JPH0623360A - Electrolytic ionized water producing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold the pH of ionized water within a predetermined range regardless of the amount of introduced raw water by detecting the amount of the water passing through an electrolytic cell and applying DC voltage across electrodes according to the applied waveform pattern read from a memory means in order to hold the pH value of ionized water within the predetermined range. CONSTITUTION:An MPU 56 having the function of a control means detects the amount of the water passing through an electrolytic cell 32 through a second water pressure sensor 30 and reads the applied waveform pattern to the detected amount of water from an RAM 58 in order to hold the pH value of ionized water within a predetermined range. Since DC voltage is applied across a cathode 40 and an anode 48 through a driver circuit 54 according to the read applied waveform pattern, even when the amount of the water passing through the electrolytic cell 32 changes, DC voltage can be applied across the electrodes 40, 48 according to the applied waveform pattern suitable for the present amount of water.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolytic ionized water generator, and more specifically, by applying a DC voltage to electrodes arranged in an electrolytic cell, the raw water in the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed. The present invention relates to an electrolytic ion water generator that generates ion water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an electrolyzed ion water producing apparatus for electrolyzing raw water in an electrolysis cell to produce ionized water by applying a DC voltage to electrodes arranged in the electrolysis cell There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-20073. This electrolyzed ionized water production device divides the electrolytic cell by a porous partition wall to form a cathode chamber and an anode chamber. Electrodes are respectively arranged in these electrode chambers, and the raw water in the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed to form the cathode chamber. Alkaline water with a high pH value is generated. The pH value suitable for the human body, such as for drinking, is 8.5 to 9.5.
If it is less than 5, it is not much different from raw water, while if it exceeds 10.0, it is rather harmful. Therefore, in the conventional electrolytic ionized water generator, a method is adopted in which a constant power corresponding to the electrolysis capacity such as the capacity of the electrolytic cell is supplied to the electrodes to adjust the pH value to 8.5 to 9.5.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional method of regulating the pH value within a predetermined range has the following problems. The amount of electric power supplied to the electrode for setting the pH value within the predetermined range is set to an amount of electric power suitable for setting the pH value within the predetermined range in a state where the electrolytic cell is filled with raw water. Therefore, when the amount of raw water introduced into the electrolytic cell is small and the same amount of electric power is supplied to the electrodes as in the filled state, the electrolysis capacity increases with respect to the amount of raw water, and the pH value of alkaline water Has a problem that the value exceeds 8.5 to 9.5 and becomes a harmful value. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed ionized water generator capable of keeping the pH value of ionized water within a predetermined range regardless of the amount of raw water introduced into the electrolytic cell.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following constitution. That is, in an electrolytic ionized water producing apparatus that electrolyzes raw water in the electrolytic cell to generate ionized water by applying a DC voltage to electrodes arranged in the electrolytic cell, the electrolytic water passes through the electrolytic cell. Detecting means for detecting the amount of water to be discharged, a rectifying circuit for rectifying an AC voltage supplied from an AC power source, a driver circuit for applying a DC voltage rectified by the rectifying circuit to the electrodes, and a pH of the ionic water. In order to maintain the value at a predetermined value or within a predetermined range, a storage unit for storing an applied waveform pattern of a DC voltage applied to the electrode with respect to the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell, and the detection unit To detect the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell,
In order to maintain the value within a predetermined range or a predetermined range, a control means for reading an applied waveform pattern for the detected water amount from the storage means and applying a DC voltage to the electrode via the driver circuit according to the applied waveform pattern. And is provided. Specifically, the applied waveform pattern may be a pattern in which the half-wave voltage rectified by the rectifier circuit is applied or not applied. A full wave rectifier circuit is suitable as the rectifier circuit.

[0005]

[Operation] The operation will be described. The control means detects the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell through the detection means, and in order to maintain the pH value of the ionic water at a predetermined value or within a predetermined range, the applied waveform pattern for the detected water quantity is stored in the storage means. Since a DC voltage is applied to the electrodes via the driver circuit in accordance with the read-out applied waveform pattern, even if there is a change in the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell, the DC voltage is applied to the electrodes with a suitable applied waveform pattern for the current amount of water. Since the voltage can be applied, the pH value of the ionized water can be constantly maintained at a predetermined value or a value within a predetermined range.

[0006]

The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the outline of the structure of an electrolytic ionized water production apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, raw water or alkaline water is selected and discharged from the faucet 10 by a branch plug 12. Raw water or alkaline water can be selected with a branch plug 12
This is done by rotating the handle 14 provided on the. When the handle 14 is turned to the raw water side, raw water supplied from a water pipe (not shown) is directly discharged from the faucet 10. On the other hand, when the handle 14 is turned to the alkaline water side, raw water supplied from a water pipe (not shown) flows from the branch plug 12 toward the pipe 16 a and flows into the water purification tank 18. The raw water that has flowed into the water purification tank 18 passes through the activated carbon cartridge 20 and further through the hollow fiber membrane 22, is adsorbed and filtered for impurities, chlorine, etc. in the raw water and flows out from the pipe 16b.

A first temperature sensor 24 is provided in the middle of the pipe 16a. The first temperature sensor 24 uses a thermistor or the like, and detects the water temperature of the pipe 16a to prevent freezing of the latter part of the pipe 16a and to prevent deterioration of the activated carbon cartridge 20 due to inflow of raw water of abnormally high temperature. It is provided. For example, in the prevention of freezing, when the first temperature sensor 24 detects the inflow of low temperature raw water of 5 ° C. or less, an alternating current is passed through the electrodes of the electrolytic cell to be described later to heat the electrolytic cell to a predetermined temperature. In addition, the raw water temperature is 3
When the inflow of high temperature raw water exceeding 5 ° C. is detected, the pipe 16a is closed by the first solenoid valve 47. The first temperature sensor 24 is provided to detect the temperature of the raw water flowing into the device, and is not necessarily provided at the position shown in FIG. Furthermore, the pipe 16
A first water pressure sensor 28 for detecting the water pressure of the raw water flowing into the pipe 16a is provided in the middle of a. A flow meter may be provided instead of the first water pressure sensor 28.

Purified raw water (hereinafter sometimes referred to as purified raw water) flowing out to the pipe 16b is supplied with a certain amount of calcium powder from a calcium addition cylinder 36 and supplied to the electrolytic cell 32. A second water pressure sensor 30 and a constant flow valve 34 are provided in the middle of the pipe 16b.
The water pressure sensor 30 detects the water pressure of the purified raw water flowing into the electrolytic cell 32. By comparing the water pressure of the pipe 16b detected by the second water pressure sensor 30 and the water pressure of the pipe 16a detected by the first water pressure sensor 28, the degree of blockage of the septic tank 18 can be known. A flow meter may be used instead of the second water pressure sensor 30.
The constant flow valve 34 defines the maximum value of the flow rate (or water pressure) of the purified raw water flowing from the pipe 16b into the electrolytic cell 32.

The second water pressure sensor 30 also functions as a means for detecting the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell 32, as an example of a detecting means. That is, the pressure of the purified raw water flowing into the electrolysis tank 32 is detected, and the flow rate of the purified raw water flowing into the electrolysis tank 32 is detected by performing a calculation process, and thus the amount of water passing through the electrolytic tank 32 for electrolysis. Can be detected. A flow meter may be used in place of the second water pressure sensor 30, or a water pressure sensor or a flow meter may be provided on the outflow side of the electrolytic cell 32 so that the total amount of electrolyzed alkaline water and acid water is For electrolysis tank 3
You may make it detect the amount of water of the water which passed through 2.

The purified raw water that has flowed into the electrolytic cell 32 is electrolyzed between the cathode 40 and the anode 48, which are electrodes facing each other through the porous partition wall 42, and the cathode 40
Alkaline water is generated in the cathode chamber 44 in which is disposed, and acidic water is generated in the anode chamber 46 in which the anode 48 is disposed. The alkaline water generated in the cathode chamber 44 flows out of the electrolytic cell 32 through the pipe 16c and the pipe 16e.
And it discharges from the tap 10 through the branch plug 12. On the other hand, the acidic water generated in the anode chamber 46 is used for drainage or other purposes via the pipe 16d. The tip of the pipe 16c merges with the pipe 16d, a second solenoid valve 51 is provided at a branch point with the pipe 16e, and a third solenoid valve is provided further downstream than the branch point with the pipe 16e. 50 are provided.

Here, when the second electromagnetic valve 51 is opened and the third electromagnetic valve 50 is closed, the alkaline water flows to the faucet 10 via the pipe 16e. On the other hand,
When the second electromagnetic valve 51 is closed and the third electromagnetic valve 50 is open, the alkaline water is discharged via the pipe 16d. In this way, the alkaline water is piped 16d
For example, when the electrolytic ion water generator is once stopped and then reused, the residual water in the cathode chamber 44 and the anode chamber 46 is drained, or the alkaline water and the acidic water are discharged. The case where mixed water is made can be mentioned. In addition, when making the water which mixed the alkaline water and the acidic water, it is also possible to adjust the flow rate of the acidic water with the flow rate adjusting screw 52 provided in the middle of the pipe 16d.

Next, the electric system of the electrolytic ionized water generator of this embodiment will be described with further reference to FIG. 53
Is a power supply and includes a circuit for transforming a commercial power supply (AC 100 V) and stepping it down to AC 25 V. The reduced AC voltage is full-wave rectified in the full-wave rectifier circuit 55 and converted into a DC voltage. Reference numeral 54 denotes a driver circuit, which applies a DC voltage formed by full-wave rectification in a full-wave rectification circuit 55 between electrodes 48 and 40 (in the case of performing normal electrolysis, the anode 48 and the cathode 40). To do.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a microprocessor (MPU) having the function of control means, which detects the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell 32 through the second water pressure sensor 30 and determines the pH value of the ionic water to a predetermined value. Alternatively, in order to maintain the value within a predetermined range, the applied waveform pattern of the DC voltage to the electrodes 40 and 48 corresponding to the current amount of water detected via the second water pressure sensor 30 is read from the storage means described later, and the applied waveform pattern is read. Driving the driver circuit 54 in accordance with
A full-wave rectified DC voltage is applied to 48. The pattern of the applied waveform applied to the electrodes 40 and 48 is the half-wave voltage rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 55 (ON),
It is a pattern of non-application (OFF). Others, MPU5
6 is the clogging of the water purification tank 18 from the operation of the first solenoid valve 26 depending on the water temperature value detected by the thermistor 24, and the relationship between the water pressure value detected by the first water pressure sensor 28 and the water pressure value detected by the second water pressure sensor 30. Various operations for opening and closing the second solenoid valve 48 and the third solenoid valve 50 are controlled by determining the condition and by a user's instruction or the like.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a RAM, which serves as an example of a storage means, which is provided to the electrodes 40 and 48 with respect to the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell 32 in order to maintain the pH value of the alkaline water at a specified value or within a specified range. The table data of the applied waveform pattern of the applied DC voltage is temporarily stored. Also, the second
From the water pressure detected by the water pressure sensor 30 of
The data such as the amount of water and the cumulative amount of water obtained by U56, the user's input, etc. are temporarily stored.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a ROM, which stores, as an example of a storage unit, the table data for maintaining the pH value of the alkaline water at a specified value or within a specified range. In this embodiment, the data is RAM5.
8 and the MPU 56 is programmed to read from the RAM 58. This is because the data on the RAM 58 can be used to correct the data during driving. If data correction is unnecessary, MPU56 is ROM
The data on 60 may be directly referenced. Other, ROM
An operating system of the MPU 56 and various control data are stored in advance in 60. In addition to the RAM 58 and the ROM 60, a writable external memory such as an IC card can be used as the storage unit. 62
Is an input key, and is provided for designating to the MPU 56 the value of the pH value of alkaline water or the range of allowable values. The form of the input key 62 is not particularly limited, and various types can be adopted.

Table data for maintaining the pH value of the alkaline water at a specified value or within a specified range will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, the pH value of the alkaline water (or the median value of the permissible range) designated by the user via the input key 62 is shown in the uppermost row. On the other hand, the leftmost column shows the amount of water (unit: liter / minute) detected by the second water pressure sensor 30. A pattern of the applied waveform suitable for this pH value and the amount of water is shown in FIG. The applied waveform pattern is displayed as C or M / N (M and N are numerical values). First, when the applied waveform pattern is C, the driver circuit 54 continuously applies the full-wave rectified voltage to the electrodes 40 and 48. This application pattern is shown in FIG.
Shown in.

On the other hand, when the applied waveform pattern is M / N,
The driver circuit 54 continuously applies (turns on) M half-wave voltages of the full-wave rectified voltage to be applied to the electrodes 40 and 48, and the next N
Each half-wave voltage is not applied (OFF). For example, M =
In the case of 2, N = 1 (displayed as 2/1), two half-wave voltages are turned on and one half-wave voltage is turned off. The applied pattern shown in FIG. 4B is 2/1, the half-wave voltage shown by the solid line is ON, and the half-wave voltage shown by the broken line is OFF.
Is. Here's another example. For example, when M = 3 and N = 2 (displayed as 3/2), three half-wave voltages are turned on and two half-wave voltages are turned off. The application pattern shown in FIG. 4C is 3/2. These table data are data obtained by experiments in advance and differ depending on conditions such as the output voltage of the power supply 53 and the capacity of the electrolytic cell 32. Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. .

[0018]

When the electrolytic ionized water producing apparatus according to the present invention is used, the control means detects the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell through the detection means and sets the pH value of the ionized water to a predetermined value or a predetermined range value. In order to maintain the above, the applied waveform pattern for the detected amount of water is read from the storage means, and a DC voltage is applied to the electrodes via the driver circuit according to the applied waveform pattern, so that there is a change in the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell. However, since it is possible to apply a DC voltage to the electrodes with an applied waveform pattern that is suitable for the current amount of water, p
The H value can be maintained at a predetermined value or within a predetermined range, and the pH value of the ion water can be maintained within the predetermined range regardless of the amount of raw water introduced into the electrolytic cell.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic mechanical configuration of an electrolyzed ionized water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of its electrical configuration.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing table data for maintaining a pH value within a predetermined range or a predetermined range.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of an applied waveform pattern of a driver circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 second water pressure sensor 32 electrolyzer 40 cathode 48 anode 53 power supply 54 driver circuit 55 full-wave rectifier circuit 56 MPU 58 ROM 60 RAM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electrolytic ion water generator for electrolyzing raw water in the electrolytic cell to generate ion water by applying a DC voltage to electrodes arranged in the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell Detecting means for detecting the amount of water passing through the inside, a rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC voltage supplied from an AC power source, a driver circuit for applying a DC voltage rectified by the rectifier circuit to the electrodes, and the ions Storage means for storing an applied waveform pattern of a DC voltage applied to the electrode with respect to the amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell in order to maintain the pH value of water at a predetermined value or within a predetermined range; The amount of water passing through the electrolytic cell is detected via a means, and in order to maintain the pH value of the ionized water at a predetermined value or a value within a predetermined range, the applied waveform pattern for the detected water amount is described above. Reading from 憶 means, electrolytic ion water generator apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for applying a DC voltage to the electrode via the driver circuit in accordance with the applied waveform pattern. 2. The electrolytic ion water generator according to claim 1, wherein the applied waveform pattern is a pattern in which a half-wave voltage rectified by the rectifier circuit is applied or not applied. 3. The electrolytic ionized water generator according to claim 1, wherein the rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit.