JP2018143984A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolyzed water generator capable of storing information on an operation history accumulated in using a main body of a device without insufficiency.SOLUTION: An electrolyzed water generator 1 includes a device main body 2 having: an electrolytic cell having a first power feeder 41 and a second power feeder 42 which are different in polarity from each other; control means 5 for controlling currents supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 on the basis of a predetermined operation program; and an internal memory 6 in which the operation program is stored. An external memory 8 having a storage capacity larger than that of the internal memory 6 is detachably attached to the device main body 2. The control means 5 stores first information in the external memory 8 regarding the operation history of the device main body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed hydrogen water by electrolyzing water.

  There is known an electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of generating reducing electrolyzed hydrogen water in which hydrogen molecules are dissolved by electrolyzing water. Electrolytic hydrogen water has attracted attention as being suitable for removal of active oxygen.

  In recent years, electrolyzed water generators for household use are becoming widespread so that electrolyzed hydrogen water can be easily consumed in daily life. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrolyzed water generating device including a control unit that controls an electrolysis current supplied to a power feeder. In this type of electrolyzed water generating apparatus, a storage means in which an operation program for the control means is stored is provided in the apparatus main body.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-165667

  The electrolyzed water generating device is preferably configured to store information related to the operation history of the device main body in the storage means of the device main body for daily maintenance and tracking of the cause of failure.

  However, a memory having a small storage capacity is usually used as the storage means in which the operation program of the control means is stored in order to reduce manufacturing costs. For this reason, it is difficult to store the information related to the operation history accumulated with the use of the apparatus main body with a limited storage capacity in addition to the operation program.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the actual situation as described above, and mainly provides an electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of storing information relating to an operation history accumulated with the use of the apparatus main body without deficiency. It is aimed.

  The electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention is an electrolyzed water generating device that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water, the electrolyzer having a first power feeding body and a second power feeding body having different polarities, and the first An apparatus main body including a control unit that controls a current supplied to the power supply body and the second power supply body based on a predetermined operation program; and a first storage unit that stores the operation program. A second storage unit having a storage capacity larger than that of the first storage unit is detachably attached to the main body, and the control unit stores the first information related to the operation history of the apparatus main body with the second storage unit. It is memorized in.

In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, further comprising a timer for counting time,
The control means preferably associates the second information related to the time with the first information and stores the second information in the second storage means.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first information includes information on the polarities of the first power feeding body and the second power feeding body.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first information includes information on the amount of water supplied to the electrolyzer.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first information includes information related to a current supplied to the first power feeding body and the second power feeding body.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first information includes information on an electrolysis level in the electrolytic cell.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is desirable that the first information includes information related to an abnormal operation of the apparatus main body.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second storage unit is a nonvolatile memory.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second storage unit is a card-type external memory.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the first information is extracted from the second storage means removed from the apparatus main body and stored.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention, the electrolytic cell having the first power supply body and the second power supply body, the control means for controlling the current supplied to the first power supply body and the second power supply body, and the control means refer to it. An apparatus main body including a first storage unit storing an operation program. The apparatus main body is detachably mounted with second storage means having a storage capacity larger than that of the first storage means. The control means stores the first information related to the operation history of the apparatus main body in the second storage means. As a result, it is possible to store information relating to the operation history accumulated with the use of the apparatus main body without shortage. Note that, for example, an inexpensive card-type external memory can be applied to the second storage means, and an increase in the cost of the apparatus can be suppressed.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the first information is extracted from the second storage means removed from the apparatus main body and stored. This makes it possible to easily and centrally collect and manage information related to the operation history of individual electrolyzed water generators by the information processing device, and can be used for maintenance of the electrolyzed water generator and tracking the cause of failure. It becomes.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the mounting structure of the external memory of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an information processing apparatus that reads and processes first information and second information from the external memory of FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a flow path configuration of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the electrolyzed water generator 1. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 2 that electrolyzes water and a water purification cartridge 3 that purifies water supplied to the apparatus main body 2.

  The apparatus main body 2 includes an electrolytic cell 4, a control means 5, and an internal memory (first storage means) 6 (see FIG. 2).

  Raw water is supplied to the water purification cartridge 3. As the raw water, tap water is generally used, but well water, ground water, and the like can be used. The water purification cartridge 3 purifies the raw water by filtration.

  The water purification cartridge 3 is replaceable by being attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2. The water purification cartridge 3 is generally composed of activated carbon, a hollow fiber membrane or the like, and the purification function gradually decreases as the integrated amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 3 increases due to its nature. In this case, it is possible to obtain electrolyzed water of stable quality by replacement with a new water purification cartridge 3.

  The water purified by the water purification cartridge 3 is supplied to the electrolytic cell 4 through the water intake pipe 7. The water intake pipe 7 is provided with a flow rate sensor 71 for detecting the amount of water per unit time supplied to the electrolytic cell. The flow sensor 71 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the detected amount of water to the control means 5. Note that the flow sensor 71 may be provided upstream of the water purification cartridge 3 or downstream of the electrolytic cell 4 as long as it can detect the flow rate of water supplied to the electrolysis chamber 40 directly or indirectly.

  The electrolytic cell 4 is fixed to the apparatus body 2 via, for example, a screw (not shown). The electrolytic cell 4 may be fixed by a method such as fitting. An electrolytic chamber 40 is formed inside the electrolytic cell 4.

  The water purified by the water purification cartridge 3 is electrolyzed in the electrolysis chamber 40. The electrolysis chamber 40 is provided with a first power feeding body 41 and a second power feeding body 42 that are arranged to face each other, and a diaphragm 43 that is disposed between the first power feeding body 41 and the second power feeding body 42. ing.

  The diaphragm 43 divides the electrolysis chamber 40 into a first electrode chamber 40a on the first power supply body 41 side and a second electrode chamber 40b on the second power supply body 42 side. The diaphragm 43 allows ions generated by electrolysis to pass therethrough, and the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are electrically connected via the diaphragm 43. When a voltage is applied between the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42, water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis chamber 40, and electrolyzed water is obtained.

  For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, positive charge is charged in the first power feeding body 41, and the first electrode chamber 40 a functions as an anode chamber. On the other hand, negative charge is charged in the second power feeding body 42, and the second electrode chamber 40b functions as a cathode chamber. That is, reducing electrolyzed hydrogen water in which the generated hydrogen gas is dissolved is generated in the second electrode chamber 40b, and electrolytic acid water in which the generated oxygen gas is dissolved in the first electrode chamber 40a.

  The polarity of the voltage applied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 is controlled by the control means 5. By appropriately switching the polarities of the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42, the opportunity for the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42 to function as an anode power supply or a cathode power supply is equalized. Thereby, adhesion of the scale to the 1st electric power feeder 41, the 2nd electric power feeder 42, etc. is suppressed.

  Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the present specification describes a case where the first power feeder 41 functions as an anode power feeder and the second power feeder 42 functions as a cathode power feeder.

  On the downstream side of the electrolytic cell 4, a water discharge unit 10 for taking out water from the first electrode chamber 40 a and the second electrode chamber 40 b is provided. The water discharge unit 10 includes a water discharge pipe 11 for discharging the electrolyzed water generated in one polar chamber, a water discharge pipe 12 for discharging the electrolyzed water generated in the other polar chamber, And a flow path switching valve 13 disposed between the water pipes 11 and 12.

  The voltage applied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 is controlled by the control means 5.

  The control means 5 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various arithmetic processes, information processing, and the like. The CPU controls the voltage applied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 based on a predetermined operation program.

  Current detection means 44 is provided on the current supply line between the first power feeder 41 and the control means 5. The current detection unit 44 may be provided in a current supply line between the second power feeder 42 and the control unit 5. The current detection means 44 detects the electrolytic current supplied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 and outputs a signal corresponding to the value to the control means 5.

  The control means 5 performs feedback control of the voltage applied between the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 in accordance with the signal input from the current detection means 44. For example, when the electrolysis current is excessive, the control unit 5 decreases the voltage, and when the electrolysis current is excessive, the control unit 5 increases the voltage. Thereby, the electrolytic current supplied to the 1st electric power feeder 41 and the 2nd electric power feeder 42 can be controlled appropriately.

  The control means 5 controls the polarity of the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 and the operation of the flow path switching valve 13 in synchronization with each other so that the desired electrolyzed water selected by the user is always on one side. Water can be discharged from the water discharge pipe 11.

  An operation program for controlling the operation of the control means 5 is stored in the internal memory 6. The control means 5 refers to the operation program stored in the internal memory 6 and controls the operation of each part of the apparatus including the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42. For example, the control means 5 controls the electrolytic current supplied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 based on the information stored in the internal memory 6 according to the signal input from the flow sensor 71. To do.

  Although the internal memory 6 can be accessed at high speed from the control means 5, it is a costly part. Therefore, mounting the large-capacity internal memory 6 may increase the manufacturing cost of the electrolyzed water generating device 1. . For this reason, in order to configure the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 at a low cost, it is desirable to limit the capacity of the internal memory 6 to a necessary minimum.

  In the present embodiment, an external memory (second storage means) 8 is applied to supplement the capacity of the internal memory 6. The external memory 8 can be detachably attached to the apparatus body 2.

  A non-volatile memory having a larger storage capacity than the internal memory 6 is applied to the external memory 8. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a card-type external memory 8 referred to as a so-called “SD memory card” is applied. Since such a card-type external memory 8 is widely used in digital cameras, mobile phones, and the like, a large storage capacity can be realized at low cost. The external memory 8 is not limited to the card-type external memory 8 and may be a memory that reads and writes information via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, for example.

  The control means 5 stores “first information” related to the operation history of the apparatus body 2 in the external memory 8. Since a low-priced and large-capacity memory can be applied to the external memory 8, the first information on the operation history accumulated with the use of the apparatus main body 2 is not insufficient without incurring the cost increase of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1. It becomes possible to memorize.

  The apparatus main body 2 further includes a timer 9 that counts time. The control means 5 controls each part of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 based on the time counted by the timer 9.

  The information stored in the external memory 8 preferably includes “second information” relating to the time counted by the timer 9. The control means 5 preferably stores the “second information” and the “first information” in the external memory 8 in association with each other. Thereby, since the 1st information regarding the operation history of device main part 2 is memorized by time series in external memory 8, maintenance of electrolyzed water generating device 1 and tracking of a failure cause become easy.

  For example, the first information and the second information are periodically stored in the external memory 8. In addition, the first information and the second information may be stored in the external memory 8 every time use of the electrolyzed water generating device 1 is finished. The start and end of use of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 can be determined by monitoring the amount of water flowing through the inlet pipe 7 by the flow rate sensor 71.

  It is desirable that the first information includes information regarding the polarities of the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42. As a result, the frequency, time, etc., of each power supply functioning as an anode or a cathode can be tabulated, and maintenance of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 and tracking of the cause of failure can be facilitated.

  The first information preferably includes information on the amount of water supplied to the electrolytic cell 4. Thereby, the amount of water that has passed through the water purification cartridge 3 and the electrolyzer 4 can be tabulated, and the maintenance of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 and the tracking of the cause of failure are facilitated. For example, the degree of scale adhesion to the inner surface of the drain pipe can be estimated. Further, by combining the information on the polarities of the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42 and the amount of water supplied to the electrolytic cell 4, the amount of water in which each power supply body functions as an anode or a cathode can be tabulated. Maintenance of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 and tracking of the cause of failure becomes easy.

  The first information preferably includes information on the electrolytic current supplied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42. Thereby, it is possible to estimate the degree of scale adhesion to the surfaces of the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42, and the maintenance of the electrolyzed water generating device 1 and the tracking of the cause of failure are facilitated. In addition, the moving average value of the electrolysis current supplied to the 1st electric power feeder 41 and the 2nd electric power feeder 42 may be contained in the said 1st information.

  The first information preferably includes information on the electrolysis level in the electrolytic cell 4. Thereby, it becomes possible to statistically grasp the electrolysis level used by the user, and it becomes easy to maintain the electrolyzed water generating device 1 and to trace the cause of failure. The electrolysis level can be calculated from the amount of water supplied to the electrolytic cell 4 per unit time and the electrolysis current supplied to the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42.

  It is desirable that the first information includes information regarding abnormal operation of the apparatus main body 2. Examples of the abnormal operation of the apparatus main body 2 include malfunction of the flow path switching valve 13 and abnormal heat generation of the power supply means 14 that supplies power to each part of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1. The malfunction of the flow path switching valve 13 can be determined based on, for example, a signal output from a position sensor (not shown) provided in the flow path switching valve 13. Abnormal heat generation of the power supply means 14 can be determined based on, for example, a signal output from a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the power supply means 14. According to the form in which the information related to the abnormal operation of the apparatus main body 2 is included in the first information, the maintenance of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 and the tracking of the cause of failure are facilitated.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a mounting structure of the external memory 8 to the apparatus main body 2. The apparatus main body 2 includes a case 21 that forms an outline of the apparatus main body 2 and a circuit board 22 on which the control means 5 and the internal memory 6 are mounted. A writing device 23 for writing information to the external memory 8 is mounted on the circuit board 22.

  An opening is formed in the case 21 at a position facing the writing device 23, and a hatch 24 is provided in the opening. By opening the hatch 24, the external memory 8 can be attached to and detached from the writing device 23. Further, by closing the hatch 24, the external memory 8, the writing device 23, the circuit board 22, and the like are protected from scattering of water droplets and the like.

  FIG. 4 shows an information processing apparatus 100 that reads the first information and the second information from the external memory 8. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a reading device 101, a memory 102, and a control unit 103.

  An external memory 8 removed from the apparatus body 2 is attached to the reading apparatus 101. The reading device 101 reads the first information and the second information from the attached external memory 8. The memory 102 stores and stores the first information and the second information read by the reading device 101. The control unit 103 controls the reading device 101 and the memory 102. The control unit 103 processes the first information and the second information stored in the memory 102. The processing of the control means 103 may include various statistical processes.

  Moreover, the information processing apparatus 100 may be connected to the manufacturer or seller server device of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 via the Internet. In this case, the server device can acquire and aggregate the first information and the second information of the plurality of electrolyzed water generation devices 1. Thereby, the statistical data regarding the 1st information and the 2nd information of a lot of electrolyzed water generating devices 1 is obtained, and it becomes possible to make use for the maintenance of electrolyzed water generating device 1 and the trouble tracking.

  As mentioned above, although the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 of this invention was demonstrated in detail, this invention is changed and implemented in various aspects, without being limited to said specific embodiment. That is, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 generates at least the current supplied to the electrolytic cell 4 having the first power feeding body 41 and the second power feeding body 42 having different polarities, and the first power feeding body 41 and the second power feeding body 42. An apparatus main body 2 including a control means 5 for controlling based on a predetermined operation program and an internal memory 6 in which the operation program is stored is provided. The apparatus main body 2 has an external capacity larger than that of the internal memory 6. The memory 8 is detachably mounted, and the control means 5 may be configured to store the first information related to the operation history of the apparatus main body 2 in the external memory 8.

1: Electrolyzed water generating device 2: Device main body 4: Electrolysis tank 5: Control means 6: Internal memory (first storage means)
8: External memory (second storage means)
9: Timer 41: First power feeder 42: Second power feeder 100: Information processing device

Claims (10)

An electrolyzed water generating device for electrolyzing water to generate electrolyzed water,
An electrolytic cell having a first feeding body and a second feeding body having different polarities from each other;
Control means for controlling the current supplied to the first power feeder and the second power feeder based on a predetermined operation program;
An apparatus main body including first storage means in which the operation program is stored;
The apparatus main body is detachably mounted with second storage means having a storage capacity larger than that of the first storage means,
The control means causes the second storage means to store first information related to the operation history of the apparatus body.
Electrolyzed water generator. A timer for counting time,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the second information related to the time and the first information in the second storage unit in association with each other.   3. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first information includes information related to polarities of the first power feeding body and the second power feeding body.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first information includes information related to an amount of water supplied to the electrolyzer.   5. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information includes information related to a current supplied to the first power feeding body and the second power feeding body.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first information includes information on an electrolysis level in the electrolytic cell.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first information includes information related to an abnormal operation of the apparatus main body.   The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit is a nonvolatile memory.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second storage unit is a card-type external memory.   An information processing apparatus for extracting and storing the first information from the second storage means removed from the apparatus main body according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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