JPH07323286A - Alkali ion water regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an alkali ion water regulator judging the remainder of mineral in a mineral feed part and capable of telling the user about the time to charge the mineral. CONSTITUTION:This continuous-electrolysis alkali ion water regulator 23 is provided with a controller 21 having a means to judge the remainder of mineral in a mineral feed part 5 by detecting the change in the current flowing in an electrolytic cell 7 or the change in conductivity with time and an operation indicating part 22 having a means to tell the user that the mineral is not left.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. 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
This is to electrolyze tap water or the like in the electrolytic cell 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. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device. 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water,
Reference numeral 2 is a faucet, and 3 is an alkaline ionized water conditioner connected to the raw water pipe 1 via the faucet 2. The alkaline ionized water conditioner 3 is configured as follows. 4 is a water purifier equipped with activated carbon that adsorbs residual chlorine in raw water and a hollow membrane that removes general bacteria and impurities. 5 is calcium ion such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate and minerals such as sodium chloride. , 6 is a mineral supply unit for enhancing conductivity, 6 is a flow rate sensor for confirming water flow and instructing a controller 19 to be described later, 8 is an electrolysis tank 7 for electrolyzing water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 6 diaphragm,
Reference numerals 9 and 10 denote electrode plates disposed in each electrode chamber formed by dividing the membrane 8 into two parts, and 11 drainage water for discharging water on the electrode plate 10 side (acid ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode). A pipe, 12 is a flow rate adjusting unit arranged near the joint between the electrolytic cell 7 and the drainage pipe 11 for efficiently generating alkaline ionized water, and 13 is water on the electrode plate 9 side (electrode plate 9 If is a cathode, it discharges alkaline ionized water), 14 is a solenoid valve for discharging accumulated water in the electrolytic bath 7 or cleaning water in which scale is dissolved during electrode cleaning, 15 is a drain pipe 11 And water on the side of the electrode plate 10 (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), drainage pipe for draining accumulated water in the electrolysis tank 7 and washing water, 16 is a water purifier for judging the presence or absence of a cartridge of the water purifier Sensor, 18 changes AC power supply to DC power supply from power supply plug 17 Source unit, 19 controller that controls the operation of the alkaline ionized water apparatus 3, 20 denotes an operation display unit for setting such operating conditions and displays the operational state of the alkaline ionized water apparatus 3.

The operation of the conventional alkaline ionized water conditioner 3 configured as described above will be described below. The raw water that has been passed through the water tap 1 from the raw water pipe 1 has a water purifier 4 that removes the odor of residual chlorine in the raw water and impurities such as general bacteria, and the mineral supply unit 5 dissolves minerals such as calcium glycerophosphate. After being treated with water that can be easily electrolyzed, water is passed through the flow rate sensor 6 to the electrolytic cell 7. On the other hand, AC 100V is supplied from the power-on plug 17 and the power supply 18
Generates a DC voltage / current necessary for control in the controller 19 and the like and a DC voltage / current necessary for electrolysis in the electrolysis tank 7, and the DC voltage / current for electrolysis is supplied to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolysis tank 7. Is powered. When the electrode to which the positive voltage is applied relatively is the anode and the electrode to which the negative electrode is applied is the cathode, the anode chamber and the cathode chamber partitioned by the diaphragm 8 are formed in the electrolytic cell 7.

The controller 19 reads the flow rate level signal of the flow rate sensor 6, judges that water is flowing when the flow level signal exceeds a certain level, and applies a voltage to the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis. . As a result, acidic ionized water is generated in the anode chamber and alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber. For example, by applying a voltage so that the electrode plate 9 has a negative voltage while passing water, alkaline ionized water is continuously obtained from the discharge pipe 13.

The alkaline ionized water conditioner 3 includes an operation display unit 2
By changing the setting of 0, it is possible to switch between alkaline ionized water, acidic water and purified water. That is, a negative voltage may be applied to the electrode plate 9 during acidic ionized water, and water may be passed through without applying a voltage during water purification. In addition, by changing the voltage applied to the electrolytic cell 7 to change the electrolytic strength, the pH of the alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water produced is changed.
Can be adjusted. In addition, the electrode cleaning for regeneration of the electrode plates 9 and 10 is performed by applying the reversed polarity of voltage to these in the water-stopped state after use in the same manner as when generating acidic ionized water. After the scale on the electrode surface, which is sometimes attached, is dissolved in the electrolyzed water, the water in which the scale in the electrolysis tank 7 is dissolved is released by opening the solenoid valve 14 and discharging the water from the water discharge pipe 15. The water is discharged even after the production of the acidic ionized water in order to prevent drinking of the acidic ionized water.

Next, the process of starting and ending the voltage application to the electrolytic cell 7 by the controller 19 will be described in detail. First, when generating alkaline ionized water / acidic ionized water, if the flow rate level detected by the flow rate sensor 6 exceeds a certain level, it is determined that water flow has started, and at that point a specified voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 at once. To do. On the contrary, when the flow rate level detected by the flow rate sensor 6 becomes less than a certain level, it is determined that the water is still stopped and the voltage application to the electrolytic cell 7 is immediately stopped. Next, during the electrode cleaning operation, the electrode usage amount from the previous electrode cleaning is counted, and when it reaches the electrode cleaning timing and the flow rate level detected by the flow rate sensor 6 becomes less than a certain level, it is stopped. When it is judged that water has been applied, a reverse polarity voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 at a time,
Start electrode cleaning. Then, when the prescribed time has elapsed, it is determined that the cleaning is completed, and the voltage application to the electrolytic cell 7 is promptly stopped. Next, the electromagnetic valve 14 is opened to discharge the water in the electrolytic cell 7 from the water discharge pipe 15. Here, the alkaline ionized water device 3 employs a pulse width control method in which the power supply voltage is kept constant and the output pulse width of a basic pulse of several hundred Hz is changed to control the average voltage. In the control during voltage application, the average applied voltage is automatically set based on the electrolytic strength selected by the user on the operation display unit 20 and the water flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 6, and the controller 19 sets the voltage output pulse width. I am changing.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above conventional configuration,
Since the user visually checked the inside of the mineral supply unit to check the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit,
The remaining amount of minerals cannot be confirmed during the production of alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water, and calcium glycerophosphate, calcium lactate, sodium chloride aqueous solution, etc. are not dissolved in the mineral supply part, and the alkaline ionized water produced, or The deterioration of the water quality in the acidic ionized water cannot be judged by the user, and there is a quality problem.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an alkaline ionized water device which allows a user to easily determine the presence or absence of minerals in the mineral supply section.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a mineral supply unit arranged on the downstream side of a water purifier, an electrolytic cell arranged on the downstream side of the mineral supply unit, and In a continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water device provided with a controller for controlling the electrolytic cell, a determination means for determining the remaining amount of mineral in the mineral supply unit by the current supplied to the electrodes when a voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell. When the determination means determines that the remaining amount of minerals is zero, the notification means is provided to notify the user of the fact.

Further, the water purifier, the mineral supply section arranged on the downstream side of the water purifier, the conductivity measuring means arranged on the downstream side of the mineral supply section, and the downstream of the conductivity measuring section. It is a continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner equipped with an electrolyzer and a controller for controlling this electrolyzer, and the remaining amount of the mineral supply part is judged by the conductivity of water after passing through the mineral supply part. The alkaline ionized water conditioner is composed of a determination means for performing the operation and an informing means for informing the user of that when the remaining amount is zero.

Further, the water purifier, the conductivity measuring means arranged on the downstream side of the water purifier, the mineral supply section arranged on the downstream side of the conductivity measuring means, and the downstream side of the mineral supply section. A continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner provided with the conductivity measuring means, an electrolytic cell arranged on the downstream side of the conductivity measuring means, and a controller for controlling the electrolytic cell. By comparing the conductivity of water before passing through the water supply part and the conductivity of the mineral-containing water after passing through the mineral supply part, a judgment means for judging the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply part and zero remaining amount The alkaline ionized water conditioner is composed of a notifying means for notifying the user of the determination.

[0013]

With this configuration, when the means for determining the remaining amount of minerals determines that the remaining amount of minerals is zero, the user is notified to that effect so that the user can easily know that there is no mineral in the mineral supply section. be able to.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An alkaline ionized water conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkaline ionized water device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram of the alkaline ionized water device. In FIG. 1, 1 is a raw water pipe, 2 is a faucet, and 23 is an alkaline ionized water conditioner. The alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 is configured as follows. 4 is a water purifier, 5 is a mineral supply unit, 6 is a flow sensor, 7 is an electrolytic cell, 8 is a diaphragm, 9 and 10 are electrode plates, 11 is a drain pipe, 12
Is a flow rate control unit, 13 is a discharge pipe, 14 is a solenoid valve, 15 is a water discharge pipe, 16 is a water purifier sensor, 17 is a power-on plug,
Reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply unit, which are similar to those of the conventional example, and therefore are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 21 is a controller for detecting that the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 has become zero during electrolysis in the electrolytic bath 7, and 22 is that the controller 21 has made the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 zero. It is an operation display unit having an informing means for informing the user of.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 24 is a transformer arranged inside the power supply unit 18, 25 is a control DC power supply for generating a DC voltage / current necessary for control, and 26 is a DC voltage / current necessary for electrolysis. DC power source for electrolysis, 27 is a current transducer for monitoring an AC current flowing into the DC power source for electrolysis 26, 28 is a smoothing circuit for converting a signal from the current transducer 27 into a DC level and inputting it to the controller 21, 29 is an electrolyzer An output control circuit for controlling the voltage applied to the bath 7, 30 is an electrolysis bath-solenoid valve switching relay, 31 is a polarity switching relay for switching the polarities of the electrode plates 9 and 10, and 32 is a solenoid valve solenoid for driving the solenoid valve 14. Is. Here, the DC voltage / current from the electrolysis DC power supply 26 is supplied to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolysis tank 7 via the output control circuit 29, the electrolysis tank-solenoid valve switching relay 30, and the polarity switching relay 31.

The operation of the alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 configured as described above will be described below. When alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water is produced in the alkaline ionized water device 23, the water faucet 2 is opened, raw water is passed through the mineral supply unit 5, becomes mineral-containing water, and passes through the flow rate sensor 6. Then, when the mineral-containing water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7 and the flow rate level output from the flow rate sensor 6 exceeds a certain level, the controller 21 starts applying voltage to the electrolytic cell 7. From this time, electrolyzer 7
The current value flowing through is constantly monitored by inputting an AC current flowing into the electrolysis DC power supply 26 to the controller 21 via the current transducer 27 and the smoothing circuit 28. Further, the controller 21 samples this input value and compares it with the previous data. When the comparison value ΔI becomes zero, all the minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 are dissolved and the remaining amount of minerals is zero, so the controller 2
No. 1 notifies the user that there is no mineral in the mineral supply unit 5 by turning on an indicator lamp which is a notification means of the operation display unit 22.

Next, the change with time of the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 was confirmed using the alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 configured as described above. In the experiment, when a predetermined mineral is put into the mineral supply unit 5 and then water is passed to start the generation of alkaline ionized water, that is, the controller 21 causes the electrolytic bath 7 to be operated.
The current flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 was measured when a voltage was applied to the electrode. The results will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a), (b) and (c).

FIG. 3 (a) is a graph showing the change over time in the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit of the alkaline ionized water device in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is a graph showing the changes in the mineral supply unit. It is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of ion concentration, and FIG.3 (c) is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of the electric current which flows through the same electrolytic cell.

When water is started after a predetermined amount of mineral has been added to the mineral supply unit 5, the mineral is dissolved in the water passing through the mineral supply unit 5 as shown in FIG.
The remaining mineral amount decreases. When the remaining amount of minerals decreases, the contact area of minerals with water decreases, and the amount of minerals dissolved in water decreases. Therefore, the ion concentration in water is reduced as shown in FIG. Also, FIG.
As shown in (c), the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 also decreases over time due to the decrease in the ion concentration in the water.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The controller 21 detects the current ΔI that changes in Δt time. As shown in FIG. 3C, when the remaining amount of minerals becomes zero, the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 becomes constant. Therefore,
The controller 21 determines that the current change amount ΔI in Δt time is ΔI =
When it becomes 0, the user is notified that the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 has become zero.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in the conventional example and the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. 33 is a conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of the mineral-containing water, which is provided downstream of the flow sensor 6.

The operation of the alkaline ionized water conditioner configured as described above will be described below. When generating alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water, the faucet 2 is opened, raw water is passed through the mineral supply unit 5 to become mineral-containing water, which passes through the flow rate sensor 6 and the mineral-containing water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7. When water is supplied and the flow rate level output from the flow rate sensor 6 exceeds a certain level, the controller 21 starts applying voltage to the electrolytic cell 7. From this time, the value of the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 7 is 26
The AC current flowing into the controller 21 (see FIG. 2) is passed through the current transducer 27 and the smoothing circuit 28 to the controller 21.
It is constantly monitored by inputting into. Further, the controller 21 samples the conductivity of the mineral-containing water measured by the conductivity sensor 33 and compares it with the previous data.
When the comparison value ΔP becomes zero, all the minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 are dissolved and the remaining amount of minerals is zero. Therefore, the controller 21 turns on the indicator lamp of the operation display unit 22 to supply the minerals. Notify the user that there is no mineral in the part 5.

Using the alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 of the embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above, the change with time of the conductivity of the mineral-containing water that has passed through the mineral supply section 5 was confirmed. In the experiment, after the predetermined mineral is put into the mineral supply unit 5, the controller 21 measures the conductivity of the mineral-containing water that has passed through the mineral supply unit 5 when water is passed and the generation of alkaline ionized water is started. went.
The results will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a), (b) and (c).

FIG. 5 (a) is a graph showing the change over time in the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit of the alkaline ionized water device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a graph which shows a time-dependent change of ion concentration, and FIG.5 (c) is a graph which shows the time-dependent change of the electrical conductivity of the mineral containing water after passing the same mineral supply part.

When water is started to flow after a predetermined amount of mineral has been added to the mineral supply section 5, the mineral is dissolved in the water passing through the mineral supply section 5, as shown in FIG.
The remaining mineral amount decreases. When the remaining amount of minerals decreases, the contact area of minerals with water decreases, and the amount of minerals dissolved in water decreases. Therefore, the ion concentration in water is reduced as shown in FIG. Further, a decrease in ion concentration means a decrease in conductivity of water as shown in FIG. 5 (c).

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the controller 21 detects the conductivity ΔP which changes the conductivity of the mineral-containing water in Δt time as shown in FIG. 5 (c). Figure 5
As shown in (c), when the remaining amount of minerals becomes zero, the minerals do not elute in the water that has passed through the mineral supply unit 5, so the conductivity is constant and constant. Therefore, the controller 21 detects that the amount of change in conductivity ΔP during Δt time is ΔP = 0, and notifies the user that the remaining amount of mineral in the mineral supply unit 5 is zero.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkaline ionized water purifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, a mineral supply unit 5 is passed between a water purifier 4 and a mineral supply unit 5. A conductivity sensor 34 is provided which measures the conductivity of the previous water.

The operation of the alkaline ionized water conditioner 23 configured as described above will be described below. When generating alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water, the faucet 2 is opened, the raw water is passed through the water purifier 4 and the conductivity sensor 34, and the mineral supply unit 5 is turned into mineral-containing water, which has conductivity. When the mineral-containing water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 7 after passing through the sensor 33 and the flow rate sensor 6, and the flow rate level output from the flow rate sensor 6 exceeds a certain level,
The controller 21 starts applying a voltage to the electrolytic cell 7.
From this time, the value of the current flowing in the electrolytic cell 7 is the DC power source for electrolysis 2
AC current flowing into 6 is converted into a current transducer 27
And is input to the controller 21 via the smoothing circuit 28 to be constantly monitored. In the controller 21, the conductivity sensor 34 measures the conductivity P1 of water before passing through the mineral supply unit 5, and the conductivity sensor 33 measures the conductivity P2 of the mineral-containing water that has passed through the mineral supply unit 5, and the mineral supply unit 5 The conductivity P1 and P2 before and after are compared.
When the electric conductivity P1 = P2, all the minerals in the mineral supply unit 5 are dissolved and the remaining amount of minerals is zero,
The controller 21 informs the user that there is no mineral in the mineral supply unit 5 by turning on the indicator light of the operation display unit 22 or the like.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, by detecting the conductivity of the raw water and comparing it with the change in the conductivity of the mineral-containing water, the amount of minerals actually eluted from the mineral supply section can be accurately determined. It can be detected well. Therefore, even with the remaining amount in the mineral supply unit 5, the controller 21 more accurately detects the remaining amount of mineral, and when the remaining amount of mineral is zero, the controller 21 turns on the indicator lamp of the operation display unit 22. , Informs the user that there is no mineral in the mineral supply unit 5.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit is detected by detecting the change over time of the electric current flowing through the electrolytic cell or the conductivity of the mineral-containing water that has passed through the mineral supply unit by the controller. The user can easily know that there is no mineral in the mineral supply unit by detecting and notifying the user that the remaining amount of minerals is zero on the operation display unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkaline ionized water device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram of the alkaline ionized water device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 (a) is a graph showing the change over time in the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit of the alkaline ionized water device in the first embodiment of the present invention. (B) The alkaline ionized water device in the first embodiment of the present invention. (C) A graph showing the change over time of the current flowing through the electrolytic cell of the alkaline ionized water device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkaline ionized water device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 (a) is a graph showing changes over time in the remaining amount of minerals in the mineral supply unit of the alkaline ionized water device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (B) Alkaline ionized water device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (C) A graph showing the change over time in the conductivity of the mineral-containing water after passing through the mineral supply part of the alkaline ionized water device in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkaline ionized water device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional alkaline ionized water device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Water Purifier 5 Mineral Supply Section 7 Electrolytic Tank 9, 10 Electrode Plate 21 Controller 22 Operation Display Section 23 Alkaline Ion Water Conditioner 33 Conductivity Sensor 34 Conductivity Sensor

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location C02F 1/68 520 GB BD 530 BK L 540 AD E

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water purifier, a mineral supply unit arranged on the downstream side of the water purifier, an electrolytic cell arranged on the downstream side of the mineral supply unit, and a controller for controlling the electrolytic cell. A continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner, a determination means for determining the remaining amount of minerals by the current supplied to the electrodes when a voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell, and the remaining amount is determined to be zero by this determination means. An alkaline ionized water conditioner characterized by being provided with a notification means for notifying the user at that time. 2. The alkaline ionized water device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means is the controller. 3. A water purifier, a mineral supply unit arranged on the downstream side of the water purifier, a conductivity measuring unit arranged on the downstream side of the mineral supply unit, and a downstream unit of the conductivity measuring unit. A continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner having a controlled electrolyzer and a controller for controlling the electrolyzer, wherein the residual amount of the mineral supply unit is determined by the conductivity of water after passing through the mineral supply unit. An alkaline ionized water conditioner comprising: a determination unit for determining the amount and an informing unit for informing the user of that when the remaining amount is zero. 4. A water purifier, a conductivity measuring means arranged on the downstream side of the water purifier, a mineral supply section arranged on the downstream side of the conductivity measuring means, and a downstream side of the mineral supply section. A continuous electrolysis type alkaline ionized water conditioner comprising a conductivity measuring means arranged, an electrolytic cell arranged on the downstream side of the conductivity measuring means, and a controller for controlling the electrolytic cell, wherein: By comparing the conductivity of water before passing through the mineral supply unit and the conductivity of the mineral-containing water after passing through the mineral supply unit, determination means for determining the remaining amount of mineral in the mineral supply unit, An alkaline ionized water conditioner comprising: an informing unit for informing a user of that when the remaining amount is zero.