JP3332345B2 - Sterilization water generator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sterilizing water generator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ozone is generally produced by discharging in oxygen or air, and is known to have a bactericidal power and a strong oxidative decomposition power. Ozone water is conventionally
It is used in business fields such as industrial and medical uses, and has been used in large-scale equipment.

[0003]

The conventional ozone water generator (equipment) is large, and even if it is applied to home use, it is difficult to reduce the size and the ozone generation efficiency is reduced in a short period of time. There was a problem that water (or ozone sterilized purified water) was hardly generated.

[0004] Further, there is a problem that in a cold region, the internal piping and the like are frozen and become unusable. If a separate heater is added to solve this problem, the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases for home use. Cause problems.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a small and easy-to-use sterilizing water generator used mainly in homes or restaurants. Another object is to maintain high ozone generation efficiency for a long period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent freezing in a cold region with a simple structure and at low cost.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a sterilizing water generator according to the present invention comprises an air drying casing containing an ozone generator, an air desiccant for removing moisture of air sent to the ozone generator, and a heater. When the air pump for sending the backflow air to said air drying the casing, was incorporated in the outer box, further,
Detects when the temperature inside the outer box falls below a predetermined temperature and
The temperature for energizing the heater and air pump
A degree sensor is provided.

Then, the heater and the air pump
Backflow air from the air pump by the energizing operation
To dry and regenerate the air desiccant in the air drying casing.
And the air-drying casing containing the heater
The outer box is filled with warm air by the backflow air discharged from the housing to prevent freezing.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a left side view,
In addition, in the perspective view of the use state shown in FIG. 3, a sterilizing water generator is used which is installed on a kitchen sink in a home, in a kitchen (not shown) in a restaurant, in a hospital room, or the like. I do.

In the present invention, the term “sterilizing water” refers to water (so-called ozone water) in which ozone dissolves and acts as a sterilizer, and water that has been sterilized by removing ozone from the ozone water. (So-called ozone sterilized water).

As is apparent from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an ozone water discharge section 82 and an ozone sterilization water discharge section 83 are independently provided on the outer surface (front wall) of the outer box 81. Have been. An ozone generator 1 (described later) is provided in the outer box 81 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Ozone generated by the ozone generator 1 is mixed and dissolved with water to form ozone water and Generates ozone sterilized purified water (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "purified water").

As shown in FIG. 3, tap water (faucet) 84 is connected to a water supply hose 85 so as to supply tap water. A switching knob 86 for switching a switching valve 61 shown in FIG.
It is attached to the front of 81, and by rotating this switching knob 86, it is possible to selectively switch between discharging ozone water from the ozone water discharging section 82 and discharging purified water from the ozone sterilized purified water discharging section 83. It is configured.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view (pipe diagram) for explaining the overall schematic configuration, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (pipe diagram) showing a main part in cross section and an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part. 8 and 9
In the following, the sterilizing water generator according to the present invention will be described more specifically.

The ozone generator 1 has a cylindrical inner cylinder 5 on the high pressure side and a cylindrical outer cylinder 6 serving as a derivative whose outer surface is on the low pressure side and which is loosely fitted to the inner cylinder 5. And A discharge space (ozone reaction passage) 7 having an annular cross section is formed between the inner and outer cylinders 5 and 6.

In this case, the inner cylindrical body 5 is made of, for example, stainless steel and has a large-diameter upper half 8 and a small-diameter lower half 9 press-fitted into the lower end of the upper half 8. Small diameter lower half 9
A high-voltage side electrode terminal 10a is fixed to the lower end of the lower half 9 of the cylinder.
Are formed.

The outer cylinder 6 is closed at its upper end by a hemispherical shell-shaped lid 14 and has a downward opening shape, and is entirely made of a glass body. An upper spacer 16a having a through hole is fixed to the upper end of the inner cylinder 5, and a lower spacer 16b is fixed to an intermediate position of the inner cylinder 5. The upper and lower spacers 16a and 16b are made of rubber, plastic, or the like, and have an outer peripheral surface in the axial direction (vertical direction)
Have cutouts 87, 88,... To allow air to flow (pass) in the discharge space 7 from above to below, and
By keeping the axes of the inner cylinder 5 and the outer cylinder 6 in good agreement, the gap S of the discharge space 7 is maintained uniformly and with high precision (dimension) over the entire 360 ° circumference.

Reference numeral 13 a denotes an air introducing member, which is fitted to the lower end of the inner cylindrical body 5 and is connected to the air introducing hole 12.
89, and a hole through which the high-voltage side electrode terminal 10a penetrates via a sealing material.

Reference numeral 13b denotes an ozone discharging member. The upper end is externally fitted to the outer cylinder 6, the lower end is externally fitted to the inner cylindrical body 5, and is connected to the air introducing member 13a by screws or the like. The ozon discharge member 13b has an ozone discharge hole 11 for discharging ozone generated by the ozone generator 1 to the mixer 2 such as the ejector 90.

The ozone generator 1 is provided in a lower chamber 29 of a casing 31 having two upper and lower chambers 28 and 29 (as shown in FIG. 5). Reference numeral 10b denotes a low-voltage (ground) side electrode, which extends vertically from the intermediate portion of the casing 31 to the lower chamber 29, and is connected to the outer surface of the outer cylinder 6. In addition, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 6, a metal mesh body 91 (or a metal plating or a winding body) made of a metal such as stainless steel is provided in accordance with a range in the longitudinal direction of the discharge space 7.
Is advantageous in that ozone can be generated efficiently. 5 and 8, the low voltage side electrode 10b is connected to the mesh body 91.

As described above, the air that has entered through the air introduction hole 12 once flows upward in the inner cylinder 5, makes a U-turn at the cover 14 of the outer cylinder 6, and flows downward. The air passes through a discharge space having a small gap size S, and this air reacts with the applied voltage to generate ozone, and an ozone discharge hole is formed.
It is discharged from 11 and sent to the air supply hole 92 of the mixer 2 (ejector 90).

The ozone generator 1 is provided in a lower chamber 29. The lower chamber 29 includes a lower casing 31a having a peripheral wall 20 and a bottom wall 21, and a bottom wall 93 of an upper casing 31b.
It is formed by being surrounded by. An injection hole 22 through which ozone gas mixed water from the mixer 2 (ejector 90) is supplied to the bottom wall 21 of the lower casing 31a, and an ozone water (after excess ozone is separated by an operation described later) are discharged. Ozone water outlet 23 is provided.

The bottom wall 21 has an ozone generator 1
The diameter of the lower casing 31a
An intermediate cylinder 24 (with an intermediate diameter) having a diameter sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder is erected, and the lower opening of the intermediate cylinder 24 and the above-described injection hole 22 are communicatively connected to each other. The ozone gas mixed water rises while cooling the outer cylinder 6 and the mesh of the ozone generator 1.

As described above, since the ozone generator 1 is provided with the cylindrical passage 94 for flowing the ozone gas mixed water in contact with a part of the ozone generator 1 (the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 6), the ozone generator 1 can be continuously connected. Even if it is used, it is possible to prevent an excessive rise in temperature (due to skillful cooling), and it is possible to always obtain stable and efficient ozone generation.

After that, as shown in FIG. 5, the air / water separation chamber 95 where the intermediate cylinder 24 does not exist is located above the passage 94.
Are formed. That is, the flow rate of the ozone gas mixed water that has exited the passage 94 suddenly decreases, and the direction is also changed toward the cylindrical passage between the intermediate cylinder 24 and the inner surface of the lower casing 31a,
Steam-water separation is performed by such a change in flow velocity.

In the steam / water separation chamber 95, excess ozone (gas) is separated from the ozone gas mixed water,
From 96, it rises to the upper chamber 28 having the float valve 97.
That is, the excess gas discharging device 98
Is provided. Moreover, the surplus gas discharging device 98 is provided in the upper casing 31b which is stacked on the lower casing 31a and integrally connected thereto.

[0027] 37, it is discharged from the excess gas discharge device 98 excess (ozone) decomposing agent containing chamber portion 37a of the gas G ₁ is derived
Is a decomposing agent cartridge having: That is, the surplus gas discharging device 98 (upper part of the upper casing 31b) is provided by the pipe 99.
And the decomposing agent cartridge 37 in communication with each other, and decomposes and removes excess ozone in the inner decomposing agent storage chamber 37a, and then releases it to the atmosphere as indicated by arrow A.

Activated carbon is suitable as the decomposing agent (exhaust gas treating material) stored in the decomposing agent storage chamber 37a. For example, one having 75% MoO ₂ and 25% CuO and Ag ₂ O is used. Is good.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 5, the float valve 97 is a valve seat formed integrally with the cover plate 100.
101 and a valve body 102 which comes into contact with and separates from the valve seat 101;
The valve body 102 is composed of a swing arm 104 which is fixed in the middle and swings around a pivot point 103, a float 105 attached to the tip of the swing arm 104, and the like. The pipe 99 communicates with the pipe 106, and the pipe 99 is connected to the joint pipe 106.

The surplus gas discharging device 98 provided with such a float valve 97 has an advantage that even if a large amount of surplus ozone gas is generated temporarily, it can be immediately discharged to the atmosphere (via the decomposing agent cartridge 37). There is.

4 and 5, reference numeral 67 denotes an air drying casing which contains an air desiccant B for removing the humidity of the air (air) sent to the ozone generator 1.
Further, the air drying casing 67 has a heater 107 therein. The air drying casing 67 is connected to a switching valve 109 via a pipe 108, and further connected to an air inlet 12 of the ozone generator 1 via a pipe 110. An air pump 111 is provided in the middle of the pipe 110.

That is, in a sterilizing water generator including an ozone generator 1 and an ejector 90 for mixing and dissolving ozone generated by the ozone generator 1 in water to form ozone gas mixed water, the sterilizing water generator is An air pump 111 is provided in the middle of a flow path for sucking air inside and supplying ozone gas to the ejector 90 through the ozone generator 1. As a result, when the water pressure from the water tap 84 is low, there is a possibility that the suction force may be insufficient in the ejector 90.However, even if the water pressure is low, the ozone gas can be reliably supplied by interposing the air pump 111. Ejector 90
And the ozone gas mixed water can be stably mixed and generated.

Next, in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 5, the ejector 90 is provided with a water supply hole 11 through which tap water is supplied as shown by arrow C.
2, a gas supply hole 92 to which ozone gas is supplied, and a discharge hole 113 for discharging a mixed fluid of water and ozone gas. A nozzle 114 for ejecting water from the water supply hole 112 at a high speed and sucking ozone gas from the gas supply hole 92 at a negative pressure is provided therein.

By the way, the mixed discharge section having the discharge holes 113
115 has an L-shape and can mix ozone gas with water with high efficiency. In particular, in this ejector 90, the ejection holes 11
By setting the diameter of No. 3 sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the water supply hole 112 and the synergistic effect with the L-shaped discharge part 115, ozone gas can be mixed with water extremely efficiently. .

Further, if the ejector 90 is directly fixed to the vicinity of the injection hole 22 of the lower casing 31a, there is an advantage that compactness, continuous sufficient mixing, and water / water separation can be performed.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 12, an air pump 116 for sending backflow air D to the air drying casing 67 is separately provided. The air desiccant B in the air drying casing 67 is dried and regenerated by the backflow air D from the air pump 116 while the heater 107 is energized. As the air desiccant (air dehumidifier) B, for example, silica gel is used.

Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 10 and 4, the ozone generator 1, the air drying casing 67, the air pump 11
6, the ejector 90, the switching valve 61, etc. are built in the outer box 81,
When the temperature in the outer box 81 reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 1 ° C.), the heater 107 and the air pump 116 are energized (detected by a temperature sensor not shown), and
The switching valve 109 is switched to send backflow air D from the air pump 116 to the air drying casing 67 to fill the outer box 81 with warm air and prevent freezing. In this manner, the drying and regeneration of the desiccant B and the prevention of freezing of the internal equipment and the piping in the outer box 81 are used to simplify the structure and reduce the cost.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this sterilizing water generator, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 1 is mixed and dissolved with water in the mixer 2 (ejector 90).
The separation of the excess ozone gas in the steam separation chamber 95 to generate ozone water is referred to as a common base flow path E _0, and a route for directly sending the ozone water is referred to as a first flow path E _1. A route for decomposing ozone in the ozone water and sending it as purified water through the decomposition process chamber 4 is provided in the second flow path E _2.
The switching valve 61 is provided on the downstream side of the common base flow path E ₀ , and is branched into a first flow path E ₁ and a second flow path E ₂ , and is independent of the outer surface (front) of the outer box 81. The ozone water discharge section 82 and the purified water discharge section 83 are connected to the first flow path E ₁ and the second flow path E ₂ , respectively. It can be switched alternatively.

It is preferable that the ozone decomposition treatment chamber 4 provided in the middle of the second flow path E ₂ is a case containing an activated carbon cartridge which can be replaced (exchanged) every predetermined use period. When such activated carbon is used, in addition to the ozone decomposing action, the action of removing calcium and debris in tap water can be obtained, and the activated carbon comes into contact with ozone water to extend its life (usable period). There are advantages.

As described above, the ozone water discharge section (bellows pipe) 82 and the ozone sterilized clean water discharge section (bellows pipe) 83 independently protruded (vertically provided) from the outer box 81 are used to separate the ozone water and the purified water. Is strictly distinguished, it is possible to prevent accidental discharge of water other than the intended one, even for an elderly person, a child, or the like, which is safe. For example, it is dangerous to drink ozone water directly (suitable for sterilization and deodorization of foods, cooking utensils, tableware), but this can be prevented.

The usage and operation of the above-mentioned sterilizing water generator will be additionally described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a water supply hose 85 is connected to a water tap 84, and a drain hose 117 is opened to a sink or the like. Power cord 118 and outlet 119
And the switch of the operation panel unit 120 on the front of the outer box 81 is turned on.

When the switch is turned on, an electric control circuit (not shown) operates to open the water supply solenoid valve, and the mixer 2
Is passed through. When water is passed, the flow sensor 48 (shown in FIG. 4) detects the water flow, and the ozone generator 1 is energized and, as shown in FIG. 5, dried through the air drying casing 67. The air {dehumidification air} enters from the lower end of the inner cylinder body 5 of the ozone generator 1 by the air pump 111 and rises. 7, the ozone is generated by the voltage applied at this time, and as shown in FIG.
It flows into the gas supply hole 92 of the ejector 90 via 41.

In principle, the ejector 90 is supplied from the faucet 84 as shown by the arrow C, and the ozone gas is sucked from the gas supply hole 92 by the negative pressure of the water when it is jetted from the nozzle 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the air pump 111 is used to supply the pressurized gas from the gas supply hole 92, so that the ozone gas can be reliably supplied to the ejector 90 even when the negative pressure of the water flow is weak due to a drop in the tap water pressure or the like. Supplied inside.

This ozone gas is mixed with water in the ejector 90. In particular, since the mixing / discharging section 115 has an L-shape and the flow path is sharply bent, the ozone gas (ozone gas-water mixture) becomes more sufficient.
The mixing is performed to obtain ozone gas mixed water. The ozone gas mixed water is immediately supplied from the injection hole 22 to the intermediate cylinder 24 for cooling.
Rises through the passage 94 in the inside, flows from the upper end of the intermediate cylindrical body 24 into the steam-water separation chamber 95 where the flow velocity and flow direction change suddenly, and excess ozone (gas) flows from the hole 96 into the upper chamber. Enter 28,
Most of the water (ozone water) in which the ozone gas is dissolved descends outside the intermediate cylinder 24, and is switched from the ozone water outlet 23 to the switching valve.
Reach 61. (The above is also a brief description of the “common base channel E ₀ ”.)

In FIG. 4, the switching valve 61 is used to
Flow path E having a gas decomposition processing chamber 4 _Two Select to flow
Shows the case where it has been selected (switched), from the purified water discharge unit 83
Discharges purified water (after the ozone is decomposed and removed).

[0046] In FIG. 5, as it is flowing ozone water by the switching valve 61 to the first flow path E _1, and a state in which the ozone water discharge portion 82 discharges ozone water illustrate with a arrow.

Ozone water has a sterilizing power several hundred times that of a conventional chlorine-based disinfectant, and can sterilize foods, cooking utensils, baby bottles and toys. O-157
It is also effective in killing malignant bacteria such as Salmonella and can easily prevent food poisoning at home. Also has strong deodorizing effect,
It can eliminate odors in cooking dishes, dishes and refrigerators, and can also remove odors and slime from garbage and drains. Also, ozone water is suitable for cleaning human hands (skin) without roughening. It is also suitable for washing fruits and vegetables.

On the other hand, the ozone sterilized purified water is subjected to sterilization with ozone and the subsequent two-stage treatment with activated carbon in the ozone decomposition treatment chamber 4 so that the total carcinogenic substance trihalomethane and residual pesticide contained in the tap water are treated. It is safe and healthy water that has been decomposed and removed. In addition, it is a tasty water with no odor or algal odor. For example, it is optimal for drinking water, coffee and tea.

Since the ozone generator 1 is erected in the passage 94 through which the ozone gas mixed water flows as shown in FIG. 5, the ozone generator 1 is cooled and can always be maintained at a low temperature with good ozone generation efficiency. In addition, there is an advantage that the whole can be made compact.

8 and 9, it is preferable to set the gap size S of the discharge space 7 in the range of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm in order to keep the ozone generation efficiency high. Further, it is preferable to set the applied voltage to 8000 V to 12000 V and the frequency to about 10 kHz in order to increase the ozone generation efficiency and reduce the size.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the vent means for discharging the excess ozone by the float valve 97 is provided in the upper casing 31b of the vertically stacked casing 31, so that the whole is more compact. It has become.

The second flow path E ₂ having the ozonolysis treatment chamber 4 may be omitted, and only the first flow path E ₁ may be provided, so that a generator using only ozone water may be used. Or, conversely, the first
By omitting the passage E _1, the second with an ozone decomposition treatment chamber 4
Provided only passage E _2, it is also free to purified water only generator.

[0053]

According to the present invention, the following significant effects can be obtained by the above-described structure.

[0054] air in a drying casing 67 (such as silica gel) air drying agent B, since is reproduced in a dry state every predetermined period of use, for a long time period of use, generates ozone at high efficiency, ozone water or Purified water can be supplied stably.

[0055] heater to dry play the air drying agent B
Since the inside of the outer box 81 is warmed by utilizing the structure 107, the anti-freezing heater device can be omitted separately, and the size, cost and structure can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a use state.

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view also serving as a schematic piping description.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration also serving as a cross-sectional description of a main part.

FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of a main part.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an example of an ozone generator.

9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 8, and (A), (B), and (C).
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a half sectional front view showing an example of an ejector.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an example of the ejector.

FIG. 12 is a simplified perspective view illustrating a state in which an air desiccant is dried and regenerated.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ozone generator 2 Mixer 4 Ozone decomposition treatment chamber 37a Decomposition agent storage chamber 61 Switching valve 67 Air drying casing 81 Outer box 82 Ozone water discharge part 83 Ozone sterilization clean water discharge part 90 Ejector 94 Passage 95 Water-water separation chamber part 97 Float valve 98 Excess gas discharge device 107 Heater 111 Air pump 115 Mixing / discharging section 116 Air pump B Air desiccant D Backflow air E ₀ Common base flow path E ₁ First flow path E ₂ Second flow path G ₁ Excess gas

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI B01F 3/04 B01F 3/04 F C01B 13/10 C01B 13/10 D 13/11 13/11 L C02F 1/50 531 C02F 1/50 531R 550 550D (56) References JP-A-8-132046 (JP, A) JP-A-7-16573 (JP, A) JP-A-6-15722 (JP, U) Patent 2660665 (JP, B2) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/78 C02F 1/50 A61L 2/18 B01D 53/04 B01D 53/26 B01F 1/00 B01F 3/04 C01B 13/10 C01B 13/11

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] And wherein 1 ozone generator 1, an air-dried agent B and air dried casing 67 which houses the <br/> a heater 107 for removing moisture in the air to be sent to the ozone generator 1, the air drying the casing 67 An air pump 116 that sends backflow air D to the outer box
81, and the temperature inside the outer box 81 is lower than a predetermined temperature.
The heater 107 and the air pump
A temperature sensor for energizing operation of the flop 116 is provided, on
When the heater 107 and the air pump 116 are energized,
When air-dried agent B above Symbol air drying the casing 67 Te backflow air D from the air pump 116 by drying to play
In both cases, the air drying casing housing the heater 107 is provided.
Back air D discharged from
A germicidal water generator characterized by being configured to fill the wind to prevent freezing .