JPH07290057A - Ionized water producer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an ionized water producer delaying a deterioration of a component such as an electrode and a tube and lasting a long time as compared with a conventional device. CONSTITUTION:A precipitate and an adhered matter in a vessel are removed with a water in which addition is not executed at the time of completion of formation by stopping an addition by means of an adding means 12 by a completion signal from a formation completion means 2 ordering a completion of a formation of an ionized water and by stopping a supply of water by means of a stoppage means 10a specified time later.

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 water to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic water. More specifically, the operation of the ionized water generator is stopped after normal electrolysis is completed. The present invention relates to an ionized water generator that performs processing until it stops.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ordinary tap water is neutral water having a pH of around 7. On the other hand, it is known that it is preferable to use alkaline ionized water having a pH of about 8 to 10 for drinking water and food processing water. The pH of water used for sterilization or disinfection is
It is known that it is preferable to use strongly acidic water having a pH of 2 to 3. Therefore, conventionally, tap water was electrolyzed by the following apparatus to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic water (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-183597).

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an electrolytic cell portion of a conventional ionized water generator. From the water supply pipe (101) to the electrolytic cell (10
When tap water is supplied to 2), the pressure switch (103) is closed by the water pressure, and the control circuit causes the pressure switch (10
3) is closed, the electrode (1) in the electrolytic cell (102) is
A DC voltage of a predetermined polarity is applied to 04) and (105).
When the supply of tap water from the water supply pipe (101) is stopped, the pressure switch (103) opens, and the control circuit inverts the polarity of the DC voltage by opening the pressure switch (103), and the inside of the electrolytic cell (102) The DC voltage of the reverse polarity is applied only during the time when the residual water of the above is drained.

Further, since a sufficient pH cannot be obtained with the above conventional apparatus, a method has been proposed in which an additive or an additive solution is added to tap water before flowing into the electrolytic cell. Note that calcium glycerophosphate or calcium lactate is used to obtain alkaline ionized water, and sodium chloride or potassium chloride is used to obtain strongly acidic water.

[0005]

In the above prior art, since the additive is continuously added to the tap water until the inflow of the tap water is stopped, ion exudates and deposits are easily attached to the electrodes in the electrolytic cell. Deterioration of parts such as pipes is accelerated.

The present invention has been made to solve such drawbacks, and an object thereof is to provide an ion water generator which delays deterioration of parts such as electrodes and tubes and lasts longer than conventional ones. To do.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises, in an ionized water generator, a stopping means for stopping the supply of water from the outside, and an adding means for adding a solid or liquid additive.
Voltage application means for applying a voltage to the electrodes in the electrolytic cell, production termination means for instructing termination of production of alkaline ionized water and acid water, and addition of the additive by the addition means by a termination signal from the production termination means. It is proposed to provide a control unit for stopping the supply of water and stopping the supply of water by the stopping means after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Further, it is proposed that the control unit is constructed so that after the addition of the additive by the adding unit is stopped, the voltage applying unit applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal polarity to the electrode. Further, it is proposed that the control unit is configured to stop the application of the voltage by the voltage application unit after the addition of the addition liquid or the additive by the addition unit is stopped.

[0009]

When the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water are produced, water is supplied from the outside into the vessel, the additive is added to the water by the adding means, and after the addition, the water is electrolyzed by electrolysis, It produces ionic and acidic water. When a termination signal is issued from the production termination means for instructing the termination of the production of the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water, the addition means stops the addition to the water, and after a certain period of time, the stop means stops the water supply.

[0010]

EXAMPLE FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an alkaline ionized water generator which is an example using the present invention. The alkaline ionized water generator (1) shown in FIG. 2 has a start / end switch (2),
Control part (4), electrolysis power supply part (6), electrolysis tank (8), solenoid valves (10a) (10b) (10c), additive mixing part (1
2) and a three-way valve (14).

The solenoid valve (10a) serving as a stop means is opened or closed by a start or stop signal from the control section (4),
It is configured to supply or stop supply of external tap water into the container. The tap water supplied to the container is controlled by the control unit (4).
According to the control signal from the solenoid valve (10b), the solenoid valve (10c) is closed when the solenoid valve (10b) is opened, and the solenoid valve (10c) is opened when the solenoid valve (10b) is closed. It is preferable to control so as to open and close at the same time, but since they are not completely synchronized when actually operated, both solenoid valves (10b) and (10c) are closed so that inflow of water is not stopped. In either case, the opening direction is controlled first. The solenoid valve (10c) controls the flow of water supplied by opening and closing into the additive mixing section (12). Further, the solenoid valve (10b) controls the inflow of water supplied by opening and closing into the bypass pipe (11) through which the water does not pass through the additive mixing section (12) but to the rear.

The additive mixing section (12) as an adding means is provided with an additive containing section (not shown) for containing an additive such as calcium glycerophosphate, and the solenoid valve (10).
When c) is in the open state, water flows into the additive mixing section (12), the additive is eluted from the additive storage section and mixed with water.

The water that has passed through the bypass pipe (11) or the additive mixing section (12) flows into the electrolytic cell (8) and is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell (8) to generate alkaline ionized water and acidic water. To generate. The electrolytic cell (8) has a pair of electrodes (16a)
(16b) and a diaphragm (18) are provided, and the electrode (16
An electrolytic power source (6) is connected to a) (16b).
The electrolysis power source (6) receives a control signal from the control unit (4),
The electrolysis is turned on / off, the electrolysis voltage value is adjusted, and the polarity of the applied voltage is reversed.

The electrolytic cell (8) has two discharge ports (19).
a) (19b) is provided, and the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water are normally discharged from the respective discharge ports (19a) and (19b), and the alkaline ionized water is discharged from the outlet for alkaline ionized water outside the device, Acidic water is drained from the drain port outside the device. When water that cannot be used as alkaline ionized water is discharged from the discharge ports (19a) (19b) (for example, when ionized water generation starts, when ionized water generation ends and electrode reversal), the switching valve (14) The discharge port (19a) (1) to the water pipe on the drain port side by the control signal from the control unit (4).
It is configured to send the water discharged from 9b).

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are flow charts showing the alkaline ion water production start operation and the alkaline ion water production end operation of the alkaline ion water generator of FIG.
The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

First, the operation shown in FIG. 3 (a) is started by turning on the start / end switch (2) which is a means for starting and ending the production provided in the alkaline ionized water generator (1). . First, as a preparatory operation, the switching valve (14) is switched to the drain side, the solenoid valve (10b) is opened,
After closing the solenoid valve (10c), the solenoid valve (10a) is opened, tap water is supplied into the machine, the electrolysis power supply (6) is turned on, and voltage application to the electrodes (16a) (16b) is started (step). SS-1). Next, the control unit (4) performs time counting until a predetermined time has elapsed (step SS-2), and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the solenoid valve (10c) is opened to open the solenoid valve (10).
b) is closed (step SS-3). After that, the control unit (4) again counts time until the predetermined time passes (step SS-4), switches the switching valve (14) after the predetermined time passes (step SS-5), and ends the generation start operation. After that, the normal generation operation is performed.

That is, when the start / end switch (2) is turned on, the valve provided in the water supply pipe is released from the rear stage to the front stage, and the application of the voltage from the electrolytic power source (6) is started. . At this time, all the water is drained by the switching valve (14) because the alkaline ionized water does not have a sufficient pH for a while after the generation operation is started and the water used last time remains in the vessel. This is to drain all of it. Further, the electromagnetic valve (10b) is opened and the electromagnetic valve (10c) is closed to bypass the additive mixing section (12) because the water eluted and mixed with the additive has high conductivity (that is, water). Since the resistance of water is low), since a large load is required to apply a constant voltage to this highly conductive water from the beginning, tap water is first allowed to flow, and the current value is raised to a constant value.
Also, if the conductivity of the tap water itself is high for some reason, the conductivity of the mixed water becomes abnormally high when the additive is eluted and mixed on it, and even if voltage is applied for a short time. Overcurrent may damage the circuit. In the present embodiment, since only tap water is flowed first, it is possible to judge that the electrical conductivity is high at that point and perform overcurrent control. After that, when a predetermined time (a time until a constant current value of normal water obtained by an experiment or the like is reached) elapses, the control unit (4) opens the solenoid valve (10c) and opens the solenoid valve (10b). It is closed and the water that has passed through the additive mixing section (12) is electrolyzed.
Then, when a predetermined time (time until the water that has passed through the bypass pipe, which has been accumulated in the normal water obtained by an experiment or the like, is completely drained to the outside and the normal generating operation is performed), the control unit (4 ) Switches the switching valve (14) so that the discharge port (19a) for discharging acidic water communicates with the drain port and the discharge port (19b) for discharging alkaline ionized water communicates with the outlet for alkaline ionized water. After that, the normal generation operation is performed.

Further, when the start / end switch (2) provided in the alkaline ionized water generator (1) is turned off, the operation shown in FIG. 3 (b) is started. First, the switching valve (14) is switched to the drain side so that no water is discharged from the alkaline ionized water outlet (step ST-
1). Next, the solenoid valve (10b) is opened and the solenoid valve (10c) is closed (step ST-2). After that, the control unit (4)
Performs time counting until a predetermined time has elapsed (step ST-3), turns off the electrolytic power source (6) after the predetermined time has elapsed, and terminates voltage application to the electrodes (16a) and (16b) (step ST- 4), the solenoid valve (10a) is closed to stop the supply of tap water into the container (step ST-5),
By ending the generation end operation, the generation operation also ends.

That is, by switching the switching valve (14) to the drain side, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly using water that is not suitable as alkaline ionized water (for example, water whose pH is not sufficient). Next, by opening the solenoid valve (10b) and closing the solenoid valve (10c), the conductivity of water is lowered and only tap water is passed through the bypass pipe (11) in the alkaline ionized water generator (1). By passing through, the ion deposits and adhered substances that are ejected during the generating operation are washed away. After that, by turning off the electrolysis power source (6), since the water has low conductivity (the water has a high resistance value and the current value is lower than that during normal generation), the electrode (1
The load of 6a) and (16b) can be reduced. After that, the solenoid valve (10a) is closed to end the generation operation.

In the above embodiment, when water is passed through the bypass pipe (11) in the generation start operation, a predetermined voltage value is applied, but instead of this, a predetermined voltage value is gradually raised from a low voltage value to a predetermined voltage value. Thus, finer control over the load may be performed. Further, in the generation end operation, a constant voltage value is continuously applied until a predetermined time elapses after the electromagnetic valve (10b) is opened and the electromagnetic valve (10c) is closed, and after the predetermined time elapses, the voltage application is terminated and the Although the valve (10a) is closed, the solenoid valve (1
0b) may be opened and the solenoid valve (10c) may be closed, and then the voltage application may be terminated immediately to reduce power consumption, or the electrode may be descaled every time and the voltage is reduced due to the scale. Electrode (16a) to prevent
The electromagnetic valve (10a) may be closed after inverting the polarity of (16b) and continuing to apply the voltage and ending the voltage application after a lapse of a predetermined time or gradually decreasing the voltage value and ending the voltage application. The electromagnetic valve (10a) may be closed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the voltage application is completed. Further, a solenoid valve may be used instead of the solenoid valve, and a solenoid valve may be used instead of the switching valve. Furthermore, although an alkaline ionized water generator is shown in the above embodiment, the present invention may be used in a strongly acidic water generator. An embodiment of the strongly acidic water generator using the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 4, which is an explanatory view of the strongly acidic water generator.

The strong acid water generator (21) comprises a strong acid water storage tank (22), a control unit (24) and an electrolysis power supply unit (2).
6), electrolytic cell (28), solenoid valve (30), pulse pump (31), additive liquid storage tank (32), mixer (3)
3), has a three-way valve (34).

The strong acid water storage tank (22) is provided with a float switch (not shown) which is a means for starting and ending the generation and a means for detecting the water level. When water is discharged and the water in the tank (22) becomes below a certain level, the float switch is turned on, and a generation operation start signal is sent to the control section (24). The control unit (24) switches the three-way valve (34) to connect the acidic water discharge pipe (39b) and the drain pipe (39a). Next, the control section (24) opens the electromagnetic valve (30) which is a stopping means for supplying and stopping water to supply tap water into the container, and turns on the electrolytic power supply (26) which is a voltage applying means. Then, a voltage is applied to both electrodes (36a) (36b) to perform electrolysis. However, at this time, since the drain pipe (39a) and the acidic water discharge pipe (39b) are in communication with each other, the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water generated by electrolysis are drained. Then, after a lapse of a certain time, the control unit (24) turns on the pulse bomb (31) which is an addition means, and the pulse bomb (3
By driving 1), the additive liquid (eg, NaCl or KCl solution) in the additive liquid storage tank (32) is added to tap water. Tap water to which the additive liquid has been added is mixed in a mixer (3
A uniform concentration is obtained by 3), and it is supplied to the electrolytic cell (28). However, in this case as well, the pH of the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell (28) may not be sufficiently raised, and therefore all are drained. After that, when a certain period of time has passed, the control unit (24) switches the three-way valve (34) to connect the acidic water discharge pipe (39b) and the storage tank (22), and ends the generation start operation, and thereafter the normal operation. Generate operation. As a result, the tap water added with the additive liquid is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell (28), and strong alkaline ionized water is placed on the electrode (36a) side and the electrode (36b) side is placed across the diaphragm (38). Strongly acidic water is generated, the strong alkaline ionized water is drained out of the vessel by the drain pipe (39a), and the strongly acidic water is supplied to the storage tank (22) by the acidic water discharge pipe (39b).

The strongly acidic water is stored in the storage tank (2
When the storage tank (22) becomes full, water is stored in (2) (more quickly when the use of strongly acidic water from the strongly acidic water discharge port (23) is stopped), and the float switch turns off.
A generation end signal is sent to the control section (24). The control unit (24) switches the three-way valve (34), and the acidic water discharge pipe (3
9b) communicates with the drain pipe (39a) to drain all water. This is because the storage tank (2
This is to prevent water from being supplied to 2) and to prevent problems caused by supplying water in the storage tank in excess of the full amount. Next, the control unit (24) stops the driving of the pulse pump to stop the addition of the additive liquid to the tap water. Then, after a certain period of time has passed, the control unit (24) turns off the electrolysis power source (26) and the solenoid valve (30)
Is closed, the generation end operation is ended, and the generation operation is ended.

In the above embodiment, the operation is controlled on the basis of the lapse of a certain time, but instead of this, the operation is controlled by the value of the conductivity center or the value of the pH center. Good.

In the strongly acidic water generator shown in the above example,
In particular, since a high-concentration additive liquid is added to tap water so that the electrolysis efficiency can be increased to generate strongly acidic water of around pH 2 in a short time, ion spills and deposits are likely to remain in the vessel and strongly acidic. After the water generation operation, tap water that has not been added for a certain period of time removes ion deposits and deposits in the container, so that the effect of suppressing the deterioration of parts inside the container such as electrodes and tubes is remarkable.

[0026]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

By adding a termination signal from the production termination means to stop the addition of the additive liquid or the additive by the addition means, and stopping the supply of water by the termination means after a lapse of a predetermined time, parts such as electrodes and tubes Since the ion deposits and deposits that have adhered to the product are removed at the end of production, the amount of deposits and deposits of ion deposits with respect to the usage time are less than those of conventional ion water generators, and parts such as electrodes and tubes It can delay the deterioration of and make it last longer. Further, since the amount of adhered (scale) ions is small, the frequency of reverse current application to the electrode for scale removal or the application time per application can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of application of the reverse polarity to the electrode, which causes the electrode deterioration, or the application time per one time, and it is possible to delay the electrode and prolong it.

After stopping the addition by the adding means,
Since the voltage application means is configured to apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal polarity to the electrodes, it is possible to automatically remove the deposits (scales) of the ion deposits at the end of each generation, improving the usability of the user. It is possible to prevent a voltage drop due to adhesion of scale.

Further, since the voltage application means stops the application of the voltage after the addition means stops the addition, the consumption voltage of the ionized water generator can be suppressed and the addition liquid is not added. It is possible to prevent ions from being newly ejected and attached while the water is removing the ejected substances and attached substances.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an electrolytic cell portion of a conventional ionized water generator.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an alkaline ionized water generator that is an embodiment using the present invention.

FIG. 3 (a) is a flowchart showing an operation of starting production of alkaline ionized water. (B) A flow chart showing the operation of ending the production of alkaline ionized water.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a strongly acidic water generator which is an embodiment using the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Alkaline ion water generator (ion water generator) (2) Start / end switch (generation end means) (4) Control unit (control means) (6) Electrolytic power supply (voltage application means) (8) Electrolyzer (10a) Solenoid valve (stopping means) (12) Additive mixing section (adding means) (21) Strongly acidic water generator (ion water generator) (22) Storage tank (24) Control section (control means) (26) ) Electrolysis power supply (voltage application means) (28) Electrolysis tank (30) Solenoid valve (stopping means) (31) Pulse pump (adding means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ion water generator for generating alkaline ionized water and acidic water by adding an additive to water supplied from the outside and then electrolyzing in an electrolytic cell to stop the supply of water from the outside. Stopping means, addition means for adding an additive, means for applying a voltage to the electrode in the electrolytic cell, generation ending means for instructing the end of the generation of alkaline ionized water and acidic water, and the generation ending means An ion water generator, comprising: a control unit for stopping the addition of the additive by the adding means in response to the end signal, and for stopping the supply of water by the stopping means after a lapse of a predetermined time. 2. The ionized water generator according to claim 1,
The ion water generator, wherein the control unit is configured to apply a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal polarity to the electrode by the voltage applying unit after stopping the addition of the additive by the adding unit. 3. The ionized water generator according to claim 1,
The ion water generator, wherein the control unit is configured to stop the application of the voltage by the voltage applying unit after stopping the addition of the additive by the adding unit. 4. The ion water generator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the additive is a liquid.