JP5871166B2 - Metal ion water generator and toilet device - Google Patents

Description

  Aspects of the present invention generally relate to metal ion water generators and toilet devices.

For example, there are cases where it is necessary to remove scales or suppress the scales from adhering to devices and equipment around the water.
For example, when the bowl surface of a urinal or urinal is washed with washing water and the residual water remaining on the bowl surface evaporates and the bowl surface dries, scales may adhere to the bowl surface. If scale adheres to the bowl surface, the bowl surface becomes dirty. Moreover, since the scale adheres firmly to the bowl surface, it is difficult to remove the scale. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for suppressing the generation of scale or a technique that can easily remove the scale even when the scale adheres to the bowl surface.

  For example, a technique using acidic water having a bactericidal action is known (Patent Document 1). However, the silicate component scale adheres more firmly to the toilet bowl glaze than calcium, magnesium, and other scales. For this reason, as a result of studies by the present inventors, it has been found that there is a problem that it is difficult to remove scale or suppress the generation of scale with simple acidic water.

  In contrast, a metal ion that suppresses the polymerization of soluble silicic acid in the residual water remaining on the surface of the toilet bowl after washing the toilet bowl is added to the residual water in a sterilizing acidic water to add to the residual water surface. It has been found that it is possible to suppress the formation of scales that adhere firmly to the surface. As one method for generating acidic water to which metal ions are added, for example, acidic water is generated by an electrolytic cell described in Patent Document 1, and the metal is immersed in the generated acidic water so that the metal is added to the acidic water. A method of dissolving can be considered.

  However, this method has a limit on the acidity (pH) of acidic water that can be generated by the electrolytic cell. In addition, if the metal is dissolved using the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell until the metal elution reaches equilibrium, the metal ion concentration becomes a concentration that can suppress the scale of the silicate component, while the metal dissolves. As a result, the acidity of the acidic water increases. That is, the acidity of the acidic water changes to the neutral side. Then, there exists a problem that the acidity of acidic water will remove | deviate from the optimal acidity which suppresses the scale of a silicic acid component, and it is not enough to suppress the scale of a silicic acid component with the acid water as it is. This problem is similar to the scale of other watering devices and equipment.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-78658

  The present invention has been made based on recognition of such a problem, and provides a metal ion water generating device and a toilet device capable of generating metal ion water having a desired metal ion concentration and a desired acidity. With the goal.

  1st invention is the acidic water production | generation system which produces | generates acidic water, the metal ion water production | generation system which dissolves a metal using the acidic water produced | generated by the said acidic water production | generation system, and produces | generates metal ion water, An acidity adjustment system for changing the acidity of the metal ion water generated by the metal ion water generation system to an acid side, and a supply means for supplying the metal ion water whose acidity is adjusted by the acidity adjustment system; And a metal ion water generator.

  According to this metal ion water generating device, even if the acidity of acid water changes to the neutral side as the metal dissolves, metal ion water that satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and the optimum value of the acidity can be obtained. Can be generated. That is, metal ion water having a desired metal ion concentration and desired acidity can be generated. Thereby, for example, it is possible to exhibit a higher adhesion suppression effect and removal effect against scales of silicic acid components.

  Moreover, 2nd invention is 1st invention. WHEREIN: The said acidity adjustment system adds the acidic water produced | generated by the said acidic water production | generation system to the said metal ionic water produced | generated by the said metal ion water production | generation system. This is a metal ion water generator.

  According to this metal ion water production | generation apparatus, the acid water produced | generated by the acid water production | generation system is added to the metal ion water produced | generated by the metal ion water production | generation system, and a metal ion concentration and acidity are adjusted. Therefore, metal ion water that satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and the acidity can be generated by a simpler method.

  Moreover, 3rd invention is a metal ion water production | generation apparatus characterized by the said acidic water production | generation system producing | generating the said acidic water by cation exchange resin in 2nd invention.

  According to this metal ion water generator, acidic water having a stable acidity can be generated. In other words, since a cation exchange resin with little variation in acidity due to the quality of tap water is used, acidic water with stable acidity can be generated. Moreover, since acidic water with a stable acidity is supplied to the metal ion water generation system, the metal can be dissolved stably.

  Moreover, 4th invention is a metal ion water production | generation apparatus characterized by the said acidic water production | generation system producing | generating the said acidic water by electrolysis in 2nd invention.

  According to this metal ion water production | generation apparatus, the enlargement of an apparatus can be suppressed by using an electrolysis system compared with the case where a cation exchange resin is used. In addition, the maintenance frequency can be reduced. In addition, the life can be extended.

  The fifth invention is the metal according to the fourth invention, wherein the amount of the acid water added to the metal ion water by the acidity adjustment system is smaller than the amount of the metal ion water. Ion water generator.

  In general, the acidity of acidic water produced by an electrolysis system varies depending on the quality of the supplied tap water or the like. And when the acidity of the acidic water produced is higher, the amount of metal dissolved is reduced. For this reason, the metal ion concentration of the generated metal ion water is slightly higher than the optimum value. Therefore, when acidic water is added excessively, the metal ion concentration may be lower than the optimum value.

  On the other hand, according to this metal ion water production | generation apparatus, the quantity of the acidic water added to metal ion water by an acidity adjustment system is smaller than the quantity of the metal ion water. Therefore, even in a situation where acidic water with higher acidity is generated, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the metal ion concentration as much as possible. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the loss of the adhesion suppression effect and the removal effect on the scale of the silicate component.

  Moreover, 6th invention is further provided with the storage means which temporarily stores the metal ion water produced | generated by the said metal ion water production | generation system in any one of 2nd-5th invention, The said acidity adjustment The system is a metal ion water generator characterized in that the acid water is added at a constant ratio to the metal ion water stored in the storage means.

  According to this metal ion water generator, metal ion water having a constant metal ion concentration and a constant acidity is supplied to the object. Therefore, regardless of the frequency of use of the metal ion water generator, it is possible to exhibit a more stable adhesion suppression effect and removal effect against, for example, scales of silicic acid components.

  In addition, in a seventh invention according to any one of the second to fifth inventions, the acidity adjustment system is dissolved in the metal ion water generation system when the supply means supplies the metal ion water. It is a metal ion water production | generation apparatus characterized by adjusting the ratio of the said acidic water addition according to time.

  According to this metal ion water generator, since the addition ratio of acidic water is adjusted according to the dissolution time of metal, acidic water is excessively added, and metal ion water having an extremely low metal ion concentration is supplied. This can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the loss of the adhesion suppression effect and the removal effect on the scale of the silicate component.

  Moreover, 8th invention is provided with the toilet bowl which has a bowl, and the metal ion water production | generation apparatus concerning any one invention of 1st-7th, The said supply means supplies at least to the surface of the said bowl This is a toilet device.

  According to this toilet device, even when the acidity of acid water changes to neutral as the metal dissolves, it generates metal ion water that satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and acidity. Can do. That is, metal ion water having a desired metal ion concentration and desired acidity can be generated. Thereby, the higher adhesion suppression effect and removal effect with respect to the scale of a silicic acid component can be exhibited.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the aspect of this invention, the metal ion water production | generation apparatus and toilet apparatus which can produce | generate the metal ion water which has a desired metal ion concentration and desired acidity are provided.

It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the metal ion water production | generation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a typical schematic diagram showing the outline of operation of the metal ion water generating device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the metal ion water production | generation apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing showing the specific example of the acidic water generating apparatus of this embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing showing the other specific example of the acidic water generating apparatus of this embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing showing the specific example of the metal ion addition apparatus of this embodiment. It is typical sectional drawing showing the other specific example of the metal ion addition apparatus of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing the toilet apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the toilet apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates an example of the time change of the metal ion concentration and acidity in a metal ion water production | generation apparatus. It is a graph which illustrates an example of the time change and mixing amount of a metal ion concentration.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a metal ion water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, FIG. 1 represents together the principal part structure of the waterway system and the electrical system.

  The metal ion water production | generation apparatus 100 of this embodiment is the 1st flow path 101, the 2nd flow path (acidity adjustment system) 102, the valve | bulb 110, and the acidic water production | generation apparatus (acidic water production system) 120. , A metal ion addition device (metal ion water generation system) 130, a supply means 140, and a control device 180.

  The first channel 101 guides water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) to the supply unit 140. The valve 110 is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, for example. The valve 110 is provided on the upstream side of the first flow path 101, and controls the supply of water based on a command from the control device 180. The acidic water generator 120 is provided on the downstream side of the valve 110 and generates acidic water. The acidic water generator 120 will be described in detail later.

The metal ion adding device 130 is provided on the downstream side of the acidic water generating device 120. The metal ion adding device 130 uses the acidic water generated by the acidic water generating device 120 to dissolve the metal, and adds the metal ions to the acidic water. Thereby, metal ion water to which metal ions are added is generated. The metal ion adding device 130 will be described in detail later. The supply means 140 is provided on the downstream side of the metal ion addition device 130 and can supply metal ion water to the object.
In the specification of the present application, “gradual dissolution” means that in a normal use mode, the metal ion adding device 130 supplies metal ion water having a predetermined concentration for 30 days without replacing or adding a metal serving as a metal ion source. This is the generation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first flow channel 101 has a second flow channel 102 and a metal ion addition device 130 on the downstream side of the acidic water generation device 120 and the upstream side of the metal ion addition device 130. And a flow path (first flow path 101) heading toward this side. In addition, the 1st flow path 101 may be branched in the acidic water production | generation apparatus 120 into the 2nd flow path 102 and the flow path which goes to the metal ion addition apparatus 130 side. The second flow path 102 is connected to the first flow path 101 on the downstream side of the metal ion addition device 130 and the upstream side of the supply means 140.

  Here, when the metal ion adding device 130 uses the acidic water generated by the acidic water generating device 120 until the metal elution reaches an equilibrium and dissolves the metal, the metal ion concentration becomes a desired concentration, while the metal ion concentration becomes the desired concentration. As the water dissolves, the acidity of the acidic water increases. That is, the acidity of acidic water changes or transitions to the neutral side. Then, metal ion water having a desired acidity may not be obtained.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the second flow path 102 is a first flow path downstream of the metal ion addition apparatus 130 from a part of the acidic water generated by the acidic water generation apparatus 120. 101 to join the metal ion water generated by the metal ion addition device 130. That is, the second flow path 102 adds a part of the acidic water generated by the acidic water generator 120 to the metal ion water generated by the metal ion adder 130. Thereby, the acidity (pH) of the metal ion water produced | generated by the metal ion addition apparatus 130 can be changed or changed to the acidic side.

This will be further described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the operation of the metal ion water generator according to the present embodiment.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the second flow path 102 joins part of the acidic water generated by the acidic water generation device 120 with the metal ion water generated by the metal ion addition device 130.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the metal ion water generating device 100 according to the present embodiment is acidic water generated by the acid water generating device 120 and has an acidity of about pH 3.5 and a metal ion concentration of about 100. Acid water of about 0 ppm (parts per million) is metal ion water produced by the metal ion addition device 130 and having an acidity of about pH 4.5 and a metal ion concentration of about 4.5 ppm. Add to. The ratio of the amount of acid water generated by the acidic water generator 120 and the metal ion water generated by the metal ion adder 130 (ratio of mixing amount) is, for example, about 1: 2.

  Then, the acidity of the metal ion water after mixing becomes about pH 4.0. In this way, the acidity of the metal ion water before mixing can be changed from about pH 4.5 to about 4.0, that is, to the acidic side. Moreover, the metal ion concentration of the mixed metal ion water is about 3.0 ppm. The ratio of the acidity, the metal ion concentration, and the mixing amount shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and is not limited to this.

  According to this embodiment, even if the acidity of the acidic water changes to the neutral side as the metal dissolves, the metal ion water generator 100 satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and the optimum value of the acidity. Metal ion water can be produced. That is, the metal ion water production | generation apparatus 100 concerning this embodiment can produce | generate the metal ion water which has a desired metal ion concentration and desired acidity. Thereby, for example, it is possible to exhibit a higher adhesion suppression effect and removal effect against scales of silicic acid components. In addition, the second flow path 102 adds a part of the acidic water generated by the acidic water generation device 120 to the metal ion water generated by the metal ion addition device 130 to adjust the metal ion concentration and acidity. . Therefore, metal ion water that satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and the acidity can be generated by a simpler method.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a metal ion water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The metal ion water generating device 100a illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a pump (acidity adjusting system) 160 instead of the second flow path 102 illustrated in FIG. In addition, the metal ion water generator 100 a according to the present embodiment includes a first tank 150. The first tank 150 can temporarily store the acidic water generated by the acidic water generator 120. Moreover, the metal ion addition apparatus 130 of this embodiment has the 2nd tank (storage means) 131 which can store temporarily the metal ion water which dissolved the metal and added the metal ion to acidic water. The second tank 131 may be provided as a separate body from the metal ion addition device 130. Other structures are the same as those of the metal ion water generating apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG.

  As indicated by the arrow A1 shown in FIG. 3, the acidic water generated by the acidic water generator 120 is guided to the first tank 150 and temporarily stored. When the amount of acidic water stored in the first tank 150 exceeds a predetermined amount, the acidic water stored in the first tank 150 overflows as shown by an arrow A2 in FIG. It is guided to the ion addition device 130. Thereby, the metal ion addition apparatus 130 uses the acidic water produced | generated by the acidic water production | generation apparatus 120, dissolves a metal, and adds a metal ion to acidic water. The metal ion water generated by the metal ion addition device 130 is temporarily stored in the second tank 131.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pump 160 uses the acid water stored in the first tank 150 and the metal ion water stored in the second tank 131 based on a command from the control device 180. Suck up and mix at a constant rate. In other words, the pump 160 adds the acidic water stored in the first tank 150 at a constant ratio to the metal ion water stored in the second tank. The ratio of the mixing amount or the addition ratio of acidic water is, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. Subsequently, the pump 160 guides the mixed metal ion water to the supply unit 140. And the supply means 140 supplies metal ion water to a target object.

  According to this embodiment, metal ion water having a constant metal ion concentration and a constant acidity is supplied to the object. Therefore, regardless of the frequency of use of the metal ion water generating device 100a, it is possible to exhibit a more stable adhesion suppressing effect and removing effect, for example, against scales of silicic acid components.

  Alternatively, the pump 160 may change the addition ratio of the acidic water stored in the first tank 150 for each supply of metal ion water by the supply unit 140 based on a command from the control device 180. Specifically, the pump 160 determines the addition rate of the acidic water stored in the first tank 150 according to the metal dissolution time in the metal ion addition device 130 when the supply unit 140 supplies the metal ion water. You may adjust.

For example, when the frequency of use of the metal ion water generator 100a is higher, the amount of dissolved metal is smaller because the dissolution time is shorter. That is, the metal ion concentration is lower. Therefore, in this case, the control device 180 sets the addition rate of acidic water by the pump 160 to be lower. Or the control apparatus 180 sets the addition rate of the acidic water by the pump 160 to zero.
On the other hand, when the frequency of use of the metal ion water generating device 100a is lower, the amount of dissolved metal is larger because the dissolution time is longer. That is, the metal ion concentration is higher. Therefore, in this case, control device 180 sets the rate of addition of acidic water by pump 160 to be higher.

  According to this, since the addition ratio of acidic water is adjusted according to the dissolution time of metal, it is suppressed that acidic water is excessively added and metal ion water having an extremely low metal ion concentration is supplied. Can do. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the loss of the adhesion suppression effect and the removal effect on the scale of the silicate component.

  In addition, although the metal ion water production | generation apparatus 100a represented to FIG. 3 is provided with the one pump 160, the number of the pumps 160 with which the metal ion water production | generation apparatus 100a is provided is not necessarily limited only to this. For example, the metal ion water generating device 100a includes a first pump that sucks up acidic water stored in the first tank 150, and a second pump that sucks up metal ion water stored in the second tank 131. You may have. In this case, the control device 180 controls the operations of the first pump and the second pump, respectively, to set the addition rate of the acidic water constant, or to the addition rate of the acidic water according to the dissolution time of the metal To change.

Next, a specific example of the acidic water generator 120 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a specific example of the acidic water generator of this embodiment.

The acidic water generator 120 of this specific example is a cation exchange resin system 120a.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cation exchange resin system 120 a of this specific example includes a housing 121 and a cation exchange resin 123 provided inside the housing 121. The cation exchange resin 123 exchanges cations contained in water or a solution supplied from a water supply source via the valve 110 with hydrogen ions contained therein, and releases hydrogen ions. In this way, the cation exchange resin system 120a exchanges cations derived from the water supply source with hydrogen ions, generates acidic water, and discharges it downstream.

  When the cation exchange resin system 120a of this specific example is used as the acidic water generator 120, acidic water with stable acidity can be generated. That is, since the cation exchange resin system 120a of this specific example has the cation exchange resin 123 with little variation in acidity due to the quality of tap water, it is possible to generate acid water with stable acidity. In addition, since acidic water having a stable acidity is supplied to the metal ion addition device 130 on the downstream side, the metal can be stably dissolved.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another specific example of the acidic water generator of the present embodiment.
The acidic water production | generation apparatus 120 of this specific example is the electrolytic vessel 120b.
As shown in FIG. 5, the electrolytic cell 120 b of this specific example has an anode plate 124 and a cathode plate 125 therein, and the anode plate 124, the cathode plate 125, It is possible to electrolyze tap water flowing through the space (flow path). At this time, acid (H ⁺ ) is consumed in the cathode plate 125, and the pH increases in the vicinity of the cathode plate 125. That is, alkaline water is generated in the vicinity of the cathode plate 125. On the other hand, alkali (OH ⁻ ) is consumed in the anode plate 124, and the pH decreases in the vicinity of the anode plate 124. That is, acidic water is generated in the vicinity of the anode plate 124. Thus, the electrolytic cell 120b discharges the acidic water generated in the vicinity of the anode plate 124 to the downstream side.

  When the electrolytic cell 120b of this specific example is used as the acidic water generator 120, the use of an electrolysis system can suppress an increase in size of the apparatus as compared with the cation exchange resin system 120a. In addition, the maintenance frequency can be reduced. In addition, the life can be extended.

  Further, when the electrolytic cell 120b of this specific example is used as the acidic water generating device 120, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, metal ions are generated by the acidity adjustment system (second flow path 102, pump 160). The amount of acidic water added to the water is less than the amount of the metal ion water.

  In general, the acidity of acidic water produced by an electrolysis system varies depending on the quality of the supplied tap water or the like. And when the acidity of the acidic water produced is higher, the amount of metal dissolved is reduced. For this reason, the metal ion concentration of the generated metal ion water is slightly higher than the optimum value. Therefore, when acidic water is added excessively, the metal ion concentration may be lower than the optimum value.

  On the other hand, according to this example, the amount of acidic water added to the metal ion water by the acidity adjustment system is made smaller than the amount of metal ion water. Therefore, even in a situation where acidic water with higher acidity is generated, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the metal ion concentration as much as possible. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the loss of the adhesion suppression effect and the removal effect on the scale of the silicate component.

Next, a specific example of the metal ion adding apparatus 130 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a specific example of the metal ion addition apparatus of the present embodiment.
The metal ion adding apparatus 130a of this specific example is used in the metal ion water generating apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the metal ion adding device 130 a of this specific example includes a housing 133 and a metal 134 installed in the housing 133. Examples of the metal 134 include aluminum. The acidic water supplied from the acidic water generator 120 is guided into the housing 133. And the metal 134 installed in the housing | casing 133 will be in the state immersed in the acidic water guide | induced in the housing | casing 133. FIG.

Then, the metal 134 immersed in acidic water dissolves (slow dissolution) over a period of time. Thereby, the acidic water in the housing 133 becomes acidic water containing metal ions. That is, in the metal ion adding device 130a, acidic water (metal ion water) containing metal ions is generated. The generated metal ion water is pushed out by the acid water newly introduced into the casing 133 and discharged to the downstream side (the supply means 140 side).
In the specification of the present application, “gradual dissolution” means that in a normal use mode, the metal ion adding device 130 supplies metal ion water having a predetermined concentration for 30 days without replacing or adding a metal serving as a metal ion source. This is the generation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another specific example of the metal ion addition apparatus of the present embodiment.
The metal ion adding device 130b of this specific example is used in the metal ion water generating device 100a described above with reference to FIG. 3, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the metal ion adding device 130 b of this specific example includes a tank 135 and a metal 136 installed in the tank 135. Examples of the metal 136 include aluminum. The acidic water supplied from the acidic water generator 120 is stored in the tank 135. The metal 136 installed in the tank 135 is immersed in the acid water stored in the tank 135.

  Then, the metal 136 immersed in acidic water dissolves (slow dissolution) over, for example, about 1 to 2 hours. Thereby, the acidic water in the tank 135 becomes acidic water containing metal ions. That is, acidic water containing metal ions is generated in the metal ion adding device 130b. The generated metal ion water is sucked up from the tank 135 by a pump 160 (see FIG. 3) and guided to the downstream side (the supply means 140 side).

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, in FIG. 8, the schematic diagram showing a sanitary washing apparatus is a typical top view for convenience of explanation, and the schematic diagram showing a western-style seat toilet is a schematic sectional view.

  The toilet apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 8 includes a western-style seat toilet (hereinafter simply referred to as “toilet” for convenience of explanation) 800 and a sanitary washing device 500 provided thereon. The toilet bowl 800 has a bowl 801. The sanitary washing device 500 includes a casing 400, a toilet seat 200, and a toilet lid 300. The toilet seat 200 and the toilet lid 300 are pivotally supported with respect to the casing 400 so as to be freely opened and closed. Note that the toilet lid 300 is not necessarily provided.

For example, a spray nozzle (supply means) 140 that supplies water or sterilized water to the surface of the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800 is provided at the lower portion of the casing 400. The spray nozzle 140 may be provided inside the casing 400 or may be attached outside the casing 400. Inside the casing 400, the metal ion water generator 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 is provided. In addition, the metal ion water production | generation apparatus provided in the inside of the casing 400 may be the metal ion water production | generation apparatus 100a mentioned above regarding FIG.
In the present specification, “water” includes not only cold water but also heated hot water.

  Here, when the residual water remaining in the bowl 801 evaporates after the toilet cleaning operation is completed and the surface of the bowl 801 is dried, scale may adhere to the bowl 801. Usually, when the concentration of silicic acid increases in the process of evaporating water in the residual water, polymerization of silicic acid is promoted. This causes a coffee stain phenomenon (a phenomenon in which the solute flows to the outer periphery of the droplet due to the evaporation of the solvent in the droplet and accumulates in a ring shape), thereby forming a strong scale. When the water scale adheres to the bowl 801, the bowl 801 becomes dirty. Further, since the scale adheres firmly to the bowl 801, it is difficult to remove the scale.

  On the other hand, the toilet apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment generates metal ion water having a desired metal ion concentration and a desired acidity and adds it to the remaining water remaining in the bowl 801. In other words, the toilet apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment replaces the remaining water remaining in the bowl 801 with an aqueous solution having a high acidity containing metal ions. According to this, the polymerization of silicic acid can be suppressed and the generation of scale can be suppressed. Further, the generated scale can be easily removed.

The reason why these effects can be obtained is as follows. However, this is an assumption or a hypothesis based on the knowledge obtained by the present inventor, and is not limited to this in the present embodiment.
When the acidity of the residual water is increased, the progress of the polymerization of silicic acid in the residual water can be suppressed. Then, even if the solute concentration increased in the process of evaporating the water, the coffee stain phenomenon did not occur, and the phenomenon of the solvent flowing in the central direction was observed. And it was confirmed that the adhesion between the generated scale and the substrate is small, and the scale is easily peeled off. Further, the effect that the generation of scale is suppressed and the generated scale can be easily removed is obtained not only for the scale of the silicate component but also for the scale of the calcium ion component or the magnesium ion component.

The acidity of the acidic water is, for example, about pH 4 or less. If it is acidic water which has the acidity of this range, the production | generation of acidic water is possible with the electrolytic vessel which electrolyzes water. Therefore, for example, maintenance such as replenishment of medicine becomes unnecessary.
Moreover, when adding a metal ion to acidic water, the metal ion contained in acidic water is an aluminum ion (Al3 ⁺ ), a copper ion (Cu2 ⁺ ), etc., for example. When such metal ions are added to acidic water, they intervene between silicic acid (SiO ₂ ) molecules in the generated scale. When water is supplied by washing or the like, metal ions are eluted. Then, it is considered that the silicic acid aggregate becomes more brittle and the scale can be easily removed. The concentration of metal ions is about 3 ppm or more.

Next, the toilet apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the toilet apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In addition, FIG. 9 represents together the principal part structure of the waterway system and the electrical system.
In this embodiment, the case where the toilet apparatus 10 includes the metal ion water generation apparatus 100a illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sanitary washing device 500 included in the toilet device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the main flow path 23 that guides the water supplied from the water supply means 401 to the buttocks washing nozzle 439 and the spray nozzle 140. A valve 413 and a heat exchanger unit 415 are provided on the upstream side of the main flow path 23. The valve 413 is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, and controls the supply of water based on a command from the control device 180 provided inside the casing 400. The heat exchanger unit 415 has a hot water heater (not shown), and heats the supplied water to make predetermined hot water.

  A first flow path switching valve 417 is provided downstream of the valve 413 and the heat exchanger unit 415. The first flow path switching valve 417 performs opening / closing and switching of water supply to the buttocks washing nozzle 439 and the spray nozzle 140. The main flow path 23 includes a flow path (main flow path 23) that guides cleaning water and the like to the buttocks cleaning nozzle 439 and a first flow that guides cleaning water and acidic water to the spray nozzle 140 by the first flow path switching valve 417. Branch to the road 101.

  On the upstream side of the first flow path 101, the metal ion water generating device 100a described above with reference to FIG. 3 is provided. However, the metal ion water generator of this embodiment is not limited to the metal ion water generator 100a described above with reference to FIG. 3, and may be the metal ion water generator 100 described above with reference to FIG. A second flow path switching valve 431 is provided on the downstream side of the acidic water generator 120 and the upstream side of the first tank 150.

In the present embodiment, the second flow path switching valve 431 directly discharges the alkaline water supplied from the acidic water generator 120 to the drain pipe 807 of the toilet bowl 800. According to this, alkaline water does not contact the surface of the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800. Therefore, it can suppress that alkaline water reduces the bactericidal action of acidic water.
Or the 2nd flow-path switching valve 431 may flow the alkaline water supplied from the acidic water production | generation apparatus 120 to the toilet bowl 800 within the range which does not inhibit the scale suppression effect of this embodiment.

  Further, the second flow path switching valve 431 guides the acidic water supplied from the acidic water generator 120 to the first tank 150. Subsequently, the flow until the acidic water stored in the first tank 150 is guided to the spray nozzle 140 is as described above with reference to FIG. Subsequently, the spray nozzle 140 sprays the acidic water supplied from the flow rate adjustment valve 437 to the bowl 801.

  On the other hand, the cleaning water guided to the flow path (main flow path 23) on the side of the buttocks cleaning nozzle 439 in the first flow path switching valve 417 is guided to the buttocks cleaning nozzle 439 via the electromagnetic pump 435 and the flow rate adjustment valve 437. It is burned. Then, the washing water is jetted from a water outlet (not shown) provided in the butt washing nozzle 439 toward the “butt” of the user seated on the toilet seat 200.

  According to this embodiment, even if the acidity of acidic water changes to a neutral side with the slow dissolution of the metal, the toilet apparatus 10 is a metal that satisfies the optimum value of the metal ion concentration and the acidity. Ionized water can be generated. That is, the toilet apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can generate metal ion water having a desired metal ion concentration and a desired acidity. Thereby, for example, it is possible to exhibit a higher adhesion suppression effect and removal effect against scales of silicic acid components.

Next, an example of the result of examination by the present inventor will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating an example of a temporal change in metal ion concentration and acidity in the metal ion water generator.

The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 10 represents elapsed time (H: time). The vertical axis on the left side of the graph shown in FIG. 10 represents the aluminum ion concentration (ppm). The vertical axis on the right side of the graph shown in FIG. 10 represents the acidity (pH).
Further, the bar graph in the graph shown in FIG. 10 represents the aluminum ion concentration. The line graph and plot in the graph shown in FIG. 10 represent acidity.

  In the present study, the inventors set the weight of aluminum to 30 grams (g) and the amount of acidic water to be immersed to 100 cubic centimeters (cc). The relationship between the elapsed time after the aluminum is immersed in acidic water and the change in the aluminum ion concentration and acidity is as shown in the graph of FIG.

According to this, the aluminum ion concentration becomes higher as time passes, and when the elapsed time (gradual dissolution time) is about 4 to 6 hours, it becomes a desired concentration (for example, about 3 ppm or more). When the elapsed time (slow dissolution time) is about 4 to 6 hours, the aluminum elution almost reaches equilibrium.
On the other hand, the acidity increases as time elapses, and when the elapsed time reaches about 4 to 6 hours, it deviates from a desired acidity (for example, about pH 4 or less). That is, the acidity of the acidic water is changing to the neutral side.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating an example of the temporal change in the metal ion concentration and the mixing amount. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 11 represents elapsed time (arbitrary unit). The vertical axis on the left side of the graph shown in FIG. 11 represents the aluminum ion concentration (ppm). The vertical axis on the right side of the graph shown in FIG. 11 represents the ratio of the mixing amount of acidic water and aluminum ion water.
Moreover, the broken line and plot in the graph represented to FIG. 11 represent the aluminum ion concentration before mixing acidic water and aluminum ion water. The bar graph in the graph shown in FIG. 10 represents the ratio of the mixing amount of acidic water and aluminum ion water.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 10, the aluminum ion concentration before the acidic water is mixed with the aluminum ion water increases with time. Here, as a result of the study by the present inventor, the ratio of the mixing amount for making the acidity of the aluminum ion water pH 4 or less while maintaining the aluminum ion concentration at 3 ppm or more in each elapsed time is shown in FIG. It looks like a bar graph.

  That is, for example, when the aluminum ion concentration is about 4.3 ppm (refer to the encircled line shown in FIG. 11), the acidity of the aluminum ion water is adjusted to pH 4 while maintaining the aluminum ion concentration at 3 ppm or more. In order to make it below, the ratio of the mixing amount of the aluminum ion water and the acid water needs to be about 1: 0.4. The present inventor conducted the same examination at other elapsed times and calculated as shown in FIG. According to this, it was confirmed that the aluminum ion concentration was maintained at 3 ppm or more, and the acidity after adding acidic water to aluminum ion water was all pH 4 or less.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the amount of acidic water added to aluminum ion water is smaller than the amount of aluminum ion water. According to this, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the aluminum ion concentration as much as possible even in a situation where acidic water having higher acidity is generated. Therefore, it can suppress that the adhesion inhibitory effect and removal effect with respect to the scale of a silicic acid component disappear.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in the acidic water generator 120 and the metal ion addition apparatus 130 and the installation form of the supply means 140 and the pump 160 are not limited to those illustrated. It can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the toilet apparatus was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as a watering apparatus provided with the metal ion water production | generation apparatuses 100 and 100a. However, the watering device including the metal ion water generating devices 100 and 100a is not limited to this, and may be a kitchen, a bathroom, a bathroom vanity, or the like.
Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toilet apparatus, 23 Main flow path, 100, 100a Metal ion water production | generation apparatus, 101 1st flow path, 102 2nd flow path, 110 Valve, 120 Acidic water production | generation apparatus, 120a Cation exchange resin system, 120b Electrolyzer , 121 case, 123 cation exchange resin, 124 anode plate, 125 cathode plate, 130, 130a, 130b metal ion addition device, 131 second tank, 133 case, 134 metal, 135 tank, 136 metal, 140 supply Means (spray nozzle), 150 first tank, 160 pump, 180 control device, 200 toilet seat, 300 toilet lid, 400 casing, 401 water supply means, 413 valve, 415 heat exchanger unit, 417 first flow path switching valve 431 Second flow path switching valve, 435 Electromagnetic point 437 Flow control valve, 439 Cleaning nozzle, 500 Sanitary cleaning device, 800 Toilet bowl, 801 bowl, 807 Drain pipe

Claims (9)

An acidic water generating system for generating acidic water;
A metal ion water generation system that generates metal ion water by dissolving metal using the acid water generated by the acid water generation system;
An acidity adjustment system that changes the acidity of the metal ion water generated by the metal ion water generation system to an acid side;
Supply means for supplying the metal ion water whose acidity is adjusted by the acidity adjusting system;
Equipped with a,
In the acidity adjustment system, after the metal ion water is released from the metal ion water generation system, a part of the acid water generated by the acid water generation system is generated by the metal ion water generation system. A metal ion water generator characterized by being added to metal ion water. The said acidic water production | generation system produces | generates the said acidic water with a cation exchange resin, The metal ion water production | generation apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The said acidic water production | generation system produces | generates the said acidic water by electrolysis, The metal ion water production | generation apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The metal ion water generating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the amount of the acid water added to the metal ion water by the acidity adjusting system is smaller than the amount of the metal ion water.   The acidity adjustment system is a flow path branched downstream of the acidic water generation system and upstream of the metal ion water generation system,
  The said flow path adds a part of acidic water produced | generated by the said acidic water production | generation system to the said metal ion water produced | generated by the said metal ion water production | generation system, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The metal ion water production | generation apparatus as described in one. A storage means for temporarily storing the metal ion water generated by the metal ion water generation system;
6. The metal ion according to claim 1, wherein the acidity adjustment system adds the acid water at a constant ratio to the metal ion water stored in the storage unit. Water generator.   The acidity adjustment system sucks and mixes part of the acid water generated by the acid water generated by the acid water generation system and the metal ion water stored in the storage means into the metal ion water. The metal ion water generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pump is a pump for adding the acidic water at a constant rate. The acidity adjusting system, according to claim, characterized in that said supply means to adjust the rate of addition of the acid water according to dissolution time in the metal ion water generation system at the time of supplying the metal ion water The metal ion water production | generation apparatus as described in any one of 1-7 . A toilet having a bowl;
The metal ion water production | generation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8 ,
With
The toilet device is characterized in that the supply means supplies at least the surface of the bowl.

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