JPH06328074A - Ionic water generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure that an electrode is cleaned appropriately regardless of a change in water quantity by adjusting an electric current value for reverse electrolysis applied to an electrode at a specified interval of supplying water to an electrolysis tank, when cleaning the electrode for electrolyzing tap water into alkali water and acid water. CONSTITUTION:This ionic water generation device is composed of a calcium cartridge 2, a water puribication cartridge 3 and an electrlysis tank 4 which are internally arranged in the main device system 1. These components receive tap water through faucet 7, a switching tap 6 and a water feeder pipe sequentially. In addition, electrodes 13, 14 are arranged in the electrolysis tank 4 separatealy with a diaphragm 12, and a direct current voltage is applied to these electrodes to electrolyze tap water into alkali water and acid water. In this case, the flow rate of tap water to be supplied to the electrolysis tank 4 is detected using a flow rate detection means 17. When both electrodes 13, 14 are cleaned by reversing the polarity of the direct current voltage applied to an area between the electrodes 13,14, the electric current applied when reversed is adjusted, if it is determined that the integrated value of a detected flow rate has reached a specified level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ion water generator for electrolyzing continuously supplied tap water to generate alkaline water and acidic water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of device, a scale of calcium or the like is deposited and adheres to the surface of the electrodes during electrolysis to reduce the electrolysis capacity. Therefore, a DC voltage with reversed polarity is applied between the electrodes. It is known that the electrodes are cleaned. Then, in those devices, a pressure type switch that is turned on / off in conjunction with water passage / stopping of tap water is provided during electrode cleaning, and a constant voltage is applied for a predetermined time based on the signal of this pressure switch. Equipment (Actual development 59-1898
No. 71), and a device for applying a constant current (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 5)
8--14990).

However, when a constant voltage is applied for a predetermined time, the electrolytic current may fluctuate depending on the quality of the supplied tap water, and the cleaning amount may change, so that proper cleaning may not be obtained.

In addition, when a constant current is applied for a predetermined time, tap water is continuously supplied, so that the cleaning flow rate varies depending on the water pressure, resulting in incomplete cleaning or scale on the electrode surface. When a constant current is applied when the deposition is not uniform, there is a problem that the electrode surface cannot be uniformly cleaned because a non-uniform current flows through the electrode surface while it remains electrically stable.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to appropriately perform electrode cleaning without being affected by fluctuations in tap water supply.

[0006]

The present invention provides at least a pair of electrodes in an electrolytic cell for continuously supplying tap water,
In an ion water generator that takes out electrolyzed tap water into alkaline water and acidic water by applying a DC voltage between these electrodes, current setting means for selectively setting the DC voltage current to a predetermined current, and an electrolytic cell The flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the tap water supplied, the calculating means for obtaining the integrated flow rate of the tap water supplied to the electrolytic cell based on the output of the flow rate detecting means, and the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the electrodes are set. Reversed electrolysis integrated flow rate determination means for determining that the integrated flow rate supplied to the electrolytic cell has reached a plurality of preset predetermined amounts when inverted, and the reverse electrolysis integrated flow rate determination means based on the output of the reverse electrolysis integrated flow rate determination means. Electrode control means for adjusting the applied current is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, the predetermined amount of the reverse electrolysis cumulative flow rate determining means is set in two steps, and the applied current of the electrode control means is alternately adjusted to a predetermined high current and low current.

[0008]

When the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the electrodes is reversed to wash the electrodes, the reverse electrolysis cumulative flow rate determining means has reached the preset predetermined amount of the cumulative flow rate supplied to the electrolytic cell. Whether or not the water pressure supplied to the electrolytic cell is not affected by adjusting the applied current applied between the electrodes in multiple stages, for example, each time the electrode control means reaches a predetermined amount. Can be washed properly.

Further, the reverse electrolysis integrated flow rate determining means detects the integrated flow rate supplied to the electrolytic cell in two stages, and the electrolytic current alternates between a high current and a low current each time the electrode control means reaches the predetermined amount. By adjusting so that the reverse electrolysis current to the electrode surface is intermittently performed, the scale and the like can be appropriately peeled from the electrode surface, and the electrode can be effectively washed.

[0010]

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described first with reference to FIG. 1. (1) is a main body of an ion water generator, which mainly comprises a calcium cartridge (2), a water purification cartridge (3) and an electrolytic cell (4). Comprising the water supply pipe of the calcium cartridge (2)
The faucet (7) of the water supply is connected to (5) through the switching cock (6), and tap water is sequentially passed through the calcium cartridge (2), the water purification cartridge (3), and the electrolytic cell (4). The alkaline water, the acidic water, and the purified water are appropriately discharged from the outlet (8) and the drain (9) of the electrolytic cell.

A cartridge containing calcium glycerophosphate or the like is detachably accommodated in the calcium cartridge (2), and a compound in the cartridge is added to tap water to supply water to the water purification cartridge (3).

The water purification cartridge (3) is made of silver activated carbon.
(10), the hollow fiber membrane (11) and other cartridges containing the filter material are detachably stored, and after removing impurities and the like in tap water,
It is configured to supply water to the electrolytic cell (4).

Further, the electrolytic cell (4) is provided with a first electrode (13) made of stainless steel and a second electrode (14) made of titanium alloy inside via a diaphragm (12). Connect the first water pipe (15) so that water near (13) is supplied to the outlet (8), and connect the second
The second water pipe (16) is connected so as to supply the water near the electrode (14) to the drain port (9).

The switching cock (6) is a tap for tap water.
It is possible to arbitrarily switch between direct water supply from (7) or water supply to the generator body (1).

(17) is the water purification cartridge (3) and the electrolytic cell
(4) A flow meter installed in the middle of the connecting pipe (18) that communicates with
Reference numeral (19) is a solenoid valve interposed in the middle of the second water pipe (16).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the circuit unit (20) housed in the generator body (1). Mainly the microcomputer (21) includes the flow meter (17), the solenoid valve (19) and the integrated flow rate. Arithmetic circuit (22),
Switch unit (23), power supply circuit (24), display unit (2
5) etc. are connected.

The switch unit (23) is a water selection switch (26) for selecting alkaline water, purified water and acidic water.
, And a concentration selection switch (2
7) etc., the display unit (25) includes a water selection display lamp (28) and an ion concentration display lamp (2) which respectively display the selection results of the water selection switch (26) and the concentration selection switch (27).
9), and a cleaning lamp (30) that lights up during cleaning.

The power supply circuit (24) includes the microcomputer (21).
Circuit power supply (31) for supplying power to the above, and the electrodes (13) (14)
And a switching power supply (32) for supplying a direct current power supply of a predetermined current based on an instruction from the microcomputer (21).

On the other hand, the integrated flow rate calculation circuit (22) integrates an electrolytic integrated flow rate of alkaline water, an electrolytic integrated flow rate of acidic water, an integrated flow rate at the time of cleaning, and the like. When it reaches 105 liters with alkaline water and 2 liters with acidic water, it outputs to the microcomputer (22) for initialization.

The general operation will be described below. In FIG. 1, the switching cock (6) is switched to the generator main body (1) side and the faucet is turned on.
When (7) is opened, tap water of the amount corresponding to the opening of the faucet is sequentially supplied to the calcium cartridge (2), the water purification cartridge (3) and the electrolytic cell (4) through the water supply pipe (5).

On the other hand, when the generator main body (1) is powered on, the output of the flow meter (17) is output by the microcomputer (20) in step S1 as shown in the flow chart of FIG. It is determined whether the flow rate is equal to or higher than a constant flow rate (for example, 1.5 liters / minute). If the flow rate is equal to or lower than the predetermined amount, the operation is not performed.

Then, in step S2, it is judged whether or not the integrated flow rate of the alkaline water electrolysis integrated by the integrated flow rate calculation circuit (22) is, for example, 105 liters or more. If below, step S
Proceed to step 4 of alkaline water.

When the predetermined process is completed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5. When the selection by the operation of the water selection switch (26) is detected in this step, the process proceeds to the water purification process in step S6, and When a predetermined process is completed in this water purification process, the process proceeds to step S7 to detect the operation of the water selection switch (26), and when the selection is detected, the process proceeds to step S8 to proceed to the acidic water process, where the predetermined process is performed. When the process ends, the process proceeds to step S9, and when the selection of the water selection switch (26) is detected here, the process proceeds to step S4.
Then, the above operation is repeated.

In the acidic water process in step S8, if the selection of the water selection switch (26) is not detected in step S9, the process proceeds to step S10, and when the acidic water integrated flow rate reaches, for example, 2 liters. Is step S
After resetting the integrated flow rate of alkaline electrolysis in step 11 and proceeding to step S12, if the integrated flow rate of acidic water has reached 7 liters in this step, the process is forced to proceed to step S4 and switch to the alkaline water process to switch the electrode ( 13) Dissolution of (14) is prevented, and if not reached, the process returns to step S8 to continue the acidic water process.

Although the operations of the alkaline water process, the water purification process and the acidic water process are omitted, it is mainly detected in the alkaline water process whether the integrated flow rate of the alkaline water electrolysis reaches, for example, 105 liters, and if not, the solenoid valve ( 19) and open the specified DC current set by the concentration selection switch (27).
The first electrode (13) is used as a cathode and the second electrode (14) is used as an anode in the forward direction, alkaline water is taken out from the outlet (8), and acidic water is discharged from the drain (9). Then, in the water purification process, the voltage application to the electrodes (13) (14) is stopped, the electromagnetic valve (20) is closed, and the purified water that has passed through the water purification cartridge (3) is taken out.
Remove from (8) only. In the acidic water process, the solenoid valve (19)
Is opened and a predetermined DC current set by the concentration selection switch (27) is applied to the electrodes (13) and (14) in the reverse direction to take out the acidic water from the outlet (8).

On the other hand, in the cleaning step of step S3, the same constant flow rate as in step S1 is detected in step S13 as shown in the flow chart of FIG. It is detected whether or not it has reached 2 liters or more, and if it has not reached 2 liters, the routine proceeds to step S15, where it is determined whether or not the determination value for determining the predetermined cleaning integrated flow rate is 0, for example, where the first determination value is 0.2 liter. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S16
(13) After applying a DC current of, for example, 3.5 A (around 35 V) to (14) in the reverse direction, the process proceeds to step S17, where it is determined whether or not the predetermined cleaning integrated flow rate has reached 0.2 liters. If so, the process proceeds to step S18 and the judgment value is set to 0.
And

If the judgment value is 0 in step S15, the process proceeds to step S19, in which a direct current of, for example, 0.4 A (around 4 V) is applied to the electrodes (13) and (14) in the reverse direction, and then step The routine proceeds to S20, where it is determined whether or not the predetermined cumulative flow rate for cleaning has reached the second predetermined flow rate, for example 0.04 liters, and if it reaches, it proceeds to Step S21 and sets the determination value to 1, and then returns to Step S13, Repeat the above steps.

If the cumulative washing flow rate is 2 liters or more in step S14, the process proceeds to step S22 and the electrode (13)
After the application to (14) is stopped, the routine proceeds to step S23, where it is determined whether or not the cleaning integrated flow rate has reached, for example, 3 liters. If it is above, the routine proceeds to step S24 where the cleaning integrated flow rate is reset, The process returns to step S4 of the main routine to end the cleaning process.

The application operation to the electrodes (13) and (14) by the steps S15 to S22 is as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and the high current of 3.5 A shown at A and X in step S16 is used. Is applied to the electrodes (13) and (14) while the first cleaning accumulated predetermined flow rate (for example, 0.2 liter) is flowing, and then, for example, 0.4 shown by B and Y in step S19.
The low current of A is applied to the second cleaning integrated predetermined flow rate (for example, 0.04
(1 liter) is applied to the electrodes (13) and (14) while flowing, and this is continued until the cumulative washing flow reaches, for example, 2 liters.

On the other hand, the first and second cleaning integrated predetermined flow rates and the applied current value at that time are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment, and for example, the third and fourth cleaning integrated predetermined flow rates are set. Alternatively, the predetermined cleaning integrated flow rate may be set to 0.3 liter for 0.2 liter, 3.0 A for 3.5 A, 0.06 liter for 0.04 liter, 0 A for 0.4 A, and the like.

[0031]

According to the configuration of the present invention, by adjusting the value of the current applied to the electrode at the time of cleaning the electrode at a predetermined flow rate interval,
For example, during the application of the low current, the scale and the like separated from the electrode can be reliably removed while the high current is applied, and the electrode can be effectively cleaned.

The current value applied to the electrodes during the cleaning is
By applying a high current and a low current alternately and applying the current to the electrode surface in a pulsed manner, scale removal can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the cleaning step of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Generator Main Body 4 Electrolyzer 13 First Electrode 14 Second Electrode 17 Flow Meter 20 Microcomputer 22 Integrated Flow Rate Calculation Circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Junnosuke Ijiri 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Miyawaki 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City Tottori Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toru Matsui 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Ion water to be taken out while electrolyzing tap water into alkaline water and acidic water by providing at least a pair of electrodes in an electrolytic cell for continuously supplying tap water and applying a DC voltage between these electrodes. In the generator, current setting means for selectively setting the current of the DC voltage to a predetermined current, flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of tap water supplied to the electrolytic cell, and the above based on the output of the flow rate detecting means A calculating means for obtaining an integrated flow rate of tap water supplied to the electrolytic cell, and a plurality of predetermined predetermined integrated flow rates supplied to the electrolytic cell when the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the electrodes is reversed. Ionized water generation characterized in that it is provided with a reverse electrolysis integrated flow rate determination means for determining that vessel . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of the reverse electrolysis integrated flow rate determining means is set in two steps, and the applied current of the electrode control means is alternately adjusted to a predetermined high current and low current. Item 1. The ionized water generator according to item 1.