JP5102553B2 - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes raw water to generate ionic water, and in particular, accurately and accurately without making erroneous judgments even when there is a difference in raw water quality or electrical conductivity. The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of determining an electrode life.

  With the recent increase in interest in safe water and health, tap water and other raw water are electrolyzed in an electrolytic cell to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus having a configuration in which one of ionic water is discharged from a discharge pipe so as to be usable and the other is discharged from a discharge pipe has been widely spread to general households.

  In such an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, the inside of the electrolytic cell is divided into cathode and anode electrode chambers by a diaphragm, and a direct voltage is applied between the electrode plates (cathode and anode) arranged in each to electrolyze the raw water. Although electrolytic ion water is continuously supplied, impurities (scale such as calcium) contained in water are deposited and deposited on the surface of the electrode plate to be electrolyzed, and electrolysis becomes increasingly difficult. In order to remove impurities adhering by this electrolysis, the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the electrode plates is reversed and applied for a predetermined time, and the impurities on the electrode plate surface are eluted and washed away.

Although the electrolysis capability is restored by this washing, the electrode plate gradually deteriorates due to repeated electrolysis and washing, so that ionic water cannot be generated. For example, the “ionic water” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-3275 is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 6, in the method of displaying the lifetime of the electrode of the electrolytic cell of the generator, the accumulated number of cleanings is 8000 times or more (step S101), and the accumulated electrolysis time is 10 years or more (step S102), and when the electrolysis current at the time of electrode cleaning becomes 50% or less compared to the electrode cleaning electrolysis current (initial current value) at the start of use, it is determined that the electrode has reached the end of its life. Is displayed.
JP-A-6-31275

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the life of the electrode is determined even though the electrode is not deteriorated due to the difference in the quality of raw water, particularly the difference in electrical conductivity, and the same use Even if the electrode is not deteriorated due to changes in electrical conductivity over time, it may be determined that the electrode life is not reached, or the electrode life may not be determined even if the electrode is deteriorated. There was a circumstance that there was. For example, if the electrical conductivity of raw water is high only at the start of use and then the electrical conductivity is low, it is determined that the electrode life is satisfied by satisfying the electrode life conditions even though the electrode is not deteriorated. It is possible to end up. On the other hand, if the electrical conductivity of raw water is low only at the start of use, and then the electrical conductivity remains high, the electrode life condition is not satisfied even though the electrode has deteriorated. It is conceivable that the life of the electrode is not judged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and even when there is a difference in the quality of raw water or a change in electrical conductivity, it is possible to reliably determine the electrode life without making an erroneous determination. It aims at providing the electrolyzed water generating apparatus to obtain.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention includes an electrode inserted into each of a cathode chamber and an anode chamber divided by a diaphragm, and electrolyzes the raw water that has been passed through to alkaline ionized water and acidic water. An electrolytic cell for generating ionic water, and a controller for controlling an electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes of the electrolytic cell, and discharging one of the alkaline ionic water and acidic ionic water generated in the electrolytic cell. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus that discharges from the discharge pipe and discharges the other through the discharge pipe, the control unit includes an electrolysis current detecting unit that detects an electrolysis current flowing between the electrodes and an electrode for electrolyzing the raw water. The difference between the positive electrolysis current value by the electrolysis current detection means when an electrolysis voltage is applied and the reverse electrolysis current value by the electrolysis current detection means when the polarity of the electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes is reversed is obtained. That a positive electrolyte reverse electrolysis current comparator means comprises, a first feature in that to determine the deterioration state of the electrode based on the difference of the reverse electrolysis current value and the positive electrolytic current value.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit may detect a difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when a predetermined time elapses after applying an electrolysis voltage between the electrodes. The second feature is that the deterioration state of the electrode is determined based on the above.

  Furthermore, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit is configured to degrade the electrode based on a difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when the flow of the raw water is stopped. The third feature is to determine the state.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first feature of the present invention, the electrode life can be determined accurately and accurately without making an erroneous determination even when there is a difference in the quality of raw water or a change in electrical conductivity. .

  Moreover, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus having the second feature according to the present invention, the electrode life can be determined with higher accuracy by excluding the transient electrolysis current change due to the elution of the scale from the electrodes from the determination target. .

  Furthermore, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the third feature according to the present invention, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that can determine the electrode life more accurately even when the flow rate changes with each use can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the Example of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this invention is described in detail with reference to drawings in order of [Example 1], [Example 2], and [Example 3].

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment has electrode plates 9 and 10 inserted respectively in the cathode chamber and the anode chamber divided by the diaphragm 8, and electrolyzes the raw water that has been passed through to generate alkaline ionized water and An electrolytic cell 7 for generating acidic ion water, and a controller 15 for controlling an electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes of the electrolytic cell 7, and one of alkaline ion water and acidic ion water generated in the electrolytic cell 7 Is discharged from the discharge pipe 12, and the other is discharged from the discharge pipe 11.

  Moreover, in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus main body 3 connected with the raw | natural water pipes 1, such as a tap water, via the water tap 2 is the water purification part 4, the flow volume detection means 5, the calcium supply part 6, the electrolytic cell 7, discharge | emission A pipe 11, a discharge pipe 12, a power supply unit 14, a control unit 15, and an operation display unit 16 are provided.

  Here, the water purification unit 4 is provided with activated carbon that adsorbs residual chlorine, trihalomethane, mold odor, and the like contained in the raw water, and a hollow fiber membrane that accurately removes general bacteria and impurities. The flow rate detecting means 5 confirms water flow and gives a control instruction to the control unit 15. Moreover, the calcium supply part 6 gives calcium ions, such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate, to raw water, and raises the electrical conductivity of raw water.

  Moreover, in the electrolytic cell 7, the water which passed through the flow volume detection means 5 is electrolyzed, and alkali ion water and acidic ion water are produced | generated. In the figure, 8 is a diaphragm that divides the electrolytic cell 7 into two to form an electrolytic chamber, and 9 and 10 are electrode plates arranged in each electrode chamber formed by being divided into two by the diaphragm 8. If an electrode plate to which a relatively positive voltage is applied is an anode, and an electrode plate to which a minus voltage is applied is a cathode, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by a diaphragm 8 are formed in the electrolytic cell 7. Become. In the alkali ion water generation mode described later, 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.

  The discharge pipe 11 discharges water in the electrolytic chamber in which the electrode plate 10 is inserted (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), and the discharge pipe 12 discharges water in the electrolytic chamber in which the electrode plate 9 is inserted ( When the electrode plate 9 is a cathode, alkali ion water) is discharged.

  Further, the power supply unit 14 converts the AC power supplied from the power-on plug 13 into a DC power and supplies it to the control unit 15. The operation display unit 16 is used by the user to select and set the quality and pH strength of ionic water or various functions, and the contents set through the operation display unit are notified to the control unit 15.

  Further, the control unit 15 controls the operation of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus. In this embodiment, in particular, the electrolyzed current detecting means 17 for detecting the electrolyzed current flowing between the electrode plates 9 and 10 and the raw water are electrolyzed. Therefore, the electrolysis current detection means when the positive electrolysis current value by the electrolysis current detection means 17 when the electrolysis voltage is applied between the electrode plates 9 and 10 and the polarity of the electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes 9 and 10 are reversed. And a positive electrolysis reverse electrolysis current comparison means 18 for obtaining a difference from the reverse electrolysis current value by 17, and determining the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value. There is a feature.

  Next, the operation in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. The user first operates a mode selection button (not shown) arranged on the operation display unit 16 to select a desired water quality mode such as an alkaline ion water generation mode, an acidic ion water generation mode, or a water purification mode. Further, a desired pH value is appropriately set by operating a pH adjustment button (not shown) arranged on the operation display unit 16, and then the faucet 2 is opened to pass water.

  The raw water introduced from the faucet 3 removes residual chlorine, trihalomethane, musty odor, general bacteria and other impurities in the raw water by the water purification unit 4, passes through the flow rate detection means 5, and is supplied with calcium glycerophosphate and lactic acid by the calcium supply unit 6. After calcium or the like is dissolved and treated with water that is easily electrolyzed, the discharge-side electrolysis chamber (electrolysis chamber in which the electrode plate 10 is inserted) and the discharge-side electrolysis chamber (electrode plate 9) in the electrolytic cell 7 are passed through each branch pipe. Are respectively supplied to the electrolysis chamber in which is inserted.

  On the other hand, an AC voltage of 100 V AC is supplied from the power-on plug 13, and a DC voltage current required for electrolysis is generated by a transformer and a control current power source in the power supply unit 14, and electrolysis is performed via the control unit 15. Electric power necessary for electrolysis is fed between the electrode plates 9 and 10 in the tank 7.

  The control unit 15 reads the output signal from the flow rate detecting means 5 after passing water, and determines that the state is passing water when the flow level flowing through the electrolyzed water generating device main body 3 exceeds a certain amount per unit time. To do. At this time, the electrolysis conditions have already been set according to the operation of the mode selection button and the pH adjustment button of the operation display unit 16, and the control unit 15 applies the electrode plates 9 and 10 to perform electrolysis under these conditions. To control the power supply.

  That is, in the alkaline ion water generation mode, in the alkaline water generation mode, alkaline ion water is discharged from the discharge side electrolysis chamber through the discharge pipe 12 using the electrode plate 9 as a cathode and the electrode plate 10 as an anode, and discharge side electrolysis is performed. The acidic ion water is controlled to be discharged through the discharge pipe 11 from the chamber. In the acidic ion water generation mode, the acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge side electrolytic chamber through the discharge pipe 13 using the electrode plate 9 as an anode and the electrode plate 10 as a cathode. While discharging water, it controls so that alkali ion water may be discharged from the discharge side electrolysis chamber through the discharge pipe 11.

  Thereafter, when the flow level flowing through the electrolyzed water generating device main body 3 per unit time falls below a certain amount, this state is determined to be water stop, and the supply of electric power to the electrolyzer 7 is terminated. At this time, when the water quality mode immediately before the water stop is the alkali ion water generation mode, a positive voltage is applied to the electrode plate 9 and a negative voltage is applied to the electrode plate 10 for a certain time after the water stop. As a result, the scale such as calcium adhering to the electrode plate 9 is washed away. In addition, when the water quality mode immediately before the water stop is the acidic ion water generation mode, a negative voltage is applied to the electrode plate 9 and a positive voltage is applied to the electrode plate 10 for a certain time after the water stop. Thus, scales such as calcium adhering to the electrode plate 10 are washed away.

  By repeating such an operation, the electrode plates 9 and 10 gradually deteriorate and ionic water cannot be generated. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the electrode life and inform the user. If the life is determined simply by the usage time or the number of times of electrode cleaning, the electrolytic current largely fluctuates due to differences in the quality of the raw water (particularly, the difference in electrical conductivity), etc., so there is a possibility that the determination of the life will be erroneous.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrolytic current during normal forward electrolysis (in the alkaline ion water generation mode) and the electrolysis current during reverse electrolysis (in the acidic ion water generation mode) are sequentially compared, and a difference of a certain level or more is found. When this occurs, the life of the electrode is determined. As a result, even if there is a difference in the quality of the raw water due to the difference in the location of use (especially a difference in electrical conductivity), or even if there is a change in electrical conductivity due to the passage of time in the same location, an incorrect judgment is made. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the life of the electrode without having to do so.

  In FIG. 2, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment, the electrolysis current during positive electrolysis (in the alkaline ion water generating mode) when the electrode plate 9 has reached the end of its life first with respect to the electrode plate 10. The change with respect to progress of the total electrolysis time of the electrolysis electric current at the time of reverse electrolysis (at the time of acidic ion water production | generation mode) is illustrated. From the characteristics illustrated in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the deterioration of the anode (electrode plate 9) during reverse electrolysis comes first, and the electrolysis current during reverse electrolysis is relatively reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows the electrolysis during positive electrolysis (in the alkaline ion water generation mode) when the electrode plate 10 has reached the end of its life with respect to the electrode plate 9 in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this embodiment. The change with respect to progress of the total electrolysis time of the electric current and the electrolysis current at the time of reverse electrolysis (at the time of acidic ion water production mode) is illustrated. From the characteristics illustrated in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the anode (electrode plate 10) during positive electrolysis deteriorates first, and the electrolysis current during positive electrolysis is relatively reduced.

  That is, the deterioration rate of the anode (electrode plate 9) during reverse electrolysis and the deterioration rate of the anode (electrode plate 10) during positive electrolysis do not completely coincide with each other, and one of the electrode plates is relatively fast. As a result of the deterioration, there is a difference between the electrolysis current at the time of positive electrolysis (in the alkaline ionic water production mode) and the electrolysis current at the time of reverse electrolysis (in the acidic ionic water production mode).

  Therefore, when the difference between the electrolysis current during forward electrolysis and the electrolysis current during reverse electrolysis reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 15 determines that one of the electrode plates has reached the electrode life, for example, A message indicating that the electrode life has been reached is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 16, or a warning lamp indicating that the electrode life has been set is turned on to notify the user. .

  As described above, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment, the electrode plates 9 and 10 are inserted into the cathode chamber and the anode chamber divided by the diaphragm 8, respectively, and the raw water passed through is electrolyzed to generate alkali ions. An electrolytic cell 7 for generating water and acidic ion water, and a controller 15 for controlling an electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes of the electrolytic cell 7, and alkaline ion water and acidic ion water generated in the electrolytic cell 7. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus that discharges one of these from the discharge pipe 12 and discharges the other from the discharge pipe 11, the control unit 15 has an electrolysis current detection means 17 that detects an electrolysis current flowing between the electrode plates 9 and 10, and raw water When the electrolysis voltage is applied between the electrode plates 9 and 10 to electrolyze the positive electrolysis current value by the electrolysis current detecting means 17 and the polarity of the electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes 9 and 10 are reversed. Electrolytic current detection means Positive electrolyte reverse electrolysis current comparison means 18 for obtaining a difference between the reverse electrolysis current value by 7, includes a, determines the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 based on the difference of the positive electrolytic current value and the reverse electrolysis current value.

  Thus, since the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 is determined based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value, the difference in raw water quality (particularly, the difference in electrical conductivity) due to the difference in use place. Even if there is a change in electrical conductivity due to the passage of time at the same place, it is possible to reliably determine the electrode life without making an erroneous determination as in the prior art.

[Example 2]
Next, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to Example 2 will be described. The configuration of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this example is the same as that of Example 1 (see FIG. 1), and detailed description of each component is omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 15 uses the electrolytic current detecting means 17 for detecting the electrolytic current flowing between the electrode plates 9 and 10 and the electrode plate 9 for electrolyzing the raw water. , 10 when the electrolytic voltage is applied between the positive current value by the electrolytic current detection means 17 and the reverse electrolytic current by the electrolytic current detection means 17 when the polarity of the electrolytic voltage applied between the electrodes 9 and 10 is reversed. And a positive electrolysis reverse electrolysis current comparison means 18 for obtaining a difference from the value, and determining the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value. It is characterized in that the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 is determined based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when a predetermined time has passed since the electrolysis voltage was applied between the electrodes.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the change in the electrolysis current with respect to the time immediately after the start of electrolysis when scales such as calcium adhere to the electrode plates 9 and 10 in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. ing. When a scale such as calcium adheres to the electrode plate 9 or 10, as shown in FIG. 4, a larger current temporarily flows immediately after the start of electrolysis, and then gradually decreases to a constant electrolytic current value. It has a transitional change that calms down. This is because scales such as calcium adhering to the anode are rapidly eluted with the start of electrolysis, and a large current flows temporarily.

  Therefore, the positive electrolysis detected when the electrolysis current reaches a stable state after a predetermined time has elapsed after applying an electrolysis voltage between the electrodes, excluding transient changes in electrolysis current due to elution of scales such as calcium. If the electrode life is determined based on the difference between the electrolytic current during the time and the electrolytic current during the reverse electrolysis, the electrode life can be determined with higher accuracy.

  As described above, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment, the electrode plate is based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when a predetermined time elapses after the electrolysis voltage is applied between the electrodes. Since the degradation state of 9 and 10 is discriminated, the electrolyzed water generating device that can judge the electrode life more accurately by excluding the transient electrolysis current change due to the elution of the scale from the electrode plate 9 or 10 from the discrimination target. Can be provided.

Example 3
Next, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to Example 3 will be described. The configuration of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of this example is the same as that of Example 1 (see FIG. 1), and detailed description of each component is omitted.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 15 uses the electrolytic current detecting means 17 for detecting the electrolytic current flowing between the electrode plates 9 and 10 and the electrode plate 9 for electrolyzing the raw water. , 10 when the electrolytic voltage is applied between the positive current value by the electrolytic current detection means 17 and the reverse electrolytic current by the electrolytic current detection means 17 when the polarity of the electrolytic voltage applied between the electrodes 9 and 10 is reversed. And a positive electrolysis reverse electrolysis current comparison means 18 for obtaining a difference from the value, and determining the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value. It is characterized in that the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 is determined based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when the flow of the raw water is stopped.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the change in the electrolysis current with respect to the change in the flow rate during water flow in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the smaller the flow rate during water flow, the easier the electrolysis current flows, and the relatively large current flows, and the greater the flow rate, the less electrolysis current flows and the relatively small current. In actual use, the flow rate may fluctuate due to fluctuations in water pressure or clogging of the water purification unit 4.

  However, as in this example, when the flow of raw water is stopped, that is, based on the difference between the electrolysis current during positive electrolysis and the electrolysis current during reverse electrolysis detected during electrode cleaning during water stoppage, the electrode life is reduced. If it determines, it will not receive to the influence of the flow volume fluctuation | variation by the fluctuation | variation of a water pressure, the clogging of the water purification part 4, etc., and it can judge an electrode lifetime more accurately by the detection of the stable electrolysis current.

  As described above, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present embodiment, the deterioration state of the electrode plates 9 and 10 based on the difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when the flow of raw water is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that can determine the electrode life more accurately even when the flow rate changes with each use.

It is a block diagram of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Example 1, when the electrode plate 9 has reached the end of its life with respect to the electrode plate 10, the change of the electrolysis current during the positive electrolysis and the electrolysis current during the reverse electrolysis with the passage of the total electrolysis time It is explanatory drawing which illustrates this. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Example 1, when the electrode plate 10 reaches the end of its life before the electrode plate 9, changes in the electrolysis current during the positive electrolysis and the electrolysis current during the reverse electrolysis with the passage of the total electrolysis time It is explanatory drawing which illustrates this. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Example 2, it is explanatory drawing which illustrates the change of the electrolysis electric current with respect to time passage immediately after electrolysis start, when the scale has adhered to the electrode plates 9 and 10. FIG. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of Example 3, it is explanatory drawing which illustrates the change of the electrolysis current with respect to the flow volume change at the time of water flow. It is a flowchart explaining the determination process of the electrode lifetime in the conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water faucet 3 Electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus main body 4 Water purification part 5 Flow rate detection means 6 Calcium supply part 7 Electrolysis tank 8 Diaphragm 9,10 Electrode plate 11 Discharge pipe 12 Discharge pipe 13 Power supply plug 14 Power supply part 15 Control part 16 Operation display section 17 Electrolytic current detection means 18 Positive electrolysis reverse electrolysis current comparison means

Claims (2)

An electrode is inserted into each of the cathode chamber and the anode chamber divided by the diaphragm, and the raw water passed through is electrolyzed to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and applied between the electrodes of the electrolytic cell. An electrolyzed water generating device that controls the electrolysis voltage, discharges one of alkaline ion water and acidic ion water generated in the electrolytic cell from a discharge pipe, and discharges the other from a discharge pipe.
The controller is
An electrolytic current detecting means for detecting an electrolytic current flowing between the electrodes;
A positive electrolysis current value by the electrolysis current detection means when an electrolysis voltage is applied between the electrodes to electrolyze the raw water, and the electrolysis current when the polarity of the electrolysis voltage applied between the electrodes is reversed Positive electrolysis reverse electrolysis current comparison means for obtaining a difference from the reverse electrolysis current value by the detection means,
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus, wherein the deterioration state of the electrode is determined based on a difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when water flow of the raw water is stopped .   The control unit determines a deterioration state of the electrode based on a difference between the positive electrolysis current value and the reverse electrolysis current value detected when a predetermined time has elapsed after applying an electrolytic voltage between the electrodes. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

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