JP3790672B2 - Ion water generator - Google Patents

Description

【００２１】
本実施形態では、前記電解槽２２における酸性イオン水の排出口に三方弁２５が配設され、ユーザが「浄水」の動作設定とした際に、酸性イオン水の排出経路へ流れた浄水をアルカリイオン水の注出経路に合流するように流すように構成している。また、アルカリイオン水と酸性イオン水を注出ノズル２３から注出する際の切り換えは、電解槽２２の陽極室と陰極室の極性の切換えによって行う。
【００２２】
図示しない制御回路に実装したマイコンは、前記操作パネル３の操作部４ａ〜４ｇの操作に応じ、浄水、アルカリ弱、アルカリ中、アルカリ強、酸性のうち、注出ノズルから希望の水質の水を注出するものである。これらの水質のうち、アルカリイオン水または酸性イオン水の動作設定では、前記電解槽２２に対して通電する電流値、または、印加された電圧値に基づいてレベルを変更し、電解電流値と流量との演算に基づいてアルカリ度を設定している。そして、アルカリ弱の動作設定とすると、ｐＨ値が約８．５相当のアルカリイオン水を注出し、アルカリ中の動作設定とすると、ｐＨ値が約９．０相当のアルカリイオン水を注出し、アルカリ強の動作設定とすると、ｐＨ値が約９．５相当のアルカリイオン水を注出する。
【００２３】
また、マイコンは、浄水の動作設定の場合、レベル表示部９の２個のＬＥＤ１０ａ，１０ｂを点灯させ、使用可能状態に達すると、使用可能状態表示部１１を点灯させる。アルカリ弱の動作設定の場合、レベル表示部９の４個のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｄを点灯させ、使用可能状態に達すると、使用可能状態表示部１１を点灯させる。アルカリ中の動作設定の場合、レベル表示部９の６個のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｆを点灯させ、使用可能状態に達すると、使用可能状態表示部１１を点灯させる。アルカリ強の動作設定の場合、レベル表示部９の８個のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｈを点灯させ、使用可能状態に達すると、使用可能状態表示部１１を点灯させる。酸性の動作設定の場合、レベル表示部９の右側から２個のＬＥＤ１０ｊ，１０ｉを点灯させ、使用可能状態に達すると、使用可能状態表示部１１を点灯させる。
【００２４】
さらに、マイコンは、前記レベル表示部９のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊおよび使用可能状態表示部１１を使用可能状態となるまで段階的に点灯させるとともに、レベルアップ毎に回路基板に実装した圧電ブザーによって報知音を出力する構成としている。ここで、前記使用可能状態は、給水を停止した後にカウントした時間と、動作設定がアルカリイオン水または酸性イオン水である場合には電解レベルによって相違する。即ち、給水を開始した当初に注出される水は、前記洗浄槽や電解槽２２の内部に残留した水であり、その水には細菌が繁殖している可能性があるうえ、電気分解が十分になされていない。そのため、注出開始当初の水は、ユーザに使用させず、また、その進行状態をユーザに知らせるために、そのレベルに応じてレベル表示部９のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊを段階表示する。以下の表１に、浄水の動作設定をした場合の非使用時間に基づいた使用禁止状態から使用可能状態への移行条件（待機時間）、および、ＬＥＤ１０ａ，１０ｂと使用可能状態表示部１１の点灯時間の一例を示す。
【００２５】
【表１】

【００２６】
前記表１に示すように、カウントした非使用時間が１０時間未満の場合には、使用を禁止する待機時間を設けず、直ぐに使用可能状態となる。なお、本実施形態のレベル表示部９では、ＬＥＤ１０ａ，１０ｂおよび使用可能状態表示部１１は、ＬＥＤ１０ａから０．５秒毎に順番に点灯し、最後の使用可能状態表示部１１が点灯するまでは２秒としている。
【００２７】
また、非使用時間が１０時間以上２４時間未満の場合には、使用を禁止する待機時間は１２秒間としている。そして、通水が開始されると、ＬＥＤ１０ａが０．５秒後に点灯し、ＬＥＤ１０ｂが１秒後（ＬＥＤ１０ａが点灯して０．５秒後）に点灯し、最後に使用可能状態表示部１１が１２秒後に点灯する。
【００２８】
また、非使用時間が２４時間以上４８時間未満の場合には、使用を禁止する待機時間は１分間としている。そして、通水が開始されると、ＬＥＤ１０ａが０．５秒後に点灯し、ＬＥＤ１０ｂが１秒後に点灯し、最後に使用可能状態表示部１１が６０秒後に点灯する。
【００２９】
また、非使用時間が４８時間以上またはデータなしの場合には、使用を禁止する待機時間は２分間としている。ここで、前記データなしとは、例えば、ユーザが非使用状態で商用電源のコンセントから電源コードを抜いた場合に生じるものである。そして、通水が開始されると、ＬＥＤ１０ａが０．５秒後に点灯し、ＬＥＤ１０ｂが１秒後に点灯し、最後に使用可能状態表示部１１が１２０秒後に点灯する。
【００３０】
なお、アルカリイオン水および酸性イオン水の動作設定とした場合、使用禁止状態から使用可能状態への移行条件（待機時間）は、前記浄水の場合と略同一である。具体的には、これらの動作設定の場合、カウントした非使用時間が１０時間未満の場合、電解レベルを意味する電解電流値がユーザの設定に応じた基準値に達するまでの待機時間が加算される。そして、通常の水道水の場合、この電解電流値が基準値に達するのに要する時間は、１０時間以上２４時間未満の場合の待機時間（１２秒間）より短く、約８秒である。そのため、非使用時間が１０時間以上の場合には、待機時間は浄水の動作設定の場合と略同一になる。
【００３１】
次に、前記マイコンによる制御について具体的に説明する。
前記イオン水生成器１のマイコンは、電源が投入されると、図４に示すように、ステップＳ１で、流量センサ１８によって給水を検出するまで待機する。
【００３２】
そして、給水を検出すると、ステップＳ２で、非使用時間を計測するカウンタが動作中であるか否かを検出する。そして、カウンタが動作中である場合にはステップＳ３に進み、カウンタを停止してステップＳ４に進む。一方、カウンタが動作中でない場合にはそのままステップＳ４に進む。
【００３３】
ステップＳ４では、設定された動作情報を読み込む。ここで、この設定された動作情報とは、ユーザが操作部４ａ〜４ｅを操作することによって設定した動作、または、ユーザが給水を開始する前に操作をしないことによる前回の設定動作である。
【００３４】
ついで、ステップＳ５で、カウンタによる非使用時間を読み込み、ステップＳ６で、使用を禁止する時間を設定した後、ステップＳ７で、その設定時間のタイマをスタートさせる。
【００３５】
次に、ステップＳ８で、ユーザが選択している動作設定が浄水であるか否かを検出する。そして、浄水である場合にはステップＳ９に進み、三方弁２５を注出ノズル２３の側に位置させた後、図５に示すステップＳ１４に進む。一方、浄水でない場合にはステップＳ１０に進み、三方弁２５を排出ノズル２４の側に位置させた後、ステップＳ１１に進む。
【００３６】
ステップＳ１１では、ユーザが選択している動作設定が酸性であるか否かを検出する。そして、酸性である場合にはステップＳ１２に進み、電解槽２２に対して注出ノズル２３から酸性水が注出されるように陰極および陽極に対して通電を開始した後、図５に示すステップＳ１４に進む。一方、酸性でない場合にはステップＳ１３に進み、電解槽２２に対して注出ノズル２３からアルカリイオン水が注出されるように陰極および陽極に対して通電を開始した後、図５に示すステップＳ１４に進む。
【００３７】
図５に示すように、ステップＳ１４では、レベル表示処理を実行する。なお、このレベル表示処理は、後で詳細に説明する。
【００３８】
ついで、ステップＳ１５で、使用を禁止するタイマがカウントアップしたか否かを検出する。そして、カウントアップしていない場合にはステップＳ１６に進み、ユーザが操作部４ａ〜４ｅを操作することによって動作設定の変更があったか否かを検出する。ここで、変更がない場合にはステップＳ１４に戻り、変更があった場合にはステップＳ１７に進み、カウントタイムを記憶してステップＳ４に戻る。なお、このステップＳ１７を経てステップＳ４に戻った場合には、新たに選択した動作設定における非使用時間に基づいた使用を禁止する時間から、既にカウントしている記憶時間を差し引いた時間のみカウントすることになる。
【００３９】
一方、前記ステップＳ１５で、タイマがカウントアップした場合にはステップＳ１８に進み、レベル表示処理が完了していることを意味するフラグｆに１が入力されているか否かを検出する。そして、ｆが１でない場合（ｆが０である場合）には前記と同様のステップＳ１６に進み、ｆが１である場合にはステップＳ１９に進む。
【００４０】
ステップＳ１９では、非使用時間を計測するカウンタをリセットした後、ステップＳ２０で、給水が停止したか否かを検出する。そして、給水が停止していない場合にはステップＳ２１に進み、給水が停止した場合にはステップＳ２２に進む。
【００４１】
ステップＳ２１では、ユーザが操作部４ａ〜４ｅを操作することによる動作設定の変更があったか否かを検出し、変更がない場合にはステップＳ２０に戻り、変更があった場合にはステップＳ４に戻る。なお、このステップＳ２１を経てステップＳ４に戻った場合には、前記ステップＳ１９で非使用時間を計測するカウンタがリセットされているため、いずれの動作設定に変更されていても待機時間は０秒である。そのため、アルカリイオン水または酸性イオン水に変更した場合のみ、電解電流値が基準値に達するまでの短時間が待機時間となる。
【００４２】
一方、前記ステップＳ２０で、給水が停止したことを検出すると、ステップＳ２２で、レベル表示部９および使用可能状態表示部１１を消灯した後、ステップＳ２３で、電解槽２２への通電を停止する。
【００４３】
ついで、ステップＳ２４で、給水を停止した際の動作設定を記憶した後、ステップＳ２５で、レベル表示処理が完了していることを意味するフラグｆに０を入力する。
【００４４】
その後、ステップＳ２６で、非使用時間を計測するカウンタをスタートさせて図４に示すステップＳ１に戻る。
【００４５】
次に、マイコンによるレベル表示処理について説明する。
このレベル表示処理では、図６に示すように、まず、ステップＳ１４−１で、各動作設定に応じたレベルアップ時間が経過したか否かを検出する。そして、レベルアップ時間が経過した場合にはステップＳ１４−２に進み、レベルアップ時間が経過していない場合には以後のステップをスキップしてリターンする
【００４６】
ステップＳ１４−２では、ユーザが選択している動作設定が浄水であるか否かを検出する。そして、浄水でない場合にはステップＳ１４−３に進み、浄水である場合にはステップＳ１４−６に進む。
【００４７】
ステップＳ１４−３では、電解槽２２に対して通電された電流値を検出した後、ステップＳ１４−４で、その電流値がレベル表示部９の表示を１レベルアップ（点灯数を増加）する電流値になっているか否かを検出する。そして、レベルアップする電流値になっている場合にはステップＳ１４−６に進み、レベルアップする電流値になっていない場合にはステップＳ１４−５を経てステップＳ１４−６に進む。ステップＳ１４−５では、印加された電圧値はレベルアップする電圧値になっているか否かを検出する。ここで、レベルアップ表示する電圧値になっていない場合には、以後のステップをスキップしてリターンし、レベルアップする電圧値になっている場合にはステップＳ１４−６に進む。
【００４８】
前記ステップＳ１４−２、ステップＳ１４−４またはステップＳ１４−５を経てステップＳ１４−６に至ると、現状で表示されているレベル表示部９の点灯数を読み込む。
【００４９】
そして、ステップＳ１４−７で、レベル表示部９のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊの点灯数を１つ増えるように変更した後、ステップＳ１４−８で、その点灯数に応じた報知音を出力する。ここで、浄水およびアルカリイオン水の設定の場合には、ＬＥＤ１０ａから（左側から）順次点灯が開始され、酸性イオン水の設定の場合には、ＬＥＤ１０ｊから（右側から）点灯が開始される。また、点灯数に応じた報知音とは、圧電ブザーへの通電量を変更して音階を異ならせた音である。
【００５０】
次に、ステップＳ１４−９で、ユーザが選択した動作設定に応じた全てのＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊが点灯し、最後の使用可能状態表示部１１が点灯したか否かを検出する。そして、使用可能状態表示部１１が点灯した場合にはステップＳ１４−１０に進み、レベル表示処理が完了したことを意味するフラグｆに１を入力してリターンする。一方、使用可能状態表示部１１が点灯していない場合には、そのままリターンする。
【００５１】
このように、本発明のイオン水生成器１では、パネルに電気分解しない浄水と電気分解するイオン水とが左右に区分けされ、かつ、飲料可能な浄水およびアルカリイオン水と飲料不可能な酸性イオン水とが同様に左右に区分けされている。しかも、アルカリイオン水の表示は、電気分解しない浄水の側から弱、中、強のレベル順に配置するとともに、これらの配色を異ならせている。そのため、電気分解した水やしない水、および、飲料可能な水や飲料不可能な水等の関連性が理解し易く、飲料不可能な酸性イオン水の誤飲を抑制できる。
【００５２】
また、各表示部６〜８の対応部分にレベル表示部９を設け、アルカリイオン水の注出時には浄水表示部６のＬＥＤ１０ａからレベル表示するため、ユーザは、非使用時間に基づいた使用禁止時間の経過を含め、その動作の進行状況を容易に理解でき、利便性の向上を図ることができる。しかも、飲料不可能な酸性イオン水の注出時には、飲料可能なアルカリイオン水や浄水の注出時と逆向きにレベル表示するため、より確実に飲料不可能な酸性イオン水の誤飲を防止できる。そのうえ、注出ノズル２３から注出されている水の使用を許可する状態と、使用を禁止する状態とが容易に判断できるため、本体２内に残留した水をユーザが誤って使用することを防止できる。さらに、前記レベル表示部９のレベルアップとともに、報知音を出力するうえ、その報知音を各レベル毎に異なるようにしているため、ユーザは、動作の進行状況を耳でも理解できるため、より便利である。
【００５３】
さらにまた、本実施形態では、前記使用の可否を表示する際に、非使用時間に基づいて使用を禁止する時間を設定するとともに、アルカリイオン水を注出する設定では電解槽２２に通電する電流値または電圧値に基づいて使用を許可するか否かを判断している。そのため、万一、非使用時間中に細菌が繁殖していても、使用を禁止した状態での通水により、浄水槽１７および電解槽２２を確実に清浄することができる。しかも、電気分解が不十分な水をユーザが使用することを確実に防止できる。なお、ｐＨセンサを用いた場合には、水道水に遊離炭酸が多く含まれている場合に、イオン分解は確実に行われている状態にも関わらず、使用を許可する状態になる可能性があるが、本発明では、電流値および電圧値に基づいて判断しているため、前記不都合が生じることはない。
【００５４】
なお、本発明のイオン水生成器１は、前記実施形態の構成に限定されるものではない。
例えば、前記実施形態では、左側より浄水表示部６、アルカリ表示部８、そして、酸性表示部７を配置し、アルカリ表示部８は、浄水表示部６の側から弱中強のレベル順で配置したが、この順番であれば、右上下のいずれの側から配置してもよい。
【００５５】
また、前記実施形態では、注出する浄水、アルカリイオン水および酸性イオン水の表示を、それぞれ異なる配色としたが、少なくとも飲料可能な水質（浄水とアルカリイオン水）と、飲料不可能な水質（酸性イオン水）との配色を異なるようにしてもよい。さらに、レベル表示部９に配設したＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊの配色も、同様に飲料可能な水質と飲料不可能な水質のみ異なるようにしてもよい。
【００５６】
さらにまた、前記実施形態では、レベル表示部９のレベルアップと同時に出力する報知音をレベル毎に異なる音階としたが、異なるメロディーとしてもよく、また、音階は同一で、レベル毎に間欠的に異なる数の発音としてもよく、さらに、連続的に出力する時間を異なるようにしてもよい。
【００５７】
また、各動作設定の状態で点灯するレベル表示部９のＬＥＤ１０ａ〜１０ｊおよび使用可能状態表示部１１の点灯時間は、前記実施形態の構成に限られず、以下の表２に示すように、待機時間を、点灯するＬＥＤに使用可能状態表示部１１を加算した数で、割算した時間としてもよい。
【００５８】
【表２】

【００５９】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明のイオン水生成器では、電気分解しない浄水と電気分解するイオン水とを左側と右側に区分けし、かつ、飲料可能な浄水およびアルカリイオン水と飲料不可能な酸性イオン水とを左側と右側に区分けし、しかも、アルカリイオン水は、浄水の側から弱、中、強のレベル順に配置したため、電気分解した水やしない水、および、飲料可能な水や飲料不可能な水等の関連性が理解し易く、飲料不可能な酸性イオン水の誤飲を抑制できる。
【００６０】
また、前記イオン水生成器では、前記浄水表示部、アルカリ表示部、酸性表示部に、浄水レベルまたは電解レベルを段階表示するレベル表示部を設けているため、ユーザが使用可能な状態になる状況を判断できる。そのため、利便性の向上を図ることができる。しかも、酸性イオン水の注出時にアルカリイオン水の注出時と逆向きにレベル表示しているため、飲料不可能な酸性イオン水の誤飲を確実に防止できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明のイオン水生成器の正面図である。
【図２】 図１の斜視図である。
【図３】 図１の断面図である。
【図４】 マイコンによるイオン水生成器の制御を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】 図４の続きのフローチャートである。
【図６】 図５のレベル表示処理を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１…イオン水生成器、２…本体、３…操作パネル、４ａ〜４ｇ…スイッチの操作部、５…水質表示部、６…浄水表示部、７…酸性表示部、８…アルカリ表示部、８ａ…アルカリ弱表示部、８ｂ…アルカリ中表示部、８ｃ…アルカリ強表示部、９…レベル表示部、１０ａ〜１０ｊ…ＬＥＤ、１１…使用可能状態表示部。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ionic water generator that electrolyzes tap water taken from a tap and dispenses it as ionic water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of ionic water generator is equipped with a water purification tank and an electrolytic cell inside the main body, and tap water is supplied into the main body through a connecting pipe by operating a lever of a switching device attached to a tap. Water is supplied, the water is filtered in a water purification tank to obtain purified water, and the purified water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic tank and poured out. In addition, this ion water generator can set the electrolysis level of the ion water to be poured out to “strong”, “medium”, and “weak”, and the electrolytic cell does not perform electrolysis, and the water purification tank It also has a function that enables the extraction of the purified water filtered through
[0003]
A panel having a large number of switches and a display unit is disposed on the front surface of the main body of the ion water generator. And by the user operating the switch on the panel, it is possible to select which kind of water is to be poured out among alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, and purified water, and the setting state and alkaline ionized water on the display unit An operation state including a level display indicating the level of electrolysis is displayed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ion water generator, the order of the water quality to be poured out in the panel is the order of acidic ion water, purified water, alkaline ion water, and there are relevances such as those that are electrolyzed, those that are drinkable, and those that are not drinkable. It is difficult to understand. Therefore, the user feels uncomfortable and may mistakenly drink what is impossible and what is impossible, and may accidentally drink non-drinkable acidic ionized water.
[0005]
In addition, only the electrolysis level of alkaline ionized water displays the operating status, and the purified water level of other purified water and the electrolysis level of acidic water are not displayed, so these settings allow the user to determine the operating status. There is a problem that you can not. In particular, this type of ionic water generator is set with a time for prohibiting the use of the dispensed water according to the time when it is not used. In recent years, ion water generators have been provided that display the status when they can be used. However, the user never remembers the non-use time that is not used, and since the operation status is not known, the user feels the time until the available status is displayed very long. .
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention provides an ionic water generator that makes it easy for the user to understand the display on the panel and reliably prevents accidental ingestion of acidic ionic water that is not drinkable, and allows the user to easily understand the operation status. Is an issue.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, an ionic water generator of the present invention includes a water purification tank for filtering raw water, an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing the filtered purified water into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and water to be poured out into the alkaline water. In an ionic water generator comprising a switch for selecting ionic water, acidic ionic water or purified water and a panel having a display unit for displaying a setting state,The panel is provided with a substantially semicircular arc-shaped water quality display section, a water purification display section is provided on the left side of the water quality display section and an acid display section is provided on the right side, and an alkali display section is provided therebetween.The alkali indicator is arranged in order of weak, medium and strong levels from the side of the water purification indicator.In addition, the water purification display unit, the alkali display unit, and the acid display unit are provided with a level display unit for displaying the purified water level or the electrolysis level in a stepwise manner, and indicate that the dispensed water may be used. A usable state display unit is provided, and in the setting of water purification, the level display unit is lit from the left side to reach the usable state, and the usable state display unit is lit. Is lit from the left side to reach the usable state, the usable state display unit is lit, and in the acidic ion water extraction setting, the level display unit is lit from the right side to reach the usable state and the usable state display is performed. Light the partIt is configured.
[0008]
  According to the ionic water generator, purified water that is not electrolyzed and ionic water that is electrolyzed.On the left and right sideSeparated and drinkable purified and alkaline ionized water and non-drinkable acidic ionized waterOn the left and right sideIt will be in a state of being separated. Moreover, the alkaline ionized water is arranged in the order of weak, medium, and strong levels from the side of the purified water that is not electrolyzed. Therefore, it is easy to understand the relationship between electrolyzed water, non-drinkable water, drinkable water and non-drinkable water, and it is possible to suppress accidental ingestion of non-drinkable acidic ion water.In addition, a level display unit that displays the level of purified water or electrolysis stepwise is provided, and the level display is similarly made from the left side for purified water and alkaline ionized water that can be drink, and from the right side for non-drinkable acidic ionized water. Yes. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the situation in which the user can be used, improve convenience, and reliably prevent accidental ingestion of acidic ion water that cannot be drinkable.
[0009]
  In the ion water generator,In the alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water extraction setting, it is preferable to change the level of the level display unit based on the value of the current supplied to the electrolytic cell or the applied voltage value..
[0010]
In this case, when the current value to be energized to the electrolytic cell is not a current value to be leveled up, and the voltage value applied to the electrolytic cell is a voltage value to be leveled up, It is preferable to increase the level display by the level display unit..
[0011]
In addition, the use prohibition time is set based on the non-use time counted after the water supply is stopped, and the setting for discharging alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water is used based on the current value or voltage value to be supplied to the electrolytic cell. It is preferable to further determine whether or not to permit this.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 show an ionic water generator 1 of the present invention. The ionic water generator 1 includes a main body 2 in which a water purification tank 17, an electrolytic tank 22, and a control circuit (not shown) are arranged.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation panel 3 is disposed on the front surface of the main body 2. The operation panel 3 includes switch operation units 4a to 4g for setting operation conditions and display units 5 to 16 for setting states and operation states.
[0014]
Specifically, seven switch operation units 4 a to 4 g are arranged on the operation panel 3. The operation unit 4a is set to “purified water”, the operation unit 4b is set to “low alkali”, the operation unit 4c is set to “in alkali”, and the operation unit 4d is set to “strong alkali”. The unit 4e is for setting “acidity”, the operation unit 4f is for setting “reset”, and the operation unit 4g is for setting “cleaning”. In addition, the said operation parts 4a-4e are arrange | positioned so that the water purification display part 6, the alkali weak display part 8a, the alkali middle display part 8b, the alkali strong display part 8c, and the acidic display part 7 which are mentioned later may be corresponded up and down. .
[0015]
As a display part of the operation panel 3, a water quality display part 5 having a substantially semicircular arc shape is provided on the upper part of the operation panel 3. In the water quality display unit 5, a water purification display unit 6 is provided on the left side in FIG. 1, an acid display unit 7 is provided on the right side of the other units, and an alkali display unit 8 is provided between the display units 6 and 7. Furthermore, this alkali display part 8 is made into the alkali weak display part 8a, the display part 8b in alkali, and the strong alkali display part 8c from the purified water display part 6 side. The colors of the display units 6 to 8 are green according to the water purification display unit 6, the alkali display unit 8 is blue, and the acid display unit 7 is red.
[0016]
Each of the display units 6 to 8 is provided with a level display unit 9 including a plurality of LEDs 10a to 10j. Two LEDs 10 a to 10 j of the level display unit 9 are disposed on each of the water purification display unit 6, the electrolysis levels of the alkali display unit 8, and the acid display unit 7. Moreover, as for the color scheme, LED10a, 10b of the water purification display part 6 is green, LED10c-10h of the alkali display part 8 is blue, LED10i, 10j of the acidic display part 7 is the same as the color scheme of each said display parts 6-8. It is red.
[0017]
In addition, the operation panel 3 is provided with a usable state display unit 11 made of an LED indicating that the dispensed water may be used in the approximate center of the water quality display unit 5. Further, the operation units 4a to 4e are provided with a display consisting of a pictorial diagram indicating a general usage corresponding to the setting, and LEDs 13a to 13e for indicating that the setting is selected. Has been. Furthermore, below these operation units 4a to 4e, a cleaning display unit 14 indicating a cleaning time, a replacement display unit 15 indicating a replacement time of a water purification cartridge 19 to be described later, and an advance notice for displaying a replacement time of the water purification cartridge 19 are displayed. A display unit 16 is provided.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the water purification tank 17 is provided with a water purification cartridge 19 in a replaceable manner, and is connected to a water tap through a flow rate sensor 18 for detecting the amount of water supply. Yes. The water purification cartridge 19 has an activated carbon filter 21 disposed on the outer peripheral portion of a laminated central hollow fiber membrane filter 20 and a granular cap serving as an electrolysis promoter in an upper cap. . And in this water purification cartridge 19, after the chlorine content which permeated the activated carbon filter 21 and contained was removed from the tap water which flowed in from the bottom part, the dust etc. which contained via the hollow fiber membrane filter 20 were separated and removed, Purified. Then, it is poured out in a state that can be electrolyzed in an electrolytic cell 22 described later by calcium through the cap.
[0019]
The electrolytic cell 22 is a well-known one in which a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a diaphragm are disposed so as to partition these bipolar plates. When current is supplied to the bipolar plates from the control board at a predetermined set value, on the cathode plate side, water is reduced according to the following chemical formula (1) (takes electrons) to become hydrogen gas, Hydroxide ions are generated and are alkaline. On the anode plate side, water is oxidized (releases electrons) according to the following chemical formula (2) to become oxygen gas, and hydrogen ions are generated to show acidity. Thereby, the purified water supplied from the water purification tank 17 is decomposed into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water. The decomposed alkaline ionized water is poured out from the dispensing nozzle 23 shown in FIG. 2, and the acidic ionized water is poured out from the discharge nozzle 24 shown in FIG.
[0020]
[Chemical 1]

[0021]
In the present embodiment, a three-way valve 25 is disposed at the discharge port of the acidic ion water in the electrolytic cell 22, and the purified water that has flowed to the discharge path of the acidic ion water is alkalinized when the user sets the operation of “purification”. It is comprised so that it may flow so that it may merge into the extraction path | route of ionic water. Further, the switching when the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water are poured out from the dispensing nozzle 23 is performed by switching the polarity of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell 22.
[0022]
A microcomputer mounted on a control circuit (not shown) can supply water of desired water quality from a dispensing nozzle according to the operation of the operation units 4a to 4g of the operation panel 3 from purified water, weak alkali, medium alkali, strong alkali, and acidic. It is to be dispensed. Among these water qualities, in the operation setting of alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water, the level is changed based on the current value to be applied to the electrolytic cell 22 or the applied voltage value, and the electrolytic current value and flow rate are changed. The degree of alkalinity is set based on the calculation. Then, if the operation setting is weak alkali, the alkaline ionized water having a pH value of about 8.5 is poured out. If the operation setting is in alkali, the alkaline ionized water having a pH value of about 9.0 is poured out, If the operation setting is strong alkali, alkaline ionized water having a pH value of about 9.5 is poured out.
[0023]
In addition, in the case of the water purification operation setting, the microcomputer turns on the two LEDs 10a and 10b of the level display unit 9 and turns on the usable state display unit 11 when the usable state is reached. In the case of the operation setting of weak alkali, the four LEDs 10a to 10d of the level display unit 9 are turned on, and when the usable state is reached, the usable state display unit 11 is turned on. In the case of the operation setting in alkali, the six LEDs 10a to 10f of the level display unit 9 are turned on, and when the usable state is reached, the usable state display unit 11 is turned on. In the case of the alkaline setting, the eight LEDs 10a to 10h of the level display unit 9 are turned on, and when the usable state is reached, the usable state display unit 11 is turned on. In the case of the acidic operation setting, the two LEDs 10j and 10i are turned on from the right side of the level display unit 9, and when the usable state is reached, the usable state display unit 11 is turned on.
[0024]
Further, the microcomputer turns on the LEDs 10a to 10j of the level display unit 9 and the usable state display unit 11 in a stepwise manner until it becomes a usable state, and generates a notification sound by a piezoelectric buzzer mounted on the circuit board at every level up. It is configured to output. Here, the usable state differs depending on the time counted after stopping the water supply and the electrolysis level when the operation setting is alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water. That is, the water poured out at the beginning of the water supply is water remaining in the washing tank and the electrolytic tank 22, and there is a possibility that bacteria are propagated in the water and the electrolysis is sufficiently performed. It has not been made. Therefore, the water at the beginning of the dispensing is not used by the user, and the LEDs 10a to 10j of the level display unit 9 are displayed in stages according to the level in order to inform the user of the progress state. In Table 1 below, the transition condition (standby time) from the prohibited state to the usable state based on the non-use time when water purification operation is set, and the lighting of the LEDs 10a and 10b and the usable state display unit 11 An example of time is shown.
[0025]
[Table 1]

[0026]
As shown in Table 1, when the counted non-use time is less than 10 hours, a standby time for prohibiting use is not provided, and the device can be used immediately. In the level display unit 9 of the present embodiment, the LEDs 10a and 10b and the usable state display unit 11 are sequentially turned on every 0.5 seconds from the LED 10a until the last usable state display unit 11 is lit. 2 seconds.
[0027]
When the non-use time is 10 hours or more and less than 24 hours, the standby time for prohibiting the use is set to 12 seconds. When the water flow is started, the LED 10a is turned on after 0.5 seconds, the LED 10b is turned on after 1 second (0.5 seconds after the LED 10a is turned on), and finally the usable state display unit 11 is displayed. Lights up after 12 seconds.
[0028]
When the non-use time is 24 hours or more and less than 48 hours, the standby time for prohibiting use is set to 1 minute. And when water flow is started, LED10a will light after 0.5 second, LED10b will light after 1 second, and the usable status display part 11 will light finally after 60 seconds.
[0029]
When the non-use time is 48 hours or more or when there is no data, the standby time for prohibiting the use is set to 2 minutes. Here, the absence of data occurs, for example, when a user unplugs a power cord from a commercial power outlet in a non-use state. When the water flow is started, the LED 10a is turned on after 0.5 seconds, the LED 10b is turned on after 1 second, and finally the usable state display unit 11 is turned on after 120 seconds.
[0030]
In addition, when it is set as operation | movement setting of alkaline ion water and acidic ion water, the transfer conditions (waiting time) from a use prohibition state to a usable state are substantially the same as the case of the said purified water. Specifically, in the case of these operation settings, when the counted non-use time is less than 10 hours, the waiting time until the electrolysis current value indicating the electrolysis level reaches the reference value according to the user setting is added. The In the case of normal tap water, the time required for the electrolytic current value to reach the reference value is about 8 seconds, which is shorter than the standby time (12 seconds) in the case of 10 hours or more and less than 24 hours. Therefore, when the non-use time is 10 hours or more, the standby time is substantially the same as the case of the water purification operation setting.
[0031]
Next, the control by the microcomputer will be specifically described.
When the power is turned on, the microcomputer of the ionic water generator 1 waits until the water supply is detected by the flow rate sensor 18 in step S1, as shown in FIG.
[0032]
And if water supply is detected, it will be detected by step S2 whether the counter which measures non-use time is operating. If the counter is operating, the process proceeds to step S3, stops the counter, and proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the counter is not operating, the process proceeds to step S4.
[0033]
In step S4, the set operation information is read. Here, the set operation information is an operation set by the user by operating the operation units 4a to 4e or a previous setting operation by not performing an operation before the user starts water supply.
[0034]
Next, in step S5, a non-use time by the counter is read, and in step S6, a time for which use is prohibited is set. In step S7, a timer for the set time is started.
[0035]
Next, in Step S8, it is detected whether or not the operation setting selected by the user is clean water. And when it is purified water, it progresses to step S9, after positioning the three-way valve 25 in the side of the extraction nozzle 23, it progresses to step S14 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is not purified water, it progresses to step S10, and after moving the three-way valve 25 to the discharge nozzle 24 side, it progresses to step S11.
[0036]
In step S11, it is detected whether or not the operation setting selected by the user is acidic. And when it is acidic, it progresses to step S12, and after supplying with electricity to a cathode and an anode so that acidic water may be poured out from the pouring nozzle 23 with respect to the electrolytic cell 22, step S14 shown in FIG. Proceed to On the other hand, if it is not acidic, the process proceeds to step S13, and energization of the cathode and the anode is started so that alkaline ionized water is poured out from the pouring nozzle 23 into the electrolytic cell 22, and then step S14 shown in FIG. Proceed to
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 5, in step S14, a level display process is executed. This level display process will be described later in detail.
[0038]
Next, in step S15, it is detected whether or not the timer for prohibiting use has been counted up. If the count has not been increased, the process proceeds to step S16, where it is detected whether or not the user has changed the operation setting by operating the operation units 4a to 4e. If there is no change, the process returns to step S14. If there is a change, the process proceeds to step S17, the count time is stored, and the process returns to step S4. In addition, when returning to step S4 through this step S17, only the time obtained by subtracting the already counted storage time from the time for prohibiting the use based on the non-use time in the newly selected operation setting is counted. It will be.
[0039]
On the other hand, if the timer counts up in step S15, the process proceeds to step S18, where it is detected whether 1 is input to the flag f which means that the level display process is completed. When f is not 1 (when f is 0), the process proceeds to step S16 as described above, and when f is 1, the process proceeds to step S19.
[0040]
In step S19, after resetting the counter for measuring the non-use time, it is detected in step S20 whether or not the water supply is stopped. And when water supply has not stopped, it progresses to Step S21, and when water supply has stopped, it progresses to Step S22.
[0041]
In step S21, it is detected whether or not the operation setting has been changed by the user operating the operation units 4a to 4e. If there is no change, the process returns to step S20, and if there is a change, the process returns to step S4. . In addition, when returning to step S4 through this step S21, since the counter for measuring the non-use time is reset in step S19, the standby time is 0 second regardless of which operation setting is changed. is there. Therefore, only when changing to alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water, the short time until the electrolysis current value reaches the reference value becomes the standby time.
[0042]
On the other hand, when it is detected in step S20 that the water supply has stopped, the level display unit 9 and the usable state display unit 11 are turned off in step S22, and then the energization to the electrolytic cell 22 is stopped in step S23.
[0043]
Next, in step S24, after storing the operation setting when water supply is stopped, in step S25, 0 is input to the flag f which means that the level display processing is completed.
[0044]
Thereafter, in step S26, a counter for measuring the non-use time is started, and the process returns to step S1 shown in FIG.
[0045]
Next, level display processing by the microcomputer will be described.
In this level display process, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S14-1, it is detected whether or not a level-up time corresponding to each operation setting has elapsed. If the level-up time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S14-2. If the level-up time has not elapsed, the subsequent steps are skipped and the process returns.
[0046]
In step S14-2, it is detected whether or not the operation setting selected by the user is clean water. And when it is not purified water, it progresses to step S14-3, and when it is purified water, it progresses to step S14-6.
[0047]
In step S14-3, after detecting the current value energized to the electrolytic cell 22, the current value increases the display of the level display unit 9 by one level (increases the number of lighting) in step S14-4. Detect whether it is a value or not. If the current value is level up, the process proceeds to step S14-6. If the current value is not level up, the process proceeds to step S14-6 via step S14-5. In step S14-5, it is detected whether or not the applied voltage value is a voltage value that is leveled up. If the voltage value for level-up display has not been reached, the subsequent steps are skipped and the process returns. If the voltage value has been raised, the process proceeds to step S14-6.
[0048]
When step S14-2, step S14-4 or step S14-5 is followed to step S14-6, the number of lighting of the level display unit 9 currently displayed is read.
[0049]
And after changing so that the number of lighting of LED10a-10j of the level display part 9 may increase by 1 by step S14-7, the notification sound according to the number of lighting is output by step S14-8. Here, in the case of setting of purified water and alkaline ionized water, lighting is sequentially started from the LED 10a (from the left side), and in the case of setting of acidic ionized water, lighting is started from the LED 10j (from the right side). Moreover, the notification sound according to the number of lighting is a sound in which the scale is made different by changing the energization amount to the piezoelectric buzzer.
[0050]
Next, in step S14-9, it is detected whether or not all the LEDs 10a to 10j corresponding to the operation setting selected by the user are turned on and the last usable state display unit 11 is turned on. When the usable state display unit 11 is lit, the process proceeds to step S14-10, and 1 is input to the flag f indicating that the level display process is completed, and the process returns. On the other hand, when the usable state display unit 11 is not lit, the process returns as it is.
[0051]
As described above, in the ionic water generator 1 of the present invention, purified water that is not electrolyzed and ionic water that is electrolyzed are divided into left and right panels, and drinkable purified water and alkaline ionized water and non-drinkable acidic ions. Water is divided into left and right as well. Moreover, the display of alkaline ionized water is arranged in order of weak, medium, and strong levels from the side of the purified water that is not electrolyzed, and these colors are different. Therefore, it is easy to understand the relationship between electrolyzed water, non-drinkable water, drinkable water and non-drinkable water, and it is possible to suppress accidental ingestion of non-drinkable acidic ion water.
[0052]
Moreover, since the level display part 9 is provided in the corresponding part of each display part 6-8, and a level display is carried out from LED10a of the purified water display part 6 at the time of the extraction of alkaline ionized water, a user is prohibited use time based on non-use time. Thus, it is possible to easily understand the progress of the operation including the progress of the above, and to improve the convenience. In addition, when dispensing non-drinkable acidic ion water, the level is displayed in the opposite direction to that of drinkable alkaline ionized water or purified water, thus preventing accidental ingestion of non-drinkable acid ion water. it can. In addition, since it is possible to easily determine the state of permitting the use of the water poured out from the pouring nozzle 23 and the state of prohibiting the use, the user should use the water remaining in the main body 2 by mistake. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since the notification sound is output along with the level of the level display unit 9 and the notification sound is made different for each level, the user can understand the progress of the operation with his / her ear, which is more convenient. It is.
[0053]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when displaying the availability of the use, a time for prohibiting the use is set based on the non-use time, and the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 22 is set to discharge alkaline ionized water. Whether or not to permit the use is determined based on the value or the voltage value. Therefore, even if bacteria are propagated during the non-use time, the water purification tank 17 and the electrolysis tank 22 can be reliably cleaned by passing water in a state where the use is prohibited. And it can prevent reliably that a user uses the water in which electrolysis is inadequate. In the case of using a pH sensor, when tap water contains a large amount of free carbonic acid, there is a possibility that it will be allowed to be used regardless of the state in which ion decomposition is reliably performed. However, in the present invention, since the determination is made based on the current value and the voltage value, the inconvenience does not occur.
[0054]
In addition, the ion water generator 1 of this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment.
For example, in the said embodiment, the water purification display part 6, the alkali display part 8, and the acidic display part 7 are arrange | positioned from the left side, and the alkali display part 8 is arrange | positioned from the water purification display part 6 side in the order of weak, medium and strong levels. However, if it is this order, you may arrange | position from either the upper right or lower side.
[0055]
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the display of the purified water to pour out, alkaline ionized water, and acidic ionized water was each made with a different color scheme, at least drinkable water quality (purified water and alkaline ionized water) and non-drinkable water quality ( The color scheme with the acidic ionic water may be different. Furthermore, the color scheme of the LEDs 10a to 10j disposed on the level display unit 9 may be different only in the water quality that allows drinking and the water quality that cannot drink.
[0056]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the notification sound that is output simultaneously with the level-up of the level display unit 9 is a different scale for each level, but it may be a different melody, or the scale is the same and intermittently for each level. A different number of pronunciations may be used, and the continuous output time may be different.
[0057]
Further, the lighting time of the LEDs 10a to 10j of the level display unit 9 and the usable state display unit 11 that are lit in the state of each operation setting is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and as shown in Table 2 below, the standby time It is good also as the time which divided by the number which added the usable state display part 11 to LED which lights.
[0058]
[Table 2]

[0059]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above description, in the ionic water generator of the present invention, purified water that is not electrolyzed and ionic water that is electrolyzedOn the leftWhenRight sideWater that can be divided into drinkable purified water and alkaline ionized water and non-drinkable acidic ionized waterOn the leftWhenRight sideIn addition, since alkaline ionized water is arranged in order of weak, medium, and strong levels from the purified water side, the relationship between electrolyzed water, non-electrolyzed water, drinkable water, and non-drinkable water However, it is easy to understand, and it is possible to suppress accidental ingestion of acidic ion water that cannot be consumed.
[0060]
  Moreover, in the said ion water generator, since the level display part which displays a water purification level or an electrolysis level in steps is provided in the said water purification display part, an alkali display part, and an acidic display part, the situation which becomes a user usable state Can be judged. Therefore, convenience can be improved. Moreover, the level is displayed in the opposite direction when alkaline ionized water is dispensed when acidic ionized water is dispensed.BecauseIt is possible to reliably prevent accidental ingestion of acidic ion water that cannot be drinkable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an ion water generator of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of an ion water generator by a microcomputer.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart showing the level display process of FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ionized water generator, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Operation panel, 4a-4g ... Switch operation part, 5 ... Water quality display part, 6 ... Water purification display part, 7 ... Acid display part, 8 ... Alkali display part, 8a DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Alkali weak display part, 8b ... Alkali display part, 8c ... Alkali strong display part, 9 ... Level display part, 10a-10j ... LED, 11 ... Usable state display part.

Claims (4)

A water purification tank for filtering raw water, an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing the filtered purified water into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a switch for selecting the alkaline water, acidic ionized water, or purified water to be dispensed, and a setting state. In an ionized water generator comprising a panel having a display unit for displaying,
The panel is provided with a substantially semicircular arc-shaped water quality indicator, a water purification indicator is provided on the left side of the water quality indicator, an acid indicator is provided on the right side, an alkali indicator is provided therebetween, and the alkali indicator is provided. , Arranged in order of weak, medium, strong level from the side of the water purification display , and
The water purification display unit, the alkali display unit, and the acid display unit are provided with a level display unit for displaying the water purification level or the electrolysis level in stages, and the usable state indicating that the dispensed water may be used. Provide a display,
The level indicator is lit from the left side in the purified water pouring setting, and the usable state indicator is lit when the usable state is reached, and the level indicator is lit from the left side in the alkaline ion water pouring setting. When the state is reached, the usable state display part is turned on, and in the acid ion water extraction setting, the level display part is turned on from the right side, and when the usable state is reached, the usable state display part is turned on. An ionic water generator characterized by. The alkaline ionized water or the acidic ionized water extraction setting is characterized in that the level of the level display unit is changed based on the current value to be applied to the electrolytic cell or the applied voltage value. The ionic water generator according to claim 1. If the current value energized to the electrolytic cell is not a current value that increases the level, and the voltage value applied to the electrolytic cell is a voltage value that increases, the level display The ion water generator according to claim 2, wherein the level display by the unit is increased . The use prohibition time is set based on the non-use time counted after the water supply is stopped, and the use is permitted based on the current value or voltage value of the electrolyzer when the alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water is poured out. The ionic water generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is further determined whether or not to perform.

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