JP3915166B2 - Alkaline ion water conditioner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alkaline ionizer for electrolyzing raw water such as tap water to produce alkaline ionized water used for drinking and medical use, and acidic ionized water used for lotion, purified water, etc. The present invention relates to an alkali ion water conditioner having a sterilizing function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, alkali ion water conditioners have become widespread as continuous electrolysis type ion water generators. This alkaline ion adjuster electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and alkaline ion water on the cathode side.
[0003]
A conventional continuous electrolysis type alkaline ion water conditioner will be described below.
[0004]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device. As constituent elements, 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet, 3 is an alkaline ion adjuster connected to the raw water pipe 1 through a faucet 2, 4 is residual chlorine or trihalomethane in the raw water, A water purification unit 5 having activated carbon that adsorbs a musty odor and the like and a hollow fiber membrane that removes general bacteria and impurities with high accuracy is a flow rate sensor that confirms water flow and gives control instructions to the control means .
[0005]
6 is a calcium supply unit that increases the raw water conductivity by applying calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate to the raw water, and 7 is an electrolyzer for the water that has passed through the flow sensor 5 to provide alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water. An electrolytic cell to be generated, 8 is a diaphragm that divides the electrolytic cell into two and forms an electrode chamber, and 9 and 10 are electrode plates arranged in each electrode chamber formed by being divided into two by the diaphragm 8 .
[0006]
11 is a drain pipe that discharges water on the electrode plate 10 side (acid ionic water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), and 12 is disposed near the connection between the electrolytic cell 7 and the drain pipe 11 to efficiently use alkaline ion water. A flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the discharged water flow rate provided to generate well, 13 is a discharge pipe for discharging water on the electrode plate 9 side (alkaline ion water when the electrode plate 9 is a cathode), and 14 is in the electrolytic cell 7 Electromagnetic valve for discharging the accumulated water and the washing water eluted from the scale made of calcium, magnesium, etc. at the time of washing the electrode plate, 15 is water on the electrode plate 10 side through the drain pipe 11 (the electrode plate 10 is the anode In this case, it is a discharge pipe that drains out the accumulated water of the acidic ion water) and the electrolytic cell 7 .
[0007]
16 is a water purification unit detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the water purification unit 4, 17 is a power-on plug, 18 is a power source unit that converts AC power from the power-on plug 17 into DC power, and 19 is an alkaline ion water conditioner 3. An operation display unit 21 for displaying the operation state of the solenoid valve 21 is an electromagnetic valve that cuts the drainage by closing the valve in the water purification mode, and opens the valve to generate drainage when generating alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water. .
[0008]
Next, the operation | movement at the time of producing | generating the alkali ion water is demonstrated below about the conventional alkali ion water conditioner 3 which consists of each above component.
[0009]
The user presses the mode selection button of the operation display unit 20 to select and set the alkaline ion water generation mode, the acidic ion water generation mode, or the water purification mode, and in the alkaline ion water generation mode or the acidic ion water generation mode, A desired pH intensity is selected with the pH intensity setting button of the operation display unit 20, and the faucet 2 is opened.
[0010]
The raw water passed through the faucet 2 is free of impurities such as residual chlorine, trihalomethane, musty odor, and general bacteria in the raw water in the water purification unit 4, and calcium glycerophosphate and lactic acid in the calcium supply unit 6 through the flow sensor 5. After calcium or the like is dissolved and treated with water that is easily electrolyzed, the water is passed through the electrolytic cell 7.
[0011]
On the other hand, 100 VAC is supplied from the power-on plug 17, and a DC voltage / current required for electrolysis is generated by the transformer in the power supply unit 18 and the control DC power supply, and the electrode plate of the electrolytic cell 7 is connected via the control means 19. Power required for electrolysis is supplied to 9 and 10.
[0012]
At this time, if an electrode plate to which a positive voltage is relatively applied is an anode and an electrode plate to which a negative voltage is applied, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by a diaphragm 8 are formed in the electrolytic cell 7.
[0013]
In the alkaline ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 10 serves as an anode and the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode. In the acidic ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode and the electrode plate 10 serves as a cathode.
[0014]
Now, after passing water, the control means 19 reads the signal of the flow sensor 5, and when the flow level exceeds a certain amount, it determines that this state is under water. At this time, since the electrolysis conditions have already been set by pressing the generation mode selection button of the operation display unit 20, the control means 19 performs electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 7, so that the electrode plates 9 and 10 have a predetermined value. An operation command is output so that a voltage is applied.
[0015]
Thus, in the alkaline ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode and the electrode plate 10 serves as an anode, and alkaline ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13, and in the acidic ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode and an electrode. The plate 10 serves as a cathode, and acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge tube 13.
[0016]
When the raw water is stopped by the faucet 2, the control means 19 determines that the water flow is stopped by the flow sensor 5, stops the voltage application to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7, and closes the solenoid valve 14. Water is retained in the electrolytic cell 7. This staying water provides effects such as prevention of drying of the diaphragm 8 and prevention of mold generation.
[0017]
In the water purification mode, no voltage is applied to the electrode plates 9 and 10, and the drainage is cut by closing the electromagnetic valve 21, and the purified water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, in the conventional alkaline ionized water device, residual water for the purpose of sterilizing microorganisms and bacteria contained in the raw water passed from the faucet 2 is removed by the water purification unit 4, so that at the time of water stoppage The water having no sterilizing power stays after the water purification unit 4.
[0019]
At this time, bacteria or the like floating in the air enter from the tip opening of the discharge pipe 13, and bacterial contamination progresses in the water passage portion of the alkali ion water conditioner 3. Bacteria contaminated water is drunk and has a health hazard.
[0020]
Moreover, even if all the water having no sterilizing power staying after the water purification unit 4 is drained, bacteria and the like infiltrate and adhere to the wall surface inside the water passage, and bacterial contamination proceeds.
[0021]
In addition, it is possible to effectively sterilize bacteria generated in the water channel by passing acidic water at the beginning of water flow, and water contaminated with bacteria can be consumed when water is passed. However, it is still impossible to completely sterilize bacteria and the like attached to the walls of the water passage and the electrolytic cell 7.
[0022]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a safe and highly reliable alkaline ionized water device capable of maintaining a good environment without generating bacteria even when the water is stopped for a long time.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an alkaline ionized water device of the present invention is connected to a raw water pipe together with a water purification unit and a flow sensor, and each electrode plate is housed in a chamber partitioned through a diaphragm, and is alkalized by electrolysis. An electrolytic cell adapted to generate ionic water and acidic ionic water, alkaline ionized water derived from each chamber of the electrolytic cell, or a pipe for discharging acidic ionic water, and a time from stopping flowing water to the electrolytic cell And a heating means for heating the staying water in the electrolytic cell by applying a voltage to the electrode plate to generate heat when a predetermined value has elapsed in the monitoring time in the heating time control section. In addition, the heating time by the heating means is controlled in proportion to the monitoring time in the heating time control unit.
[0024]
Therefore, even when the water is stopped for a long time, bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and other water passages are sterilized by heating, and a safe and highly reliable alkaline ionized water device can be obtained.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an electrolytic cell that is connected to a raw water pipe together with a water purification unit and a flow sensor, and accommodates an electrode plate in a chamber partitioned through a diaphragm, and generates alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis. A tube that discharges alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water derived from each chamber of the electrolytic cell, a heating time control unit that monitors the time from stopping flowing water to the electrolytic cell, and the heating time control unit When the monitoring time at the time has passed a predetermined value, it comprises heating means for applying voltage to the electrode plate to generate heat and heating the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell, and is proportional to the monitoring time in the heating time control unit. The heating time by the heating means is controlled. Bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and other water passages are heat-sterilized even when the water is stopped for a long time, and the alkaline ion water conditioner is safe and reliable. When Rukoto can.
[0026]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to parts performing the same operations as in FIG.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water conditioner, 4 is a water purification unit, 5 is a flow sensor, 6 is a calcium supply unit, 7 is an electrolytic cell, and 8 is a diaphragm. , 9 and 10 are electrode plates, 11 is a drain pipe, 12 is a flow rate adjusting unit, 13 is a discharge pipe, 14 is a solenoid valve, 15 is a water discharge pipe, 16 is a water purifier detection sensor, 17 is a plug for turning on power, 18 is A power supply unit, 19 is a control means, 20 is an operation display unit, and 21 is a solenoid valve.
[0029]
The feature of the first embodiment is that the temperature sensor 22 is attached to the electrolytic cell 7 so that the temperature of the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 can be detected, and the characteristic change of the temperature sensor 22 with respect to the temperature change. A temperature detection circuit unit 23 that converts the electrical signal into an electrical signal and detects the temperature of the accumulated water is provided. In order to heat the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7, a relatively positive voltage or a negative voltage is applied to the electrode plate 9. In addition, a voltage application control unit that applies a relatively negative voltage to the electrode plate 10 when the electrode plate 9 is a positive voltage and a relatively positive voltage when the electrode plate 9 is a negative voltage. 24. Furthermore, the elapsed time from the last water stop is always monitored, and when the set time elapses, a voltage is applied from the voltage application control unit 24 to the electrolytic cell 7, and the time is set periodically. If that time electrolytic cell In the provision of the heating time control section 25 for applying a voltage from the voltage application control unit 24 to the.
[0030]
In this configuration, when alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water are generated, and when water is stopped after discharging in purified water, the electromagnetic valve 14 and the electromagnetic valve 21 are immediately closed to cause the water to stay in the electrolytic cell 7, When time generation is not performed and when ejection is not performed, a voltage is applied between the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10, electrolysis of water occurs between the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 via the diaphragm 8, and thermal energy is further increased. The staying water is heated.
[0031]
The temperature of the staying water in the electrolytic cell 7 to be heated is detected by the temperature sensor 22 and the temperature detection circuit unit 23, and is controlled by the voltage application control unit 24 so as to reach a constant temperature. The stagnant water that has reached a certain temperature sterilizes bacteria generated inside the electrolytic cell 7 by the heat, and then the electromagnetic valve 14 and the electromagnetic valve 21 are opened, while the drain pipe 11 and the water discharge pipe 15 are heated and sterilized. It is drained through.
[0032]
Here, the generation principle of the heating of the stagnant water that controls the electrolysis and sterilizing power of water will be briefly described. A pair of electrodes is placed in water, and a diaphragm having fine pores is provided between the electrodes so that ionic substances in the water can freely pass therethrough but prevent free passage of liquid water itself.
[0033]
When one electrode is connected to the positive electrode of the battery and the other is connected to the negative electrode, an anion such as chloride ion is attracted to the anode of the electrolytic cell, and conversely, a cation such as magnesium ion or calcium ion is attracted to the cathode. Is attracted. At this time, when a sufficient voltage is applied between the two electrodes, water electrolysis occurs. Oxygen gas or chlorine gas is generated from the anode and H ions are released into water at the same time. Hydrogen gas and the like are generated from the cathode and O ions are released into water at the same time.
[0034]
As a result, the water on the anode side is a water in which anions such as chloride ions that are offset toward the acidic side are relatively increased, and the water on the cathode side is cations such as sodium ions and calcium ions that are offset toward the alkali side. Relatively increased water. The basic principle of electrolyzed ionic water is to take out and use these waters individually.
[0035]
At this time, the reaction occurring on the surface of each electrode can be expressed as follows.
[0036]
・ Anode side 2H2O → 4H + O2 + 4e
2CI → CI2 + 2e
・ Cathode side 6H2O + 6e → 6OH + 3H2
At this time, the water between the two electrodes has a certain resistance, and when a sufficient voltage is applied between the two electrodes, the water temperature gradually rises and finally becomes a boiling state. In general, a bactericidal action is recognized at a water temperature of 70 to 80 ° C.
[0037]
As described above, bacteria generated or adhered to the inside of the electrolytic cell and the water passage can be heat sterilized by the sterilizing effect by the staying water in the heated electrolytic cell.
[0038]
In addition, the frequency of heating the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell can be arbitrarily set in the time that has not been used for a long time, such as the time elapsed since the last water stop, or the time of sleep or going out. It may be a condition to be set.
[0039]
The heating time control unit 25 always monitors the elapsed time from the last water stop, and controls to apply a voltage from the voltage application control unit 24 to the electrolytic cell 7 when a set time elapses. If the time is set properly, control is performed so that the voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 from the voltage application control unit 24 at that time.
[0040]
While the accumulated water is being heated, the setting keys for the alkaline ion water generation mode, the purified water mode, and the acidic water generation mode are not accepted, and a warning is given by a melody prohibiting water flow.
[0041]
And when heat processing time passes, it switches to alkali ion water production | generation mode or purified water mode automatically, and predetermined water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13 at the time of water flow.
[0042]
The heating time may be set for a fixed time, or the set time may be increased or decreased depending on the standing time after the water stops. For example, if the standing time from the last water stop to the regular set time is long, there is a high possibility that many bacteria have propagated during that time, and in order to sterilize those bacteria, the heating time must be lengthened. Because it must.
[0043]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the water is stopped for a long time, alkali ions that can effectively sterilize bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and in the water passage and maintain a good environment. It can be used as a water conditioner.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and in the water passage can be effectively heat sterilized even in a long-time water-stopped state, and a good environment can be obtained. By being able to maintain, a safe and highly reliable alkaline ionized water device can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alkaline ionized water device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water faucet 3 Alkali ion water conditioner 4 Water purification part 5 Flow rate sensor 6 Calcium supply part 7 Electrolytic tank 8 Diaphragm 9 Electrode plate 10 Electrode plate 11 Drain pipe 12 Flow rate adjustment part 13 Discharge pipe 14 Electromagnetic valve 15 Drain pipe 16 Water purification unit detection sensor 17 Power-on plug 18 Power source unit 19 Control means 20 Operation display unit 21 Solenoid valve 22 Temperature sensor 23 Temperature detection circuit unit 24 Voltage application control unit 25 Heating time control unit

Claims (1)

The electrolytic cell connected to the raw water pipe together with the water purification unit and the flow sensor, and accommodated with electrode plates in chambers partitioned through a diaphragm, and generated alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis, and the electrolysis A pipe that discharges alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water derived from each chamber of the tank, a heating time control unit that monitors the time from the stop of flowing water to the electrolytic cell, and a monitoring time in the heating time control unit When a predetermined value elapses, a voltage is applied to the electrode plate to generate heat, and heating means for heating the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell is provided, and the heating means is proportional to the monitoring time in the heating time control unit. An alkaline ionized water device that controls the heating time .

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