JP3890801B2 - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Sterilizer Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP3890801B2
JP3890801B2 JP08941899A JP8941899A JP3890801B2 JP 3890801 B2 JP3890801 B2 JP 3890801B2 JP 08941899 A JP08941899 A JP 08941899A JP 8941899 A JP8941899 A JP 8941899A JP 3890801 B2 JP3890801 B2 JP 3890801B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
electrode
electrodes
silver
toilet
electrolytic cell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
JP08941899A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2000279962A (en
Inventor
健二 坂元
尚人 輪島
昌広 常田
修二 西山
Original Assignee
東陶機器株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 東陶機器株式会社 filed Critical 東陶機器株式会社
Priority to JP08941899A priority Critical patent/JP3890801B2/en
Publication of JP2000279962A publication Critical patent/JP2000279962A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3890801B2 publication Critical patent/JP3890801B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Landscapes

  • Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)
  • Electrodes For Compound Or Non-Metal Manufacture (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)

Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、所定の間隔をおいて平行に対向させた少なくとも一対の、少なくとも一方が殺菌性金属イオンを溶出させる金属からなる電極と前記電極を支持する電解槽と、前記電極に対して電力を供給する電源部とからなる殺菌装置に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
従来技術として水洗便器への便器洗浄水給水路に設ける殺菌装置を例に挙げて説明する。
【0003】
従来、便器の日常的洗浄は、使用者のボタン操作等による手動洗浄装置、あるいは、便器の前に人が立ったことを検出し、便器の使用が終了した時点で自動的に上水又は中水を流すという動作を行なう自動洗浄装置により行なわれていた。
【0004】
しかし、便器使用後に単に水を流すのみでは、徐々に便器に水アカやぬめりが付着したり臭気が発生することを防止することができない。また、小便器においては尿石が配管内に付着して汚水の通過路を狭くしたり、便器の表面に付着して外観を損ね、細菌繁殖の温床となって臭気を放つようになる。このように一旦付着してしまった尿石は通常の清掃では除去することは難しく、ブラシで強く擦らないと取れない。このため、尿石除去は専門の業者に依頼する必要があり、大きな負担となっていた。
【0005】
この問題に対し、便器洗浄水に殺菌力を有する成分を生成し供給させることによって対処する方法もいくつか開示されている。
【0006】
例えば、水洗便器に対する便器洗浄水給水路と、この便器洗浄水給水路内に銀イオンを混入させる銀極板を有するイオン発生器と、前記便器洗浄水給水路に設けた開閉弁の開弁動作に連動して閉成し銀極板に給電する電源装置とを備えた便器洗浄水の殺菌浄化装置も知られている。(実開平7−17391)
【0007】
これらの発明では、いずれも所定の間隔をおいて平行に対向させた少なくとも一対の、少なくとも一方が殺菌性金属イオンを溶出させる金属からなる電極と前記電極を支持する電解槽と、前記電極に対して電力を供給する電源部とからなる殺菌装置において、前記電解槽に取り付けられた前記電極に電流を流して電解させることにより便器洗浄水に殺菌力を有する成分を生成し供給していた。
【0008】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記したような従来の殺菌装置に用いられる電極は殺菌力を有する成分を生成し供給する際、電極が消耗するため長期にわたって使用する際、電気抵抗の低くなる電極端面からの電解が優先的におこり、電解に寄与する電極の表面積が減少し、電圧上昇による消費電力の増加、電解条件の変化による生成効率の低下がおこるといった欠点があった。また、前記電解槽が電極板をその端面を含む箇所で保持して支持している場合には、電極板全体が均一に電解せず、電極板の支持部近傍が先に溶解すると電極板が支持から外れ、落下するという欠点があった。
【0009】
本発明は、上記課題を解決するためになされたもので、殺菌力を有する成分を生成し供給する際、長期にわたって使用しても消費電力も生成効率も安定であり、電極が無くなるまで確実に使用できる殺菌装置を提供することを目的とする。
【0010】
【課題を解決するための手段および作用・効果】
上記目的を達成するために本発明に係る殺菌装置は、所定の間隔をおいて平行に対向させ、少なくとも一方が殺菌性金属イオンを溶出させる金属からなる少なくとも一対の電極と、前記電極を支持する電解槽と、前記電極に対して電力を供給する電源部とからなる殺菌装置において、前記電極の端面が水流に曝されないようにした。
【0011】
これにより電気抵抗の低くなる電極端面からの溶解がきわめて少なくなくなり、電極全体が均一に電解するため、長期にわたって使用する際、電解に寄与する電極の表面積が減少し、電圧上昇による消費電力の増加、電解条件の変化による生成効率の低下を防止することができる。また、前記電解槽は電極板をその端面に沿った一部で支持させ、かつ互いに平行に取り付けたものであっても、前記電極板全体が均一に電解せず、電極板の支持部近傍が先に溶解し、このため電極板が支持から外れ、落下することを防止することができる。
【0012】
また本発明を実施するにあたり、前記電極の端面を被覆する被覆部材を設け、前記電極の端面が水流に曝されないように被覆するようにできる。
【0013】
また好ましくは前記電解槽が前記電極の端面の少なくとも一部を被覆する構造をもつようにしたものを挙げることができる。
【0014】
これにより前記電極の端面を被覆する被覆部材を別途設ける必要がなくなる。
【0015】
さらに好ましい様態として前記被覆部材を、絶縁物質とした。また前記電解槽の前記電極を被覆する部位が絶縁物質とした。
【0016】
これにより被覆部材表面上には電流が流れないため、被覆部材表面上で水の電気分解反応等が起こらず、通電する電流を前記電極の電気分解反応に効率よく用いることができる。
【0017】
本発明のさらに好ましい様態として、上記構成における電極の材質を少なくとも一方が銀にしたものを挙げることができる。
【0018】
これにより、銀電極から銀イオンとして溶解させ、便器洗浄水中に供給する。殺菌に必要な銀イオン濃度は一般に50μg/L以上とされており、他の殺菌成分である銅では、同じく一般に500mg/L以上とされているのに比べ、少ない濃度で殺菌効果が得られる。さらにこれらの電極反応効率(すなわち電極間を流れた電子の当量に対する、生成した殺菌成分の当量の割合。)は、銀から銀イオンを生成する反応では極めて高い。このことから、電極の材質に銀を用いた場合、非常に少ない電子量、すなわち電流値で殺菌効果が得られる。電流値が低いことから、同一の電極形状(電極面積および電極間距離)の条件下では、他の殺菌成分を供給する場合に比べて消費電力を少なくすることができる。また、同一の消費電力の条件下では、電極間距離を広く、あるいは電極面積を小さくすることができる。前者の場合、通水による圧力損失が軽減されるので、時間あたりに洗浄水供給流路を流れる水量(ここではこの値を「流量」と呼ぶ。)が低下するという不便がない。また、後者の場合、殺菌成分供給手段が小型化でき、使用の際に邪魔にならない。
【0019】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施例を図面を用いて説明する。なお、本実施例では主として本発明の殺菌装置を便器洗浄に適用した例を示したが、浄水器、浴槽等のその他すべての殺菌装置に用いても同様の効果を発揮することができる。
【0020】
図1は本発明に係る便器洗浄水の殺菌装置の第一の実施例である。
【0021】
電解槽21が便器洗浄用給水管23のフラッシュバルブ等からなる給水弁24よりも下流に設けられている。給水弁24は公知の便器自動洗浄システム3に接続されている。便器洗浄用給水管23は小便器1に接続されている。また、制御装置27が電源部13、電解槽21の電極6a、6b及び便器自動洗浄システム3とに電気的に接続されている。
【0022】
図2は図1の便器洗浄用の殺菌装置に用いられる電解槽21の正面図及び側断面図である。電解槽21の内部には、殺菌成分供給手段である金属銀の平板を向かい合わせて配置した一対の電極6a、6bと、この電極間に形成された電極間流路7が設けられている。なお、電極間流路7に連通する液体流入口と液体流出口とを有する。
【0023】
この電極6a、6bの向かい合う電極表面の周囲であって電極6a、6bの厚みを形成する電極の端面の内、図2の上下方向の端面はその近傍の電極表面を含めて被覆部材26によって水流に曝されないように被覆されており、図2の側断面図における左右方向の端面は電解槽21自体によって水流に曝されないように被覆されており、従って、電極6a、6bの端面全部が水流に曝されないように被覆されている。なお、制御装置27が電源部13と電極6a、6bとに接続されている。
【0024】
図3は図1の便器洗浄用の殺菌装置に用いられる電解槽21の他の実施例であり、電解槽21の正面図及び側断面図である。電解槽21の内部には、殺菌成分供給手段である金属銀の平板を向かい合わせて配置した一対の電極6a、6bと、この電極間に形成された電極間流路7が設けられている。なお、電極間流路7に連通する液体流入口と液体流出口とを有する。
【0025】
この電極6a、6bの端面の全周は電解槽21に埋め込まれることによって、端面全部が水流に曝されないように被覆されている。なお、制御装置27が電源部13と電極6a、6bとに接続されている。
【0026】
なお、この図2および図3に示したように、電極6a,6bの端面が水流に曝されることが防止できれば、この電極6a、6bの端面からの銀の溶出量が少なくなるためこの端面の優先的な消耗を抑えることができるが、その消耗を抑える意味からすれば電極6a、6bの端面が水に接することなく被覆されていることが好ましい。
【0027】
次に動作について説明する。便器自動洗浄システム3の作動により給水弁24が開き、便器洗浄用給水管23を通り水道水が電解槽21の電極間流路7に流入する。このとき電源部13から供給される電気エネルギーは制御装置27を介して電解槽21内の一対の電極6a、6bに給電され、電極6a、6bのいずれかアノード側から銀イオンが溶出し、銀イオンを含んだ便器洗浄水が便器洗浄用給水管23を通って小便器1に供給される。
【0028】
電極6a、6bの極性(すなわちアノードとカソード)は、制御装置27が定期的に反転させており、カソード側に炭酸カルシウムなどのスケールが付着するのを防いでいる。この際、銀イオンの供給にともない、電極6a、6bは消耗していくので、電極がアノードである時間とカソードである時間とは均等にしておくことで一対の電極6a、6bを均等に消耗させることができる。また前記電極の端面が水流に曝されないように被覆しておくことで、電気抵抗の低い電極端面からの溶解がなくなるので、電極表面全体が均一に電解し、長期にわたって使用する際、電解に寄与する電極の表面積が減少し、電圧上昇による消費電力の増加、電解条件の変化による生成効率の低下を防止することができる。また、前記電解槽は電極板をその一部で支持させ、かつ互いに平行に取り付けたものであるが、電極板全体が均一に電解せず、電極板の取り付け側が先に溶解し、このため電極板が支持から外れ、落下してしまうことを防止することができ、最後まで無駄なく電極6a、6bを使い切ることができる。また電極6a、6bは、それ自身から銀イオンを溶出させるため、寿命を長くできるという点で、純銀の板材が好ましいが、銀を含む合金や銀メッキであっても構わない。
【0029】
なお、一対の電極6a、6bのうち少なくとも一方が銀であればよい。一方に銀以外の電極を用いる場合は、制御装置27によって銀電極側の極性をアノードに切り替えることで銀イオンを供給することができる。また、この少なくとも一方が銀である対の電極を複数対設けてもよい。
【0030】
また、便器の使用様態によっては、必ずしも上記のごとき毎回の便器洗浄の時に銀イオンを供給するという動作には限られない。すなわち、銀の消耗を極力抑えたい場合には、数回おきの便器洗浄時にのみ銀イオンを供給する様態でもよい。また、銀の時間的な消耗を一定にしたい場合には、制御装置27の出力信号を便器自動洗浄システム3に入力するように接続させ、便器使用後の便器洗浄時には銀イオンは供給させず、一定時間おきに制御装置27が便器自動洗浄システム3を介して給水弁24を開閉させることで自動的に便器洗浄を行い、この際にのみ銀イオンを供給する様態でもよい。さらに、たとえ銀の消耗が増大してでも、より高度な殺菌のレベルを維持したい場合には、便器使用後の便器洗浄時のみならず、非使用時にも一定時間おきに自動的に便器洗浄を行い、この際にも銀イオンを供給する様態でもよい。以上の動作は、便器の使用様態に応じて、制御装置27の出力信号を便器自動洗浄システム3に入力するように接続させ、制御装置27のプログラムを変更することで対応できる。
【0031】
次に本発明の効果を発揮させるのに必要な銀イオン濃度と電流について説明する。
便器洗浄水に含有させる銀イオンの濃度は、一般的に銀イオンが殺菌効果を発揮するとされている50μg/リットル以上にすることが好ましい。また、銀イオン濃度が過剰になると、小便器1のボウル面やトラップ部に酸化銀あるいは金属銀の析出物による黒ずみが生じることがあるので、300μg/リットル以下に維持することが好ましい。
【0032】
便器洗浄水の流量は、一般的には10リットル/分(=0.17リットル/秒)程度であり、この時に、電解槽21内の電極6a、6b間に電流としてわずか0.03Aを通電させた場合、電極反応効率(電極6a、6b間に流れた電気量のうち、銀イオンの生成に用いられた量の割合)を仮に100%とし、ファラデー定数を96500とすると、一対の電極6a、6bのうちのアノード側から流出する銀イオン(原子量107.9)濃度は下式のごとく、約197μg/リットルとなる。

Figure 0003890801
電極反応効率は電解槽21の設計(電極面積、電極間距離、電極間流路の断面積、電圧、電流など)や便器洗浄水の水質(電気伝導度、塩素イオン濃度、pHなど)によって変化するが、本願出願人の実験により確認したところによると、日本の水道水の範囲であれば、いかなる条件においても、50〜100%であるので、生成される銀イオン濃度は98〜197μg/リットルであると予想され、好適な銀イオン濃度範囲に入る。
【0033】
小便器内及び配管内に存在する細菌を殺菌するため、水アカ、ぬめりの付着や臭気の発生を防止するとともに、小便器内の尿石付着の原因が排除され、小便器は常に清浄な状態に保たれて美観を損ねることもなく、尿石の配管内への付着による汚水通過路の狭小化が防止され、また、アンモニア等による臭気の発生も防止される。
【0034】
なお本発明における電極は銀電極に限られず殺菌性金属イオンを溶出させる金属からなるものであればよい。例えば銅、亜鉛などが挙げられる。
【0035】
また本発明における電極の形状はいずれも四角形のものに限られず、所定の間隔をおいて平行に対向させた少なくとも一対のものであれば三角形、円、などいずれの形状でもよく、被覆部材も電極の端面を被覆する形状であればどのような形状のものでもよい。
【0036】
以上、本発明により、水アカ、ぬめりの付着や臭気の発生を防止する機能を備え、さらに小便器においては、尿石の付着にともなう汚水の通過路の狭小化や美観の損傷、臭気の発生をも防止する機能も兼ね備えるとともに、これらのあらゆる機能が、長期にわたって使用しても消費電力も生成効率も安定であり、電極が無くなるまで確実に使用できる殺菌装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本発明に係る殺菌装置の全体構成図である。
【図2】本発明の殺菌装置に用いる電解槽の第一の構造図である。
【図3】本発明の殺菌装置に用いる電解槽の第二の構造図である。
【符号の説明】
1:小便器
3:便器自動洗浄システム
6a、6b:電極
7:電極間流路
13:電源部
21:電解槽
23:便器洗浄用給水管
24:給水弁
26:被覆部材
27:制御装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides at least a pair of electrodes opposed in parallel at a predetermined interval, at least one of which is made of a metal that elutes bactericidal metal ions, an electrolytic cell that supports the electrode, and power to the electrode. The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus including a power supply unit to be supplied.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technique, a sterilizer provided in a toilet flush water supply channel to a flush toilet will be described as an example.
[0003]
Conventionally, daily cleaning of toilets is performed manually by a user's button operation, etc., or when a person stands in front of a toilet and the use of the toilet is finished automatically It was performed by an automatic cleaning device that performs the operation of flowing water.
[0004]
However, it is not possible to prevent water scum and slime from sticking to the toilet and the generation of odor by simply flowing water after using the toilet. Moreover, in urinals, urine stones adhere to the inside of the pipe and narrow the passage of sewage, or adhere to the surface of the toilet and impair the appearance, and become a hotbed for bacterial growth and emit odor. The urine stones once adhered in this way are difficult to remove by ordinary cleaning, and can only be removed by rubbing with a brush. For this reason, it is necessary to request a specialist to remove urine stones, which has been a heavy burden.
[0005]
Several methods have been disclosed to deal with this problem by generating and supplying a sterilizing component in the toilet bowl washing water.
[0006]
For example, a toilet flushing water supply channel for a flush toilet, an ion generator having a silver electrode plate for mixing silver ions in the toilet flushing water supply channel, and opening / closing operation of an on-off valve provided in the toilet flushing water supply channel There is also known a sterilizing and purifying apparatus for toilet flushing water provided with a power supply device that closes in conjunction with the power supply and supplies power to the silver electrode plate. (Actual 7-17391)
[0007]
In each of these inventions, at least a pair of electrodes opposed in parallel at a predetermined interval, at least one of which is made of a metal that elutes bactericidal metal ions, an electrolytic cell that supports the electrode, and the electrode In the sterilization apparatus comprising a power supply unit for supplying electric power, a current having a sterilizing power is generated and supplied to the toilet flushing water by causing a current to flow through the electrode attached to the electrolytic tank to cause electrolysis.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the electrodes used in the conventional sterilization apparatus as described above are consumed when generating and supplying components having sterilizing power, and therefore, when used over a long period of time, priority is given to electrolysis from the electrode end face where the electrical resistance is low. In other words, the surface area of the electrode contributing to electrolysis is reduced, resulting in increased power consumption due to voltage rise and reduced production efficiency due to changes in electrolysis conditions. In addition, when the electrolytic cell holds and supports the electrode plate at a position including its end face, the entire electrode plate does not electrolyze uniformly, and the electrode plate is disassembled when the vicinity of the support portion of the electrode plate is dissolved first. There was a drawback of falling off the support and falling.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when generating and supplying a component having sterilizing power, power consumption and generation efficiency are stable even when used over a long period of time, and it is ensured until the electrode is eliminated. It aims at providing the sterilizer which can be used.
[0010]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
In order to achieve the above object, a sterilization apparatus according to the present invention supports at least a pair of electrodes made of metal that elutes a sterilizing metal ion, facing each other in parallel at a predetermined interval, and the electrodes. In the sterilization apparatus including an electrolytic cell and a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the electrode, the end face of the electrode is prevented from being exposed to water flow.
[0011]
As a result, the dissolution from the electrode end face where the electrical resistance is reduced becomes extremely small, and the entire electrode is electrolyzed uniformly. Therefore, when used over a long period of time, the surface area of the electrode that contributes to electrolysis decreases, and the power consumption increases due to voltage increase Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in production efficiency due to a change in electrolysis conditions. In addition, even if the electrolytic cell supports the electrode plate partly along the end surface and is attached in parallel to each other, the entire electrode plate does not electrolyze uniformly, and the vicinity of the support part of the electrode plate is not It is possible to prevent the electrode plate from being removed from the support and falling due to dissolution first.
[0012]
Moreover, when implementing this invention, the coating | coated member which coat | covers the end surface of the said electrode can be provided, and it can coat | cover so that the end surface of the said electrode may not be exposed to a water flow.
[0013]
Preferably, the electrolytic cell may have a structure that covers at least a part of the end face of the electrode.
[0014]
Thereby, it is not necessary to separately provide a covering member for covering the end face of the electrode.
[0015]
In a more preferred embodiment, the covering member is an insulating material. Moreover, the part which coat | covers the said electrode of the said electrolytic vessel was made into the insulating material.
[0016]
As a result, since no current flows on the surface of the covering member, water electrolysis reaction or the like does not occur on the surface of the covering member, and the energized current can be efficiently used for the electrolysis reaction of the electrode.
[0017]
As a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, there can be mentioned one in which at least one of the electrodes in the above configuration is made of silver.
[0018]
Thereby, it melt | dissolves as silver ion from a silver electrode, and supplies it to toilet bowl washing water. The silver ion concentration required for sterilization is generally 50 μg / L or more, and copper, which is another sterilization component, can obtain a sterilization effect at a lower concentration than that of 500 mg / L or more. Furthermore, these electrode reaction efficiencies (that is, the ratio of the equivalent amount of the produced sterilizing component to the equivalent amount of electrons flowing between the electrodes) are extremely high in the reaction of generating silver ions from silver. From this, when silver is used as the material of the electrode, the bactericidal effect can be obtained with a very small amount of electrons, that is, a current value. Since the current value is low, the power consumption can be reduced under the conditions of the same electrode shape (electrode area and interelectrode distance) compared to the case of supplying other sterilizing components. Further, under the same power consumption conditions, the distance between the electrodes can be increased or the electrode area can be reduced. In the former case, since pressure loss due to water flow is reduced, there is no inconvenience that the amount of water flowing through the washing water supply channel per hour (herein, this value is referred to as “flow rate”) decreases. In the latter case, the sterilizing component supply means can be miniaturized and does not get in the way during use.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, although the example which mainly applied the sterilizer of this invention to toilet bowl washing | cleaning was shown in the present Example, the same effect can be exhibited even if it uses for all other sterilizers, such as a water purifier and a bathtub.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of a toilet flushing water sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0021]
The electrolytic tank 21 is provided downstream of the water supply valve 24 including a flush valve of the toilet bowl cleaning water supply pipe 23. The water supply valve 24 is connected to a known toilet automatic cleaning system 3. The toilet flushing water supply pipe 23 is connected to the urinal 1. Further, the control device 27 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 13, the electrodes 6 a and 6 b of the electrolytic cell 21, and the toilet flushing system 3.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a front view and a side sectional view of the electrolytic cell 21 used in the toilet bowl sterilizing apparatus of FIG. Inside the electrolytic cell 21, there are provided a pair of electrodes 6a and 6b arranged with metal silver flat plates as sterilizing component supply means facing each other, and an interelectrode flow path 7 formed between the electrodes. In addition, it has the liquid inflow port and the liquid outflow port which are connected to the flow path 7 between electrodes.
[0023]
Of the end surfaces of the electrodes that form the thickness of the electrodes 6a and 6b around the electrode surfaces facing the electrodes 6a and 6b, the end surfaces in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is covered so as not to be exposed to the water flow by the electrolytic cell 21 itself. Therefore, all the end surfaces of the electrodes 6a and 6b are exposed to the water flow. Covered to prevent exposure. The control device 27 is connected to the power supply unit 13 and the electrodes 6a and 6b.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the electrolytic cell 21 used in the toilet bowl sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a front view and a side sectional view of the electrolytic cell 21. Inside the electrolytic cell 21, there are provided a pair of electrodes 6a and 6b arranged with metal silver flat plates as sterilizing component supply means facing each other, and an interelectrode flow path 7 formed between the electrodes. In addition, it has the liquid inflow port and the liquid outflow port which are connected to the flow path 7 between electrodes.
[0025]
The entire circumference of the end surfaces of the electrodes 6a and 6b is embedded in the electrolytic cell 21, so that the entire end surfaces are not exposed to the water flow. The control device 27 is connected to the power supply unit 13 and the electrodes 6a and 6b.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, if the end faces of the electrodes 6a and 6b can be prevented from being exposed to a water flow, the amount of silver elution from the end faces of the electrodes 6a and 6b will be reduced. However, it is preferable that the end surfaces of the electrodes 6a and 6b are covered without contact with water from the viewpoint of suppressing the consumption.
[0027]
Next, the operation will be described. By the operation of the toilet automatic cleaning system 3, the water supply valve 24 is opened, and the tap water flows into the interelectrode flow path 7 of the electrolytic cell 21 through the toilet cleaning water supply pipe 23. At this time, the electric energy supplied from the power supply unit 13 is supplied to the pair of electrodes 6a and 6b in the electrolytic cell 21 via the control device 27, and silver ions are eluted from either the anode side of the electrodes 6a and 6b. The toilet flushing water containing ions is supplied to the urinal 1 through the toilet flushing water supply pipe 23.
[0028]
The polarity of the electrodes 6a and 6b (that is, the anode and the cathode) is periodically reversed by the control device 27 to prevent scales such as calcium carbonate from adhering to the cathode side. At this time, as the silver ions are supplied, the electrodes 6a and 6b are consumed, so that the time when the electrodes are anodes and the time when the electrodes are cathodes are made equal so that the pair of electrodes 6a and 6b are evenly consumed. Can be made. In addition, by covering the end face of the electrode so as not to be exposed to water flow, dissolution from the end face of the electrode having low electric resistance is eliminated, so that the entire electrode surface is uniformly electrolyzed and contributes to electrolysis when used over a long period of time. Thus, the surface area of the electrode to be reduced can be prevented, and the increase in power consumption due to voltage increase and the decrease in production efficiency due to the change in electrolysis conditions can be prevented. In addition, the electrolytic cell is one in which the electrode plate is supported by a part thereof and attached in parallel to each other. However, the entire electrode plate does not electrolyze uniformly, and the attachment side of the electrode plate is dissolved first. It is possible to prevent the plate from being removed from the support and falling, and the electrodes 6a and 6b can be used up without waste until the end. Further, the electrodes 6a and 6b are preferably made of pure silver plate in that the silver ions are eluted from the electrodes 6a and 6b, so that the life can be extended, but an alloy containing silver or silver plating may be used.
[0029]
Note that at least one of the pair of electrodes 6a and 6b may be silver. On the other hand, when an electrode other than silver is used, silver ions can be supplied by switching the polarity on the silver electrode side to the anode by the control device 27. A plurality of pairs of electrodes, at least one of which is silver, may be provided.
[0030]
In addition, depending on how the toilet bowl is used, the operation is not necessarily limited to supplying silver ions at the time of toilet cleaning as described above. In other words, when it is desired to suppress the consumption of silver as much as possible, a mode in which silver ions are supplied only at the time of toilet cleaning every several times may be used. When it is desired to keep the consumption of silver constant, the output signal of the control device 27 is connected so as to be input to the toilet automatic cleaning system 3, and silver ions are not supplied when the toilet is cleaned after using the toilet. The controller 27 may automatically perform toilet cleaning by opening and closing the water supply valve 24 via the toilet automatic cleaning system 3 at regular intervals, and supply silver ions only at this time. In addition, even if silver consumption increases, if you want to maintain a higher level of sterilization, the toilet will be automatically cleaned at regular intervals not only when you use the toilet but also when you are not using it. In this case, silver ions may be supplied. The above operation can be handled by changing the program of the control device 27 by connecting the output signal of the control device 27 so as to be input to the automatic toilet cleaning system 3 according to the usage state of the toilet.
[0031]
Next, the silver ion concentration and current necessary for exhibiting the effects of the present invention will be described.
The concentration of silver ions contained in the toilet bowl washing water is preferably 50 μg / liter or more, at which silver ions are generally considered to exert a bactericidal effect. Further, if the silver ion concentration is excessive, darkening due to silver oxide or metallic silver deposits may occur on the bowl surface or trap portion of the urinal 1, so it is preferable to maintain the concentration to 300 μg / liter or less.
[0032]
The flow rate of toilet flushing water is generally about 10 liters / minute (= 0.17 liters / second). At this time, only 0.03 A is energized between the electrodes 6a and 6b in the electrolytic cell 21 as current. If the electrode reaction efficiency (the proportion of the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes 6a and 6b used for the production of silver ions) is 100% and the Faraday constant is 96500, the pair of electrodes 6a 6b, the concentration of silver ions (atomic weight 107.9) flowing out from the anode side is about 197 μg / liter as shown in the following formula.
Figure 0003890801
The electrode reaction efficiency varies depending on the design of the electrolytic cell 21 (electrode area, distance between electrodes, cross-sectional area of the flow path between electrodes, voltage, current, etc.) and the quality of toilet flushing water (electric conductivity, chloride ion concentration, pH, etc.) However, according to an experiment conducted by the applicant of the present application, since it is 50 to 100% under any condition within the range of Japanese tap water, the generated silver ion concentration is 98 to 197 μg / liter. Is within the preferred silver ion concentration range.
[0033]
In order to sterilize the bacteria in the urinal and the piping, the water urine, slime and odor are prevented, and the cause of urinary stones in the urinal is eliminated, and the urinal is always clean. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sewage passage from being narrowed due to adhesion of urine stones in the pipe, and to prevent the generation of odor due to ammonia or the like.
[0034]
In addition, the electrode in this invention is not restricted to a silver electrode, What is necessary is just to consist of the metal which elutes a bactericidal metal ion. For example, copper, zinc, etc. are mentioned.
[0035]
In addition, the shape of the electrode in the present invention is not limited to a square shape, and may be any shape such as a triangle or a circle as long as it is at least a pair facing each other at a predetermined interval. Any shape may be used as long as the shape covers the end face.
[0036]
As described above, according to the present invention, it has a function of preventing adhesion of water, slime and odor, and in a urinal, the passage of sewage due to adhesion of urinary stone, damage of aesthetics, generation of odor It is possible to provide a sterilization apparatus that has a function of preventing the occurrence of any of these problems, and that all these functions have stable power consumption and generation efficiency even when used for a long period of time, and can be used reliably until the electrodes are eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a sterilizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a first structural diagram of an electrolytic cell used in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a second structural view of an electrolytic cell used in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Urinal 3: Automatic toilet cleaning system 6a, 6b: Electrode 7: Interelectrode flow path 13: Power supply unit 21: Electrolyzer 23: Toilet cleaning water supply pipe 24: Water supply valve 26: Cover member 27: Control device

Claims (6)

所定の間隔をおいて平行に対向させ、少なくとも一方が殺菌性金属イオンを水に溶出させる金属からなる少なくとも一対の電極と、前記電極を支持する電解槽と、前記電極に対して電力を供給する電源部とからなる殺菌装置において、前記電極の端面全部が水流に曝されないようにすることを特徴とする殺菌装置。Power is supplied to the electrodes, at least one pair of electrodes made of a metal that is opposed in parallel at a predetermined interval, and at least one of which elutes bactericidal metal ions into water, an electrolytic cell that supports the electrodes, and A sterilizer comprising a power supply unit, wherein the entire end face of the electrode is not exposed to water flow. 前記電極の端面を被覆する被覆部材を設け、前記電極の端面が水流に曝されないように被覆することを特徴とする請求項1記載の殺菌装置。The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a coating member is provided for covering the end face of the electrode, and the end face of the electrode is covered so as not to be exposed to water flow. 前記電解槽が前記電極の端面の少なくとも一部を被覆する構造をもつことを特徴とする請求項1記載の殺菌装置。The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell has a structure covering at least a part of an end face of the electrode. 前記被覆部材が、絶縁物質であることを特徴とする請求項2記載の殺菌装置。The sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein the covering member is an insulating material. 前記電解槽の前記電極の被覆をする部位が絶縁物質であることを特徴とする請求項3記載の殺菌装置。4. The sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the electrolytic cell that covers the electrode is an insulating material. 前記電極の材質の少なくとも一方が銀であることを特徴とする請求項1記載の殺菌装置。The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is made of silver.
JP08941899A 1999-03-30 1999-03-30 Sterilizer Expired - Fee Related JP3890801B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP08941899A JP3890801B2 (en) 1999-03-30 1999-03-30 Sterilizer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP08941899A JP3890801B2 (en) 1999-03-30 1999-03-30 Sterilizer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2000279962A JP2000279962A (en) 2000-10-10
JP3890801B2 true JP3890801B2 (en) 2007-03-07

Family

ID=13970117

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP08941899A Expired - Fee Related JP3890801B2 (en) 1999-03-30 1999-03-30 Sterilizer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3890801B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004188174A (en) * 2002-10-17 2004-07-08 Sharp Corp Antibacterial treatment apparatus
GB2544267B (en) 2015-11-04 2021-03-24 Charles Llewelyn Thomas Robert Waste water treatment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2000279962A (en) 2000-10-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP3480173B2 (en) Toilet bowl unit with sterilizing water supply function
WO1996006237A1 (en) Toilet stool cleaning method and apparatus therefor
JP4525137B2 (en) Urinal washing device
TWI699456B (en) Electrolyzed water generator
JP3890801B2 (en) Sterilizer
JP2000343081A (en) Toilet bowl sterilization device
JP2001090145A (en) Sterilizing device for closet and sterilizing method for closet
JP2001232369A (en) Toilet stool sterilizer and sterilizing water production device
JP4556569B2 (en) Generator and water discharge control device
JP2000027262A (en) Sterilizer for stool flushing water
JP2000355965A (en) Sterilizing device for toilet stool
JP2000027262A5 (en)
JP2000309971A (en) Sterilizing device for toilet stool
JP2002081121A (en) Sterilizer for toilet stool
JP2001252666A (en) Continuous electrolytic cell and closet stool sterilizing device
JP2002263649A (en) Sterilizing water production
JP2000301150A (en) Sterilizing apparatus
JP2000154570A (en) Sterilizer of toilet bowl wash water
JP2000291099A (en) Sterilizing device for toilet stool
JP2000355966A (en) Sterilizing device for toilet stool
JP2005232683A (en) Toilet bowl flushing water generating device
JP2000064389A (en) Sterilizing device for toilet stool flushing water
JP2000204633A (en) Sterilizer for toliet bowl wash water
JP2001220800A (en) Toilet sterilization apparatus
JP2001234578A (en) Toilet stool washing system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20050314

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20061114

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20061127

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Ref document number: 3890801

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

S533 Written request for registration of change of name

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313533

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20091215

Year of fee payment: 3

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20091215

Year of fee payment: 3

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20101215

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20101215

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20111215

Year of fee payment: 5

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20111215

Year of fee payment: 5

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20121215

Year of fee payment: 6

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20121215

Year of fee payment: 6

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20131215

Year of fee payment: 7

LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees