KR20090072916A - Water purifier and method for generating alkaline water - Google Patents

Abstract

A water purifier and a method for producing alkaline water using the same are provided to gain efficiently the alkaline water of which acidity is under pH 10 and including enough dissolved hydrogen with simple structure. A water purifier includes an electrolytic cell(1) and a drink optimizing unit. The electrolytic cell is divided into an alkaline water producing chamber(2) and an acidic water producing chamber(3). The drink optimizing unit includes a raw water bypass channel. The raw water bypass channel is connected with an alkaline water discharging channel(7). The drink optimizing unit further includes a flow conversion valve(6). The drink optimizing unit further includes a route collecting the acidic water and the strong alkaline water.

Description

Water Purifier and Alkaline Water Generation Method {WATER PURIFIER AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ALKALINE WATER}

The present invention relates to a water purifier having an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water to produce acidic and alkaline water.

Conventionally, as a water purifier, it is common to provide the electrolytic cell which made it possible to take electrolytic water continuously. As an example, the inside of the electrolytic cell is partitioned through a diaphragm into a positive electrode chamber that excites positive electrodes to generate acidic water and a negative electrode chamber that excites negative electrodes to generate alkaline water, and connects a water pipe to the positive and negative chambers. In some cases, the raw water was introduced and the acidic and alkaline waters could be withdrawn from the intake pipe connected to each chamber. With this configuration, the acidic water and the alkaline water can be taken out continuously by passing the water between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and in particular, the alkaline water which is considered to be healthy is provided for drinking.

In addition, when a large amount of dissolved hydrogen exists in a drinking water, the improvement of bone density is seen, for example, and since it is reported that it is good for health, the water purifier which can take in alkaline water which raised the dissolved hydrogen concentration is desired. However, the more dissolved hydrogen exists, the higher the alkalinity number. Therefore, if the desired amount of dissolved hydrogen is secured, the pH value increases, and if the alkaline water below pH 10 is suitable for drinking, the required amount of dissolved hydrogen can be secured. I was in a dilemma that I could not.

Therefore, the present applicant has a first electrolytic part in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are disposed facing each other, and a second electrolytic part for increasing the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the alkaline water generated on the negative electrode side, so that alkaline water having increased dissolved hydrogen can be taken in. Was proposed previously (see Patent Document 1 below).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-40781

However, since the water purifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration including a first electrolytic part and a second electrolytic part, the electrolytic cell is provided with two electrolytic baths, namely, a main electrolytic bath and a non-electrolytic bath, in a water purifier. The structure becomes complicated. An object of this invention is to provide the water purifier which can solve the said subject.

(1) In the present invention, there is provided a electrolytic cell in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are disposed to face each other, and the pH generated by the electrolytic cell in the water purifier in which the raw water introduced into the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed to collect acidic and alkaline water. It was set as the water purifier provided with the drinking optimization means which lowers the alkali grade of 10 or more strong alkaline water and can take alkaline water below pH 10.

(2) The present invention is the water purifier according to the above (1), wherein the electrolytic cell is partitioned into an alkaline water generating chamber and an acidic water generating chamber, and raw water flowing into the electrolytic cell is prescribed to the alkaline water generating chamber and the acidic water generating chamber. Distributing at a rate of.

(3) In the present invention, in the water purifier according to the above (1) or (2), the drinking optimization means branches from an intermediate portion of a raw water supply path for introducing the raw water into the electrolytic cell, and generates alkaline in the electrolytic cell. A raw water bypass flow path connected to the alkaline water extraction flow path for water extraction is provided, and the raw water in the raw water supply path is distributed to the raw water bypass flow path and the electrolytic cell at a predetermined ratio.

(4) The present invention is the water purifier according to the above (3), wherein the drinking optimization means includes a flow path switching valve for distributing the raw water bypass flow path and the electrolytic cell at a predetermined ratio.

(5) The present invention provides a water purifier according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the drink optimizing means includes a flow path for joining the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell with the strongly alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell. It features.

(6) The present invention is the water purifier according to the above (5), wherein the flow path branches through the flow path switching valve from the middle of the acidic water extraction flow path that discharges the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell, and is generated in the electrolytic cell. An acidic water branch flow passage communicating with an alkaline water extraction flow path for extracting strong alkaline water is characterized by the above-mentioned.

(7) The present invention provides a water purifier according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the drinking optimization means includes a pH adjusting unit containing a pH adjusting agent in an alkaline water extraction flow path that discharges alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell. Characterized in having a.

(8) The present invention is the water purifier according to the above (7), wherein the pH adjustment unit branches out from the middle of the alkaline water extraction flow path that discharges the alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell through the flow path switching valve to take out the alkaline water. It is provided in the branch flow path which joins a flow path, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

(9) The present invention is the water purifier according to any one of the above (4), (6) and (8), wherein the flow path switching valve has a flow rate adjusting function.

(10) The present invention is characterized in that, in the water purifier according to any one of the above (1) to (9), dissolved hydrogen of 300 ppb or more is contained in the alkaline water withdrawn below pH 10.

(11) In the present invention, raw water is introduced into an electrolytic cell in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are opposed to each other, electrolyzed to produce strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 or more, and then the drink is optimized for drinking. It was set as the generation method of the alkaline water which produces | generates the alkaline water contained above.

According to the present invention, an alkaline water having a very simple configuration and containing a sufficient amount of dissolved hydrogen and suitable for drinking can be efficiently obtained.

The water purifier according to the present embodiment is capable of taking in alkaline water containing a sufficient amount of dissolved hydrogen while having a pH of less than 10 suitable for drinking, and includes an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are disposed facing each other, In a water purifier capable of taking acidic and alkaline waters by electrolyzing raw water, a drinking optimization means for lowering the alkalinity of strongly alkaline waters produced by the electrolytic cell to lower the alkalinity of water below pH 10 is provided. It is set as the structure provided.

That is, from the market, there is a demand for a water purifier capable of taking alkaline water having a higher dissolved hydrogen concentration. As shown in the graph of FIG. 1, dissolved hydrogen increases rapidly when pH is above 10, and more strongly alkaline water exists. It is known. On the other hand, since alkaline water which is acceptable for drinking is less than pH 10, the alkaline water taken in a general water purifier does not contain the amount of dissolved hydrogen as desired, for example, 300 ppb or more.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 or more containing dissolved hydrogen is produced once, and then the alkali is reduced by the drinking optimization means, so that the dissolved alkaline water is less than pH 10 suitable for drinking. At least 300 ppb or more of hydrogen contains alkaline water.

What is necessary is just a conventionally well-known structure as an electrolytic cell, For example, what partitioned each other into the 1st electrode chamber which arrange | positioned the 1st electrode and the 2nd electrode chamber which arrange | positioned the 2nd electrode through the diaphragm can be used preferably. With such a configuration, raw water in each electrode chamber of the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed by supplying electricity to each electrode, with one as a positive electrode and the other as a negative electrode, and acidic water can be obtained from the positive electrode side and alkaline water can be obtained from the negative electrode side. .

At this time, the electrolytic cell can be divided into an alkaline water generating chamber and an acidic water generating chamber, and the purified water as raw water flowing into the electrolytic cell can be distributed to the alkaline water generating chamber and the acidic water generating chamber at a predetermined ratio. For example, the amount of purified water flowing into the alkaline water generating chamber and the amount of purified water flowing into the acidic water generating chamber are 4: 1. Therefore, the amount of acidic water produced is smaller than that of alkaline water.

The outline as a water purifier provided with a drink optimization means is demonstrated, referring the schematic diagram shown to FIGS.

As a drink optimization means, the structure shown to Fig.2 (a) can be considered, for example. That is, the electrolytic cell 1 is partitioned into the alkaline water generation chamber 2 and the acidic water generation chamber 3. In addition, 4 is a raw water supply path which introduces raw water which is neutral water of about pH 7, into the electrolyzer 1, The water purification apparatus 5 for purifying raw water is provided in the middle, and the tip is branched and the alkaline water production room ( 2) and acidic water generating chamber 3 are communicated with each other. 6 is a flow path switching valve provided in a raw water supply path, 7 is a water intake flow path which communicated with the base end to the alkaline water production chamber 2, and alkaline water can be taken in. 8 is a drain flow path communicating the base with the acid water generating chamber 3, and the acid water flows out. As described above, since the amount of the acid water is smaller than that of the alkaline water, when the alkaline water is taken in, the drain flow path ( 8) It is water to be discarded from, and the acidic water which flows out is small and it is possible to save water.

In this example, the first electrode disposed in the alkaline water generating chamber 2 is the positive electrode, and the second electrode disposed in the acidic water generating chamber 3 is the negative electrode. However, since the polarity of the electrodes can be inverted, the alkaline water generating chamber 2 and the acidic water generating chamber 3 may be replaced.

An example of the drinking optimization means in the above-described configuration is an alkaline water extraction flow path which is a water intake flow path which branches from the middle of the raw water supply path 4 through the flow path switching valve 6 and discharges the alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell 1. It is the structure provided with the raw water bypass flow path 9 in communication with (7). In the present embodiment, the raw water (clean water) in the raw water supply passage 4 is distributed to the raw water bypass flow path 9 and the electrolytic cell 1 at a predetermined ratio through the flow path switching valve 6. Here, the flow path switching valve 6 has a function as a flow control valve, and by adjusting the opening degree of the valve body, the flow rate is closed from the state in which the flow path was closed to zero flow rate, and the flow path was expanded to flow out in one direction. Adjustment is appropriately possible.

In this example, the opening ratio of the valve body of the flow path switching valve 6 is set so that the ratio of the flow rate to the raw water bypass flow path 9 and the flow rate to the electrolytic cell 1 side is 4: 1.

With such a configuration, when alkaline water of less than pH 10 (for example, pH 9.5) that can be provided for drinking is taken as drinking, 1/5 of the total flow rate of purified water (raw water) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 1. It can be supplied, and strong alkaline water exceeding pH 10 can be easily produced in the alkaline water generating chamber 2 by electrolyzing water without requiring large power. This strongly alkaline water contains a large amount of dissolved hydrogen (see FIG. 1).

On the other hand, 4/5 of the total flow volume of purified water (raw water) flows into the raw water bypass flow path 9. However, as described above, strong alkaline water contains a large amount of dissolved hydrogen, and thus the alkalinity is slightly lowered while still maintaining sufficient dissolved hydrogen even if the mixture is diluted with purified water. It becomes possible to obtain alkaline water suitable for drinking.

In addition, since 4/5 of the raw water supplied to the electrolytic cell 1 flows into the alkaline water generating chamber 2 and 1/5 enters the acidic water generating chamber 3, the waste water from the drain passage 8 becomes The acidic water becomes 1/25 of the amount of water flowing through the raw water supply passage 4, and saving water is possible without increasing the waste water.

In this way, the drinking water optimizing means according to the present embodiment branches from the midway of the raw water supply passage 4 through which raw water is introduced into the electrolytic cell 1, through the flow path switching valve 6 having a flow rate adjusting function, The raw water bypass flow path 9 which communicates with the alkaline water extraction flow path 7 which discharges the alkaline water produced | generated in 1) is provided, and the raw water in the raw water supply path 4 is the raw water bypass flow path 9 And to the electrolytic cell 1 at a predetermined ratio (4: 1). As a modification, the configuration shown in FIG.

That is, the flow rate at a predetermined ratio (4: 1) instead of the flow path switching valve 6 to a branch where the raw water bypass flow path 9 branches from the raw water supply path 4 through which raw water flows into the electrolytic cell 1. And a throttle portion 61 for distributing the water into the raw water bypass flow path 9 and the electrolytic cell 1, and the electromagnetic on / off valve 62 is disposed in the middle of the raw water bypass flow path 9. .

Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain alkaline water suitable for drinking below pH 10 containing a large amount of dissolved hydrogen by diluting the strong alkaline water containing a large amount of dissolved hydrogen with the purified water from the raw water bypass flow path 9. Become.

As another embodiment of the drink optimization means, it can also be set as the structure shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to what is the same as the structural requirement shown in FIG. 2, and the description here is abbreviate | omitted.

The drinking optimization means shown in FIG. 3 is provided with the acidic water branch flow path 81 which joins the acidic water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1 with the strong alkaline water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1. The acidic water branching flow path 81 branches through a flow path switching valve 6 having a flow rate adjustment function from the midway of the drainage flow path 8 serving as an acidic water extraction flow path that discharges the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 1. And it communicates with the alkaline water extraction flow path 7 which discharges the strong alkaline water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1. As shown in FIG.

According to the drinking optimization means by such a structure, after producing strong alkaline water of pH 10 or more containing a large amount of dissolved hydrogen once, this strongly alkaline water is mixed with acidic water simultaneously generated at the time of strong alkaline water generation to pH less than 10 Drink can be optimized. Therefore, it becomes possible to take out alkaline water which contains dissolved hydrogen at least 300 ppb more than pH 10 suitable for drinking.

Thus, the acidic water used as the waste water at the time of taking in alkaline water can be utilized effectively, and a remarkable water saving effect also arises. In particular, the distribution ratio of the raw water to the alkaline water generation chamber 2 and the acidic water generation chamber 3, the volume ratio of each chamber 2 (3), the amount of electricity supplied to each electrode disposed in the electrolytic cell 1, and the like. By determining appropriately, the amount of acidic water generated in the acidic water generating chamber 3 can be used for dilution of strong alkaline water without diluting the amount of water discharged from the drainage flow path 8 to be discarded water. It becomes possible to obtain.

As another embodiment of the drinking optimization means, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 may be employed. In FIG. 4, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to what is the same as the structural requirements shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, and the description here is abbreviate | omitted.

The drinking optimization means shown in FIG. 4 is a structure provided with the pH adjusting part 72 which accommodated the pH adjuster in the alkaline water extraction flow path 7 which discharges the alkaline water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1. As shown in FIG. Here, the pH adjustment part 72 branches from the middle of the alkaline water extraction flow path 7 through the flow path switching valve 6 having a flow rate adjustment function and joins the alkaline water extraction flow path 7. ) Is installed inside.

By this structure, the strong alkaline water containing pH 10 or more containing dissolved hydrogen is produced once, and the pH adjuster is melt | dissolved in this strong alkaline water, it mixes, and the alkaline water optimized for drinking to less than pH 10 can be taken. That is, it becomes possible to take out alkaline water which contains dissolved hydrogen at least 300 ppb, while being less than pH 10 suitable for drinking.

In addition, as a pH adjuster, citric acid, trisodium citrate, etc. can be considered, for example. Of course, you may use acidic foods, such as lemon. Either way, there is no problem to use it for drinking water, and a strong alkaline water can be optimized for drinking.

Hereinafter, the more specific structure of the water purifier which concerns on embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated based on FIGS. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram including an internal configuration of a water purifier according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram including an internal configuration of a water purifier according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a water purifier according to the third embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing containing the internal structure of the. In addition, in FIG. 5-7, the same structural requirements as FIG. 2-4 are shown using the same code | symbol.

As shown in FIG. 5, the structure of the water purifier is largely provided with an electrolytic section including an electrolytic cell 1 for electrolyzing raw water, and a water purifier 5 for preliminarily purifying raw water supplied to the electrolytic cell 1. It is divided into a purified water part and an addition part which adds predetermined additives to purified raw water (purified water), and these are stored and disposed in the casing 10 which becomes substantially box-shaped.

The electrolytic cell 1 consists of a metal plate, such as titanium, respectively, and the 1st electrode plate 11 located in the center, the 2nd electrode plate 12 located so that this 1st electrode plate 11 may be inserted, The third electrode plate 13 is provided. Then, the partition wall 14 is disposed between the first electrode plate 11 and the second electrode plate 12 and between the first electrode plate 11 and the third electrode plate 13, respectively, and these electrode plates. The first electrolytic chamber 15, the second electrolytic chamber 16, the third electrolytic chamber 17, and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18 are formed by the partitions 11 and 12 and the partition wall 14. have.

The second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13 receive a supply from a power source (not shown) provided in the functional unit 19 disposed near the bottom of the casing 10, and the negative electrode or the positive electrode is connected to the second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13. While the electrode plate is the same electrode, the first electrode plate 11 has a polarity opposite to that of the second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13. Here, the second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13 are used as the negative electrode plate, and the first electrode plate 11 is used as the positive electrode plate, and the first electrolytic chamber 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18 are used. Corresponding to the alkaline water generating chamber 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17 correspond to the acidic water generating chamber 3. On the contrary, when the 2nd electrode plate 12 and the 3rd electrode plate 13 are a positive electrode plate, the 1st electrode plate 11 turns into a negative electrode plate, and the 1st electrolytic chamber 15 and the 4th electrolytic chamber ( 18 corresponds to the acidic water generating chamber 3, and the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17 correspond to the alkaline water generating chamber 2.

Water inlets and outlets are formed in each of the electrolytic chambers 15, 16, 17, and 18, and flow paths communicating with the outlets of the first electrolytic chamber 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18 join each other to form alkaline water. A blowout flow path 7 is formed, and alkaline water at a desired pH can be taken out from the alkaline water blowout flow path 7. On the other hand, the flow paths communicating with the respective outlets of the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17 merge with each other to form a drain flow passage 8, and the acid flows through the solenoid valve 42 provided near the outlet. The water is drainable. As described above, when the polarities of the electrode plates 11, 12, 13 are reversed, naturally, the acidic water is withdrawn from the flow path made of the alkaline water extraction flow path 7, and the alkaline water is drained from the drainage flow path 8. do.

Raw water supply paths 4 are branched and connected to inlets of the first electrolytic chamber 15, the second electrolytic chamber 16, the third electrolytic chamber 17, and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18, respectively. In embodiment, the flow volume which flows into the 1st electrolytic chamber 15 and the 4th electrolytic chamber 18 from the raw water supply path 4, and flows into the 2nd electrolytic chamber 16 and the 3rd electrolytic chamber 17 is carried out. The flow rate is set to 4: 1. The branch upstream side of the raw water supply passage 4 and the drain flow passage 8 are connected via a check valve 41. The check valve 41 always prevents the flow of water from the drain flow path 8 in the direction of the raw water supply path 4, and when there is water pressure at the time of water passage, goes to the direction of the raw water supply path 4. Not only the flow of water but also the flow of water from the raw water supply passage 4 in the direction of the drain passage 8 is prevented.

As shown in the drawing, the electrolytic cell 1 is supplied with water from the water pipe 20 through the faucet 21. The faucet 21 is provided with a branch before 22, and the branch before the branch 22 is provided. One of the water supply hoses 23 is connected, and the other of the water supply hoses 23 is connected to the inlet port of the lower water purification cartridge 51 built in the purification device 5. In addition, the lower purification cartridge 51 is mainly filled with activated carbon.

The outlet of the lower purified water cartridge 51 is connected to the inlet of the upper purified water cartridge 52. The phase water purification cartridge 52 is a filtration means which can remove even coarse bacteria, such as a hollow fiber membrane, in addition to comparatively coarse filters, such as a metal mesh, wrapping material, and a filter paper. In this way, the purified water which is the raw water supplied from the water pipe 20 is purified through the water purification device 5.

In addition, the outlet of the phase water purification cartridge 52 is connected to the inlet of the flow rate sensor 53. The flow rate sensor 53 is comprised so that a flow volume can be measured, for example, a propeller is provided in the center part of the flow rate sensor 53, and a flow volume is measured by the rotation speed of such a propeller. The outlet of the flow sensor 53 is connected to the inlet of the channel selector valve 54. The channel switching valve 54 has two outlets for one inlet port, one outlet port is connected to the salt adding tank 55 through the water channel, and the other outlet port is connected to the calcium adding cylinder 56 through the water channel. You are connected. Therefore, the water purification flows into either the salt addition cylinder 55 or the calcium addition cylinder 56 by channel switching.

Moreover, the salt addition tank 55 accommodates the salt for making water strong in the electrolytic cell 1, and the calcium addition cylinder 56 accommodates the calcium agent for adding calcium to purified water, as shown. And the channel connected to the outlet of the salt addition cylinder 55 and the channel connected to the calcium addition cylinder 56 are joined to form a raw water supply passage 4. In the figure, 57 is a check valve provided in the channel between the salt addition tank 55 before confluence, and a confluence part.

The said functional part 19 is equipped with the control circuit 19a which controls various functions of the water purifier which concerns on this embodiment, The flow sensor 53, the 1st electrode plate 11, and the 2nd electrode plate 12 ) Is electrically connected to the third electrode plate 13. The flow rate sensor 53 outputs the detected electric signal to the control circuit 19a, and the control circuit 19a calculates the amount of water passing through the electric signal from the flow rate sensor 53. The first electrode plate 11, the second electrode plate 12, and the third electrode plate 13 are indirectly connected to the control circuit 19a. The control circuit 19a is provided by the user's panel operation. The voltage is applied to the electrode plates 11, 12, 13 based on the control signal. In addition, the panel operation which a user performs refers to operation of the operation panel (not shown) arrange | positioned on the surface of the casing 10 of a water purifier, and such an operation panel displays a power button, an ORP display button, and a water flow amount, for example. A button, a strong alkaline water supply button, an alkaline water supply button, a purified water supply button, an acidic water supply button, and a sanitary water (strongly acidic water) supply button and the like provided for each level from weak alkali to strong alkali are provided. In addition, a display unit such as a seven-segment LED for displaying information such as a pH value, an ORP value, and a water flow rate is also provided.

The power button is a button for starting the water purifier and is a valid button in any state. When the process such as the drainage process does not end even when the power button is pressed, it is preferable that the processes end and the power is turned off. The ORP display button is a button for displaying the current ORP of water in the seven-segment LED. The water flow rate display button is a button for displaying the current water flow rate on the seven-segment LED. The strong alkaline water supply button is a button for instructing the water purifier to generate strong alkaline water. Strongly alkaline water is pH 10.5, for example, and can be used for boiling food, boiling astringent, poaching vegetables, and the like.

The alkaline water supply button at the first level is a button for instructing the water purifier to generate alkaline water at the first level. The alkaline water at the first level is, for example, pH 9.5, and can be used for cooking, tea, and the like. The alkaline water supply button at the second level is a button for instructing the water purifier to generate the alkaline water at the second level. The alkaline water at the second level is, for example, pH 9.0 and can be used for cooking or the like. The alkaline water supply button at the third level is a button for instructing the water purifier to generate the alkaline water at the third level. The alkaline water at the third level is, for example, pH 8.5 and can be used as water to start drinking.

The purified water supply button is a button for instructing the water purifier to pass water from the tap water as it is without generating ionized water. The acidic water supply button is a button for instructing the water purifier to generate acidic water. Acidic water is pH 5.5, for example, and it can be used for face-washing, boiling noodles, and removing a tea-stain. The sanitary water supply lamp indicates that the present water purifier is a generation mode of sanitary water. Sanitary water is pH 2.5, for example. Since the lifetime is different depending on the type of the phase water purification cartridge 52, the life setting phase button sets the life of the phase water purification cartridge 52. This button is normally used when the cartridge is replaced. It is performed once, when setting and using a cartridge different from the cartridge used. The life setting lower button is also the same as the above life setting button, except that it is for the lower purification cartridge 51. The reset button resets the integrated water flow rate, which is the water flow amount accumulated up to now, and actually clears the integrated water flow rate counter existing in the control circuit 19a. The reset button is enabled by pressing and holding for 2 seconds to prevent the accumulated water flow amount from being incorrectly pressed. This reset button is performed when the upper purified water cartridge 52 or the lower purified water cartridge 51 is replaced. The strong alkaline water supply button, the alkaline water supply button of the first level, the alkaline water supply button of the second level, the alkaline water supply button of the third level, the purified water supply button, the acidic water supply button are buttons that are currently enabled. It turns on and can be recognized by a user. In addition, a temperature rising lamp for informing the user when a temperature rise in the electrolytic cell 1 occurs is disposed on the operation panel.

As described in each button, the water purifier is divided into two types: alkaline water generation mode for supplying alkaline water, water purification mode for supplying purified water, acidic water generation mode for supplying acidic water, and sanitary water generation mode for supplying sanitary water. There are four generation modes.

The alkaline water generation mode includes strong alkaline water generation mode, alkaline water generation mode at the first level, alkaline water generation mode at the second level, and alkaline water generation mode at the third level in the order of strong alkalinity. In the alkaline water generation mode, the second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13 are the negative electrode plate under the control of the control circuit 19a while the solenoid valve 42 is open, and the first electrode plate is provided. Let (11) be a positive electrode plate.

In the alkaline water generation mode of the first to third levels, alkaline water which can be drunk is produced. As shown in FIG. 1, the water purifier according to the present embodiment usually has a dissolved hydrogen amount of only 110 ppb or less. According to the present invention, a strong alkaline water containing a large amount of dissolved hydrogen is preferably produced at a pH of 10 or higher, preferably at a pH of 10.5 or higher, and then the strong alkaline water is drink-optimized by a drinking optimization means, so as to be dissolved at a pH lower than 10 suitable for drinking. It is possible to generate alkaline water containing at least 300 ppb or more of hydrogen.

In addition, in the purified water mode, no voltage is applied to any of the electrode plates 11, 12, 13 in the state where the solenoid valve 42 is closed, that is, no electrolysis is performed. Here, by closing the solenoid valve 42, unnecessary water will not be discharged | emitted from the discharge port 63. FIG. In the acidic water generation mode, in contrast to the alkaline water generation mode, the second electrode plate 12 and the third electrode plate 13 are the positive electrode plates under the control of the control circuit 19a, and the first electrode plate 11 is used. ) As the negative plate.

In the above configuration, the present embodiment is characterized by having a drink optimizing means, and in this embodiment, as a drink optimizing means, a raw water bypass flow path (via a throttle portion 61 from the middle of the raw water supply path 4). 9) is branched, and the front end of the raw water bypass flow path 9 is connected to the alkaline water discharge flow path 7 through the electromagnetic switching valve 62.

In the throttle portion 61, the flow rate is distributed approximately 4: 1 to the raw water bypass flow path 9 side and the electrolytic cell 1. Thus, for example, when the alkaline water (pH 9.5) supply button at the first level is operated, the control circuit 19a keeps the solenoid valve 62 open and the first to third electrode plates ( 11 to 13) to increase the applied voltage to the same level or higher than when the strong alkaline water supply button is operated, and electrolytically decomposes the purified water whose flow rate is reduced to 1/5 in the throttle portion 61 to pH 11 Is about 1,500 ppm of strong alkaline water, and the strong alkaline water is diluted to an integer equal to 4/5 of the total supply constant supplied from the raw water bypass flow path 9, thereby being alkaline water at the first level of pH 9.5. It is possible to supply alkaline water containing approximately 300 ppb of dissolved hydrogen.

Further, a table in which the relationship between the alkaline water generation mode and the applied voltage at each level for obtaining a desired pH value is preliminarily optimized is stored in the storage unit of the control circuit 19a, and the control circuit 19a refers to such a table. The relatively high voltage is applied in the order of the alkaline water generation mode of the first level, the alkaline water generation mode of the second level, and the alkaline water generation mode of the third level. Naturally, the higher the applied voltage, the stronger the alkali, and the more the dissolved hydrogen.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the throttle portion 61 is closed, and the raw water bypass flow path 9 is discharged from the raw water supply path 4 through the flow path switching valve 6 having a flow rate adjustment function. You can also branch.

Next, a second embodiment of the drinking optimization means will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since the water purifier is almost the same as in the first embodiment except for the configuration of the drink optimizing means, only the different points are described, and other explanations are omitted. The difference is that in the previous embodiment, the flow rate flowing into the alkaline water generating chamber 2 (the first electrolytic chamber 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18) from the raw water supply passage 4 and the acidic water generating chamber ( 3) The flow rate flowing into the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17 was set to be 4: 1, but is set to 2: 1 here.

As shown in the drawing, the drink optimizing means here includes an acidic water branch flow path 81 for joining the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 1 with the strongly alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell 1. The acidic water branch flow passage 81 extracts acidic water that extracts acidic water generated in the acidic water generating chamber 3 (the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17) of the electrolytic cell 1. It branches through the flow path switching valve 6 which has a flow volume adjustment function from the midway of the drain flow path 8 used as a flow path, and communicates with the alkaline water extraction flow path 7 which discharges the strong alkaline water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1. .

According to the drink optimization means by such a structure, in the control circuit 19a, the voltage applied to the 1st-3rd electrode plates 11-13 is raised to the same level as when the strong alkaline water supply button was operated, for example, For example, in the alkaline water generating chamber 2 (the first electrolytic chamber 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18), a strong alkaline water having a pH of about 10.7 to 11.0 and about 900 to 1500 ppb of dissolved hydrogen is produced once. For example, the strong acidic water generated in the acidic water generating chamber 3 (the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17) in which the inflow is reduced by 1/3 is discharged from the acidic water branch flow passage 81. By joining as necessary, the degree of alkali can be reduced. The amount of strong acidic water required for making alkaline water that can be provided for drinking is experimentally known according to the total flow rate of the raw water passing through the raw water supply passage 4. That is, the mixing ratio of strong alkaline water and strong acidic water can be known. Therefore, the control circuit 19a controls the valve opening degree of the flow path switching valve 6 so that a required amount of strong acidic water can be obtained according to the total amount of raw water. And strong acidic water which is not provided for mixing is discharged | emitted from the drain flow path 8.

Moreover, in the acidic water produced | generated in the electrolytic cell 1, the trihalomethane which has carcinogenicity resulting from the combined chlorine and free chlorine in raw water which could not be removed by the water purification apparatus 5 may exist. Thus, the trihalomethane removal function unit 83 having the function of removing the trihalomethane from the acidic water extraction flow path (drainage flow path 8) of the electrolytic cell 1 to the acidic water branch flow path 81. ) Can be excreted. As a specific configuration of the trihalomethane removal functional unit 83, an activated carbon treatment apparatus using an activated carbon powder, granular or fibrous form, an ozone generating apparatus, or the like can be used.

Table 1 shows the results of measurement of the pH value and the amount of dissolved hydrogen in the alkaline water taken by the drinking optimization means according to the present embodiment. In Table 1, the division between the throttle amount versus the throttle amount is largely divided by the size of the ratio (flow rate ratio) of the drainage flow rate to the flow rate withdrawn from the water intake passage 7 (nozzle). Doing. In addition, (1), (2) and (5) and (6), which are divided by the throttle amount, are divided into the alkaline water generating chamber (2) (the first electrolytic chamber) from the raw water supply passage (4). The ratio of the flow rate flowing into 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18 and the flow rate flowing into the acidic water generating chamber 3 (the second electrolytic chamber 16 and the third electrolytic chamber 17) is 5: (3), (4) and (7) and (8) which are divided into the throttle amount and flow into the alkaline water production chamber 2 from the raw water supply path 4 are made into 2, and are divided according to the throttle amount. The ratio of the flow rate to which it flows and the flow volume which flows into the acidic water production chamber 3 is 2: 1.

As shown in Table 1, it was found that the alkaline water withdrawn was a drinking water having a pH value in the range of 9.16 to 9.9.7, while containing 398 to 710 ppb of dissolved hydrogen exceeding a sufficient amount.

In the example of (1) in Table 1, when the total flow rate as the water purifier, that is, the quantity of water flowing into the electrolytic cell 1 is 2.374 (liters / minute), the flow rate flowing into the alkaline water generating chamber 2 and the generation of acidic water are generated. Since the ratio of the flow rate which flows into the chamber 3 is about 5: 2, it is divided into 1.374 (liter / minute) in the alkaline water production chamber 2 and 1.000 (liter / minute) in the acidic water production chamber 3. .

In the alkaline water generating chamber 2, strong alkaline water having a dissolved hydrogen of about 1100 ppb is generated at a pH of about 10.8, and then, in the strongly alkaline water, in the strongly acidic water having a pH of about 2.6 generated in the acidic water generating chamber 3. The amount of 0.921 (liters / minute) is mixed. 0.079 (liters / minute) is drained from the drain flow path 8. In this way, the pH value was 9.570 and 660 ppb of dissolved hydrogen was measured about 2.295 (liter / min) alkaline water taken out from the alkaline water extraction flow path 7.

In addition, in this embodiment, as can be seen from the wastewater measured value in Table 1, a part of the acidic water generated in the acidic water generating chamber 3 is drained. By setting the flow rate distribution ratio to the generation | generation room 2 and the acidic-water generation chamber 3, the magnitude | size of the applied voltage to each electrode plate 11-13, etc., it produces | generates in the acidic-water generation chamber 3, for example. It is also possible to use all of the acidic water to be used for dilution of the strong alkaline water, and in that case, since the drainage amount from the drain flow path 8 becomes zero, it becomes possible to obtain a remarkable water saving effect.

Next, a third embodiment of the drink optimization means will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since a water purifier is the same as that of 1st Example except the structure of a drink optimization means, the description here is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in the drawing, the drink optimizing means in this example is configured to include a pH adjusting unit 72 in which the pH adjusting agent such as citric acid is accommodated in the alkaline water extracting flow passage 7. ), The pH adjuster addition cylinder 73 as the pH adjuster 72 is formed in the branch flow passage 71 that branches through the flow path switching valve 6 having the flow rate adjustment function and joins the alkaline water extraction flow passage 7. ) Is being installed.

Even with such a configuration, the alkaline water generating chamber 2 (the first electrolytic chamber 15 and the fourth electrolytic chamber 18) once generates strongly alkaline water having a pH of 10 or higher containing a large amount of dissolved hydrogen. Strong alkali water is introduced into the branch flow path 71 through the flow path switching valve 6 by a predetermined amount and passed through the pH adjuster addition tank 73 to dissolve and mix the pH adjuster such as citric acid in the strong alkaline water to adjust the alkali level. Reduce. Then, the alkaline water with reduced alkalinity and the strong alkaline water flowing directly from the alkaline water production passage 2 into the alkaline water outlet flow path 7 are joined to each other, and both are mixed and the alkaline water optimized for drinking to less than pH 10 is mixed. Can be withdrawn.

In the water purifier in this embodiment, a table in which the relationship between the final pH value, the amount of raw water, and the flow rate to flow into the branch circuit 71 is stored in the storage unit of the control circuit 19a, and the control is stored. In the circuit 19a, the flow rate adjustment by the flow path switching valve 6 is performed while referring to this table.

By the way, in the alkaline water generation mode of each level in this embodiment, even if it is the voltage applied in order to generate | generate strong alkaline water once, the height of the voltage is changed, the strong alkaline water generation mode, the alkaline water generation mode of a 1st level, A relatively high voltage is applied in the order of the alkaline water generation mode of the second level and the alkaline water generation mode of the third level. However, in each mode, strong alkaline water of the same level is generated once under the applied voltage of the same height, and thereafter, by using drinking optimization means, the amount of purified water mixed with the strong alkaline water, the amount of acidic water, the amount of pH adjusting agent, etc. are appropriately adjusted. The pH value of may be obtained.

In addition, the present invention is to obtain an alkaline water of less than pH 10 containing more than 300ppb of dissolved hydrogen by optimizing the strong alkaline water of pH 10 or more once drinking after production, if that can be achieved, raw water supply path ( The ratio which distributes a flow volume from 4) to the alkaline water production chamber 2 and the acidic water generation chamber 3, the volume of the alkaline water generation chamber 2 and the acidic water generation chamber 3, and each electrode plate 11 The combination of specific numerical values, such as the height of the applied voltage to -13), can be set suitably.

1 is a graph showing the relationship between dissolved hydrogen concentration and pH value.

2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a drinking water optimizing means of the water purifier.

3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a drink optimizing means of the water purifier.

4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a drink optimizing means of the water purifier.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the drink optimizing means.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the drink optimizing means.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the drink optimizing means.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: electrolyzer

2: alkaline water generating chamber

3: acid water generating chamber

4: raw water supply furnace

6: flow path switching valve

7: alkaline water extraction flow path

8: drainage euro

9: enemies bypass euro

71: quarter euro

72: pH adjusting unit

81: acidic water branch flow path

Claims (11)

An electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode disposed opposite to each other, and a water purifier in which the raw water introduced into the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed to collect acidic and alkaline water, and the alkalinity of the strongly alkaline water having a pH of 10 or more generated by the electrolytic cell. The water purifier characterized by comprising a drinking optimization means for lowering the pH of the alkaline water less than 10. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell is partitioned into an alkaline water generating chamber and an acidic water generating chamber, and the raw water flowing into the electrolytic cell is distributed to the alkaline water generating chamber and the acidic water generating chamber at a predetermined ratio. The said drinking optimization means branched from the middle of the raw water supply path which injects the said raw water into the said electrolytic cell, and connected to the alkaline water extraction flow path which discharges the alkaline water produced | generated in the said electrolytic cell. And a raw water bypass flow path, wherein the raw water in the raw water supply path is distributed to the raw water bypass flow path and the electrolytic cell at a predetermined ratio. The water purifier according to claim 3, wherein the drinking optimization means includes a flow path switching valve for distributing the raw water bypass flow path and the electrolytic cell at a predetermined ratio. The water purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drinking optimization means includes a flow path for joining the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell with the strong alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell. 6. The flow passage according to claim 5, wherein the flow passage branches from the midway of the acidic water extraction flow path for extracting the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell through a flow path switching valve and communicates with the alkaline water extraction flow path for extracting the strong alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell. A water purifier characterized by having one acidic water branch flow path. The water purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drinking optimization means includes a pH adjusting unit containing a pH adjusting agent in an alkaline water extraction flow path that discharges alkaline water generated in the electrolytic cell. The said pH adjustment part is provided in the branch flow path which branched through the flow path switching valve from the middle of the alkaline water extraction flow path which discharges the alkaline water produced | generated by the said electrolysis tank, and joins the said alkaline water extraction flow path. Water purifier characterized by the above. The water purifier according to any one of claims 4, 6 and 8, wherein the flow path switching valve has a flow rate adjusting function. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein dissolved alkaline water of less than pH 10 contained therein contains dissolved hydrogen of 300 ppb or more. Raw water is introduced into the electrolytic cell with the anode and the cathode disposed opposite to electrolyze, and strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 or more is produced and then drink-optimized, thereby generating alkaline water having a pH of less than 10 and 300 ppm or more of dissolved hydrogen. The production method of alkaline water, characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images