewritten based on the water flow amount in the power-off state.

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