JPH0994577A - Drinking water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the pollution of water caused by the transpiration of effective chlorine and the penetration of bacteria. SOLUTION: Since drinking water F is electrolyzed on the way of supply by using a hermetically closed type electrolytic cell 6, effective chlorine generated by electrolysis is effectively utilized to accurately sterilize drinking water F. Since air venting can be executed with respect to drinking water F sent into the hermetically closed electrolytic cell 6 in the cistern 4 on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell 6, the generation of irregularity in the supply amt. of water by the mixing with air can be prevented and the lowering of the efficiency of electrolysis caused by that drinking water F and air sent into the electrolytic cell 6 in a mixed state can be certainly prevented. Since acidic water containing effective chlorine formed in the hermetically closed electrolytic cell 6 is returned to the cistern 4 through a bypass pipeline B1, even if bacteria are propagated in the cistern 4, bacteria can be killed by the sterilizing potency of effective chlorine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drinking water supply device useful for postmix dispensers and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a conventional drinking water supply device used in a post-mix type dispenser. In the figure, 11 is a water tank, 12 is a first pump, 13 is a cistern, 14 is a pair of electrode plates, 15 is a float switch, 16 is an overflow pipe, and 17 is a second.
It is a pump.

In this apparatus, the drinking water F in the water tank 11 is supplied to the first pump 1 as the water level in the cistern 13 drops.
2 can be automatically replenished in the cistern 13,
Electrolyzing the drinking water F in the cistern 13 by applying a predetermined electrolytic power to the pair of electrode plates 14,
The electrolyzed drinking water F can be delivered to the water supply port by the second pump 17.

Since tap water generally used as the drinking water F has Cl ⁻ as an ion contained therein, the electrolysis in the cistern 13 produces chlorine (Cl ₂ ) by the reaction of 2Cl ⁻ → Cl ₂ + 2e, and This chlorine dissolves in water (H ₂ O) and becomes Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO +
The reaction of HCl produces hypochlorous acid (HClO). That is, the drinking water F in the cistern 13 is sterilized by the hypochlorous acid.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, since the cistern 13 is open or in a state close to this, the generated effective chlorine easily evaporates to the outside,
There is also a problem that bacteria and the like enter from the outside to cause water pollution.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drinking water supply device capable of preventing water pollution due to evaporation of available chlorine and invasion of bacteria and the like.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is provided with an electrolytic cell in the middle of a water supply line for drinking water, and supplies the drinking water after electrolysis in the electrolytic cell. In the drinking water supply device, as the electrolysis tank, the water that is sent to the inlet and flows between the pair of opposing electrodes is electrolyzed in the course of passage to electrolyze, and alkaline water and acid water after electrolysis can be delivered from separate outlets. Of the above formula is used, the inlet and the alkaline water outlet are connected to the water supply pipe, and a semi-sealed or open type tank is provided on the upstream side of the electrolytic water tank of the water supply pipe. Is connected to the above tank via a bypass pipe.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by using the closed type electrolytic cell, the drinking water during the water supply can be electrolyzed without exposing it to the outside air, and the available chlorine can be sterilized accurately by the available chlorine generated during the electrolysis. Further, by providing a semi-sealed or open tank on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell of the water supply pipe, it is possible to exclude the mixed air from the drinking water flowing into the sealed electrolytic cell. Furthermore, the acidic water generated in the closed electrolytic cell can be returned to the tank via the bypass line to sterilize the inside of the tank.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an apparatus for supplying drinking water, which is provided with an electrolytic cell in the middle of a water supply line for drinking water and supplies drinking water after electrolysis in the electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell is provided at the inlet. Use a sealed type that can send electrolyzed water that flows between a pair of opposed electrodes during its passage to deliver electrolyzed alkaline water and acidic water from separate outlets, and its inlet and alkaline water outlet Is connected to the water supply pipeline, and a semi-enclosed or open tank is provided on the upstream side of the electrolytic tank of the water supply pipeline, and the base end is connected to the acidic water outlet of the electrolytic tank. One of the branch ends is connected to the tank, and the other branch end is connected to the electrolytic tank downstream side of the water supply line.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by using the closed type electrolytic cell, the drinking water in the course of water supply can be electrolyzed without contact with the outside air, and the available chlorine can be sterilized by the available chlorine generated during electrolysis. Also, by providing a semi-enclosed or open tank on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell of the water supply line,
It is possible to exclude entrained air from the drinking water that flows into the closed electrolytic cell. Furthermore, a part of the acidic water generated in the closed electrolytic cell can be returned from one branch end of the branch pipe to the tank to sterilize the inside of the tank, and the other part of the acidic water can be branched to the other branch. It can be sterilized by returning it from the end into the water supply line.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a drinking water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a storage tank shown in FIG. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the sealed electrolytic cell shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a water tank, 2 is a water purifier, 3 is a first pump, 4 is a cis-turn, 5 is a second pump, 6 is a closed electrolyzer, 7 is a cooling coil, 8 is a solenoid valve,
Reference numeral 9 is a flow rate controller, K1 to K9 are water supply pipelines, and B1 is a bypass pipeline.

The water tank 1 is a drinking water F to be supplied,
For example, it is for storing tap water, and fine air holes 1a are formed on the upper surface thereof.

The water purifier 2 is for removing odors, impurities, etc. from the drinking water F, and has a purification filter 2a made of activated carbon or the like inside. The water purifier 2 of the illustrated example has an inlet 2b and an outlet 2c on the upper surface, and the drinking water F that has flowed in from the inlet 2b is purified by a purification filter 2a arranged in the inner cylinder 2d and externally from the outlet 2c. Spill to.

The cistern 4 is for temporarily storing the purified drinking water F and removing the mixed air, and includes a float switch 4a for detecting the internal water level and a pressure equalizing pipe for keeping the internal pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure. 4b is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure equalizing pipe 4b includes a tubular portion 4b1 that is provided integrally or separately on the upper surface of the air vent tank, a ventilation filter 4b2 that is disposed inside the tubular portion 4b1, and a ventilation filter. The mesh plate 4b3 covers the upper and lower surfaces of 4b2. The ventilation filter 4b2 has a property of allowing passage of air and blocking passage of water, bacteria, etc., and is made of a sintered body of polyethylene, Teflon, or the like or an antibacterial treatment (for example, Ag coating) thereof. It is preferably used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the closed type electrolytic cell 6 is
There is a flat passage 6b inside the tank body 6a.
An inlet 6c is provided at one end of b and two outlets 6d and 6e are oppositely provided at the other end. In addition, a cathode plate 6f and an anode plate 6g are provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the passage 6b so as to cover the respective surfaces with a predetermined distance between the electrodes, and the passage 6b is provided.
A flow divider 6h for dividing each electrolyzed water is provided at the other end position of.

In this closed type electrolytic cell 6, the cathode plate 6 is fed while the purified drinking water F (tap water) is fed into the inlet 6c.
By applying a predetermined electrolysis power to each terminal of the anode plate 6g and the anode plate 6g, the drinking water F flowing through the passage 6b is electrolyzed in the course of passage, and H ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , M on the cathode plate 6f side.
Alkaline ionized water containing a large amount of g ²⁺ , Na ^+, etc., and acidic ionized water containing a large amount of OH ⁻ , ClO ^−, etc. are produced on the side of the anode plate 6g, and these are passed through a flow divider 6h and exit 6d, 6e can be sent separately.

The water supply pipes K1 to K9 are for connecting the respective devices which constitute the drinking water supply device, and the pipe line K1 connects the inside of the water tank 1 and the inlet 2b of the water purifier 2 to each other. K2 connects the outlet 2c of the water purifier 2 and the suction port of the first pump 3, and the conduit K3 connects the discharge port of the first pump 3 and the upper surface of the cistern 4.

The conduit K4 connects the bottom surface of the cistern 4 to the suction port of the second pump 5, and the conduit K5 connects the discharge port of the second pump 5 and the inlet 6c of the sealed electrolytic cell 6. The conduit K6 connects the outlet 6d on the alkaline water side of the sealed electrolytic cell 6 and the inlet of the cooling coil 7.

Further, the conduit K7 connects the outlet of the cooling coil 7 and the inlet of the solenoid valve 8, the conduit K8 connects the outlet of the solenoid valve 8 and the inlet of the flow controller 9, and the conduit K9 The outlet of the flow rate controller 9 and the water supply port (nozzle, faucet, etc.) of the drinking water F are connected.

The bypass line B1 is for returning the acidic water produced in the closed electrolytic cell 6 into the cistern 4, and connects the outlet 6e on the acidic water side of the closed electrolytic cell 6 and the upper surface of the cistern 4. are doing.

Here, the operation of the above-mentioned drinking water supply device will be described. The water level in the cistern 4 is controlled by the float switch 4a. When the water level in the cistern 4 falls below the lower limit level, the first pump 3 operates until the water level reaches the upper limit level, and The drinking water F is replenished into the cistern 4 via the water purifier 2. Even if the drinking water F from the water tank 1 contains air, the mixed air is removed when the drinking water F is replenished in the cistern 4.

When the drinking water F is delivered from the water supply port, the electromagnetic valve 8 is opened to operate the second pump 5, and a predetermined electrolytic power is applied to the pair of electrode plates 6f and 6g of the sealed electrolytic cell 6. Good.

The drinking water F in the cistern 4 is fed into the closed electrolytic cell 6 by the operation of the second pump 5, and is electrolyzed in the process of passing through the passage 6b as described above. The alkaline water generated in the closed electrolyzer 6 is sent to the cooling coil 7 and cooled by natural heat dissipation in the process of passing through the cooling coil 7, and a constant flow rate from the water supply port via the solenoid valve 8 and the flow rate controller 9. Sent out. On the other hand, the acidic water generated in the closed electrolyzer 6 is returned to the cistern 4 via the bypass pipe B1 and mixed with the stored water.

In the drinking water supply device according to the present embodiment, since the drinking water F in the course of water supply is electrolyzed by using the closed electrolytic cell 6, the effective chlorine generated by electrolysis is effectively used. As a result, the drinking water F can be sterilized, and furthermore, bacteria and the like can be prevented from entering the electrolytic cell 6 from the outside, and water pollution can be avoided accurately.

Further, since the drinking water F sent to the closed-type electrolytic cell 6 can be deaired in the upstream cistern 4, it is possible to prevent variation in the amount of water supply due to air inclusion and to provide a stable amount of water supply. It can be ensured and the decrease in the efficiency of electrolysis due to the mixed water F and air being fed into the closed electrolytic bath 6 can be reliably prevented.

Furthermore, since the acidic water containing effective chlorine generated in the closed electrolytic cell 6 is returned to the cistern 4 via the bypass line B1, the cisturn 4 should be avoided.
Even when bacteria and the like grow therein, they can be killed by the sterilizing power of available chlorine.
Of course, the same effect can be obtained when an open type such as the cistern 13 shown in FIG. 5 is used instead of the semi-closed type cisturn 4.

Furthermore, since the alkaline water generated in the closed electrolyzer 6 is mainly guided to the water supply port, regardless of the pH of the drinking water itself, delicious weakly alkaline water is delivered from the water supply port. it can.

In this embodiment, a water purifier is provided between the water tank and the first pump, but a similar water purifier is also provided between the cistern and the second pump. You may do it.

Although a semi-closed type having a means for preventing bacterial invasion as a cistern has been exemplified, the other half can be used as long as it can temporarily store a predetermined amount of drinking water and remove entrained air. A closed tank or an open tank can be variously used as a cistern. Of course,
An overflow pipe may be provided in the cistern so that water exceeding the upper limit water level is drained by the overflow pipe.

Further, if the water tank is eliminated and the base end of the water supply pipe is connected to the water faucet via the solenoid valve,
Even without the first pump, the drinking water can be sent to the air vent tank by opening and closing the solenoid valve.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the drinking water supply device according to the embodiment.

The drinking water supply device shown in the figure differs from that of the first embodiment in that the outlet end 6e on the acidic water side of the sealed electrolytic cell 6 is connected to the base end of the branch pipe B2, Road B
The second branch end B2a is connected to the upper surface of the cistern 4, and the other branch end B2b is connected to the middle of the conduit K6. Since other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

That is, part of the acidic water containing effective chlorine generated in the closed electrolyzer 6 is returned from the branch end B2a into the cistern 4, and the other part of the acidic water is branched from the branch end B2b into the conduit K6. Returned to. The amount of branching of the acidic water by the branch conduit B2 can be arbitrarily set by the amount of restriction at the branching point, the diameter of the branching end, and the like.

In the drinking water supply system of this embodiment, a part of the effective chlorine-containing acidic water produced in the closed-type electrolyzer 6 is returned to the conduit K6 via the branch conduit B2, so that it is mixed. It is possible to sterilize the inside of the water supply line by the available chlorine that has been produced, and the above effect can be further ensured by setting a small amount of returning acidic water into the cistern 4. Other actions, effects and modified modes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0036]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the potable water during the water supply is electrolyzed by using the closed electrolytic cell, the effective chlorine generated by the electrolysis is generated. It is possible to sterilize drinking water effectively by using the above, and to prevent bacteria from invading from the outside into the electrolyzer to avoid water pollution.

Further, since the drinking water sent to the closed type electrolytic cell can be deflated in the air bleeding tank upstream thereof, it is possible to prevent variation in the water feeding amount due to air mixing and to secure a stable water feeding amount. At the same time, it is possible to reliably prevent a decrease in the efficiency of electrolysis due to the mixture of the drinking water and air being fed into the closed electrolytic cell.

Further, since the acidic water containing effective chlorine generated in the closed type electrolytic cell is returned to the air venting tank through the bypass line, in the event that bacteria or the like grow in the air venting tank. However, these can be killed by the sterilizing power of available chlorine.

Furthermore, since the alkaline water produced in the closed electrolytic cell is mainly led to the water supply port,
Irrespective of the pH of the drinking water itself, it is possible to deliver deliciously weakly alkaline water from the water supply port.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a part of the effective chlorine-containing acidic water produced in the closed electrolytic cell is returned to the water supply pipe line through the branch pipe line, the mixed effective water The chlorine can sterilize the water supply line. Other effects are the same as those of the first aspect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a drinking water supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the air vent tank shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closed electrolytic cell shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a drinking water supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a conventional drinking water supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water tank, F ... Drinking water, 2 ... Water purifier, 3 ... 1st pump, 4 ... Air venting tank, 5 ... 2nd pump, 6 ... Sealing type electrolytic cell, 6a ... Tank body, 6b ... Passage, 6c ... Entrance, 6
d, 6e ... Outlet, 6f ... Cathode plate, 6g ... Anode plate, 7 ... Cooling coil, 8 ... Solenoid valve, 9 ... Flow controller, K1-K9 ...
Water supply line, B1 ... Bypass line, B2 ... Branch line, B2
a, B2b ... Branch end.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location C02F 1/50 540 C02F 1/50 540B 550 550D 560 560F 1/76 1/76 A

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A drinking water supply apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell in the middle of a drinking water supply pipe line and supplying the drinking water after electrolysis in the electrolytic cell, wherein a pair of opposed electrodes are fed into the inlet as the electrolytic tank. Use a sealed type that can electrolyze the water flowing between the electrodes in the course of passage and deliver alkaline water and acidic water after electrolysis from separate outlets, and its inlet and alkaline water outlet are water supply pipelines. And a semi-sealed or open tank on the upstream side of the electrolyzer in the water supply line, and the acidic water outlet of the electrolyzer is connected to the tank via a bypass line. Drinking water supply device. 2. A drinking water supply apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell in the middle of a drinking water supply pipe line and supplying drinking water after electrolysis in the electrolytic cell, wherein a pair of opposed electrodes are fed into the inlet as the electrolytic tank. Use a sealed type that can electrolyze the water flowing between the electrodes in the course of passage and deliver alkaline water and acidic water after electrolysis from separate outlets, and its inlet and alkaline water outlet are water supply pipelines. And a semi-sealed or open tank on the upstream side of the electrolyzer of the water supply line, and one end of the two-way branch line whose base end is connected to the acidic water outlet of the electrolyzer. Is connected to the above tank, and the other branch end is connected to the electrolysis tank downstream side of the water supply pipe line.