JP3789707B2 - Alkaline ion water generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alkaline ionized water generator, and more particularly to a cartridge type water purifier housed therein.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The alkaline ionized water generator is provided with an alkaline ionized water discharge passage and an acidic ionized water discharge passage that take out alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water from an electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis, respectively, and the electrolytic cell passes through a cartridge-type water purifier. Water is supplied, and a calcium addition tube is provided in the upstream or downstream passage outside the water purifier in order to add an electrolysis promoter such as calcium to the water before entering the electrolytic cell.
[0003]
Said calcium addition cylinder is comprised by the component independent from the electrolytic cell and the water purifier, and is connected with a water flow pipe with respect to the water purifier and the electrolytic cell.
[0004]
Further, as a method not using such a water pipe, there is known a method in which a calcium addition tube is provided integrally with a lid of a generator body (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-227596).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the configuration in which the calcium addition tube is provided independently, parts such as a water pipe for connecting to the water purifier and the electrolytic cell are necessary, and a layout space for these parts is necessary. Therefore, it was one of the causes that hindered downsizing of the product.
[0006]
In addition, when the calcium addition tube is provided integrally with the lid of the generator body, it is necessary to configure the water passage so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the lid, and there is a problem that the seal structure is special.
[0007]
Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the above problems by providing an electrolysis promoter addition member corresponding to the above calcium addition tube integrally with a cartridge type water purifier, and aims to reduce the size of the product and simplify the structure. Let it be an issue.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell, a water purifier, and an electrolysis promoter addition member inside the generator body, and the electrolysis promoter contained in the electrolysis promoter addition member is added to the electrolysis cell. In the alkaline ionized water generator to be added to the water to be supplied, the electrolytic promoter adding member is formed with a water-permeable container, the electrolytic promoter adding member is housed in the water purifier, and the purified water is supplied. Adopted a configuration facing a part of the water passage inside the vessel.
[0009]
According to the above configuration, the connection pipe between the electrolysis promoter additive member and the water purifier and between the electrolyzers becomes unnecessary, and the electrolysis promoter additive member is housed and integrated inside the water purifier. The seal structure is simple and easy to handle.
[0010]
The above-described electrolysis promoter-added member can be configured to face the middle of a water passage through which purified water inside the water purifier after purified water passes. Specifically, a water purification chamber partitioned by a partition is provided inside the case constituting the water purifier, a water purification element is housed in the water purification chamber, and a water inlet is provided at one end of the water purification chamber. The other end of the water purification chamber communicates with the outlet water passage outside the partition, a water outlet is provided in the outlet water passage, and the electrolysis promoter storage member faces the water passage inside the water purification chamber. And
[0011]
Moreover, the structure which made the said electrolysis promoter addition member face the water flow path in the middle of the water purification inside the said water purifier can be taken. Specifically, the upstream side of the water passage inside the water purifier is filled with activated carbon, the downstream side is filled with a hollow fiber membrane, and the electrolytic promoter addition member is placed in the water passage between the activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane. The structure will be met. More specifically, a cylindrical partition is provided inside the case constituting the water purifier, and a communication portion that communicates the inside and outside of the partition is provided at the upper end of the partition, and the outer storage chamber on the outer periphery of the partition is provided. Filled with activated carbon and filled with hollow fiber membrane in the inner storage chamber on the inner periphery of the partition wall, provided with a water inlet at the lower end of the outer storage chamber and a water outlet at the lower end of the inner storage chamber, respectively. It can be set as the structure which made the electrolysis promoter accommodation member face the water passage of the upper part of a room.
[0012]
According to said structure, while the water flow path in a water purifier becomes simple, the miscellaneous bacteria etc. which were mixed in the case of addition of an electrolysis promoter can be captured and removed in a hollow fiber membrane downstream from it.
[0013]
The water purifier is stored in a water purifier storage chamber provided in the generator main body so that the water purifier can be inserted and removed freely, and a storage portion having an open top surface is provided on the upper end wall of the water purifier, and the electrolytic promoter is provided in the storage portion. The addition member is accommodated, and a closing member fitted into the accommodation portion is integrally provided on the engagement member extending over the generator main body and the upper surface of the water purifier, and the engagement member can be freely attached to and detached from the generator main body. By adopting the configuration engaged with the water purifier, it is possible to simplify the floating prevention structure of the water purifier.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the alkaline ionized water generator according to the embodiment includes a water purifier storage section 2 inside the generator main body 1, and stores the water purifier 3 in a cartridge manner so that the water purifier 3 can be taken in and out freely. A lid 4 is fitted to the container storage portion 2. As shown in FIG. 2, an electrolysis transformer 5 is fixed inside the generator main body 1 below the water purifier storage chamber 2, and an electrolytic cell 6 is fixed side by side with the water purifier storage portion 2. A three-way valve 8 having an electromagnet 7 is fixed on the outlet side of the electrolytic cell 6. An alkali ion water discharge port 11 communicating with the alkali ion water discharge passage 9 is provided in the upper part of the generator body 1. Further, an acidic ion water discharge port 13 communicating with the acidic ion water discharge passage 12 and a water supply port 14 are provided on the lower back surface.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an operation panel provided in the generator main body 1.
[0016]
As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, the water purifier 3 is formed with a bulging portion 16 in the vertical direction on the side surface of the bottomed cylindrical case 15, and a lid 17 is fixed thereto. Inside the case 15, a partition wall 18 facing the bulging portion 16 is provided, and a cylindrical water purification chamber 19 is provided by a portion excluding the partition wall 18 and the bulging portion 16 portion of the case 15. Further, an outlet water passage 21 is provided between the inner surface of the bulging portion 16 and the partition wall 18. Further, a water outlet 22 is provided at the bottom of the case 15, and a water outlet 23 is provided at the lower end of the outlet-side water passage 21. A communication opening 24 is provided between the upper end of the partition wall 18 and the lid 17.
[0017]
A water purification element 27 is accommodated in the water purification chamber 19. The water purification element 27 includes a cylindrical holder 28, a fibrous or granular activated carbon 32, and a hollow fiber membrane 33. The holder 28 has a collar 30 and is provided with water permeability by providing a large number of small holes 29 in the cylindrical portion. The packing 31 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the collar 30 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the water purification chamber 19. It is pressed against. The bottom plate 25 is integrated with the lower surface of the holder 28, and a gap 26 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the bottom plate 25 and the inner wall of the water purification chamber 19.
[0018]
The activated carbon 32 is filled around the holder 28 so that there is a gap between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the water purification chamber 19. The lower end portion of the activated carbon 32 is supported by the bottom plate 25, and the lower end of the gap portion of the outer peripheral portion is communicated with the water inlet 22 through the gap 26. Further, the upper end of the charged portion of the activated carbon 32 is closed by the collar 30 of the holder 28.
[0019]
The hollow fiber membrane 33 is filled inside the holder 28, and the lower end of the filled portion is closed by the bottom plate 25. The hollow fiber membrane 33 is formed by folding a water-permeable fiber bundle into a U-shape, and a resin-filled layer 34 is formed by filling a resin such as urethane at an end portion of the hollow-fiber membrane 33. It is inserted in the inner peripheral surface of the upper end.
[0020]
Between the upper part of the water purification chamber 19 that houses the water purification element 27 and the lid 17, a water passage 35 that communicates with the outlet side water passage 21 is provided. The lid 17 is provided with a storage portion 36 that has fallen into the water passage 35, and a cage container 37 serving as an electrolysis promoter storage member is stored in the storage portion 36. The opening peripheral edge of the cage-like container 37 is engaged with the upper edge of the storage portion 36, and the cap 39 is screwed into the screw cylinder portion of the upper half of the storage portion 36. A packing 38 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 36 to achieve a seal with the cap 39.
[0021]
A plurality of slits 41 are formed on the bottom surface of the storage portion 36, and the water passage 35 is communicated with the inside of the storage portion 36 through the slits 41. The basket-like container 37 contains an electrolysis promoter (for example, calcium).
[0022]
Since the water purifier 3 is configured as described above, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 5, the water inlet 22 is upstream, the gap 26 in the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 25, activated carbon 32, small holes 29, hollow fiber membrane 33, A water passage that flows in the order of the water passage 35, the outlet side water passage 21, and the water outlet 23 is configured. While water passes through the above path, residual chlorine and organic substances are removed in the activated carbon 32, and turbidity and bacteria due to red rust and the like are removed in the hollow fiber membrane 33. Moreover, the purified water flowing through the water passage 35 after the purification is completed enters the storage portion 36 from the slit 41, and the electrolysis promoter in the basket-like container 37 is added to the purified water.
[0023]
A finger hooking protrusion 42 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the lid 17 (see FIG. 4).
[0024]
The water purifier 3 is housed in the water purifier housing 2 described above, and in that case, the positioning groove 40 (see FIG. 1) provided in the vertical direction on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the water purifier housing 2 The bulging portion 16 is fitted. In addition, the finger hooking projection 42 is fitted with a margin in a recess 40 ′ provided in the vicinity of the positioning groove 40 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 2, the water purifier 3 positioned as described above has a bottom water inlet 22 fitted into an inlet-side bottom hole 50 provided on the bottom surface of the water purifier storage unit 2, and a water outlet 23. Is fitted into the outlet bottom hole 50 '. The inlet-side bottom hole 50 communicates with the water supply port 14, and the outlet-side bottom hole 50 ′ communicates with the electrolytic cell 6.
[0025]
In order to prevent the water purifier 3 from rising due to the pressure of the water flowing into the water purifier 3 from the water inlet 22, the engaging member 56 shown in FIG. 6 is used. The engaging member 56 has a horseshoe shape along the half circumference of the opening peripheral edge of the water purifier storage portion 2, and has a length over the half peripheral portion of the opening peripheral edge of the water purifier storage portion 2 and the half peripheral portion of the upper surface of the water purifier 3. Have Claws 57 are provided at three locations on the above-mentioned half-circumferential portion of the opening periphery of the water purifier storage portion 2, and engaging portions 58 that engage with these claws 57 are provided on the engaging member 56. As shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the water purifier 3 is prevented from rising by engaging the engaging portions 58 of the engaging member 56 with the claws 57.
[0026]
The engaging member 56 can be easily removed when the water purifier 3 is taken out.
[0027]
In the electrolytic cell 6, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the anode 43 and the cathode 45 are arranged to face each other, and the space is partitioned by a diaphragm 44. The inner side of the diaphragm 44 including the anode 43 is an inner tank 46 in which acidic ion water is generated, and the outer side of the diaphragm 44 including the cathode 45 is an outer tank 47 in which alkali ion water is generated. A passage communicating with the water outlet 23 of the water purifier 3 is branched into two and connected to the lower portions of the inner tank 46 and the outer tank 47. The acidic ion water discharge passage 12 is connected to the upper portion of the inner tank 46, and the alkaline ion water discharge passage 9 is connected to the upper portion of the outer tank 47.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the three-way valve 8 has one inlet 48, a first outlet 49, and a second outlet 51, and the internal valve body 60 is a spring 53 of the plunger 52 of the electromagnet 7. The first outlet 49 is always opened while the second outlet 51 is closed at the same time. When the plunger 52 is lowered by energization of the electromagnet 7, the first outlet 49 is closed and the second outlet 51 is opened.
[0029]
The inlet 48 of the three-way valve 8 is connected in the middle of the acidic ion water discharge passage 12, and the remaining portion of the discharge passage 12 is connected to the first outlet 49. It leads to the exit 13. Further, a purified water passage 54 is connected to the second outlet 51, and the purified water passage 54 is joined in the middle of the alkali ion water discharge passage 9.
[0030]
The alkaline ionized water generator of the embodiment is as described above, and in order to generate alkaline ionized water by this, the water supply port 14 is connected to a water tap and the electrolysis tank 6 is energized. Tap water is supplied to the electromagnet 7 without energization. The tap water is purified by the above-described action in the water purifier 3 and the calcium in the basket-like container 37 is added. The purified water enters the inner tank 46 and the outer tank 47 of the electrolytic tank 6 and is electrolyzed.
[0031]
As a result, the water in the inner tank 46 changes to acidic ion water, and the water in the outer tank 47 changes to alkaline ion water. The acidic ion water is discharged to the outside through the acidic ion water discharge passage 12 and the three-way valve 8 from the acidic ion water discharge port 13. Alkaline ion water is discharged from the alkali ion water discharge port 11 through the alkali ion water discharge passage 9 and effectively used. Of course, acidic ionized water may be effectively used as necessary.
[0032]
On the other hand, when trying to use only the water purification function of the alkaline ionized water generator, the energization to the electrolytic cell 6 is stopped, the electromagnet 7 is energized and the three-way valve 8 is operated. Then, when tap water is supplied, the purified water purified in the purifier 3 passes through the inner tank 46 and the outer tank 47 of the electrolytic cell 6 without causing any reaction. Of these, the purified water discharged from the outer tank 47 to the alkaline ionized water is directly discharged from the alkaline ionized water discharge port 11. Further, the purified water discharged from the inner tank 46 to the acidic ion water discharge passage 12 is output from the inlet 48 of the three-way valve 8 to the second outlet 51 and is joined to the alkaline ion water discharge passage 9 through the purified water passage 54. .
[0033]
As a result, the entire amount of purified water is discharged from the alkali ion water discharge port 11. In this case, in the electrolytic cell 6, there is almost no pressure difference between the inner tank 46 and the outer tank 47, so that the diaphragm 44 is not adversely affected.
[0034]
Next, the water purifier 3 according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical partition wall 55 concentrically inside a bottomed cylindrical case 15. A lid 17 is fixed to the upper end of the case 15, and a communication opening 24 is provided between the lower surface of the lid 17 and the partition wall 55. A fibrous or granular activated carbon 32 is stored between the partition wall 55 and the case 15, and the hollow fiber membrane 33 is stored inside the partition wall 55. A water inlet 22 is provided on the bottom surface of the case 15 where the activated carbon 32 is stored. Further, a water outlet 23 penetrating the bottom surface of the case 15 is provided on the bottom surface of the partition wall 55.
[0035]
FIG. 7 shows a state in which there is no gap between the outer peripheral surface of the activated carbon 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 15, but depending on the type of the activated carbon 32 (for example, fibrous activated carbon), there is a gap in the above portion. May be provided.
[0036]
A water passage 35 is formed between the upper portion of the housing portion of the hollow fiber membrane 33 and the lid 17. In the upper part of the water passage 35, the lid 17 is provided with a screw-like storage portion 36, and a cage container 37 serving as an electrolysis promoter storage member is stored therein. The peripheral edge of the opening of the cage-like container 37 is placed on the upper edge of the storage portion 36, and a cap 39 is screwed into the storage portion 36 via a packing 38. The lower end portion of the basket-like container 37 reaches the inside of the water passage 35. The basket-like container contains an electrolysis promoter (for example, calcium).
[0037]
In the water purifier 3 described above, an electrolysis promoter is added while passing through the water passage 35 in the middle of water purification, passing through the storage portion of the activated carbon 32 outside the partition wall 55 with the water inlet 22 upstream. Passing through the storage portion of the membrane 33, the purified water is completed and reaches the water outlet 23.
[0038]
As described above, when the electrolysis promoter is added between the storage portion of the activated carbon 32 and the storage portion of the hollow fiber membrane 33, the route of the water passage becomes simple. Further, even when germs or the like are mixed when the electrolysis promoter is filled in the cage container 37, it can be removed in the next hollow fiber membrane 33.
[0039]
FIG. 8 shows another means for preventing the water purifier 3 from rising. In this case, the engaging member 56 ′ is a straight member, and a closing plug 59 is provided on the lower surface of the central portion, and a knob 61 is provided on the upper surface. A packing 62 is attached to the outer periphery of the closing plug 59, and the closing plug 59 closes the storage portion 36 provided in the water purifier 3.
[0040]
Engaging portions 58 are provided on the lower surfaces of both end portions of the engaging member 56 ′, and are engaged with the two claws 57, 57 ′ in the center symmetry of the opening peripheral edge of the water purifier storage portion 2. One claw 57 'is provided with a tapered surface 63, and the engaging portion 58 is engaged with a slight resistance.
[0041]
According to the above structure, the two parts of the cap 39 and the engaging member 56 in FIG. 6 can be replaced with one part of the engaging member 56 ′.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the alkaline ionized water generator, the electrolysis promoter additive member can be integrally provided inside the water purifier, thereby reducing the size of the generator body. In this case, if the position where the electrolysis promoter is added is set between the activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane, the structure inside the water purifier is simplified, and the germs mixed in the electrolysis promoter are captured by the hollow fiber membrane. Can do.
[0043]
Moreover, the number of parts can be reduced by integrally providing the above-mentioned engaging member for preventing the water purifier from being closed with the closing means for the storage portion of the electrolysis promoter additive member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the assembled state of the same. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing a part of the same in section. FIG. 5] Cross-sectional view of the water purifier in the assembled state. [FIG. 6] (a) Partially exploded perspective view of the above (b) Perspective view of the part of (a) Figure (c) Cross-sectional view of the part of the figure (b) d) Sectional view of the other part of the figure (b) [Figure 7] Sectional view of another embodiment of the water purifier [Figure 8] (a) Exploded perspective view of the structure for preventing the water purifier from floating (b) (a) The perspective view of the assembly state of a figure (c) The partial sectional view of (b) figure The partial side view of (d) (b) figure
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Generator main body 2 Water purifier storage part 3 Water purifier 4 Lid 5 Electrolysis transformer 6 Electrolysis tank 7 Electromagnet 8 Three-way valve 9 Alkaline ion water discharge passage 10 Operation panel 11 Alkaline ion water discharge port 12 Acidic ion water discharge passage 13 Acid ion Water discharge port 14 Water supply port 15 Case 16 Expansion portion 17 Lid 18 Bulkhead 19 Water purification chamber 21 Outlet water passage 22 Water inlet 23 Water outlet 24 Communication opening 25 Bottom plate 26 Gap 27 Water purification element 28 Holder 29 Small hole 30 Collar 31 Packing 32 Activated carbon 33 Hollow fiber membrane 34 Resin-filled layer 35 Water passage 36 Storage part 37 Cage-like container 38 Packing 39 Cap 40 Positioning groove 40 'Recess 41 Slit 42 Finger hooking projection 43 Anode 44 Diaphragm 45 Cathode 46 Inner tank 47 Outer tank 48 Inlet 49 First outlet 50, 50 'Bottom hole 51 Second outlet 52 Plunger 53 Spring 54 Purification Passage 55 partition wall 56, 56 'engaging member 57, 57' claw 58 engaging portion 59 embolization 60 valve body 61 knob 62 packing 63 tapered surface

Claims (3)

An electrolyzer, a water purifier, and an electrolysis promoter addition member are provided inside the generator body, the electrolysis promoter addition member is formed by a water-contained container, and the electrolysis promoter addition member is accommodated in the water purifier. In addition, the electrolytic promoter additive member faces a part of the water passage inside the water purifier, and the alkali accelerator stored in the electrolytic promoter additive member is added to the water supplied to the electrolytic cell. In the water generator, the electrolysis promoter additive member faces the water passage in the middle of the water purifier inside the water purifier, and the activated carbon is filled upstream of the water passage inside the water purifier, and the hollow fiber membrane is filled downstream. And an alkaline ionized water generator characterized in that the above-mentioned electrolysis promoter-added member faces the water passage between the activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane . Provide a cylindrical partition inside the case constituting the water purifier, provide a communication portion that communicates the inside and outside of the partition at the upper end of the partition, and fill the outer storage chamber on the outer periphery of the partition with activated carbon, The inner storage chamber on the inner periphery of the partition wall is filled with a hollow fiber membrane, a water inlet is provided at the lower end of the outer storage chamber, a water outlet is provided at the lower end of the inner storage chamber, and a water passage is provided above the inner storage chamber. 2. The alkaline ionized water generator according to claim 1 , wherein an electrolysis promoter accommodating member is faced. The water purifier is stored in a water purifier storage chamber provided in the generator main body so that the water purifier can be inserted and removed freely. A closure member fitted to the housing portion is integrally provided on the engaging member over the generator body and the upper surface of the water purifier, and the engaging member is detachably engaged with the generator body. The alkaline ionized water generator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by being combined.

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