JPH08157888A - Washing and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To wash an article to be washed except a human body in a high washing effect without depending on a detergent by irradiating ultrasonic waves on an alkaline water obtained by electrolyzing water and subsequently releasing the alkaline water toward the article to be washed. CONSTITUTION: Water obtained from a water source is electrolyzed, and the obtained alkaline water is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and subsequently released toward an article to be washed. The employment of the acidic water obtained by the electrolysis for rinsing the washed article is preferable, because the article can be finished in a clean state by the germicidal action of the acidic water. Concretely, for example, city water is introduced into an electrolysis chamber 2, and an electric current is applied between a plus electrode 4 and a minus electrode 5 to electrolyze the city water. An alkaline water and an acidic water are produced on the electrode 5 side and on the electrode 4 side, respectively, through an ion exchange membrane 3. The alkaline water is introduced into a chamber 20, subsequently irradiated with ultrasonic waves by the use of an ultrasonic wave vibrator 21, and simultaneously released toward an article to be washed in a washing tank 14 from a washing nozzle 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning method and apparatus, and more particularly to a cleaning method and apparatus which minimizes the use of cleaning agents and is suitable for cleaning dishes and medical instruments.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, so-called ultrasonic cleaning is performed by irradiating running water with ultrasonic waves to act on an object to be cleaned, or by irradiating ultrasonic waves into cleaning water in which the object is immersed. Technology is known. This ultrasonic cleaning technology can be said to be an energy-saving and resource-saving cleaning technology in which the same cleaning effect can be expected without using a stain removing member such as a brush on the object to be cleaned.

Further, there is known a water conditioner which electrolyzes tap water to generate alkaline water and acidic water. It is known that alkaline water is drunk because of its favorable effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and that acidic water has a bactericidal effect and can be used for cleaning and disinfecting the skin and the like. It can be said that the alkaline water and the acidic water each have a desirable function, but have the property of being reduced to ordinary water after use, which is a very bright suggestion for environmental problems.

[0004]

The ultrasonic cleaning technology has already been put to practical use for cleaning in various fields.
For example, when oil stains on tableware and the like are expected, it is premised that the dish should be used in combination with a detergent, and it has not been suggested that the detergent becomes unnecessary. Further, the alkaline water and the acidic water are known to be applied to cleaning for the human body only (for example, JP-A-5-156688 and JP-A-6-635).
No. 40), a cleaning method and an apparatus suitable for cleaning objects other than the human body have not been proposed. Moreover, although alkaline water and acidic water are simultaneously generated by electrolysis, when alkaline water is used, the acidic water is drained without being used, and when acidic water is used, the alkaline water is drained. Therefore, it was not possible to effectively use both of the ionized water.

The present invention copes with such a situation, and based on the above-mentioned two techniques, a good cleaning effect can be obtained without using a large amount of detergents, disinfectants and the like as in the conventional case. The present invention provides a cleaning method and apparatus for cleaning an object to be cleaned.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that alkaline water obtained by electrolyzing water from a water source is irradiated with ultrasonic waves and discharged toward an object to be cleaned. I am trying. Further, it is also possible to store alkaline water obtained by electrolyzing water from a water source, immerse the object to be cleaned, and irradiate with ultrasonic waves. The acidic water obtained by the electrolysis may be used for rinsing after washing.

In order to realize such a cleaning method, an electrolytic chamber equipped with electrodes for electrolyzing water from a water source to generate alkaline water and acidic water, a cleaning water channel for extracting alkaline water from the electrolytic chamber, The cleaning device may be configured by providing a water discharge means for irradiating the alkaline water from the cleaning water channel with ultrasonic waves and discharging the ultrasonic wave. In addition, an electrolysis chamber equipped with an electrode to electrolyze water from a water source to generate alkaline water and acidic water, a washing water channel for taking out alkaline water from the electrolysis chamber, and an alkaline water from the washing water channel are stored inside the chamber. A cleaning tank for irradiating a sound wave may be provided. A means for discharging the acidic water from the electrolysis chamber is provided, and means for discharging the acidic water from the rinse water channel toward the object to be cleaned, or means for immersing the object to be cleaned storing the acidic water from the rinse channel. Is provided so that the cleaning target can be rinsed.

[0008]

According to this cleaning method and apparatus, the alkaline water and the acidic water generated in the electrolysis chamber are brought to the portion to be cleaned by separate water channels. Alkaline water acts on the object to be cleaned with ultrasonic irradiation, has a good affinity for oil stains, etc. and has a protein decomposing ability, so it exerts a high cleaning power in combination with the effect of removing stains by ultrasonic waves. . The acidic water is used for rinsing after cleaning, and the sterilizing effect thereof can finish the object to be cleaned in a cleaner state.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an electrolysis tank in which an electrolysis chamber 2 is formed. The electrolysis chamber 2 is partitioned by an ion exchange membrane 3. The ion exchange membrane 3 is sandwiched between the plus electrode 4 and the minus electrode 5 on both sides of the electrolysis chamber 2.
Is provided. 6 is a water supply pipe that communicates with a water pipe and is connected to the electrolysis tank 1, 7 is a tank that stores an aqueous solution of an additive that promotes electrolysis of salt, potassium chloride, etc., 8 is a water supply pipe 6 for the additive aqueous solution in the tank 7. A mixer 9 for mixing with tap water from No. 1 is a flow rate control valve for adjusting the outflow amount of the additive aqueous solution, and by opening the electric valve 10, tap water mixed with an appropriate amount of the additive is sent to the electrolysis chamber 2.

In the electrolysis chamber 2, when a DC voltage is applied to each of the electrodes 4 and 5, the tap water is electrolyzed and acidic water is passed through the ion exchange membrane 3 to the plus electrode 4 side to the minus electrode 5.
Alkaline water is generated on each side. The acidic water is sent to the rinsing tank 12 via the pipe 11, and the alkaline water is sent to the cleaning sink 14 via the pipe 13. Rinse tank 1
2 is a basket 15 for loading and unloading the item to be cleaned.
A drainage pipe 17 having an electrically operated valve 16 and an overflow pipe 18 for keeping the water level in the tank below a certain level. 1
A cleaning nozzle 9 faces the cleaning sink 14, and is connected to the pipe line 13 to introduce the alkaline water into the chamber 20.
And an ultrasonic oscillator 21 for irradiating the alkaline water in the chamber 20 with ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic waves are placed on the alkaline water and emitted.

Reference numeral 22 is an operating section for operating the start / stop of cleaning, 23 is an energizing circuit for the electrodes 4 and 5, and 24 is an electric valve 1.
This is a controller for controlling the operation of the 0.16, ultrasonic transducer 21, and energizing circuit 23.

The usage and operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the cleaning operation is started in the operation unit 22, the controller 24 first opens the motor-operated valve 10 to introduce tap water containing an additive into the electrolysis chamber 2, and then the electrolysis chamber 2
After a predetermined time of being filled with tap water, the electrodes 4 and 5 are energized through the energizing circuit 23, the motor-operated valve 16 is closed, and the ultrasonic transducer 21 is driven to enable cleaning.

In the cleaning sink 14, alkaline water is discharged with ultrasonic irradiation, and cleaning can be performed by causing the discharged water flow to act on the object to be cleaned. The washed objects may be sequentially put in the rinsing tank 12 and finally taken out together in the basket 15. If the cleaning work is performed in this way and the cleaning operation is stopped by the operation unit 22, the motor-operated valve 10 is closed and the energization of the electrodes 4 and 5 and the ultrasonic transducer 21 is stopped to complete the operation.

Thus, for example, in the case of washing dishes or the like, it is possible to remove almost all the stains without using a detergent or the like due to the synergistic effect of the alkaline water and the ultrasonic waves simply by applying the water from the washing nozzle 19. You can Even if the dirt adheres, it is sufficient to immerse the object to be cleaned in water or detergent water for a short period of time and then spray the water from the nozzle 19.
The acidic water produced simultaneously with the alkaline water during this cleaning is stored in the rinse tank 12 and can be used for the rinse after cleaning. Rinsing tank 1 for items to be washed that have been washed with alkaline water
In No. 2, it is soaked in acidic water and its bactericidal effect makes it clean.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the apparatus of another embodiment. Here, in a cleaning tank 32 equipped with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 31,
The alkaline water sent from the electrolysis chamber 2 through the pipe 13 is stored, and the object to be cleaned immersed in the cleaning tank 32 is cleaned by the oscillation of the ultrasonic vibrator 31.
A water level sensor 33 detects when the water level in the cleaning tank 32 has reached a predetermined level or more, and allows the ultrasonic transducer 31 to be driven, thereby preventing the transducer 31 from running dry and effectively performing ultrasonic cleaning. This is particularly necessary when the drive of the vibrator 31 is time-controlled. 34 is an electric valve provided in the drainage channel 35, 36 is an overflow pipe, and 38 is a basket for taking out the object to be cleaned. On the other hand, the acidic water is discharged to the rinsing sink 39 and used for rinsing the object to be cleaned that has been cleaned in the cleaning tank 32.

A detergent may be used in the cleaning tank 32 if necessary, but since the synergistic effect of the alkaline water and the ultrasonic vibration provides a high cleaning effect, the amount used is at a minimum level. good. If necessary, the acidic water may be stored in the tank and used similarly to the rinse tank 12 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an apparatus of still another embodiment, which is an application example to an automatic cleaning system. A cleaning nozzle 42 provided with an ultrasonic transducer 41 similar to the cleaning nozzle 19 of FIG. 1 for the object to be cleaned conveyed on the conveyor line.
More alkaline water is emitted together with ultrasonic waves for cleaning,
Subsequently, the acidic water is discharged from the pipe line 11 to perform rinsing.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since ultrasonic waves are applied to the alkaline water to act on the object to be cleaned, the affinity for the dirt components of the alkaline water and the dirt removing action by ultrasonic vibration are synergistic to exert a high cleaning effect and depend on the detergent. Can be washed without

If acidic water obtained at the same time as the production of alkaline water is used for rinsing, the object to be cleaned can be finished in a clean state by the sterilizing action of the acidic water, and the acidic water is not wasted. Cleaning can be done.

A method of irradiating the acidic water with ultrasonic waves for cleaning can be considered by applying the idea of the present invention. However, the acidic water contains a large amount of chlorine-based ions contained in tap water and additives. However, when ultrasonic waves are applied, vaporization of the chlorine ions is promoted and a chlorine odor is generated, which not only makes workers uncomfortable but also has a risk of adversely affecting the human body. However, if ultrasonic waves are applied only to alkaline water containing a small amount of chlorine ions as in the present invention, it can be used safely without such inconvenience.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a device of a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 2 Electrolysis chamber 4 Positive electrode 5 Minus electrode 6 Water supply pipe 11 Acidic water conduit 12 Rinsing tank 13 Alkaline water conduit 14 Cleaning sink 19 Cleaning nozzle 21 Ultrasonic transducer 31 Ultrasonic transducer 32 Cleaning tank 39 Rinsing sink 41 Ultrasonic transducer 42 Cleaning tank

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning method comprising irradiating an alkaline water obtained by electrolyzing water from a water source with ultrasonic waves and discharging the ultrasonic water toward an object to be cleaned. 2. A cleaning method characterized by storing alkaline water obtained by electrolyzing water from a water source, immersing the object to be cleaned, and irradiating with ultrasonic waves. 3. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the acidic water obtained by the electrolysis is used for rinsing after cleaning. 4. An electrolytic chamber provided with an electrode for electrolyzing water from a water source to generate alkaline water and acidic water, a washing channel for taking alkaline water out of the electrolytic chamber, and an alkaline water from the washing channel is A cleaning device comprising: a water discharge means for irradiating and discharging a sound wave. 5. An electrolysis chamber equipped with an electrode for electrolyzing water from a water source to generate alkaline water and acidic water, a washing channel for taking out alkaline water from the electrolytic chamber, and storing alkaline water from the washing channel. A cleaning device having a cleaning tank for irradiating ultrasonic waves inside. 6. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a rinse water channel for taking out the acidic water from the electrolysis chamber, and a means for discharging the acidic water from the rinse water channel. . 7. The cleaning device according to claim 4, further comprising a rinse water channel for taking out alkaline water from the electrolysis chamber and a rinse tank for storing acidic water from the rinse water channel. .