JPH1057959A - Alkaline ionic water adjuster - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a water stable in pH value irrespective of a responsiveness of a pH sensor by providing a set pH value and data of an applied voltage corresponding to the set pH value, impressing the voltage corresponding to the set pH value set at an controlling part to an electrode of an electrolytic cell and also allowing a display part to display use-permissible. SOLUTION: At the time of using, at first, an arbitrary setting of the pH value is executed at a display operating part 15, then whether it is an initial stage of the water supply or not is read and judged with a storage means when a water supply is detected with a flow rate sensor 6 at a controlling means 17. Then the initial stage of the water supply is judged, a pulse voltage is impressed to a semiconductor switch element based on a duty map stored in MPU. Then, for example, pH10.3 is displayed at the display operating part 15, and whether an output signal of the sensor 14 is pH10.3 or not for more than fixed time is judged, and when pH10.3 is not continued for more than fixed time, whether the output signal of the sensor 14 is higher than pH10.3 or not for more than fixed time is judged, and when it is high, a width of the pulse voltage is narrowed, and when it is low, the width of the pulse voltage is enlarged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to the electrolysis of raw water such as tap water and well water to produce alkaline ionized water used for drinking and medical use and acidic ionized water used for washing and the like. The present invention relates to an alkali ion water purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called continuous electrolysis type alkali ion water conditioner, which electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and alkali ion water on the cathode side, has been developed. Widespread.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control section of the alkali ion water conditioner shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an alkali ion water conditioner also shown in FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the control of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a raw water pipe such as tap water;
2 is a faucet. Raw water is passed from the raw water pipe 1 to the alkali ion water purifier 3 through the faucet 2, and the passed raw water is purified by passing through the water purification section 4, and then calcium is added in the calcium supply section 5. Is done. Water to which calcium or the like has been added passes through the flow sensor 6.

[0005] The water that has passed through the flow sensor 6 flows into an electrolytic cell 7 located further downstream thereof. The electrolytic cell 7 is divided into two by a diaphragm 8 to form two electrode chambers. Electrode plates 9 and 10 are arranged in each electrode chamber, and alkaline ionized water is generated on the cathode side and acidic ionized water is generated on the anode side.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a water discharge pipe for discharging water in the electrolytic cell 7, and the generated alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water are
Each is discharged from the discharge pipe 13. 14 is a discharge pipe 13
And a pH sensor provided in a branch pipe connected to the drain pipe 11 or the water discharge pipe 12. pH sensor 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a glass electrode, a semiconductor electrode, or an ion conductive diaphragm type. The pH detection signal detected by the pH sensor 14 is transmitted to a control unit 17 described later and processed. Reference numeral 15 denotes a display operation unit, which includes an alkali, an acid,
Switching of purified water and setting and display of pH can be performed.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a power supply plug, 17 denotes control means for controlling the operation of the alkali ion water conditioner 3, and 18 denotes a power supply unit for converting an AC power supply from the power supply plug 16 to a DC power supply. The control means 17 has a function of detecting passage of raw water by the flow rate sensor 6 and supplying a voltage to the electrolytic cell 7. The raw water that has passed through the flow sensor 6 enters the electrolytic cell 7, where the voltage controlled by the control means 17 is supplied and electrolyzed to generate acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water.

Next, a control system in the alkali ion water conditioner will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG.
First, an arbitrary pH value is set on the display / operation unit 15 by the user. Then, when the passed water passes through the flow rate sensor 6, a detection signal is transmitted to the MPU 19, and the MPU 19 receives the detection signal, and the MPU 19 receives the detection signal.
An FET, a transistor, or the like is used. ), A voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis. The electrolyzed water passes through the pH sensor 14, and a detection signal at this time is transmitted to the MPU 19,
Here, the conversion of the pH value is performed, and the pH value is displayed on the display operation unit 15.
Will be displayed. Then, if the transmitted detection signal matches the arbitrarily set pH value, the pulse voltage is continuously applied as it is.

Next, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 will be described. First, the user turns on the power of the apparatus and arbitrarily sets the pH value from the display / operation section 15 (G1). Then, it is monitored by the flow rate sensor 6 whether or not the water is passed. If the water is not passed, the input of the pH value is waited as it is (G2). If it is detected that water has passed, MPU1
9 is referenced (G
3). This duty map is divided into several tens of steps depending on the flow rate flowing through the apparatus and the set level of the pH value.
A pulse voltage is applied to the semiconductor switch element 20 based on the referred duty map (G4).

Then, the current output signal of the pH sensor 14 is converted into a pH value by the MPU 19 and displayed on the display / operation unit 15 (G5). If the displayed pH value matches the pH value set by the user (G6), a buzzer informs that drinking is possible (G7). Then, if water is passed, the process proceeds to (G5), and if water is not passed, the process ends (G8).

On the other hand, if the displayed pH value does not match the pH value set by the user, it is compared whether the output value of the pH sensor 14 is larger than the pH value set by the user (G9). If it is larger, a pulse voltage with a reduced duty is applied to the semiconductor switch element 20 (G10), and if it is smaller, a pulse voltage with a wider duty is applied to the semiconductor switch element 20 (G11). Subsequently, if water is passed, the process returns to (G5), otherwise, the process ends.

[0012]

As described above, in the conventional pH control of the alkali ion water purifier, the output signal from the pH sensor is controlled in real time, but generally the response of the pH sensor is poor. After the pH value reaches the set value, p
It usually takes about 30 seconds for the detection signal of the H sensor to reach the set pH value. For this reason, until the pH sensor reaches the same output value as the set value, it is not possible to drink water even though the pH value is the predetermined value, and the water discharged from the discharge pipe must be discarded. is there.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an alkali which can immediately generate water having a stable pH value regardless of the responsiveness of a pH sensor, shorten the time required for drinking water, and minimize waste water. It is intended to provide an ion water conditioner.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, and controlling a voltage applied to the electrolytic cell. A control unit that performs the operation, an operation unit that selects the pH of the generated ionic water, a display unit that displays whether the generated ionic water can be used, and a pH sensor that measures the pH of the ionic water. In the alkali ion water purifier provided with, the control unit is provided with data of a set pH value and an applied voltage corresponding thereto, and corresponds to the pH set value set in the operation unit based on the data. The applied voltage is applied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell, and the display unit displays an indication that it can be used.

[0015] Thus, regardless of the responsiveness of the pH sensor, water having a stable pH value can be immediately generated, the time required for drinking water can be shortened, and the amount of waste water can be minimized. You can get a water bowl.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention described in claim 1 comprises an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a control unit for controlling a voltage applied to the electrolytic cell, An operation unit for selecting the pH of the generated ionic water, a display unit for displaying whether the generated ionic water can be used or not, and a pH sensor for measuring the pH of the ionic water. In the water purifier, the control unit includes data of a set pH value and an applied voltage corresponding thereto, and a voltage corresponding to the pH set value set in the operation unit based on the data is used as the electrolysis. In addition to applying the voltage to the electrode of the tank, it is configured to display the availability on the display unit, and it is possible to display the pH value of the generated ionic water in real time regardless of the responsiveness of the pH sensor. Become.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the display means of the display section is a visual pH value display and / or an audible display such as a "notification buzzer". With this, it is possible to inform the user that the user can use the apparatus properly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pH value and the corresponding applied voltage data are at least 5 points or more obtained by operating the alkali ion water conditioner at the beginning of water flow. This is characterized in that it is possible to obtain accurate data irrespective of the mechanical characteristics of the device used, as compared with the conventional duty map stored in the MPU as in the past.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the passage of water, the display is made on the display unit based on the detection result of the pH sensor. It will be possible to accurately grasp the status of ionized water.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the alkali ion water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
Also shows a control flowchart. The schematic structure of the alkali ion water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG.

First, a block diagram of the control unit will be described with reference to FIG. The display operation unit 15 allows the user to set an arbitrary pH value. This allows the water to pass through,
A detection signal is sent to the MPU 19 through the flow sensor 6. In response to this, the MPU 19 refers to the contents stored in the storage means 21 and reads whether or not the apparatus is in the initial stage of water passage. As a method of knowing whether or not this is the initial stage of water passage, for example, the contents of the storage means 21 are cleared at the time of product shipment, and the contents are written when water is passed even once, so that it is easily determined. can do.

If it is determined that the water supply is in the initial stage, an indication is displayed on the display / operation unit 15 using an LED or the like to inform that the pulse voltage condition is to be stored. And, for example, pH 10.3-
pH 10.3, pH 9.5, pH 9.5 between pH 5.5.
0, pH 8.5, pH 5.5
At these five points, pulse voltage conditions are sequentially stored from pH 10.3.

For example, the process of storing the pulse voltage condition at pH 10.3 will be described.
Is transmitted to the MPU 19, and in response thereto, the voltage pulse width ratio is controlled so that the pH becomes 10.3,
A pulse signal is sent to the semiconductor switch element 20 and the electrolytic cell 7
Is applied with a voltage to perform electrolysis. Then, the detection signal from the pH sensor 14 is kept at pH 1 for a certain time or more.
If the value does not change at 0.3, the MPU 19 determines that the pH value has stabilized, and stores the ratio of the voltage pulse width at that time in the storage means 21. The above-mentioned fixed time is a pH sensor 1
4, which is usually 20 seconds. Then, the pH is sequentially adjusted to 9.5, and the pH is adjusted to 5.5.
Until the operation is completed, and similarly stores the ratio of the voltage pulse width corresponding to the pH value.

In this way, by storing in advance the pulse voltages corresponding to the pH values of several points that are likely to be used normally, the conditions (pulse voltage) close to the set pH value can be obtained during the second passage of water. It becomes possible to apply water, and water of an appropriate pH value can be obtained immediately.

Here, when the water flow is not in the initial stage, that is, 2
In the case of the second or subsequent water supply, as described above, the pulse voltage condition close to the pH value arbitrarily set by the user is read from the storage means 21 and the corresponding electrolytic voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7. At this time, the display operation unit 15 immediately displays the arbitrarily set pH value irrespective of the output value of the pH sensor 14, and simultaneously informs the user that it is possible to drink with a buzzer. Thus, the user can immediately drink water having the set pH value.

As described above, by storing the electrolysis voltage condition for each pH, the next time the water is passed, the electrolysis voltage condition closest to the pH value arbitrarily set by the user can be applied, and the desired Can be obtained.

Next, a control flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the user turns on the power of the apparatus and arbitrarily sets the pH value using the display / operation section 15 (S1). Then, it is monitored by the flow rate sensor 6 whether or not the water is passed. If the water is not passed, the input of the pH value is directly waited (S2). If it is detected that the water has been passed, it is read from the storage means 21 whether the water is in the initial stage or not (S3). Here, if it is determined that the water supply is in the initial stage, the duty map stored in the MPU 19 in advance is referred to. This duty map is set in several tens of steps depending on the flow rate flowing through the apparatus and the set level of the pH value (S4). A pulse voltage is applied to the semiconductor switch element 20 based on the referenced duty map (S5).

Next, the pH 10.3 is displayed on the display / operation section 15 (S6). And more than a certain time (20-30 seconds)
It is determined whether the output signal of the pH sensor 14 is pH 10.3 (S7). If the output signal of the pH sensor 14 is not pH 10.3 for a predetermined time or more, it is determined whether the output signal of the pH sensor 14 is higher than pH 10.3 (S
9). If it is determined to be large, the width of the pulse voltage is narrowed (S1
0), if determined to be small, the width of the pulse voltage is increased (S
11). Then, if water is continuously passed, the process returns to (S5), and if water is not passed, the process ends (S12). If the output signal of the pH sensor 14 is pH 10.3 for a predetermined time or more, the condition of the pulse voltage applied at that time is stored in the storage unit 21 (S8). Then, if water is continuously passed, the contents of (S6) to (S12) are similarly repeated for pH 9.5 to pH 5.5, and
Otherwise, the process ends (S13).

If it is determined that the water flow is not in the initial stage, the pH value set by the user is displayed as it is (S14). Then, the condition of the pulse voltage corresponding to the previously stored pH value is read from the storage means 21 (S15). The read pulse voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis (S
16). At this time, a buzzer informs the user that drinking is possible, and the user determines that drinking is possible (S1).
7).

Subsequently, if water is passed (S18), it is determined whether X seconds have elapsed (S19). This X second time is a time during which the output signal of the pH sensor 14 has not reached the set value (this is due to the responsiveness of the pH sensor 14). Therefore, when the output signal from the pH sensor 14 is displayed as it is when the value of the pH sensor 14 has not reached the set value, the displayed value is not stable, and it is possible to drink even though the pH value is drinkable. The notification buzzer cannot be sounded, and the user determines that drinking is not possible yet. During this time, the pulse voltage read from the storage means 21 is continuously applied. At this time, the pH value of the water actually flowing out of the discharge pipe 13 has reached the set pH value. Is a situation where the set pH value has not been reached. Therefore, when water is supplied for the second time or later, the pH value set by the user is immediately displayed, and a buzzer informs that drinking is possible.

After X seconds have elapsed, it is determined whether the output signal of the pH sensor 14 matches the set value (S2).
0). If they do not match, it is next determined whether the output signal of the pH sensor 14 is larger than the set value (S2).
1). If the pulse width is large, the pulse width is narrowed (S22), and if the pulse width is small, the pulse width is widened (S23). Then, if water is continuously passed, the process returns to (S20), and if water is not passed, the process ends (S24). If the output signal of the pH sensor 14 matches the set value, then it is determined whether or not water is being supplied (S25). If water is supplied, the process proceeds to (S20), and if water is not supplied, the water is not supplied. To end.

The predetermined time X varies depending on the type of the pH sensor 14 (glass electrode, ISFET, etc.), but is preferably 30 to 60 seconds after the start of water flow. 3
If the time is shorter than 0 seconds, the control becomes difficult when the output of the pH sensor 14 is not stable.
This may cause a reduction in the life of the H sensor 14 or a failure.

As described above, according to the alkali ion water conditioner of the present embodiment, the display operation unit 15 is operated irrespective of the output signal of the pH sensor 14 except at the time of initial water supply (when water is supplied after the second time). By immediately displaying the set pH value set by the user, water of the set value can be used immediately without waiting for the pH sensor measurement result, and the waiting time can be reduced. In addition, as a result of reducing the waiting time, the time for discarding the water coming out of the discharge pipe 13 can be reduced, and at the same time, the amount of discarded water can be reduced.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A data corresponding to a set pH value and an applied voltage corresponding thereto is provided, and a voltage corresponding to the pH set value set in the operation unit is applied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell based on the data. In addition, according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein a display indicating that the pH sensor can be used is made on the display unit, the water having a stable pH value is immediately generated regardless of the responsiveness of the pH sensor, and the time until drinking becomes possible. And an alkali ion water purifier capable of minimizing waste water can be obtained.

(2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to inform the user that the apparatus can be used properly.

(3) According to the third aspect of the present invention, accurate data can be obtained irrespective of the mechanical characteristics of the device used, as compared with a conventional duty map stored in the MPU as in the prior art.

(4) According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately grasp the state of the ion water actually generated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkali ion water conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the alkali ion water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of a conventional alkaline ionizer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control of the alkali ion water purifier in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of control of the alkali ion water purifier in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 raw water pipe 2 faucet 3 alkali ion water purifier 4 water purification section 5 calcium supply section 6 flow sensor 7 electrolytic tank 8 diaphragm 9, 10 electrode plate 11 drain pipe 12 water discharge pipe 13 discharge pipe 14 pH sensor 15 display operation section 16 power supply Input plug 17 Control means 18 Power supply

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Ohno 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water to produce alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, a control unit for controlling the voltage applied to the electrolytic cell, and an operation unit for selecting the pH of the generated ionized water. And a display unit for displaying whether the generated ionic water can be used or not, and a pH sensor for measuring the pH of the ionic water. With the data of the applied pH value and the corresponding applied voltage, a voltage corresponding to the pH set value set by the operation unit based on the data is applied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell, and the display unit Alkaline ion water purifier that indicates that it can be used. 2. An alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said display means of said display section is a visual pH value display and / or an audible display. 3. The data of the pH value and the corresponding applied voltage are at least 5 points of data obtained by operating the alkali ion water conditioner at the beginning of water flow. Item 2. An alkali ion water conditioner according to item 1, 2. 4. An alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, wherein after a predetermined time has passed from the passage of water, the display is displayed on the display unit based on a detection result of the pH sensor. vessel. 5. The alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is 3 to 6 seconds after the start of water flow.