JPH11138169A - Electrolyic water production device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a service life of a salt water pump from being shortened and also a formation and a discharge of ununiform electrolytic water from continuing by monitoring driving signal to the salt water pump of an electrolytic water production device. SOLUTION: The pump 33 of the electrolytic water production device incorporates conc. salt water from a salt water tank 30 into raw water, and enables to feed diluted salt water as water to be treated into an electrolytic bath 10. An electric control circuit 70 detects conductivity of the water to be treated by using an ammeter 50, and sends driving signal to the pump 33 such that the conductivity of the water to be treated becomes specified target conductivity. Besides, in the case that the electric control circuit 70 detects that the driving signal of the pump 33 is in a specified state being out of a normal operation, drive of the pump 33 is stopped and a formation of the electrolytic water is stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus in which salt water having a predetermined concentration is mixed into raw water from the outside by a salt water pump to obtain treated water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of electrolyzed water generating apparatus is, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-155564, in which salt water having a predetermined concentration is mixed into raw water from the outside by a salt water pump to obtain treated water. The water to be treated is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell. In addition, in order to stably generate the predetermined electrolyzed water, the discharge amount of the salt water pump is feedback-controlled (increase / decrease control) so that the conductivity of the water to be treated (the salt concentration of the water to be treated) becomes the target conductivity. ing.

[0003] On the other hand, an electric pump whose discharge rate is easy to control is suitable for this type of salt water pump. For example, a pump in which a diaphragm is reciprocated by a solenoid or a piston which is driven by rotating a cam by an electric motor is used. And the like are used.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus can be used even when some abnormality (for example, mixing of air) occurs in the brine supply system including the brine pump and the brine is not sufficiently supplied. Drive of the pump by the feedback control is continued. That is, the electrolyzed water generator is
When the salt water shortage occurs due to an abnormality, the salt water pump is driven to increase the discharge amount of the salt water pump by feedback control, but the amount of salt water actually supplied cannot be increased. For this reason, there is a problem that the salt water pump is continuously driven at a higher rotation speed and the life of the salt water pump is shortened.

[0005] Further, depending on the type of raw water, the average value of the amount of salt water required to obtain a predetermined conductivity may be small. Since the electrolyzed water generator controls the amount of salt water to increase or decrease by feedback control, a drive signal may be generated to the salt water pump so as to discharge a salt water amount smaller than the average value. When the discharge amount of the pump becomes small, especially in the case of a reciprocating pump, the time from one discharge to the next discharge becomes long, so that the salt concentration of the water to be treated pulsates. There is also a problem that the water generating device discharges non-uniform electrolytic water.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-described problem, and has been developed to provide a "pump capable of changing the discharge amount in response to an external drive signal" which mixes salt water with raw water. By monitoring the state of the drive signal or the conductivity of the water to be treated, it is determined (detected) whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pump system and whether or not the electrolyzed water is in a non-uniform state. At the same time, the pump is stopped to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water, so that the life of the pump is not shortened.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that does not continuously discharge non-uniform electrolyzed water.

That is, a first feature of the present invention is that a salt water tank storing salt water of a predetermined concentration and a pump configured to change a discharge amount in accordance with an external drive signal are provided. The raw water continuously supplied into the tank is mixed with salt water in a salt water tank by a pump to make the water to be treated, and a drive signal to the pump is supplied so that the conductivity of the water to be treated becomes a predetermined target conductivity. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus configured to change, the state determination unit that determines whether the drive signal to the pump is in a predetermined state that cannot be normal operation, and the state determination unit determines that the drive signal to the pump is normal. A stop means for stopping the driving of the pump and stopping the generation of the electrolyzed water when it is determined that the predetermined state is impossible for the operation.

According to the first feature, the driving signal to the pump for mixing the salt water into the raw water from the outside is changed so that the conductivity of the water to be treated becomes the target conductivity. The state determination means monitors whether the drive signal is in a "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" or not, and when the determination means determines that "the predetermined state cannot be normal operation". Then, the stopping means stops the driving of the pump to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water. Therefore, since the pump is not continuously driven in a driving state that cannot be performed in a normal operation, the life of the pump is not reduced, or a situation in which the non-uniform electrolyzed water is continuously discharged is avoided.

A second feature of the present invention is that a "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" is determined by the state determining means.
In "a state in which the drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more".

In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus having this feature, the pump sucks air and discharges air into the water to be treated (so-called "air seeing") because the sealing state of the pump system is not good or the like. For example, a case where sufficient salt water is not supplied due to clogging of the discharge system of the pump is considered as a result of a decrease in the conductivity of the water to be treated and a continuous increase in the discharge amount of the pump. It is determined whether or not "a state in which the signal is to cause the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more (during high-speed operation)" has occurred, and the driving of the pump is stopped. Therefore, the apparatus did not operate the pump at such a high speed that the life of the pump was affected, thereby avoiding a reduction in the life of the pump.

On the other hand, the drive signal of the pump sometimes becomes a value that requests the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more temporarily by feedback control even during normal operation. Further, the life of the pump is likely to be reduced when a predetermined high-speed operation continues for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, the present invention provides the third
The characteristic of the above is that the "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" determined by the state determination means is defined as "a state in which the drive signal to the pump is a signal to cause the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more." The state where the pump continues for more than the first predetermined time "can be avoided when the instantaneous high-speed operation occurs, without carelessly stopping the pump (stopping the generation of electrolyzed water) and shortening the pump life. did.

A fourth feature of the present invention is that the "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" is determined by the state determination means.
In a state where the drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or less. In this state, the required amount of salt water becomes very small,
The pump is driven at a very low speed, the time from one discharge of the pump to the next discharge becomes longer, and the salt concentration is pulsated as the generated electrolyzed water becomes non-uniform beyond the allowable range. . Therefore, the electrolyzed water generation device having the fourth feature stops the operation of the pump when this state is determined, thereby preventing uneven discharge of the electrolyzed water.

In the case where the above-mentioned extremely low-speed operation of the pump occurs instantaneously, since the influence on the characteristics of the electrolyzed water is small, it may be preferable to continue the generation of the electrolyzed water. As a fifth feature of the present invention, the "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" determined by the state determination means is defined as "a signal for which the drive signal to the pump should cause the same pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or less." Is in the second state
State for more than a predetermined period of time '', while avoiding instantaneous pump stop at extremely low speed operation,
Preventing continuous pouring of non-uniform electrolytic water.

In the above-described electrolyzed water generating apparatus having the second and third features of the present invention, the case where the pump inhales / discharges the air is referred to as “the driving signal to the pump is discharged to the pump by a predetermined amount or more. Although the determination is made based on whether or not the signal is a signal for discharging the amount, the drive signal for discharging the discharge amount equal to or more than the predetermined amount is a result of being changed in the discharge amount increasing direction by the feedback control. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of time from when the pump starts sucking air to when it is determined that the pump is sucking air.

On the other hand, when the pump sucks air and begins to mix air into the water to be treated, the conductivity sharply decreases, and with this decrease, a drive signal to the pump sharply increases to increase the discharge amount. To rise. Therefore, as a sixth feature of the present invention, the "predetermined state that cannot be a normal operation" determined by the state determination means is referred to as "the change amount of the drive signal to the pump within a third predetermined time is a predetermined change. And the seventh characteristic is that the "predetermined state that cannot be normal operation" determined by the state determination means is a "fourth predetermined time of the drive signal to the pump." The state in which the amount of change within the predetermined amount of change is equal to or more than the predetermined amount of time continues for the fifth predetermined time or more "is adopted. It is possible to stop.

The "state in which the amount of change of the drive signal to the pump within a fourth (in the sixth aspect, third) predetermined time" is equal to or greater than the predetermined change amount is, for example, the normal state of the original signal. Since it may occur when the amount of water fluctuates instantaneously, etc., the seventh feature is to determine that this state is “a state that has continued for more than a fifth predetermined time”, The detection accuracy of the air intake state has been improved.

An eighth feature of the present invention is that when the electric conductivity of the water to be treated falls below the target electric conductivity for abnormality determination, the operation of the pump is stopped to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water. A ninth feature is that the pump is provided when the state in which the conductivity of the water to be treated is equal to or less than the abnormality determination conductivity that is smaller than the target conductivity continues for a sixth predetermined time or more. A stopping means for stopping the driving of the device to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water.

According to the eighth and ninth features, when the pump sucks air or when the discharge system is clogged and the supply of salt water is insufficient, the pump is reduced based on the conductivity. Since the driving of the is stopped, more quickly than when monitoring the continuation of the state in which the drive signal that is increased as a result of the conductivity decrease is a signal to be discharged at a predetermined discharge amount or more, It can cope with salt water shortage.

A tenth feature of the present invention is that the drive signal is controlled in accordance with a difference between the conductivity of the water to be treated and a predetermined target conductivity so that the conductivity of the water to be treated becomes a predetermined target conductivity. Feedback control means for updating the drive signal to the pump; and determining that the amount of change in the drive signal to the pump within a seventh predetermined time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change, and that the conductivity of the water to be treated is smaller than the target conductivity. And stopping means for stopping the driving of the pump to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water when the period during which the electric conductivity is equal to or less than the eighth predetermined time is provided. By using both the rate of change and the magnitude of the conductivity for abnormality determination, the accuracy and reliability of determining an abnormal state are improved.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electrolyzed water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention schematically shown in FIG. 1 includes a generator main body 1, a concentrated salt water tank 30, a remote controller 60, and the like. Inside the main body 1, an electrolytic cell 10, a power supply 40, a pump 3
3, an electric control circuit 70 including a water valve 23 and a microcomputer, and the like.

The electrolytic cell 10 is a flow-through type electrolytic cell (for performing electrolytic treatment in a state where water is flowing), and the inside thereof is partitioned by a diaphragm 11 into a pair of electrode chambers 12 and 13. Further, the electrodes 14 and 15 connected to the power supply 40 and to which a DC voltage is applied are housed facing each other. A second water supply pipe 21 for supplying the water to be electrolyzed is connected to each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13, and the outlet pipes 16 and 1 are connected to the second water supply pipe 21.
7 are respectively connected. Each lead pipe 16 and 17 is connected to the electrolytic cell 1
The electrolyzed water generated in the chamber 0 is discharged to the outside from the outlets 16a and 17a, which are the tips.

The power supply 40 is a constant voltage source for generating and outputting a constant voltage. The power supply 40 is connected to an electric control circuit 70, and when a voltage adjustment input device (not shown) provided on the main body 1 is operated, the electric control is performed. In response to a control signal from the circuit 70, the output voltage value can be adjusted. An ammeter 50 is connected via a shunt 41 to a circuit for supplying a DC voltage from the power source 40 to the electrodes 14 and 15. Is connected to the electric control circuit 70 so as to be measured as a measured current value I representing the conductivity (salt concentration) of the electric current.

The first water supply pipe 20 is connected to an external water supply (not shown) (not shown), and is configured so that raw water is pumped from the external water supply. Also, the first water supply pipe 2
Numeral 0 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 22 and a water valve 23 (WV) as an electromagnetic on-off valve in order from the upstream to the downstream, and is connected to the second water supply pipe 21. The pressure reducing valve 22 reduces the pressure of the water fed from the external water supply source and keeps the pressure within a predetermined pressure range. The water valve 23 is electrically connected to the electric control circuit 70 and is opened and closed to be opened (ON). Supplies water from the outside to the electrolytic cell 10 via the first and second water supply pipes 20 and 21.

The concentrated salt water tank 30 is separate from the generator main body 1 and stores therein a concentrated salt water of a predetermined concentration (generally, a saturated concentration). In the concentrated salt water tank 30, a water level sensor S and a concentrated salt water suction pipe (hose) 32 integrally formed by a heat-shrinkable tube are detachable (removable) from the upper part of the tank 30 and vertically adjustable (cap 31).
(Positioning is possible due to sliding resistance generated between them). The water level sensor S is electrically connected to the electric control circuit 70 so that the detection unit at the tip is disposed above the tip opening of the filter F attached to the tip suction port of the salt water suction pipe 32 by a predetermined amount L. It has become. The detection unit of the water level sensor S is a well-known electrode type and detects whether or not concentrated salt water (water) is present. If the concentrated salt water is present, an “ON” signal is output. Send an "off" signal. As described above, when the water level sensor S is inserted to a position where the end of the filter F of the salt water suction pipe 32 is in contact with the bottom of the concentrated salt water tank 30, the positioning is achieved, and the predetermined water level L of the concentrated salt water tank 30 is detected. You can do it.

The pump 33 is an electrically driven pump of a type driven by a solenoid, in which a single discharge amount is constant. The pump 33 is formed by a valve housing 33b and a diaphragm 33c from an inlet 33a to which a salt water suction pipe 32 is connected. A check valve 33e that allows only the flow in the defined pump chamber 33d direction and a check valve 33g that allows only the flow from the pump chamber 33d toward the discharge port 33f to which the salt water supply pipe 34 is connected are provided. I have. The plunger 33h is connected to the diaphragm 33c, and is urged toward the pump chamber 33d (leftward in the drawing) by the restoring force of the diaphragm and a spring (not shown), while the solenoid 33i separated from the pump chamber 33d is electrically operated. When energized by the control circuit 70, the actuator moves by receiving a force in a direction opposite to the pump chamber 33d (rightward in the drawing). Further, the salt water supply pipe 34 is located at a position downstream of the water valve 23 of the first water supply pipe 20, and is connected to a connection portion between the first water supply pipe 20 and the second water supply pipe 21.

With the above configuration, the pump 33 reciprocates the diaphragm 33c in accordance with the repetition of energization / de-energization of the solenoid 33i, and supplies the salt water in an amount corresponding to the repetition time interval of the energization / de-energization in the salt water tank. The water is pumped from 30 and discharged to the salt water supply pipe 34. As a result, the salt water is mixed with the raw water to generate the water to be treated. In other words, the pump 33 varies the discharge amount per unit time according to the cycle in which the solenoid 33i is turned on, and adjusts the salt concentration of the water to be treated.

The remote controller 60 is formed separately from the generator main body 1 and has outlets 16 of outlet pipes 16 and 17.
a, 17a. The remote controller 60 is connected to an electric control circuit 70, and a salt replenishment lamp (indicating lamp) 62 for indicating that the concentrated salt water in the concentrated salt water tank 30 is insufficient, and a dispensing operated by the user. A switch 61 is provided. Salt supply lamp 6
2 is controlled to be turned on in response to a display control signal from the electric control circuit 70, and the pouring switch 61 is used to supply an operation instruction signal for instructing each unit in the generator body 1 to start and end the operation of electrolytic water generation. It is sent to the control circuit 70. Note that the pouring switch 61 is a so-called alternate type switch that maintains an electrical ON state when pressed once by the user and maintains an electrical OFF state when pressed again.
When an instruction from 0 is received, the state can be changed to the off state.

Next, the operation of the embodiment according to the present invention configured as described above will be described from the start of the generation of electrolyzed water. The electric control circuit 70 executes the routine shown in FIG.
Starting from 0, at step 205, the change of the dispensing switch 61 from off to on is monitored. Therefore, in order for the user to generate and use the electrolyzed water, the discharging switch 61 is used.
Is changed from off to on, this is detected and the routine proceeds to step 210, where timers TDN and T
The UP and the timer TS are cleared to "0".

The electric control circuit 70 proceeds to the next step 215
Turn on (open) the water valve 23 at
To start supplying raw water to
, A constant voltage is applied between the electrodes 14 and 15 by the power supply 40. This voltage is adjusted according to the use environment (the type of raw water) at the time of installation of the apparatus. Following step 225
Then, an initial value (fixed value or an average value of the drive signal S during the previous generation of the electrolyzed water) R0 is set to a pump drive signal S described later.
Is set, and the routine proceeds to step 230.

In step 230, the pump 33 is operated to obtain electrolyzed water having a predetermined conductivity (ion conductivity, Ph).
This is a step of executing feedback control (increase / decrease control) of the discharge amount of the discharge amount, which is measured from a predetermined target current value I0 to a value S (hereinafter, referred to as a drive signal S) corresponding to the discharge amount currently instructed. A value obtained by adding a value (K * (I0-I), K: positive constant) proportional to the value obtained by subtracting the current value I is set as a new drive signal S. The drive signal S is the pump 3
This is a value for determining a cycle of transmitting a pulse signal having a predetermined ON time width to the third solenoid 33i, that is, a discharge amount per time (hereinafter, discharge amount) of the pump 33.

At this point immediately after the discharge switch 61 is turned on, since the raw water supplied for cleaning after the previous stop of the generation of the electrolyzed water remains in the electrolytic cell 10, the measured current value I is Step 23 is smaller than the target current value I0.
K * (I0-I) at 0 is a positive value. Therefore,
The electric control circuit 70 increases the drive signal S (= R0) by K * (I0-I) in order to increase the discharge amount of the pump 33, and proceeds to step 235.

In step 235, the drive signal S is guarded so as to be less than the maximum value MAX. That is, as a result of the execution of step 230, the drive signal S obtained has the maximum value M
If it is larger than AX, the maximum value MAX is adopted as the drive signal S in step 235. The maximum value MAX is determined according to the maximum discharge amount that the pump 33 can take (the maximum allowable speed that the pump 33 can follow). The electric control circuit 70 proceeds to step 295 after execution of step 235, and once ends this routine. At this point, the generation of the electrolyzed water is started, and thereafter, the electrolyzed water is generated and discharged until the pouring switch 61 is turned off.

When the electric control circuit 70 executes the routine shown in FIG. 2 after a predetermined time, the state of the dispensing switch 61 remains ON and has not been changed.
o "and the following" whether or not the dispensing switch 61 is on "
Is determined as “Yes” in step 240 for determining
Proceed to step 230. In step 230, the drive signal S is newly obtained in the same manner as described above, the drive signal S is guarded in step 235, and the routine is terminated.
Thereafter, the electric control circuit 70 repeatedly executes these steps.

In this state, when the user changes the injection switch 61 from ON to OFF to stop the generation and use of the electrolyzed water, the electric control circuit 70 executes both steps 205 and 240 of the routine of FIG. Both are determined to be “No”, and the process proceeds to step 245 to instruct the water valve 23 to turn off (close) after a predetermined time TC for performing cleaning with only the raw water in the electrolytic cell 10 and to stop supplying the raw water. . After the process of step 245, the process proceeds to step 250, in which the application of the voltage to the electrodes 14, 15 by the power supply 40 is stopped, and further, in step 255, a process of stopping the operation of the pump 33 is executed, and the present routine ends. . As described above, the operation of the pump 33 is stopped (the generation of the electrolyzed water is stopped), and after the raw water is supplied to the electrolytic tank 10 for a predetermined time TC, the water valve 23 is turned off, and the supply of the raw water is also stopped. .

Here, a drive control method of the pump 33 will be described. As described above, the drive signal S obtained in step 230 in the routine of FIG.
This is a value that determines a cycle of sending a pulse signal of a predetermined width to the third solenoid 33i, and is used in the pump driving routine of FIG. 6 that is executed at shorter time intervals than the routine of FIG.

More specifically, the electric control circuit 70 starts the routine shown in FIG.
In step 62, the timer T is increased by "1".
0, the timer T and the pulse interval ST at that time
Compare with Since the timer T has been cleared to "0" after the previous pulse transmission (step 64 described later)
0), until the timer T reaches the pulse interval ST, the determination in step 620 is “No”, and in step 695, the present routine is ended once.

Thereafter, the electric control circuit 70 proceeds to step 61
Since the execution of steps 0, 620, and 695 is repeated, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the timer T becomes larger than the pulse interval ST, the step 620 is determined to be “Yes”, and the process proceeds to the step 630, where the pulse having the predetermined ON time width is set. The pump 33
Is output to the solenoid 33i. In a succeeding step 640, the timer T is cleared to "0", and a step 650 is executed.
In step 620, a value (A / S, A is a positive constant) proportional to the reciprocal of the drive signal S obtained at that time is calculated.
Is taken as the pulse interval ST used in step 6,
This routine ends at 95.

As described above, the electric control circuit 70 outputs the pulse signal of the predetermined ON time width to the solenoid 33i of the pump 33 at every time corresponding to the drive signal S, that is, at every time proportional to the reciprocal of the drive signal S. The diaphragm 33c responds in synchronism with this and mixes the salt water into the raw water. Therefore, as the drive signal S is larger, the time interval between the pulses is smaller, so that the pump 33 is driven at a high speed. In a normal state, the actual amount of salt water discharged from the pump 33 is also larger.

Next, a first monitoring routine for monitoring the state of the drive signal S will be described with reference to FIG. The routine of FIG. 3 is also a routine that is repeatedly executed by the electric control circuit 70 at predetermined time intervals. In step 310 following step 300, the drive signal S is set to the upper limit predetermined value SUP.
Is compared to The upper limit predetermined value SUP is a value that the drive signal S does not exceed during normal operation (or a value that immediately exceeds the drive signal S and does not continue).
As long as the pump 33 is driven at UP or lower, a value that does not cause a reduction in the life of the pump 33 (a value equal to or less than the maximum value MAX) is selected. Therefore, during normal operation, the electric control circuit 70 sets “N” in step 310.
o ", the routine proceeds to step 350, where a timer TUP, which will be described later, is cleared to" 0 ", and this routine ends.

Next, a case in which a seal breakage or the like occurs in a system including the pump 33 and the pump 33 sucks and discharges air will be described. In this case, since air is mixed into the water to be treated, the water to be treated (electrolyzed water, liquid) in the electrolytic cell 10 is used.
, The measured current value I sharply decreases. Accordingly, the electric control circuit 70 sharply increases the drive signal S by the feedback control step 230 of FIG. 2 described above, and as a result, determines “Yes” in step 310 of FIG. . Electric control circuit 70
If "Yes" is determined in step 310, the timer TUP is increased by "1" in the subsequent step 320, and in step 330, it is determined whether or not the timer TUP is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time T1.

In the step 350 described above, when the drive signal S is smaller than the upper limit predetermined value SUP, the timer TUP is cleared to "0". Duration "which is a large state. Therefore, if this abnormal state continues, the timer TUP is reset to the first predetermined time T1.
Is determined in step 330 to be “Yes”, the process proceeds to step 340, and the pouring switch 61 is forcibly turned off to stop driving the pump 33. still,
The first predetermined time T1 is equal to the upper limit predetermined value SU
When the drive signal S is continuously operated with the drive signal S equal to or more than P, the value of the drive signal S whose life is likely to be greatly reduced, or the instantaneous large (greater than or equal to the upper limit predetermined value SUP) drive signal S which can occur in normal operation is A value that cannot be continued is selected.

As a result of the dispensing switch 61 being turned off in step 340, when the electric control circuit 70 executes the routine of FIG. 2, both the steps 205 and 240 are determined to be "No". 245,25
At 0,255, the operation of stopping the generation of the electrolyzed water including the stop of the driving of the pump 33 is executed.

As described above, the electric control circuit 70 determines that the pump 33 is in the "predetermined state where normal operation is not possible" and that the "drive signal S to the pump is such that the pump should discharge a predetermined amount of discharge or more. (S> SU
P) continues for more than the first predetermined time (TUP) ", it is determined that the pump 33 is sucking / discharging air, and its driving is stopped.
Is not operated at high speed for a long time, and the pump 33 can be protected.

Next, a second monitoring routine for monitoring the state of the drive signal S will be described with reference to FIG. The routine of FIG. 4 is also a routine that is repeatedly executed by the electric control circuit 70 at predetermined time intervals. In step 410 following step 400, the drive signal S is set to the lower limit predetermined value SDN.
Is compared to Normally (during normal operation), the lower limit predetermined value SDN is a value at which the drive signal S does not drop (or a value that falls within a short time even if it falls). Pump 3 with the specified value SDN or more
As long as No. 3 is driven, the salt concentration (conductivity) of the water to be treated is selected to a value that does not pulsate so as to greatly affect the characteristics of the electrolyzed water. Therefore, usually, the electric control circuit 70
Is determined to be “No” in step 410 and step 45
The routine proceeds to 0, a timer TDN, which will be described later, is cleared to “0”, and the routine ends in step 495.

On the other hand, depending on the place where the electrolyzed water generating apparatus is installed, the supplied raw water itself may have a relatively high conductivity, and thus the required amount of salt water may be small. Also, since the amount of salt water is controlled to increase or decrease by the feedback control, a state in which the drive signal S falls below the lower limit predetermined value SDN occurs. When this state occurs, the electric control circuit 70 determines “Yes” in step 410,
After increasing the timer TDN by “1” in the following step 420, it is determined in step 430 whether or not the timer TDN is longer than a second predetermined time T2.

As described above, the timer TDN is
By executing steps 410 and 450, when the drive signal S is larger than the lower limit predetermined value SDN, “0” is set.
, So that step 410 and step 4
By executing step 20, “the drive signal S becomes lower-limit predetermined value SD
Duration during which the state is smaller than N ". Accordingly, if the state where the drive signal S is smaller than the lower limit predetermined value SDN continues, the timer TDN is set to the second predetermined time T
In step 430, the electric control circuit 70 determines "Y
es ", the process proceeds to step 440, and the pouring switch 61 is forcibly turned off to stop driving the pump 33.

As a result of the forcible OFF operation of the ejection switch 61, when the electric control circuit 70 executes the routine of FIG. 2, both the steps 205 and 240 are determined to be “No”, and the steps 245, 250 and Pump 3 at 255
The operation of stopping the generation of the electrolyzed water including the drive stop of Step 3 is executed.

In particular, discharge occurs intermittently, such as a pump of the type in which the diaphragm is reciprocated by the solenoid as in this embodiment and a pump of the type in which the piston is reciprocated by rotating the cam by an electric motor. When a pump is used, if the required amount of salt water becomes very small (the drive signal S becomes small), the interval between one discharge and the next discharge becomes long, so that the salt concentration of the water to be treated pulsates. And non-uniform electrolyzed water may be generated.
On the other hand, according to the second monitoring routine, the electric control circuit 70 sets the “state in which the drive signal S to the pump 33 is a signal that causes the pump 33 to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or less” to “ It is determined as "a predetermined state that cannot be in normal operation", and the operation of generating the electrolyzed water including the driving of the pump 33 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the non-uniform electrolyzed water from being continuously poured out as described above.

In the second monitor routine, when the extremely low speed operation of the pump occurs instantaneously, that is, when the drive signal S decreases instantaneously, the influence on the electrolyzed water characteristics is small. Therefore, since it may be preferable to continue the generation of the electrolyzed water, the driving of the pump 33 is stopped when the state where the drive signal S is equal to or lower than the lower limit predetermined value SDN continues for the second predetermined time T2 or longer. I did it.

Next, a third monitoring routine for monitoring the state of the drive signal S will be described with reference to FIG. The monitor routine of FIG. 5 is a routine inserted between steps 235 and 295 of the routine of FIG. 2 (see A and B in the figure), and is for detecting the state in which the pump 33 sucks air more quickly. belongs to.

First, a description will be given of a case where the electrolyzed water is in a normal state. The electric control circuit 70 executes the routine of FIG. 2 as steps 200, 205, 240, 230 and 235, and then executes the steps of the routine of FIG. At 510, the drive signal S (that is, SOLD) obtained in step 230 when the electric control circuit 70 previously executed the routine of FIG. 2 (and FIG. 5) and the drive obtained by execution of step 230 this time. The difference ΔS from the signal S is calculated. In subsequent step 515, the electric control circuit 70 stores the current drive signal S (determined by executing step 230 this time) as SOLD in order to determine the difference ΔS at the next execution of the routine. Then, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔS is larger than a predetermined difference ΔS0.

Since the electric control circuit 70 executes this routine at predetermined time intervals, the difference ΔS is equal to the third predetermined time of the drive signal S (fourth predetermined time, seventh predetermined time, ie, FIG. 2
In the normal state, the difference ΔS0 is a value that the difference ΔS does not exceed (or is instantaneous even if it exceeds). ,
Immediately below). Accordingly, in the normal state, the electric control circuit 70 determines “No” in step 520, proceeds to step 545, clears the timer TS to “0”, and proceeds to step 295 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the pump 33 starts sucking air due to an abnormality in the suction system of the pump 33, the conductivity of the salt water decreases and the measured current value I decreases, so that the drive signal S sharply increases by feedback control ( (See step 230 in FIG. 2). In such a state, the difference ΔS
Becomes larger, the electric control circuit 70 determines in step 52
Step 52 determines “Yes” at 0 and determines whether the measured current value I is smaller than a predetermined abnormality determination current value IUP (a value corresponding to the abnormality determination conductivity).
5 is also determined as “Yes” and the process proceeds to step 530. In step 530, the timer TS is increased by “1”,
In step 535, it is determined whether or not the timer TS has exceeded a fifth predetermined time (sixth predetermined time, eighth predetermined time) TS0.

Then, in this state (△ S> △ S0, and
If I <IUP) continues, the timer TS is increased by step 530, so that the electric control circuit 70
Determines "Yes" in step 535, proceeds to step 540, forcibly turns off the injection switch 61, and stops driving the pump 33 (stops generation of electrolytic water).

The third monitoring routine described above determines whether the pump 33 is inhaling air by determining the change (difference ΔS) in the drive signal S and the measured current value I that appear immediately after air is inhaled. Therefore, the same state is determined when "the drive signal S gradually increases and exceeds the upper limit predetermined value SUP as a result of the feedback control, and further continues for a predetermined time TUP". The first monitoring routine performed based on the above can be performed more quickly.
Further, since the abnormality determination is performed using the two parameters of the change rate of the drive signal S and the measured current value I (conductivity), the erroneous determination of the abnormal state can be reduced.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one feedback control change (K * (I0-I)) in the feedback control of the pump 33 in the above-described embodiment.
Is a value (proportional) according to the difference between the target current value and the actual current value (measured current value I), which is proportional to the difference between the target electric conductivity and the actual electric conductivity (proportional). ), Or a time derivative component or an integral component of these differences may be added as the feedback control change.

It is desirable to use all of the monitor routines shown in FIGS. For example, both of the monitor routines of FIGS. 3 and 5 can detect the case where the pump 33 is sucking air.
Usually performs the detection more quickly by the routine in FIG. 5 than in FIG. However, step 235 shown in FIG.
When the drive signal S is guarded at the maximum value MAX at
Even when the air is being sucked, the drive signal S does not change, so that the routine of FIG. 5 cannot detect the abnormal state. However, if both are used together, the abnormal state can be detected by the routine of FIG.

Further, in the present invention, steps 320, 330 and 350 in FIG. 3 and steps 420, 4 in FIG.
30 and 450, steps 530, 535 and 5 in FIG.
45 can be omitted for quicker determination of an abnormal state. In the routine of FIG.
25, 530, 535, and 545 are omitted, and only the difference ΔS is used as a determination parameter.
Omitting 30, 535 and 545, the measured current value I
(Conductivity) alone as a parameter for determination, step 525 is omitted, and it is determined that the difference ΔS is abnormal when the time ΔS continues for the time TS0 or more, and step 520 is omitted, and the measured current value I is for abnormality determination. For example, when the state equal to or less than the current value IUP is determined to be abnormal when the state continues for the time TS0 or more,
Various modifications can be adopted.

In step 650 of the routine in FIG. 6, the value inversely proportional to the drive signal S is set as the pulse interval ST (the time interval between a certain pulse and a pulse output next to the pulse). Not only the conversion but also various conversion formulas can be adopted as long as the pulse interval ST decreases as the drive signal S increases.

Further, whether or not the "drive signal to the pump" is "a state in which the pump is to output a signal equal to or more than a predetermined discharge amount" is determined. Signal state ", or" the amount of change in the drive signal to the pump within a predetermined time is greater than or equal to a predetermined change amount "is determined by the pulse interval of the drive signal to the pump. Alternatively, the determination can be made based on the rotation speed of the pump, which is a value equivalent to the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the electric control circuit (microcomputer) of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for monitoring a pump driving signal according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the electric control circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for monitoring a pump drive signal according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the electric control circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for monitoring a pump driving signal according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is executed by the electric control circuit of FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart executed by the electric control circuit of FIG. 1 to output a drive signal to the pump according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... electrolyzer, 14, 15 ... electrode, 20 ... first water supply pipe,
21 ... second water supply pipe, 23 ... water valve, 30 ... concentrated salt water tank, 33 ... pump, 40 ... power supply, 50 ... ammeter, 60 ... remote controller, 61 ... pouring switch, 70 ... electric control circuit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A salt water tank storing a salt water of a predetermined concentration, and a pump configured to change a discharge amount in response to a drive signal from the outside, and are continuously supplied from outside into the electrolytic cell. The salt water of the salt water tank was mixed with the raw water by the pump to make the water to be treated, and the drive signal to the pump was changed so that the conductivity of the water to be treated became a predetermined target conductivity. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus, a state determination unit that determines whether a drive signal to the pump is in a predetermined state that cannot be a normal operation, and the state determination unit determines that the drive signal to the pump is a normal operation. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus, comprising: stopping means for stopping the driving of the pump to stop the generation of the electrolyzed water when it is determined that the predetermined state is impossible. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined state which cannot be considered as normal operation in the state determination means is a state in which a drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more. Item 2. An electrolyzed water generator according to item 1. 3. A predetermined state which cannot be considered as normal operation in the state determination means is defined as a first state in which a drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or more. The electrolyzed water generation device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyzed water generation device is in a state of continuing for a predetermined time or more. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined state, which cannot be considered as normal operation, is a state in which a drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or less. Item 2. An electrolyzed water generator according to item 1. 5. A predetermined state which cannot be considered as a normal operation in the state determination means, and a state where a drive signal to the pump is a signal for causing the pump to discharge a predetermined discharge amount or less is a second state. The electrolyzed water generation device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyzed water generation device is in a state of continuing for a predetermined time or more. 6. A predetermined state which cannot be considered as a normal operation in the state determination means is set to a third state of a drive signal to the pump.
2. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change amount within a predetermined time is equal to or more than a predetermined change amount. 7. A predetermined state that cannot be considered as normal operation in said state determination means is determined by a fourth signal of a drive signal to said pump.
The electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the amount of change within the predetermined time is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of change is a state that continues for a fifth predetermined time or more. 8. A salt water tank storing a salt water of a predetermined concentration, and a pump configured to change a discharge amount according to a drive signal from the outside, and are continuously supplied from outside into the electrolytic cell. The salt water of the salt water tank was mixed with the raw water by the pump to make the water to be treated, and the drive signal to the pump was changed so that the conductivity of the water to be treated became a predetermined target conductivity. In the electrolyzed water generation apparatus, a stop unit that stops driving of the pump to stop generation of the electrolyzed water when the electric conductivity of the water to be treated becomes equal to or less than an abnormality determination electric conductivity smaller than the target electric conductivity. An electrolyzed water generator characterized by the following. 9. A salt water tank storing a salt water of a predetermined concentration, and a pump configured to change a discharge amount in response to a drive signal from the outside, wherein the pump is continuously supplied from outside into the electrolytic cell. The salt water of the salt water tank was mixed with the raw water by the pump to make the water to be treated, and the drive signal to the pump was changed so that the conductivity of the water to be treated became a predetermined target conductivity. In the electrolyzed water generation device, when the state in which the electric conductivity of the water to be treated is equal to or less than the abnormality determination electric conductivity smaller than the target electric conductivity continues for a sixth predetermined time or more, the drive of the pump is stopped and the electrolyzed water is stopped. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising a stopping means for stopping generation of water. 10. A salt water tank storing a salt water of a predetermined concentration, and a pump configured to change a discharge amount in response to a drive signal from the outside, and are continuously supplied from outside into the electrolytic cell. In the electrolyzed water generator configured to mix the salt water in the salt water tank into the raw water by the pump to obtain the water to be treated, the conductivity of the water to be treated becomes a predetermined target conductivity.
Feedback control means for updating the drive signal according to a difference between the conductivity of the water to be treated and a predetermined target conductivity every predetermined time; and a change amount of the drive signal within a seventh predetermined time being a predetermined change When the period during which the electric conductivity of the water to be treated is less than or equal to the abnormality determination conductivity is smaller than the target conductivity is equal to or longer than an eighth predetermined time, the drive of the pump is stopped. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus, comprising a stopping means for stopping the generation of electrolyzed water.