JP5922418B2 - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

  Conventionally, salt water is electrolyzed to produce electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid water), and the produced hypochlorous acid water is used for cleaning foods using its bactericidal effect.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-62455) discloses an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes salt water to generate electrolyzed water. In this electrolyzed water generator, the generated electrolyzed water is diluted with water to a predetermined concentration, and the diluted electrolyzed water is supplied from the valve. The amount of salt water to be electrolyzed is adjusted based on the flow rate of water detected by the sensor so that the electrolyzed water supplied from the valve is diluted to a predetermined concentration.

  By the way, in the electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus of the said patent document 1, mixing of electrolyzed water and water is performed by making electrolyzed water and water merge in water piping outside the electrolyzer which electrolyzes salt water. Yes. For this reason, a check valve is provided in each of the raw water supply channel and the electrolytic water discharge pipe so that the dilution water and the electrolytic water do not flow backward. For this reason, the structure of the electrolyzed water generating device described in Patent Document 1 is complicated.

  Therefore, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus capable of diluting electrolyzed water with a simpler structure is desired.

  The subject of this invention is providing the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which can dilute electrolyzed water with a simple structure.

  The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes salt water to generate hypochlorous acid water, and dilutes and supplies the hypochlorous acid water with dilution water. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes a generating unit having two opposing electrodes and a mixing unit. The generation unit is provided with a hypochlorous acid water generation space. The mixing unit is provided with a mixing space in which dilution water and hypochlorous acid water are mixed. The mixing part is formed with a diluting water inlet into which the diluting water flows and an outlet through which the hypochlorous acid water mixed with the diluting water flows out. The mixing space is continuously provided above the generation space between the dilution water inlet and the outlet.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the mixing unit is provided with a mixing space in which dilution water and hypochlorous acid water are mixed. The mixing part is formed with a diluting water inlet into which the diluting water flows and an outlet through which the hypochlorous acid water mixed with the diluting water flows out. The mixing space is continuously provided above the generation space between the dilution water inlet and the outlet. For this reason, it is possible to dilute electrolyzed water with a simple structure.

  The two electrodes are an electrode rod and an electrode cylinder, and the generation space is preferably provided between the electrode rod and the electrode cylinder.

  Here, one of the two electrodes is a cylindrical electrode cylinder, and the electrode cylinder can also function as a casing for housing a generation space for generating electrolyzed water.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the electrode rod is disposed out of the mixing space.

  Here, since the mixing space is provided avoiding the electrode rod, it is possible to prevent the dilution water from diluting the salt water and hindering electrolysis.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the electrode cylinder has a cylindrical shape.

  Here, since the electrode cylinder has a cylindrical shape, it becomes possible to withstand the pressure from the fluid flowing in the electrode cylinder.

  Further, it is preferable that a salt water inlet into which salt water flows is formed near the lower end of the electrode cylinder.

  Here, since salt water flows in from the position away from the mixing space provided above the electrode cylinder, it is possible to prevent the salt water from being diluted with dilution water before being electrolyzed.

  The electrode rod is preferably located below the boundary with the generation space.

  Here, since the electrode rod does not protrude above the boundary of the generation space, adverse effects due to the presence of the electrode rod can be suppressed.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the electrolyzed water can be diluted with a simple structure.

The whole schematic diagram of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The schematic top view of an electrolytic cell. The typical side view of an electrolytic cell. IV-IV sectional drawing of FIG. VV sectional drawing of FIG. The figure equivalent to FIG. 5 of the electrolytic cell which concerns on the modification 1. As shown in FIG. The figure equivalent to FIG. 5 of the electrolytic cell which concerns on the modification 2. As shown in FIG. The figure equivalent to FIG. 4 of the electrolytic cell which concerns on the modification 3. FIG. The figure equivalent to FIG. 5 of the electrolytic cell which concerns on the modification 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the electrolyzed water generating device 1.

  The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 can be mainly divided into a main body 1 a and a salt water tank 22.

  The main body 1a includes a water pipe A for supplying dilution water, a water pipe B for supplying salt water, and an electrolytic cell 100.

(1-1) Water piping A for supplying dilution water
The water pipe A is for supplying dilution water to the electrolytic cell 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the water pipe A is supplied with water from city water, and has a pressure reducing valve 11, a manifold 12, a water control valve 13, and a water supply cutoff. It has a valve 14 and two check valves 15 and supplies water as dilution water to the electrolytic cell 100. The pressure reducing valve 11 reduces the pressure of the water from the city water to a constant pressure. The next manifold 12 branches a water pipe B, which will be described later, from the water pipe A. The next water control valve 13 includes a water amount sensor 13s that detects the amount of water and a flow rate adjustment valve 13v that adjusts the flow rate of water, and controls the flow rate of water. The flow rate adjustment valve 13v is an electromagnetic valve. The thermistor T1 is installed in the flow rate adjustment valve 13v and detects the temperature of water. When the water temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the water supply shutoff valve 14 shuts off the water supply to the electrolytic cell 100. The water supply cutoff valve 14 is also an electromagnetic valve. The two check valves are installed between the water supply cutoff valve 14 and the electrolytic bath 100 so that water does not flow from the electrolytic bath 100 toward the water supply cutoff valve 14. A pipe connected to the electrolytic cell 100 for supplying dilution water is referred to as a dilution water supply pipe 112.

(1-2) Water piping B for supplying salt water
The water pipe B is for supplying salt water to the electrolytic cell 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the water pipe B branches water from city water from the manifold 12, has a tank electromagnetic valve 21, and a salt water tank 22. Supply city water. Further, the water pipe B connects the salt water tank 22 to the electrolytic cell 100 via the salt water electromagnetic valve 23 and the electromagnetic metering pump 24, and supplies salt water to the electrolytic cell 100. A pipe connected to the electrolytic cell 100 for supplying salt water is referred to as a salt water supply pipe 111.

(1-3) Electrolysis tank 100
The electrolytic tank 100 is an apparatus that electrolyzes salt water to generate hypochlorous acid water, and dilutes and supplies the hypochlorous acid water with water. The electrolytic cell 100 will be described in detail later. In FIG. 1, the thermistor T <b> 2 installed in the electrolytic cell 100 is for detecting the temperature of the electrolytic cell 100.

(1-4) Salt water tank 22
The salt water tank 22 includes a float switch 22a and a suction filter 22b. The float switch 22 a detects the level of the liquid level in the salt water tank 22. The suction filter 22 b is installed at the bottom of the salt water tank 22. The salt water tank 22 is filled with salt and city water. The salt is stored at the bottom of the salt water tank 22 and a layer of water is formed thereon. The salt water in the salt water tank 22 is sucked out from the bottom of the salt water tank 22 by the electromagnetic metering pump 24. At this time, the salt particles are filtered by the suction filter 22b, and only the liquid that has passed through the salt is sucked out of the salt water tank 22. Therefore, the salt water sucked out from the salt water tank 22 has a substantially saturated salt content.

(1-5) Control unit 90
In addition, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 mainly includes a CPU 91, a RAM 92, a ROM 93, a display unit 94 such as a liquid crystal, and an input unit 95 such as a button and a switch. Sends and receives signals to and from the element. The ROM 93 stores a program for controlling the electrolyzed water generating device 1, and the CPU 91 executes the program. Thereby, the control part 90 controls each said component of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1. FIG.

  Specifically, the control unit 90 controls the electromagnetic metering pump 24 and the like based on a signal transmitted from the water amount sensor 13s of the water control valve 13. For example, when the supply of water from city water stops and the flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 13s becomes zero, the control unit 90 stops the electromagnetic metering pump 24 and stops the power supply to the electrolytic cell 100.

  Further, the control unit 90 controls the water control valve 13 so that the concentration of hypochlorous acid water supplied from the electrolytic cell 100 becomes a concentration specified via the input unit 95, and the flow rate of the dilution water is controlled. Control. When a low concentration is designated, the flow rate adjustment valve 13v of the water control valve 13 is controlled so that the flow rate of the dilution water is increased. When a high concentration is designated, the flow rate adjustment valve 13v of the water control valve 13 is controlled so that the flow rate of the dilution water becomes small. Moreover, the control part 90 controls the electromagnetic metering pump 24 according to the flow volume of dilution water, and controls the flow volume of the salt water supplied.

  Moreover, the control part 90 controls the water supply cutoff valve 14 based on the signal transmitted from the thermistor T1. For example, if the water temperature detected by the thermistor T <b> 1 exceeds the upper limit, the control unit 90 closes the water supply cutoff valve 14 so that the diluted water does not flow into the electrolytic cell 100.

  Moreover, the control part 90 controls the power supply to the electrolytic cell 100 based on the signal transmitted from the thermistor T2. For example, if the temperature of the electrolytic cell 100 detected by the thermistor T <b> 2 exceeds the upper limit, the control unit 90 turns off the power to the electrolytic cell 100 and stops the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1.

  Further, the control unit 90 controls the opening and closing of the tank electromagnetic valve 21 based on a signal transmitted from the float switch 22a. For example, when the liquid level detected by the float switch 22a reaches the upper limit, the control unit 90 closes the tank electromagnetic valve 21.

  The control unit 90 is installed in the main body 1a.

(2) Detailed structure of the electrolytic cell 100 Next, the detailed structure of the electrolytic cell 100 is demonstrated, referring a figure.

  FIG. 2 is an external top view of the electrolytic cell 100. FIG. 3 is an external side view of the electrolytic cell 100. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrolytic cell 100 has a shape in which resin rectangular parallelepipeds 101 and 103 are joined to both ends of a titanium cylinder 102. The cylinder 102 is a casing and a positive electrode, and is hereinafter referred to as an electrode cylinder 102. The rectangular parallelepipeds 101 and 103 are resin casings each having a cylindrical space formed therein, and are hereinafter referred to as the casing 101 and the casing 103, respectively. The internal spaces of the casing 101 and the casing 102 are respectively continuous with the internal space of the electrode cylinder 102. In addition, the electrolytic cell 100 includes an electrode rod 104 that is a negative electrode.

  The electrode cylinder 102 is a generating unit for generating hypochlorous acid water. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a titanium electrode rod 104 is disposed in the center of the internal space of the electrode cylinder 102. Thereby, the electrode cylinder 102 which is a positive electrode and the electrode rod 104 which is a negative electrode are opposed to each other at a constant interval. When a voltage is applied to each of the electrode cylinder 102 and the electrode bar 104, a current flows between the electrode cylinder 102 and the electrode bar 104, and the salt water existing in the inner space of the electrode cylinder 102 is electrolyzed to generate hypochlorous acid water. Is done. That is, the internal space of the electrode cylinder 102 is a hypochlorous acid water generation space G. A ruthenium layer is formed on the inner surface of the titanium body 102a of the electrode cylinder 102 as a catalyst. The electrode cylinder 102 and the electrode rod 104 are respectively attached to the casing 101 at the upper end and to the casing 103 at the lower end.

  The casing 101 is a mixing unit in which dilution water and hypochlorous acid water are mixed. The casing 101 is connected to a dilution water supply pipe 112 of the water pipe A and a hypochlorous acid water supply pipe 113 for supplying hypochlorous acid water to a cleaning tank for food. The casing 101 is formed with a dilution water inlet 101a into which the dilution water from the dilution water supply pipe 112 flows into the internal space. In addition, the casing 101 is formed with an outlet 101 b through which hypochlorous acid water diluted with dilution water flows out to the hypochlorous acid water supply pipe 113. The dilution water inlet 101a and the outlet 101b are provided on the mutually opposing wall surfaces at positions facing each other, but the straight line connecting the periphery of the dilution water inlet 101a and the periphery of the outlet 101b is It does not pass through the center of the internal space. That is, the space that is the flow path of the dilution water that linearly connects the peripheral edge of the dilution water inlet 101a and the peripheral edge of the outlet 101b is off the center of the internal space of the casing 101. not exist. As a result, the dilution water flowing in from the dilution water inlet 101a can flow linearly to the outlet 101b without hitting the electrode rod 104 at the center of the inner space of the casing 101 as shown in FIG. In a space connecting the peripheral edge of the diluted water inlet 101a and the peripheral edge of the outlet 101b with a straight line, the hypochlorous acid water rising from the hypochlorous acid water generation space G flows from the diluted water inlet 101a to the outlet 101b. It is a mixing space X in which the dilution water is mixed. As a result, diluted hypochlorous acid water flows out from the outlet. The mixing space X is continuous with the hypochlorous acid water generation space G and is located above the hypochlorous acid water generation space G. Further, the dilution water inlet 101a and the outlet 101b have the same length.

  The casing 103 is connected to a salt water supply pipe 111 of the water pipe B. The casing 103 is formed with a salt water inlet 103a through which salt water flows from the salt water supply pipe 111 into its internal space. The salt water flowing in from the salt water inlet 103a flows into the hypochlorous acid water generation space G and is electrolyzed. Hypochlorous acid water generated by electrolysis rises in the hypochlorous acid water generation space G toward the internal space of the casing 101, that is, the mixing space X.

  The flow rate of salt water flowing from the salt water inlet 103a is 45 milliliters per minute. The maximum flow rate of diluted hypochlorous acid water flowing out from the outlet 101b is 15 liters per minute.

(3) Operation of electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 Hereinafter, the operation of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 will be described.

  When a valve or a faucet attached to the tip of the hypochlorous acid water supply pipe 113 (not shown) is opened, hypochlorous acid water flows out from the electrolytic cell 100. As a result, the dilution water flows into the electrolytic cell 100 from the dilution water inlet 101a, and the dilution water begins to flow toward the electrolytic cell 100 through the water pipe A. When the flow sensor 13 s detects the flow of diluted water in the water pipe A and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 90, the control unit 90 activates the electromagnetic metering pump 24. The salt water in the salt water tank 22 is sucked out from the bottom by the electromagnetic metering pump 24. Thereby, salt water flows out in the water piping B toward the electrolytic cell 100, and salt water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 100 from the salt water inflow port 103a.

  The salt water that has flowed into the casing 103 of the electrolytic cell 100 from the salt water inlet 103a rises and flows into the hypochlorous acid water generation space G, where it is electrolyzed and hypochlorous acid water is generated. At this time, hydrogen or oxygen gas is also generated.

  The produced hypochlorous acid water rises and flows into the mixing space X. Dilution water flows into the mixing space X from the dilution water inlet 101a and is mixed with hypochlorous acid water. The diluted hypochlorous acid water flows out from the outlet 101b. The dilution water inlet 101a and the outlet 101b are provided at positions facing each other, and a space that connects the peripheral edge of the dilution water inlet 101a and the peripheral edge of the outlet 101b with a straight line, that is, the mixing space X has a dilution water. There is no obstacle such as the electrode rod 104 that obstructs the flow. For this reason, most of the dilution water that flows in from the dilution water inlet 101a flows linearly toward the outlet 101b, and the dilution water flows into the hypochlorous acid water generation space G that continues below the mixing space X. There is almost nothing, and the salt water is hardly diluted to prevent the production of hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid water flows into the mixing space X from the hypochlorous acid water generation space G by being drawn into the flow of the dilution water, is mixed with the dilution water, and is diluted.

  The diluted hypochlorous acid water flows out from the outlet 101b. At this time, the gas generated during the electrolysis of the salt water also flows out together with the hypochlorous acid water.

(4) Features (4-1)
In the embodiment described above, the mixing space X in which the dilution water and the hypochlorous acid water are mixed is provided in the casing 101. The mixing part M is formed with a dilution water inlet 101a through which dilution water flows and an outlet 101b through which hypochlorous acid water mixed with the dilution water flows out. The mixing space X is a space that connects the peripheral edge of the dilution water inlet 101a and the peripheral edge of the outlet 101b with a straight line, and is continuously above the hypochlorous acid water generation space G in the electrode cylinder 102 that is a generation unit. Is provided. That is, a sufficient space for diluting the hypochlorous acid water by mixing the hypochlorous acid water and the dilution water is provided in the casing 101. Therefore, there is no need to provide a check valve in order to mix hypochlorous acid water and dilution water. For this reason, it is possible to dilute electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid water) with a simple structure.

(4-2)
In the above embodiment, the salt water causes a current to flow between the electrode cylinder 102 and the electrode rod 104 disposed at the center of the internal space in the hypochlorous acid water generation space G provided in the electrode cylinder 102. As a result of the electrolysis, hypochlorous acid water is generated. That is, the electrode cylinder 102 can also function as a casing for housing the hypochlorous acid water generation space G for generating hypochlorous acid water.

(4-3)
In the above embodiment, the electrode rod 102 is disposed away from the mixing space X. The dilution water can flow in a straight line from the dilution water inlet 101a to the outlet 101b without being obstructed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the electrolysis from being disturbed by hitting the electrode rod 102 and diluting the salt water by flowing into the hypochlorous acid water generation space G.

(4-4)
In the above embodiment, the electrode cylinder 102 has a cylindrical shape. For this reason, it is possible to withstand the pressure from the fluid (salt water, hypochlorous acid water, and dilution water) flowing in the electrode cylinder 102.

(4-5)
In the above embodiment, the casing 103 attached to the lower end of the electrode cylinder 102 is formed with a salt water inlet 103a through which salt water flows. That is, salt water flows from a position away from the mixing space X provided in the casing 101 attached to the upper end of the electrode cylinder 102. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the salt water from being diluted with the dilution water before being electrolyzed.

(5) Modification (5-1) Modification 1
In the above embodiment, the casing 101 attached to the upper end of the electrode cylinder 102 is provided with the dilution water inlet 101a and the outlet 101b, but the diameters of the dilution water inlet 101a and the outlet 101b are the same. . In another embodiment, the diameter of the dilution water inlet 101a may be significantly smaller than the diameter of the outlet 101b as shown in FIG. As a result, the pressure in the vicinity of the dilution water inlet 201a becomes higher, and the pressure in the vicinity of the outlet 201b becomes lower than the pressure, so that the fluid in the casing 201 such as dilution water flows backward toward the dilution water inlet 201a. It becomes difficult to do.

(5-2) Modification 2
In the above embodiment, the electrode rod 104 extends to the casing 101, and its upper end is attached to the casing 101. However, when the electrode rod 104 exists in a space where there is no opposing electrode, that is, when it comes out of the hypochlorous acid water generation space G, it comes out of the hypochlorous acid water generation space G of the electrode rod 104. An event such as adhesion of a substance such as a scale may occur on the part where the material is present. Therefore, in another embodiment, it may be prevented from coming out from the hypochlorous acid water generation space G like the electrode rod 304 shown in FIG. Thereby, the bad influence by presence of an unnecessary electrode, such as adhesion of a scale, can be suppressed. In this case, a resin rod 305 may be added to the upper end of the electrode rod 304 and fixed to the casing 101 so that the distance between the electrode rod 304 and the electrode cylinder 102 can be kept constant.

  Further, as a measure for preventing the adhesion of scale, the electrode rod 304 may be further rotated by the motor M. By rotating the electrode rod 304, the attached scale can be peeled off from the electrode rod 304 and flowed.

(5-3) Modification 3
Furthermore, in another embodiment, as a measure for preventing the adhesion of scale, a wing W is attached near the upper end of the electrode bar 404 as shown in FIGS. The electrode rod 404 may be rotated.

  The present invention is effective in producing electrolyzed water for cleaning foods.

1 Electrolyzed water generation system 100 Electrolyzed water generation apparatus 101 Casing (mixing unit)
101a Diluted water inlet 101b Outlet 102 Electrode tube (generation unit)
103a Salt water inlet 104, 204, 304, 404 Electrode rod G Hypochlorous acid water generation space (generation space)
X mixed space

JP 2001-62455 A

Claims (4)

An electrolyzed water generating device that electrolyzes salt water to generate hypochlorous acid water and supplies the hypochlorous acid water diluted with dilution water,
A generating unit having two opposing electrodes and provided with a generation space for the hypochlorous acid water;
A mixing section provided with a mixing space in which the dilution water and the hypochlorous acid water are mixed;
With
The two electrodes are an electrode rod and an electrode cylinder,
The generation space is provided between the electrode rod and the electrode cylinder,
In the mixing portion, a dilution water inlet into which dilution water flows and an outlet from which the hypochlorous acid water mixed with the dilution water flows out are formed,
The mixing space is continuously provided above the generation space between the dilution water inlet and the outlet .
The electrode rod is disposed out of the mixing space,
Electrolyzed water generator. The electrode cylinder has a cylindrical shape,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 . A salt water inlet into which the salt water flows is formed near the lower end of the electrode cylinder,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The electrode rod is located below a boundary of the generation space;
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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