JPH06335680A - Alkaline ion water regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the energy-saving and highly durable water regulator with the electrode cleaned when water is stopped, capable of remarkably enhancing the cleaning effect by increasing acidity in cleaning and capable of being optimally cleaned by detecting the working condition with a controller. CONSTITUTION:This continuous electrolytic alkaline ion water regulator is provided with a water purifier 4, a sensor 6 arranged on the downstream side of the purifier 4 and used to detect the flow rate of water, an electrolytic cell 7 arranged on the downstream side of the sensor 6 and having an electrode and a controller 30 for controlling the cell 7, etc. Further, a means is provided to impress a reverse voltage on electrodes 9 and 10, when the stoppage of water is detected by the sensor 6 under the command of the controller 30, and the regulator is cleaned.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention electrolyzes raw water such as tap water and well water to produce alkaline ionized water for drinking and medical use, and acidic ionized water for use as lotion, sterilizing and washing water. The present invention relates to an alkaline ionized water device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioners have become popular. This alkaline ionized water conditioner
In the electrolyzer, tap water or the like is electrolyzed to generate acidic ionized water on the anode side and alkaline ionized water on the cathode side.

A conventional continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner will be described below. FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device, and FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a general alkaline ionized water device. Reference numeral 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water conditioner connected to the raw water pipe 1 through a faucet 4, 4 is activated carbon for adsorbing residual chlorine in raw water, and generally A water purifier equipped with a hollow fiber membrane that removes bacteria and impurities, 5 is a mineral supply unit that adds calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate and other minerals to the raw water to enhance conductivity,
6 is a flow rate sensor that detects the amount of water flow and instructs the controller to be described later to control, 7 is an electrolysis tank that electrolyzes the water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 6, 8 is an electrolysis tank that bisects and has a water flow section at the bottom. A diaphragm forming a pair of electrode chambers, and 9 and 10 are diaphragms 2.
Electrodes arranged in each of the divided electrode chambers, 11 is a drainage pipe for discharging water on the side of the electrode 10 (acid ion water when the electrode 10 is an anode), 12 is an electrolytic cell 7 and a drainage pipe 11 Is disposed near the coupling part for adjusting the discharge flow rate for efficiently generating alkaline ionized water and the like, and 13 is a discharge for discharging water on the electrode 9 side (alkali ionized water when the electrode 9 is a cathode) A pipe, 14 is a solenoid valve for draining accumulated water in the electrolytic bath 7 and cleaning water in which scales are dissolved during electrode cleaning,
Reference numeral 15 is a water discharge pipe for draining water on the electrode 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode 10 is an anode) or accumulated water or washing water in the electrolysis tank 7 through the drain pipe 11, and 16 is a cartridge in the water purifier 4 ( A water purifier sensor for detecting the presence / absence of (not shown), 17 is a power-on plug, 18 is a power supply unit that changes AC power supplied from the power-on plug 17 into DC power, and 19 is an alkali ion water purifier 3. A controller that controls the operation, and 20 is an operation display unit that displays the operation state of the alkaline ionized water device 3. In FIG. 5, 21 is a power supply unit 1.
8 is a transformer arranged inside 8, 22 is a control DC power supply that generates a DC voltage and current necessary for control, 23 is an electrolysis DC power supply that generates a DC voltage and current necessary for electrolysis, and 24 is an electrolysis DC power supply. A current transducer which is arranged in the preceding stage of 23 to detect the current flowing through the electrodes 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7, 25 is a smoothing circuit which converts the signal of the current transducer 24 into a DC level and inputs it to the controller 19, and 26 is described later. An output control circuit for controlling the output voltage and the like with the controller of No. 27, an electrolytic cell-solenoid valve switching relay, 28 a polarity switching relay for switching the polarities of the electrodes 9 and 10, and 29 a solenoid valve solenoid of the solenoid valve 14. .

The operation of the conventional alkaline ionized water conditioner configured as described above will be described below. The water passed through the water purifier 4 has its residual chlorine odor and impurities such as general bacteria removed in the water purifier 4, and the mineral supply unit 5 dissolves calcium glycerophosphate and the like into water that is easily electrolyzed. Water is passed through the sensor 6 to the electrolytic bath 7.
On the other hand, AC 100 V is supplied from the power-on plug 17, a DC voltage / current required for control and the like is generated by the control DC power supply 22 via the transformer 21 inside the power supply unit 18, and an electrolysis DC power supply 23 is required for electrolysis. Generates DC voltage and current. A DC voltage / current from the electrolysis DC power supply 23 is supplied to the electrodes 9 and 10 of the electrolysis tank 7 through the output control circuit 26, the electrolysis tank-electromagnetic valve switching relay 27 and the polarity switching relay 28. When the electrode that applies a positive voltage relatively is the anode and the electrode that applies the negative electrode is the cathode,
An anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by the diaphragm 8 are formed.

The controller 19 reads the signal from the flow rate sensor 6, judges that the water is flowing when a certain level is exceeded,
Electrolysis is performed by applying a voltage to the electrodes 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7.

When the controller 19 applies a voltage, acidic ionized water is generated in the anode chamber and alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber.

Now, when the polarity switching relay 28 is operated so that the electrode 9 has a negative voltage while water is being supplied to apply a voltage, alkaline ionized water is continuously obtained from the discharge pipe 13.

The alkaline ionized water device 3 has an operation display unit 2
By changing the setting of 0, it is possible to switch between alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, and purified water. That is, a positive voltage may be applied to the electrode 9 during acidic ionized water, and water may be passed through without applying a voltage during purified water. Further, similarly, by changing the setting of the operation display unit 20, the voltage applied to the electrodes 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 is changed, and the electrolytic strength is changed so that alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water having a desired pH can be obtained. Obtainable.

By the way, when alkaline ionized water is produced, raw water in the cathode chamber or the mineral content of the mineral supply section 5 produces deposits 9a on the surfaces of the protruding electrodes 9 and 10 to lower the electrolysis efficiency. Therefore, the electrode cleaning for regeneration of the electrodes 9 and 10 is performed under flowing water by applying a voltage to the electrodes 9 and 10 by reversing the voltage polarity in the same manner as when generating acidic ionized water, and then applying the voltage to the electrodes 9 Is removed by eluting the scale in electrolyzed water.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, since the electrode cleaning for regenerating the electrode is carried out under running water, there is a problem that the pH of the cleaning water cannot be lowered and the cleaning efficiency is insufficient. there were. Further, since the cleaning efficiency is low, there is a problem that deposits remain on the electrode surface and the electrolytic efficiency is reduced. Also, it is necessary to perform the cleaning operation before the electrode condition exceeds the specified value, but since alkaline ionized water cannot be supplied during the cleaning operation, a large amount of alkaline ionized water is required during the summer, but the cleaning operation is efficient. There is a problem in that it cannot be performed in a short time, which causes inconvenience.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The electrodes can be washed in still water to enhance the acidity of the washing to significantly enhance the washing effect, and the controller can be used in a situation where the device is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alkaline ionized water purifier that grasps the above conditions and performs an optimum cleaning operation to improve the utilization efficiency and significantly improve energy saving and durability.

[0012]

In order to achieve this object, the alkaline ionized water purifier according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a water purifier and a water flow rate disposed downstream of the water purifier. A flow rate sensor for detecting, an electrolytic cell having an electrode arranged on the downstream side of the flow rate sensor, and a controller for controlling the electrolytic cell and the like, which is a continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water device, The controller comprises a cleaning means for stopping water, which applies a reverse voltage to the electrode to perform an electrode cleaning operation when the controller detects that the water flow is still stopped. The alkaline ionized water purifier is a water purifier, a flow rate sensor arranged downstream of the water purifier to detect the amount of water flow, an electrolytic cell having an electrode arranged downstream of the flow rate sensor, and the electrolyzer. A computer that controls tanks, etc. A continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner comprising a roller, wherein the controller detects at least one of an integrated flow rate, the number of times of use, an integrated use time, etc. since the previous electrode cleaning operation detected by the flow rate sensor. When either 1 or 1 exceeds a preset cleaning threshold value and the flow sensor detects that the water is still, the required cleaning applied voltage and cleaning time reverse voltage is applied to the electrode to clean the electrode. The alkaline ionized water conditioner according to claim 3 has a structure having an optimum cleaning means for stopping water operation, and the alkaline ionized water conditioner according to claim 2 is a current sensor for detecting a current value flowing in the electrolytic cell. Use of each cleaning threshold by using the average current value, the average current density, etc. obtained from the total use time from the start of use of the controller and the current value detected by the current sensor During has a configuration having a aging correction means for correcting for the conditions of use.

A general sensor such as a current transducer is preferably used as the current sensor.

[0014]

With this configuration, the controller can determine the state in which the user has stopped the water after using the apparatus, and automatically perform the electrode cleaning operation. In addition, since the cleaning is performed in still water, the pH near the surface of the electrode can be sufficiently lowered, and an environment can be obtained in which the deposits easily dissolve in the water in the electrolytic cell in an acidic atmosphere, and the electrode cleaning The efficiency can be improved and the electrolytic performance of the electrolytic cell can be recovered to maintain high performance.

In the controller, the number of times of use from the previous cleaning operation, the integrated flow rate, the integrated use time, etc. are measured,
The cleaning start condition and the cleaning time condition stored in advance can be compared and judged to automatically determine the time and cleaning time of the next cleaning operation, and the cleaning can be performed under the optimum cleaning condition. .

Further, by correcting the timing of the cleaning operation using the total usage time from the start of use, the average current value, etc., the deterioration of the electrodes and the like is estimated from the usage time and usage conditions, and the cleaning operation corresponding to it is estimated. It can be performed.

As a result, the cleaning operation in which the alkaline ionized water cannot be supplied is carried out at appropriate intervals without undue effort, so that the time during which the alkaline ionized water is unavailable to the user can be minimized, and the alkaline ionized water conditioner can be minimized. It is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the electrolytic solution, prevent excessive cleaning operation, and improve the durability of the electrolytic cell.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of an alkaline ionized water device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the conventional example of FIG. 4 is that the controller 30 detects the accumulated flow rate and the number of times of use since the previous electrode cleaning operation detected by the flow rate sensor 6,
When at least one of the accumulated use time and the like exceeds a preset cleaning threshold value for each and the flow sensor detects that the water is still stopped, the required cleaning applied voltage and cleaning time are applied to the electrodes. An average current value obtained from the optimum cleaning means at the time of water stop, which performs the electrode cleaning operation by applying a reverse voltage, the total use time from the start of use, and the current value detected by the current transducer 24 serving as a current sensor,
This is that it has an aged deterioration correction means for correcting the usage time and usage conditions of each cleaning threshold value using the current density and the like.

The electrode cleaning operation of the alkaline ionized water conditioner having the above-described structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the electrode cleaning operation of the Alriion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate cleaning threshold value and the total usage time and average current, FIG. 3B is a graph showing the relationship between the number of times of cleaning threshold and total usage time and average current, and FIG. 3C shows the relationship between time cleaning threshold and total usage time and average current. It is a graph.

First, in order to detect the degree of aged deterioration of the electrodes 9, 10, etc., the total use time from the start of use is read (S1). Next, in order to detect the usage state of the alkaline ionized water device 3, such as the electrolytic strength, the current value flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 is detected by the current transducer 24, and the average current value during use is read (S2). Next, the electrodes 9, 1
In order to detect the dirt index of 0, the flow rate sensor 6 reads the integrated flow rate since the previous electrode cleaning and the number of times of use (S
3). Next, in order to detect the dirt index as in S3,
Read the accumulated usage time since the last electrode cleaning (S
4). Next, based on the total usage time read in S1 from the data shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the flow rate cleaning threshold value, the frequency cleaning threshold value and the time cleaning threshold value in the standard usage state are cleaned. Threshold values are obtained, and based on the average current read out in S2, a correction calculation is performed for each of the threshold values with respect to the usage state up to that point to determine each optimum threshold value (S5). Here, as is clear from FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), it is assumed that the longer the total use time is, the greater the deterioration of the electrodes 9, 10 and the like is. If the average electric current value is higher than the standard value, it is assumed that the electrodes 9, 10 and the like are largely deteriorated and the threshold values are similarly reduced to speed up the electrode cleaning operation. If it is smaller than the standard value, the electrode 9,
Assuming that 10 or the like is less deteriorated, each threshold value is increased to improve the durability of the electrodes 9 and 10. Next, it is checked whether the integrated flow rate read in S3 is larger than the flow rate washing threshold value determined in S5 (S6). If Yes, jump to S9, and if No, check whether the number of uses read in S3 is larger than the number-of-times cleaning threshold determined in S5 (S7). If Yes, S
If the result is jump to 9 and the answer is No, it is checked whether or not the integrated use time read in S4 is larger than the time washing threshold determined in S5 (S8). If No, go to S1 j
Ump and repeat the above process. If Yes, it is checked whether the flow is stopped by the flow sensor 6 (S
9). If No, jump to S1 to wait for the water to stop, and if Yes, electrodes 9, 1
An electrode cleaning operation is performed by applying a reverse voltage of a required magnitude to 0 (S10). Next, it is checked whether or not the cleaning is completed after a required time has passed since the cleaning was started (S11). If No, jump to S10 to continue the cleaning and Y
If it is es, the accumulated flow rate, the number of times of use, and the accumulated use time are reset, the solenoid valve 14 is opened, and the cleaning water in which the scale and the like in the electrolytic cell 7 is dissolved is discharged from the water discharge pipe 15, and S1
Jump to and repeat the above processing (S12).

In this embodiment, the average current during use is used to detect the use state such as the electrolytic strength, but the average current density may be used instead.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the controller automatically determines the state in which the water is stopped after the user has used the device, and the number of times of use from the previous cleaning operation, the accumulated flow rate, the accumulated use time, etc. are calculated. By measuring and automatically determining the time and cleaning time for the next cleaning operation, cleaning can be performed under optimal cleaning conditions, and the cleaning operation is performed using the total usage time from the start of use and the average current value. By correcting the timing etc., it is possible to estimate the deterioration of the electrodes and the like from the usage time and the usage conditions, and perform the cleaning operation according to that.

As a result, the cleaning operation in which the alkaline ionized water cannot be supplied is inevitably carried out at an appropriate interval according to the contamination index of the electrode and the degree of deterioration thereof, so that it cannot be used for the user. Minimizes time,
It is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the alkaline ionized water device and to provide excellent workability, and also to prevent an excessive washing operation, thereby realizing an alkaline ionized water device having excellent durability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of an alkaline ionized water device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an electrode cleaning operation of an alkaline ionized water device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a graph showing a relationship between a flow rate cleaning threshold value and a total usage time and an average current. FIG. 3B is a graph showing a relationship between the number-of-times cleaning threshold value and a total usage time and an average current. Graph showing the relationship between the cleaning threshold value and the total usage time and average current

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device.

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a general alkaline ionized water device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Raw Water Pipe 2 Faucet 3 Alkaline Ion Water Purifier 4 Water Purifier 5 Mineral Supply Section 6 Flow Sensor 7 Electrolysis Tank 8 Separator 9, 10 Electrode 9a Adhesion 11 Drainage Pipe 12 Discharge Pipe 13 Solenoid Valve 15 Water Discharge Pipe 16 Water Purifier Sensor 17 Power Supply Plug 18 Power Supply Section 19 Controller 20 Operation Display Section 21 Transformer 22 Control DC Power Supply 23 Electrolysis DC Power Supply 24 Current Transducer 25 Smoothing Circuit 26 Output Control Circuit 27 Electrolysis Tank-Solenoid Valve Switching Relay 28 Polarity switching relay 29 Solenoid valve solenoid 30 Controller

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water purifier, a flow rate sensor disposed downstream of the water purifier for detecting the amount of water flow, an electrolytic cell having an electrode disposed downstream of the flow rate sensor, the electrolytic cell, and the like. A controller for controlling, and a continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner, wherein a reverse voltage is applied to the electrode when the controller detects that the water is still, and an electrode cleaning operation is performed. An alkaline ionized water conditioner having a cleaning means for stopping water. 2. A water purifier, a flow rate sensor arranged downstream of the water purifier for detecting the amount of water flow, an electrolytic cell having an electrode disposed downstream of the flow rate sensor, the electrolytic cell, and the like. A controller for controlling, and a continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner, wherein the controller detects the accumulated flow rate, the number of times of use, the accumulated use time, etc. since the previous electrode cleaning operation detected by the flow rate sensor. A stop for performing an electrode cleaning operation by applying an applied voltage and a reverse voltage to the electrode when at least one of the electrodes exceeds a preset cleaning threshold value and the flow sensor detects that the water is still stopped. An alkaline ionized water conditioner having an optimum cleaning means for water. 3. A current sensor for detecting a current value flowing in the electrolytic cell, an average current value and an average current obtained from a total usage time from the start of use of the controller and a current value detected by the current sensor. 3. The alkaline ionized water conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising: aged deterioration correction means that corrects the usage time and usage conditions of each cleaning threshold value by using density and the like.