JPH0659469U - High concentration aqueous solution tank for electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] An electrolyzed water generator capable of reliably preventing water-soluble solid substances from adhering to the detection switch when the water-soluble solid substances such as salt are put into a high-concentration aqueous solution tank. A high-concentration aqueous solution tank is provided. [Structure] The inside of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 is divided into a first chamber 6 and a second chamber 7 via a partition plate 5, and further, two side walls 7A on the upper and lower sides of the second chamber 7 have two chambers. Communication ports 12, 1
3 is formed, and the float switch 15 is arranged in the switch housing member 14 fixed to the side wall 7A so as to cover these communication ports 12 and 13. This can prevent salt and the like from adhering to the float switch 15 when the water-soluble solid substance such as salt is put into the first chamber 6.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to the structure of a tank that stores a high-concentration aqueous solution used in an electrolyzed water generator, for example, saturated saline solution, and in particular, the inside of the tank is divided into two chambers through a partition plate, and one of By adjusting the saturated saline solution in one chamber and arranging the water level detection switch in the switch storage part that communicates with the other chamber, it is possible to adjust the saturated water by adding salt to one chamber. The present invention relates to a high-concentration aqueous solution tank of an electrolyzed water generation device that can accurately and reliably detect the water level in the other chamber via the detection switch without causing salt etc. to adhere to the water level detection switch. .

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, in an electrolyzed water generator, generally, a high-concentration aqueous solution tank for storing a high-concentration aqueous solution prepared by dissolving a water-soluble solid substance such as salt, and a high-concentration aqueous solution tank are used. It is equipped with a low-concentration aqueous solution tank that stores the adjusted low-concentration aqueous solution while appropriately diluting the high-concentration aqueous solution, and by supplying the low-concentration aqueous solution from the low-concentration aqueous solution tank to the electrolyzer, alkaline water and acidic water are continuously supplied. Is configured to generate.

Here, for example, as a high-concentration aqueous solution tank used in this type of electrolyzed water generator, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-33929 discloses a first tank in which the inside of the tank communicates with the upper part through a partition wall. It is divided into a second chamber and a second chamber. In the first chamber, excessive saline is added to adjust saturated saline solution, and in the second chamber, a float switch is installed to adjust saturated saline solution in the tank. A tank adapted to detect the water level is described. In such a tank, while adjusting the saturated saline solution in the first chamber while supplying water based on the switch output from the float switch, the saturated saline solution is continuously supplied to the second chamber communicating with the first chamber. It is possible.

[0004]

However, in the above-described high-concentration aqueous solution tank, the upper part of the tank, especially the peripheral part of the float switch is not protected at all, so that when the salt is poured into the first chamber, There is a possibility that the dust will adhere to the float switch. As described above, if salt is adhered to the float switch, the float switch may not operate smoothly, and as a result, malfunction may occur. If the float switch malfunctions as described above, salt water may overflow from the tank without stopping the water supply to the tank even when the water level in the tank is full, and vice versa. Even if the water level in the tank drops below a predetermined level, there is a risk that water will not be supplied to the tank. In such a case, the electrolyzed water producing device will not be able to smoothly produce the electrolyzed water.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is supplied from the first chamber and the first chamber for adjusting and storing a high-concentration aqueous solution into the tank main body through a partition plate. It is divided into a second chamber that stores the high-concentration aqueous solution and a detection switch is provided in the switch storage section that communicates with the second chamber, so that a water-soluble solid substance such as salt is put into the first chamber. At this time, it is possible to reliably prevent the water-soluble solid substance from adhering to the detection switch, and thus to reliably and accurately detect the water level in the second chamber for a long period of time without causing malfunction of the detection switch. An object is to provide a high-concentration aqueous solution tank for an electrolyzed water generator.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a tank body, a partition plate partitioning the inside of the tank body into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a detection switch for detecting the water level in the second chamber. A high-concentration aqueous solution prepared by dissolving a water-soluble solid substance such as salt is stored in one chamber, and a high-concentration aqueous solution supplied from the first chamber is stored in the second chamber. In the concentrated aqueous solution tank, a high-concentration aqueous solution in the second chamber is supplied through the communication port formed on one side wall of the second chamber, and is maintained at the same water level as the second chamber. And a switch housing in which the detection switch is disposed. Further, the communication ports are formed at least at two upper and lower positions on one side wall of the second chamber.

[0007]

[Action]

 In the present invention having the above structure, first, a water-soluble solid substance such as salt is put into the first chamber and water is supplied, and a high-concentration aqueous solution is prepared in the first chamber. When such a water-soluble solid substance is put into the first chamber, the detection switch is arranged and protected in the switch housing, so that the water-soluble solid substance is securely prevented from being accidentally attached to the detection switch. Can be done.

When the amount of the high-concentration aqueous solution exceeds the predetermined amount in the first chamber, the high-concentration aqueous solution overflows from the upper end of the partition wall and is supplied into the second chamber. When the water level of the high-concentration aqueous solution rises in the second chamber due to the overflow of the high-concentration aqueous solution, the high-concentration aqueous solution enters the switch housing through the communication port. Further, since the water level in the switch housing is maintained at the same water level as the water level in the second chamber, when the high-concentration aqueous solution in the second chamber reaches the full level, the detection inside the switch housing is detected. The switch detects that the high-concentration aqueous solution reaches the full level in the second chamber. At this time, as described above, when the water-soluble solid substance is put into the first chamber, the water-soluble solid substance is not attached to the detection switch at all. Moreover, the water level in the second chamber can be detected.

[0009]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus in which the high-concentration aqueous solution tank according to the present embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrolyzed water generator. In FIG. 1, a high-concentration salt water tank 2 and a high-concentration salt water tank 2 which are arranged above the electrolyzed water generator 1 for adjusting and storing saturated saline (having a salt concentration of about 26%) are provided below the electrolyzed water production apparatus 1. The saturated salt water is provided from the high-concentration salt water tank 2 and, at the same time, water is supplied via the water supply valve 24 to dilute the saturated salt water (about 0. A diluted salt water tank 3 for storing a salt concentration of 07%, and a cathode chamber (where the negative electrode is arranged) 30 and an anode chamber (where the positive electrode is arranged) via an permeable diaphragm 33 as described later. 2), and an electrolytic cylinder 4 to which the diluted salt water is supplied from the diluted salt water tank 3 by the pump motors 28 and 31 to the cathode chamber 30 and the anode chamber 32, respectively. Here, the configuration of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 such as the electrolysis tube 4 and the like is publicly known, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the configuration of the high concentration salt water tank 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the high-concentration salt water tank 2. The high-concentration salt water tank 2 is molded from acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene resin (ABS resin) or vinyl chloride resin. The inside of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 is divided into a first chamber 6 and a second chamber 7 by a partition plate 5. Here, the first chamber 6 is a chamber for adjusting and storing saturated saline solution, and the second chamber 7 is for storing the saturated saline solution adjusted in the first chamber 6, as described later. It is a chamber for storing saturated saline that has overflowed beyond the upper end of the partition plate 5 when the amount exceeds a certain amount.

Further, a guide member 9 is provided on the upper surface of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 so as to cover the tank 2 and to form a charging port 8 for charging salt into the first chamber 6 above the first chamber 6. Further, a water supply pipe 11 having a water supply valve 10 is provided on the side wall of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 (upper left side wall in FIG. 2) above the first chamber 6. As a result, an excessive amount of salt is introduced into the first chamber 6 from the inlet 8 of the guide member 9, and water is supplied to the first chamber 6 from the water supply pipe 11, whereby the first chamber 6 is supplied. In 6, the saturated saline solution is prepared. The adjusted saturated saline solution is held at the same water level L3 as the upper end position of the partition plate 5, and the saturated saline solution that exceeds the water level L3 overflows the upper end of the partition plate 5 into the second chamber 7.

The water supply pipe 11 is connected to a water supply source such as a water supply, and the water supply valve 10 is opened / closed based on a switch signal from a float switch 15 described later. Further, since the saline solution in the first chamber 6 is always kept as saturated saline solution, an excessive amount of salt S that cannot be completely dissolved in water is deposited on the bottom wall of the first chamber 6. In the second chamber 7, one side wall 7A (the right side wall in the high-concentration salt water tank 2 in FIG. 2) is formed with two communication ports 12 and 13 at two upper and lower positions. Further, a switch accommodating member 14 is fixed to the outside of the side wall 7A so as to cover these communication ports 12 and 13. A float switch 15 is hung from the upper wall 14A of the switch housing member 14, and the switch portion is arranged at a position lower than the upper end position of the partition plate 5. Further, the bottom wall 14B of the switch housing member 14 is inclined downward toward the second chamber 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and the lower side communication corresponding to the inclined bottom wall 14B. The mouth 13 is arranged. As a result, even if salt enters the storage member 14 for some reason, the invaded salt flows down from the inclined bottom wall 14B into the second chamber 7 through the communication port 13 and, as a result, The salt does not stay in the storage member 14.

The float switch 15 has two floats 15A and 15B. Of the respective floats 15A and 15B, the upper float 15A detects the full water level L 1 in the second chamber 7, and the lower float 15A detects the full water level L 1. The float 15B on the side detects a water supply level (a water level at which saturated saline solution needs to be supplied from the first chamber 6 to the second chamber 7) below the full water level L1. The float switch 15 acts to control the opening and closing of the water supply valve 10 provided in the water supply pipe 11, and when the upper float 15A detects the full water level L1 of the second chamber 7, the water supply valve 10 is turned on. A signal for sending a closing signal to a control device (not shown), and a signal for opening the water supply valve 10 when the water level L2 in the second chamber 7 is detected by the lower float 15B. Is.

Here, the inside of the switch housing portion 14 communicates with the atmosphere through the upper communication port 12 (see FIG. 2), and the water level in the second chamber 7 reaches the full level L 1 through the float switch 15. The water level in the switch housing 14 is maintained at the same level as the water level in the second chamber 7, and the full water level L1 is lower than the upper end position of the partition plate 5. It will be set to the installation position. The float switch 15 described above is widely used and its structure is well known and will not be described in detail here. A discharge port 16 is formed in the bottom wall 7B of the second chamber 7, and a discharge pipe 17 is connected to the discharge port 16. As a result, the saturated saline solution in the second chamber 7 is supplied to the diluted salt water tank 3 through the opening / closing control of the discharge pipe 17 by the pinch valve 20 described later.

Next, the water path of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 using the high-concentration salt water tank 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a water path of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1, and a diluted salt water tank 3 is arranged below the high-concentration salt water tank 2 described above. Like the high-concentration salt water tank 2, the diluted salt water tank 3 is molded from ABS resin or vinyl chloride resin.

The diluted salt water tank 3 is a box-shaped tank, and the discharge pipe 17 with the pinch valve 20 interposed is inserted into the tank 3 from the upper wall 3 A thereof. Is provided with a density sensor 21. The concentration sensor 21 detects the concentration of the diluted salt water stored in the diluted salt water tank 3, and outputs the detection signal to the control device to control the opening / closing of the pinch valve 20.

A right side wall 3 B of the diluted salt water tank 3 (a communication port is formed like the side wall 7 A of the second chamber 7 of the high-concentration salt water tank 3) is similar to the switch storage member 14. A switch housing member 22 having a structure is fixed, and a float switch 23 (having the same structure as the float switch 15) is arranged in the switch housing member 22. The float switch 23 detects the water level of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 3 and outputs the detection signal to the control device. Further, like the water supply pipe 11, a water supply pipe 25 having a water supply valve 24 is arranged on the left side wall 3C (the left side wall in FIG. 3) of the diluted salt water tank 3, and the water supply valve 24 is connected to the float switch 23. The opening / closing is controlled by the control device based on the detection signal from.

Further, one end of each of the two salt water supply pipes 26 and 27 is connected to the bottom wall 3D of the diluted salt water tank 3. A pump motor 28 is provided in the middle of one salt water supply pipe 26, and the other end of the salt water supply pipe 26 is connected to the cathode chamber 30 of the electrolytic tube 29. A pump motor 31 is provided in the middle of the other salt water supply pipe 27, and the other end of the salt water supply pipe 27 is connected to the anode chamber 32 of the electrolytic cylinder 29. As a result, the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 3 is supplied from the salt water supply pipe 26 to the cathode chamber 30 via the pump motor 28, and from the salt water supply pipe 27 to the anode chamber 32 via the pump motor 31. To be done.

As is well known, the electrolytic cylinder 29 is divided into a cathode chamber 30 and an anode chamber 32 by a permeation membrane 33, and a cathode (not shown) is arranged in the cathode chamber 30 and the anode chamber 30 is provided. A positive electrode (not shown) is provided at 32. Then, in the electrolytic tube 29, electrolysis of diluted salt water is performed by the negative and positive electrodes. By electrolysis of this diluted salt water, alkaline water is generated in the cathode chamber 30 and acidic water is generated in the anode chamber 32. The alkaline water and the acidic water thus generated are supplied to the tank and the like through the pipes 34 and 35, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, a common overflow pipe 36 is connected to the high-concentration salt water tank 2 and the dilute salt water tank 3, so that the saturated saline solution overflowing from the first chamber 6 of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 is saturated. The diluted salt water that overflows from the diluted salt water tank 3 is discharged from the overflow pipe 36 to the outside of the electrolyzed water generator 1.

Next, the operation of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. First, an excessive amount of salt is introduced into the first chamber 6 of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 from the introduction port 8 of the guide member 9. At this time, the upper surface of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 is covered with the guide member 9 except the charging port 8, so that the salt is not scattered and adhered to other parts, and the charging port 8 is used. Thus, the salt can be surely put into the first chamber 6. Further, the float switch 15 is disposed while being protected in the switch housing member 14, and therefore, when the salt is poured into the first chamber 6, the salt is never attached to the float switch 15.

Then, the water supply valve 10 is opened and water is supplied from the water supply pipe 11 to the first chamber 6 until the float switch 15 detects the full water level L1 of the second chamber 7. During this period, the saturated saline solution is adjusted while being stirred by water in the first chamber 6, and the water level of the saturated saline solution reaches L3. After this, the saturated saline solution that exceeds the water level L3 is supplied from the upper end of the partition plate 5 while overflowing into the second chamber 7, and when the saturated saline solution in the second chamber 7 reaches the full level L1, The full water level L1 is detected via the float 15A above the float switch 15, and the detection signal is output to the control device to close the water supply valve 10. This state is shown in FIG.

After that, when the pinch valve 20 is opened at the start of electrolysis, the saturated saline solution in the second chamber 7 is supplied from the discharge port 16 and the discharge pipe 17 to the diluted salt water tank 3 below. As a result, the amount of saturated saline in the second chamber 7 decreases, and when the saturated saline water level reaches the water supply level L 2, the water supply level L 2 changes via the float 15B below the float switch 15. To be detected. Such a detection signal is sent to the control device, and the control device opens the water supply valve 10 based on the detection signal. As a result, the water is supplied to the first chamber 6 again via the water supply pipe 11, and the water is supplied to the first chamber 6 until the full level L1 is detected by the float 15A above the float switch 15. . By continuously performing such an operation, the saturated saline solution in the second chamber 7 is maintained at the full water level L1 while being replenished by the amount used for electrolysis.

Here, when detecting the full water level L1 and the water supply level L2 of the second chamber 7 by the float switch 15, the water level of the saturated saline in the first chamber 6 and the water level of the saturated saline in the second chamber 7 are detected. Since the mutual continuity is interrupted by the partition wall plate 5, therefore, when pouring salt from the pouring port 8, the influence of bubbling or waviness generated on the water surface of the first chamber 6 of the second chamber 7 is caused. Since it is never propagated to the water surface, the full water level L1 and the water supply level L2 of the second chamber 7 can always be detected accurately via the float switch 15.

Next, in the diluted salt water tank 3, saturated saline solution is supplied through the discharge pipe 17 and the open pinch valve 20 so that the sensor portion of the concentration sensor 21 is immersed. When water is stored, the sensor unit detects high concentration. The detection signal is sent to the control device, and the control device closes the pinch valve 20 based on the detection signal. Thereafter, the water supply valve 24 is opened by the float switch 23 (which does not detect a predetermined water level) and the control device, and water is supplied into the diluted salt water tank 3 through the water supply pipe 25. When the float switch 23 detects the predetermined full water level in the diluted salt water tank 3, the water supply valve 24 is closed and the water supply from the water supply pipe 25 is stopped. At this point, the saline solution in the diluted salt water tank 3 has a predetermined dilution concentration (about 0.07%), and the diluted salt water is supplied from the salt water supply pipes 26, 27 via the pump motors 28, 31. It is supplied to each cathode chamber 30 and cathode chamber 32 of the electrolytic cylinder 29. In each of the cathode chamber 30 and the anode chamber 32, the electrolysis of diluted salt water is performed by the negative electrode and the positive electrode, respectively. The alkaline water and the acidic water obtained by this electrolysis are transferred from the pipes 34 and 35 to the tank or the like. It will be supplied.

When the diluted salt water is supplied from the diluted salt water tank 3 to the electrolytic cylinder 29 and consumed by electrolysis, the water level in the tank 3 becomes low. When a predetermined water level that requires water supply is detected by the float switch 23, the water supply valve 24 is opened based on the detection signal, and the water supply pipe 25 is opened until the float switch 23 detects a predetermined full water level. Is supplied to the diluted salt water tank 3. While repeating this operation, the salt water concentration in the diluted salt water tank 3 decreases, but when the concentration sensor 21 detects that the salt water concentration falls below a predetermined concentration, the pinch valve 20 is opened again and saturated saline solution is added. Is supplied from the second chamber 7 of the high-concentration salt water tank 2 to the diluted salt water tank 3 via the discharge pipe 17.

As described in detail above, in the high-concentration salt water tank 2 according to the present embodiment, the guide member 9 having the charging port 8 is arranged at the position corresponding to the first chamber 6 while covering the upper surface of the tank 2. Therefore, when the salt is poured into the first chamber 6, the salt is not scattered and adhered to other portions at all. Especially, since the float switch 15 is housed in the switch housing member 14, the guide member 9 Combined with the above action, it is possible to reliably prevent salt from adhering to the float switch 15. As a result, the water level in the second chamber 7 can be detected reliably and reliably for a long period of time without causing a malfunction of the float switch 15.

Further, since the salt can be surely introduced into only the first chamber 6 through the introduction port 8, a large amount of salt can be introduced into the first chamber 6 and deposited in advance. As a result, it is not necessary to frequently add salt, and as a result, the saturated saline supply capacity can be significantly improved. Furthermore, when detecting the full water level L1 and the water supply level L2 of the second chamber 7 by the float switch 15, the water level of the saturated saline solution in the first chamber 6 and the water level of the saturated saline solution in the second chamber 7 are the partition plates. Mutual continuity is interrupted by No. 5, and therefore when bubbles are poured into the water in the first chamber 6 when pouring salt from the pouring port 8, the effects of waving and the like are propagated to the water in the second chamber 7. Since it does not occur at all, the full water level L1 and the water supply level L2 of the second chamber 7 can always be detected accurately via the float switch 15.

Further, since the saline solution that overflows from the first chamber 6 to the second chamber 7 over the partition plate 5 has a slightly lower salt concentration than the saturated saline solution, the saline solution passes through the second chamber 7 and the communication ports 12 and 13. There is almost no risk of crystallized salt adhering to the float switch 15 arranged in the switch housing 14 that communicates with each other, and thus the operation of the float switch 15 is not hindered. Further, the bottom wall 14B of the switch housing member 14 is inclined downward toward the second chamber 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and the lower communication port 13 is corresponding to the inclined bottom wall 14B. Since the salt is disposed, even if salt enters the storage member 14 for some reason, the invaded salt flows from the inclined bottom wall 14B through the communication port 13 into the second chamber 7. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the salt from staying in the storage member 14. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0029]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, the present invention divides the inside of the tank body through the partition plate into the first chamber for adjusting and storing the high-concentration aqueous solution and the second chamber for storing the high-concentration aqueous solution supplied from the first chamber. By disposing the detection switch in the switch housing that communicates with the second chamber, it is possible to prevent the water-soluble solid substance from adhering to the detection switch when the water-soluble solid substance such as salt is put into the first chamber. It is possible to provide a high-concentration aqueous solution tank for an electrolyzed water generator that can reliably prevent and reliably detect the water level in the second chamber for a long period of time without causing malfunction of the detection switch. However, the effect that it plays in the industry is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrolyzed water generator.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a high concentration salt water tank.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a water path of an electrolyzed water generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Electrolyzed water generator, 2 ... High concentration salt water tank,
5 ... Partition plate, 6 ... First chamber, 7 ... Second chamber, 8
... Inlet, 9 ... Guide member, 12, 13 ...
Communication port, 14 ... Switch storage member, 15 ... Float switch

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A tank main body, a partition plate partitioning the inside of the tank main body into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a detection switch for detecting the water level in the second chamber, wherein the first chamber has a salt solution. In the high-concentration aqueous solution tank of the electrolyzed water generator in which the high-concentration aqueous solution obtained by dissolving the water-soluble solid substance such as is stored, and the high-concentration aqueous solution supplied from the first chamber is stored in the second chamber, A high-concentration aqueous solution in the second chamber is supplied through the communication port formed on one side wall of the second chamber and is maintained at the same water level as the second chamber through the communication port, and the detection switch is provided. A high-concentration aqueous solution tank for an electrolyzed water producing apparatus, comprising: 2. The high-concentration aqueous solution tank of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication ports are formed at least at two upper and lower positions on one side wall of the second chamber.