JP2020133916A - Ion elution unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ion elution unit capable of executing electrode wear detection at proper timing.SOLUTION: Since upper ends 90a of electrodes 90F, L and terminals 91 are on one side of electrodes F, L in an upper direction, and the terminals 91 are arranged so that a distance j between the terminals 91 is larger than a distance d between the electrodes 90F, L, when the electrode 90 is worn up to the vicinity of the terminal 91, a resistance value between the electrodes 90F, L increases, so that a voltage value applied to the electrode 90 rapidly increases, and the maximum voltage value is detected early and a speaker 75 gives a notification on the replacement of the electrode 90. Therefore, it is possible to give the notification on the replacement of the electrode 90 at proper timing regardless of water quality, and it is possible to prevent the notification on the replacement of the electrode 90 when the electrode 90 remains in a large amount or the electrode is worn to the position of the terminal 91 and water may leak from a case 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an ion elution unit provided in a case with an electrode that elutes metal ions into water.

Conventionally, in this type of electrode, two electrodes that elute metal ions by electrolysis are installed in the middle of the water passage path in the case through which water passes so as to form an inverted C shape, and a constant value is provided by a constant current circuit. Some of the currents are sent to the electrodes, and the distance between the tips of the electrodes is the closest, and the distance between the electrodes at the connection part with the terminal that applies the voltage to the electrodes is the farthest. Was consumed, and metal ions with antibacterial activity were efficiently eluted into the water. (For example, Patent Document 1)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-56259

However, in this conventional case, since the resistance value between the electrodes is proportional to the distance between the electrodes, the voltage value between the electrodes gradually increases at a constant rate as the distance between the electrodes approaches the terminal direction. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 13, where the vertical axis is the voltage value and the horizontal axis is the elapsed time, the voltage increases with a constant slope with the passage of time. Further, the resistance value between the electrodes also changes depending on the concentration of impurities contained in water, and the resistance value is low in water having many impurities and high in water having few impurities. Therefore, (a) and (b) of FIGS. 13 ), Since the section of the rising straight line differs depending on the water quality, the detection timing of the maximum voltage value for notifying the replacement occurs due to the wear of the electrodes.

Specifically, in the case of (a) shown by the dotted line in FIG. 13 where the water quality is low in impurities, the position of the intercept is higher than that of the standard water quality, so that the detection timing of the maximum voltage value is earlier by α. Therefore, even though a large amount of electrodes remain, the maximum voltage value is detected and the replacement of the electrodes is promoted, and the replacement work may be carried out without using up the electrodes to the end. On the contrary, in the case of (b) shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13, which is the water quality containing a large amount of impurities, the position of the intercept is lower than that of the standard water quality, so the detection timing of the maximum voltage value is only α. Since it is slow, the replacement of the electrodes is not notified because the maximum voltage value is not detected even though all the electrodes are consumed, and there is a possibility that water leakage may occur from the case where the electrodes are installed.
Therefore, there is room for improvement because there is a large deviation from the appropriate timing for detecting electrode wear.

In order to solve the above problems, in claim 1 of the present invention, there is a case where a water passage path through which water passes is formed, and a case where a water passage path is formed.
A plurality of electrodes arranged so as to face and parallel to the water passage of the case and elute metal ions into water,
The terminal connected to the electrode and
A constant current circuit that sends a constant current to the electrode via the terminal,
A notification means for notifying the replacement of the electrodes and
A control unit for instructing notification by the notification means when it is determined that the voltage value applied to the electrode exceeds the maximum voltage value is provided.
It is characterized in that the terminals are located on one side of the plurality of electrodes and are arranged so that the distance between the terminals is larger than the distance between the electrodes.

Further, claim 2 is characterized in that the terminals are arranged on the same end surface of the plurality of electrodes.

According to the present invention, the terminals are located on one side of the electrodes, and the terminals are arranged so that the distance between the terminals is larger than the distance between the electrodes. Therefore, when the wear of the electrodes reaches the vicinity of the terminals, the distance between the electrodes is large. As the resistance value of the electrode increases, the voltage value applied to the electrode rises sharply, the maximum voltage value is detected and the electrode replacement is notified, so it is possible to notify the electrode replacement at an appropriate timing regardless of the water quality. This makes it possible to prevent notification of electrode replacement in a state where a large amount of electrodes remain or when the terminals are consumed and there is a risk of water leaking from the case.

Further, since the terminals are arranged on the same end face of a plurality of electrodes, the electrodes can be attached and detached from one side of the case, so that it is possible to notify the electrode replacement at an appropriate timing and the electrodes. The replacement workability of the above can be easily carried out.

It is a perspective view explaining the appearance of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the same embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the same embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation from the start to the end of the operation of the same embodiment. It is a front view explaining the ion elution unit of the same embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view explaining the ion elution unit of the same embodiment. It is a top view in the state which the lid is removed explaining the ion elution unit of the same embodiment. It is a front view sectional view explaining the ion elution unit of the same embodiment. It is a figure explaining the electrode of the same embodiment. It is a graph explaining the change of the voltage value with the passage of time of this invention. It is a figure explaining the electrode of another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the electrode of another embodiment of this invention. It is a graph explaining the change of the voltage value with the passage of time of the prior art.

Next, a humidifying device using the ion elution unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an instrument body, 2 is an air outlet formed on the upper part of the instrument body 1 so as to be parallel to the front surface of the instrument body 1, and a plurality of louvers 3 are installed, and 4 constitutes the front upper part of the instrument body 1. Top panel 5, bottom panel constituting the lower part of the front surface of the instrument body 1, 6 is an operation unit equipped with a plurality of switches to issue various operation commands, 7 is a breaker cover that hides a breaker (not shown), and 8 is the bottom surface of the instrument body 1. It is a suction port formed in the lower part of the front surface and takes in indoor air into the instrument main body 1.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a water storage chamber that is located at a substantially middle height position in the instrument body 1 and stores a predetermined amount of water. In the water storage chamber 10, the lower end is submerged in water and the cylinder is pivotally supported by the drive shaft 11. A rotating body 12 is provided.

The rotating body 12 has a hollow inverted conical shape and its circumference gradually expands upward. The rotating body 12 drives a mist motor 13 which is connected to a drive shaft 11 and drives the rotating body 12 to rotate. The centrifugal force of rotation caused by rotation pumps up the water in the water storage chamber 10, pushes up the water along the outer and inner walls of the rotating body 12, and scatters the pushed up water along the outer wall of the rotating body 12. At the same time, the water pushed up along the inner wall of the rotating body 12 is scattered in the outer peripheral direction from a plurality of scattering ports (not shown) formed at the upper end of the rotating body 12.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a cylindrical porous body that is located on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the rotating body 12 at a predetermined interval and rotates together with the rotating body 12, and the porous body 14 has a large number of slits, wire mesh, punching metal, etc. on the entire peripheral wall thereof. A porous portion 15 as a colliding body made of the above is installed.

The mist motor 13 constituting the mist generating portion is driven, and the centrifugal force generated by rotating the rotating body 12 pumps water in the water storage chamber 10 and scatters air, so that water droplets passing through the porous portion 15 are generated. By crushing, water is refined to generate a large amount of mist with a particle size of nanometer (nm) (hereinafter, fine mist), and water droplets with a relatively large diameter (hereinafter, large diameter water droplets) are generated. Is generated, and the Lenard effect due to the miniaturization of water causes the fine mist to be charged with negative ions, and the large-diameter water droplets to be charged with positive ions.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a blower fan installed in the lower surface panel 5 and driven at a predetermined rotation speed to suck dry air in the room and blow air toward the upper part of the instrument main body 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes a blower fan located downstream of the blower fan 20. It is a blowing path through which the dry air sucked from the lower part of the instrument body 1 passes through the blowing path 21 and is guided to the upper part of the instrument body 1, and the mist motor 13 is placed on the upper part of the water storage chamber 10. It flows into the water storage chamber 10 through the wind tunnel 22.

The ventilation path 21 is not limited to the form in which the air passage path 21 is partitioned from the outside by the housing, and the flow path may be formed by, for example, a dedicated partition wall using a hose or the like.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a gas-water separation air passage, 24, which is connected to the other end above the water storage chamber 10 so that the air passage faces vertically upward, and humidified air containing fine mist and large-diameter water droplets generated in the water storage chamber 10 flows inside. Is a baffle plate provided in the middle of the air-water separation air passage 23 and provided with an inclined surface that inclines vertically upward, and is installed in the upper, middle, and lower stages of the air-water separation air passage 23, respectively.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a bypass inlet through which a part of the air flowing through the air passage 21 penetrates the wall surface of the air-water separation air passage 23 and allows air to flow into the air-water separation air passage 23 from the bypass inlet 25. As a result, the air volume of the humidified air rising from the water storage chamber 10 can be increased, and the air volume of the humidified air blown into the room from the air outlet 2 can be increased.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a heating heater installed in the water storage chamber 10 to heat the water storage, and is turned ON / OFF so that the temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 31 installed on the outer wall of the water storage chamber 10 and detecting the water storage temperature becomes a predetermined temperature. The state can be switched as appropriate.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a water level sensor installed in the water storage chamber 10 that detects the water level by moving the float up and down. When the water level in the water storage chamber 10 drops below a predetermined water level, an OFF signal is output and the water level rises. When the water level rises above a predetermined level, an ON signal is output, and when the water level rises and the inside of the water storage chamber 10 becomes full, a full water signal is output.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a water supply pipe connected to the side surface of the water storage chamber 10 to supply city water into the water storage chamber 10, and an electromagnetic valve is opened and closed in the middle of the pipe of the water supply pipe 40 to control the water supply into the water storage chamber 10. A water supply valve 41, a pressure reducing valve 42 for reducing the water supply pressure to a predetermined value, and an ion elution unit 43 described later are provided.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a drain pipe composed of a rigid vinyl chloride pipe connected to the bottom of the water storage chamber 10 and draining the water in the water storage chamber 10 to the outside of the instrument body 1, and an electromagnetic valve is opened and closed in the middle of the pipe of the drain pipe 50. A drain valve 51 is provided as a drain switching means for controlling the drainage of water in the water storage chamber 10.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a blower temperature sensor installed on the upper wall surface of the blower port 2 to detect the temperature of the humidified air blown from the blower port 2 toward the room, and 61 is installed near the blower fan 20 and sucked from the lower part of the instrument body 1. The intake air temperature sensor 62 that detects the temperature of the indoor air is a humidity sensor that is installed in the vicinity of the intake air temperature sensor 61 and detects the humidity in the room where the appliance main body 1 is installed, and the temperature detected by each sensor. The rotation speed of the mist motor 13 and the blower fan 20 is changed based on the humidity and humidity, and the ON / OFF state of the heater 30 is switched.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer that controls the operation content and valve opening / closing based on the detection value detected by each sensor and the setting content of each switch provided on the operation unit 6, and the mist motor 13 is operated. The mist motor control means 71 that drives at a predetermined rotation speed, the blower fan control means 72 that drives the blower fan 20 at a predetermined rotation speed, and the ON / OFF state of the heater 30 are switched to change the water temperature in the water storage chamber 10. A heater control means 73 for controlling is provided.

Reference numeral 74 denotes a constant current circuit provided in the control unit 70, in which the power supplied from the commercial power source E is connected to the electrode 90 via the constant current circuit 74 after passing through a relay circuit and a step-down transformer (not shown). A constant value of current can be sent to the electrode 90.

Since a constant current is continuously sent to the electrodes 90 regardless of the resistance value between the electrodes 90, the control unit 70 changes the voltage value applied to the electrodes 90 according to the resistance value between the electrodes 90.

Reference numeral 75 denotes a speaker as a notification means provided in the control unit 70, and when it is determined that the resistance value between the electrodes 90 increases and the voltage value applied to the electrodes 90 reaches the maximum voltage value, a notification sound for replacement of the electrodes 90 is made. The speaker 75 notifies the notification means such as the voice announcement and the voice announcement.

(Explanation of driving operation)
Next, the operation from the start to the end of the operation in this one embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when an operation switch (not shown) of the operation unit 6 is operated, the control unit 70 opens the drain valve 51 to drain the water in the water storage chamber 10. When the OFF signal is detected by the water level sensor 32, the water supply valve 41 is opened to perform a cleaning operation of flushing the inside of the water storage chamber 10 with water, and the drain valve 51 is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed. After closing the drain valve, silver ions are eluted by applying a voltage to the electrode 90 in the ion elution unit 43, which will be described later, and water containing silver ions is allowed to flow into the water storage chamber 10 through the water supply pipe 40. Then, when the ON signal is detected by the water level sensor 32, the water supply valve 41 is closed assuming that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied into the water storage chamber 10, and a water replacement mode for stopping the application of voltage to the electrode 90 is performed (step). S101).

When the water replacement mode in step S101 is completed, the control unit 70 turns on the heater 30 by the heater control means 73 until the water storage temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 31 becomes equal to the room temperature, and the mist motor 13 And the start-up mode for executing the start-up operation controlled by the mist motor control means 71 and the blower fan control means 72 so that the blower fan 20 has a predetermined rotation speed is performed (step S102).

When the start-up mode of step S102 is completed, the control unit 70 together with the mist motor control means 71 so that the mist motor 13 and the blower fan 20 are driven at a predetermined rotation speed based on the set humidification level and air volume level. The rotation speed is controlled by the blower fan control means 72, and the ON / OFF state of the heater 30 is switched and controlled by the heater control means 73 to keep the temperature within a predetermined temperature range according to the humidification level and the air volume level. The normal operation mode for executing the mist operation is performed (step S103).

In this normal operation mode, when the water level in the water storage chamber 10 drops and the water level sensor 32 detects an OFF signal, the control unit 70 opens the water supply valve 41 and applies a voltage to the electrode 90 in the ion elution unit 43. It is applied to supply water containing silver ions into the water storage chamber 10. As a result, the antibacterial action on the water in the water storage chamber 10 works, and the occurrence of slime in the vicinity of the water storage chamber 10 can be suppressed.

When it is determined that an operation switch (not shown) is operated during the normal operation mode of step S103 and an instruction to end the operation is given, the control unit 70 stops the mist motor 13 and then opens the drain valve 51 to enter the water storage chamber 10. After a predetermined time has passed, the water supply valve 41 is opened and a voltage is applied to the electrode 90 in the ion elution unit 43 to clean the inside of the water storage chamber 10 and then the drain valve 51 is closed to close the water storage chamber. A water replacement operation is performed in which a predetermined amount of water is stored in 10. After that, a sterilization operation for sterilizing water by heating the water with the heating heater 30 turned on is performed for a predetermined time, and then a cooling operation for cooling the inside of the water storage chamber 10 is executed after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the water storage temperature is raised. When the temperature drops below the predetermined temperature, the drain valve 51 is opened to perform a cleaning mode for draining water (step S104).

When the cleaning mode in step S104 is completed, the control unit 70 controls the blower fan control means 72 so that the blower fan 20 is driven at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 800 rpm), and blows air to the water storage chamber 10 and the blower path 21. A drying mode is performed to prevent the growth of bacteria by drying (step S105), it is determined whether the driving time of the blower fan 20 has counted a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours), and after counting for 3 hours, the blower fan 20 To stop the operation.

When the control unit 70 determines that the voltage value applied to the electrode 90 exceeds the maximum value during each step, the control unit 70 opens the drain valve 51 to drain the water in the water storage chamber 10 and blows a fan. By driving 20 at a predetermined rotation speed to perform a drying operation in the water storage chamber 10, and by notifying the speaker 75 of a notification sound or an announcement prompting the replacement of the electrode 90, the electrode 90 is notified to the user of the device. Notify that the replacement is necessary.

(Explanation of ion elution unit)
Next, the ion elution unit 43 installed in the middle of the water supply pipe 40 will be described in detail.
See FIGS. 5 and 6. The ion elution unit 43 is composed of a teeth-shaped case 80. The case 80 has an inflow port 81 connected to the water supply pipe 40 on the upstream side to flow into the case 80, an outlet 82 connected to the water supply pipe 40 on the downstream side to flow out of the case 80, and electrodes. It has an electrode insertion port 83 into which the 90 can be inserted.

See FIGS. 5 and 8. A water passage path 88 is formed in the case 80 so that water can pass from the inflow port 81 to the outflow port 82. The water flow path 88 is an elbow-shaped flow path, and the inflow port 81 is located downward and the outflow port 82 is located rightward. Then, the electrode insertion port 83 is located in the upward direction.

See FIG. The electrode 90 inserted into the electrode insertion port 83 is composed of electrodes 90F and 90L, which are two silver plates whose length in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction. The electrode 90 is formed so that the left-right width of the upper end 90a, which is a connecting portion, is shorter than the other portions. A terminal 91 made of brass, which is a metal different from the electrode 90, can be connected to the upper end 90a located on one side of the electrode 90 in the upward direction. The terminal 91 is formed with a recess 91a into which the O-ring 92 can be installed. The connection between the terminal 91 and the electrode 90 is completed by inserting the screw 93 into the screw hole 90b at the upper end 90a of the electrode 90 and the screw hole 91b formed at the lower end of the terminal 91.

See FIG. Reference numeral 84 denotes a lid attached to the electrode insertion port 83. After inserting the electrode 90 to which the terminal 91 is connected into the case 80, the lid 84 is attached to the electrode insertion port 83 with the O-ring 85 sandwiched between the electrode 90 and the inner peripheral surface of the electrode insertion port 83. After attaching the lid 84, by attaching the screw 86 to the screw hole 83a formed in the electrode insertion port 83 and the screw hole 84a formed in the lid 84, the attachment of the lid 84 to the electrode insertion port 83 is completed. To do. Further, when the lid 84 is attached to the electrode insertion port 83, the upper end of the terminal 91 protrudes from the through hole 84b formed in the lid 84.

When the attachment of the lid 84 to the electrode insertion port 83 is completed, the case 80 and the electrode insertion port 83 are made watertight and airtight by the lid 84 and the O-ring 85, and the O-ring is provided between the through hole 84b and the terminal 91. It is made watertight and airtight by 92. Therefore, the lid 84, the O-ring 85, and the O-ring 92, which function as water leakage prevention means, can prevent water leakage to the outside of the case 80.

See FIGS. 7 and 8. Reference numeral 87 denotes a partition wall near the electrode insertion port 83 inside the case 80. Two slits 87a having an opening area slightly larger than the left-right width and the front-back width of the electrode 90 are formed in parallel on the partition wall 87. By inserting and fitting the electrodes 90 into the slits 87a, the water passage path 88, which is inside the case 80 and is a water flow path from the inflow port 81 to the outflow port 82, is partitioned by the partition wall 87, and the electrode 90F , L are fixed in a parallel positional relationship.

See FIGS. 7 and 8. By inserting the electrodes 90F and L, which are vertically longer in the vertical direction than the horizontal direction, into the slit 87a of the partition wall 87 from the electrode insertion port 83 so as to coincide with the axial direction of the inflow port 81, the electrode 90 is brought into close contact with the slit 87a. And the installation is completed. Therefore, as compared with the case where the horizontally long electrode 90 whose left-right direction is longer than the vertical direction is inserted from the electrode insertion port 83, the opening area of the electrode insertion port 83 and the slit 87a is not increased, and the electrode 90 is inserted into the slit 87a of the partition wall 87. Since it can be attached to the case 80, it is possible to prevent the case 80 from becoming large.

Further, since the water flow path 88 is elbow-shaped and the vertically long electrodes 90F and L are inserted from the electrode insertion port 83 so as to coincide with the axial direction of the inflow port 81, a straight type water flow path 88 is formed. Compared with the case where the electrode insertion port 83 having the same opening area as in the present embodiment is arranged in the case 80, the electrode 90 having a large area can be arranged in the water passage path 88. Therefore, even if the electrode 90 is consumed due to the influence of electrolytic corrosion, the electrode 90 can be continuously used for a long period of time, so that the frequency of replacement of the electrode 90 can be reduced.

See FIG. When the electrodes 90F and L are fitted into the slit 87a of the partition wall 87, the upper portion of the electrodes 90F and L and the narrow upper end 90a which is the connection portion between the electrode 90 and the terminal 91 protrudes above the partition wall 87, and the electrode 90F , L is in close contact with the slit 87a, so that the partition wall 87 prevents water from entering the electrode insertion port 83 side. As a result, an air chamber 89, which is an air layer in which water does not enter, is formed between the partition wall 87 and the lid 84 in the case 80, and the upper part of the electrode 90 and the electrode 90 and the terminal 91 are formed in the air chamber 89. A narrow upper end 90a, which is a connecting portion, is arranged. Therefore, only by fitting the electrode 90 into the slit 87a, the connecting portion between the electrode 90 and the terminal 91 does not get wet with water due to the partition wall 87.

See FIG. The air chamber 89 is located above the water passage path 88, and the entire upper end 90a of the electrode 90, the upper part of the electrode 90 near the upper end 90a, and the terminal 91 are arranged. Therefore, the risk of water passing through the water passage 88 leaking from the partition wall 87 to the air chamber 89 side is smaller than the case where the air chamber 89 is located below the water passage 88, and the upper end 90a of the electrode 90 The entire body, the electrode 90 near the upper end 90a, and the terminal 91 do not get wet with water.

Further, even if water should enter the air chamber 89, water leakage to the outside of the case 80 is prevented by the lid 84, the O-ring 85, and the O-ring 92 as water leakage prevention means. Therefore, even if water enters the air chamber 89, it is possible to prevent water leakage to the outside of the case 80, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the product.

See FIGS. 6 and 7. By inserting the electrodes 90F and 90L into the slit 87a of the partition wall 87, the entire electrodes 90F and 90L are fixed in a parallel state separated by a predetermined distance d. The upper end 90a of the electrode 90F is located on the right end side of the electrode 90F, and the upper end 90a of the electrode 90L is arranged on the left end side of the electrode 90L. With this arrangement, the distance j between the terminals 91 connected to the upper end 90a of the electrodes 90F and 90L is larger than the distance d between the electrodes 90F and 90L (d <j).

(Explanation of the relationship between wear between electrodes and maximum voltage value)
See FIG. FIG. 10 shows changes in the voltage value applied to the electrode 90, with the vertical axis representing the voltage value and the horizontal axis representing the elapsed time. From the start of energization of the electrode 90 to the time point (1) in which the opposing electrode 90 near the terminal 91 remains, the distance between the electrodes 90F and L due to the wear of the electrode 90 is almost constant, and the resistance value does not change much. Since there is no such thing, there is almost no increase in the voltage value.

See FIGS. 9 and 10. After the time point (1) has passed, the electrodes 90F and L are gradually consumed toward the terminal 91, the remaining range of the electrode 90F is from the upper end 90a to the dotted line x, and the remaining range of the electrode 90L is the dotted line from the upper end 90a. Since the area of the opposing electrodes 90 is reduced, such as up to y, the distance between the electrodes 90F and L is increased. Therefore, since the resistance value increases as the distance between the electrodes 90 increases, the upward slope of the voltage value becomes steeper than before (1).

See FIGS. 9 and 10. After the passage of the time point (1), when the electrode 90 is almost exhausted and reaches the time point (2) where there is no remaining range, the distance j between the terminals 91 of the electrodes 90F and L is greater than the distance d between the electrodes 90F and L. Therefore, the rising slope of the voltage value becomes steeper than before (2). As a result, after the time point (2) has passed, the control unit 70 detects that the maximum voltage value has been reached early, and the speaker 75 notifies that the electrode 90 is to be replaced. As a result, the electrode 90 can be replaced at an appropriate timing when the silver plate constituting the electrode 90 is almost completely consumed.

See FIG. In the case of (a) shown by the dotted line with low impurity content and good water quality, the voltage value is high because the resistance value between the electrodes 90 is higher than the standard water quality shown by the solid line. The section is higher than that of standard water quality. However, the rising slope of the voltage value is gentle until the time point (2) when the electrode 90 is almost exhausted, and the rising slope of the voltage value becomes steep after the time point (2), so that the standard water quality is standard. Compared with the above, the timing of the replacement notification of the electrode 90 can be made possible by the deviation width β having a small deviation width from that of the standard water quality. Therefore, it is possible to notify the replacement of the electrode 90 at an appropriate timing when the electrode 90 is consumed up to the vicinity of the terminal 91.

See FIG. In the case of (b) shown by the alternate long and short dash line with a high impurity content and poor water quality, the voltage value is lower because the resistance value between the electrodes 90 is lower than the standard water quality shown by the solid line, so the graph in FIG. The section is lower than that of standard water quality above. However, the rising slope of the voltage value is gentle until the time point (2) when the electrode 90 is almost exhausted, and the rising slope of the voltage value becomes steep after the time point (2), so that the standard water quality is standard. Compared with the above, the timing of the replacement notification of the electrode 90 can be made possible by the deviation width β having a small deviation width from that of the standard water quality. Therefore, it is possible to notify the replacement of the electrode 90 at an appropriate timing when the electrode 90 is consumed up to the vicinity of the terminal 91.

(Explanation of other embodiments)
Next, other embodiments will be described.
See FIG. The electrodes 90F and L are arranged in a parallel positional relationship, the terminal 91 of the electrode 90F is arranged on the right end side of the upper end surface, and the terminal 91 of the electrode 90L is arranged substantially in the center of the upper end surface.

In this way, even if the upper ends 90a are not at both ends on the same end surface of the electrodes 90F and L, the terminal 91 is located on one side of the electrode 90 in the upward direction, and the distance d between the electrodes 90F and L If the distance j between the terminals 91 is larger, the remaining range decreases from the upper end 90a to the dotted line x when the electrode 90F is consumed, and the remaining range decreases from the upper end 90a to the dotted line y when the electrode 90L is consumed. When the 90 is consumed to the vicinity of the terminal 91, the applied voltage value rises sharply due to the increase in the resistance value, and the maximum voltage value can be detected at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the maximum voltage value detection timing shifts depending on the water quality. Can be minimized.

See FIG. The electrodes 90F and L are arranged in a parallel positional relationship, the terminal 91 of the electrode 90F is arranged on the upper end side of the right end surface, and the terminal 91 of the electrode 90L is arranged on the upper end side of the left end surface.

As described above, even when the upper end 90a is not on the same end surface of the electrodes 90F and L, the terminal 91 is located on one side of the electrode 90 in the upward direction, and the terminal 91 is located from the distance d between the electrodes 90F and L. If the distance j between them is larger, the remaining range decreases from the upper end 90a to the dotted line x when the electrode 90F is consumed, and the remaining range decreases from the upper end 90a to the dotted line y when the electrode 90L is consumed, and the electrode 90 When the area near the terminal 91 is consumed, the applied voltage value rises due to the increase in the resistance value, and the maximum voltage value can be detected at an appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the deviation of the detection timing of the maximum voltage value due to the water quality. it can.

Next, the effect of the present invention will be described.

See FIG. 7. The terminal 91 is provided so that the upper ends 90a and the terminal 91 of the electrodes 90F and L are on one side of the electrodes 90F and L in the upward direction, and the distance j between the terminals 91 is larger than the distance d between the electrodes 90F and L. Since the electrodes 90 are arranged, the resistance value between the electrodes 90F and L increases when the electrode 90 is consumed to the vicinity of the terminal 91, so that the voltage value applied to the electrode 90 rises sharply, the maximum voltage value is detected, and the electrode 75 detects the maximum voltage value. Since the replacement of the 90 is notified, the replacement of the electrode 90 can be notified at an appropriate timing regardless of the water quality, and there is a risk that a large amount of the electrode 90 remains or the terminal 91 is consumed and water leaks from the case 80. It is possible to prevent the replacement of the electrode 90 from being notified in a certain state.

Further, since the terminals 91 are arranged on the same end faces of the electrodes 90F and L, the electrodes 90 can be attached and detached from one side of the case 80, so that the electrodes 90 can be replaced at an appropriate timing. Can be notified, and the workability of replacing the electrode 90 is improved.

As described in the description of other embodiments, the position of the upper end 90a connected to the terminal 91 is not limited to both ends of the electrodes 90F and L on the same end face and the same end face, but is on one side of the electrodes 90F and L. If the electrodes 90F and L are located so that the distance j between the terminals 91 is larger than the distance d between the electrodes 90F and L, the effects of the present invention will occur.

Further, in the present embodiment, one side where the electrodes 90F, the upper end 90a of L, and the terminal 91 are located is described as the upward direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various directions such as the downward direction and the left-right direction are defined as one side. It may be set, and it is not an invention in which the positions of the upper end 90a and the terminal 91 are limited in the upward direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ion elution unit 43 is installed in the middle of the water supply pipe 40 of the humidifier, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ion elution unit 43 is arranged in the middle of the piping of other electric devices such as a water heater. It may be a thing, and can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

43 Ion elution unit 70 Control unit 74 Constant current circuit 75 Speaker (notification means)
80 Case 90 Electrode 91 Terminal

Claims (2)

In the case where a water passage route through which water passes is formed,
A plurality of electrodes arranged so as to face and parallel to the water passage of the case and elute metal ions into water,
The terminal connected to the electrode and
A constant current circuit that sends a constant current to the electrode via the terminal,
A notification means for notifying the replacement of the electrodes and
A control unit for instructing notification by the notification means when it is determined that the voltage value applied to the electrode exceeds the maximum voltage value is provided.
An ion elution unit characterized in that the terminals are located on one side of the plurality of electrodes and the distance between the terminals is larger than the distance between the electrodes. The ion elution unit according to claim 1, wherein the terminals are arranged on the same end face of a plurality of the electrodes.

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