JP3018131B2 - Electrolytic ionic water generator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolytic ionic water generator for producing acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water from supplied tap water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of electrolytic ionic water generator, when a metal, for example, platinum-plated titanium is used as an electrode of an electrolytic cell, the surface of the positive electrode is increased by using the generator for a long time. There is no platinum plated, and the electrolytic efficiency is extremely deteriorated. Therefore, there is a type in which the time during which the electrolytic voltage is applied to the electrode is counted, and when a predetermined count value is reached, this is reported. However, as described above, the life of the electrode due to the elimination of platinum in the electrode is not simply determined by the use time alone, but varies greatly depending on, for example, the magnitude of the electrolytic current.

On the other hand, although not related to the notification of the electrode life as described above, the following is also known. That is, in this type of electrolytic ionized water generator, the scale adheres to the electrode of the electrolytic cell due to its use, and the electrolytic capacity is reduced. Therefore, the electrolytic current flowing through this electrode is detected, the integrated amount of electricity is detected according to the current value, and when the detected value reaches a predetermined value, the polarity of the electrode of the electrolytic cell is opposite to that in normal use. (See Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-7676). As described above, it is also conceivable to notify the life of the electrode by detecting the integrated amount of electricity and notifying when the detected value reaches a predetermined value.
However, as described above, the life of the electrode greatly changes depending on, for example, the magnitude of the electrolytic current, and therefore cannot be accurately obtained even by the above-described integrated amount of electricity.

[0004]

As described above, the life of the electrode due to the elimination of platinum can be accurately determined not only by the use time but also by the integrated value obtained by simply integrating the current value of the electrolytic current. Can not. Assuming that the life of the electrode has expired when the electrolysis current of 1 A flows for 100 hours, the life does not end in half of 50 hours when the electrolysis current is double 2 A, but the life expires in less than 50 hours. I found out. That is, when the electrolytic current is large, the life of the electrode is further shortened. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolytic ionized water generator capable of more accurately detecting and notifying the life of an electrode.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolytic ionic water generator comprising an electrolytic cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed via an ion exchange membrane. And an electrolytic ionic water generator for supplying tap water to the electrolytic cell and applying an electrolytic voltage to the positive electrode and the negative electrode to generate acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water from the supplied tap water. In the case where the electrode of the electrolytic cell is made of metal, if the electrolysis current of 1 A is notified for 100 hours, the notification is performed in 50 hours, which is half when the electrolysis current is 2 A, which is doubled. rather than, as notified by the time less than 50 hours, and means for detecting the electrolysis current flowing between the electrodes of the electrolytic cell, from the pulse number proportional to the current value detected by this means
A pulse generating hand stage the number of pulses causes generated by the control unit greater, a counter for accumulating counts pulses from said pulse generating means, when the count value of said counter reaches a predetermined value, notifying means for notifying this It is characterized by having. In addition, instead of the detected current value, a set value of the electrolytic current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell is used, and a parameter proportional to each set value of the electrolytic current is used.
The number of pulses greater than the number of
Pulse generating means, and tap water is supplied to the electrolytic cell.
The pulse from the pulse generating means.
Counter that counts the total
When the count value reaches a predetermined value, a notification
It may be provided with an informing means .

[0006]

In the electrolytic ionic water generator configured as described above, the number of pulses generated according to the current value (or set value) of the electrolytic current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell is determined by this current value (or The number increases in accordance with the current value (or the set value) than the number of pulses proportional to the set value. This pulse is accumulated and counted and is notified when the count value reaches a predetermined value, so that the life of the electrode can be known more accurately.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a water channel system and the electrical system of the electrolytic ion water generator, FIG 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the electrolytic ion water generator of FIG. FIG.
, 1 is an electrolytic ionized water generator, 2 is a power cord, 3 is an alkaline ionized water outlet, 4 is an acidic ionized water outlet, 5 is an electrolytic level indicator, 6 is an electrolytic level setting key, and 7 is a filter replacement. An indicator light for notifying, 8 is an indicator light for notifying replacement of the electrode of the electrolytic cell, 9 is a lid for a cartridge, and 10 is a tap water entrance. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same components. 11 is an electrolytic cell, 12 is a positive electrode, 13 is a negative electrode, 14 is an ion exchange membrane, and 15 is a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge 15 is accommodated activated carbon and a hollow fiber or the like, are detachably attached to the electrolytic ion water production <br/> forming apparatus 1. Reference numeral 16 denotes a flow sensor, reference numeral 17 denotes a power supply circuit, and reference numeral 18 denotes a relay. The relay 18 is for reversing the voltage applied to the electrodes 12 and 13.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a control circuit, 20a to 20d
Are comparators, and 21a to 21d are changeover switches.
Only when a signal from .about.20d is input is switched to the A side in the figure. Reference numeral 22 denotes a current detection device including a resistor. Reference numerals 23a to 23c denote frequency dividers that reduce the period of the input pulse to, for example, half. A pulse generator 24 continuously generates, for example, one pulse per second. These are connected electrically or by a water channel as shown.

In the electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water passed through the tap water inlet 10 is subjected to removal of free chlorine and the like by the filter cartridge 15 and then to the flow sensor 16. Pass through. As is well known, the flow sensor 16 generates a pulse corresponding to the amount of water passing therethrough, and is input to the control circuit 19 through a path shown in FIG. Thereafter, the tap water is passed through the electrolytic cell 11, passes through the positive electrode 12 and the negative electrode 13 provided with the ion exchange membrane 14 therebetween, and is discharged from the alkali ion water outlet 3 and the acidic ion water outlet 4 respectively. You. On the other hand, when the number of pulses from the flow rate sensor 16 exceeds a predetermined number, this is detected by the control circuit 19, and the power supply circuit 17 is turned on along the path b in the figure. This O
By N, an electrolytic voltage is applied to the electrodes 12 and 13 through the relay 18 which is normally OFF. still,
The relay 18 is temporarily turned on when the electrolytic cell 11 is cleaned, and inverts the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 12 and 13, and is operated by the control line c in the figure. .

The power supply circuit 17 is controlled by the electrolytic level setting key 6 via the control circuit 19, whereby the voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 11 is controlled as described above. The electrolytic current detecting device 22 composed of the above-described resistor is inserted on the negative side of the power supply circuit 17, and a voltage generated according to the current generated by the electrolytic current detecting device 22 is supplied to the comparator 2.
0a to 20d are input. These comparators 2
A DC voltage is applied to the other inputs 0a to 20d so that the magnitude of the electrolytic current can be divided into four levels. When the electrolytic current is small, an output of "H" is obtained only from the comparator 20d. As a result, the outputs of the other comparators 20a to 20c become "L". As the electrolysis current increases, its output becomes "H" in order up to the comparator 20a.

These comparators 20a to 20d correspond to the switches 21a to 21d, respectively, and only the switch corresponding to the comparator whose output has become "H" as described above is switched to the A side. When only the switch 21d is switched to the A side, the pulse from the pulse generator 24, which is divided by one-eighth in each of the frequency dividers 23a to 23c, is used as shown in FIG. The signal is input to the control circuit 19 through the control line e and counted. On the other hand, when the electrolytic current is large, the switch 21a is also switched to the A side, and the pulse from the pulse generator 24 is input to the control circuit 19 via the control line e without being counted down, and is counted. You.

The electrolysis current detection device 22 constitutes means for detecting electrolysis current flowing through the electrodes 12 and 13 of the electrolysis tank 11, and includes the pulse generator 24 and the frequency dividers 23a to 23a. 23c, switches 21a to 21d
The comparators 20a to 20d constitute pulse generation means for generating a number of pulses corresponding to the current value detected by the means for detecting the electrolytic current. The frequency dividers 23a to 23c and the switches 21a to 2
1d and comparators 20a to 20d generate a pulse from the pulse generating means so that the number of pulses corresponding to the current value becomes larger in accordance with the current value than the number of pulses proportional to the current value. The number of pulses performed is controlled. The pulses from the pulse generating means are integrated and counted by the counter in the control circuit 19 as described above.

When the integrated count value reaches a predetermined value, the indicator lamp 8 for notifying the replacement of the electrode of the electrolytic cell is turned on via the control line d, and the life of the positive electrode 12 is displayed. The control line f is for directly inputting a pulse from the pulse generator 24 to the control circuit 19, and this pulse is accumulated and counted by another counter in the control circuit 19, and when this count reaches a predetermined value, a known signal is applied. Thus, the indicator lamp 7 for notifying the replacement of the filter is turned on.

In the above embodiment, the comparators 20a to 20a
Although the switches 21a to 21d are switched by the output of 20d, as shown in FIG. 3, a command from the control circuit 19 via control lines g, h, i, and j, that is, the electrolytic level setting key 6 is used. The switches 21a to 21d may be switched by a command corresponding to a set value of the electrolytic current supplied to the electrodes 12 and 13 from the power supply circuit 17 via the control circuit 19. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same components. In the case shown in FIG. 3, the pulse generator 2
4, the frequency dividers 23a to 23c, the switches 21a to 21d, and the control circuit 19 are connected to the electrodes 12 of the electrolytic cell 11,
13 is a pulse generating means for generating a number of pulses corresponding to the set value of the electrolytic current flowing through the control circuit 13. The control means including the control circuit 19 and the frequency dividers 23a to 23c generates the number of pulses corresponding to the set value. The number of pulses generated by the pulse generating means is controlled so that the number of pulses is increased in accordance with the set value rather than in proportion to the set value. The pulses are integrated and counted on condition that the flow rate sensor 16 detects that tap water is being supplied to the electrolytic cell 11.

In the above embodiment, the frequency dividers 23a to 23c are connected in series. However, as shown in FIG. Separate frequency dividers 25a to 25c for setting 1 may be provided. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. still,
As described above, the switch 2 is set based on the set value of the electrolytic current.
In the case of switching between 1a to 21d, the current detection device 22 composed of a resistor is not required, so that loss of the electrolytic current due to the resistor is eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Next, some other embodiments and modified examples of the present invention will be described.
In the above embodiment, the resistance is used for detecting the electrolytic current. However, the resistance may be replaced with another element capable of detecting the current, such as a semiconductor element, a coil, or a wire. In the above embodiment, the positive electrode 12
The indicator lamp 8 is turned on to indicate the life of the electrolytic cell, but instead of or in addition to this, a warning sound is sounded, or the supply of alkaline ionized water from the electrolytic cell is stopped by stopping water supply to the electrolytic cell. The operation of the electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus may be stopped thereafter, for example, by stopping the flow of water , so as to notify the user of the end of the life, that is, to notify the user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the switches 21a to 21d are switched by a command corresponding to the set value of the electrolytic current supplied to the electrodes 12 and 13 from the power supply circuit 17, but this electrolytic current is intermittent. In the case of a current, this means an average of the electrolytic current.

[0017]

Since the electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, the number of pulses generated according to the current value (or set value) of the electrolytic current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell is determined. Becomes larger in accordance with the current value (or the set value) than the number of pulses proportional to the current value (or the set value), and is notified when the count value obtained by cumulatively counting this pulse becomes a predetermined value. Therefore, the life of the electrode can be known more accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of the present invention, is a schematic block diagram of a water channel system and an electric system of an electrolytic ionized water generator.

FIG. 2, showing the first embodiment of the present invention, is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an electrolytic ionized water generator.

FIG. 3, showing a second embodiment of the present invention, is a schematic block diagram of a water channel system and an electric system of an electrolytic ionized water generator.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic block diagram illustrating a main part of an electric system of an electrolytic ionic water generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electrolytic ionized water generator 2 Power cord 3 Alkaline ionized water outlet 4 Acidic ionized water outlet 5 Electrolysis level indicator 6 Electrolysis level setting key 7 Indicator to notify filter replacement 8 Indicator to notify electrode replacement of electrolytic cell 9 Cartridge lid 10 Tap water inlet 11 Electrolyzer 12 Positive electrode 13 Negative electrode 14 Ion exchange membrane 15 Filter cartridge 16 Flow rate sensor 17 Power supply circuit 18 Relay 19 Control circuit 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Comparator 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d selector switch 22 current detector 23a, 23b, 23c frequency divider 24 pulse generator 25a, 25b, 25c frequency divider

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electrolytic cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed via an ion exchange membrane, wherein tap water is supplied to the electrolytic cell and an electrolytic voltage is applied to the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus for generating acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water from the supplied tap water, wherein the electrode of the electrolytic tank is made of a metal, If the notification is made when the current is flown for 100 hours, when the electrolysis current is 2 A, which is doubled, 50% of 50%
A means for detecting an electrolytic current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell, so as to notify not in time but in less than 50 hours;
Pulse number proportional to the current value detected by this means
When the pulse <br/> scan generator hand stages make generated, a counter for accumulating counts pulses from said pulse generating means, the count value of said counter reaches a predetermined value by the control means the number of pulses is greater than, An electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying this. 2. An electrolytic cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed via an ion exchange membrane, wherein tap water is supplied to the electrolytic cell and an electrolytic voltage is applied to the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An electrolytic ionic water generating apparatus for generating acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water from the supplied tap water, wherein the electrode of the electrolytic tank is made of a metal, If the notification is made when the current is flown for 100 hours, when the electrolysis current is 2 A, which is doubled, 50% of 50%
Not to notify by time, but to notify in less than 50 hours, proportional to each set value of the electrolytic current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell
Generated by a large number of pulses control means than pulse number
A pulse generating hand stage makes a condition that the tap water is supplied into the electrolytic cell, a counter for accumulating counts pulses from said pulse generating means, when the count value of said counter reaches a predetermined value And an informing means for informing the same.