JPH09308884A - Electrolytic water making apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the adverse effect caused by a leake of water by detecting the leak of water from a tank storing a soln. utilized in electrolysis while rapidly taking a measure against the leake of water. SOLUTION: Dilute salt water is stored in a dilute salt water tank 20 and selectively supplied to an electrolytic cell 30 to be electrolyzed to form electrolytic water. When the water level of salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 is lowered by the supply of salt water to the electrolytic cell 30, a solenoid 22 is opened to supply water into the tank 20. During a period when the supply of dilute salt water to the electrolytic cell 30 is stopped, the opening number of times of the solenoid valve 22 and an opening state continuing time are measured and, when either one of them reaches a predetermined value, the opening control of the valve 22 and the formation of electrolytic water are prevented and a leak of water is let know by an alarm 72 and a display device 73.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention stores a solution prepared by dissolving an electrolysis accelerator in water supplied from the outside in a tank, and electrolyzing the solution or a solution mixed with the solution in an electrolytic cell. The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generation device that generates electrolyzed water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of electrolyzed water generator, a solution prepared by dissolving an electrolysis promoter in water supplied from the outside is stored in a tank, and the same solution or a solution mixed with the same solution is supplied. It is supplied to the electrolytic bath by means and electrolyzed in the electrolytic bath to generate electrolyzed water. In this case, when the water level of the solution in the tank is lowered by the supply to the electrolytic cell and reaches the predetermined lower limit water level, the water supply control means operates the water supply means based on the detection of the water level sensor housed in the tank. Water is supplied from the outside into the tank until the water level of the solution in the tank reaches a predetermined upper limit water level.
Thereby, the water level of the solution in the tank is always kept between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, when water leaks due to damage to the tank, poor connection, etc., the user visually confirms on the spot,
I had no choice but to deal with it. Also, if the countermeasure is delayed, water is supplied from the outside by the water supply means and the water supply control means so as to keep the water level higher than the lower limit water level, so the solution in the tank continues to leak and There is a problem that the water and the electrolysis promoter are wasted. Further, in this case, there is a problem that a large amount of the solution leaked from the tank adversely affects the peripheral equipment.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention makes it possible to promptly deal with water leakage caused by damage to a tank, poor connection, etc., and waste of water and electrolysis accelerator due to the water leakage and the surrounding area. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generator that minimizes adverse effects on equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention
The feature of the constitution is that the water supply control means operates the water supply means to supply the water from the outside into the tank while the supply means does not supply the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell. This is to provide a water leakage detection means for measuring the number of times of water leakage and detecting water leakage in the tank when the number of times of measurement reaches a predetermined value. According to this, water leakage occurs due to damage to the tank, connection failure, etc., and the solution in the tank does not flow even though the supply means does not supply the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell. When the water level decreases and reaches the lower limit water level, the water supply control means operates the water supply means to supply water from the outside to the tank, and when the number of repetitions reaches a predetermined value, water leakage occurs. The detection means detects water leakage in the tank. Therefore, even if the user is not on the spot, water leakage in the tank is automatically detected, and the water leakage can be dealt with promptly.

A second structural feature of the present invention is that the water supply control means operates the water supply means while the supply means is not supplying the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell. There is provided a water leak detecting means for measuring the time during which the water is supplied from the outside into the tank and detecting the water leak in the tank when the measured time reaches a predetermined value.
According to this, water leakage occurs due to damage to the tank, poor connection, etc., even though the supply means does not supply the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell.
Even if the water supply means supplies water to the tank from the outside, the water level of the solution in the tank does not rise to the upper limit water level, and if the water supply control means continues the operation of the water supply means, the duration time becomes a predetermined value. When reaching, the water leak detection means detects the water leak in the tank. Therefore, also in this case, the water leak in the tank is automatically detected, and the water leak can be quickly dealt with.

A third structural feature of the present invention is that, in the above-mentioned electrolyzed water producing apparatus, when the water leak detecting means detects water leak in the tank, a notifying means for notifying the water leak is provided. . According to this, the water leak in the tank as described above can be easily recognized by the user, and the water leak can be promptly dealt with.

A fourth structural feature of the present invention is that, in the above-described electrolyzed water generating device, when the water leakage detecting means detects water leakage in the tank, the water supplying means operates regardless of the control by the water supply controlling means. There is a stopping means for stopping. According to this, when water leaks in the tank as described above, the water supply by the water supply means is stopped regardless of the water level in the tank, and the water is not supplied from the outside to the tank. The solution is prevented from continuing to leak. Therefore, it is possible to avoid wasting a large amount of water and the electrolysis accelerator, and it is possible to minimize the adverse effect of the solution leaked from the tank on the peripheral devices.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows an entire electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment.

This electrolyzed water producing apparatus comprises a concentrated salt water tank 10 for storing concentrated salt water (solution used for electrolysis),
A diluted salt water tank 20 provided below the tank 10 for storing diluted salt water (a solution for use in electrolysis), an electrolytic cell 30 for electrolyzing the diluted salt water supplied from the diluted salt water tank 20, and an electrolytic cell An acidic water tank 40 for storing the acidic water generated in 30 and a waste water tank 50 for storing unnecessary water such as alkaline water generated accompanying the generation of the acidic water are provided.

A large amount of sodium chloride is supplied to the concentrated salt water tank 10 as an electrolysis promoter, and water is pumped from an external water supply source (not shown) (for example, water supply) through a water supply pipe 11. . An electromagnetic valve (water supply means) 12 is interposed in the water supply pipe 11, and the valve 12 supplies water from the outside to the concentrated salt water tank 10 through the water supply pipe 11 in an open state. The concentrated salt water tank 10 is always filled with concentrated salt water obtained by dissolving the replenished electrolysis accelerator in a substantially saturated state with water, and the remaining undissolved electrolysis accelerator S always precipitates at the bottom of the tank 10. are doing.
Further, a water level sensor 13 is housed in the concentrated salt water tank 10, and the water level sensor 13 detects that the water level in the tank 10 has reached a predetermined upper limit water level or more,
It is also detected that the water level in the tank 10 has become lower than or equal to the lower limit water level lower than the upper limit water level.

The concentrated salt water tank 10 includes a dilute salt water tank 20.
A supply pipe 14 for supplying concentrated salt water to the bottom of the tank 10 intrudes upward, and the upper end surface of the supply pipe 14 is above the lower limit water level so that the precipitated electrolysis accelerator S is not mixed. It opens at a slightly lower position. An electromagnetic valve 15 is interposed in the supply pipe 14, and the valve 15 supplies the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 to the diluted salt water tank 20 through the supply pipe 14 in an open state.

The lower end outlet of the supply pipe 14 and the outlet of the water supply pipe 21 are arranged above the diluted salt water tank 20, and the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 is provided in the supply pipe 14 of the tank 20.
, And water from an external water supply source is also selectively supplied via a water supply pipe 21. This water supply pipe 21 has an electromagnetic valve (water supply means)
22 is installed, and the valve 22 supplies water from the outside to the dilute salt water tank 20 via the water supply pipe 21 in the open state. Further, in the diluted salt water tank 20, a concentration sensor 23
And a water level sensor 24 is housed. Density sensor 23
Detects the concentration of dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20. The water level sensor 24 detects that the water level in the dilute salt water tank 20 has exceeded a predetermined upper limit water level, and
It also detects that the water level inside the water level is below the lower water level, which is lower than the upper water level.

To the bottom of the dilute salt water tank 20, one end of a conduit 25 for stirring and one end of a supply pipe 26 for supplying dilute salt water to the electrolytic cell 30 are connected. The other end of the conduit 25 is connected to the side wall of the dilute salt water tank 20 and the conduit 2
An electric pump 27 is interposed in the middle portion of 5, and the pump 27 stirs the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 in an operating state. An electric pump (supply means) 28 is provided in the supply pipe 26.
In the operating state, the pump 28 supplies the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 through the supply pipe 26 to the electrolytic cell 30.
To supply.

An overflow pipe 16 is connected to each side wall of the concentrated salt water tank 10 and the diluted salt water tank 20, and the pipe 16 is located at a position slightly higher than the upper limit water level detected by the water level sensors 13 and 24, respectively. And opened in each tank 10, 20. Thereby, when the water level in each of the tanks 10 and 20 becomes higher than each opening position of the overflow pipe 16, the salt water in each of the tanks 10 and 20 is discharged to the outside.

The inside of the electrolytic cell 30 is divided into an anode chamber 32 and a cathode chamber 33 by a diaphragm 31, and each electrode chamber 3
The dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 is supplied to the nozzles 2 and 33 by the operation of the electric pump 28 through the supply pipes 26, respectively. In each of the electrode chambers 32 and 33, a positive electrode 34 and a negative electrode 35 to which a positive and negative DC voltage is applied from a DC power supply device 60 are arranged to face each other, and the diluted salt water is electrolyzed by the application of the DC voltage. Then, electrolyzed water is generated. Acidic water is generated in the anode chamber 32, and the generated acidic water is passed through the outlet pipe 36 to the acidic water tank 40.
It is supplied to. Alkaline water is generated in the cathode chamber 33, and the generated alkaline water is supplied to the waste water tank 50 via the outlet pipe 37. The outlet pipe 37 opens near the bottom of the waste water tank 50.

A take-out pipe 4 is provided at the bottom of the acidic water tank 40.
1 is connected to one end of the pipe 41 and the cock 4 is attached to the pipe 41.
2 is interposed, and the acidic water in the acidic water tank 40 is appropriately taken out from the other end of the taking-out pipe 41 by operating the cock 42. A water level sensor 43 is housed in the acidic water tank 40, and the sensor 43 detects that the water level in the tank 40 is equal to or higher than the upper limit water level close to the full capacity of the tank 40, and the water level in the tank 40. It also detects that the water level is below the lower water level below the upper water level.
Further, the acid water tank 40 has an overflow pipe 44.
The upper end of the pipe 44 extends to a position higher than the upper limit water level of the tank 40, and the lower end of the pipe 44 is connected to the middle portion of the outlet pipe 37.
The overflow pipe 44 has a function of discharging excess acidic water to the waste water tank 50, and also has a function of dissolving chlorine gas generated by electrolysis in the water in the waste water tank 50.

A drain pipe 51 also penetrates into the waste water tank 50, and unnecessary water in the tank 50 is drained to the outside by the operation of an electric pump 52 provided in the pipe 51. . A water level sensor 53 is housed in the wastewater tank 50, the sensor 53 detects that the water level in the tank 50 has reached or exceeded a predetermined upper limit water level, and the water level in the tank 50 is lower than the upper limit water level. It also detects when the water level has dropped below the water level.

This electrolyzed water producing apparatus is provided with the various sensors 1 described above.
3, 23, 24, 43, 53, electromagnetic valves 12, 15,
22, electric pumps 27, 28, 52 and DC power supply device 6
It comprises an electrical control circuit 70 connected to zero. The electric control circuit 70 is composed of a microcomputer and executes programs corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 to open / close the electromagnetic valves 12, 15, 22 and the electric pumps 27, 28, 52 and the DC power source. Device 60
Controls the operation of. Further, the electric control circuit 70 uses the timer 7
0a is built in, and the timer 70a measures time and generates a timer interrupt signal at every predetermined short time, and causes the electric control circuit 70 to execute the timer interrupt program of FIG. 5 at each short time.

The electric control circuit 70 includes an operation switch 7
1, an alarm device 72 and a display device 73 are also connected. The operation switch 71 is for controlling the start and stop of the operation of the electrolyzed water generator, and is switched to an on state or an off state by a manual operation and is controlled by a built-in electromagnetic solenoid to change from an on state to an off state. It can be switched. Alarm device 72 and display device 73
When a leak occurs in the concentrated salt water tank 10 or the dilute salt water tank 20, is a means for notifying the user of the leak of sound, visually and audibly.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, a large amount of sodium chloride was charged into the concentrated salt water tank 10 as the electrolysis accelerator S,
Concentrate the salt water in it to almost saturation. The electrolysis accelerator S is replenished at any time so that the residual electrolysis accelerator S is always deposited on the bottom of the tank 10. Thereafter, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the electric control circuit 70 starts executing the program in step 100 of FIG. 2, and in step 102, salt water is stored in the concentrated salt water tank 10 and the diluted salt water tank 20. Perform processing to satisfy. In this process, the water level sensor 1
The opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 12 is controlled based on the detection of No. 3, and water is supplied to the concentrated salt water tank 10 from an external water supply source.
Store concentrated salt water within 0 to the maximum water level. Further, the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 22 is controlled based on the detection of the water level sensor 24 to supply water to the dilute salt water tank 20 from the external water supply source, and the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 15 is controlled based on the detection of the concentration sensor 23 to control the concentrated salt water. Concentrated salt water is supplied from the tank 10 to the diluted salt water tank 20, and the electric pump 27 is operated along with the supply of the concentrated salt water and the concentrated salt water to stir the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20, and the predetermined amount is stored in the tank 20. Store a predetermined concentration of dilute salt water up to the upper limit water level.

After the processing of step 102, the electric control circuit 70 determines in step 104 whether or not the operation switch 71 is in the ON state, and while the switch 71 is kept in the OFF state, steps 104 to 104 are executed. The circulation process consisting of 108 is repeatedly executed. In step 106,
The electromagnetic valves 12, 15 and 22 are set to the closed state, and the electric pumps 27 and 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are set to the inoperative state. Flag F in step 108
LG1 is set to "0". The flag FLG1 is a flag that indicates that the electric pump 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are operating at the value “1” and that the electrolyzed water producing device is producing electrolyzed water. Steps 104 to 1 above
When the operation switch 71 is switched to the ON state during the execution of the circulation process of 08, the electric control circuit 70 causes
In step 4, the program is judged to be “YES”
The process proceeds to 0 and thereafter, and thereafter, the circulation process including steps 104 and 110 to 128 is repeatedly executed.

Steps 110 to 122 are processes for controlling the start and stop of the generation of electrolyzed water. First, the flag FL
Since G1 is set to "0" by the initialization (not shown) or the process of step 108, the electric control circuit 70 determines in step 112 that the electric water in the acidic water tank 40 is based on the determination of "NO" in step 110. Determine whether the water level of acidic water is below the lower water level. Acid water tank 40
When it is detected by the water level sensor 43 that the water level of the acidic water in the water is equal to or lower than the lower limit water level, the electric pump 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are turned on in step 114 based on the determination of “YES” in step 112. The operation is started to start generation of electrolyzed water, the acidic water is started to be stored in the acidic water tank 40, and the flag FLG1 is set to “1” in step 116. By setting this flag FLG1,
Next, when the process of step 110 is executed, the electrical control circuit 70 determines “YES” and executes the program in step 1
18 and thereafter steps 104, 110, 118, 1
The circulation process of 24 to 128 is repeated.

During the circulation process, electrolyzed water is continuously produced in the electrolytic cell 30, and the produced acidic water is continuously accumulated in the acidic water tank 40. Then, when the water level sensor 43 detects that the water level of the acidic water in the acidic water tank 40 has risen and reached the upper limit water level by the accumulation, the electric control circuit 70 is determined based on the “YES” determination in step 118. In step 120, the electric pump 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are stopped to stop the generation of electrolyzed water, and in step 132, the flag FLG1 is set to "0". With the setting of this flag FLG1, the electric control circuit 70 determines “NO” when the next step 120 is executed, advances the program to step 122, and thereafter executes the circulation processing of steps 104, 110 to 112, and 124 to 128. repeat.

During the circulation process, the acidic water in the acidic water tank 40 is taken out to the outside through the take-out pipe 41 by operating the cock 42 and used. When the water level sensor 43 detects that the water level of the acid water tank 40 has dropped and reached the lower limit water level due to the removal of the acid water, the electric control circuit 70 causes the electric control circuit 70 to again execute step 112.
Then, the program is judged to be "YES" and the program is executed in step 114.
Continue to the following. After that, steps 104, 110 to 128
By repeating the above-mentioned steps 110 to 122 during the circulation process, the water level in the acidic water tank 40 has a predetermined upper limit water level and lower limit water level while repeating the increase due to the accumulation of the acidic water and the decrease due to the removal. Kept between.

In step 124, the electric control circuit 70 executes the dilute salt water tank water supply process shown in detail in FIG. The dilute salt water tank water supply process is for maintaining the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level, and for detecting leakage of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20. The execution starts at 200.

After the execution is started, the electric control circuit 70 executes the processing of resetting the count value CNT1 to "0" based on the value of the flag FLG1 in steps 202 and 204. The count value CNT1 is for measuring the number of times the electromagnetic valve 22 has been opened, and is initially set to "0" by an unillustrated initial setting. While the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is producing electrolyzed water, the count value CNT1 is set to "YES" at step 204 based on the determination of "YES" at step 202 every time the dilute salt water tank water supply process is executed. Reset to 0 ". Therefore, the count value C is obtained by the processing of steps 202 and 204.
The NT1 is designed to continue the measurement only while the electrolyzed water producing apparatus continues to stop producing electrolyzed water.

After the above processing, the electric control circuit 70 advances the program to step 206 and thereafter. Steps 206-2
24 is a process of controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 22 based on the detection by the water level sensor 24 and measuring the number of times the valve 22 is opened.

First, in step 206, the electric control circuit 70 determines whether or not the flag FLG2 is "1". The flag FLG2 has the value "1" and the electromagnetic valve 22
Indicates that it is in an open state, and is set to "0" by an initial setting (not shown). Therefore, first, the electric control circuit 70 determines “NO” and advances the program to step 208. In step 208, the diluted salt water tank 20 detected by the water level sensor 24.
It is determined whether or not the water level of the diluted salt water in the tank is equal to or lower than the lower limit water level.
Since the diluted salt water is stored therein up to the upper limit water level, the electric control circuit 70 makes a “NO” determination and advances the program to step 226 to end this diluted salt water supply process. After that, steps 104 and 110 in the main routine
During the circulation process of 128, when the diluted salt water supply process is executed in step 124, the steps 200 to 20 are performed.
The process composed of 8,226 is executed.

During the circulation process, when the electric salt water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 30 by the operation of the electric pump 28, the level of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 decreases and reaches the lower limit water level.
Based on the determination of “YES” in step 208, the electric control circuit 70 opens the electromagnetic valve 22 in step 210 to start supplying water from the outside to the dilute salt water tank 20, and in step 212 sets the flag FLG2. "1"
Set to. Further, at this time, in step 214, the count value TM1 is reset to "0". Count value TM1
Is for measuring the time during which the electromagnetic valve 22 continues to be in the open state, and is initially set to "0" by an unillustrated initial setting. By the reset processing of the count value TM1, the measurement of the duration of the open state of the electromagnetic valve 22 is started by the timer interrupt program shown in FIG. 5 described later.

After the above processing, the electric control circuit 70 adds "1" to the count value CNT1 for measuring the number of times the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened in step 216, and the count value CNT1 added in step 218 is predetermined. Value N1
It is determined whether or not The predetermined value N1 is preset to a value of, for example, "2" or "3". When the count value CNT1 has not reached the predetermined value N1, the electric control circuit 70 determines “NO”, advances the program to step 226, and ends the diluted salt water tank water supply process.

Flag FLG in step 212
According to the setting of 2, when the diluted salt water tank water supply process is executed next time, based on the determination of “YES” in step 206, the electrical control circuit 70 determines in step 220 the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20. It is determined whether or not the water level of is above the upper limit water level. When the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 is less than the upper limit water level, the electric control circuit 70 determines “NO” based on the detection of the water level sensor 22, advances the program to step 226, and supplies the dilute salt water tank water supply. The process ends. After that, step 10 in the main routine
When the diluted salt water tank water supply process is executed in step 124 during the circulation process of 4, 110 to 128, the process including steps 200 to 206, 220, 226 is executed.

During the circulation process, the electromagnetic valve 22 is kept open, and the diluted salt water tank 20 is continuously supplied with water from the outside. When the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 reaches the upper limit water level by the supply, the electric control circuit 70 detects “Y” in step 220 based on the detection by the water level sensor 24.
ES ”, the electromagnetic valve 22 is closed in step 222 to stop the external water supply to the dilute salt water tank 20, and the flag FLG2 is set in step 224.
Is set to "0", and the diluted salt water tank water supply process is ended in step 226. By the setting of the flag FLG2 in step 224, the electric control circuit 70 advances the program to step 208 and subsequent steps based on the determination of “NO” in step 206 when the diluted salt water tank water supply process is executed next time. The same process as above is repeated thereafter.

As described above, during the circulation processing of steps 104, 110 to 128 in the main routine, the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 is supplied to the electrolytic bath 30 of the dilute salt water by the water supply treatment of the dilute salt water tank. Is kept between the predetermined upper limit water level and the predetermined lower limit water level by repeating the downward movement by the electromagnetic valve 22 and the upward movement by supplying water from the outside by the electromagnetic valve 22.

In this case, every time the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened by the processing of step 210, "1" is added to the count value CNT1 by the processing of step 216.
The number of times the valve 22 is opened is measured. However, as described above, since the count value CNT1 is reset to “0” at step 204 every time the dilute salt water tank water supply process is performed while the electrolyzed water generator is generating electrolyzed water, Counting is continued only while the production of electrolyzed water continues to stop. Further, while the production of the electrolyzed water is stopped, the supply of the dilute salt water to the electrolyzer 30 is also stopped, so that the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 does not normally decrease. In step 208, "YE
The number of times the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened in step 210 is not reached the predetermined value N1. Therefore, the electric control circuit 70 does not normally determine “YES” in step 218.

After performing the diluted salt water tank water supply process in step 124 of FIG. 2, the electric control circuit 70 causes the electric control circuit 70 to execute step 126.
At, the diluted salt water tank concentration adjustment process is executed. The diluted salt water tank concentration adjusting process is a process for keeping the concentration of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 between a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value. In this diluted salt water tank concentration adjusting process, the concentration of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 became lower than a predetermined lower limit value due to the external water supply to the diluted salt water tank 20 in the diluted salt water tank water supply process. When the concentration sensor 23 detects the concentration, the electromagnetic valve 15 is opened and the concentrated salt water tank 10 is opened.
The concentrated salt water therein is supplied to the dilute salt water tank 20. Further, when the water level sensor 23 detects that the concentration of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 becomes higher than a predetermined upper limit value by the supply of the concentrated salt water, the electromagnetic valve 15 is closed to stop the supply of the concentrated salt water. To do.

In the diluted salt water tank water supply process of step 124 and the diluted salt water tank concentration adjustment process of step 126, when external water or concentrated salt water from the concentrated salt water tank 10 is supplied to the diluted salt water tank 20. The electric control circuit 70 operates the electric pump 27 by executing a program (not shown) to stir the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20.

After execution of the diluted salt water tank concentration adjustment processing in step 126, the electric control circuit 70 executes concentrated salt water tank water supply processing in step 128. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the concentrated salt water tank water supply processing performs the same control processing as the diluted salt water tank water supply processing shown in FIG. That is, when the water level sensor 13 detects that the water level of the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 has become equal to or lower than the lower limit water level, the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened by the process of step 310 to start supplying water from the outside to the tank 10. . When the water level sensor 13 detects that the water level of the concentrated salt water in the tank 10 rises due to the supply of the same water and reaches the upper limit water level, the electromagnetic valve 12 is closed and the supply of the same water is stopped by the processing of step 322. . As a result, steps 104 and 110 in the main routine are executed.
During the circulation process of ~ 128, the water level of the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 is repeatedly lowered by supplying the concentrated salt water to the diluted salt water tank 20 and rising by supplying water from the outside by the electromagnetic valve 12. , Between a predetermined upper and lower water level.

Also in this case, every time the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened, the count value C is obtained by the processing of step 316.
Since “1” is added to NT2, the number of times the valve 12 is opened is measured. At this time, the count value CNT2
Is reset to "0" every time the concentrated salt water supply process is executed while the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is producing electrolyzed water by the processing of steps 302 and 304, so the count of the number of times is performed. It continues only while production continues to stop. Further, while the production of the electrolyzed water is stopped, the supply of the dilute salt water from the dilute salt water tank 20 to the electrolyzer 30 is also stopped. The concentration of the diluted salt water of 20 does not decrease. Therefore, since the supply of the concentrated salt water to the tank 20 is also stopped, the water level of the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 does not normally drop, and “YE
The number of times the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened in step 310 after being determined as “S” does not reach the predetermined value N2 (for example, a value of about “2” or “3”). Therefore, the electric control circuit 70 does not normally determine “YES” in step 318.

On the other hand, the above steps 104, 110 to 12
Every time the timer 70a measures a predetermined short time during the circulation process of 8, the electric control circuit 70 interrupts the timer interrupt program shown in FIG. This timer interrupt program measures the time during which the electromagnetic valves 12 and 22 continue to be in the open state, and detects leakage of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 and the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10. Is.

After the electric control circuit 70 starts executing the timer interrupt program in step 400,
In step 402, it is determined whether or not the flag FLG1 is a value "1" indicating that the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is producing electrolyzed water. When the flag FLG1 is "1", the electric control circuit 70 determines "YES" and advances the program to step 404 to count value TM1, for measuring the duration of the open state of the electromagnetic valves 12, 22. T
After resetting both M2 to "0", this timer interrupt program is ended in step 418.

On the other hand, when the flag FLG1 is a value "0" indicating that the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is stopping producing electrolyzed water, the electric control circuit 70 determines "NO" in step 402. , The program proceeds to step 406 and thereafter.

Steps 406 to 410 are the electromagnetic valve 2
2 is a process of measuring the time during which the open state of 2 continues and detecting the leakage of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 based on the measured time. When the flag FLG2 is the value “1” indicating that the electromagnetic valve 22 is in the open state, the electric control circuit 70 determines the count value TM1 in step 408 based on the determination of “YES” in step 406. In addition to adding "1", it is determined in step 410 whether or not the added count value TM1 has reached a predetermined value T1. This predetermined value T1 is the value of the electromagnetic valve 22 required for the water level of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 to rise from the lower limit water level to the upper limit water level in a state in which the electrolyzed water production apparatus stops producing electrolyzed water. It is preset to a time longer than the duration of the open state. The count value TM1 is the predetermined value T
If it has not reached 1, the electrical control circuit 70 determines “NO” and advances the program to step 412 and thereafter.

Steps 412 to 416 are the electromagnetic valve 1
2 is a process of measuring the time that the open state is continued and detecting the leakage of the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 based on the measured time, using the flag FLG3 instead of the flag FLG2, and using the count value TM1. Instead of using the count value TM2 and using the predetermined value T2 instead of the predetermined value T1, the processing is the same as that of steps 406 to 410 described above. The predetermined value T2 is the opening of the electromagnetic valve 12 required for the water level of the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 to rise from the lower limit water level to the upper limit water level in a state in which the electrolyzed water generation device stops generating electrolyzed water. It is preset to a time longer than the duration of the state. The count value TM2 is the predetermined value T2
If not, the electric control circuit 70 makes a "NO" determination and advances the program to step 418 to terminate the timer interrupt program.

As described above, during the circulation processing of steps 104, 110 to 128 in the main routine, every time this timer interrupt program is executed at a predetermined short time, the count value TM1, is calculated by the processing of steps 408, 414. Since "1" is added to TM2, the count values TM1 and TM2 are respectively calculated in step 2 of FIGS.
The time since it was reset to "0" at 14,314,
That is, the time during which the electromagnetic valves 22 and 12 remain open is measured. However, as described above, each count value T
Since M1 and TM2 are reset to “0” at step 404 each time this timer interrupt program is executed while the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is producing electrolyzed water, the measurement is performed with electrolyzed water production. Will only continue while is stopped. On the other hand, as described above, the predetermined values T1 and T2 are such that the salt water level in each of the tanks 20 and 10 rises from the lower limit water level to the upper limit water level in a state where the electrolyzed water generation device stops generating electrolyzed water. It is preset to a time longer than the duration of the open state of the electromagnetic valves 22 and 12 required to operate. Therefore, normally, the count value TM1,
Before TM2 reaches the predetermined values T1 and T2, respectively, the salt water level in each tank 20 and 10 reaches the upper limit level, and the electromagnetic valves 22 and 12 are set to the steps 220 and 320 in FIGS.
The electric control circuit 70 is closed at step 41.
No determination is made as "YES" at 0,416.

The above steps 104, 110 to 12
When the water level sensor 53 detects that the water level in the wastewater tank 50 has risen and reached the upper limit water level due to the accumulation of alkaline water supplied from the electrolysis tank 30 during the circulation process of No. 8, the electric control circuit 70. Operates the electric pump 52 by executing a program (not shown), and the waste water tank 50
Unnecessary water inside is discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe 51. The operation of the electric pump 52 is stopped when the water level sensor 53 detects the lower limit water level.

In addition, steps 104 and 11 as described above.
When the operation switch 71 is manually turned off during the circulation process of 0 to 128, the electric control circuit 70
Judges "NO" in step 104 and advances the program to step 106 and thereafter. As described above, in step 106, the opened electromagnetic valves 12, 15,
22 is closed and the electric pump 2 is in an operating state
7, 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are stopped. In addition, the valves 12, 15, 22 already in the closed state and the non-operating state are
In addition, the pumps 27, 28 and the power source 60 are kept in the closed state and the inactive state. As a result, in this case, all the operations of the electrolyzed water generator except the electric control circuit 70 and the electric pump 52 are stopped and controlled. In step 108, the flag FLG1 is set to "0".
After the same setting, the electric control circuit 70 then operates the operation switch 71.
Is switched to the ON state, steps 104 to 10
The circulation process consisting of 8 is repeatedly executed.

Next, the above steps 104, 110 to 12
8 circulation process, diluted salt water tank 20, supply pipes 25, 28
A case will be described in which water leaks due to breakage, poor connection, etc., and leakage of dilute salt water in the tank 20 occurs.

First, the degree of water leakage is light and the electromagnetic valve 22
When the leakage amount of the diluted salt water from the diluted salt water tank 20 is smaller than the amount of the water supplied from the outside by the process of step 210, the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened by the process of step 210, so that the water level of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 reaches the upper limit. Rise to the water level.
However, when the electromagnetic valve 22 is closed by the process of step 222, the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 is leaking, so that the electrolytic water generation device is stopping the generation of electrolytic water and the diluted salt water tank Although the supply of the diluted salt water in the tank 20 to the electrolyzer 30 is stopped, the water level of the diluted salt water in the tank 20 decreases. When the same water level reaches the lower limit water level, the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened again by the process of step 210, and water is supplied to the dilute salt water tank 20 from the outside.

On the other hand, the number of times the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened while the production of electrolyzed water is stopped is measured by the count value CNT1. Therefore, when the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve is repeated while the production of the electrolyzed water is stopped, the count value CNT1 is increased by the process of step 216 and reaches the predetermined value N1. At this time, the electric control circuit 70 determines “YES” in step 218, advances the program to step 228, and executes the water leak processing shown in detail in FIG.

The electric control circuit 70 starts execution of this water leakage processing at step 500, and then at step 502, closes the opened electromagnetic valves 12, 15, 22 and operates the same as at step 106. The electric pumps 27 and 28 and the DC power supply device 60 in the state are stopped. In addition, the valve 1 that is already in the closed state and the non-operating state
2, 15, 22 and the pumps 27, 28 and the power source 60 are kept in the closed state and the inactive state. In step 504, the electromagnetic solenoid built into the operation switch 71 is controlled to turn off the operation switch 71. In step 506, the alarm 72 is controlled to generate an alarm sound. In step 508, the display 73 is controlled to display that water leakage is occurring. After each of these processes, the electric control circuit 70 ends this water leak process in step 510.

After completion of the water leakage treatment, the electric control circuit 70
Ends the execution of this program in step 230. In this case, the program control described above is not performed unless the power is newly turned on.

On the other hand, since the degree of water leakage is heavy, the electromagnetic valve 22
When the leaked amount of the diluted salt water from the diluted salt water tank 20 is larger than the amount of the externally supplied water, the electrolytic water generation device is stopping the generation of the electrolytic water and the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 is stopped. Even though the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened by the process of step 210 even though the supply of the electrolytic solution to the electrolytic bath 30 is stopped, the level of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 rises to reach the upper limit water level. There is no. Therefore, in this case, the water level of the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 decreases to the lower limit water level due to water leakage, and in step 210, the electromagnetic valve 2 is closed.
Since the electric control circuit 70 continues to determine “NO” in step 220 after opening 2, the electromagnetic valve 22 is not closed by the processing in step 222. As a result, the count value TM1 continues to increase by the processing of step 408 in the timer interrupt program of FIG. 5, and eventually reaches the predetermined value T1. At this time, the electric control circuit 70 determines “YES” in step 410, advances the program to step 420, executes the same water leakage processing as described above, and then executes this program in step 422 as in step 230. To finish.

As described above, when water leakage occurs due to damage or connection failure in the diluted salt water tank 20, the supply pipes 25, 28, etc., the electromagnetic valves 12, 22 are operated regardless of the water level of the diluted salt water in the tank 20. The supply of water from the outside is stopped by closing, and the electromagnetic valve 15 is closed irrespective of the concentration of the dilute salt water in the tank 20 to close the concentrated salt water tank 1.
The supply of concentrated salt water from 0 is stopped. Therefore, since the diluted salt water in the diluted salt water tank 20 does not continue to leak, it is possible to prevent a large amount of waste water and salt in the concentrated salt water tank 10 from being wasted, and at the same time, to prevent the tank 20 from leaking.
The adverse effect of the leaked diluted salt water on peripheral equipment is minimized. Further, at the same time as the closing control of the valves 12, 15, 22 is performed, the electric pump 28 and the DC power supply device 60 are also provided.
Since the operation of is also stopped, the generation of electrolyzed water from dilute salt water in an unstable state is avoided, and the stability of the electrolyzed water produced can be guaranteed.

Further, during the circulation processing in steps 104 and 110 to 128, water leakage occurs due to damage or connection failure in the concentrated salt water tank 10, the supply pipe 14, etc., and the concentrated salt water tank 10
When the leak of the concentrated salt water inside the tank also occurs, the same control processing as that when the leak of the diluted salt water inside the tank 20 of the diluted salt water occurs is performed. That is, when the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is stopping the production of electrolyzed water and the supply of the dilute salt water in the dilute salt water tank 20 to the electrolysis tank 30 is stopped, that is, the concentrated salt water in the dilute salt water tank 10 is When there is no possibility of being supplied to the diluted salt water tank 20, the count values CNT2 and TM2 continue to measure the number of times the electromagnetic valve 12 is opened and the time during which the electromagnetic valve 12 is kept open. And concentrated salt water tank 1
Any of the count values CN due to leakage of concentrated salt water within 0
When T2 and TM2 reach the predetermined values N2 and T2, the electric control circuit 70 executes the water leakage process in any of the steps 328 and 422, and then ends the execution of this program.

Therefore, also in this case, it is possible to prevent a large amount of water from the outside and salt in the concentrated salt water tank 10 from being wasted, and the adverse effect of the concentrated salt water leaked from the concentrated salt water tank 10 on peripheral equipment. It can be kept to a minimum. Further, generation of electrolyzed water from unstable salt water in an unstable state is avoided, and stable electrolyzed water can always be produced.

In the above embodiment, the diluted salt water tank 20 is provided, and the water from the outside and the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 are mixed in the tank 20 to generate diluted salt water. Alternatively, the tank 20 may not be provided and the diluted salt water may be generated. In this case, the water supply pipe 21 in the above embodiment is directly connected to the electrolytic cell 30 without passing through the dilute salt water tank 20, the supply pipe 22 and the electric pump 28, and the water from the outside is selectively electrolyzed by the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 22. It is advisable to provide the water supply pipe 21 with a suction hole for sucking the concentrated salt water while supplying the water to the tank 30, and to appropriately drip the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 into the suction hole. In addition, the diameter of the portion of the water supply pipe 21 where the suction hole is provided is formed to be thinner than that of the front and rear pipes, and the suction hole is arranged so as to open into the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10. The concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 may be sucked into the water supply pipe 21 through the suction hole by utilizing the decrease in pressure due to the increase in the flow velocity of the water flowing through the tank.

In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 15 is used to replenish the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 10 to the diluted salt water tank 20, but an electric pump is used instead of the valve 15. May be. In this case, it is not necessary to position the concentrated salt water tank 10 above the diluted salt water tank 20.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an electrolyzed water generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main program executed by an electric control circuit (microcomputer) of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of a diluted salt water tank water supply process of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the concentrated salt water tank water supply process of FIG.

5 is a flow chart of a timer interrupt program executed by the electric control circuit (microcomputer) of FIG. 1 at predetermined short time intervals.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing details of the water leakage process of FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Concentrated salt water tank, 11 ... Water supply pipe, 12 ... Electromagnetic valve, 13 ... Water level sensor, 20 ... Dilute salt water tank, 21 ... Water supply pipe, 22 ... Electromagnetic valve, 24 ... Water level sensor, 26 ... Supply pipe, 28 ... Electric Pump, 30 ... Electrolyzer, 40 ... Acidic water tank, 50 ... Waste water tank, 60 ... DC power supply device, 70
… Electric control circuit (microcomputer).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A tank for storing a solution prepared by dissolving an electrolysis accelerator in water supplied from the outside and used for electrolysis; and a water supply means for selectively supplying water from the outside into the tank. A water level sensor for detecting the water level of the solution in the tank, and when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the solution in the tank has dropped below a predetermined lower limit water level, the water supply means is operated to operate the same tank. In addition to supplying water from the outside, when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the solution in the tank has risen above a predetermined upper water level, the operation of the water supply means is stopped and the inside of the tank is stopped. Water supply control means for stopping the supply of water to the tank, an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the solution in the tank or a solution mixed with the solution to generate electrolyzed water, and the solution in the tank or mixed with the solution In an electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising a supply means for selectively supplying a liquid to the electrolytic cell, while the supply means does not supply the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell. The water supply control means operates the water supply means to measure the number of times water is supplied from the outside into the tank, and a water leakage detection means for detecting water leakage in the tank when the measured number of times reaches a predetermined value. An electrolyzed water generator characterized by being provided. 2. A tank for storing a solution prepared by dissolving an electrolysis accelerator in water supplied from the outside and used for electrolysis; and a water supply means for selectively supplying water from the outside into the tank. A water level sensor for detecting the water level of the solution in the tank, and when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the solution in the tank has dropped below a predetermined lower limit water level, the water supply means is operated to operate the same tank. In addition to supplying water from the outside, when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the solution in the tank has risen above a predetermined upper water level, the operation of the water supply means is stopped and the inside of the tank is stopped. Water supply control means for stopping the supply of water to the tank, an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the solution in the tank or a solution mixed with the solution to generate electrolyzed water, and the solution in the tank or mixed with the solution In an electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising a supply means for selectively supplying a liquid to the electrolytic cell, while the supply means does not supply the solution in the tank or the solution mixed with the solution to the electrolytic cell. Leakage detection for measuring the time during which the water supply control means operates the water supply means to supply water from the outside into the tank, and detects the water leakage in the tank when the measured time reaches a predetermined value. An electrolyzed water producing apparatus characterized in that means is provided. 3. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the leak when the leak detecting unit detects the leak in the tank. Electrolyzed water generator. 4. The electrolyzed water generator according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the water supply control is performed when the water leakage detection means detects water leakage in the tank. An electrolyzed water producing apparatus characterized in that stop means is provided for stopping the operation of the water supply means irrespective of control by the means.