JP3648867B2 - Alkaline ion water conditioner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alkali ion water conditioner that electrolyzes raw water such as tap water to produce alkali ion water used for drinking or treatment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, alkali ion water conditioners have become widespread as one type of continuous electrolysis type ion water generator. The alkali ion water conditioner electrolyzes raw water such as tap water in an electrolytic cell to generate alkaline ion water on the cathode side and acidic ion water on the anode side in the electrolytic cell. Alkaline ion water is used for drinking or treatment, and acidic ion water is used for lotion, sterilization washing water, and the like. Moreover, the alkaline ionized water apparatus provided with the glass electrode for detecting the pH of the produced | generated ionic water is also marketed, and the user can set the pH value of ionic water.
[0003]
Hereinafter, such a conventional alkaline ionized water device will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0004]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a conventional alkaline ionized water device. In FIG. 2, 3 is a raw water pipe, 4 is a faucet, 5 is a water purifier, 6 is a calcium supply unit, 7 is a flow sensor, 8 is an electrolytic cell, 9 is a diaphragm, 10 is a cathode, 11 is an anode, and 12 acid ions. Water drain pipe, 13 is a flow rate adjusting unit, 14 is an alkaline ion water discharge pipe, 15 is an electromagnetic valve, 16 is a water stop valve, 17 is a pH sensor water pipe, 18 is a water discharge pipe, 19 is a water purifier sensor, and 20 is a power source. , 21 is a control means, 22 is an operation display unit, 23 is a pH setting unit, 24 is a display unit, 25 is a pH calibration unit, 26 is a storage unit, 27 is a pH sensor, 28 is a cap, and 29 is a calibration solution inlet. , 30 are power-on plugs.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the conventional alkaline ionized water device, tap water or the like flows from the raw water pipe 3 into the water purification unit 5 via the faucet 4 and is activated by activated carbon disposed in the water purification unit 5. Residual chlorine in the water is adsorbed and removed, and bacteria and impurities are removed by the hollow fiber membrane. The presence or absence of a water purification cartridge (not shown) provided with activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane in the water purifier 5 is detected by a water purifier sensor 19. The raw water that has passed through the water purification unit 5 is mixed and dissolved with calcium glycerophosphate, calcium lactate, and the like in the calcium supply unit 6 in order to impart calcium ions and increase conductivity.
[0006]
The raw water that has passed through the calcium supply unit 6 is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 8 after the flow rate is detected by the flow sensor 7. The inside of the electrolytic cell 8 is divided into two by a diaphragm 9, and a cathode 10 is disposed in one electrolysis chamber and an anode 11 is disposed in the other electrolysis chamber. A predetermined pulse voltage fed from a power-on plug 30 and converted into a direct current in the power supply unit 20 is applied between the cathode 10 and the anode 11, and alkaline ionized water is supplied to the anode 11 side in the electrolytic chamber on the cathode 10 side. Acidic ion water is generated in the electrolysis chamber.
[0007]
The acidic ionic water flows through the acidic ionic water discharge pipe 12 via the flow rate adjusting unit 13 and is discharged from the discharge pipe 18 when the water stop valve 16 is opened. Alkaline ion water is discharged through the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14, and a part thereof flows into the pH sensor 27 through the pH sensor water pipe 17 formed by branching to the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14. Then, the pH value is detected. A calibration solution injection port 29 for injecting a calibration solution for calibrating the pH sensor 27 is formed in a part of the pH sensor water pipe 17, and a cap 28 is disposed at the injection port. The alkaline ionized water that has passed through the pH sensor 27 flows into the acidic ionized water discharge pipe 12 and is discharged through the discharge pipe 18 together with the acidic ionized water.
[0008]
The electromagnetic valve 15 is closed while the raw water is being electrolytically decomposed, but the retained water in the electrolytic cell 8 and the washing water in which the scale made of Ca, Mg, etc. when the cathode 10 and the anode 11 are washed are dissolved. Opened when draining, the accumulated water and washing water are discharged through the water discharge pipe 18.
[0009]
The operation of the alkaline ionized water device as described above is controlled by the control means 21, and the control content and the operation content are stored in the storage unit 26. Further, in the operation display unit 22, a pH setting unit 23 capable of setting the pH of the generated ionic water stepwise by dividing it into a plurality of concentration levels; A pH calibration unit 25 that calibrates when an error occurs in the detection value of the pH sensor 27 is provided.
[0010]
Next, an electric circuit of a conventional alkaline ionized water device will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a main part of a conventional alkaline ionized water device. In FIG. 3, 31 is a transformer, 32 is a DC power source for control, 33 is a DC power source for electrolysis, 34 is a current transducer, 35 is a smoothing circuit, 36 is an output control circuit, 37 is an electrolyzer-electromagnetic valve switching relay, 38 Is a polarity switching relay, and 39 is a solenoid valve solenoid.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 3, the AC voltage fed through the transformer 31 arranged inside the power supply unit 20 is converted into a DC voltage necessary for driving the control means 21 in the control DC power supply 32, and In the direct current power source 33 for electrolysis, it is converted into a direct current voltage required for electrolysis. The AC voltage flowing into the DC power supply 33 for electrolysis is monitored by a current transducer 34, and a signal from the current transducer 34 is converted to a DC level by a smoothing circuit 35.
[0012]
An electrolytic cell-electromagnetic valve switching relay 37 made of an FET or the like opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 15, and an electromagnetic valve solenoid 39 corresponds to the electromagnetic valve 15. The polarity switching relay 38 determines the polarity of the two electrodes arranged in the electrolytic cell 8. The cathode 10 and the anode 11 can reverse the polarity by switching the polarity switching relay 38. Can do.
[0013]
The direct current voltage generated by the direct current power source 33 for electrolysis is applied between the cathode 10 and the anode 11 via the output control circuit 36, the electrolytic cell-electromagnetic valve switching relay 37, and the polarity switching relay 38. The direct current voltage generated by the direct current power source 26 for electrolysis is a pulse wave having a constant amplitude and a frequency of several hundreds Hz. The output control circuit 36 modulates the duty ratio. As described above, the voltage applied between the cathode 10 and the anode 11 is controlled by a pulse width control method in which the average voltage is changed by changing the duty ratio.
[0014]
For example, when the user sets the pH value of alkaline ionized water in the pH setting unit 23 of the operation display unit 22, the control means 21 is connected to the cathode 10 when the amount of raw water detected by the flow sensor 7 reaches a predetermined value. The average voltage and duty ratio of the pulse wave applied between the anodes 11 are read from the storage unit 26, and the output control circuit 36 is operated according to the duty ratio. When the production of alkaline ionized water is started, the pH sensor 27 detects the pH value of the alkaline ionized water flowing in from the pH sensor water pipe 17 and feeds back the value to the control means 21, and the control means 21 has a desired pH. The duty ratio is changed in the output control circuit 36 so that ionic water is generated.
[0015]
Next, the water flow path between each of an electrolytic cell and a pH sensor, and an electrolytic cell and a water stop valve is demonstrated using FIG.
[0016]
FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a water passage between an electrolytic cell and a pH sensor, an electrolytic cell and a water stop valve in a conventional alkaline ionized water device, and FIG. 4 (b) is a conventional alkaline ion. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the water flow path between each of the electrolytic vessel and pH sensor in an adjuster, and an electrolytic vessel and a water stop valve. 4 (a) and 4 (b), 40 is an electrolytic cell drain side joint, 41a is an alkaline ion water discharge port, 41b is an acidic ion water discharge port, and FIG. 4 (b) is a frame of FIG. 4 (a). This is an enlarged view of the line A.
[0017]
Alkaline ion water is discharged through the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14 from the alkali ion water discharge port 41a of the electrolytic cell drain side joint 40 disposed in the electrolytic cell, or the pH branched from the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14. It is sent to the pH sensor 27 through the sensor water pipe 17. The acidic ion water is sent from the acidic ion water discharge port 41b of the electrolytic cell drain side joint 40 disposed in the electrolytic cell to the stop valve 16 through the acidic ion water drain pipe 12.
[0018]
The operation of the conventional alkaline ionized water device having the above configuration will be described below.
[0019]
The user sets the pH value of the alkaline ionized water to be generated by the pH setting unit 23 of the operation display unit 22 and opens the water tap 4. The raw water supplied through the faucet 4 is freed of impurities such as residual chlorine and general bacteria in the water purification unit 5, and calcium glycerophosphate is dissolved in the calcium supply unit 6, and then flows into the electrolytic cell 8 through the flow sensor 7. Supplied.
[0020]
On the other hand, the AC voltage (100 V) supplied from the power-on plug 30 is converted into a DC voltage necessary for driving the control means 21 in the control DC power supply 32 through the transformer 31 in the power supply unit 20. Similarly, the alternating voltage is converted into a direct current voltage required for electrolysis in the direct current power supply 33 for electrolysis through the transformer 31 in the power supply unit 20.
[0021]
After starting the supply of raw water, the control means 21 reads the signal of the flow sensor 7, and when the flow level exceeds a predetermined value, instructs the start of electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 8, and electrolyzes the electrolytic cell-electromagnetic valve switching relay 37. In addition to switching to the tank side, the polarity switching relay 38 outputs an operation command that distributes the polarity of each of the cathode 10 and the anode 11 in the electrolytic cell 8. Thereafter, the duty ratio corresponding to the target pH stored in the storage unit 26 is read, and the output control circuit 36 is operated to apply a predetermined pulse voltage between the cathode 10 and the anode 11 in the electrolytic cell 8. Electrolysis is then performed. Thereby, alkaline ionized water having a target pH value is generated in the electrolytic chamber on the cathode 10 side, and acidic ionized water is generated in the electrolytic chamber on the anode 11 side.
[0022]
When alkaline ion water different from the target pH value is generated due to the influence of carbonate ions, bicarbonate ions, etc. contained in the raw water, the output potential corresponding to the pH value is controlled by the pH sensor 27 by the control means. The control means 21 calculates an accurate pH value of the ionic water from the output potential value, and the duty ratio of the pulse voltage applied between the anode 10 and the cathode 11 according to the difference from the target pH value. The electrolysis is controlled to increase or decrease to approach the target pH.
[0023]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned conventional alkaline ionized water device has the following problems.
(1) Since the inner diameter of the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14 is larger than the inner diameter of the alkali ion water discharge port 41a of the electrolytic cell drain side joint 40, bubbles are generated when the alkali ion water flows into the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14. The bubbles flow into the pH sensor 27 through the alkaline ion water discharge pipe 14 and the pH sensor water pipe 17. When the total amount of alkaline ionized water is large, the bubbles are discharged as they are through the water discharge pipe 18, but when the total amount of water is small, the bubbles do not flow to the water discharge pipe 18, and the inside of the pH sensor 27. It remains on the surface of the glass electrode for pH measurement, and the pH cannot be detected accurately.
(2) Since the inner diameter of the acidic ion water drain pipe 12 is larger than the inner diameter of the acidic ion water discharge port 41b of the electrolytic cell drain side joint 40, bubbles are generated when the acidic ion water flows into the acidic ion water drain pipe 12. However, the bubbles stay in the acidic ion water drain pipe 12 and the amount of acidic ion water flowing through the acid ion water drain pipe 12 decreases, or the bubbles block the acidic ion water drain pipe 12 and drain the water. Disappear. In order to generate alkaline ionized water having a stable pH value, the alkaline ionized water discharged from the alkaline ionized water discharge pipe 14, the alkaline ionized water flowing into the pH sensor 27, and the acidic ionized water drain pipe 12 are passed through. Therefore, when the drainage of acidic ionic water is reduced or stopped by bubbles remaining in the acidic ionic water discharge pipe 12, a stable pH is maintained. Ion water cannot be obtained.
[0024]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and the generation of bubbles in the water flow path for passing alkaline ion water from the electrolytic cell to the pH sensor and in the water flow path for discharging acidic ion water from the electrolytic cell. An object of the present invention is to provide an alkaline ionized water apparatus that can prevent and accurately detect the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water.
[0025]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an alkali ion water discharge part for discharging alkali ion water from an electrolytic cell, and a communication unit inserted between the alkali ion water discharge part and connecting the alkali ion water discharge part and the pH sensor. And a configuration in which the inner diameters of the alkaline ionized water discharge portion and the water passage are formed to be substantially the same diameter.
[0026]
With this configuration, generation of bubbles in the water passage for passing alkaline ion water from the electrolytic cell to the pH sensor and the water passage for discharging acidic ion water from the electrolytic cell is prevented, and the generated alkaline ion water is produced. It is possible to provide an alkaline ionized water device capable of accurately detecting the pH value.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is connected to an alkali ion water discharge portion that discharges alkali ion water from an electrolytic cell and an alkali ion water discharge portion, and connects the alkali ion water discharge portion and the pH sensor. A flow path for passing alkaline ion water from an electrolytic cell to a pH sensor. It has the effect of preventing the generation of bubbles in the water and accurately detecting the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water.
[0028]
Invention of Claim 2 of this invention is inserted in acid ionic water discharge | release part and acid ionic water discharge | release part which discharge | release acidic ionic water from an electrolytic cell in invention of Claim 1, and acid ionic water A water passage that connects the discharge portion and the water stop valve, and the acidic ion water discharge portion and the water passage are formed to have substantially the same inner diameter. It has the effect of preventing the generation of bubbles in the water passage for discharging and detecting the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water with high accuracy.
[0029]
Specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment)
Fig.1 (a) is a principal part schematic diagram which shows the water flow path between each of the electrolytic vessel and pH sensor of an alkaline ionized water apparatus, and an electrolytic vessel and a solenoid valve in one embodiment of this invention, FIG.4 (b). These are principal part sectional drawings which show the water flow path between each of the electrolytic cell and pH sensor of an alkaline ionized water apparatus, and an electrolytic cell and an electromagnetic valve in one embodiment of this invention.
[0030]
1 (a) and 1 (b), 1 is an inner pipe for discharge, 2 is an inner pipe for drainage, and an electrolytic cell drain side joint 40, an alkaline ion water discharge port 41a, and an acidic ion water discharge port 41b are conventional examples. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the inside of the frame A in FIG.
[0031]
This embodiment is different from the conventional example in that the discharge inner pipe 1 is inserted into the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14 so that the alkali ion water discharge pipe 14 and the alkali ion water discharge port 41a are connected. The inner diameter is substantially the same. In addition, since the drainage inner pipe 2 is inserted into the acid ion water drain pipe 12, the inner diameters of the acid ion water drain pipe 12 and the acid ion water discharge port 41b are substantially the same. .
[0032]
With this configuration, the alkaline ionized water discharge pipe 14 and the alkaline ionized water discharge port 41a have substantially the same inner diameter, so that the alkaline ionized water flows into the alkaline ionized water discharge pipe 14 from the alkaline ionized water discharge port 41a. In this case, the head loss is eliminated and the generation of bubbles can be prevented. Moreover, when the acidic ion water drain pipe 12 and the acidic ion water discharge port 41b have substantially the same inner diameter, when the acid ion water flows into the acidic ion water drain pipe 12 from the acidic ion water discharge port 41b. The loss of water head is eliminated and the generation of bubbles can be prevented.
[0033]
In addition, since the operation method of the alkaline ionized water apparatus in this Embodiment is the same as that of a prior art example, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent generation of bubbles in the water passage for passing alkaline ion water from the electrolytic cell to the pH sensor, and to pass acidic ion water from the electrolytic cell. The generation of bubbles in the water channel can be prevented, and the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water can be accurately detected.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent generation of bubbles in the water passage for passing alkaline ion water from the electrolytic cell to the pH sensor, and in the water passage for discharging acidic ion water from the electrolytic cell. Since the generation of bubbles can be prevented and the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water can be accurately detected, the stability and reliability of the pH value of the generated alkaline ionized water can be improved. An effect is obtained. In addition, it is possible to prevent the alkaline ionized water device from stopping operation or malfunctioning due to the generation of bubbles, and to obtain an excellent effect that the maintenance and management of the alkaline ionized water device becomes extremely easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a main part showing a water passage between an electrolytic cell and a pH sensor, an electrolytic cell and a water stop valve of an alkaline ionized water device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a water passage between each of an electrolytic cell and a pH sensor, and an electrolytic cell and a water stop valve of an alkaline ionized water device according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the main part. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the main part of a conventional alkaline ionized water device. Fig. 4 (a) Each of an electrolytic cell and a pH sensor, an electrolytic cell and a water stop valve in a conventional alkaline ionized water device. (B) Main part sectional view showing the water passage between the electrolytic cell and the pH sensor, the electrolytic cell and the water stop valve in the conventional alkaline ionized water device ]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner pipe for discharge 2 Inner pipe for drainage 3 Raw water pipe 4 Water faucet 5 Water purifier 6 Calcium supply part 7 Flow rate sensor 8 Electrolytic tank 9 Diaphragm 10 Cathode 11 Anode 12 Acidic water drain pipe 13 Flow rate adjustment part 14 Pipe 15 Solenoid valve 16 Water stop valve 17 pH sensor water pipe 18 Water discharge pipe 19 Water purifier sensor 20 Power supply unit 21 Control means 22 Operation display unit 23 pH setting unit 24 Display unit 25 pH calibration unit 26 Storage unit 27 pH sensor 28 Cap 29 Water purifier sensor 30 Power plug 31 Transformer 32 Control DC power supply 33 Electrolysis DC power supply 34 Current transducer 35 Smoothing circuit 36 Output control circuit 37 Electrolytic tank-electromagnetic valve switching relay 38 Polarity switching relay 39 Electromagnetic valve solenoid 40 Electrolytic tank drainage Side joint 41a Alkaline ion water outlet 41b Acidic ion water outlet

Claims (2)

An alkali ion water discharge port that discharges alkali ion water from the electrolytic cell; and a water passage that is inserted into the alkali ion water discharge port and connects the alkali ion water discharge port and the pH sensor. An alkali ion water conditioner characterized in that the water discharge port and the water passage have an inner diameter that is substantially the same. An acidic ionic water discharge port for discharging acidic ionic water from the electrolytic cell; and a water passage that is inserted into the acidic ionic water discharge port and connects the acidic ionic water discharge port and a water stop valve. 2. The alkaline ionized water device according to claim 1, wherein the ion water discharge port and the water passage have an inner diameter that is substantially the same.

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