JP5263276B2 - Sterilization water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterile water producing apparatus capable of securing safety against hydrogen generated in an electrolytic bath. <P>SOLUTION: The sterile water producing apparatus 10 includes the electrolytic bath 12 having a pair of electrodes 18 consisting of an anode and a cathode disposed therein, a controller 20 for producing the sterile water from water stored in the electrolytic bath 12 by applying voltage to the electrodes 18, a float 22 floating on the surface of the water in the electrolytic bath 12 and moving up and down in accordance with the variation of a water level in the electrolytic bath 12, a magnet member 24 disposed on the float 22, a lead switch 26 which is disposed on the upper part of the electrolytic bath 12 and switches voltage on/off for the electrodes 18 according to approach and leaving of the magnet member 24 and a hole 30 on the upper surface of the electrolytic bath 12. Preferably, a closing member 28 is disposed on the upper surface of the float 22 for closing the hole 30 when the float 22 is raised up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilizing water generator.

  Conventionally, a water heater that heats water in a tank using a heater disposed in the tank is known. In this type of water heater, the amount of water is determined based on the energization state of the electrodes disposed in the tank in order to prevent energization (so-called airing) of the heater when there is no water in the tank. . However, in the configuration of the above-described conventional apparatus in which a voltage is applied to the water in the tank, the water in the tank is electrolyzed, and hydrogen gas may be generated. Therefore, for example, in the water heater disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-176356, the flow rate detection unit is provided in the water supply port, and the flow rate signal of the flow rate detection unit is converted into the water amount and integrated to thereby add the amount of water in the tank. To figure out.

JP-A-2-176356

  By the way, as a technique for removing bacteria adhering to the inside of a pipe or the like, an apparatus that generates sterilized water containing ions is known. In this apparatus, by applying a voltage from an electrode to the raw water stored in the electrolytic cell, the raw water is ionized and used as sterilizing water. However, as in the case of the conventional water heater described above, in a device that applies a voltage to water, generation of hydrogen due to electrolysis of water becomes a problem. Specifically, in the situation where hydrogen generated by electrolysis stays in the electrolytic cell, there is a considerable risk that such hydrogen gas will explode if a discharge occurs at the electrode. For this reason, even if a shortage occurs, it is desirable to take thorough safety measures so that the generated hydrogen does not explode.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing water generating device capable of ensuring reliable safety against hydrogen generated in an electrolytic cell.

The sterilizing water generating apparatus according to the present invention generates sterilizing water from water stored in the electrolytic cell by applying a voltage to the electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode are arranged, and the electrodes. a sterilizing water producing unit, when the water level of the electrolytic cell is equal to or less than a predetermined level, comprising a voltage block device for interrupting the application of voltages to the electrodes, a hole is provided on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell, the voltage blocking The apparatus floats on the surface of the electrolytic cell and moves up and down in response to changes in the water level, a magnet member provided on the float, and an upper part of the electrolytic cell. And a reed switch that applies and cuts off the voltage to the electrode, and further includes a sealing member provided on a surface of the float that faces the upper surface of the electrolytic cell. which is characterized in that provided in the A.
Moreover, the sterilizing water generator according to the present invention includes an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode are disposed, and applying sterilization water from the water stored in the electrolytic cell by applying a voltage to the electrodes. When the sterilizing water generating means to generate and the voltage level of the voltage applied to the electrode when the water level of the electrolytic cell falls below a predetermined level, and a hole on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell, The voltage breaker is floated on the water surface of the electrolytic cell and moves up and down in response to changes in the water level, and is disposed on the top of the electrolytic cell, and supports the one end of the first member so as to be rotatable. And a magnet member provided at the other end of the first member, one end connected to the float, and the other end passed through the hole and joined to the middle of the first member so as to be freely rotatable. The second member and an electrode provided on the upper part of the electrolytic cell, and depending on the approach and separation of the magnet member , A lead switch for applying and interrupting the voltage is for comprising a.

  According to the present invention, abnormal discharge of the electrode in the electrolytic cell and stagnation of hydrogen can be suppressed, so that it is possible to ensure reliable safety against hydrogen generated in the electrolytic cell.

It is a block diagram of the sterilization water production | generation apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the sterilization water production | generation apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the sterilization water production | generation apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the sterilization water production | generation apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
[Configuration of this embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sterilizing water generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The sterilizing water production | generation apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the electrolytic vessel 12 as a sterilizing water tank. A water supply port 14 and a drain port 16 are connected to the electrolytic cell 12. Water (raw water) is introduced from the water supply port 14 and stored in the electrolytic cell 12. The raw water stored in the electrolytic cell 12 is sterilized by an operation described later, and then drained from the drain port 16 toward the sterilization target.

  The sterilizing water generating device 10 includes a pair of electrodes 18 composed of a cathode and an anode disposed inside the electrolytic cell 12 and a control device 20 (sterilizing water generating means) for applying a voltage between the electrodes 18. And are provided. In the sterilizing water generator 10 of the first embodiment, a pair of electrodes is shown in which one anode and one cathode are arranged, but a plurality of electrode pairs may be arranged. A configuration of two cathodes for one may be used as a pair of electrodes, and a plurality of pairs may be arranged. Further, the electrodes are not necessarily arranged to face each other.

  In addition, a float 22 floating in the raw water (or sterilizing water) in the electrolytic cell 12 is disposed inside the electrolytic cell 12. One end of the float 22 is rotatably connected to a support portion 42 fixed to the upper surface inside the electrolytic cell 12, and a magnet member 24 is disposed at the other end. According to such a configuration, the magnet member 24 on the other end side moves up and down according to a change in the water level in the electrolytic cell 12. In addition, a reed switch 26 is disposed on the outer space side of the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12 at a portion facing when the magnet member 24 approaches the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12. The reed switch 26 is a switch that can switch application / interruption of a voltage to the electrode 18, and functions as a voltage interrupting device that switches an energized state in accordance with the approach / separation of the magnet member 24.

  Further, in the sterilizing water generator 10 shown in FIG. 1, a sealing material 28 is disposed on the upper surface side of the float 22 (that is, the side in contact with the upper surface inside the electrolytic cell 12). In addition, a hole 30 is provided in a portion facing the sealing material 28 on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12. According to such a configuration, the sealing material 28 comes into close contact with the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12 due to the rise in the water level of the electrolytic cell 12, and the hole 30 is sealed.

[Operation of this embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 1, operation | movement of the sterilizing water production | generation apparatus of this embodiment provided with the structure demonstrated above is demonstrated. First, when the water supply port 14 is opened with the drain port 16 closed, the raw water flows into the electrolytic cell 12. When a voltage is applied from the electrode 18 to the raw water in the electrolytic cell 12, the raw water is ionized to produce sterilized water. The generated sterilized water is introduced into a pipe to be sterilized by opening the drain port 16.

  Here, the sterilizing water generator 10 of the first embodiment has a water level detection function by the float 22 and the like, and an energization control function by the reed switch 26 and the like. Specifically, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 12 rises and the magnet member 24 disposed in the float 22 approaches the reed switch 26, the reed switch 26 turns the energized state of the electrode 18 from the interrupted state to the energized state. A signal for switching to the state is transmitted to the control device 20. The energization permission water level at this time is preferably adjusted to a water level in a range where the electrode 18 is completely submerged. Thereby, even if it is a case where the holding defect generate | occur | produces, for example in the electrode 18, the situation which abnormal discharge generate | occur | produces and the hydrogen gas in the electrolytic cell 12 explodes can be suppressed effectively.

  Further, in the sterilizing water generator 10 of the first embodiment, a hole 30 is provided in the upper part of the electrolytic cell 12. Hydrogen gas generated in the electrolytic cell 12 by electrolysis of water diffuses from the hole 30 to the external space. For this reason, for example, even if an unexpected discharge occurs in the electrode 18, a situation in which a hydrogen explosion occurs in the electrolytic cell 12 can be effectively suppressed. The hole 30 is sealed with the sealing material 28 by the rise of the water level in the electrolytic cell 12. For this reason, when introducing raw water from the water supply port 14, the situation where raw water flows out of the hole 30 to the outside can be effectively avoided. Further, when electrolysis of water proceeds by energization of the electrode 18, the water level is lowered accordingly, and the hole 30 is opened. For this reason, this sealing mechanism does not interfere with the discharge of the generated hydrogen gas.

  As described above, according to the sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment, (1) the electrode 18 is energized while being exposed to the atmosphere in the electrolytic cell 12 due to an abnormality in the water level detection function or the energization control function. The following three problems are not accidentally overlapped: (2) occurrence of abnormal discharge due to poor holding of the electrode 18, and (3) retention of hydrogen in the electrolytic cell 12 due to abnormality in the sealing mechanism of the hole 30. As long as there is no risk of hydrogen explosion. This makes it possible to obtain a highly safe sterilizing water generator.

  By the way, in the sterilizing water production | generation apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, although the specific structure of the hole 30 is not mentioned, if provided in the range which can be sealed with the sealing material 28, the hole diameter, position The quantity and the like are not particularly limited.

  Moreover, in the sterilizing water production | generation apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, the water level of the electrolytic cell 12 is detected using the magnet member 24 attached to the float 22 and the reed switch 26 which detects the approach of the said magnet member 24. However, other known water level detection means may be used.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
[Features of Embodiment 2]
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that a polymer film is provided instead of the configuration of the hole 30 and the sealing member 28 shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment includes a polymer film 32 on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12. The polymer film 32 functions as a film that allows hydrogen gas molecules to pass through without passing through water molecules. According to such a configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent the water in the electrolytic cell 12 from flowing out while diffusing hydrogen generated by electrolysis of water to the outside. The arrangement of the polymer film 32 is not particularly limited as long as it is arranged on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12. For this reason, according to the sterilizing water production | generation apparatus 10 of this Embodiment, the freedom degree of apparatus design can be raised effectively.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
[Features of Embodiment 3]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the support portion 42 of the float 22 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged outside the electrolytic cell 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment, the support part 42 is disposed on the outer side of the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 12, and one end of the first member 40 is the support part. 42 is rotatably fixed. A magnet member 24 is attached to the other end of the first member 40. Furthermore, one end of a second member 44 is attached to the float 22 vertically upward. The second member 44 penetrates the hole 30 and protrudes to the outside of the electrolytic cell 12, and its multiple ends are fixed to the middle of the first member 40 so as to be rotatable. According to such a configuration, the magnet member 24 rises as the water level of the electrolytic cell 12 rises. The position of the reed switch 26 is adjusted so that the approach of the magnet member 24 is detected when the water level of the electrolytic cell 12 reaches a predetermined energization permission water level (that is, the water level at which the electrode 18 is submerged). .

  According to the sterilizing water generator 10 shown in FIG. 3, since the rotating part such as the support part 42 is arranged outside the electrolytic cell 12, it is possible to avoid a situation where the part is exposed to water. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress a situation in which operation failure occurs due to corrosion of the support portion 42 or adhesion of foreign matter.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
[Features of Embodiment 4]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment is characterized by the shape of the electrolytic cell 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the sterilizing water generator 10 of the present embodiment, in the electrolytic cell 12, the first space part 121 located on the vertically lower side and the vertically upper side of the first space part are located. The second space portion 122 has a horizontal cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first space portion 121. The float 22 is configured to have a size that can move up and down in the second space 122.

  According to such a configuration, when the water surface of the electrolytic cell 12 is in the second space 122, the change in the water level with respect to the decrease in water increases. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the water level can be effectively increased, and the holes 30 can be quickly opened to diffuse hydrogen to the outside.

  In the sterilizing water generator 10 shown in FIG. 4, the wall surface 123 that connects the first space 121 and the second space 122 is inclined toward the second space 122. As a result, the hydrogen gas generated in the electrode 18 can be effectively collected in the second space 122 and escaped from the hole 30 to the outside.

  By the way, in the sterilizing water production | generation apparatus 10 of Embodiment 4 mentioned above, although it is supposed that the structure which equips the exterior of the electrolytic cell 12 with the support part 42 similarly to the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, it is the same as the apparatus shown in FIG. Further, the support portion 42 may be provided inside the electrolytic cell 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sterilization water production | generation apparatus 12 Electrolysis tank 18 Electrode 20 Control apparatus 22 Float 24 Magnet member 26 Reed switch 28 Sealing member 30 Hole 32 Polymer film 40 1st member 42 Support part 44 2nd member 121 1st space part
122 2nd space part
123 Wall

Claims (5)

An electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode are disposed;
Sterilizing water generating means for generating sterilizing water from water stored in the electrolytic cell by applying a voltage to the electrode;
A voltage cutoff device that shuts off the application of voltage to the electrode when the water level of the electrolytic cell is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level, and
A hole is provided on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell ,
The voltage breaker is
A float that floats on the surface of the electrolytic cell and moves up and down in response to changes in the water level;
A magnet member provided in the float;
A reed switch that is provided in the upper part of the electrolytic cell and that applies and cuts off the voltage to the electrode in accordance with the approach and separation of the magnet member;
A sealing member provided on a surface of the float facing the upper surface of the electrolytic cell;
The said hole is provided in the site | part facing the said sealing member, The sterilization water production | generation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned . An electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode are disposed;
Sterilizing water generating means for generating sterilizing water from water stored in the electrolytic cell by applying a voltage to the electrode;
A voltage cutoff device that shuts off the application of voltage to the electrode when the water level of the electrolytic cell is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level, and
A hole is provided on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell,
The voltage breaker is
A float that floats on the surface of the electrolytic cell and moves up and down in response to changes in the water level;
A support part disposed at the top of the electrolytic cell and rotatably supporting one end of the first member;
A magnet member provided at the other end of the first member;
A second member having one end connected to the float and the other end pivotally joined in the middle of the first member through the hole;
A reed switch that is provided in the upper part of the electrolytic cell and that applies and cuts off the voltage to the electrode in accordance with the approach and separation of the magnet member;
Bacteriostatic water generator killing you comprising a.   A sealing member provided on a surface of the float facing the upper surface of the electrolytic cell;
  The sterilizing water generating device according to claim 2, wherein the hole is provided in a portion facing the sealing member. The electrolytic cell has a first space portion and a second space portion positioned vertically above the first space portion, and a horizontal sectional area of the second space is The sterilizing water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sterilizing water generating device is smaller than that of the first space. The sterilizing water generator according to claim 4 , wherein a wall surface connecting the first space part and the second space part is provided with an inclination toward the second space part.

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