JP3612902B2 - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Description

【００３７】
次に、制御回路系を一体に形成した酸化電極電位センサ１について説明する。酸化還元電位センサ１には制御回路系１２３が設けてあり、図３に示すように、制御回路系１２３には酸化還元電位センサ１で測定した酸化還元電位の値を記憶するようにＥＰＲＯＭ等からなる記憶手段２４と、酸化還元電位の値を比較する比較演算回路からなる比較手段２５とが設けてある。記憶手段２４と比較手段２５にはそれぞれ酸化還元電位センサ１で測定された酸化還元電位の測定値のデータ信号が入力されるようになっており、また比較手段２５から出力される信号に基づいてランプ等で形成される表示手段２６を作動させるようにしてある。
【００３８】
そしてこのものにあって酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を洗浄した後、先述の酸化還元電位仮基準液など既知の水を用いてその酸化還元電位を測定する。記憶手段２４はスイッチ１２７の操作で制御されるようにしてあり、このように洗浄した後の酸化還元電位センサ１で酸化還元電位を測定する際にスイッチ１２７をＯＮさせると、この測定値が初期測定値として記憶手段２４にメモリーされるようになっている。次に、酸化還元電位センサ１が使用されると経時的に作用電極２の表面に不純物が吸着等され、測定値にズレが生じてくる。そこで酸化電極電位センサ１を所定期間使用した後に、上記と同じ水を用いてその酸化還元電位を測定する。酸化電極電位センサ１で測定したこの測定値は比較手段２５に入力され、記憶手段２４に記憶されている初期測定値と比較演算される。そして比較手段２５で比較演算された初期測定値と測定値の差が予め設定されている所定値を超えると、比較手段２５から信号が出力され、例えば表示手段２６のランプを点灯させるなどして酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄を促すようになっている。このようにして、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の表面に不純物が吸着等されていて測定異常が発生すると、それを検知して洗浄を告知することができるものであり、精度が狂ったまま酸化還元電位センサ１を使い続けるというようなことを未然に防ぐことができるものである。
【００３９】
次に、上記のような酸化還元電位センサ１を組み込んだ電解水生成装置について説明する。図４は電解水生成装置の一例を示すものであり、電解槽１０、逆洗ユニット１３１、切換弁１３２，１３３、電解質供給装置４０として用いられるカルシウム剤添加用カートリッジ４、浄水装置２０、そして酸化還元電位センサ１等をハウジング１００に納めたものとして構成されている。
【００４０】
電解槽１０は陰極と陽極になる各一枚以上の電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂとこの両者を仕切る電解隔膜１１とを備えたもので、底部側に流入口１４Ａ，１４Ｂを、上部側に吐出口１５Ａ，１５Ｂを備えており、これら吐出口１５Ａ，１５Ｂは、切換弁１３３を介して吐出管１４１，１４２に接続されている。ここにおいて、流入口１４Ａと吐出口１５Ａは一方の電極１３Ａを囲む電解隔膜１１内の空間に連通し、流入口１４Ｂと吐出口１５Ｂとは他方の電極１３Ｂを囲む空間に連通しているのであるが、流入口１４Ａは流入口１４Ｂよりも細くされていて、電極１３Ａ側に流れ込む流量が電極１３Ｂ側に流れ込む流量より１：３乃至１：４位の比率で少なくなるようにされている。また上記切換弁１３３は、吐出口１５Ａと吐出管１４１とを連通させる時、吐出口１５Ｂと吐出管１４２とを連通させ、吐出口１５Ａと吐出管１４２とを連通させる時、吐出口１５Ｂと吐出管１４１とを連通させるように電磁ロータリー弁もしくはモータ式切換弁で構成されている。
【００４１】
浄水装置２０は、活性炭からなる濾過材２０ａと中空糸膜からなる濾過材２０ｂとを収容したカートリッジを装着するものとして形成されるものであり、また逆洗ユニット１３１に取り外し自在に接続して、取り替えができるようにしてある。逆洗ユニット１３１は浄水装置２０内の濾過材２０ａ，２０ｂの目詰まりを、いったん浄水装置２０に通した水を切換弁１３２から供給される水圧によって浄水装置２０に逆流させることで解消するためのものであり、切換弁１３２は電解槽１０への水の供給状態とこの逆流状態とを切り換えるためのものである。
【００４２】
また逆洗ユニット１３１から電解槽１０の流入口１４Ａ，１４Ｂの間に流量計１４６、電磁弁１４７、逆止弁１４８が設けられており、電磁弁１４７から流入口１４Ａに至る配管の途中にカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４が設けてある。カルシウム添加用カートリッジ４はカルシウム製剤を収容して形成されるものであり、配管に通水される水にカルシウムを溶解させて水中のカルシウム分を増量させるためのものである。このカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４は配管に接続して、取り替えができるようにしてある。そして上記逆止弁１４８は排水口１４９につながっており、上流側の原水圧がかかっている時は閉じているものの、水圧がかからなくなった時に開いて、電解槽１０内の水及び配管内の残水を排水口１４９から排出するようになっている。
【００４３】
さらに、電解槽１０と吐出管１４２との間の配管の途中に酸化還元電位センサ１が接続してある。酸化還元電位センサ１としては制御系の構造などを図２に示すものと同様に形成したものが使用されるものであり、電解槽１０で生成された電解イオン水が酸化還元電位センサ１を通過する際に、電解イオン水の酸化還元電位物質の濃度に応じて白金等の作用電極２で半電池反応が起こり、これを比較電極１１２との電位差として出力してアンプ１１０で増幅し、そして増幅された出力値に基づいて制御回路でＡＤ変換されて、酸化還元電位をデジタル表示するようになっている。
【００４４】
次に、水道水から電解イオン水を取り出すときの水の流れについて説明する。水路切換装置６１でカラン６０の水を切換弁１３２側へ切り換えると、水は切換弁１３２を介して浄水装置２０を通過し、流入口１４Ａ，１４Ｂから電解槽１０に入り、電解槽１０内で電解される。電解槽１０の各電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂへの通電は流量計１４６から得られる水の流れの情報に基づいて開始される。
【００４５】
そしてアルカリイオン水を得たい旨の指示がなされているならば、電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性が決められる。これにより、吐出口１５Ｂからアルカリイオン水が、吐出口１５Ａから酸性イオン水が得られ、吐出管１４２からアルカリイオン水が、吐出管１４１から酸性イオン水が吐出される。逆に、酸性イオン水を得たい旨の指示がなされているならば、電解槽３の電極１３Ｂが陽極に、電極１３Ａが陰極になるように電解電圧の極性が決められる。これにより、吐出口１５Ｂから酸性イオン水が、吐出口１５Ａからアルカリイオン水が得られ、吐出管１４２から酸性イオン水が、吐出管１４１からアルカリイオン水が吐出される。吐出管１４２から吐出されるこれらのイオン水は、酸化還元電位センサ１を通過して酸化還元電位が測定され、表示される。
【００４６】
また、食塩などの強電解質の無機塩素化合物を添加した水の電解イオン水を得るには、カルシウム添加用カートリッジ４の代わりに、このカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４と同じハウジングで形成したカートリッジ５に食塩などの無機塩素化合物等を充填したものを用いて配管に接続する（請求項１０）。そして電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定する。また切換弁１３３は吐出口１５Ｂが吐出管１４１に、吐出口１５Ａが吐出管１４２に接続されるように切り換えられており、吐出管１４２から強酸性イオン水が、吐出管１４１からアルカリイオン水が吐出される。カートリッジ５から添加する食塩などの無機塩素化合物の添加量は、水中の食塩などの無機塩素化合物の濃度が０．０３〜０．３重量％になるようにするのが好ましく、添加量がこのようになる構造にカートリッジ５を形成してある。
【００４７】
食塩などの強電解質の無機塩素化合物を添加した水を電気分解するには、このようにカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４の代わりに電解質添加用のカートリッジ５に食塩などの無機塩素化合物を充填したものを用いる他に、浄水装置２０の濾過材を収容したカートリッジの代わりに、食塩などの無機塩素化合物（あるいはこれとクエン酸などの有機酸を混合したもの）を充填したカートリッジを浄水装置２０に入れ換えるようにして、無機塩素化合物を水に添加するようにすることもできる（請求項１２）。さらに、カルシウム添加用カートリッジ４にカルシウム剤の代わりに電解質として食塩などの無機塩素化合物を充填することによって、無機塩素化合物を水に添加するようにすることもできる（請求項１１）。
【００４８】
そして電解水生成装置は、図示を省略する操作パネルの操作部を操作してｐＨ切り換えスイッチを切り換えることによって、ｐＨレベルが異なるアルカリイオン水や酸性イオン水を電解槽１０で生成することができるように電解電圧を制御して、複数のモードで運転できるようになっている。例えば、アルカリイオン水がレベル１でｐＨ８．５、レベル２でｐＨ９．０、レベル３でｐＨ９．５、レベル４でｐＨ１０．５の４段階のｐＨレベルの各モードによって、酸性イオン水がレベル１でｐＨ５．５、レベル２でｐＨ２．９の２段階のｐＨレベルの各モードによって運転できるようにしてあり、さらに電解槽１０に電解電圧を印加しない浄水モードによっても運転できるようにしてある。これらのｐＨの異なる各電解イオン水（浄水も含む、以下同じ）はそれぞれ酸化還元電位も当然異なるが、ｐＨが高い程、酸化還元電位は低い値を示し、ｐＨが低い程、酸化還元電位は高い値を示す。
【００４９】
ここで、酸化還元電位センサ１には既述の図３の制御回路系１２３が設けられており、洗浄後の酸化還元電位センサ１で測定した通水初期の電解水の酸化還元電位を初期測定値として記憶手段２５にメモリーし、電解水生成時に電解槽１０で生成された電解イオン水の酸化還元電位を酸化還元電位センサ１で測定し、この電解水生成時に酸化還元電位センサ１で測定した酸化還元電位の値と、記憶手段２４にメモリーした初期測定値とを比較手段２５で比較し、比較手段２５による比較の差の値が所定値以上のときに、表示手段６で酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄を促すようにしてある（請求項５）。
【００５０】
そして電解水生成装置を同一水質で使用するときには、同じｐＨのイオン水は同じ酸化還元電位を示すので、ｐＨレベルの異なるアルカリイオン水やｐＨレベルの異なる酸性オイン水や浄水を生成する各モードにおいてそれぞれ、洗浄した後の酸化還元電位センサ１で測定したイオン水の酸化還元電位を初期測定値として記憶手段２４にメモリーし、電解イオン水を生成する運転をしている際に酸化還元電位センサ１で測定した電解イオン水の酸化還元電位と記憶手段２４にメモリーした初期測定値とを比較手段２５で比較するようにしてあり、この比較の差が例えば１００ｍＶ以上となれば、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の表面に不純物が付着等して測定の精度異常が生じたものと判断することができ、このときには酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄を促すように表示手段２６のランプを点灯させるようにしてある。従って、電解水生成装置をどのモードで使用していても、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄が必要なことを知って酸化還元電位センサ１を洗浄することができ、常に正しい酸化還元電位の測定値を表示させながら電解水生成装置を使用することができるものである（請求項６，７）。
【００５１】
このように、各モードにおいて酸化還元電位の初期測定値を記憶手段２４にメモリーさせるにあたって、酸化還元電位のこの初期の測定を精度良く行なうためには次のモードの順に測定を行なう必要がある。すなわち、アルカリイオン水のように溶存水素が多い水の場合は、酸化還元電位センサ１の白金等の作用電極２の表面に水素が吸着し易いが、水素は容易に表面から離脱し易いために、この後に他のモードの水の酸化還元電位を測定する際に与える影響は小さい。これに対して酸性イオン水のような溶存酸素や溶存塩素が多い水の場合は、酸化還元電位センサ１の白金等の作用電極２の表面に酸素や塩素が吸着すると水素よりも脱離し難いために、この後に他のモードの水の酸化還元電位を測定する際に与える影響が大きくなる。そこで、まずアルカリイオン水を生成する運転モードで酸化還元電位を測定し、しかも測定の前液の影響を出来る限り避けるためにアルカリイオン水のなかでもｐＨレベルの高いものから順に低いものへと移行して酸化還元電位を測定し、各モードでのこの初期測定値を順に記憶手段２４にメモリーさせ、次に浄水モードで測定して酸化還元電位の初期測定値を順に記憶手段２４にメモリーさせ、この後、酸性イオン水を生成する運転モードで酸化還元電位を測定し、しかもここでも測定の前液の影響を出来る限り避けるために酸性イオン水のなかでもｐＨレベルの高いものから順に低いものへと移行して酸化還元電位を測定し、各モードでのこの初期測定値を順に記憶手段２４にメモリーさせる。このようにして各モードでの酸化還元電位の初期測定値を精度良く測定して記憶手段２４にメモリーさせることができ、以降の電解水生成運転時の酸化還元電位の実測値と比較手段２５で比較して、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄の必要性を精度高く検知することができるものである（請求項８）。
【００５２】
前記の例の場合では、まずアルカリイオン水のレベル４のｐＨ１０．５の運転モードで酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定し、以下、レベル３のｐＨ９．５、レベル２のｐＨ９．０、レベル１のｐＨ８．５の各運転モードの順に酸化還元電位の初期測定値の測定を行ない、次に浄水モードで酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定した後、酸性イオン水のレベル２のｐＨ２．９、レベル１のｐＨ５．５の各運転モードの順に酸化還元電位の初期測定値の測定を行ない、これらの初期測定値をそれぞれ記憶手段２４に個別にファイルしてメモリーするようにしてある。ここで、酸化還元電位センサ１で測定するにあたって、２秒以上安定した酸化還元電位の値を各モードでの初期測定値として判断してメモリーするように記憶手段２４を形成するのが好ましい。
【００５３】
そして記憶手段２４にメモリーされた各モードの酸化還元電位の初期測定値と、電解水生成の各モードで運転している際の酸化還元電位の測定値とを比較手段２５の演算回路で常時比較できるようになっており、上記のように初期測定値に対してこの測定値が１００ｍＶ以上ずれると異常と判断するが、その測定の際の水の水質や水の流量の影響で初期測定値とのズレが一過性で生じることがあるリスクを避けるために、連続１０回同じモードの運転で１００ｍＶ以上のずれが発生した場合にのみ、表示手段２６を作動させるようにしてある。
【００５４】
上記のようにして酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄の必要を検知することができるが、電解水生成装置には図１に示す洗浄方法を自動であるいは手動で行なわせる手段が設けられている。すなわち、まず第１ステップの洗浄を行なうにあたっては、食塩等の無機塩素化合物を充填したカートリッジ５をカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４と交換するか、あるいは食塩等の無機塩素化合物を充填したカートリッジ８を浄水装置２０に交換して入れて、電解槽１０に通水される水に無機塩素化合物を濃度が０．０３〜０．３重量％となるように添加する。そして電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して１０〜２０Ｖの直流電圧を印加することによって、陽極の電極１３Ａ側から酸化還元電位が９００ｍＶ以上でｐＨが３．５以下の強酸性イオン水を得ることができる。このとき切換弁１３３は吐出口１５Ｂが吐出管１４１に、吐出口１５Ａが吐出管１４２に接続されるように切り換えられており、吐出管１４２から強酸性イオン水が、吐出管１４１からアルカリイオン水が吐出されるようになっている。従って、この強酸性イオン水は酸化還元電位センサ１に連続通水され、作用電極２を溶存塩素を含む強酸性イオン水で第１ステップの洗浄を行なうことができる。この第１ステップの際の酸化還元電位センサ１への強酸性イオン水の通水時間は１〜５分程度が好ましい。
【００５５】
次に第２ステップの洗浄を行なうにあたっては、カルシウム添加用カートリッジ４や浄水装置２０を戻し、水道水の水質レベルを有する水を通水し、電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陽極に、電極１３Ａが陰極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して１０〜４０Ｖの直流電圧を印加することによって、陽極の電極１３Ｂ側から酸化還元電位が５００ｍＶ〜１００ｍＶ以上でｐＨが４〜６の酸性イオン水を得ることができる。このとき切換弁１３３は、吐出管１４２から酸性イオン水が、吐出管１４１からアルカリイオン水が吐出されるように切り換えられている。従って、この酸性イオン水は酸化還元電位センサ１に連続通水され、作用電極２を溶存酸素濃度が高く酸化力が比較的高い酸性イオン水で第２ステップの洗浄を行なうことができる。この第２ステップの際の酸化還元電位センサ１への酸性イオン水の通水時間は１〜５分程度が好ましい。
【００５６】
次に第３ステップの洗浄を行なうにあたっては、引き続いて水道水の水質レベルを有する水を通水し、電解槽３の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して２０〜４０Ｖの直流電圧を印加することによって、陰極の電極１３Ｂ側から酸化還元電位が−２００ｍＶ以下でｐＨが９．５以上の強アルカリイオン水を得ることができる。このとき切換弁３３は、吐出管１４２から強アルカリイオン水が、１吐出管４１から酸性イオン水が吐出されるように切り換えられている。従って、この強アルカリイオン水は酸化還元電位センサ１に連続通水され、作用電極２を溶存水素濃度が高く還元力が高い強アルカリイオン水で第３ステップの洗浄を行なうことができる。この第３ステップの際の酸化還元電位センサ１への強アルカリイオン水の通水時間は１〜５分程度が好ましい。
【００５７】
このように３段階のステップで酸化還元電位センサ１の白金等の作用電極２を洗浄することによって、作用電極２の表面を更新することができるものであり、作用電極２と被検液の酸化還元系との平衡の速度を増加させることができ、電解槽１０で生成されるイオン水の酸化還元電位の安定した測定が可能になるものである。
【００５８】
次に、上記の洗浄効果を実証する例を説明する。河川の水を原水とする導電率１２ｍＳ／ｍの水道水を使用し、まず洗浄直後の酸化還元電位センサ１を用いて各モードでイオン水の酸化還元電位を測定し、これを各モードの初期測定値として記憶手段２４に記憶させた（この初期測定値を表２に示す）。次に、同じ水道水を１５００リットル通水した後の、アルカリイオン水のｐＨ９．５のモードの運転の際に酸化還元電位を測定したところ、初期測定値が−１５０ｍＶであったものが連続１０回２０ｍＶの測定値（これを洗浄前測定値として表２に示す）となり、初期測定値との差が基準の１００ｍＶを上回ったために、表示手段２６の洗浄ランプが点灯した。洗浄を行なう前に、他の各モードでも同様に酸化還元電位を測定したところ、いずれのモードでも測定値（これを洗浄前測定値として表２に示す）は初期測定値と基準以上にずれており、よってどのモードで使用していても酸化還元電位センサ１の測定異常を検知できることが確認される。
【００５９】
このようにして酸化還元電位センサ１の測定異常が表示手段２６で表示された後、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極を既述の第１ステップ〜第３ステップの３段階の電解処理による方法で洗浄した。すなわち、まず食塩を充填したカートリッジ５をカルシウム添加用カートリッジ４と交換して、電解槽１０に通水される水に食塩を濃度が０．１重量％となるように添加すると共に、電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して電解電圧１０Ｖ、電解電流１５Ａの条件で電解し、陽極の電極１３Ａ側から生成される酸化還元電位が１１５０ｍＶ、ｐＨが２．５の強酸性イオン水を酸化還元電位センサ１に２リットル／ｍｉｎの通水量で５分間通水することによって、第１ステップの洗浄を行なった。次に、カルシウム添加用カートリッジ４を戻し、電解槽１０の電極１３Ｂが陽極に、電極１３Ａが陰極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して電解電圧２２Ｖ、電解電流４Ａの条件で電解し、陽極の電極１３Ｂ側から生成される酸化還元電位が６５０ｍＶでｐＨ５．７の弱酸性イオン水を酸化還元電位センサ１に２リットル／ｍｉｎの通水量で５分間通水することによって、第２ステップの洗浄を行なった。次に、電解槽３の電極１３Ｂが陰極に、電極１３Ａが陽極になるように電解電圧の極性を決定して電解電圧４０Ｖ、電解電流８Ａの条件で電解し、陰極の電極１３Ｂ側から生成される酸化還元電位が−７６０ｍＶでｐＨ１０．７の強アルカリイオン水を酸化還元電位センサ１に２リットル／ｍｉｎの通水量で５分間通水することによって、第３ステップの洗浄を行なった。
【００６０】
このようにして洗浄を行なった後の酸化還元電位センサ１を用いて各モードでイオン水の酸化還元電位を測定し、この測定値を洗浄後測定値として表２に示した。表２にみられるように、各モードにおいて洗浄後測定値は初期測定値に殆ど誤差の範囲内で近くなっており、洗浄による効果が確認される。
【００６１】
【表２】

【００６２】
上記の図４の実施の形態の電解水生成装置では、記憶手段２４と比較手段２５と表示手段１２６を制御回路系１２３として一体に組み込んだ酸化還元電位センサ１を用いるようにしたが、勿論このものに限定されるものではないのはいうまでもない。
図５乃至図１２に示す実施の形態の電解水生成装置では、酸化還元電位センサ１をｐＨセンサ３１と一体化して水質測定装置３０を形成し、この水質測定装置３０を電解水生成装置に組み込むようにしてあり、また記憶手段２４や比較手段２５は図１１（ａ）及び図１２に示す制御部７１（マイコン）に具備させるようにしてある。具体的には、記憶手段２４はメモリ７４として、比較手段２５は比較部７１ｃとして具備してあり、表示手段２６は表示部７２ｂとして具備してある。そしてこの装置では既述の請求項５、請求項６、請求項７、請求項８の動作は、制御部７１による制御で同様におこなわれるようにしてある。
【００６３】
図５、図６に示すこの電解水生成装置は、アルカリイオン整水器及び強酸化水生成装置の機能を併せ持つように形成したものである。基本的には従来例で示した図１７、図１８と同じ構成を有しており、電解槽１０および浄水装置２０を備え、水道水などの原水が浄水装置２０に通水されて浄化され、浄水装置２０から流出する浄水が電解槽１０において電解され、アルカリ性水と酸性水とを連続的に生成させるものである。ここでは原水を水道水としており、カラン６０に取り付けた水路切換装置６１を通して浄水装置２０に水道水が導かれる。水路切換装置６１は２つのポート６２，６３を備え、切換レバー６４の操作により水道水をそのまま吐出させる状態と浄水装置２０に導く状態とを切り替えることができるようになっている。
【００６４】
また、電解槽１０で生成された電解水の流出経路にはアルカリ性水の水質を電気的に測定する水質測定装置３０が配置されている。水質測定装置３０は電気化学的原理により酸化還元電位、ｐＨ、特定のイオンのイオン濃度を測定するものや電気伝導率を測定するものであり、前記のように、酸化還元電位センサ１とｐＨセンサ３１とを備えている。
【００６５】
浄水装置２０への原水の流路上には、サーミスタよりなる温度センサ２１と、定流量弁２２とが配置される。温度センサ２１は流入する原水の温度を検出し、所定温度以上の湯が通水されたときには後述する制御部７１を介して音響的に警報を発するようにしてある。また、定流量弁２２は過剰な水圧が浄水装置２０以降の水路に作用するのを防止するために設けてある。浄水装置２０は、活性炭（抗菌処理されている）からなる濾材と中空糸膜からなる濾材とを収めたカートリッジを内部に備え、カートリッジの交換によって濾材を交換することができるように構成されている。
【００６６】
電解槽１０はその内部に、電解隔膜１１に囲まれた第１の電極室１２Ａと、電解隔膜１１の外側である第２の電極室１２Ｂとを備え、各電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂ内にはそれぞれ電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂが配置される。また、各電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂは下端部にそれぞれ流入口１４Ａ，１４Ｂを備え、また上端部にそれぞれ流出口１５Ａ，１５Ｂを備える。流入口１４Ａおよび流出口１５Ａは流入口１４Ｂおよび流出口１５Ｂよりも開口面積が小さく形成され、電極室１２Ａに流入する流量と電極室１２Ｂに流入する流量との割合が１：３ないし１：４程度になるようにしてある。かつまた、電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂの容積も電極室１２Ａのほうが電極室１２Ｂよりも小さく形成してある。これは、各電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂにおいて生成される電解水の濃度に差をもたせるためである。
【００６７】
浄水装置２０と電解槽１０との間の流路上には流量センサ２３と電解質供給装置４０とが配置される。電解質供給装置４０の内部の流路については後述するが、電解質供給装置４０の内部で２系統に分流され、その一方は流入口１４Ａより第１の電極室１２Ａに導入され、他方は流入口１４Ｂより第２の電極室１２Ｂに導入される。また、流入口１４Ｂへの流路は電磁弁である排水弁１２４を通して吐出管５３に接続されている。吐出管５３は基本的には使用に供されることのない不要な水を廃棄する目的で設けられているが、必要に応じて使用することができる。
【００６８】
電解槽１０の流出口１５Ａ，１５Ｂは、流路切換弁５４を通して流出管５３および水質測定装置３０に接続され、流出口１５Ｂを流出管５３に接続するとともに流出口１５Ａを水質測定装置３０に接続する状態と、流出口１５Ｂを水質測定装置３０に接続するとともに流出口１５Ａを流出管５３に接続する状態とを切り換えることができるようにしてある。水質測定装置３０は流路切換弁５５を介して吐出管５１，５２に接続され、水質測定装置３０を通った電解水はいずれかの吐出管５１，５２から選択的に吐出される。流路切換弁５４，５５は電磁切換弁もしくはモータ式切換弁により構成される。流路切換弁５４，５５は連動するように制御される。すなわち、図５のように流路切換弁５４により流出口１５Ａと吐出管５３とを連通させるときには、流路切換弁５５は流出口１５Ｂと吐出管５１とを連通させるようになっている。また、図６のように流路切換弁５４により流出口１５Ｂと吐出管５３とを連通させるときには、流路切換弁５５は流出口１５Ａと吐出管５２とを連通させるようになっている。つまり、吐出管５３からは必ず電解水が吐出され、吐出管５１と吐出管５２とはいずれか一方のみから電解水が選択的に吐出されるのである。
【００６９】
上述したサーミスタ２１から流路切換弁５４，５５までの流路上の部材はハウジング１００に収納され、ハウジング１００からは３本の吐出管５１，５２，５３が引き出される。ここに、吐出管５１にはフレキシブルパイプを用いる。また、カラン６０からの原水を取り込むためのホースもハウジング１００から引き出される。
【００７０】
ところで、水質測定装置３０は上述のように酸化還元電位センサ１とｐＨセンサ３１とを備えるものであり、図７に示すように、ｐＨセンサ３１は、塩化カリウムの飽和水溶液に銀−塩化銀電極を浸漬した比較電極３３と、特殊ガラス電極に塩化カリウムの飽和水溶液を満たした作用電極３４と、液絡部３５とを備えるものであり、ハウジング３６に設けた流路３７に作用電極３４および液絡部３５を臨ませることにより流路を通過する水の水素イオン濃度に比例した電圧が比較電極３３と作用電極３４との間に起電力として発生するようになっている。この起電力は適宜増幅率の増幅器を用いて増幅されることによりｐＨ値に応じた０〜５Ｖの電圧に変換され、Ａ／Ｄ変換が施された後に後述する制御部７１に入力される。
【００７１】
また、酸化還元電位センサ１は、白金のような不溶性電極をガラスに封入した作用電極２を備え、作用電極２をハウジング３６内の流路３７に臨ませてある。酸化還元電位センサ１の比較電極はｐＨセンサ３１の比較電極３３を共用して用いており、比較電極３３と作用電極２との間の相対電位差を酸化還元電位として検出する。検出された電位差は適宜増幅率の増幅器により増幅され酸化還元電位に応じた０〜５Ｖの範囲の電圧に変換され、ｐＨセンサ３１と同様にＡ／Ｄ変換が施された後に後述する制御部７１に入力される。
【００７２】
電解質供給装置４０は、図８に示すように、電解質４３を入れた非金属材料よりなる筒状の容器４２ａ，４２ｂをジャケット４１内に装着する構成を有している。本実施形態ではアルカリイオン整水器と強酸化水生成装置のどちらの機能として用いるかに応じて電解質４３の種類が選択される。つまり、飲用であるアルカリイオン水や洗顔用などの酸性イオン水を生成するときには乳酸カルシウムなどカルシウムを添加するカルシウム剤を電解質４３ａとして用い、強酸化水を生成する際には塩化ナトリウム（又は食塩）、塩化カルシウム、塩化カリウムなどの無機塩素化合物、またはこれらの混合物を電解質４３ｂとして用いる。そこで、電解質４３の種類に応じて形状の異なる容器４２ａ，４２ｂをジャケット４１に収納し、使用する容器４２ａ，４２ｂに応じてジャケット４１の中での流路が変更されるようにしてある。
【００７３】
具体的に説明すると、ジャケット４１は水の流入する１本の導入路管４１ａと２本の排出路管４１ｂ，４１ｃとを備え、導入路管４１ａと一方の排出路管４１ｂとの間はバイパス路管４１ｄを通して連通している。一方、アルカリイオン水を生成する際に用いる容器４２ａは、図９（ａ）のように両排出管路４１ｂ，４１ｃにそれぞれ連通する開口４４ａ，４４ｂが形成されている。また、強酸化水を生成する際に用いる容器４２ｂは、図９（ｂ）のように両排出路管４１ｂ，４１ｃにそれぞれ連通する開口４４ａ，４４ｂに加えて底壁の中央部から延長された導入筒４４ｃを備える。導入筒４４ｃは導入路管４１ａに挿入したときに先端部がバイパス路管４１ｄを閉塞する長さを有する。
【００７４】
そして、アルカリイオン水、酸性イオン水、強酸性イオン水などを生成する際には、図８（ａ）のように乳酸カルシウムなどのカルシウム剤を電解質４３ａとして入れた容器４２ａをジャケット４１に装着する。この状態では、流量センサ２３を通り導入路４１ａからジャケット４１に導入された浄水はバイパス路管４１ｄを通して排出路管４１ｂに送られるとともに、バイパス路管４１ｄを通して容器４２ａに送られたのち排出路管４１ｃから排出される。すなわち、排出路管４１ｂに連通する電解槽１０の流入口１４Ｂに導かれるとともに、電解質４３ａを通り排出路４１ｃを通って電解槽１０の流入口１４Ａに導かれる。つまり、この状態においては、電解槽１０の流入口１４Ａには電解質４３ａを通した水が導入され、流入口１４Ｂには電解質４３ａを通らない水が導入されることになる。
【００７５】
一方、強酸化水を生成する際には、図８（ｂ）のように無機塩素化合物を電解質４３ｂとして入れた容器４２ｂをジャケット４１に装着する。このとき、導入筒４４ｃによってバイパス路管４１ｄが閉塞されるから、導入路管４１ａからジャケット４１に流入する水はバイパス路管４１ｄへの流入が禁止されて導入筒４４ｃを通して容器４２ｂに直接導入され、その後、排出路管４１ｂおよび排出路管４１ｃに分流されることになる。つまり、排出路管４１ｂに接続された電解槽１０の流入口１４Ｂと、排出路管４１ｃに接続された電解槽１０の流入口１４Ａとにはそれぞれ容器４２ｂ内の電解質４３ｂに接触した水が導入される。
【００７６】
ここにおいて、ジャケット４１の外側面には検知手段となる高周波発振型の近接スイッチ４５が取り付けられており、容器４２ｂには識別手段となる帯状に形成した検出用金属片４６が取り付けられている。しかして、容器４２ｂをジャケット４１に装着すれば、近接スイッチ４５において容器４２ｂの装着が検出されるから、検出用金属片４６を識別手段として容器４２ａ，４２ｂの種別を識別させることができる。したがって、近接スイッチ４５の出力を後述する制御部７１に与えることにより、アルカリイオン水、酸性イオン水、強酸性イオン水などを生成する状態か、強酸化水を生成する状態かを制御部７１に指示することができる。このように本実施形態においては、識別手段である検出用金属片４６と検知手段である近接スイッチ４５とで電解質４３の種類を識別して検知信号を制御部７１に送る識別検知手段が構成してある。
【００７７】
近接スイッチ４５は、周知のものであって、たとえば図１０に示すように、検出コイル４５ａに対して高周波発振回路４５ｂから高周波電流を与え、金属物体Ｘが接近したときに生じる検出コイル４５ａのインピーダンス変化を高周波発振回路４５ｂの発振出力の変化により検出するものが知られている。すなわち、金属物体Ｘが近接すれば、高周波発振回路４５ｂは発振を停止するから、高周波発振回路４５ｂの出力を検波回路４５ｃで検波し波形成形回路４５ｄで波形成形することにより、高周波発振回路４５ｂの発振の有無に応じた信号を波形成形回路４５ｄから出力し、これを外部回路を駆動するための出力回路４５ｅを通して取り出すのである。容器４２ａ，４２ｂの種別を識別する手段（つまり電解質４３の種類を識別検知する識別検知手段）としては、近接スイッチ４５に代えて磁気センサ（リードスイッチやホール素子）を設け、検出用金属片４６に代えて永久磁石を設けてもよい。また、マイクロスイッチのような機械的スイッチを用いて容器４２ａ、４２ｂの種別を判別するようにしてもよい。
【００７８】
ところで、この近接スイッチ４５からの出力信号は、図１１（ａ）、図１２に示す制御部７１により制御される。この制御部７１は、１チップマイクロコンピュータ（マイコン）を用いて構成される。制御部７１には操作表示部７２が接続され、操作表示部７２は図１１（ｂ）に示すように、電源スイッチ７２ａ１のほか、アルカリイオン水、酸性イオン水の生成の選択やｐＨの調整などの各種操作を行なうためのスイッチ群７２ａと、液晶表示器７２ｂ１および発光ダイオードよりなるランプ群を備えた表示部７２ｂとを備える。
【００７９】
図１１（ｂ）に示すように、スイッチ群７２ａの中には電源スイッチ７２ａ１、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２等が設けてある。
表示部７２ｂとしては上記アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２に対応して発光ダイオードにより構成した選択ランプが設けてある。すなわち、実施形態においてはアルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３は１回操作する場合、２回操作する場合、３回操作する場合、４回操作する場合でそれぞれ４種類のアルカリイオン水を選択して生成できるようになっており、このアルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３の４段階の操作に対応して４つのアルカリイオン水生成用の選択ランプ７２ｂ７、７２ｂ６、７２ｂ５、７２ｂ４が設けてあり、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３の各操作段階に応じてそのいずれかに対応したアルカリイオン水生成用の選択ランプ７２ｂ７、７２ｂ６、７２ｂ５、７２ｂ４のいずれかが点灯して目的とする段階のアルカリイオン水生成モードであることを知らせるようになっている。また、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５に対応して酸性イオン水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ９と強酸性イオン水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ１０とが設けてあり、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５を１回操作すると酸性イオン水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ９が点灯し、２回操作すると強酸性イオン水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ１０が点灯するようになっていて、それぞれ酸性イオン水生成モード又は強酸性イオン水生成モードであることを知らせるようになっている。また、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４に対応して浄水モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ８が設けてあり、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４をオンに操作した場合に浄水モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ８が点灯して、浄水モードであることを知らせるようになっている。また、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２に対応して強酸化水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ３が設けてあり、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２をオンに操作した場合強酸化水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ３が点灯して、強酸化水生成モードであることを知らせるようになっている。なお図１１（ｂ）中７２ｂ２は電源スイッチ７２ａ１がオンの時に点灯し、オフの時消灯するランプである。
【００８０】
また、図１１（ｂ）に示すように、液晶表示器７２ｂ１には添加した電解質の種類に応じて表れる表示部分を備え、近接スイッチ４５からの出力信号が制御部７１に送られると、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に電解質４３の種類に応じた表示が表れる。ここで、本実施形態においては、強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂを識別検知手段により識別検知した場合にのみ液晶表示器７２ｂ１にその旨の表示（例えば図１１（ｂ）の「食塩添加中」という表示）がなされるようになっており、強酸化水生成用以外の電解質４３を識別検知手段で識別検知した場合には液晶表示器７２ｂ１に何も表示されないようになっており、このことにより、電解質４３の種類が何も表示されない状態では強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂ以外の電解質４３を添加している場合か、あるいは無添加の場合であるかのいずれかであることが知られるようになっている。
【００８１】
そして、強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂを識別検知手段により識別検知した場合（つまり、近接スイッチ４５により強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂを入れた容器４２ｂを検知した場合）には近接スイッチ４５からの出力信号が制御部７１に送られると、強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂを検知したことが報知手段である液晶表示器７２ｂ１により表示され（実施形態においては前述のように、電解質４３ｂとして食塩を添加した時には、「食塩添加中」という文字が液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表れる）、同時に流路切換弁５４、５５が切り換えられ、図６のような流路となる。また、識別検知手段により強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂの識別検知信号が制御部７１に入力された場合には、強酸化水生成モード以外の電解水生成モードを受付不能となるように制御部７１により制御されるようになっている（つまり、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２以外の他のモードのスイッチは受付不能となる）。
ここで、浄水モードや各種電解水を生成するモードを選択するための選択スイッチ７２ａ３〜７２ａ５を新たにオンする迄は前回の運転モードを表示する選択ランプが点灯するように制御部７１により制御されるようになっているが、しかしながら、識別検知手段により強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂの識別検知信号が制御部７１に入力された場合のみは、その後に強酸化水を生成するための選択スイッチ７２ａ２を操作するまでの間、前回の運転モードを表示する選択ランプを消灯するように制御されるようになっている。また、すでに述べたように識別検知手段により強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂの識別検知信号が制御部７１に入力された場合は液晶表示器７２ｂ１に当該電解質４３ｂが添加されたことを報知するようになっているが、ブザーその他の音、あるいは音声で報知するようにしてもよい。
【００８２】
上述のように、識別検知手段により強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂの識別検知信号が制御部７１に入力されると、流路切換弁５４、５５が切り換えられ、図６のような流路となり、また、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２以外の他のモードのスイッチ、すなわち、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４がいずれも受付けられないように制御部７１により制御されるようになっていると共に、前回の運転モードを表示する選択ランプも消灯し、更に、強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂが添加されたことを報知手段により報知するので、強酸化水生成用の電解質が添加されたことが使用者に判り、また、強酸化水生成モード以外のモードを受け付けないことでモードに適さない電解質４３が添加された場合の誤生成を防止することができ、また、食塩水が飲用側の吐水として出てくることはなく、飲用側のスイッチは受け付けないので誤って強酸化水や食塩入りの電解水を飲むことはない。
【００８３】
一方、上記のように識別検知手段により強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂの識別検知信号が制御部７１に入力されると、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２以外の他のモードのスイッチは受付けないようになっているが、逆に強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂ以外の電解質４３を添加した場合や、電解質４３を添加しなかった場合（無添加の場合）にも識別検知手段により識別検知されて制御部７１に出力され、この場合にはスイッチ群７２ａのうち強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２は受付けず、他のスイッチであるアルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４を受付けることができるように制御部７１により制御されるようになっている。
【００８４】
また、電解槽１０に設けた各電極１３Ａ、１３Ｂに印加する電圧の極性や大きさも、制御部７１により制御される。この場合、すでに述べたように、強酸化水を生成する電解質４３ｂを添加した場合のみは、該添加を識別検出手段で検出することで自動的に流路切換弁５４、５５の切換えを行い、その後、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２を操作した時に、電極１３Ａ、１３Ｂへの印加電圧の大きさや極性を制御するものであり、他の電解質４３を添加した場合は、強酸化水生成モード以外の他の種々のモード（アルカリイオン水生成モード、酸性イオン水生成モード、強酸性イオン水生成モード、浄水モード）のうち、任意のモード用のスイッチを操作した時、操作したモードに対応して電極１３Ａ、１３Ｂへの印加電圧の大きさや極性、流路切換弁５４、５５の切換、排水弁１２４の開閉などを制御するものである。
【００８５】
また、上述した水質測定装置３０と流量センサ２３からの出力によっても、各電極１３Ａ、１３Ｂに印加する電圧の極性や大きさや、流路切換弁５４、５５の切換、排水弁１２４の開閉などが制御される。すなわち、制御部７１に設けた比較部７１ａにおいて、水質測定装置３０により測定したｐＨをあらかじめ設定した設定値と比較し、ＰＷＭ制御を行なうスイッチング電源７３をフィードバック制御することにより、ｐＨが目標値に一致するように電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加する電圧を調節する。また、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂへの印加電圧の極性はリレー接点ｒ_１ ，ｒ_２ により切り換えられる。
【００８６】
次に、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂの間の印加電圧をフィードバック制御することによりｐＨを目標値に保つように制御する手順について概説する。本実施形態においては、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加する電圧ＶｍがｐＨの目標値ｐＨＭに対応して設定してあり、目標値ｐＨＭを設定して通電すると図１３のように、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂの印加電圧はまずＶｍに設定される。その後、ｐＨがほぼ安定するまで（２秒間の変動値が±０．１ｐＨになるまで）電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂの印加電圧はＶｍに保たれる。こうしてｐＨが安定状態になると、この時点でのｐＨ（＝ｐＨＡ）と目標値ｐＨＭとの偏差ΔｐＨを求め（実際にはｐＨセンサ３１の出力電圧の差を用いる）、図１３に示すような特性曲線に基づいて、電圧Ｖｍに対応するｐＨ値から偏差ΔｐＨだけｐＨ値をずらしたときの印加電圧Ｖｎ（＝Ｖｍ−ΔＶ）を求め、この電圧Ｖｎを電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂ間に印加する。このような制御を偏差ΔｐＨが±０．２ｐＨ以内になるまで繰り返し、以後はその電圧を維持する。
【００８７】
上述のように偏差ΔｐＨが±０．２ｐＨ以内になった後でも流量の変動などの外乱によってｐＨが変動するから、偏差ΔｐＨが目標値ｐＨＭに対して±０．２ｐＨの範囲を逸脱したときには、上記処理を行ない、偏差ΔｐＨに応じた印加電圧を求めて偏差ΔｐＨが±０．２ｐＨ以内に納まるまで制御を繰り返す。
このような手順でフィードバック制御を行なえば、図１３に示すｐＨ値の変化からも推察されるようにオーバーシュートが少なくなり、ｐＨが短時間で目標値ｐＨＭに収束する。とくに、偏差ΔｐＨを上述のようにｐＨ値が安定した時点で求めているから、外乱が入らなければ偏差ΔｐＨに基づく印加電圧の補正は１回程度で済んでしまうことになり、この点からも目標値ｐＨＭに短時間で収束させることができるのである。
【００８８】
さらに、目標値ｐＨＭが異なる場合、つまりアルカリイオン水、酸性イオン水、強酸性イオン水ないし強酸化水を得る場合とでは、それぞれの電解時における副反応（たとえば塩素イオンの酸化反応など）が異なり反応時間に差があるから、目標値ｐＨＭ（ここでは、アルカリイオン水、酸性イオン水、強塩基水および強酸化水をそれぞれ生成する各状態）ごとに最適な特性曲線を用意しておき、各状態に応じて対応する特性曲線を用いてフィードバック制御する。ちなみに、図１４に示す曲線イがアルカリイオン水用、ロが酸性イオン水用、ハが強酸化水および強塩基水用である。このように特性曲線を選択することにより、目標値ｐＨＭの変化に対するｐＨの立ち上がり特性を適正に制御することになり、目標値ｐＨＭがどのような値であっても、吐出する電解水のｐＨ値を目標値ｐＨＭに迅速に収束させることができる。なお、上記した特性曲線イ、ロ、ハは、次式で近似的に表すことができる。
【００８９】
ＶｐＨｖ＝Ａ＋Ｂ ｌｏｇｅ Ｖ
（ただし、ＶｐＨはｐＨセンサ３１の出力電圧、Ｖは電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加する電圧、Ａ，Ｂは各状態毎に設定される定数である。）
また、変動が±０．１ｐＨ以内となる安定状態が１０秒以上継続するときには、その電圧値とｐＨ値とを制御部７１に付設したメモリ７４に格納する。メモリ７４に格納した値は、止水後に再び通水されたときに参照され、メモリ７４に格納されている電圧値が電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂにただちに印加される。この制御により通水を再開した後の目標値ｐＨＭへの収束時間がより短縮される。メモリ７４の内容は上述した条件が満たされるたびに書き換えられる。また、メモリ７４の内容を書き換える代わりに、目標値ｐＨＭごとに設定してある電圧値を書き換えるようにしてもよい。
【００９０】
ところで、止水後に逆電洗浄処理が終了した後には電解槽１０内の水は排水されているから、この状態から通水を開始しても電解槽１０に水が満たされてさらにｐＨセンサ３１に至るまでには時間遅れがある。また、目標値ｐＨＭを通水途中で変更したときにも電解槽１０内の水がある程度入れ替わるまでに時間がかかる。したがって、通水の開始時点や目標値ｐＨＭの変更時点の直後ではｐＨセンサ３１の出力に変化が生じない。このような時間帯は不感帯（図１３にＫで示す領域）と呼ばれる。しかして、不感帯Ｋにおいて上記制御を行なうと、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加した電圧に対応する電解水がｐＨセンサ３１に達していないにもかかわらず、ｐＨセンサ３１の出力値が安定する可能性があり、このような状態で偏差ΔｐＨが求められると、不適切な電圧値に設定される可能性がある。このような不都合を回避するために、フィードバック制御に際しては以下の不感帯処理を行なう。
【００９１】
すなわち、止水状態から通水を開始した場合は、図１５に示すように、通水を開始した時点から目標値ｐＨＭに対応した電圧Ｖｍを電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加するととともにｐＨセンサ３１の出力を表示する。ただし、通水の開始から所定時間Ｔ１（たとえば１５秒）が経過するまでは、フィードバック制御は行なわずに電圧Ｖｍを維持する。時間Ｔ１が経過した後にｐＨが目標値ｐＨＭの方向に０．２変化すれば不感帯を脱出したと判断し、以後は上述したフィードバック制御を開始する。
【００９２】
また、通水途中で目標値ｐＨＭを変更した場合は、変更された新たな目標値ｐＨＭに対応する電圧Ｖｍｎを電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに印加するとともにｐＨセンサ３１の出力を表示する。ただし、目標値ｐＨＭの変更から所定時間Ｔ２（たとえば３秒）が経過するまでは、フィードバック制御は行なわずに電圧Ｖｍｎを維持する。時間Ｔ２が経過した後にｐＨが目標値ｐＨＭの方向に０．２変化すれば不感帯を脱出したと判断し、以後は上述したフィードバック制御を開始する。要するに、止水状態から通水状態に移行した場合と、通水途中で目標値ｐＨＭを変更した場合とは、不感帯として設定する時間が異なるのみであり、不感対処理の他の手順は同様になる。
【００９３】
ところで、不感帯を脱出したか否かの判断を、上述のようにｐＨが目標値ｐＨＭの方向に０．２だけ変化したか否かで判断するだけでは、何らかの原因でｐＨが０．２以上に変化しない場合にはフィードバック制御が開始されないことになる。そこで、不感帯を強制的に脱出させるための判断部を付加しておくことが望ましい。この種の判断部は、上述した時間Ｔ１，Ｔ２より長時間の時限動作を行なうタイマを用いても実現することが可能であるが、本実施形態では電解槽１０への流路に通水された流量（たとえば、０．２リットル）により判断している。つまり、流量センサ２３により計測された流量が所定値に達すると不感帯を強制的に脱出させてフィードバック制御を開始させるのである。この場合、フィードバック制御が開始された後にはｐＨが安定するか否かの判断を待たずに、フィードバック制御の開始時点でのｐＨセンサ３１での測定値を用いて偏差ΔｐＨを求めればよい。
【００９４】
次に、各種の電解水を生成する動作を説明する。
アルカリイオン水を生成する際には、容器４２ａに電解質４３ａとして乳酸カルシウムなどのカルシウム剤を入れ、ジャケット４１に装着する。ここで、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３を押す操作をしてアルカリイオン水の生成を指示すると、流量センサ２３で所定流量の通過が検知された時点から電解槽１０の電極１３Ａを陽極、電極１３Ｂを陰極とするように電圧が印加される。このとき、図５のように、流路切換弁５４は電極室１２Ａを吐出管５３に連通させ、流路切換弁５５は電極室１２Ｂから流路切換弁５４を通り水質測定装置３０を通過した電解水（アルカリイオン水）を吐出管５１に導くように設定されている。吐出管５１はハウジング１００の上部から引き出されており、吐出管５１から吐出される電解水（アルカリイオン水）をコップに入れるなどして飲食用に使用することができる。また、電解質４３であるカルシウム剤に乳酸カルシウムを用いる場合に乳酸イオンが生じるが、酸性イオン水とともに廃棄されるから乳酸イオンは飲用のアルカリイオン水に含まれない。
【００９５】
ここで、既述のようにアルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３を１回操作する場合、２回操作する場合、３回操作する場合、４回操作する場合でそれぞれ４種類のアルカリイオン水を選択して生成できるようになっており、このアルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３の４段階の操作に対応して４つのアルカリイオン水生成用の選択ランプ７２ｂ７、７２ｂ６、７２ｂ５、７２ｂ４がそれぞれ点灯し、目的とする段階のアルカリイオン水を生成するようになっている。例えば、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３を１回操作して選択ランプ７２ｂ７が点灯すると、ｐＨ８．５のレベル１のアルカリイオン水が生成され、スイッチ７２ａ３を２回操作して選択ランプ７２ｂ６が点灯すると、ｐＨ９．０のレベル２のアルカリイオン水が生成され、スイッチ７２ａ３を３回操作して選択ランプ７２ｂ５が点灯すると、ｐＨ９．５のレベル３のアルカリイオン水が生成され、スイッチ７２ａ３を４回操作して選択ランプ７２ｂ５が点灯すると、ｐＨ１０．５のレベル４の強アルカリイオン水が生成されるように、制御部１１によって電解槽１０の電解電圧を制御してある。尚、図１１（ｂ）において７２ｂ１１，７２ｂ１２はｐＨ微調整スイッチであり、この各レベルでアルカリイオン水を生成させる際に、ｐＨ微調整スイッチ７２ａ８を押すとアルカリイオン水のｐＨを若干高くする調整ができ、ｐＨ微調整スイッチ７２ａ９を押すとアルカリイオン水のｐＨを若干低くする調整ができるようにしてある。
【００９６】
一方、同条件で酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５を１回押す操作をすると、ｐＨが５．０〜６．０であるアストリンゼント用の酸性イオン水を取り出すことを指示したことになり、酸性イオン水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ９が点灯し、電極１３Ａ、１３Ｂの印加電圧が上記とは逆極性になる。このとき流路に変化はなく、酸性イオン水が吐出管５１から取り出され、強アルカリ性水が吐出管５３から吐出されることになる。このような弱酸性イオン水は一般には洗顔などに用いるのであるが、飲んだとしてもとくに支障はないから、洗顔などの目的で大量に使用するために吐出管５１から吐出させるほうが使い勝手がよい。
【００９７】
まな板やふきんの殺菌などのためにｐＨが３．０〜４．０程度の強酸性イオン水を得ようとするときには、酸性水生成モード用兼強酸性水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５を２回押す操作をし、選択ランプ７２ｂ１０を点灯させて強酸性イオン水生成モードにする。このモードの場合、電解質４３としてアルカリイオン水と同様のものを用いるが電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂの印加電圧が異なるように制御部７１で制御される。このように強酸性水の生成を選択すると、電極１３Ａを陽極、電極１３Ｂを陰極として電解が行なわれる。これはアルカリイオン水の生成時と同様であるが、強酸性イオン水を得るためにアルカリ性水も塩基性が強くなるから、このアルカリ性水は飲用に適さなくなる。そこで、強酸性イオン水が得られる条件では制御部７１で図６のように流路切換弁５４を切り換えることにより、電極室１２Ｂで生成された強アルカリ性水を吐出管５３から吐出させ、また流路切換弁５５も切り換えることにより強酸性イオン水を吐出管５２を通して排出させる。ここに、強酸性イオン水は汲み置いて使用することが多いからハウジング１００の下方に引き出された吐出管５２から吐出することにより使いやすくなっている。また、この位置の吐出管５２から吐出させることにより誤飲を防止することにもつながる。ここで、吐出管５２にはホースなどを用いることにより、飲用ではないことを一層効果的に示すことができる。
【００９８】
なお、強酸性イオン水を生成する際に、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに上述の極性で電圧を印加しているのは、電極室１２Ａのほうが流量が少ないとともに容積が小さいことによってイオンの濃度を高めることができるからであって、電極室１２Ｂで酸性水を生成する場合に比較するとｐＨを小さく（つまり酸性度を高める）するのが容易になる。
【００９９】
また、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４を押すと、選択ランプ７２ｂ８が点灯し、電解槽１０に電解電圧が印加がされず、電解槽１０で電解が行なわれない浄水モードの運転がされる。従って浄水モードでは、水は浄水装置１０を通過して浄水された後、電解されない浄水として吐出管５１から吐出される。この浄水モードでは図５のような流路になるように流路切換弁５４、５５が切り換えられる。
【０１００】
ところで、強酸化水（あるいは強塩基水）を生成する際には、電解質供給装置４０に無機塩素化合物を電解質４３ｂとして入れた容器４２ｂが装着されるから、近接スイッチ４５の出力に基づいて制御部７１は強酸化水の生成が可能となるように流路切換弁５４，５５が自動的に切り換えられる。つまり、流路切換弁５４は電極室１２Ａを水質測定装置３０を通して流路切換弁５５に連通させ、電極室１２Ｂを吐出管５３に連通させる。また、流路切換弁５５は流入する水を吐出管５２に導くように設定される。
【０１０１】
上記のように強酸化水を生成するための電解質４３ｂを入れた容器４２ｂを近接スイッチ４５により検出して制御部に出力した場合、すでに述べたように、流路切換弁５４、５５が切り換えられ、図６のような流路となり、また、強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２以外の他のモードのスイッチ、すなわち、アルカリイオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ３、酸性イオン水生成モード用兼強酸性イオン水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ５、浄水モード用のスイッチ７２ａ４がいずれも受付けられないように制御部７１により制御されるようになっていると共に、前回の運転モードを表示する選択ランプ７２ｂ４〜７２ｂ１０も消灯し、更に、強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂが添加されたことを報知手段（液晶表示器７２ｂ１）により報知する。そしてこのように容器４２ｂが装着された状態で強酸化水生成モード用のスイッチ７２ａ２を操作してオンにすると、強酸化水生成モード用の選択ランプ７２ｂ３が点灯して強酸化水生成モードとなったことを表示すると共に、強酸化水の生成が指示され、強酸性イオン水を生成する場合と同様に、電極１３Ａを陽極、電極１３Ｂを陰極として電解を行なう。つまり、電解質４３の種類は異なるが、強酸性イオン水を生成する場合と同様に動作する。このようにして強酸化水を吐出管５２から吐出させ、強塩基水を吐出管５３から吐出させるのであり、いずれもハウジング１００の下部から吐出されるから、誤飲を防止することができる。
【０１０２】
上述したように、容器４２ｂが電解質供給装置４０に装着されなければ、強酸化水の生成を指示することができないから、アルカリイオン水などを生成する際に用いる容器４２ａに強酸化水を生成する電解質４３ｂ（塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなど）を入れたとしても強酸化水の生成を指示することができず、いわば安全側に動作することになる。しかも、上述のように強酸化水はハウジング１００の下部から引き出されている吐出管５２より吐出されるのであり、強酸化水を生成している状態でも誤飲を防止することができる。
【０１０３】
強酸化水は殺菌効果を高めるために、次亜塩素酸の濃度を２０〜３０ｐｐｍに設定するのが望ましいのであるが、次亜塩素酸は塩素ガスを発生し大量の塩素ガスは健康上好ましくないから、塩素ガスの発生量は健康に影響しないように制限しなければならない。そこで、強酸化水を生成するために用いる容器４２ｂの容量を制限することにより、１回当たりの強酸化水の生成量に上限を設けている。具体的には容器４２ｂは１０ｇの電解質４３ｂを入れることができる程度の容量に制限してあり、一度に大量の塩素ガスが発生するのを防止してある。ここに、容器４２ｂには目盛りを設けて、電解質４３ｂの投入量を制限するようにしてもよい。
【０１０４】
また、制御部７１においても塩素ガスの発生を抑制するようにしてある。つまり、強酸化水の生成時には、流量センサ２３により検出される流量に基づいて強酸化水の生成量の上限が１リットル程度になるように制限してあり、流量センサ２３を通過する浄水の量が３．５〜４リットル（強塩基水との生成量の比は１：３〜１：４程度である）に達すると、制御部７１に設けたブザー７５を鳴動させることにより報知し、その後、通水が継続していても所定時間後には電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂへの電圧の印加を停止させるようにしてある。さらに、塩素ガスの発生を抑制するために、水質測定装置３０のｐＨセンサにおいて強酸化水のｐＨを検出することにより目標値（たとえば、ｐＨ＝２．７）から逸脱しないようにして、強酸化水の次亜塩素酸の濃度を２０〜３０ｐｐｍに保つように電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂの印加電圧をフィードバック制御するようにしてある。
【０１０５】
ところで、上記のように、強酸化水を生成する為の電解質４３ｂを添加した後、そのモードを生成するための選択スイッチ７２ａ２を選択する前に通水動作を行った場合、無電解であることを報知手段により知らせるようになっている。この報知に当たっては、液晶表示器７２ｂ１で無電解であることを表示するようにしても良く、あるいはブザー７５の音、あるいは音声により無電解であることを報知するようにしてもよいものである。
【０１０６】
又、強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂを添加した後、その強酸化水生成モードにする為の選択スイッチ７２ａ２は、通水中、排水中、逆電洗浄中、及び一定量通水後は受付不可能としてあり、このようにすることで、安定した強酸化水を生成することができるようにしている。更に、安定した電解水が生成できなくなった後や、強酸化水モードで一定量通水後、止水した場合も前記強酸化水生成用の選択スイッチ７２ａｂを受付けないようにしてある。このことで、添加した強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂの量が著しく減少し、この後、生成不能となることを知らしめ、一回の生成量の限界を越えた場合は再び強酸化水が生成できないようにしてある。尚、強酸化水生成後に容器４２ｂを電解質供給装置４０から抜いたという検知信号が検知手段４５から制御部７１に送られると、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に電解質４３ｂ又は／及びその電解水が残存していることを警告する表示が表れ、この表示が表れた後は強酸化水生成用の電解質４３ｂの容器４２ｂを入れたという検知信号が検知手段４５から制御部７１に送られても、強酸化水生成用の選択スイッチ７２ａ２は受付けないように制御されるようにしてある。
【０１０７】
以上のような対策を施すことにより、２．５ｍ^３ 程度の狭い場所で使用した場合でも周囲空気中の塩素ガスの濃度は１ｐｐｍ程度に抑えることができた。つまり、労働安全衛生法による塩素ガス濃度の許容値である１ｐｐｍを２．５ｍ^３ 程度の狭い空間でも達成できることになる。
ところで、強酸化水を生成する為の電解質４３ｂを添加し、その電解水を生成した後、前記電解質４３ｂ以外の電解質４３を添加、もしくは無添加の状態にした場合（つまり、実施形態においては、強酸化水を生成する為の電解質４３ｂを入れた容器４２ｂを電解質供給装置４０から抜いた場合）、強酸化水生成後に容器４２ｂを電解質供給装置４０から抜いたという検知信号が検知手段４５から制御部７１に送られ、表示部７２ｂに電解質４３ｂ又は／及びその電解水が残存していることを警告する表示が表れ、この状態で通水動作を行った場合、一定量又は一定時間の通水が完了する迄すべてのモード選択用のスイッチ７２ａ２、７２ａ３、７２ａ４、７２ａ５を受付けないようになっており、また、この状態では表示部７２ｂに飲用不可である警告を促する表示が表れ、ブザー７５を鳴動させることにより警告を行うようになっている。このことにより電解質４３ｂ／及びその電解水が混入した水を誤飲用することが防止できるものである。
【０１０８】
ところで、電解水の酸化還元電位やｐＨ値を測定する水質測定装置３０は強酸化水生成後、測定精度が劣化しており、この状態でアルカリイオン水を測定しても正確に測定できない。これは、強酸化水生成時に現れる塩素ガスが水質測定装置３０の電極表面に付着することによって起こるものであり、この塩素ガスの付着を解消し、アルカリイオン水を正確に測定するためには強酸化水以外の電解水を通水しておく必要がある。この電解水の通水動作を、電解質４３ｂ／及びその電解水の残存をなくすための排水中に内部的に行うことで、排水終了以降、アルカリ水を電解した場合も正確に測定することができる。この通水動作中の電解モードは浄水モード、酸性イオン水生成モード、アルカリイオン水生成モードの順番で行うことが最も効果的であると考えられる。これは、強酸化水生成で付着した塩素ガスを浄水で流すことである程度解消し、浄水通水後、残留している塩素ガスは酸性イオン水生成時にできる酸素ガスで置換することで、塩素ガスの付着をほぼ解消できる。この後、強アルカリイオン水を通水することで、塩素ガスを水素ガスに置換できる。この通水動作により、水質測定装置３０が白金のような不反応作用金属電極を用いた酸化還元電位センサである場合でも、水道水や電解水のようなイオン濃度の低い溶液の酸化還元電位を、簡便で安全な洗浄方法により白金電極を更新し精度を確保することができるようになる。尚、この通水動作中の電解モードは酸性イオン水生成モードの後アルカリイオン水生成モードの電解を行うこと、又はアルカリイオン水生成モードに電解を必ず行うことでも水質測定装置３０の精度劣化はある程度解消できる。
【０１０９】
また、この通水動作中に止水された場合、その時点での通水量と電解モードを記憶し、その後の再通水で前回の通水の続きの電解を行い、前回の通水量との和が一定量に達すると、電解が解除されるようにしてあり、前記電解モード中に止水されても前記電解モードを確実に実施することができるようにしてある。
なお、カラン６０を閉止したり、水路切換装置６１により流路を切り換えたりすれば電解水生成装置への原水の供給は停止するから、制御部７１は流量センサ２３の出力に基づいて止水を検知する。止水が検知されると、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂには電解中とは逆極性の電圧を短時間だけ印加し、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに付着したスケールを除去する処理（逆電洗浄処理）を行なうようになっている。逆電洗浄処理では、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに逆極性の電圧を印加する状態を所定時間継続させるのであるが、その終了直前に排水弁１２４を開放することによりスケールを含む排水を吐出管５３を通して排水し、このことによって次回の電解水生成時にはスケールを含む排水が混入しないようにしてある。
【０１１０】
このような逆電洗浄処理に際して電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂへの電圧印加時には電解槽１０に水を滞留させておくことが必要である。とくに、電解時の陽極側ではｐＨが２程度の強酸性の酸化水が残留するから、炭酸カルシウムや炭酸マグネシウムなどを含むスケールを溶解させて容易に除去することが可能になる。このように止水時において電解槽１０に滞留させるためにはサイホン現象による吐出管５１，５２，５３からの排水を防止することが必要になる。そこで、逆電洗浄処理の開始と同時に、流路切換弁５４，５５を電解中とは異なる選択状態に切り換えるようにし、慣性による水の流れを止め外気を流路に取り込むことによってサイホン現象による排水を防止できるようにしている。このようにして逆電洗浄処理に際して電解槽１０に水を滞留させておくことができ、十分な洗浄効果が得られるのである。排水弁１２４を開放して排水する際には、大気を取り込んで排水できるように図５の状態になるように流路切換弁５４，５５の流路が選択される。このようにして吐出管５１から大気が導入され、電解槽１０から迅速に排水することができるようになる。
【０１１１】
また、止水後に短時間で再び通水するような使用がなされることは日常的に行なわれることであって、このような場合に止水のたびに逆電洗浄処理を行なうとすれば、逆電洗浄処理の終了まで次回の通水を待たなければならないことになって使い勝手が悪くなる。そこで、逆電洗浄処理は止水直後に開始するのではなく、止水から一定時間（たとえば、３０秒）を待ってから開始するようにしてある。このことにより、上記一定時間内に通水が再開されたときには逆電洗浄処理を行なうことなくただちに通水が可能になるのである。
【０１１２】
次に、上記の図５、図６に示すこの電解水生成装置において、水質測定装置３０に設けた酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄について説明する。
電解水生成装置を購入して使用を開始する場合、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の表面には空気中に長期間放置されたことによる原子レベルの酸素原子皮膜が形成されており、このままでは正常に酸化還元電位を測定することができず、表示部７２ｂの液晶表示器７２ｂ１に誤った酸化還元電位を表示するおそれがある。このために、電解水生成装置を購入して使用を開始するに先立って、まず酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を洗浄する必要がある。そこで、電解水生成装置の購入後に使用開始するために電源をオンして通水を始めても、洗浄モードが選択されて酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄が終わるまで、酸化還元電位センサ１で測定された酸化還元電位の値は表示部７２ｂの液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示されないように、制御部７１で制御がされるようにしてある（請求項１６）。このとき、液晶表示器７２ｂ１の酸化還元電位を表示する位置（図１１（ｂ）に「ＯＲＰ１１００」と表示されている部分）には、「−−−−」のような酸化還元電位の数値以外の記号等を表示して、酸化還元電位を表示しないことを明示し、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄を促すようにするのが好ましい。
【０１１３】
また、電解水生成装置を購入して最初に酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄を行なう場合や、浄水装置２０のカートリッジが新品の場合には、電解槽１０や浄水装置２０に空気が残留して洗浄モードの動作が正常に行なわれないおそれがある。そこで洗浄モードが選択される前に、浄水モードあるいは電解水生成装置の電源を切った状態で電解水生成装置に所定時間通水して、空気が抜かれるようにしてあり、所定時間の通水が終了した後に、洗浄モードの選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押して洗浄モードを選択できるようにしてある。
【０１１４】
ここで、図１１（ｂ）に示すように、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄を行なう洗浄モードの選択スイッチ７２ａ７は、操作表示部７２に「初期設定」という表示で示してある。図１１（ｂ）の操作表示部７２に「センサー洗浄」という表示で示される選択スイッチ７２ａ６は水質測定装置３０に設けたｐＨセンサ３１の電極を洗浄するモードを選択するスイッチである。図１１（ｂ）において７２ｂ１１は選択スイッチ７２ａ６を押してｐＨセンサ３１の電極を洗浄するモードが選択されると点灯するランプ、７２ｂ１２は選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押して酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄を行なう洗浄モードが選択されると点灯するランプである。
【０１１５】
そして電解水生成装置を購入した後の最初の使用の場合には、上記のように所定時間通水した後に、選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押すと、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄を行なう洗浄モードが開始される。
ここで、洗浄モードを開始させる前に、洗浄モードの第１ステップで溶存塩素を含有する強酸性イオン水を生成させるための電解質を、通常はカルシウム剤を入れる容器４２ａに入れ、この電解質を入れた容器４２ａを電解質供給装置４０のジャケット４１に装着する。この電解質としては塩化ナトリウム、塩化カルシウム、塩化カリウム等の無機塩素化合物を用いる（請求項３）。また容器４２ａに入れる電解質の量は、洗浄モードの第１ステップで溶解して無くなる量に設定されるものである。
【０１１６】
そして図５乃至図１２に示す電解水生成装置では、このように選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押して酸化還元電位センサ１を洗浄する洗浄モードが選択されると、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を強酸性イオン水、これより酸性度の低い酸性イオン水、アルカリイオン水でこの順に処理する洗浄が自動的に行なわれるように、制御部７１で制御されている（請求項１５）。またこのように選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押して洗浄モードが選択されると、洗浄モードが終了するまで、電解水の生成モードを選択するスイッチ７２ａ２，７２ａ３，７２ａ４，７２ａ５を押してもこれらの電解水生成モードは受付不能になるように制御部１１で制御されている（請求項１８）。
【０１１７】
しかして、選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押して酸化還元電位センサ１を洗浄する洗浄モードが選択され、通水がなされると、洗浄モードの第１ステップとして、酸化還元電位が９００ｍＶ以上でｐＨが３．５以下の溶存酸素を含む強酸性イオン水を電解槽１０で生成させ、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２をこの強酸性イオン水で処理するように、電解槽１０の電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂや流路切換弁５４，５５が制御部７１で制御されて自動的に切り換えられる。すなわち、電極１３Ａを陽極、電極１３Ｂを陰極として電解を行ない、流路切換弁５４は電極室１２Ａの流出口１５Ａを水質測定装置３０に連通させると共に電極室１２Ｂの流出口１５Ｂを吐出管５３に連通させ、流路切換弁５５は水質測定装置３０を吐出管５２に連通させるよう、制御部７１で制御してある。従ってこの場合は、通水流路は図６に示すようになる（但し、電解質供給装置４０には容器４２ａが装着してあるので、この部分の流路は図８（ａ）のようになる）。
【０１１８】
このように第１ステップでは、電極１３Ａが陽極の電極室１２Ａで生成された溶存塩素を含む強酸性イオン水は水質測定装置３０を通過して吐出管５２から排出されることになり、溶存塩素を含む強酸性イオン水で酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を処理することができる。電極室１２Ｂで生成される強アルカリイオン水は吐出管５３から排出される。このように溶存塩素を含む強酸性イオン水で酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を処理することによって、作用電極２の表面に形成された吸着不純物を酸化分解し、また作用電極２の表面に付着したＣａスケールなどのカルシウム化合物を溶解することができる。さらに電解水生成装置を購入した後に使用を開始することきには、作用電極２には上記のように原子レベルの酸素原子皮膜が形成されているが、この酸素原子皮膜を塩素と置換して除去することができる。
【０１１９】
ここで、強酸化水を生成するために使用する容器４２ｂを用いず、通常はカルシウム剤を入れた容器４２ａを用いることによって、電解槽２内のアルカリオイオン水を生成する電極室１２Ｂと酸性イオン水を生成する電極室１２Ａのいずれか一方にのみ電解質が供給されることになる（請求項１４）。本実施の形態では、電解質は電極室１２Ａにのみ供給されるようになっている。このように電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂの一方にのみ電解質を供給し、両方の電極室１２Ａ，１２Ｂに電解質が供給されないようにすることによって、電解質の供給量を制限することができ、前記の強酸化水を生成する場合より次亜塩素酸濃度を若干低めにすることができるものであり、洗浄により適した強酸性イオン水を得ることができるものである。高次亜塩素酸濃度が高い場合は塩素イオンが多量に酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２に付着するおそれがあって好ましくない。従ってこの場合には、強酸化水を生成するために使用する容器４２ｂを電解質供給装置４０に装着したことを既述の識別検知手段で検知されたときには、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄モードが受付不能なり、識別検知手段で装着が検知されない容器４２ａを装着したときにのみ、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄モードが受付可能になるように、制御部７１で制御するように構成するのが望ましい。
【０１２０】
この第１ステップによる洗浄が１分程度継続した後、第２ステップに移るが、容器４２ａに入れた電解質が水圧等の影響で第１ステップで使用され尽くさず、容器４２ａ内に残存している場合があるので、第１ステップが終了した後、電解槽１０の電極１２Ａ，１２Ｂに電解電圧を印加しないで、通水流路はそのまま１分程度通水を継続し、容器４２ａ内に残存する電解質を洗い流すように制御部７１による制御がなされるようにしてある。
【０１２１】
次の第２ステップでは、溶存酸素を含むｐＨが４〜６の弱酸性イオン水を電解槽１０で生成させ、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２をこの強酸性イオン水で処理するように、電解槽１０の電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂや流路切換弁５４，５５が制御部７１で制御されて自動的に切り換えられる。すなわち、電極１３Ａを陰極、電極１３Ｂを陽極として電解を行ない、流路切換弁５４は電極室１２Ａの流出口１５Ａを吐出管５３に連通させると共に電極室１２Ｂの流出口１５Ｂを水質測定装置３０に連通させ、流路切換弁５５は水質測定装置３０を吐出管５１に連通させるよう、制御部７１で制御してある。従ってこの場合は、通水流路は図５に示すようになる。
【０１２２】
このように第２ステップでは、電極１３Ｂが陽極の電極室１２Ｂで生成された溶存酸度を含む弱酸性イオン水は水質測定装置３０を通過して吐出管５１から吐出されることになり、溶存酸素を含む弱酸性イオン水で酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を処理することができる。電極室１２Ａで生成されるアルカリイオン水は吐出管５３から排出される。このように溶存酸素を含む弱酸性イオン水で酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を処理することによって、第１ステップで作用電極２の表面に付着した塩素原子を酸素原子に置換することができる。この第２ステップによる洗浄は１分程度継続される。
【０１２３】
次の第３ステップに入ると、酸化還元電位が−２００ｍＶ以下でｐＨが９．５以上の溶存水素を含む強アルカリイオン水を電解槽１０で生成させ、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２をこのアルカリイオン水で処理するように、電解槽１０の電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂや流路切換弁５４，５５が制御部７１で制御される。すなわち、電極１３Ａを陽極、電極１３Ｂを陰極に切り換えて電解を行なうが、流路切換弁５４，５５は第２ステップと同じままであり、電極室１２Ａの流出口１５Ａを吐出管５３に連通させると共に電極室１２Ｂの流出口１５Ｂを水質測定装置３０に連通させ、水質測定装置３０を吐出管５１に連通させるようにしてある。従ってこの場合も通水流路は図５に示すようになる。
このように第３ステップでは、電極１３Ｂが陰極の電極室１２Ｂで生成された溶存水素を含む強アルカリイオン水は水質測定装置３０を通過して吐出管５１から吐出されることになり、溶存水素を含む強アルカリイオン水で酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を処理することができる。電極室１２Ａで生成される酸性イオン水は吐出管５３から排出される。このように溶存水素を含む強アルカリイオン水で作用電極２を処理すると、アルカリイオン水に含まれる溶存水素は酸素よりも吸着し易いので酸素に置換して作用電極２の表面に吸着し、しかも水素は脱離もし易い特性を有するので、作用電極２の表面をほぼ完全に更新状態にすることができる。
【０１２４】
この第３ステップの溶存水素を含む強アルカリイオン水による洗浄は１分程度で終了し、ここに酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄は完了するが、本実施の形態では、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の洗浄モードの運転は酸化還元電位の初期測定値を記憶設定するまで継続される。
すなわち、上記のように洗浄が完了した後、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに対する電解電圧及び流路切換弁５４，５５が制御部７１で制御され、まずｐＨ１０．５のレベル４の強アルカリイオン水が電解槽１０で生成される。そしてこのｐＨ１０．５の電解水が水質測定装置３０に通水される際に、上記のようにして洗浄された直後の酸化還元電位センサ１でその酸化還元電位が測定され、その測定値がｐＨ１０．５の電解水の酸化還元電位の初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶される。次にｐＨ９．５のレベル３のアルカリイオン水が生成されると共に酸化還元電位センサ１でその酸化還元電位が測定され、その測定値がｐＨ９．５の電解水の酸化還元電位の初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶される。以下同様にｐＨ９．０のレベル２のアルカリイオン水、ｐＨ８．５のレベル１のアルカリイオン水が生成され、それぞれの酸化還元電位が測定されて初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶される。次に、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに電解電圧を印加しないで浄水を水質測定装置３０に通水することによってｐＨ７．０の水の酸化還元電位測定を測定し、初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶される。さらに、ｐＨ５．５のレベル１の酸性イオン水、ｐＨ２．９の酸性イオン水がこの順に生成され、それぞれの酸化還元電位が測定されて初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶される。このようにして、洗浄された酸化還元電位センサ１への通水初期の各ｐＨレベルの電解水（浄水を含む）の酸化還元電位の測定値が初期測定値として制御部７１のメモリ７４に記憶され（表２を参照）、洗浄モードが終了する。
【０１２５】
尚、上記の実施形態では、第３ステップでの強アルカリイオン水による洗浄が終わった後に、アルカリイオン水、浄水、酸性イオン水の各ｐＨレベルの電解水の酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定してメモリ７４に記憶させるようにしているが、ｐＨ５．５のレベル１の酸性イオン水については、第１ステップの洗浄終了時点に酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定してメモリ７４に記憶させ、ｐＨ２．９の酸性イオン水については、第２ステップの洗浄終了時点に酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定してメモリ７４に記憶させるようにし、第３ステップの洗浄後には各ｐＨレベルのアルカリイオン水と浄水について酸化還元電位の初期測定値を測定してメモリ７４に記憶させるようにしてもよい。
【０１２６】
ここで、上記の洗浄モードを実施中に、カラン６０を閉止したり水路切換装置６１により流路を切り換えたりして電解水生成装置への通水が停止されると、無機塩素化合物の電解質や、この電解質が含有される電解水が電解水生成装置に残存しているおそれがあり、このまま電解水生成モードに切り換えてアルカリイオン水等を生成させると、飲用する電解水に電解質が混入するおそれがある。そこで、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止されると、電解質及び／又は電解質が含有される電解水が残存していることを報知手段で報知するように制御部７１で制御するようにしてある（請求項１９）。報知手段としては、具体的には表示部７２ｂの液晶表示器７２ｂ１やブザー７５を用いることができ、液晶表示器７２ｂ１にその旨の記述表示をしたり、ブザー７５を鳴動させたりして報知をすることができる。
【０１２７】
そしてこのように酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止されたときには、電解水生成装置に十分な水を通水して、内部に残存する電解質や電解質が含有される電解水を完全に洗い流す必要がある。そこで、洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止された後に、通水が行なわれたとき、所定の十分な量の通水がなされるか、あるいは所定の十分な時間の通水が行なわれるまで、選択スイッチ７２ａ３〜７２ａ５を押しても電解水を生成するモードは受付不能になるように、制御部７１で制御するようにしてある（請求項２０）。
【０１２８】
またこのとき同時に、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止された後に、通水が行なわれたとき、所定の十分な量の通水がなされるか、あるいは所定の十分な時間の通水が行なわれるまで、吐水される水が飲用不可であることを報知手段で報知するように制御部７１で制御してあり、この間に吐水される水を誤って飲まれることがないようにしてある（請求項２１）。報知手段としては、具体的には表示部７２ｂの液晶表示器７２ｂ１やブザー７５を用いることができ、液晶表示器７２ｂ１にその旨の記述表示をしたり、ブザー７５を鳴動させたりして報知をすることができる。
【０１２９】
しかして、上記のように制御部７１のメモリー７４には各ｐＨでの酸化還元電位の初期測定値が記憶されている。そして電解水生成装置を電解水生成モード（浄水モードも含む）で運転している間、電解水の酸化還元電位とｐＨは酸化還元電位センサ１とｐＨセンサ３１で常時測定されており、この測定された酸化還元電位の値と、メモリー７４に記憶された同じｐＨの初期測定値とが制御部７１の比較部７１ｂで比較されており、この比較の差が例えば１００ｍＶ以上となれば、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の表面に不純物が付着等して測定の精度異常が生じたものと判断して、図１１（ｂ）に示す操作表示部７２に設けた洗浄サインのランプ７２ｂ１３が点灯し、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄を促すようにしてある。
【０１３０】
このように洗浄サインのランプ７２ｂ１３の点灯に従って酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄を行なう場合など、電解水を生成するモードで運転した後に酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄用の選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押すと、電解水生成モードの運転が停止されと共に通水が停止されるが、このように電解水生成モードの運転が停止されると、電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに電解水生成中とは逆極性の電圧が印加され、既述のように電極１３Ａ，１３Ｂに付着するスケールを除去する逆電洗浄が行なわれる。このために、電解水を生成するモードで運転した後に酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄用の選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押しても、洗浄モードは受付不可にし、逆電洗浄後に排水弁１２４が開いて電解槽１０内のスケールを含む水が吐出管５３から排水する時間が経過した後、洗浄モードの運転が開始されるように、制御部７１で制御するようにしてある。尚、浄水モードで運転している場合は、このような逆電洗浄は行なわれないので、浄水モードの運転の後に酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄用の選択スイッチ７２ａ７を押した場合には、洗浄モードが直ちに受け付けられて洗浄モードの運転が開始されるように、制御部７１で制御するようにしてある（請求項１７）。
【０１３１】
ここで、酸化還元電位センサ１の洗浄モードの第１ステップで溶存塩素を含む強酸性イオン水を生成するために無機塩素化合物を電解質として供給するにあたって、上記の実施形態では、電解質を通常はカルシウム剤を入れる容器４２ａに入れて電解質供給装置４０に装着するようにしたが、無機塩素化合物を電解質としていれた専用カートリッジを用い、このカートリッジを電解質供給装置４０に装着することによって、電解質の供給を行なうようにしてもよい。この場合には、このカートリッジに既述のような検出用金属片４６などを設けておき、近接スイッチ４５などの識別検知手段でこれが検知され、無機塩素化合物を電解質として入れたカートリッジが通水経路に取り付けられたことが検出されたときには、選択スイッチ７２ａ３〜７２ａ５を押しても電解水（浄水を含む）を生成するモードは受付不能になるように制御部７１で制御するようにしてある（請求項１３）。
【０１３２】
ここで、電解槽１０で生成された電解水（浄水も含む）の酸化還元電位及びｐＨは水質測定装置３０の酸化還元電位センサ１とｐＨセンサ３１で測定され、図１１（ｂ）のように表示部７２ｂの液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示されているが、酸化還元電位センサ１での酸化還元電位の測定はｐＨセンサ３１でのｐＨの測定よりも応答性が多少遅い場合がある。酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２に使用される材質の特性にもよるが、例えば、電解水の吐出を開始してからしばらくの間はｐＨの測定値が安定しても、酸化還元電位の測定値は大きく変動することがある。これは酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の応答性が遅いことによるものであり、吐出されている電解水の酸化還元電位の実際の値は安定している。このように、特に電解水の吐出の初期には酸化還元電位の測定値が安定せず、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示される酸化還元電位の数値が大きく変動し、この結果、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示される酸化還元電位の数値が安定するまで、電解水は飲用に供されず捨てられることになる。
【０１３３】
そこで、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示される酸化還元電位の数値を次のように制御部７１で制御し、必要以上の捨て水を防ぐことができるようにしてある。
すなわち、既述のように洗浄モードにおいて、酸化還元電位センサ１を洗浄した後の電解槽１０への通水初期に複数モードのｐＨ値（ｐＨ１１．９，ｐＨ１０．５，ｐＨ９．５，ｐＨ９．０，ｐＨ８．５，ｐＨ７．０，ｐＨ５．５，ｐＨ２．９，ｐＨ２．５）に対応する酸化還元電位の初期測定値が測定され、この初期測定値は制御部７１のメモリー７３に記憶されているが、まずこの各ｐＨ値と酸化還元電位の初期測定値の関係から、ｐＨ１１．９〜ｐＨ２．５の間の全てのｐＨ値に対する酸化還元電位の初期測定値を制御部７１で算出し、その結果をメモリー７３に記憶させる。この算出は、図１６に示すように、測定したｐＨ値とそのｐＨ値での酸化還元電位の初期測定値とを、ｐＨ値を横軸、酸化還元電位値を縦軸とする表にプロット（ＯＲ０，ＯＲ１，ＯＲ３，ＯＲ４…）すると共に、各プロットを直線で結び、この直線上の数値をｐＨ値に対する酸化還元電位の初期測定値とする演算によって行なわれる。
【０１３４】
次にさらに、この図１６の表において、各ｐＨにおけるプロット（ＯＲ１，ＯＲ３，ＯＲ４，ＯＲ５…）において酸化還元電位の初期測定値に所定の数値を加算及び減算し、それぞれ上限値（ＯＲ１（＋），ＯＲ３（＋），ＯＲ４（＋），ＯＲ５（＋）…）と下限値（ＯＲ１（−），ＯＲ３（−），ＯＲ４（−），ＯＲ５（−）…）を設定すると共に、各上限値（ＯＲ１（＋），ＯＲ３（＋），ＯＲ４（＋），ＯＲ５（＋）…）と下限値（ＯＲ１（−），ＯＲ３（−），ＯＲ４（−），ＯＲ５（−）…）を直線で結ぶ演算を制御部７１で行ない、その結果をメモリー７３に記憶させるようにしてある。ここで、酸化還元電位の初期測定値に設定する上限と下限の幅は、実際の測定の際のバラツキを考慮して決定されるものであり、ｐＨ９．５，ｐＨ９．０，ｐＨ８．５，ｐＨ７．０，ｐＨ５．５の水は電気伝導度が低く測定のバラツキが大きいため、±１００ｍＶの幅で上限と下限を設定し、ｐＨ１０．５，ｐＨ２．９の水は比較的電気伝導度が高く測定のバラツキが小さいため、±５０ｍＶの幅で上限と下限を設定するようにしてある。さらにｐＨ２．５の水は電気伝導度が高く測定のバラツキは非常に小さいため、上限と下限を設定する必要はない。
【０１３５】
そして、酸化還元電位センサ１とｐＨセンサ３１で電解水の酸化還元電位とｐＨ値を測定するにあたって、そのｐＨ値での酸化還元電位の測定値とメモリー７３に記憶した酸化還元電位の初期測定値の上下限値とを制御部７１で比較し、測定値が図１６の表の上限と下限の範囲に入るものであれば、測定した酸化還元電位をそのまま液晶表示器７２ｂ１に表示し、測定値が図１６の表の上限から外れる場合には、その上限値を液晶表示器７２ｂ１に酸化還元電位として表示し、測定値が図１６の表の下限から外れる場合には、その下限値を液晶表示器７２ｂ１に酸化還元電位として表示するように、制御部７１で制御するようにしてある。このようにして、酸化還元電位センサ１の作用電極２の遅い応答性によって酸化還元電位の測定値が安定しなくても、上下限値を設定してその数値を表示することによって、液晶表示器７２ｂ１に安定した数値で酸化還元電位を表示することができ、捨て水にされる電解水の量を少なくすることができるものである。
【０１３６】
【発明の効果】
上記のように本発明の請求項１に係る電解水生成装置は、通水される水を電解してアルカリイオン水と酸性イオン水とを生成すると共にこれらの電解水を各別に吐水する電解槽と、電解槽から吐水される電解水の酸化還元電位を計測表示する酸化還元電位センサとを具備する電解水生成装置において、酸化還元電位センサの不溶性金属電極で形成される作用電極を、強酸性イオン水と、これより酸性度の低い酸性イオン水と、アルカリイオン水とを用いてこの順に処理することによって、作用電極の表面を洗浄する手段を具備することを特徴とするので、酸性やアルカリ性のイオン水によって、毒性を有する薬剤を用いる必要なく、安全に作用電極の表面を洗浄して更新させることができ、酸化還元電位センサによる測定精度を高く保つことができるものである。
【０１３７】
また請求項２の発明は、前記強酸性イオン水は、酸化還元電位が９００ｍＶ以上でｐＨが３．５以下の溶存塩素を含むものであり、前記酸性イオン水は、酸化還元電位が５００ｍＶ〜１０００ｍＶでｐＨが４〜６の溶存酸素を含むものであり、前記アルカリイオン水は、酸化還元電位が−２００ｍＶ以下でｐＨが９．５以上の溶存水素を含むものであることを特徴とするので、電解還元電位センサの作用電極の表面を高いレベルで洗浄することができるものである。
【０１３８】
また請求項３の発明は、前記強酸性イオン水は、電解質の無機塩素化合物を添加した水を電解して生成されたものであり、前記酸性イオン水及びアルカリイオン水は、水を電解して生成されたものであることを特徴とするので、電解槽で電解生成して得ることができるイオン水を用いて酸化還元電位センサを洗浄することができ、洗浄用の液を別途特別に準備する必要なく酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１３９】
また請求項４の発明は、前記電解質は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カルシウム、塩化カリウムから選ばれる無機塩素化合物であることを特徴とするので、これらの無機塩素化合物を電解質として用いて、電解還元電位センサの作用電極の表面を高いレベルで洗浄することができるものである。
また請求項５の発明は、洗浄後の酸化還元電位センサで測定した通水初期の電解水の酸化還元電位を初期測定値としてメモリーする記憶手段と、電解水生成時に酸化還元電位センサで測定した電解水の酸化還元電位と記憶手段にメモリーした初期測定値とを比較する比較手段と、この比較手段による比較値が所定値以上のとき酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を促す表示手段とを具備して成ることを特徴とするので、酸化還元電位センサの洗浄の必要な時期を自動的に知ることができるものである。
【０１４０】
また請求項６の発明は、ｐＨレベルが異なる複数種の電解イオン水を電解槽で生成するように複数モードで運転できるようにした電解水生成装置において、酸化還元電位センサの洗浄後の電解槽への通水初期に酸化還元電位センサで測定された各モードのイオン水の酸化還元電位の測定値をそれぞれ初期測定値としてメモリーする記憶手段を具備して成ることを特徴とするので、どのモードで電解イオン水を生成する運転をしていても、還元電位センサの洗浄の必要な時期を検知することが可能になるもである。
【０１４１】
また請求項７の発明は、電解水生成の運転時に酸化還元電位センサで測定された各モードのイオン水の酸化還元電位の測定値と記憶手段にメモリーした各モードでの初期測定値とを比較する比較手段と、この比較手段による比較値が所定値以上のとき酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を促す表示手段とを具備して成ることを特徴とするので、各モードにおいて酸化還元電位センサの洗浄の必要な時期を知ることができるものである。
【０１４２】
また請求項８の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの洗浄後の電解槽への通水初期に酸化還元電位センサで測定された各モードのイオン水の酸化還元電位の測定値を初期測定値として記憶手段に記憶させるにあたって、ｐＨが高いレベルのモードから低いレベルのモードへの順の各モードでイオン水を酸化還元電位センサに通過させて酸化還元電位を測定すると共にその測定値を各モードでの初期測定値として記憶手段に記憶させるようにしたことを特徴とするので、測定の前液の影響を出来る限り避けて各モードでの酸化還元電位の初期測定値を精度良く測定して記憶手段にメモリーさせることができるものである。
【０１４３】
また請求項９の発明は、電解槽への通水経路に電解質供給装置を設け、電解質供給装置により前記請求項４の電解質を水に供給しながら電解槽で電解することによって、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の洗浄のための強酸性イオン水を生成させるようにして成ることを特徴とするので、電解水生成装置の既存の構造をそのまま用いて強酸性イオン水による酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１４４】
また請求項１０の発明は、電解質供給装置をカルシウム添加剤を入れたカルシウム添加用カートリッジを具備して形成し、前記請求項４の電解質を入れたカートリッジをカルシウム添加用カートリッジに代えて電解槽への通水経路に取り付けることによって、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の洗浄のための強酸性イオン水を生成させるようにして成ることを特徴とするので、カルシウム添加用カートリッジの取り付けの構造をそのまま利用して電解質を水に添加することができ、強酸性イオン水を電解水生成装置で生成させて酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１４５】
また請求項１１の発明は、電解質供給装置をカルシウム添加用カートリッジを具備して形成し、カルシウム添加用カートリッジにカルシウム添加剤の代わりに前記請求項４の電解質を入れることによって、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の洗浄のための強酸性イオン水を生成させるようにして成ることを特徴とするので、カルシウム添加用カートリッジを利用して電解質を水に添加することができ、強酸性イオン水を電解水生成装置で生成させて酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１４６】
また請求項１２の発明は、電解槽への通水経路に濾過材を収容した浄水装置を設け、前記請求項４の電解質を入れたカートリッジを濾過材に代えて取り付けることによって、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の洗浄のための強酸性イオン水を生成させるようにして成ることを特徴とするので、浄水装置をそのまま利用して電解質を水に添加することができ、強酸性イオン水を電解水生成装置で生成させて酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１４７】
また請求項１３の発明は、前記請求項４の電解質を入れたカートリッジを通水経路に取り付けたときには、電解水を生成するモードを受付不能にする制御部を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、電解質が水に供給されるときにはアルカリイオン水などの電解水が生成されないようにすることができ、電解質が混入した電解水を誤って飲むようなことを未然に防ぐことができるものである。
【０１４８】
また請求項１４の発明は、電解槽内のアルカリオイオン水を生成する室と酸性イオン水を生成する室のいずれか一方にのみ請求項４の電解質を供給して、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の洗浄のための強酸性イオン水を生成させるようにして成ることを特徴とするので、電解槽内への電解質の供給量を制限して強酸性イオン水を生成することができ、次亜塩素酸濃度を低めに調整して洗浄により適した強酸性イオン水を得ることができるものである。
【０１４９】
また請求項１５の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極の表面を洗浄する洗浄モードが選択されると、作用電極の表面を強酸性イオン水、これより酸性度の低い酸性イオン水、アルカリイオン水の順に処理する洗浄が自動的に行なわれるように制御する制御部を具備して成ることを特徴とするので、面倒な操作を行なう必要なく酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を行なうことができるものである。
【０１５０】
また請求項１６の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの洗浄が終るまでの間、酸化還元電位センサで測定された酸化還元電位の表示がされないように制御する制御部を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、洗浄前の酸化還元電位センサで測定された誤った数値の酸化還元電位が表示されることを防ぐことができるものである。
また請求項１７の発明は、電解水を生成するモードで運転した後は、排水が完了するまで酸化還元電位センサの作用電極を洗浄する洗浄モードを受付不能にすると共に、電解水を生成しないモードで運転した後は洗浄モードを受付可能にする制御部を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、電解水を生成するモードの運転が停止されると逆電洗浄が行なわれるようにした場合にあっても、逆電洗浄で除去されるスケールを排水と共に排水することができ、このスケールによって酸化還元電位センサの洗浄が悪影響を受けることを未然に防ぐことができるものである。
【０１５１】
また請求項１８の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中は、電解水を生成するモードを受付不能に制御する制御部を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、無機塩素化合物等の電解質が供給されている洗浄モードから電解水を生成するモードに切り換わって、電解質が混入した電解水が吐出されるようなことを防ぐことができ、電解質が混入した電解水を誤って飲むようなことを未然に防止することができるものである。
【０１５２】
また請求項１９の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止されると、電解質や電解質が含有される電解水が残存していることを報知する報知手段を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、無機塩素化合物等の電解質が混入した電解水を誤って飲むようなことを未然に防ぐことができるものである。
【０１５３】
また請求項２０の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止された後に、通水が行なわれたとき、所定量の通水あるいは所定時間の通水が行なわれるまで、電解水を生成するモードを受付不能に制御する制御部を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、無機塩素化合物等の電解質が完全に排出された後に、電解水を生成するモードに切り換えることができ、電解質が混入した電解水を誤って飲むようなことを未然に防ぐことができるものである。
【０１５４】
また請求項２１の発明は、酸化還元電位センサの作用電極を洗浄する洗浄モードの実施中に通水が停止された後に、通水が行なわれたとき、所定量の通水あるいは所定時間の通水が行なわれるまで、吐水される水が飲用不可であることを報知する報知手段を設けて成ることを特徴とするので、電解質が混入した電解水を誤って飲むようなことを未然に防止することができるものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の一例における、酸化還元電位センサの洗浄を示すものであり、（ａ），（ｂ），（ｃ）はそれぞれ概略断面図である。
【図２】同上に用いる酸化還元電位センサの実施の形態の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図３】同上の酸化還元電位センサの制御の一例を示すブロック図である。
【図４】本発明の電解水生成装置の第一の実施の形態を示す概略図である。
【図５】本発明の電解水生成装置の第二の実施の形態を示す概略図である。
【図６】本発明の電解水生成装置の第二の実施の形態を示す概略図である。
【図７】同上の第二の実施の形態に用いる水質測定装置を示すものであり、（ａ），（ｂ）はそれぞれ断面図である。
【図８】同上の第二の実施の形態に用いる電解質供給装置を示すものであり、（ａ），（ｂ）はそれぞれ断面図である。
【図９】同上の第二の実施の形態に用いる電解質供給装置の容器を示すものであり、（ａ），（ｂ）はそれぞれ断面図である。
【図１０】同上の第二の実施の形態に用いる近接スイッチを示すブロック図である。
【図１１】同上の第二の実施の形態の一部を示すものであり、（ａ）は制御系のブロック図、（ｂ）は操作表示部の正面図である。
【図１２】同上の第二の実施の形態の制御系のブロック回路図である。
【図１３】同上の第二の実施の形態の動作説明図である。
【図１４】同上の第二の実施の形態の動作説明図である。
【図１５】同上の第二の実施の形態の動作説明図である。
【図１６】同上の第二の実施の形態における酸化還元電位とｐＨの関係を示すグラフである。
【図１７】従来例を示す概略図である。
【図１８】他の従来例を示す概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 酸化還元電位センサ
２ 作用電極
１０ 電解槽
２０ 浄水装置
Ｌ_１ 強酸性イオン水
Ｌ_２ 弱酸性イオン水
Ｌ_３ 強アルカリイオン水[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes an electrolyzed water generating device that continuously generates alkaline electrolyzed water or acidic electrolyzed water by electrolyzing raw water, and particularly includes a redox potential sensor that measures the redox potential of electrolyzed water discharged. In addition, the present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus having means for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of electrolyzed water generator, an alkali ion water conditioner having a configuration as shown in FIG. 17 has been conventionally known. This electrolyzed water generating device is basically used to purify raw water such as tap water (city water), and to electrolyze purified water purified by the water purifier 20 into alkaline water and acidic water. An electrolytic cell 10 to be decomposed, and water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B for measuring water quality of alkaline water and acidic water electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 10 are provided. Moreover, in order to promote the electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 10, the electrolyte supply apparatus 40 which adds electrolyte to purified water is provided. The water purifier 20 removes odor components dissolved in raw water such as organic substances and inorganic substances in the raw water, and hypochlorous acid, and is configured using a filtering material such as an antibacterial activated carbon filter or a hollow fiber membrane filter. ing.
[0003]
The inside of the electrolytic cell 10 is partitioned into a first electrode chamber 12A surrounded by an electrolytic diaphragm 11 through which ions can pass and an electrode chamber 12B which is outside the electrode chamber 12A. Electrodes 13A and 13B are disposed in the electrode chambers 12A and 12B, respectively. The purified water flowing out of the water purifier 20 is divided into a flow path directly connected to the inlet 14A of the electrode chamber 12A and a flow path connected to the inlet 14B of the electrode chamber 12B through the electrolyte supply device 40. The electrolyte supply device 40 continuously supplies an electrolyte to purified water. For example, a calcium agent such as calcium lactate or calcium glycerophosphate is used as an electrolyte in order to obtain alkaline ion water to which calcium is added. Thus, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 13A and 13B (here, the electrode 13A is an anode and the electrode 13B is a cathode) and the water passed through the electrolytic cell 10 is electrolyzed, the electrode chamber 12A is acidic. Water is generated, and alkali ion water is generated in the electrode chamber 12B. The alkaline ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell 10 passes through the outlet 15B, and the acidic ionized water is discharged separately through the outlet 15A.
[0004]
In addition, the water quality (pH, oxidation-reduction potential, concentration of various ions) of electrolyzed water (alkaline ion water and acid ion water) is greatly affected by the supply amount and quality of raw water. Water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B are provided in the path to monitor the quality of alkaline ionized water and acidic ions. The flow rate of the electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell 10 is in the range of several cm / sec to several tens of cm / sec, and the water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B apply the measurement results to the applied voltage between the electrodes 13A and 13B. Since it is used for the purpose of maintaining the quality of electrolyzed water by feeding back to the above, it is required to detect the quality of electrolyzed water in real time. Therefore, in order to prevent a time delay in the time required for the measurement, the water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B are those that measure the water quality based on the electrochemical principle. That is, the water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B that measure the water quality based on the electrochemical principle can measure in real time by measuring the water quality by bringing the working electrode into direct contact with the electrolyzed water. It is an optimal water quality measuring device to use. Here, the water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B do not necessarily need to measure the water quality of both alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and there are some that measure the water quality of only one of them.
[0005]
Furthermore, when the raw water is passed through and electrolyzed, the scale attached to the electrodes 13A and 13B is applied by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that at the time of passing water between the electrodes 13A and 13B. Then, draining from the electrolytic cell 10 is performed by opening a drain valve 24 made of an electromagnetic valve. Such a treatment after water stoppage is called a reverse electric washing treatment.
[0006]
By the way, the alkaline ionized water device is mainly intended to use weakly basic alkaline ionized water for drinking, and by adding calcium ions to the alkaline ionized water, the added value of the alkaline ionized water is increased. I try to increase it. That is, calcium ions are added to alkaline ionized water by using a calcium compound as an electrolyte added to promote electrolysis. As described above, a calcium agent such as calcium lactate or calcium glycerophosphate is used for the electrolyte, and when the electrolyte-added water is introduced into the electrode chamber 12B, the electrolyte is mixed into the alkaline ionized water discharged from the electrolytic cell 10. Therefore, in the alkaline ionized water device, an electrolyte is added to the water introduced into the electrode chamber 12A. In particular, when calcium lactate is used as an electrolyte, lactate ions are generated, and lactate ions can be precursors of organochlorine compounds (trihalomethane). Therefore, contamination of lactate ions into alkaline ionized water mainly used for food and drink must be avoided. Don't be. In other words, by introducing water to which the electrolyte is added into the anode chamber 12A, only calcium ions increase due to electroosmosis of calcium ions from the anode side into the alkali ion water, and lactate ions are discharged together with the acid ion water. It is.
[0007]
Here, by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that when alkaline ionized water is generated, weakly acidic acidic ionized water having a pH of about 5.0 to 6.0 may be generated. Because it has an astringent effect, it is used for face washing. In addition, acidic water is generated at the same time as alkaline ionized water, and the concentration of acidic ionized water is higher than that of alkaline ionized water so that a large amount of weakly basic alkaline ionized water can be produced for drinking. The capacity ratio is set so as to increase. That is, when alkaline ionized water is generated, strongly acidic strongly acidic ionized water having a pH value of about 3 to 4 is generated at the same time. This strongly acidic ionized water is not used for washing the face, but for washing and sterilizing cutting boards and cloths. Similarly, if acidic ionic water is generated by applying a reverse polarity voltage to the electrode, strongly basic strongly alkaline ionic water is generated.
[0008]
On the other hand, as an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, a strongly oxidized water generating apparatus that uses acidic water (hereinafter referred to as strong oxidized water) having a strong oxidizing property with a pH of 2.7 or lower and an oxidation-reduction potential of 1100 mV or higher is also known. ing. Strongly oxidized water mainly uses the oxidative properties of hypochlorous acid, and various attempts have been made to improve and sterilize skin disease symptoms such as atopic dermatitis. Has been. As shown in FIG. 18, this type of electrolyzed water generating device is different from the alkali ion water conditioner in the position of the electrolyte supply device 40. That is, in the alkaline ionized water device, after the purified water is diverted, only the purified water to the anode chamber 18 is passed through the electrolyte supply device 40. However, in the strong oxidation water generator, before the purified water is divided, the electrolyte supply device 40 Water is passed through and the electrolyte is added to the water flowing into both electrode chambers 12A and 12B. In this case, an inorganic chlorine compound such as sodium chloride (or salt), calcium chloride, potassium chloride, or a mixture thereof is used as the electrolyte, and strong basic strongly alkaline ionized water is obtained simultaneously with strong oxidized water.
[0009]
As described above, in the strongly oxidized water generating apparatus, the electric conductivity of the water flowing into both electrode chambers 12A and 12B is made uniform to facilitate the flow of current, and the chlorine ions of the electrolyte to be added are effectively utilized to reduce hypoxia. In order to efficiently generate chloric acid, an electrolyte is added to both of the water introduced into the electrode chambers 12A and 12B.
In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of FIGS. 17 and 18 as described above, the water quality measuring devices 30A and 30B measure the redox potential of the discharged electrolyzed water in addition to pH and various ion concentrations as described above. Has been. Conventionally, a commercially available redox potential sensor for measuring this redox potential has an insoluble metal electrode such as platinum as a working electrode and a silver-silver chloride electrode as a reference electrode. It is immersed in a test solution and the relative potential difference generated between both electrodes is displayed as a redox potential.
[0010]
Here, the oxidation-reduction potential indicates strength and does not indicate capacity. Therefore, the redox potential is independent of the poisoning effect (resistance to changes in the redox system). This is because the oxidation-reduction potential depends on the ratio between the activity (concentration) of the oxidizing substance and the activity (concentration) of the reducing substance and is not based on the absolute amount of each. For example, when the total concentration of the redox system is 0.01% and 10%, the same redox potential is exhibited when 90% is oxidized, but the poisoning effect is 1000 times larger in the latter than in the former. Therefore, when measuring the redox potential of wastewater, soil, or culture solution, the total concentration of these redox potential substances is relatively high, so even if there is variation, the ratio is reduced and stable measurement is possible. However, if the total concentration of redox potential substances, such as tap water or electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing it, is low, the rate of variation increases and the response becomes slow and stable measurement is possible. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to do.
[0011]
In this way, measuring the redox potential of tap water and its electrolyzed water with a low total concentration of redox potential substances is a problem in measuring accuracy. Changes in the surface state of the working electrode, for example, when platinum is used as the working electrode, formation of an oxide film due to surface oxidation by air on the surface of platinum or surface oxidation by the test solution, redox substances in the test solution, It is considered that changes caused by physical adsorption of impurities are involved.
[0012]
Therefore, in order to stably measure the redox potential with high accuracy, it is necessary to clean the surface of the platinum working electrode to remove the oxide film and adsorbed substances and to renew the electrode surface. Some proposals have been made in the past. For example, there is a method of cleaning the surface of the working electrode by using chromium sulfuric acid, hot concentrated nitric acid, high hydrochloric acid solution or the like as a cleaning agent and immersing the working electrode in these cleaning agents.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus, electrolyzed water is provided for beverages, and therefore, it is problematic in terms of safety to wash the oxidation-reduction potential sensor with a toxic drug as described above.
This invention is made | formed in view of said point, and it aims at providing the electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus which can perform the washing | cleaning of a redox potential sensor with high safety | security.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an electrolyzer that electrolyzes water to be passed to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and discharges these electrolyzed water separately. In the electrolyzed water generating device comprising an oxidation-reduction potential sensor that measures and displays the oxidation-reduction potential of electrolyzed water discharged from the working water, a working electrode formed of an insoluble metal electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is used as strongly acidic ion water, A means for sequentially washing the surface of the working electrode by treating in this order with acidic ion water having a lower acidity and alkaline ion water is provided.
[0015]
In the invention of claim 2, the strongly acidic ionic water contains dissolved chlorine having a redox potential of 900 mV or higher and a pH of 3.5 or lower, and the acidic ionic water has a redox potential of 500 mV to 1000 mV. The solution contains dissolved oxygen having a pH of 4 to 6, and the alkaline ionized water contains dissolved hydrogen having a redox potential of −200 mV or less and a pH of 9.5 or more.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the invention, the strongly acidic ionic water is produced by electrolyzing water to which an inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte is added, and the acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water are produced by electrolyzing water. It is characterized by being made.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte includes sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride. Chosen from It is an inorganic chlorine compound.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing the redox potential of electrolyzed water at the initial stage of water flow measured by a redox potential sensor after washing or after completion of each washing step as an initial measured value, and redox when producing electrolyzed water. Comparison means for comparing the oxidation-reduction potential of the electrolyzed water measured by the potential sensor and the initial measurement value stored in the storage means, and display means for prompting cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor when the comparison value by the comparison means exceeds a predetermined value It is characterized by comprising.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of operating in a plurality of modes so as to generate a plurality of types of electrolyzed ion water having different pH levels in the electrolyzer, the electrolyzer after cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is provided. It is characterized by comprising storage means for storing the measured values of the redox potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the redox potential sensor at the initial stage of water passage as initial measured values.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 7 compares the measured value of the redox potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the redox potential sensor during the electrolyzed water generation operation with the initial measured value in each mode stored in the storage means. Comparing means and display means for prompting cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor when the comparison value by the comparing means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value are provided.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 8 stores the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential of each mode of ionic water measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor at the initial stage of water flow to the electrolytic cell after washing of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor as an initial measurement value. In this case, the ion reduction potential is measured by passing ionic water through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor in each of the modes from the high-level mode to the low-level mode, and the measured value is initially measured in each mode. It is characterized in that it is stored in a storage means as a measured value.
[0021]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an electrolyte supply device is provided in a water passage to the electrolytic cell, and electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell while supplying the electrolyte to water by the electrolyte supply device. It is characterized by generating strongly acidic ionic water for washing.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an electrolyte supply device is formed by including a calcium addition cartridge containing a calcium additive, and the cartridge containing the electrolyte is replaced with a calcium addition cartridge to be a water passage to the electrolytic cell. By attaching, strongly acidic ionic water for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is generated.
[0022]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an electrolyte supply device is formed having a calcium addition cartridge, and the electrolyte is placed in the calcium addition cartridge in place of the calcium additive, thereby cleaning the working electrode of the redox potential sensor. It is characterized by generating strong acidic ionic water for the purpose.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a water purifier containing a filtering material is detachably provided in a water passage to the electrolytic cell, and a cartridge containing the electrolyte is attached to the water passage instead of the filtering material, thereby It is characterized by generating strongly acidic ionized water for cleaning the working electrode of the potential sensor.
[0023]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit that disables acceptance of a mode for generating electrolyzed water when the cartridge containing the electrolyte is attached to the water passage.
The invention of claim 14 provides the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor by supplying the electrolyte of claim 4 only to one of the chamber for generating alkaline ionic water and the chamber for generating acidic ionic water in the electrolytic cell. It is characterized by generating strongly acidic ionic water for washing.
[0024]
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the cleaning mode for cleaning the surface of the working electrode of the redox potential sensor is selected, the surface of the working electrode is strongly acidic ionic water, acidic ionic water having a lower acidity, and alkaline ionic water. It is characterized by comprising a control part which controls so that the washing processed in this order is automatically performed.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit for controlling so that the oxidation-reduction potential measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is not displayed until the cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is completed. It is.
[0025]
In the invention of claim 17, after operating in the mode for generating electrolyzed water, the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is disabled until drainage is completed, and the mode for not generating electrolyzed water is used. It is characterized by providing a control unit that can accept the cleaning mode after driving. .
The invention of claim 18 is characterized in that a control unit is provided for controlling the mode of generating electrolyzed water to be unacceptable during the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor. .
[0026]
The invention according to claim 19 is a notification for informing that the electrolytic water containing the electrolyte or the electrolyte remains when the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor. Means are provided.
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, when water flow is performed after the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, a predetermined amount of water flow or a predetermined time of water flow is performed. Until the operation is performed, a control unit that controls the mode of generating electrolyzed water to be unacceptable is provided.
[0027]
According to the invention of claim 21, when water flow is performed after the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, a predetermined amount of water or a predetermined amount of water is passed. It is characterized by providing an informing means for informing that the water discharged is not drinkable until the water is discharged.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 used by being incorporated in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention. This redox potential sensor 1 is connected to a continuous water flow system, and is used to measure the redox potential of a test liquid such as water passed through the water flow system. A platinum electrode enclosed in glass is disposed in the flow path 37 so that water flows to the outlet 119. This platinum electrode is used as a working electrode 2 immersed in water (that is, electrolyzed water) flowing from the inlet 118 to the outlet 119, and a silver-silver chloride electrode having a saturated potassium chloride solution as an internal liquid 111 is used as a comparative electrode 112. The oxidation-reduction potential of can be measured. In order to prevent the internal liquid 111 from eluting and affecting the water flowing from the inlet 118 to the outlet 119, the liquid junction 116 is formed of porous alumina ceramic. The potential difference measured between the working electrode 2 and the comparison electrode 112 is amplified and output by the amplifier 110 and displayed as an oxidation-reduction potential. It is also possible to digitally display the signal amplified by the amplifier 110 by AD conversion.
[0029]
Here, the working electrode 2 formed of an insoluble metal electrode such as platinum of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is not particularly restricted whether it is rod-shaped or plate-shaped, and the shape and area of the working electrode 2 is a reversible battery. It is only necessary that the potential is formed and the potential can be reliably measured. The surface is not particularly limited, but the surface is preferably such that a film due to an impurity such as a redox potential substance is not formed. However, at the initial stage of use, only a part of the surface of the working electrode 2 such as platinum is in an oxidized state, but if left in the air for a long time, the amount of atomic oxygen on the surface increases, and the redox of water When the potential measurement is repeated, the redox potential substance is not completely desorbed from the surface and remains partially adsorbed, and a film is formed on the surface of the working electrode 2. When a film is formed on the surface of the working electrode 2 in this way, measurement deviation occurs or response becomes slow. In particular, when measuring water with low ionic strength at tap water level, the measurement is stable. The performance is greatly reduced.
[0030]
Therefore, in the present invention, the surface of the working electrode 2 is renewed by safely washing the working electrode 2 formed of an insoluble metal electrode such as platinum of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, and the measurement accuracy, responsiveness, and measurement stability are updated. Is intended to recover.
That is, as a first step, strongly acidic ionic water L containing dissolved chlorine ₁ As shown in FIG. 1A, this strongly acidic ionic water L ₁ Or dipping the working electrode 2 into the working electrode 2 ₁ The working electrode 2 is made to pass through this strongly acidic ionic water L. ₁ Process with. Strong acid ionic water L ₁ Is an electrolytic cell having a diaphragm with water added with about 0.03 to 0.3% by weight of a strong electrolysis inorganic chlorine compound such as sodium chloride (salt), calcium chloride, potassium chloride as an electrolyte (FIGS. 4 and FIG. 5, see FIG. 6), and by applying a constant voltage and performing electrolysis, it can be obtained from the anode side as containing dissolved chlorine, and the oxidation-reduction potential is 900 mV or more (in particular, the upper limit is Although not set, it is preferably 1300 mV or less, and strongly acidic ionized water having a pH of 3.5 or less (the lower limit is not particularly set but is preferably pH 2 or more) is desirable. Thus, strongly acidic ionic water L containing dissolved chlorine ₁ By treating the working electrode 2 for about 1 to 10 minutes, the adsorbed impurities formed on the surface of the working electrode 2 formed of an insoluble metal electrode such as platinum can be removed by oxidative decomposition.
[0031]
However, since the surface adsorption of chlorine occurs on the working electrode 2 in this first step, the surface is not completely renewed. Therefore, weak acid ionic water L containing dissolved oxygen as the second step ₂ As shown in FIG. 1B, the weakly acidic ionic water L ₂ The working electrode 2 is immersed in the working electrode 2 or the weakly acidic ionic water L ₂ The weakly acidic ionic water L containing dissolved oxygen is passed through the working electrode 2. ₂ Process with. Weakly acidic ionic water L ₂ The water quality level of tap water can be obtained from the anode side by passing water through an electrolytic cell having a diaphragm in the same manner as described above, and applying a constant voltage for electrolysis. Is preferably acidic ionic water having a pH of 4 to 6 and a pH of 500 mV to 1000 mV. This acidic ionic water is a water having a high dissolved oxygen concentration and a relatively high oxidizing power, and a weak acidic ionic water L containing dissolved oxygen. ₂ By treating the working electrode 2 for about 1 to 10 minutes, chlorine adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2 is replaced with oxygen, and the surface of the working electrode 2 such as platinum approaches an updated state.
[0032]
However, there are cases where adsorption of atomic oxygen occurs on the surface of the working electrode 2, and it cannot be said that it has been updated to a complete initial surface state yet. Therefore, as a third step, alkaline ionized water L containing dissolved hydrogen is used. ₃ As shown in FIG. 1C, the alkaline ionized water L ₃ The working electrode 2 is immersed in the working electrode 2 or the alkaline ionized water L ₃ Alkaline ionized water L containing this dissolved hydrogen ₃ Process with. Alkaline ion water L ₃ The water quality level of tap water can be obtained from the cathode side by passing water through an electrolytic cell having a diaphragm in the same manner as described above, and applying a constant voltage for electrolysis. Is strongly alkaline ionized water of -200 mV or less (the lower limit is not particularly set but preferably -800 mV or more) and the pH is 9.5 or more (the upper limit is not particularly set but is preferably pH 12 or less). Is desirable. Strong alkaline ionized water L containing dissolved hydrogen ₃ Is highly reducing, and this alkaline ionized water L ₃ By processing the working electrode 2 for about 1 to 10 minutes, the amount of atomic oxygen on the surface of the working electrode 2 such as platinum can be reduced and the surface of the working electrode 2 can be almost completely renewed. It is.
[0033]
By cleaning and updating the surface of the working electrode 2 in this manner, the speed of equilibrium between the working electrode 2 and the water redox system can be increased, and the measurement accuracy, responsiveness, and measurement stability can be restored. It is something that can be done.
Next, an example of demonstrating the cleaning effect will be described using the redox potential sensor 1 shown in FIG. As test water, a 0.001 mM potassium chromate-0.015 mM ammonium iron sulfate solution (a redox potential temporary reference solution) using pure water that was aerated and adjusted to a constant electrical conductivity as a solvent was used. . The theoretical redox potential of this assay water is 310 mV. First, the oxidation-reduction potential of this test water was measured using the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 whose surface of the working electrode 2 was clean, and this was recorded as an initial measurement value as shown in Table 1. The redox potential of this initial measured value is 309 mV, which is within the error range. Next, after passing 1 ton of municipal water intermittently through the flow path 37 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the redox potential of the test water is measured again, and this is measured before washing. Values were recorded as shown in Table 1. The redox potential of the measured value before washing is 382 mV, which is a value greatly deviating from the theoretical value. This phenomenon is considered to be a measurement shift due to impurities such as redox substances on the surface of platinum which is the working electrode 2. Therefore, the above cleaning method was performed on the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1.
[0034]
That is, strong acid ionic water L containing dissolved chlorine in the first step ₁ As a second step, a highly acidic ionized water having an oxidation-reduction potential of 1130 mV and a pH of 2.6 obtained by electrolyzing water under the conditions of an electrolysis voltage of 8 V, an electrolysis current of 14 A, and a salt concentration of 0.1% by weight is used. Weakly acidic ionized water L ₂ In the third step, alkaline ionized water L containing dissolved hydrogen in the third step using acidic ionized water having an oxidation-reduction potential of 700 mV and a pH of 5.5 obtained by electrolyzing water under conditions of an electrolysis voltage of 25 V and an electrolysis current of 5 A ₃ As described above, strong alkaline ionized water having an oxidation-reduction potential of −720 mV and a pH of 10.5 obtained by electrolyzing water under the conditions of an electrolysis voltage of 35 V and an electrolysis current of 7 A is used, and each wash water is 2 liters / liter at each step. It was carried out by passing water for 2 minutes at a water flow rate of min.
[0035]
After washing the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1 in this way, the redox potential of the test water was measured again, and this was recorded as the measured value after washing as shown in Table 1. The redox potential of the measured value after washing is 310 mV, and it is confirmed that the surface of the working electrode 2 is restored to the initial state.
[0036]
[Table 1]

[0037]
Next, the oxidation electrode potential sensor 1 in which the control circuit system is integrally formed will be described. The redox potential sensor 1 is provided with a control circuit system 123. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit system 123 stores an oxidation / reduction potential value measured by the redox potential sensor 1 from an EPROM or the like. And a comparison means 25 comprising a comparison operation circuit for comparing the values of the oxidation-reduction potential. The storage means 24 and the comparison means 25 are inputted with data signals of measured values of the oxidation / reduction potential measured by the oxidation / reduction potential sensor 1, respectively, and based on the signals output from the comparison means 25. The display means 26 formed by a lamp or the like is operated.
[0038]
Then, after cleaning the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, the oxidation-reduction potential is measured using known water such as the aforementioned oxidation-reduction potential temporary reference solution. The storage means 24 is controlled by the operation of the switch 127, and when the redox potential is measured by the redox potential sensor 1 after washing in this way, when the switch 127 is turned on, the measured value is initialized. The measured value is stored in the storage means 24. Next, when the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is used, impurities are adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2 over time, resulting in a deviation in the measured value. Therefore, after using the oxidation electrode potential sensor 1 for a predetermined period, the oxidation-reduction potential is measured using the same water as described above. This measurement value measured by the oxidation electrode potential sensor 1 is input to the comparison means 25 and compared with the initial measurement value stored in the storage means 24. When the difference between the initial measurement value calculated by the comparison means 25 and the measurement value exceeds a predetermined value, a signal is output from the comparison means 25, for example, by turning on the lamp of the display means 26. Cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is promoted. In this way, when impurities are adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 and a measurement abnormality occurs, it is possible to detect it and notify the cleaning, and the accuracy has gone wrong. It is possible to prevent the use of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 as it is.
[0039]
Next, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus incorporating the above redox potential sensor 1 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the electrolyzed water generating device. The electrolyzer 10, the backwash unit 131, the switching valves 132 and 133, the calcium agent addition cartridge 4 used as the electrolyte supply device 40, the water purifier 20, and the oxidation The reduction potential sensor 1 and the like are configured in a housing 100.
[0040]
The electrolytic cell 10 includes one or more electrodes 13A and 13B each serving as a cathode and an anode, and an electrolytic diaphragm 11 that partitions both of them. The inlet 14A and 14B are provided on the bottom side, and the discharge port 15A and 15B, and these discharge ports 15A and 15B are connected to the discharge pipes 141 and 142 via the switching valve 133. Here, the inflow port 14A and the discharge port 15A communicate with a space in the electrolytic membrane 11 surrounding one electrode 13A, and the inflow port 14B and the discharge port 15B communicate with a space surrounding the other electrode 13B. However, the inlet 14A is made thinner than the inlet 14B so that the flow rate flowing into the electrode 13A side is smaller than the flow rate flowing into the electrode 13B side at a ratio of 1: 3 to 1: 4. The switching valve 133 communicates the discharge port 15B with the discharge tube 142 when the discharge port 15A communicates with the discharge tube 141, and connects the discharge port 15B with the discharge tube 142 when communicating with the discharge port 15A. An electromagnetic rotary valve or a motor type switching valve is configured to communicate with the pipe 141.
[0041]
The water purifier 20 is formed by mounting a cartridge containing a filter medium 20a made of activated carbon and a filter medium 20b made of a hollow fiber membrane, and is detachably connected to the backwash unit 131, It can be replaced. The backwash unit 131 eliminates the clogging of the filtering materials 20a and 20b in the water purifier 20 by causing the water once passed through the water purifier 20 to flow back to the water purifier 20 by the water pressure supplied from the switching valve 132. The switching valve 132 is for switching between the water supply state to the electrolytic cell 10 and the backflow state.
[0042]
Further, a flow meter 146, a solenoid valve 147, and a check valve 148 are provided between the backwash unit 131 and the inlets 14A and 14B of the electrolytic cell 10, and calcium is provided in the middle of the piping from the solenoid valve 147 to the inlet 14A. An addition cartridge 4 is provided. The calcium addition cartridge 4 is formed by accommodating a calcium preparation, and is used for increasing the amount of calcium in the water by dissolving calcium in the water passed through the pipe. This calcium addition cartridge 4 is connected to a pipe so that it can be replaced. The check valve 148 is connected to the drain port 149 and is closed when the upstream raw water pressure is applied, but is opened when the water pressure is no longer applied, and the water in the electrolytic cell 10 and the piping The remaining water is discharged from the drain outlet 149.
[0043]
Further, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is connected in the middle of the piping between the electrolytic cell 10 and the discharge pipe 142. As the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, a control system having the same structure as that shown in FIG. 2 is used, and electrolytic ion water generated in the electrolytic cell 10 passes through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1. In this case, a half-cell reaction occurs at the working electrode 2 such as platinum in accordance with the concentration of the redox potential substance of the electrolytic ion water, which is output as a potential difference from the comparison electrode 112 and amplified by the amplifier 110 and amplified. Based on the output value, AD conversion is performed by the control circuit to digitally display the oxidation-reduction potential.
[0044]
Next, the flow of water when extracting electrolytic ion water from tap water will be described. When the water of the currant 60 is switched to the switching valve 132 side by the water channel switching device 61, the water passes through the water purification device 20 through the switching valve 132, enters the electrolytic cell 10 through the inlets 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B, and enters the electrolytic cell 10. Electrolyzed. Energization of the electrodes 13A and 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 is started based on information on the flow of water obtained from the flow meter 146.
[0045]
If an instruction to obtain alkaline ionized water is given, the polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 is a cathode and the electrode 13A is an anode. Thereby, alkaline ionized water is obtained from the discharge port 15B, acidic ionized water is obtained from the discharge port 15A, alkaline ionized water is discharged from the discharge tube 142, and acidic ionized water is discharged from the discharge tube 141. Conversely, if an instruction to obtain acidic ionized water is given, the polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 3 is the anode and the electrode 13A is the cathode. Thereby, acidic ion water is obtained from the discharge port 15B, alkaline ion water is obtained from the discharge port 15A, acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge tube 142, and alkaline ion water is discharged from the discharge tube 141. The ionic water discharged from the discharge pipe 142 passes through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 and the oxidation-reduction potential is measured and displayed.
[0046]
In addition, in order to obtain electrolytic ionic water of water to which a strong electrolyte inorganic chlorine compound such as salt is added, instead of the calcium addition cartridge 4, a cartridge 5 formed of the same housing as the calcium addition cartridge 4 may be provided with salt or the like. It connects to piping using the thing filled with the inorganic chlorine compound of (Claim 10). The polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 is a cathode and the electrode 13A is an anode. Further, the switching valve 133 is switched so that the discharge port 15B is connected to the discharge tube 141 and the discharge port 15A is connected to the discharge tube 142, and strong acidic ionized water is supplied from the discharge tube 142 and alkaline ionized water is supplied from the discharge tube 141. Discharged. The amount of the inorganic chlorine compound such as salt added from the cartridge 5 is preferably 0.03 to 0.3% by weight of the inorganic chlorine compound such as salt in water. The cartridge 5 is formed in the structure to become.
[0047]
In order to electrolyze water added with a strong electrolyte inorganic chlorine compound such as sodium chloride, instead of the calcium addition cartridge 4, an electrolyte addition cartridge 5 filled with an inorganic chlorine compound such as sodium chloride is used. In addition, instead of the cartridge containing the filter medium of the water purifier 20, a cartridge filled with an inorganic chlorine compound such as salt (or a mixture of this and an organic acid such as citric acid) is replaced with the water purifier 20. In addition, an inorganic chlorine compound can be added to water (claim 12). Furthermore, the inorganic chlorine compound can be added to water by filling the cartridge 4 for calcium addition with an inorganic chlorine compound such as sodium chloride as an electrolyte instead of the calcium agent (claim 11).
[0048]
Then, the electrolyzed water generating device can generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water having different pH levels in the electrolytic cell 10 by operating the operation unit of the operation panel (not shown) and switching the pH changeover switch. It is possible to operate in a plurality of modes by controlling the electrolysis voltage. For example, alkaline ionized water has a pH level of 8.5 at level 1, pH 9.0 at level 2, pH 9.5 at level 3, pH 10.5 at level 4, and pH ionic water has a level 1 level. The operation is possible in each mode of two pH levels, pH 5.5, level 2 and pH 2.9, and the operation can also be performed in the water purification mode in which no electrolytic voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 10. Each of these electrolytic ionic waters with different pH (including purified water, the same applies hereinafter) also has different oxidation-reduction potentials, but the higher the pH, the lower the oxidation-reduction potential. The lower the pH, the lower the oxidation-reduction potential. High value.
[0049]
Here, the redox potential sensor 1 is provided with the control circuit system 123 of FIG. 3 described above, and the redox potential of the electrolyzed water at the initial stage of water flow measured by the redox potential sensor 1 after cleaning is initially measured. The value is stored in the storage means 25, and the oxidation-reduction potential of the electrolytic ionic water generated in the electrolytic cell 10 when the electrolytic water is generated is measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, and is measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 when this electrolytic water is generated. The comparison means 25 compares the oxidation-reduction potential value with the initial measurement value stored in the storage means 24. When the comparison difference value by the comparison means 25 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the display means 6 causes the oxidation-reduction potential sensor to be compared. 1 is promoted (claim 5).
[0050]
And when using electrolyzed water generators with the same water quality, ionic water with the same pH shows the same oxidation-reduction potential, so in each mode that produces alkaline ionic water with different pH levels, acidic ine water with different pH levels, or purified water The redox potential of ionic water measured by the redox potential sensor 1 after washing is stored in the storage means 24 as an initial measurement value, and the redox potential sensor 1 is operated during the operation of generating electrolytic ionic water. The comparison unit 25 compares the oxidation-reduction potential of the electrolytic ionic water measured in step 1 with the initial measurement value stored in the storage unit 24. If the comparison difference is, for example, 100 mV or more, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is compared. It can be determined that the measurement accuracy abnormality occurred due to the adhesion of impurities to the surface of the working electrode 2. It is so as to light the lamp of the display unit 26 to prompt the cleaning Sa 1. Therefore, regardless of the mode in which the electrolyzed water generator is used, the redox potential sensor 1 can be cleaned knowing that the redox potential sensor 1 needs to be cleaned, and the measured value of the redox potential is always correct. It is possible to use the electrolyzed water generating device while displaying (Claims 6 and 7).
[0051]
As described above, when the initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential is stored in the storage unit 24 in each mode, it is necessary to perform the measurement in the order of the next mode in order to accurately perform the initial measurement of the oxidation-reduction potential. That is, in the case of water having a lot of dissolved hydrogen such as alkaline ionized water, hydrogen is easily adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2 such as platinum of the redox potential sensor 1, but hydrogen is easily detached from the surface. After that, the influence on measuring the redox potential of water in other modes is small. On the other hand, in the case of water having a large amount of dissolved oxygen or dissolved chlorine such as acidic ion water, if oxygen or chlorine is adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2 such as platinum of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, it is more difficult to desorb than hydrogen. In addition, the influence of measuring the redox potential of water in other modes after this becomes large. Therefore, first measure the oxidation-reduction potential in the operation mode for generating alkaline ionized water, and in order to avoid the influence of the pre-measurement solution as much as possible, the alkaline ionized water is shifted from the one with the highest pH level to the lowest one. Then, the oxidation-reduction potential is measured, and the initial measurement values in each mode are sequentially stored in the storage means 24, and then measured in the water purification mode, and the initial measurement values of the oxidation-reduction potential are sequentially stored in the storage means 24, Thereafter, the oxidation-reduction potential is measured in an operation mode for generating acidic ionic water, and again, in order to avoid the influence of the pre-measurement solution as much as possible, the acidic ionic water is changed from the highest in pH level to the lowest in order. Then, the oxidation-reduction potential is measured, and this initial measurement value in each mode is stored in the storage means 24 in order. In this way, the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential in each mode can be accurately measured and stored in the storage unit 24. The measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential during the subsequent electrolyzed water generation operation and the comparison unit 25 can be used. In comparison, the necessity of cleaning the redox potential sensor 1 can be detected with high accuracy (claim 8).
[0052]
In the case of the above example, first, an initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential is measured in an operation mode of pH 10.5 at level 4 of alkaline ionized water, and thereafter, pH 9.5 at level 3, pH 9.0 at level 2, The initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential is measured in the order of each operation mode at pH 8.5 of 1, and then the initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential is measured in the water purification mode. The initial measured values of the oxidation-reduction potential are measured in the order of each operation mode at pH 5.5 of level 1, and these initial measured values are individually filed in the storage means 24 and stored therein. Here, when measuring with the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, it is preferable to form the storage means 24 so that the value of the oxidation-reduction potential stable for 2 seconds or more is judged and memorized as an initial measurement value in each mode.
[0053]
Then, the initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential in each mode stored in the storage means 24 and the measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential when operating in each mode of electrolyzed water generation are constantly compared by the arithmetic circuit of the comparison means 25. If the measured value deviates by 100 mV or more from the initial measured value as described above, it is judged as abnormal. However, the initial measured value is affected by the water quality and the flow rate of water during the measurement. In order to avoid a risk that the deviation may occur temporarily, the display means 26 is operated only when a deviation of 100 mV or more occurs in the operation of the same mode 10 times continuously.
[0054]
Although it is possible to detect the need for cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 as described above, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus is provided with means for automatically or manually performing the cleaning method shown in FIG. That is, when performing the cleaning in the first step, the cartridge 5 filled with an inorganic chlorine compound such as salt is replaced with a cartridge 4 for calcium addition, or the cartridge 8 filled with an inorganic chlorine compound such as salt is replaced with a water purifier. The inorganic chlorine compound is added to the water passed through the electrolytic cell 10 so that the concentration is 0.03 to 0.3% by weight. The polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 is a cathode and the electrode 13A is an anode, and a DC voltage of 10 to 20V is applied, so that the oxidation-reduction potential is 900 mV from the electrode 13A side of the anode. As described above, strongly acidic ionized water having a pH of 3.5 or less can be obtained. At this time, the switching valve 133 is switched so that the discharge port 15B is connected to the discharge tube 141 and the discharge port 15A is connected to the discharge tube 142, and strong acidic ionized water is discharged from the discharge tube 142 and alkaline ionized water is discharged from the discharge tube 141. Is discharged. Therefore, this strongly acidic ionized water is continuously passed through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, and the working electrode 2 can be washed with the strongly acidic ionized water containing dissolved chlorine in the first step. The flow time of strongly acidic ionic water through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 during the first step is preferably about 1 to 5 minutes.
[0055]
Next, in performing the cleaning in the second step, the calcium addition cartridge 4 and the water purifier 20 are returned, water having a water quality level is passed through, the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 is the anode, and the electrode 13A is the electrode 13A. By determining the polarity of the electrolysis voltage so as to become a cathode and applying a DC voltage of 10 to 40 V, acidic ionized water having a redox potential of 500 mV to 100 mV or more and a pH of 4 to 6 from the electrode 13B side of the anode. Can be obtained. At this time, the switching valve 133 is switched so that acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 142 and alkaline ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 141. Therefore, this acidic ion water is continuously passed through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, and the working electrode 2 can be washed in the second step with acidic ion water having a high dissolved oxygen concentration and a relatively high oxidizing power. The passing time of acidic ion water to the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 in the second step is preferably about 1 to 5 minutes.
[0056]
Next, in performing the cleaning in the third step, water having a quality level of tap water is subsequently passed, and the polarity of the electrolysis voltage is set so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 3 becomes the cathode and the electrode 13A becomes the anode. By determining and applying a DC voltage of 20 to 40 V, strong alkaline ionized water having an oxidation-reduction potential of −200 mV or less and a pH of 9.5 or more can be obtained from the cathode electrode 13B side. At this time, the switching valve 33 is switched so that strong alkali ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 142 and acidic ion water is discharged from the one discharge pipe 41. Therefore, this strong alkaline ionized water is continuously passed through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, and the working electrode 2 can be washed in the third step with strong alkaline ionized water having a high dissolved hydrogen concentration and a high reducing power. The flow time of strong alkaline ionized water to the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 in the third step is preferably about 1 to 5 minutes.
[0057]
The surface of the working electrode 2 can be renewed by washing the working electrode 2 such as platinum of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 in three steps as described above, and oxidation of the working electrode 2 and the test solution is performed. The rate of equilibrium with the reduction system can be increased, and stable measurement of the oxidation-reduction potential of ionic water generated in the electrolytic cell 10 becomes possible.
[0058]
Next, an example of demonstrating the above cleaning effect will be described. Using tap water with a conductivity of 12 mS / m, which is river water as raw water, first, the redox potential of ionic water is measured in each mode using the redox potential sensor 1 immediately after washing, and this is the initial value of each mode. The measured value was stored in the storage means 24 (this initial measured value is shown in Table 2). Next, when 1500 liters of the same tap water was passed, the oxidation-reduction potential was measured during the operation in the pH 9.5 mode of alkaline ionized water, and the initial measured value was −150 mV. The measurement value was 20 mV (shown in Table 2 as the measurement value before cleaning), and the difference from the initial measurement value exceeded the standard 100 mV, so the cleaning lamp of the display means 26 was turned on. Prior to cleaning, the redox potential was measured in the same manner in each of the other modes, and in each mode the measured values (shown in Table 2 as measured values before cleaning) deviated from the initial measured values. Therefore, it is confirmed that a measurement abnormality of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 can be detected in any mode.
[0059]
After the measurement abnormality of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is displayed on the display means 26 in this way, the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is applied by the above-described three-step electrolytic process of the first to third steps. Washed. That is, first, the cartridge 5 filled with salt is replaced with the calcium addition cartridge 4, and salt is added to the water passed through the electrolytic cell 10 so that the concentration becomes 0.1% by weight. The polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B becomes the cathode and the electrode 13A becomes the anode, and electrolysis is performed under the conditions of an electrolysis voltage of 10 V and an electrolysis current of 15 A. The oxidation-reduction potential generated from the anode electrode 13A side is 1150 mV. The first step washing was performed by passing strongly acidic ionized water having a pH of 2.5 through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 at a flow rate of 2 liters / min for 5 minutes. Next, the cartridge 4 for calcium addition is returned, and the polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 becomes the anode and the electrode 13A becomes the cathode, and electrolysis is performed under the conditions of the electrolysis voltage 22V and the electrolysis current 4A. By passing a weakly acidic ion water having a redox potential of 5.7 mV and a pH of 5.7 generated from the anode electrode 13B side through the redox potential sensor 1 at a flow rate of 2 liters / min for 5 minutes, Washing was performed. Next, the polarity of the electrolysis voltage is determined so that the electrode 13B of the electrolytic cell 3 becomes a cathode and the electrode 13A becomes an anode, and electrolysis is performed under conditions of an electrolysis voltage of 40V and an electrolysis current of 8A. The third step was washed by passing strong alkaline ionized water having a redox potential of −760 mV and a pH of 10.7 through the redox potential sensor 1 at a flow rate of 2 liters / min for 5 minutes.
[0060]
The redox potential of ionic water was measured in each mode using the redox potential sensor 1 after washing in this manner, and the measured values are shown in Table 2 as measured values after washing. As can be seen from Table 2, the measured value after cleaning is close to the initial measured value within the error range in each mode, and the effect of cleaning is confirmed.
[0061]
[Table 2]

[0062]
In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 4 described above, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 in which the storage unit 24, the comparison unit 25, and the display unit 126 are integrally incorporated as the control circuit system 123 is used. Needless to say, it is not limited to things.
In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is integrated with the pH sensor 31 to form the water quality measuring device 30, and the water quality measuring device 30 is incorporated in the electrolyzed water generating device. Further, the storage means 24 and the comparison means 25 are provided in the control unit 71 (microcomputer) shown in FIGS. Specifically, the storage unit 24 is provided as the memory 74, the comparison unit 25 is provided as the comparison unit 71c, and the display unit 26 is provided as the display unit 72b. In this apparatus, the operations of claims 5, 6, 7, and 8 described above are similarly performed by the control by the control unit 71.
[0063]
The electrolyzed water generating device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is formed so as to have the functions of an alkali ion water conditioner and a strong oxidized water generating device. 17 and 18 shown in the conventional example, and has an electrolytic cell 10 and a water purifier 20, and raw water such as tap water is passed through the water purifier 20 and purified. The purified water flowing out from the water purification apparatus 20 is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 10 to continuously generate alkaline water and acidic water. Here, tap water is used as the tap water, and the tap water is guided to the water purifier 20 through the water channel switching device 61 attached to the currant 60. The water channel switching device 61 includes two ports 62 and 63, and can switch between a state in which tap water is discharged as it is and a state in which the water is guided to the water purification device 20 by operation of the switching lever 64.
[0064]
Further, a water quality measuring device 30 for electrically measuring the quality of alkaline water is disposed in the outflow path of the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 10. The water quality measuring device 30 measures the oxidation-reduction potential, pH, ion concentration of a specific ion or the electrical conductivity based on the electrochemical principle, and as described above, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 and the pH sensor. 31.
[0065]
A temperature sensor 21 made of a thermistor and a constant flow valve 22 are disposed on the flow path of the raw water to the water purifier 20. The temperature sensor 21 detects the temperature of the inflowing raw water, and when a hot water of a predetermined temperature or higher is passed, an alarm is acoustically generated via the control unit 71 described later. The constant flow valve 22 is provided to prevent excessive water pressure from acting on the water channel after the water purifier 20. The water purifier 20 includes a cartridge containing therein a filter medium made of activated carbon (antibacterial treated) and a filter medium made of a hollow fiber membrane, and is configured so that the filter medium can be replaced by replacing the cartridge. .
[0066]
The electrolytic cell 10 includes therein a first electrode chamber 12A surrounded by the electrolytic diaphragm 11, and a second electrode chamber 12B outside the electrolytic diaphragm 11, and each of the electrode chambers 12A and 12B includes a first electrode chamber 12A and a second electrode chamber 12B. Electrodes 13A and 13B are arranged. The electrode chambers 12A and 12B are respectively provided with inlets 14A and 14B at the lower end, and outlets 15A and 15B at the upper end. The inflow port 14A and the outflow port 15A are formed to have a smaller opening area than the inflow port 14B and the outflow port 15B, and the ratio of the flow rate flowing into the electrode chamber 12A and the flow rate flowing into the electrode chamber 12B is 1: 3 to 1: 4. It is to be about. Moreover, the volume of the electrode chambers 12A and 12B is also smaller in the electrode chamber 12A than in the electrode chamber 12B. This is to make a difference in the concentration of the electrolyzed water generated in each electrode chamber 12A, 12B.
[0067]
On the flow path between the water purifier 20 and the electrolytic cell 10, a flow sensor 23 and an electrolyte supply device 40 are disposed. Although the flow path inside the electrolyte supply device 40 will be described later, it is divided into two systems inside the electrolyte supply device 40, one of which is introduced into the first electrode chamber 12A from the inlet 14A, and the other is the inlet 14B. Then, it is introduced into the second electrode chamber 12B. The flow path to the inlet 14B is connected to the discharge pipe 53 through a drain valve 124 that is an electromagnetic valve. Although the discharge pipe 53 is basically provided for the purpose of discarding unnecessary water that is not used, it can be used as needed.
[0068]
The outlets 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B of the electrolytic cell 10 are connected to the outflow pipe 53 and the water quality measuring device 30 through the flow path switching valve 54, and the outlet 15 </ b> B is connected to the outflow pipe 53 and the outlet 15 </ b> A is connected to the water quality measuring device 30. The state in which the outlet 15B is connected to the water quality measuring device 30 and the state in which the outlet 15A is connected to the outlet pipe 53 can be switched. The water quality measurement device 30 is connected to the discharge pipes 51 and 52 via the flow path switching valve 55, and the electrolyzed water that has passed through the water quality measurement device 30 is selectively discharged from either of the discharge pipes 51 and 52. The flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are constituted by electromagnetic switching valves or motor type switching valves. The flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are controlled to interlock. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the outlet 15 </ b> A and the discharge pipe 53 are communicated by the flow path switching valve 54, the flow path switching valve 55 communicates the outlet 15 </ b> B and the discharge pipe 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the outlet 15B and the discharge pipe 53 are communicated with each other by the flow path switching valve 54, the flow path switching valve 55 allows the outlet 15A and the discharge pipe 52 to communicate with each other. That is, the electrolyzed water is always discharged from the discharge pipe 53, and the electrolyzed water is selectively discharged from only one of the discharge pipe 51 and the discharge pipe 52.
[0069]
The above-described members on the flow path from the thermistor 21 to the flow path switching valves 54, 55 are accommodated in the housing 100, and the three discharge pipes 51, 52, 53 are drawn from the housing 100. Here, a flexible pipe is used for the discharge pipe 51. Further, a hose for taking in raw water from the currant 60 is also pulled out from the housing 100.
[0070]
By the way, the water quality measuring device 30 includes the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 and the pH sensor 31 as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, the pH sensor 31 is a silver-silver chloride electrode in a saturated aqueous solution of potassium chloride. , A working electrode 34 filled with a saturated aqueous solution of potassium chloride in a special glass electrode, and a liquid junction 35. The working electrode 34 and the liquid are provided in a flow path 37 provided in the housing 36. The voltage proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration of water passing through the flow path is generated as an electromotive force between the comparison electrode 33 and the working electrode 34 by facing the entangled portion 35. The electromotive force is appropriately amplified using an amplifier having an amplification factor to be converted into a voltage of 0 to 5 V corresponding to the pH value, and after A / D conversion is performed, the voltage is input to the control unit 71 described later.
[0071]
The oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 includes a working electrode 2 in which an insoluble electrode such as platinum is enclosed in glass, and the working electrode 2 faces a flow path 37 in the housing 36. The comparison electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 uses the comparison electrode 33 of the pH sensor 31 in common, and detects the relative potential difference between the comparison electrode 33 and the working electrode 2 as an oxidation-reduction potential. The detected potential difference is appropriately amplified by an amplifier having an amplification factor and converted into a voltage in the range of 0 to 5 V corresponding to the oxidation-reduction potential. After A / D conversion is performed in the same manner as the pH sensor 31, a control unit 71 described later is performed. Is input.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 8, the electrolyte supply device 40 has a configuration in which cylindrical containers 42 a and 42 b made of a nonmetallic material containing an electrolyte 43 are mounted in a jacket 41. In the present embodiment, the type of the electrolyte 43 is selected depending on which of the alkaline ion water conditioner and the strong oxidation water generator is used. That is, when generating alkaline ionized water for drinking or acidic ionized water for facial cleansing, a calcium agent to which calcium is added such as calcium lactate is used as the electrolyte 43a, and sodium chloride (or salt) is used for generating strong oxidized water. Inorganic chlorine compounds such as calcium chloride and potassium chloride, or a mixture thereof are used as the electrolyte 43b. Therefore, the containers 42a and 42b having different shapes according to the type of the electrolyte 43 are accommodated in the jacket 41, and the flow path in the jacket 41 is changed according to the containers 42a and 42b to be used.
[0073]
More specifically, the jacket 41 includes one introduction path pipe 41a into which water flows and two discharge path pipes 41b and 41c, and a bypass is provided between the introduction path pipe 41a and one of the discharge path pipes 41b. It communicates through the passage pipe 41d. On the other hand, the container 42a used when producing alkaline ionized water has openings 44a and 44b communicating with both the discharge pipes 41b and 41c, respectively, as shown in FIG. 9A. Further, the container 42b used for generating strong oxidized water is extended from the center of the bottom wall in addition to the openings 44a and 44b communicating with the two discharge pipes 41b and 41c, respectively, as shown in FIG. 9B. An introduction tube 44c is provided. The introduction tube 44c has such a length that the tip end closes the bypass passage tube 41d when inserted into the introduction passage tube 41a.
[0074]
And when producing | generating alkali ion water, acid ion water, strong acid ion water, etc., the container 42a which put calcium agents, such as calcium lactate as the electrolyte 43a as shown in FIG. . In this state, the purified water introduced into the jacket 41 from the introduction path 41a through the flow rate sensor 23 is sent to the discharge path pipe 41b through the bypass path pipe 41d, and then sent to the container 42a through the bypass path pipe 41d. It is discharged from 41c. That is, it is led to the inflow port 14B of the electrolytic cell 10 communicating with the discharge channel pipe 41b, and is guided to the inflow port 14A of the electrolytic cell 10 through the electrolyte 43a and the discharge channel 41c. That is, in this state, water that has passed through the electrolyte 43a is introduced into the inlet 14A of the electrolytic cell 10, and water that does not pass through the electrolyte 43a is introduced into the inlet 14B.
[0075]
On the other hand, when generating strongly oxidized water, a container 42b containing an inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte 43b is attached to the jacket 41 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the bypass pipe 41d is closed by the introduction cylinder 44c, the water flowing into the jacket 41 from the introduction pipe 41a is prohibited from flowing into the bypass pipe 41d and directly introduced into the container 42b through the introduction cylinder 44c. Thereafter, the flow is divided into the discharge path pipe 41b and the discharge path pipe 41c. That is, water in contact with the electrolyte 43b in the container 42b is introduced into the inlet 14B of the electrolytic cell 10 connected to the discharge channel 41b and the inlet 14A of the electrolytic cell 10 connected to the discharge channel 41c. Is done.
[0076]
Here, a high-frequency oscillation type proximity switch 45 serving as detection means is attached to the outer surface of the jacket 41, and a detection metal piece 46 formed in a belt shape serving as identification means is attached to the container 42b. Thus, if the container 42b is attached to the jacket 41, the proximity switch 45 detects the attachment of the container 42b, so that the types of the containers 42a and 42b can be identified using the detection metal piece 46 as an identification means. Therefore, by giving the output of the proximity switch 45 to the control unit 71 which will be described later, the control unit 71 determines whether to generate alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, strongly acidic ionized water, or the like, or to generate strong oxidized water. Can be directed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the identification detecting unit configured to identify the type of the electrolyte 43 by the detection metal piece 46 serving as the identifying unit and the proximity switch 45 serving as the detecting unit and to send the detection signal to the control unit 71 is configured. It is.
[0077]
The proximity switch 45 is a well-known switch. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, an impedance of the detection coil 45a generated when the metal object X approaches the detection coil 45a by applying a high-frequency current from the high-frequency oscillation circuit 45b. A device that detects a change by a change in the oscillation output of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 45b is known. That is, when the metal object X comes close, the high-frequency oscillation circuit 45b stops oscillating. Therefore, the output of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 45b is detected by the detection circuit 45c, and the waveform shaping circuit 45d forms the waveform. A signal corresponding to the presence / absence of oscillation is output from the waveform shaping circuit 45d and taken out through an output circuit 45e for driving an external circuit. As means for identifying the types of the containers 42a and 42b (that is, identification detecting means for identifying and detecting the type of the electrolyte 43), a magnetic sensor (reed switch or Hall element) is provided in place of the proximity switch 45, and the detection metal piece 46 is provided. A permanent magnet may be provided instead. Moreover, you may make it discriminate | determine the classification of the containers 42a and 42b using mechanical switches like a micro switch.
[0078]
Incidentally, the output signal from the proximity switch 45 is controlled by the control unit 71 shown in FIGS. The control unit 71 is configured using a one-chip microcomputer (microcomputer). An operation display unit 72 is connected to the control unit 71. As shown in FIG. 11B, the operation display unit 72 selects the generation of alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, adjusts pH, etc. in addition to the power switch 72a1. A switch group 72a for performing the various operations described above, and a display unit 72b including a liquid crystal display 72b1 and a lamp group including light emitting diodes.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 11B, the switch group 72a includes a power switch 72a1, an alkaline ion water generation mode switch 72a3, an acidic ion water generation mode / strong acid ion water generation mode switch 72a5, and purified water. A switch 72a4 for mode, a switch 72a2 for strong oxide water generation mode, and the like are provided.
As the display unit 72b, the alkaline ion water generation mode switch 72a3, the acidic ion water generation mode / strong acid ion water generation mode switch 72a5, the water purification mode switch 72a4, and the strong oxide water generation mode switch 72a2 are provided. Corresponding to the above, a selection lamp constituted by a light emitting diode is provided. That is, in the embodiment, the alkali ion water generation mode switch 72a3 is operated once, operated twice, selected three times, operated four times, and selected four types of alkaline ionized water respectively. There are four selection lamps 72b7, 72b6, 72b5, 72b4 for generating alkaline ion water corresponding to the four-step operation of the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode. One of the selection lamps 72b7, 72b6, 72b5, 72b4 for generating alkaline ion water corresponding to any one of the operation stages of the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode is turned on and the alkali at the target stage is turned on. The ionic water generation mode is informed. Further, a selection lamp 72b9 for the acidic ion water generation mode and a selection lamp 72b10 for the strong acid ion water generation mode are provided corresponding to the switch 72a5 for the acidic ion water generation mode / strong acid ion water generation mode. When the switch 72a5 for the acidic ion water generation mode / strong acid ion water generation mode is operated once, the selection lamp 72b9 for the acid ion water generation mode is turned on, and when the switch 72a5 is operated twice, the selection for the strong acid ion water generation mode is selected. The lamp 72b10 is turned on to notify that the mode is the acidic ion water generation mode or the strong acid ion water generation mode. In addition, a water purification mode selection lamp 72b8 is provided corresponding to the water purification mode switch 72a4, and when the water purification mode switch 72a4 is turned on, the water purification mode selection lamp 72b8 is turned on. The mode is informed. Further, a strong oxidant water production mode selection lamp 72b3 is provided corresponding to the strong oxidant water production mode switch 72a2, and the strong oxidant water production mode is switched on when the strong oxidant water production mode switch 72a2 is turned on. The selection lamp 72b3 for use is turned on to notify that the mode is the strong oxidation water generation mode. In FIG. 11B, 72b2 is a lamp that is turned on when the power switch 72a1 is turned on and turned off when the power switch 72a1 is turned off.
[0080]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the liquid crystal display 72b1 includes a display portion that appears in accordance with the type of electrolyte added. When an output signal from the proximity switch 45 is sent to the control unit 71, the liquid crystal display A display corresponding to the type of the electrolyte 43 appears on the vessel 72b1. Here, in the present embodiment, only when the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxide water is identified and detected by the identification detection means, a message indicating that is displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 (for example, “adding salt” in FIG. 11B). In the case where the electrolyte 43 other than that for strong oxidation water generation is identified and detected by the identification detection means, nothing is displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1. In the state where no type of the electrolyte 43 is displayed, it is known that the electrolyte 43 other than the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is added or not added. It has become.
[0081]
When the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is identified and detected by the identification detecting means (that is, when the proximity switch 45 detects the container 42b containing the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water), the proximity switch When the output signal from 45 is sent to the controller 71, the fact that the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is detected is displayed by the liquid crystal display 72b1 which is a notification means (in the embodiment, as described above, When sodium chloride is added as the electrolyte 43b, the letters “adding salt” appear on the liquid crystal display 72b1), and at the same time, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are switched to form a flow path as shown in FIG. Moreover, when the identification detection signal of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water by the identification detection means is input to the control unit 71, it is not possible to accept an electrolyzed water generation mode other than the strong oxidized water generation mode. It is controlled by the control unit 71 (that is, a switch in a mode other than the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidizing water generation mode cannot be accepted).
Here, until the selection switches 72a3 to 72a5 for selecting the water purification mode and the mode for generating various types of electrolyzed water are newly turned on, the selection lamp for displaying the previous operation mode is controlled to be lit. However, only when the identification detection signal of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidation water by the identification detection means is input to the control unit 71, the strong oxidation water is generated thereafter. Until the selection switch 72a2 is operated, the selection lamp for displaying the previous operation mode is controlled to be turned off. Further, as described above, when the identification detection signal of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water by the identification detection means is input to the control unit 71, it is notified that the electrolyte 43b is added to the liquid crystal display 72b1. However, you may make it alert | report with a buzzer, another sound, or an audio | voice.
[0082]
As described above, when the identification detection signal of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water by the identification detection means is input to the control unit 71, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are switched, and the flow as shown in FIG. A switch in a mode other than the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidation water generation mode, that is, the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode, the switch for the acidic ion water generation mode and the strong acid ion water generation mode 72a5 and water purification mode switch 72a4 are controlled by the control unit 71 so as not to be received, the selection lamp for displaying the previous operation mode is also turned off, and further used for generating strong oxidized water Since the notification means notifies that the electrolyte 43b is added, the user knows that the electrolyte for generating strong oxidized water has been added. By not accepting a mode other than the strong oxidation water generation mode, it is possible to prevent erroneous generation when an electrolyte 43 that is not suitable for the mode is added, and salt water does not come out as drinking water on the drinking side. Because the drinking side switch is not accepted, you will not accidentally drink strong oxidative water or electrolyzed water containing salt.
[0083]
On the other hand, when the identification detection signal of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water by the identification detection means is input to the control unit 71 as described above, the switch in a mode other than the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidized water generation mode However, when the electrolyte 43 other than the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxide water is added or when the electrolyte 43 is not added (in the case of no addition), the identification detection means is used. In this case, the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidation water generation mode is not received in the switch group 72a, and the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode, which is another switch, the acidic ion in the switch group 72a. Control unit so that switch 72a5 for water generation mode and strong acidic ionic water generation mode and switch 72a4 for water purification mode can be received It is controlled by one.
[0084]
In addition, the polarity and the magnitude of the voltage applied to the electrodes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B provided in the electrolytic cell 10 are also controlled by the control unit 71. In this case, as already described, only when the electrolyte 43b that generates strong oxidized water is added, the switching of the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 is automatically performed by detecting the addition by the identification detection means. Thereafter, when the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidation water generation mode is operated, the magnitude and polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B are controlled. When another electrolyte 43 is added, the strong oxidation water generation mode is selected. Other than the various modes (alkaline ion water generation mode, acid ion water generation mode, strong acid ion water generation mode, water purification mode), when the switch for any mode is operated, it corresponds to the operated mode Thus, it controls the magnitude and polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B, the switching of the flow path switching valves 54 and 55, the opening and closing of the drain valve 124, and the like.
[0085]
Further, depending on the output from the water quality measuring device 30 and the flow rate sensor 23 described above, the polarity and magnitude of the voltage applied to each electrode 13A, 13B, switching of the flow path switching valves 54, 55, opening / closing of the drain valve 124, etc. Be controlled. That is, in the comparison unit 71a provided in the control unit 71, the pH measured by the water quality measurement device 30 is compared with a set value set in advance, and the switching power source 73 that performs PWM control is feedback-controlled, so that the pH becomes the target value. The voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B is adjusted so as to match. The polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B is the relay contact r. ₁ , R ₂ It is switched by.
[0086]
Next, an outline of a procedure for controlling the applied voltage between the electrodes 13A and 13B so as to keep the pH at the target value by feedback control will be described. In the present embodiment, the voltage Vm applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B is set corresponding to the target value pHM of the pH, and when the target value pHM is set and energized, the electrodes 13A and 13B are turned on as shown in FIG. The applied voltage is first set to Vm. Thereafter, the applied voltage of the electrodes 13A and 13B is kept at Vm until the pH is substantially stabilized (until the fluctuation value for 2 seconds becomes ± 0.1 pH). When the pH becomes stable in this way, a deviation ΔpH between the pH at this point (= pHA) and the target value pHM is obtained (actually, the difference in the output voltage of the pH sensor 31 is used), and the characteristics as shown in FIG. Based on the curve, an applied voltage Vn (= Vm−ΔV) when the pH value is shifted from the pH value corresponding to the voltage Vm by the deviation ΔpH is obtained, and this voltage Vn is applied between the electrodes 13A and 13B. Such control is repeated until the deviation ΔpH is within ± 0.2 pH, and thereafter the voltage is maintained.
[0087]
Since the pH fluctuates due to disturbances such as fluctuations in the flow rate even after the deviation ΔpH is within ± 0.2 pH as described above, when the deviation ΔpH deviates from the range of ± 0.2 pH with respect to the target value pHM, The above processing is performed, the applied voltage corresponding to the deviation ΔpH is obtained, and the control is repeated until the deviation ΔpH is within ± 0.2 pH.
If feedback control is performed in such a procedure, the overshoot decreases as can be inferred from the change in pH value shown in FIG. 13, and the pH converges to the target value pHM in a short time. In particular, since the deviation ΔpH is obtained when the pH value is stabilized as described above, the correction of the applied voltage based on the deviation ΔpH can be completed only once if there is no disturbance. It is possible to converge to the target value pHM in a short time.
[0088]
Further, when the target value pHM is different, that is, when alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, strongly acidic ionized water or strong oxidized water is obtained, side reactions (for example, oxidation reaction of chlorine ions, etc.) during each electrolysis are different. Since there is a difference in reaction time, an optimum characteristic curve is prepared for each target value pHM (here, each state in which alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, strong base water and strong oxidized water are generated) Feedback control is performed using a characteristic curve corresponding to the state. Incidentally, the curve A shown in FIG. 14 is for alkaline ionized water, B is for acidic ionized water, and C is for strongly oxidized water and strongly basic water. By selecting the characteristic curve in this way, the rising characteristic of the pH with respect to the change of the target value pHM is appropriately controlled, and the pH value of the discharged electrolyzed water is whatever the target value pHM is. Can be quickly converged to the target value pHM. The above-described characteristic curves A, B, and C can be approximately expressed by the following equations.
[0089]
VpHv = A + B log V
(However, VpH is the output voltage of the pH sensor 31, V is the voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B, and A and B are constants set for each state.)
When the stable state where the fluctuation is within ± 0.1 pH continues for 10 seconds or more, the voltage value and the pH value are stored in the memory 74 attached to the control unit 71. The value stored in the memory 74 is referred to when the water is passed again after the water stoppage, and the voltage value stored in the memory 74 is immediately applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B. By this control, the convergence time to the target value pHM after resuming water flow is further shortened. The contents of the memory 74 are rewritten whenever the above-described conditions are satisfied. Instead of rewriting the contents of the memory 74, the voltage value set for each target value pHM may be rewritten.
[0090]
By the way, since the water in the electrolytic cell 10 is drained after the backwashing process is completed after the water is stopped, the electrolytic cell 10 is filled with water even when the water flow is started from this state, and the pH sensor 31 is further filled. There is a time lag before reaching. Further, even when the target value pHM is changed in the middle of passing water, it takes time until the water in the electrolytic cell 10 is replaced to some extent. Therefore, the output of the pH sensor 31 does not change immediately after the start of water flow or immediately after the change of the target value pHM. Such a time zone is called a dead zone (region indicated by K in FIG. 13). Thus, when the above control is performed in the dead zone K, there is a possibility that the output value of the pH sensor 31 is stabilized even though the electrolyzed water corresponding to the voltage applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B has not reached the pH sensor 31. If the deviation ΔpH is obtained in such a state, there is a possibility that it is set to an inappropriate voltage value. In order to avoid such inconvenience, the following dead zone processing is performed during feedback control.
[0091]
That is, when the water flow is started from the water stop state, the voltage Vm corresponding to the target value pHM is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B from the time when the water flow is started, and the output of the pH sensor 31 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. However, the voltage Vm is maintained without performing feedback control until a predetermined time T1 (for example, 15 seconds) elapses from the start of water flow. If the pH changes by 0.2 in the direction of the target value pHM after the time T1 has elapsed, it is determined that the dead zone has been escaped, and thereafter, the feedback control described above is started.
[0092]
When the target value pHM is changed in the course of water flow, the voltage Vmn corresponding to the changed new target value pHM is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B and the output of the pH sensor 31 is displayed. However, the voltage Vmn is maintained without performing feedback control until a predetermined time T2 (for example, 3 seconds) elapses from the change of the target value pHM. If the pH changes by 0.2 in the direction of the target value pHM after the time T2 has elapsed, it is determined that the dead zone has been escaped, and thereafter, the feedback control described above is started. In short, the time when the target value pHM is changed in the middle of the water flow is different from the case of the transition from the water stop state to the water flow state, and the time for setting the dead zone is different. Become.
[0093]
By the way, whether or not the dead zone has been escaped is determined only by whether or not the pH has changed by 0.2 in the direction of the target value pHM as described above. When it does not change, feedback control is not started. Therefore, it is desirable to add a determination unit for forcibly escaping the dead zone. This type of determination unit can also be realized by using a timer that performs a timed operation longer than the above-described times T1 and T2, but in this embodiment, water is passed through the flow path to the electrolytic cell 10. Judging by the flow rate (for example, 0.2 liter). That is, when the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 23 reaches a predetermined value, the dead zone is forcibly escaped and feedback control is started. In this case, after the feedback control is started, the deviation ΔpH may be obtained using the measured value of the pH sensor 31 at the time of starting the feedback control without waiting for the determination of whether the pH is stable or not.
[0094]
Next, the operation | movement which produces | generates various electrolyzed water is demonstrated.
When producing alkaline ionized water, a calcium agent such as calcium lactate is placed in the container 42 a as the electrolyte 43 a and attached to the jacket 41. Here, when the operation of pressing the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode is instructed to generate alkaline ion water, the electrode 13A of the electrolytic cell 10 is the anode, A voltage is applied so that the electrode 13B is a cathode. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow path switching valve 54 communicates the electrode chamber 12A with the discharge pipe 53, and the flow path switching valve 55 passes from the electrode chamber 12B through the flow path switching valve 54 and through the water quality measuring device 30. It is set so that the electrolyzed water (alkali ion water) is guided to the discharge pipe 51. The discharge pipe 51 is drawn from the upper part of the housing 100, and can be used for eating and drinking by putting electrolytic water (alkali ion water) discharged from the discharge pipe 51 into a cup. In addition, when calcium lactate is used for the calcium agent as the electrolyte 43, lactate ions are generated. However, since it is discarded together with the acidic ion water, the lactate ions are not included in the drinking alkaline ion water.
[0095]
Here, as described above, when the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ionized water generation mode is operated once, when operated twice, when operated three times, when operated four times, four types of alkaline ionized water are respectively used. The four selection lamps 72b7, 72b6, 72b5, 72b4 for generating the alkaline ionized water are lit in response to the four-step operation of the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ionized water generation mode. In addition, alkaline ionized water at a target stage is generated. For example, when the switch 72a3 for alkaline ionized water generation mode is operated once and the selection lamp 72b7 is turned on, level 1 alkaline ionized water at pH 8.5 is generated, and the selection lamp 72b6 is operated by operating the switch 72a3 twice. When lit, pH 9.0 level 2 alkaline ionized water is generated. When the switch 72a3 is operated three times and the selection lamp 72b5 is lit, pH 9.5 level 3 alkaline ionized water is generated, and the switch 72a3 is set to 4 When the selection lamp 72b5 is turned on by rotating, the control unit 11 controls the electrolytic voltage of the electrolytic cell 10 so that strong alkaline ionized water having a level of pH 10.5 is generated. In FIG. 11 (b), 72b11 and 72b12 are pH fine adjustment switches. When the pH fine adjustment switch 72a8 is pressed to generate alkali ion water at each level, the pH of the alkali ion water is slightly increased. When the pH fine adjustment switch 72a9 is pressed, the pH of the alkaline ionized water can be adjusted slightly lower.
[0096]
On the other hand, when the switch 72a5 for the acidic ionic water generation mode / strong acidic ionic water generation mode is pressed once under the same conditions, the acidic ionic water for astringent having a pH of 5.0 to 6.0 is taken out. Therefore, the selection lamp 72b9 for the acidic ion water generation mode is turned on, and the voltages applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B have the opposite polarity to the above. At this time, there is no change in the flow path, acidic ion water is taken out from the discharge pipe 51, and strong alkaline water is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. Such weakly acidic ionic water is generally used for face washing, but even if it is drunk, there is no particular problem. Therefore, it is more convenient to discharge from the discharge pipe 51 for use in large quantities for the purpose of washing the face.
[0097]
When trying to obtain strongly acidic ionized water having a pH of about 3.0 to 4.0 for sterilization of cutting boards and cloths, the switch 72a5 for acidic water generation mode and strong acid water generation mode is pressed twice. The operation is performed and the selection lamp 72b10 is turned on to enter the strong acid ion water generation mode. In this mode, the electrolyte 43 is the same as the alkaline ionized water, but is controlled by the controller 71 so that the applied voltages to the electrodes 13A and 13B are different. When the generation of strong acidic water is selected in this way, electrolysis is performed using the electrode 13A as an anode and the electrode 13B as a cathode. This is the same as in the production of alkaline ionized water, but alkaline water is also strongly basic in order to obtain strongly acidic ionized water, so this alkaline water is not suitable for drinking. Therefore, under the condition that strong acidic ionized water is obtained, the controller 71 switches the flow path switching valve 54 as shown in FIG. 6 so that the strongly alkaline water generated in the electrode chamber 12B is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. By switching the path switching valve 55 as well, the strongly acidic ionized water is discharged through the discharge pipe 52. Here, the strongly acidic ionized water is often used after being pumped, so that it is easy to use by discharging it from the discharge pipe 52 drawn out below the housing 100. Moreover, it leads also to preventing accidental ingestion by discharging from the discharge pipe 52 of this position. Here, by using a hose or the like for the discharge pipe 52, it can be shown more effectively that it is not drinking.
[0098]
In addition, when generating strongly acidic ionized water, the voltage is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B with the above polarity because the electrode chamber 12A has a smaller flow rate and a smaller volume, thereby increasing the concentration of ions. This is because it is easy to reduce the pH (that is, increase the acidity) as compared with the case where acidic water is generated in the electrode chamber 12B.
[0099]
Further, when the water purification mode switch 72a4 is pressed, the selection lamp 72b8 is turned on, the electrolytic voltage is not applied to the electrolytic cell 10, and the water purification mode operation in which electrolysis is not performed in the electrolytic cell 10 is performed. Accordingly, in the water purification mode, water is purified through the water purification apparatus 10 and then discharged from the discharge pipe 51 as purified water that is not electrolyzed. In this water purification mode, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are switched so that the flow path is as shown in FIG.
[0100]
By the way, when generating strong oxidizing water (or strong base water), since the container 42b containing the inorganic chlorine compound as the electrolyte 43b is attached to the electrolyte supply device 40, the control unit is based on the output of the proximity switch 45. In 71, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are automatically switched so that strong oxidized water can be generated. That is, the flow path switching valve 54 causes the electrode chamber 12 </ b> A to communicate with the flow path switching valve 55 through the water quality measuring device 30 and allows the electrode chamber 12 </ b> B to communicate with the discharge pipe 53. Further, the flow path switching valve 55 is set so as to guide inflowing water to the discharge pipe 52.
[0101]
When the container 42b containing the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is detected by the proximity switch 45 and output to the control unit as described above, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are switched as described above. 6, and a switch in a mode other than the switch 72a2 for the strong oxidation water generation mode, that is, the switch 72a3 for the alkaline ion water generation mode, and the acidic acid water generation mode and strong acidity. The control unit 71 controls the switch 72a5 for the ionic water generation mode and the switch 72a4 for the water purification mode so as not to be received, and also includes selection lamps 72b4 to 72b10 for displaying the previous operation mode. The notification means (liquid crystal display 72b1) informs that the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidant water has been added. To knowledge. When the strong oxidant water generation mode switch 72a2 is operated and turned on with the container 42b mounted in this manner, the strong oxidant water generation mode selection lamp 72b3 is turned on to enter the strong oxidant water generation mode. In addition, the generation of strong oxidized water is instructed, and electrolysis is performed using the electrode 13A as an anode and the electrode 13B as a cathode, as in the case of generating strongly acidic ionized water. That is, although the kind of the electrolyte 43 is different, the operation is the same as in the case of generating strongly acidic ionized water. In this way, strong oxidizing water is discharged from the discharge pipe 52 and strong base water is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. Since both are discharged from the lower part of the housing 100, accidental ingestion can be prevented.
[0102]
As described above, if the container 42b is not attached to the electrolyte supply device 40, the generation of strong oxidized water cannot be instructed. Therefore, strong oxidized water is generated in the container 42a used when generating alkaline ionized water or the like. Even if the electrolyte 43b (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, etc.) is added, generation of strong oxidized water cannot be instructed, so to speak, it operates on the safe side. In addition, as described above, the strong oxidized water is discharged from the discharge pipe 52 drawn from the lower portion of the housing 100, and accidental ingestion can be prevented even when the strong oxidized water is generated.
[0103]
In order to increase the bactericidal effect of strong oxidizing water, it is desirable to set the concentration of hypochlorous acid to 20 to 30 ppm, but hypochlorous acid generates chlorine gas, and a large amount of chlorine gas is unfavorable for health. Therefore, the amount of chlorine gas generated must be limited so as not to affect health. Therefore, by limiting the capacity of the container 42b used to generate strong oxidized water, an upper limit is set for the amount of strong oxidized water generated per time. Specifically, the container 42b is limited to a capacity capable of containing 10 g of the electrolyte 43b, and a large amount of chlorine gas is prevented from being generated at one time. Here, a scale may be provided in the container 42b to limit the amount of the electrolyte 43b input.
[0104]
Further, the control unit 71 also suppresses generation of chlorine gas. That is, at the time of generation of strong oxidation water, the upper limit of the generation amount of strong oxidation water is limited to about 1 liter based on the flow rate detected by the flow sensor 23, and the amount of purified water passing through the flow sensor 23 Reaches 3.5 to 4 liters (the ratio of the amount produced with strong basic water is about 1: 3 to 1: 4), and then the buzzer 75 provided in the control unit 71 is sounded, and thereafter Even if the water flow continues, the application of voltage to the electrodes 13A and 13B is stopped after a predetermined time. Further, in order to suppress the generation of chlorine gas, strong oxidation is performed so as not to deviate from a target value (for example, pH = 2.7) by detecting the pH of the strongly oxidized water with the pH sensor of the water quality measuring device 30. The applied voltage of the electrodes 13A and 13B is feedback controlled so as to keep the concentration of hypochlorous acid in water at 20 to 30 ppm.
[0105]
By the way, as described above, after adding the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water and before selecting the selection switch 72a2 for generating the mode, it is electroless. Is notified by an informing means. For this notification, the fact that the liquid crystal display 72b1 is electroless may be displayed, or the buzzer 75 may be informed by the sound or sound of the buzzer 75.
[0106]
In addition, after adding the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidizing water, the selection switch 72a2 for switching to the strong oxidizing water generating mode is not accepted during running water, draining, backwashing, and after passing a certain amount of water. This is possible, and by doing so, stable strong oxidizing water can be generated. Further, even when the stable electrolyzed water can no longer be generated, or when water is stopped after passing a certain amount of water in the strong oxidizing water mode, the selection switch 72ab for generating strong oxidizing water is not accepted. As a result, the amount of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is remarkably reduced, and thereafter, it becomes impossible to generate, and when the limit of one generation amount is exceeded, the strong oxidized water is again formed. It cannot be generated. When a detection signal indicating that the container 42b has been removed from the electrolyte supply device 40 after the strong oxidized water is generated is sent from the detection means 45 to the control unit 71, the electrolyte 43b and / or its electrolyzed water remain in the liquid crystal display 72b1. After this display appears, even if a detection signal indicating that the container 42b of the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxide water is inserted is sent from the detection means 45 to the control unit 71, the strong oxide water The generation selection switch 72a2 is controlled not to accept.
[0107]
By taking the above measures, 2.5m ³ Even when used in a narrow place, the concentration of chlorine gas in the surrounding air could be suppressed to about 1 ppm. In other words, 1 ppm, which is the allowable value of chlorine gas concentration according to the Industrial Safety and Health Act, is 2.5 m. ³ This can be achieved even in a narrow space.
By the way, when the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is added, and the electrolytic water is generated, the electrolyte 43 other than the electrolyte 43b is added or not added (that is, in the embodiment, When the container 42b containing the electrolyte 43b for generating strong oxidized water is removed from the electrolyte supply device 40), a detection signal indicating that the container 42b has been removed from the electrolyte supply device 40 after the generation of strong oxidized water is controlled from the detection means 45. When the display unit 72b warns that the electrolyte 43b or / and its electrolyzed water remains, a water flow operation is performed in this state. Until all the mode selection switches 72a2, 72a3, 72a4, 72a5 are not received until the display is completed. Display appears that warn it, and performs a warning by sounding the buzzer 75. This can prevent accidental drinking of the electrolyte 43b / and water mixed with the electrolytic water.
[0108]
By the way, the water quality measuring device 30 that measures the oxidation-reduction potential and pH value of the electrolyzed water has deteriorated in measurement accuracy after the generation of strong oxidized water, and cannot be measured accurately even if alkaline ionized water is measured in this state. This occurs because the chlorine gas that appears during the generation of strong oxidized water adheres to the electrode surface of the water quality measuring device 30, and in order to eliminate the adhesion of this chlorine gas and accurately measure alkaline ionized water, It is necessary to pass electrolyzed water other than oxidized water. By performing this electrolyzed water flow operation internally in the waste water for eliminating the electrolyte 43b / and the remaining electrolyzed water, it is possible to accurately measure even when electrolyzing alkaline water after the end of the drainage. . It is considered that the electrolysis mode during the water flow operation is most effective when performed in the order of the water purification mode, the acidic ion water generation mode, and the alkaline ion water generation mode. This is solved to some extent by flowing the chlorine gas adhering to the generation of strong oxidizing water with purified water, and after passing the purified water, the remaining chlorine gas is replaced with oxygen gas that is generated when generating acidic ion water, and the chlorine gas The adhesion of can be almost eliminated. Thereafter, the chlorine gas can be replaced with hydrogen gas by passing strong alkaline ionized water. Even if the water quality measuring device 30 is a redox potential sensor using a non-reactive metal electrode such as platinum, the redox potential of a solution having a low ion concentration such as tap water or electrolyzed water can be obtained by this water flow operation. Thus, the platinum electrode can be renewed and the accuracy can be ensured by a simple and safe cleaning method. It is to be noted that the electrolytic mode during the water flow operation may be performed by performing the electrolysis in the alkaline ion water generation mode after the acidic ion water generation mode, or by performing the electrolysis in the alkaline ion water generation mode. Can be solved to some extent.
[0109]
In addition, when the water flow is stopped during this water flow operation, the water flow amount and electrolysis mode at that time are memorized, and the subsequent water flow is electrolyzed in the subsequent re-water flow. When the sum reaches a certain amount, the electrolysis is canceled, and the electrolysis mode can be reliably carried out even if water is stopped during the electrolysis mode.
Note that if the curan 60 is closed or the flow path is switched by the water path switching device 61, the supply of raw water to the electrolyzed water generating device is stopped. Therefore, the control unit 71 stops the water based on the output of the flow sensor 23. Detect. When water stoppage is detected, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that during electrolysis is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B for a short time, and a process for removing the scale attached to the electrodes 13A and 13B (reverse electric cleaning process) is performed. It has become. In the reverse electric cleaning process, a state in which a reverse polarity voltage is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B is continued for a predetermined time, but the drainage valve 124 is opened immediately before the end to drain the wastewater including the scale through the discharge pipe 53. This prevents the wastewater containing the scale from being mixed in the next generation of electrolyzed water.
[0110]
It is necessary to retain water in the electrolytic cell 10 when a voltage is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B in such a reverse electric cleaning process. In particular, since strongly acidic oxidized water having a pH of about 2 remains on the anode side during electrolysis, scales containing calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and the like can be dissolved and easily removed. Thus, in order to stay in the electrolytic cell 10 when the water is stopped, it is necessary to prevent drainage from the discharge pipes 51, 52, 53 due to the siphon phenomenon. Therefore, simultaneously with the start of the reverse electric cleaning process, the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are switched to a selection state different from that during electrolysis, and the water flow due to inertia is stopped and the outside air is taken into the flow path, thereby draining due to siphon phenomenon. It is possible to prevent. In this way, water can be retained in the electrolytic cell 10 during the reverse electric cleaning treatment, and a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained. When the drain valve 124 is opened and drained, the channels of the channel switching valves 54 and 55 are selected so as to be in the state shown in FIG. In this manner, the atmosphere is introduced from the discharge pipe 51 and can be quickly drained from the electrolytic cell 10.
[0111]
In addition, it is a routine practice to use the water again after a short period of time, and in such a case, if a reverse electric cleaning process is performed each time the water stops, It is necessary to wait for the next water flow until the end of the reverse electric cleaning process, and the usability is deteriorated. Therefore, the reverse electric cleaning process is not started immediately after the water stop, but is started after waiting for a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) from the water stop. As a result, when the water flow is resumed within the predetermined time, the water flow is immediately possible without performing the reverse electric cleaning process.
[0112]
Next, cleaning of the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 provided in the water quality measuring device 30 in the electrolyzed water generating device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described.
When the electrolyzed water generator is purchased and used, an atomic level oxygen atomic film is formed on the surface of the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1 by being left in the air for a long period of time. Then, the redox potential cannot be measured normally, and an erroneous redox potential may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 of the display unit 72b. For this reason, before purchasing and using an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, it is necessary to wash | clean the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 first. Therefore, even if the power supply is turned on to start use after the purchase of the electrolyzed water generation device and the water flow is started, the redox potential sensor is selected until the cleaning mode is selected and the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1 is cleaned. The value of the oxidation-reduction potential measured in 1 is controlled by the control unit 71 so as not to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 of the display unit 72b (claim 16). At this time, the position of the liquid crystal display 72b1 where the redox potential is displayed (the portion where "ORP1100" is displayed in FIG. 11B) is not a numerical value of the redox potential such as "----". It is preferable to clearly indicate that the oxidation-reduction potential is not displayed by prompting the cleaning of the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1.
[0113]
In addition, when the electrolyzed water generating device is purchased and the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is first cleaned, or when the cartridge of the water purifier 20 is new, air enters the electrolyzer 10 or the water purifier 20. The remaining cleaning mode operation may not be performed normally. Therefore, before the cleaning mode is selected, water is passed through the electrolyzed water generating device for a predetermined time with the water purification mode or the electrolyzed water generating device turned off so that the air is removed. After the operation is completed, the cleaning mode can be selected by pressing the cleaning mode selection switch 72a7.
[0114]
Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the cleaning mode selection switch 72 a 7 for cleaning the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is indicated on the operation display section 72 as “initial setting”. A selection switch 72a6 indicated by “sensor cleaning” on the operation display unit 72 in FIG. 11B is a switch for selecting a mode for cleaning the electrode of the pH sensor 31 provided in the water quality measuring device 30. In FIG. 11B, 72b11 is a lamp that is turned on when the mode for cleaning the electrodes of the pH sensor 31 is selected by pressing the selection switch 72a6, and 72b12 is for pressing the selection switch 72a7 to clean the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1. This lamp is turned on when the cleaning mode to be performed is selected.
[0115]
In the case of the first use after purchasing the electrolyzed water generating device, when the selection switch 72a7 is pushed after passing water for a predetermined time as described above, the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is cleaned. The mode is started.
Here, before starting the cleaning mode, the electrolyte for generating strongly acidic ionic water containing dissolved chlorine in the first step of the cleaning mode is usually placed in the container 42a containing the calcium agent, and this electrolyte is put in. The container 42 a is attached to the jacket 41 of the electrolyte supply device 40. As this electrolyte, inorganic chlorine compounds such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride are used (Claim 3). Further, the amount of the electrolyte to be put in the container 42a is set to an amount which is dissolved and disappears in the first step of the cleaning mode.
[0116]
In the electrolyzed water generating device shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, when the cleaning mode for cleaning the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is selected by pressing the selection switch 72a7 as described above, the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is made strongly acidic. Control is performed by the control unit 71 so that cleaning is performed automatically in this order with ionic water, acidic ionic water having lower acidity, and alkaline ionic water. Further, when the cleaning mode is selected by pressing the selection switch 72a7 as described above, these electrolyzed water generation modes are not changed even if the switches 72a2, 72a3, 72a4, 72a5 for selecting the electrolysis water generation mode are pressed until the cleaning mode is completed. It is controlled by the control unit 11 so that it cannot be accepted (claim 18).
[0117]
Therefore, when the cleaning mode for cleaning the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is selected by pressing the selection switch 72a7 and water is passed, as the first step of the cleaning mode, the oxidation-reduction potential is 900 mV or more and the pH is 3.5 or less. The electrode 13A, 13B of the electrolytic cell 10 and the flow path switching so that the strong acidic ion water containing the dissolved oxygen is generated in the electrolytic cell 10 and the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is treated with the strong acidic ion water. The valves 54 and 55 are controlled by the control unit 71 and automatically switched. That is, electrolysis is performed using the electrode 13A as an anode and the electrode 13B as a cathode, and the flow path switching valve 54 communicates the outlet 15A of the electrode chamber 12A to the water quality measuring device 30 and the outlet 15B of the electrode chamber 12B to the discharge pipe 53. The flow path switching valve 55 is controlled by the controller 71 so that the water quality measuring device 30 communicates with the discharge pipe 52. Therefore, in this case, the water flow path is as shown in FIG. 6 (however, since the container 42a is attached to the electrolyte supply device 40, the flow path of this portion is as shown in FIG. 8A). .
[0118]
As described above, in the first step, the strongly acidic ion water containing dissolved chlorine generated in the electrode chamber 12A of the anode 13A passes through the water quality measuring device 30 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 52. The working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 can be treated with strongly acidic ion water containing Strong alkaline ionized water generated in the electrode chamber 12 </ b> B is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. By treating the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 with strong acidic ion water containing dissolved chlorine in this way, the adsorbed impurities formed on the surface of the working electrode 2 are oxidized and decomposed, and the surface of the working electrode 2 is also oxidized. Calcium compounds such as adhered Ca scale can be dissolved. Further, when the use is started after purchasing the electrolyzed water generating device, the working electrode 2 is formed with the atomic level oxygen atom film as described above, and this oxygen atom film is replaced with chlorine and removed. be able to.
[0119]
Here, without using the container 42b used to generate strong oxidized water, the container 42a that normally contains a calcium agent is used, so that the electrode chamber 12B that generates alkaline ionic water in the electrolytic cell 2 is acidic. The electrolyte is supplied to only one of the electrode chambers 12A that generate ionic water (claim 14). In the present embodiment, the electrolyte is supplied only to the electrode chamber 12A. In this way, by supplying the electrolyte only to one of the electrode chambers 12A and 12B and preventing the electrolyte from being supplied to both the electrode chambers 12A and 12B, the supply amount of the electrolyte can be limited, and the strong oxidation described above. The concentration of hypochlorous acid can be made slightly lower than when water is produced, and strongly acidic ionic water suitable for washing can be obtained. A high concentration of hypochlorous acid is not preferable because a large amount of chlorine ions may adhere to the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1. Therefore, in this case, the cleaning mode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is accepted when it is detected by the above-described identification detection means that the container 42b used for generating strong oxidized water is attached to the electrolyte supply device 40. It is desirable that the controller 71 controls the cleaning mode so that the cleaning mode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 can be accepted only when the container 42a that cannot be detected by the identification detection unit is mounted.
[0120]
After the cleaning in the first step continues for about 1 minute, the process proceeds to the second step, but the electrolyte placed in the container 42a is not used up in the first step due to the influence of water pressure or the like and remains in the container 42a. In some cases, after the first step is completed, the electrolytic flow is continued for about 1 minute without applying an electrolytic voltage to the electrodes 12A and 12B of the electrolytic cell 10, and the electrolyte remaining in the container 42a. Control is performed by the controller 71 so as to wash away the water.
[0121]
In the next second step, weak acidic ionic water having a pH of 4 to 6 containing dissolved oxygen is generated in the electrolytic cell 10, and the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is treated with this strongly acidic ionic water. The electrodes 13A and 13B and the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 of the electrolytic cell 10 are controlled automatically by the control unit 71. That is, electrolysis is performed using the electrode 13A as a cathode and the electrode 13B as an anode, and the flow path switching valve 54 communicates the outlet 15A of the electrode chamber 12A to the discharge pipe 53 and the outlet 15B of the electrode chamber 12B to the water quality measuring device 30. The flow path switching valve 55 is controlled by the control unit 71 so that the water quality measuring device 30 communicates with the discharge pipe 51. Therefore, in this case, the water flow path is as shown in FIG.
[0122]
As described above, in the second step, the weakly acidic ionic water containing the dissolved acidity generated in the electrode chamber 12B of the electrode 13B passes through the water quality measuring device 30 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 51. The working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 can be treated with weakly acidic ionized water containing Alkaline ion water generated in the electrode chamber 12 </ b> A is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. By treating the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 with weakly acidic ionic water containing dissolved oxygen in this way, chlorine atoms attached to the surface of the working electrode 2 in the first step can be replaced with oxygen atoms. . The cleaning in the second step is continued for about 1 minute.
[0123]
In the next third step, strong alkaline ionized water containing dissolved hydrogen having a redox potential of −200 mV or lower and a pH of 9.5 or higher is generated in the electrolytic cell 10, and the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1 is connected. The electrodes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B and the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 of the electrolytic cell 10 are controlled by the controller 71 so as to be treated with the alkaline ionized water. That is, the electrode 13A is switched to the anode and the electrode 13B is switched to the cathode for electrolysis, but the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 remain the same as in the second step, and the outlet 15A of the electrode chamber 12A communicates with the discharge pipe 53. At the same time, the outlet 15B of the electrode chamber 12B is communicated with the water quality measuring device 30, and the water quality measuring device 30 is communicated with the discharge pipe 51. Accordingly, in this case as well, the water passage is as shown in FIG.
As described above, in the third step, strong alkaline ionized water containing dissolved hydrogen generated in the electrode chamber 12B having the electrode 13B as the cathode passes through the water quality measuring device 30 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 51. The working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 can be treated with strong alkaline ionized water containing. Acidic ion water generated in the electrode chamber 12 </ b> A is discharged from the discharge pipe 53. When the working electrode 2 is treated with strong alkaline ionized water containing dissolved hydrogen in this way, the dissolved hydrogen contained in the alkaline ionized water is more easily adsorbed than oxygen, so that it is substituted with oxygen and adsorbed on the surface of the working electrode 2. Since hydrogen has the property of being easily desorbed, the surface of the working electrode 2 can be almost completely renewed.
[0124]
The cleaning with strong alkaline ionized water containing dissolved hydrogen in the third step is completed in about 1 minute, and the cleaning of the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is completed here, but in this embodiment, the oxidation-reduction potential is The cleaning mode operation of the working electrode 2 of the sensor 1 is continued until the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential is stored and set.
That is, after the cleaning is completed as described above, the electrolysis voltage for the electrodes 13A and 13B and the flow path switching valves 54 and 55 are controlled by the control unit 71. First, strong alkaline ionized water of level 4 at pH 10.5 is electrolyzed. 10 is generated. Then, when this pH 10.5 electrolyzed water is passed through the water quality measuring device 30, its redox potential is measured by the redox potential sensor 1 immediately after being washed as described above, and the measured value is pH10. 5 is stored in the memory 74 of the control unit 71 as an initial measurement value of the redox potential of the electrolyzed water of .5. Next, alkaline ionized water of level 3 at pH 9.5 is generated and its redox potential is measured by the redox potential sensor 1, and the measured value is used as an initial measured value of the redox potential of electrolytic water at pH 9.5. It is stored in the memory 74 of the control unit 71. Similarly, level 9.0 alkaline ionized water at pH 9.0 and level 1 alkaline ionized water at pH 8.5 are generated, and the respective oxidation-reduction potentials are measured and stored in the memory 74 of the control unit 71 as initial measured values. The Next, the redox potential measurement of water having pH 7.0 is measured by passing purified water through the water quality measurement device 30 without applying an electrolytic voltage to the electrodes 13A and 13B, and the memory 74 of the control unit 71 is used as an initial measurement value. Is remembered. Furthermore, pH 1 level 1 acidic ionic water and pH 2.9 acidic ionic water are generated in this order, and the respective oxidation-reduction potentials are measured and stored in the memory 74 of the control unit 71 as initial measurement values. Thus, the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential of the electrolyzed water (including purified water) at each pH level at the initial stage of water flow to the cleaned oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is stored in the memory 74 of the control unit 71 as the initial measurement value. (See Table 2), and the cleaning mode ends.
[0125]
In the above embodiment, after the washing with strong alkaline ionized water in the third step is completed, the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential of the electrolytic water of each pH level of alkaline ionized water, purified water, and acidic ionized water is measured. In the case of acidic ion water having a pH of 5.5, the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential is measured and stored in the memory 74 at the end of the first step cleaning. In the case of acidic ionic water having a pH of 2.9, the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential is measured and stored in the memory 74 at the end of the second step, and the alkali at each pH level is washed after the third step. You may make it memorize | store in the memory 74 the initial measurement value of oxidation-reduction potential about ion water and purified water.
[0126]
Here, when the water flow to the electrolyzed water generating device is stopped by closing the currant 60 or switching the flow channel by the water channel switching device 61 during the above cleaning mode, the inorganic chlorine compound electrolyte or Electrolyzed water containing this electrolyte may remain in the electrolyzed water generating device, and if it is switched to the electrolyzed water generating mode as it is to generate alkaline ionized water or the like, the electrolyte may be mixed into the drinking electrolyzed water. There is. Therefore, when water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, the notification means notifies that the electrolyte and / or electrolytic water containing the electrolyte remains. Thus, control is performed by the control unit 71 (claim 19). As the notification means, specifically, a liquid crystal display 72b1 or a buzzer 75 of the display unit 72b can be used, and a description is displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 or the buzzer 75 is sounded for notification. can do.
[0127]
When the water flow is stopped during the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, sufficient water is passed through the electrolyzed water generating device, It is necessary to completely wash away the electrolyzed water containing the electrolyte. Therefore, when the water flow is performed after the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode, until a predetermined sufficient amount of water is passed or until a predetermined sufficient amount of time is passed. The controller 71 controls the mode so that the electrolyzed water generation mode cannot be accepted even if the selection switches 72a3 to 72a5 are pressed.
[0128]
At the same time, when the water flow is stopped after the water flow is stopped during the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, a predetermined sufficient amount of water is passed. Or the control unit 71 controls the notification means to notify that the water to be discharged is not drinkable until water is passed for a predetermined and sufficient time. It is designed not to be drunk accidentally (claim 21). As the notification means, specifically, a liquid crystal display 72b1 or a buzzer 75 of the display unit 72b can be used, and a description is displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 or the buzzer 75 is sounded for notification. can do.
[0129]
As described above, the memory 74 of the control unit 71 stores the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential at each pH. While the electrolyzed water generating device is operated in the electrolyzed water generating mode (including the purified water mode), the redox potential and pH of the electrolyzed water are constantly measured by the redox potential sensor 1 and the pH sensor 31. The measured redox potential value and the initial measured value of the same pH stored in the memory 74 are compared with each other in the comparison unit 71b of the control unit 71. It is determined that an abnormality in measurement accuracy has occurred due to impurities adhering to the surface of the working electrode 2 of the potential sensor 1, and the cleaning sign lamp 72b13 provided on the operation display unit 72 shown in FIG. However, cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is promoted.
[0130]
When the oxidation reduction potential sensor 1 is cleaned in accordance with the lighting of the cleaning sign lamp 72b13 as described above, when the selection switch 72a7 for cleaning the oxidation reduction potential sensor 1 is pressed after the operation in the mode for generating electrolyzed water, the electrolysis is performed. The operation of the water generation mode is stopped and the water flow is stopped. When the operation of the electrolysis water generation mode is stopped in this way, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that during the generation of electrolyzed water is applied to the electrodes 13A and 13B. As described above, the reverse electric cleaning for removing the scale attached to the electrodes 13A and 13B is performed. For this reason, even if the selection switch 72a7 for cleaning the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is pressed after operating in the mode for generating electrolyzed water, the cleaning mode is not accepted, and the drain valve 124 is opened after the reverse electric cleaning, and the electrolytic cell 10 The controller 71 is controlled so that the operation of the cleaning mode is started after the time for draining the water including the scale from the discharge pipe 53 has elapsed. In addition, when operating in the water purification mode, such reverse electric cleaning is not performed. Therefore, when the selection switch 72a7 for cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 is pressed after the operation in the water purification mode, the cleaning is performed. The controller 71 controls the mode so that the mode is immediately accepted and the operation in the cleaning mode is started.
[0131]
Here, in supplying the inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte in order to generate strongly acidic ionic water containing dissolved chlorine in the first step of the cleaning mode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, in the above embodiment, the electrolyte is usually calcium. In the container 42a containing the agent, the electrolyte is supplied to the electrolyte supply device 40. However, by using a dedicated cartridge containing an inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte, and this cartridge is attached to the electrolyte supply device 40, the electrolyte can be supplied. You may make it perform. In this case, the detection metal piece 46 as described above is provided in the cartridge, and this is detected by the identification detection means such as the proximity switch 45, and the cartridge containing the inorganic chlorine compound as the electrolyte is connected to the water passage. When the selection switch 72a3 to 72a5 is pressed, the control unit 71 controls so that the mode for generating electrolyzed water (including purified water) cannot be accepted even if the selection switches 72a3 to 72a5 are pressed. 13).
[0132]
Here, the oxidation-reduction potential and pH of the electrolyzed water (including purified water) generated in the electrolytic cell 10 are measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 and the pH sensor 31 of the water quality measuring device 30, as shown in FIG. Although displayed on the liquid crystal display 72 b 1 of the display unit 72 b, the measurement of the oxidation-reduction potential with the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1 may be slightly slower than the measurement of the pH with the pH sensor 31. Depending on the characteristics of the material used for the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1, for example, even if the measured pH value is stable for a while after the discharge of electrolyzed water is started, the redox potential Measurements can vary greatly. This is because the response of the working electrode 2 of the redox potential sensor 1 is slow, and the actual value of the redox potential of the discharged electrolyzed water is stable. In this way, the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential is not stable particularly in the initial discharge of the electrolyzed water, and the numerical value of the oxidation-reduction potential displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 varies greatly. As a result, the liquid crystal display 72b1 Until the displayed redox potential value is stabilized, the electrolyzed water is not used for drinking but discarded.
[0133]
In view of this, the numerical value of the oxidation-reduction potential displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1 is controlled by the control unit 71 as follows, so that unnecessary waste water can be prevented.
That is, as described above, in the cleaning mode, the pH values (pH 11.9, pH 10.5, pH 9.5, pH 9. 5) in the initial stage of water flow to the electrolytic cell 10 after cleaning the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1. 0, pH 8.5, pH 7.0, pH 5.5, pH 2.9, pH 2.5) is measured, and the initial measurement value is stored in the memory 73 of the control unit 71. First, from the relationship between each pH value and the initial measured value of the redox potential, the control unit 71 calculates initial measured values of the redox potential for all pH values between pH 11.9 and pH 2.5. The result is stored in the memory 73. In this calculation, as shown in FIG. 16, the measured pH value and the initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential at the pH value are plotted in a table with the pH value on the horizontal axis and the oxidation-reduction potential value on the vertical axis ( OR0, OR1, OR3, OR4...), And plots are connected by straight lines, and the numerical values on the straight lines are used as an initial measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential with respect to the pH value.
[0134]
Next, in the table of FIG. 16, in the plots at each pH (OR1, OR3, OR4, OR5. ), OR3 (+), OR4 (+), OR5 (+)...) And lower limit values (OR1 (−), OR3 (−), OR4 (−), OR5 (−)...) The values (OR1 (+), OR3 (+), OR4 (+), OR5 (+)...) And the lower limit values (OR1 (−), OR3 (−), OR4 (−), OR5 (−)...) Are straight lines. The control unit 71 performs an operation of connecting the two points, and the result is stored in the memory 73. Here, the range between the upper limit and the lower limit set in the initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential is determined in consideration of variations in actual measurement, and is pH 9.5, pH 9.0, pH 8.5, Since water with pH 7.0 and pH 5.5 has low electrical conductivity and large variations in measurement, the upper and lower limits are set within a range of ± 100 mV, and water with pH 10.5 and pH 2.9 has relatively high electrical conductivity. Since the measurement variation is high, the upper and lower limits are set within a range of ± 50 mV. Furthermore, since pH 2.5 water has high electrical conductivity and measurement variation is very small, it is not necessary to set an upper limit and a lower limit.
[0135]
Then, when the redox potential and pH value of the electrolyzed water are measured by the redox potential sensor 1 and the pH sensor 31, the measured redox potential at the pH value and the initial measured redox potential value stored in the memory 73. The control unit 71 compares the measured upper and lower limit values, and if the measured value falls within the upper limit and lower limit ranges in the table of FIG. 16, the measured oxidation-reduction potential is displayed as it is on the liquid crystal display 72b1. 16 is displayed as an oxidation-reduction potential on the liquid crystal display 72b1, and when the measured value is outside the lower limit of the table of FIG. 16, the lower limit is displayed on the liquid crystal display 72b1. Control is performed by the control unit 71 so as to display it as an oxidation-reduction potential on the unit 72b1. Thus, even if the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential is not stable due to the slow response of the working electrode 2 of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor 1, the upper and lower limit values are set and the numerical values are displayed, whereby the liquid crystal display The redox potential can be displayed as a stable value in 72b1, and the amount of electrolyzed water used as waste water can be reduced.
[0136]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention electrolyzes water that is passed through to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and discharges these electrolyzed water separately. And a redox potential sensor for measuring and displaying the redox potential of electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell, the working electrode formed by the insoluble metal electrode of the redox potential sensor is strongly acidic. It is characterized by comprising means for cleaning the surface of the working electrode by treating in this order using ionic water, acidic ionic water having a lower acidity, and alkaline ionic water. The ionic water can safely clean and renew the surface of the working electrode without the need to use toxic drugs, and keep the measurement accuracy of the redox potential sensor high. It is those that can be.
[0137]
In the invention of claim 2, the strongly acidic ionic water contains dissolved chlorine having a redox potential of 900 mV or more and a pH of 3.5 or less, and the acidic ionic water has a redox potential of 500 mV to 1000 mV. The alkaline ionized water contains dissolved hydrogen having an oxidation-reduction potential of −200 mV or less and a pH of 9.5 or more. The surface of the working electrode of the potential sensor can be cleaned at a high level.
[0138]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the strongly acidic ionic water is produced by electrolyzing water to which an inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte is added. The acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water are obtained by electrolyzing water. Since it is produced, it is possible to clean the oxidation-reduction potential sensor using ionic water that can be obtained by electrolytic generation in an electrolytic cell, and separately prepare a liquid for cleaning. The oxidation-reduction potential sensor can be cleaned without necessity.
[0139]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte includes sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride. Chosen from Since it is an inorganic chlorine compound, the surface of the working electrode of the electrolytic reduction potential sensor can be washed at a high level by using these inorganic chlorine compounds as an electrolyte.
Further, the invention of claim 5 stores the storage means for storing the redox potential of the electrolyzed water in the initial stage of water flow measured by the redox potential sensor after washing as an initial measured value, and measured by the redox potential sensor when the electrolyzed water was generated. Comparing means for comparing the redox potential of the electrolyzed water with the initial measurement value stored in the storage means, and a display means for prompting cleaning of the redox potential sensor when the comparison value by the comparing means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Therefore, it is possible to automatically know when the redox potential sensor needs to be cleaned.
[0140]
Further, the invention of claim 6 is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus configured to be able to operate in a plurality of modes so that a plurality of types of electrolytic ionic water having different pH levels are generated in the electrolyzer. It comprises storage means for storing the measured value of the redox potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the redox potential sensor in the initial stage of water flow as an initial measured value. Even when the operation of generating electrolytic ionic water is performed, it becomes possible to detect the time when the reduction potential sensor needs to be cleaned.
[0141]
The invention of claim 7 compares the measured value of the redox potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the redox potential sensor during the electrolyzed water generation operation with the initial measured value in each mode stored in the storage means. And a display means for prompting cleaning of the redox potential sensor when the comparison value by the comparing means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. You can know when you need it.
[0142]
Further, the invention of claim 8 stores the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential of each mode of ionic water measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor in the initial stage of water flow to the electrolytic cell after washing of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor. In storing in the means, the redox potential is measured by passing ionic water through the oxidation-reduction potential sensor in each of the modes from the high-level mode to the low-level mode, and the measured value is measured in each mode. Since it is characterized in that it is stored in the storage means as the initial measurement value, the initial measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential in each mode is accurately measured and stored in the storage means while avoiding the influence of the pre-measurement solution as much as possible. It can be memorized.
[0143]
Further, the invention of claim 9 is provided with an electrolyte supply device in a water passage to the electrolytic cell, and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell while supplying the electrolyte of claim 4 to water by the electrolyte supply device. It is characterized by generating strong acidic ionic water for cleaning the working electrode of the present invention, so that the redox potential sensor can be cleaned with strong acidic ionic water using the existing structure of the electrolyzed water generator as it is. It can be done.
[0144]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an electrolyte supply device is formed with a calcium addition cartridge containing a calcium additive, and the cartridge containing the electrolyte of the fourth aspect is replaced with a calcium addition cartridge into an electrolytic cell. It is characterized by generating strong acidic ionic water for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor by attaching it to the water flow path, so the structure of attaching the cartridge for adding calcium is used as it is. Thus, the electrolyte can be added to the water, and the strongly acidic ionic water can be generated by the electrolyzed water generator to clean the redox potential sensor.
[0145]
In the invention of claim 11, the electrolyte supply device is formed with a calcium addition cartridge, and the electrolyte of claim 4 is placed in the calcium addition cartridge in place of the calcium additive. It is characterized by generating strong acid ionic water for cleaning the working electrode, so that the electrolyte can be added to the water by using the calcium addition cartridge, and the strong acid ionic water can be added to the electrolyzed water. The oxidation-reduction potential sensor can be cleaned by being generated by a generator.
[0146]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water purifier that contains a filter medium in a water passage to the electrolytic cell, and a cartridge containing the electrolyte according to the fourth aspect is attached instead of the filter medium, thereby providing a redox potential sensor. It is characterized in that it generates strong acidic ionic water for cleaning the working electrode, so that the electrolyte can be added to the water using the water purification device as it is, The oxidation-reduction potential sensor can be cleaned by being generated by a generator.
[0147]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit that disables the mode for generating the electrolyzed water when the cartridge containing the electrolyte of the fourth aspect is attached to the water passage. When the electrolyte is supplied to the water, it is possible to prevent electrolyzed water such as alkaline ionized water from being generated, and to prevent accidental drinking of the electrolyzed water mixed with the electrolyte.
[0148]
Further, the invention of claim 14 supplies the electrolyte of claim 4 only to one of the chamber for generating alkaline ionized water and the chamber for generating acidic ionized water in the electrolytic cell, and the action of the redox potential sensor. It is characterized in that it generates strong acidic ionic water for electrode cleaning, so that it can generate strong acidic ionic water by limiting the amount of electrolyte supplied to the electrolytic cell. By adjusting the chloric acid concentration to be low, strongly acidic ionic water suitable for washing can be obtained.
[0149]
According to the invention of claim 15, when the cleaning mode for cleaning the surface of the working electrode of the redox potential sensor is selected, the surface of the working electrode is strongly acidic ionic water, acidic ionic water having a lower acidity, alkaline ion Since it is characterized by comprising a control unit that controls so that cleaning in order of water is automatically performed, the oxidation-reduction potential sensor can be cleaned without the need for troublesome operations. is there.
[0150]
The invention of claim 16 is characterized in that a control unit is provided for controlling so that the oxidation-reduction potential measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is not displayed until the cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of an incorrect numerical redox potential measured by the redox potential sensor before cleaning.
The invention of claim 17 is a mode in which after operating in a mode for generating electrolyzed water, the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the redox potential sensor is not accepted until drainage is completed, and the mode in which electrolyzed water is not generated. Since it is characterized in that it has a control unit that can accept the cleaning mode after it has been operated in the case of the reverse current cleaning when the operation of the mode for generating electrolyzed water is stopped. However, the scale removed by the reverse electric cleaning can be drained together with the waste water, and this scale can prevent the cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor from being adversely affected.
[0151]
Further, the invention of claim 18 is characterized by comprising a control unit for controlling the mode for generating electrolyzed water to be unacceptable during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor. Switching from washing mode in which electrolyte such as inorganic chlorine compound is supplied to mode to generate electrolyzed water can prevent the electrolyzed water mixed with electrolyte from being discharged, and electrolyzed water mixed with electrolyte It is possible to prevent accidental drinking.
[0152]
Further, the invention of claim 19 informs that when water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, the electrolyte or the electrolytic water containing the electrolyte remains. Since the notification means is provided, it is possible to prevent accidental drinking of electrolyzed water mixed with an electrolyte such as an inorganic chlorine compound.
[0153]
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, when water flow is performed after the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, a predetermined amount of water or a predetermined period of time is passed. It is characterized by providing a control unit that controls the mode for generating electrolyzed water to be unacceptable until water is used, so that electrolyzed water is generated after the electrolyte such as inorganic chlorine compound is completely discharged. The mode can be switched to prevent accidental drinking of the electrolyzed water mixed with the electrolyte.
[0154]
In the invention of claim 21, when water flow is performed after the water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, a predetermined amount of water or a predetermined period of time is passed. It is characterized by providing a notification means for notifying that the water discharged is not drinkable until water is used, so that it is possible to prevent accidental drinking of the electrolytic water mixed with the electrolyte. It is something that can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows cleaning of an oxidation-reduction potential sensor in an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and (a), (b), and (c) are schematic sectional views, respectively.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an embodiment of an oxidation-reduction potential sensor used in the above.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of control of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor same as above.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a water quality measuring apparatus used in the second embodiment, wherein (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views, respectively.
FIG. 8 shows an electrolyte supply apparatus used in the second embodiment, wherein (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views, respectively.
FIG. 9 shows a container of an electrolyte supply device used in the second embodiment, wherein (a) and (b) are sectional views.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a proximity switch used in the second embodiment.
FIGS. 11A and 11B show a part of the second embodiment, in which FIG. 11A is a block diagram of a control system, and FIG. 11B is a front view of an operation display unit;
FIG. 12 is a block circuit diagram of a control system according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment;
FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the redox potential and pH in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional example.
FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Redox potential sensor
2 Working electrode
10 Electrolysis tank
20 Water purifier
L ₁ Strong acid ion water
L ₂ Weakly acidic ionized water
L ₃ Strong alkaline ionized water

Claims (21)

Electrolyze the water to be passed through to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and measure and display the electrolytic cell for discharging these electrolytic water separately and the redox potential of the electrolytic water discharged from the electrolytic cell. In an electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising a redox potential sensor, a working electrode formed by an insoluble metal electrode of a redox potential sensor includes strong acidic ionic water, acidic ionic water having a lower acidity, and alkaline ionic water. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus is characterized by comprising means for sequentially cleaning the surface of the working electrode. The strongly acidic ionic water contains dissolved chlorine having a redox potential of 900 mV or higher and a pH of 3.5 or lower, and the acidic ionic water has a redox potential of 500 mV to 1000 mV and a dissolved pH of 4 to 6. 2. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus contains oxygen, and the alkaline ionized water contains dissolved hydrogen having a redox potential of −200 mV or less and a pH of 9.5 or more. The strongly acidic ionic water is generated by electrolyzing water to which an inorganic chlorine compound as an electrolyte is added, and the acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water are generated by electrolyzing water. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electrolyte is an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride. Storage means for storing the redox potential of electrolyzed water at the initial stage of water flow measured by the redox potential sensor after washing or after each cleaning step as an initial measured value, and electrolyzed water measured by the redox potential sensor when electrolyzed water is generated Comparing means for comparing the oxidation-reduction potential and the initial measured value stored in the storage means, and a display means for prompting cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor when the comparison value by the comparing means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In an electrolyzed water generator that can be operated in multiple modes so that multiple types of electrolyzed ion water with different pH levels are generated in the electrolyzer, redox at the initial stage of water flow to the electrolyzer after cleaning of the redox potential sensor 6. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising storage means for storing the measured values of the redox potential of each mode of ionic water measured by the potential sensor as initial measured values. Comparing means for comparing the measured value of the redox potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the redox potential sensor during operation of electrolyzed water generation with the initial measured value in each mode stored in the storage means, and this comparing means The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising display means for prompting cleaning of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor when the comparison value obtained by the calculation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In storing the measured value of the oxidation-reduction potential of ionic water in each mode measured by the oxidation-reduction potential sensor in the initial stage of water flow to the electrolytic cell after washing of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor in the storage means as the initial measurement value, the pH is In each of the modes from the high level mode to the low level mode, ion water is passed through the redox potential sensor to measure the redox potential, and the measured value is stored in the storage means as the initial measured value in each mode. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the electrolyzed water generating apparatus is configured to perform the above. By providing an electrolyte supply device in the water flow path to the electrolytic cell, and electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell while supplying an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride as water to the water as an electrolyte, redox reduction The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein strong acidic ionized water for cleaning the working electrode of the potential sensor is generated. An electrolyte supply device is formed with a calcium addition cartridge containing a calcium additive, and the cartridge containing an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride as an electrolyte is replaced with a calcium addition cartridge for electrolysis. 10. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 9, wherein the electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 9 is configured to generate strongly acidic ionic water for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor by being attached to a water flow path to the tank. An electrolyte supply device is formed with a calcium addition cartridge, and an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride is used as an electrolyte in place of the calcium additive in the calcium addition cartridge. 10. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein strong acidic ionized water for cleaning the working electrode of the sensor is generated. By installing a water purifier that contains a filter medium in the water flow path to the electrolytic cell, and replacing the filter medium with a cartridge containing an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride as the electrolyte , oxidation reduction The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein strongly acidic ionized water for cleaning the working electrode of the potential sensor is generated. When a cartridge containing an inorganic chlorine compound selected from sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride as an electrolyte is attached to a water passage, a control unit is provided that disables the mode for generating electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12. Either one only sodium chloride chamber for generating chamber and acidic ionized water to produce an alk Rii on water in the electrolytic cell, and supplies calcium chloride, an inorganic chlorine compound selected from potassium chloride as an electrolyte, the redox potential The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein strong acidic ionized water for cleaning the working electrode of the sensor is generated. When the cleaning mode that cleans the surface of the working electrode of the redox potential sensor is selected, the surface of the working electrode is automatically washed in the order of strongly acidic ionized water, acidic ionized water having lower acidity, and alkaline ionized water in this order. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs control so as to be performed automatically. 16. A control unit for controlling the redox potential measured by the redox potential sensor from being displayed until the cleaning of the redox potential sensor is completed. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus described in 1. After operating in a mode that generates electrolyzed water, the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the redox potential sensor is disabled until drainage is completed, and after operating in a mode that does not generate electrolyzed water, the cleaning mode is set. The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a control unit that enables reception. The control unit for controlling the mode for generating electrolyzed water to be unacceptable during the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor is provided. Electrolyzed water generator. When water flow is stopped during the execution of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, a notification means for notifying that the electrolyte or the electrolytic water containing the electrolyte remains is provided. The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, When the water flow is performed after the stop of the water flow during the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, the electrolytic water is used until a predetermined amount of water or a predetermined amount of water is passed. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a control unit that controls the mode for generating water to be unacceptable. When water flow is performed after the stop of the cleaning mode for cleaning the working electrode of the oxidation-reduction potential sensor, water is discharged until a predetermined amount of water or a predetermined period of time is passed. The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising an informing means for informing that water is not drinkable.

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