WO2021074977A1

WO2021074977A1 - Electrolytic cell for water conditioning and water conditioner for home use, in which said electrolytic cell for water conditioning is incorporated

Info

Publication number: WO2021074977A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/040529
Authority: WO
Inventors: 岡崎　龍夫
Original assignee: ヴィータ株式会社
Priority date: 2019-10-15
Filing date: 2019-10-15
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Also published as: TW202124291A

Abstract

According to the present invention, a string-like spacer 15 is held by being affixed at an upstream side end and a downstream side end by means of projections 16. An inner electrode plate 50 serves as a negative electrode. Inlet and outlet (66, 68) of a negative electrode chamber are arranged on the more inner side of the negative electrode chamber than the projections 16. In addition, the upstream side and downstream side projections 16 are positioned on the more inner side in the radial direction than a string 17. Consequently, the distance between a diaphragm 54 and the inner electrode plate 50 is defined by the string-like spacer 15. [Selection drawing] FIG. 8

Description

Electrolytic cell for water conditioning and household water conditioner incorporating this

The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell for water conditioning capable of individually taking out acidic water and alkaline water generated by electrolyzing water, and a household water conditioner incorporating the electrolytic cell.

The water conditioning electrolytic cell has a diaphragm between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and the anode chamber for producing acidic water and the cathode chamber for generating alkaline water are separated by this diaphragm. Alkaline water containing a high concentration of dissolved hydrogen has been reported to improve bone density, for example, when it is drunk. Alkaline water is commercially available with the catchphrase that it is good for your health. In addition, household water conditioners are on sale.

In the following explanation, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with reference to the flow of water in the water conditioning electrolytic cell. Two types of water conditioners are known, one is a flat plate type and the other is a cylindrical type. FIG. 14 shows a diaphragm unit 100 included in the flat plate type water conditioner. The flat diaphragm unit 100 is an injection-molded product in which the diaphragm 101 and the frame 102 are integrally molded. Reference numeral W indicates the flow direction of water. In the flat plate type water conditioner, water is supplied from the upstream end of the diaphragm unit 100, and electrolyzed water is taken out from the downstream end.

FIG. 15 shows an electrode assembly 110 included in a cylindrical water conditioner. The electrode assembly 110 includes a diaphragm 111, an inner electrode plate 112 located on the inner peripheral side thereof, and a grid spacer 113 located between them. The lattice spacer 113 is an injection molded product. In the electrolytic cell, the upstream end and the downstream end of the diaphragm 111 are fixed by the support member. Then, water is supplied from the upstream end of the electrode assembly 110, and this water is divided into two streams, one stream passes through the gap between the inner electrode plate 112 and the diaphragm 111, and the other flow diaphragm 111. Electrolysis is performed through the gap between the outer electrode plate (not shown) and the outer electrode plate (not shown). Then, the alkaline water and the acidic water are individually taken out from the downstream end of the electrode assembly 110.

Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical water conditioner. The upstream end and the downstream end of the diaphragm included in this water conditioner are fixed by a support member.

JP JP No. 6 (1994) -206072

In order to generate alkaline water containing a high concentration of dissolved hydrogen, it is better to increase the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode. This makes it possible to increase the amount of hydrogen produced. However, a large amount of hydrogen is immediately aggregated and becomes a large mass that dissolves in the electrolyzed water or becomes bubbles and escapes from the water.

It is known that alkaline water containing hydrogen, which has become a large mass, is difficult for the human body to absorb. That is, it is known that alkaline water containing a large mass of hydrogen has poor absorption efficiency into the human body. The most effective measure to increase this absorption efficiency is to reduce the dissolved hydrogen in alkaline water generated by the water conditioning electrolytic cell to the molecular level.

For this technical problem, it is considered effective to make the applied voltage as low as possible and dissolve hydrogen in alkaline water while maintaining the state at the molecular level. However, if the applied voltage is lowered, the electrolysis efficiency is lowered. In order to solve this new technical problem, it is effective to make the separation distance between the electrodes as small as possible. The inventor of the present application has imposed a new technical task on himself to minimize the distance between the electrodes.

Under this new technical issue, the inventor of the present application examined the structure of the conventional diaphragm unit or the support structure of the diaphragm.

Both the flat diaphragm unit 100 of FIG. 14 and the spacer 113 of the electrode assembly 110 of FIG. 15 are lattice-shaped resin molded products. As long as it is a molded product, it is common to adopt a grid-like structure in order to maintain molding quality (prevention of distortion of the molded product). With reference to FIG. 14, the frame 102 of the diaphragm unit 100 has a lattice shape formed by a vertical member 103 along the water flow direction and a transverse member 104 extending in a direction orthogonal to the water flow direction. With reference to FIG. 15, the cylindrical spacer 113 has a lattice shape formed by a vertical member 115 along the water flow direction and a transverse member 116 extending in a direction orthogonal to the water flow direction.

The

vertical members

103 and 115 and the

transverse members

104 and 116 constituting the grid-like unit 100 and the spacer 113 need to have a wall thickness of a predetermined value or more. This wall thickness is an obstacle to bringing the distance between the electrodes as close as possible.

The cylindrical water conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a configuration in which a water passage hole is provided in a support member that supports the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the diaphragm. This water passage hole extends in the direction of water flow. Then, water is supplied to the first gap between the cylindrical inner electrode plate and the diaphragm and the second gap between the diaphragm and the outer electrode plate through the water passage hole, and the first , Take out the electrolyzed water from the second gap. In order for this water passage hole to exist, the thickness of the support member in the radial direction is required. Therefore, the support member disclosed in Patent Document 1 becomes an obstacle in reducing the distance between the electrode plates.

Even if the above obstacles can be overcome by some measures, if the electrode plate and the diaphragm are brought too close to each other, an accident may occur in which the electrode plate and the diaphragm come into contact with each other. Needless to say, contact between the electrode plate and the diaphragm damages the diaphragm. From the viewpoint of preventing contact accidents between the electrode plate and the diaphragm, the grid-like shape of the diaphragm unit 100 disclosed in FIG. 14 and the spacer 113 in FIG. 15 is effective. However, since the

transverse member portions

104 and 116 forming a part of the lattice structure become a factor that obstructs the flow of water, the efficiency of continuously generating alkaline water and acidic water is lowered.

In order to dissolve molecular level hydrogen in electrolytic water, it is effective to electrolyze water by reducing the voltage applied between the electrodes as much as possible. Based on this recognition, the inventor of the present application has come up with the present invention as a result of focusing on and examining the elements related to the diaphragm.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell for water conditioning that can narrow the distance between electrode plates to the utmost limit. As a result, electrolysis can be performed with a low applied voltage.

The above technical problems are basically the same in the present invention.
For water conditioning, which has a diaphragm that separates the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and can separately take out acidic water generated in the anode chamber and alkaline water generated in the cathode chamber by electrolyzing water. In the electrolytic cell
It has a spacer disposed between the positive electrode plate arranged in the anode chamber and the diaphragm, and at least one of the negative electrode plate arranged in the cathode chamber and the diaphragm.
The spacer is separate from the diaphragm, and the spacer is held by fixing portions located at the upstream end and the downstream end of the spacer.
The inlet for supplying water to the anode chamber or the cathode chamber and the outlet for taking out electrolyzed water from the anode chamber or the cathode chamber are located inside the fixed portion.
An electrolytic cell for water conditioning, wherein the spacer is composed of a linear body extending along the water flow direction or a resin sheet provided with spacer portions between a plurality of openings extending in the water flow direction. Achieved by providing.

According to the present invention, the separation distance between the electrodes can be minimized. As a result, the voltage applied between the electrodes can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to generate alkaline water with the dissolved hydrogen in the alkaline water as hydrogen at the molecular level instead of a large lump, and take it out. Drinking this alkaline water can increase the efficiency of hydrogen absorption in the body, which can contribute to the promotion of health.

Other objectives and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the examples of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement relationship between the two anode chambers and the two cathode chambers formed by the internal structure of the flat plate type electrolytic cell of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a developed view of the internal structure of the first embodiment regarding the flat plate electrolytic cell, and is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the electrode unit and the diaphragm. FIG. 3 is a diagram related to FIG. 2, and shows the arrangement of the electrode unit and the diaphragm as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the cathode unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram related to FIG. 4, and is a diagram for explaining the structure of the cathode unit after incorporating the negative electrode plate. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the arrangement of the string-shaped spacers and the string which is a component thereof being inverted by the protrusions, taking the cathode unit as an example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which a part of the cylindrical electrolytic cell of the second embodiment is cut out. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a diagram for explaining an example in which the string-shaped spacers included in the second embodiment are arranged in a spiral shape. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of a structure for fixing both ends of the string-shaped spacer included in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the spacer is made of a resin sheet instead of the string-shaped spacer included in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining that the tubular shape is formed when the sheet-shaped spacer shown in FIG. 11 is incorporated. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the sheet-shaped spacer. FIG. 14: is a perspective view of a diaphragm unit included in a conventional flat plate electrolytic cell. FIG. 15: A perspective view of an assembly including a diaphragm with respect to a conventional cylindrical electrolytic cell.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment relates to a flat plate type water conditioning electrolytic cell. This electrolytic cell has two anode chambers and two cathode chambers, but this is only an example. An electrolytic cell is configured with a pair of anode chambers and cathode chambers as the smallest units. Further, the electrolytic cell is composed of the first and second anode units and one cathode unit located between them. On the contrary, two cathode units and one sandwiched between them. Needless to say, the electrolytic cell may be composed of an anode unit.

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the internal structure of the flat plate type water conditioning electrolytic cell of the first embodiment. In the figure, the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4 are arranged between the first anode chamber 1 located on the left side and the second anode chamber 2 located on the right side. A first positive electrode plate 5 is arranged in the first anode chamber 1. A second positive electrode plate 6 is arranged in the second anode chamber 2. The first anode chamber 1 and the first cathode chamber 3 adjacent to the first anode chamber 1 are partitioned by a first diaphragm 7. Similarly, the second anode chamber 2 and the second anode chamber 4 adjacent thereto are partitioned by a second diaphragm 8. The negative electrode plate of the first cathode chamber 3 and the negative electrode plate of the second cathode chamber 4 are shared by one common negative electrode plate 9.

FIG. 2 shows the elements constituting the internal structure of the flat plate type water conditioning electrolytic cell of the first embodiment, that is, the first and second anode units, the cathode unit arranged between them, and the first and first ones. It is an exploded perspective view with 2 diaphragms. FIG. 3 is a view seen from the opposite direction to that of FIG.

Reference numerals

10 and 11 indicate first and second rectangular anode units. The first anode unit 10 incorporates a first positive electrode plate 5 on a surface facing the first diaphragm 7. The second anode unit 11 incorporates a second positive electrode plate 6 on a surface facing the second diaphragm 8.

In the first and

second anode units

10 and 11, string-shaped spacers 15 are arranged in relation to the first and second

positive electrode plates

5 and 6, respectively. The string-shaped spacer 15 is locked and folded back to a plurality of protrusions 16 arranged at the upstream end and the downstream end of the first and

second anode units

10 and 11, respectively. It is arranged so as to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction, that is, the direction of water flow. The plurality of protrusions 16 form a fixing portion of the string-shaped spacer 15. With this configuration, the plurality of string-shaped spacers 15 separated in the width direction of the first and

second anode units

10 and 11 extend in the water flow direction.

Here, the string constituting the string-shaped spacer 15 is only a typical example. Instead of the string, it may be an elongated rod-shaped body. These can be collectively called "straiatum".

The cathode unit 12 is arranged between the first and

second anode units

10 and 11. The structure of the cathode unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The cathode unit 12 has a large opening 12a in the center thereof (FIG. 4), and a negative electrode plate 9 is installed in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the opening 12a (FIG. 5). With this configuration, the cathode unit 12 is formed with first and second water passage ports 12 (us) and 12 (ds) above and below the negative electrode plate 9. In this embodiment, the lower first water passage 12 (us) is the upstream water passage, and is the water inlet for the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4. The upper second water passage 12 (ds) is a downstream water passage, and is an outlet for alkaline water for the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the cathode unit 12 is provided with string-shaped spacers 15 on both sides thereof. That is, the cathode unit 12 is provided with a string-shaped spacer 15 on the first surface facing the first diaphragm 7 and on the second surface facing the second diaphragm 8, respectively.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal structure is assembled by sandwiching the first and second diaphragms 7 and 8 with the first anode unit 10, the negative electrode unit 12, and the second anode unit 11. Reference numeral Th is a bolt insertion hole. The bolt insertion holes Th are provided at the edges of the units 10 to 12 and the first and second diaphragms 7 and 8 over the entire circumference, and the internal structure is formed by a plurality of bolts penetrating these elements. Assembled.

FIG. 6 is a diagram in which the upper part of the cathode unit 12 is extracted. The plurality of protrusions 16 of the string spacer 15 are arranged adjacent to and above the downstream water passage 12 (ds) on the upper side, side by side and at intervals. This configuration is the same for the plurality of protrusions 16 located adjacent to the lower upstream water passage 12 (us), and the lower protrusion 16 is adjacent to the lower upstream water passage 12 (us). And below that, they are arranged side by side and at intervals (FIGS. 2 and 3). This arrangement of the plurality of protrusions 16 is the same for the first and

second anode units

10 and 11.

With reference to FIG. 3, in the first anode unit 10, recesses on the downstream side and the upstream side, that is, pockets 20 (us) and 20 (ds) are formed above and below the positive electrode plate 5 adjacent to the positive electrode plate 5. .. Further, the second anode unit 11 is formed with recesses on the flow side and the downstream side, that is, pockets 22 (ds) and 22 (ds) above and below the positive electrode plate 6 adjacent to the positive electrode plate 6. These four recesses, that is, pockets 20 (us), 20 (ds), 22 (ds), and 22 (ds) form a part of the water flow path. The plurality of protrusions 16 of the string spacer 15 provided on the first and

second anode units

10 and 11 are arranged at the upper and lower ends in the same manner as the cathode unit 12. A protrusion 16 is provided above the upper downstream pockets 20 (ds) and 22 (ds) adjacent to the upper downstream pockets 20 (ds) and 22 (ds), and the protrusion 16 is provided adjacent to the lower upstream pockets 20 (us) and 22 (us). A protrusion 16 is provided below (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Next, the flow of water in the internal structure of the flat plate type water conditioning electrolytic cell of the first embodiment will be described. With reference to the first anode unit 10 and FIG. 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two lower holes Hin1 and Hin2 (FIG. 2) of the first anode unit 10 are of the internal structure through an external water pipe. It constitutes the first and second inlets for introducing water into it. The first inlet hole Hin1 has a function of supplying water into the first and second anode chambers 1 and 2 (FIG. 1). The second inlet hole Hin2 has a function of supplying water into the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4.

The two holes Hout1 and Hout2 (FIG. 2) at the top of the first anode unit 10 form the first and second outlets for discharging the electrolyzed water to the outside. The first outlet hole Hout1 is connected to the first and second anode chambers 1 and 2, and has a function of taking out the acidic water generated in the first and second anode chambers 1 and 2 to the outside. There is. The second outlet hole Hout2 is connected to the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4, and has a function of taking out the alkaline water generated in the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4 to the outside. There is.

The water that has entered the first inlet hole Hin1 of the first anode unit 1 enters the lower recess, that is, the upstream pocket 20 (us) of the anode unit 1 as the first flow path. Then, it becomes acidic water in the process of moving upward in the first anode chamber 1. Then, the acidic water enters the upper recess, that is, the downstream pocket 20 (ds), and is taken out from the first outlet hole Hout1 opened in the pocket 20 (ds). That is, the upstream pocket 20 (us) substantially constitutes the inlet of the first anode chamber 1, and the downstream pocket 20 (ds) substantially constitutes the outlet of the acidic water generated in the first anode chamber 1. ing.

The water that has entered the first inlet hole Hin1 of the first anode unit 1 passes through the lower water passage hole 24 of the first diaphragm 7 as the second flow path, and the lower water passage hole 26 and the second diaphragm of the cathode unit 12. It passes through the lower water passage hole 28 of No. 8 and enters the lower recess, that is, the upstream pocket 22 (us) of the second anode unit 11. The water that has entered the lower pocket 22 (us) of the second anode unit 11 becomes acidic water in the process of moving upward in the second anode chamber 2. Then, this acidic water enters the upper recess, that is, the downstream pocket 22 (ds) (FIG. 2). An upper water passage hole 30 of the second diaphragm 8 is opened in the downstream pocket 22 (ds). The upper water passage hole 30 leads to the upper water passage hole 32 of the cathode unit 12 and the first upper water passage hole 34 of the first diaphragm 7, and the upper water passage hole 34 of the first diaphragm 7 is connected to the upper water passage hole 34. It leads to the first outlet hole Hout1 of the first anode unit 1. As described above, since the first outlet hole Hout1 is the outlet of the acidic water generated in the first anode chamber 1, the acidic water in the first anode chamber 1 and the acidic water in the second acidic chamber 2 are separated from each other. It merges at the first outlet hole Hout1 and is taken out from the first outlet hole Hout1.

The second inlet hole Hin2 of the first anode unit 10 leads to the lower water passage hole 40 of the first diaphragm 7 and the upstream water passage port 12 (us) below the cathode unit 12. Therefore, the water that has entered the second inlet hole Hin2 of the first anode unit 10 is supplied to the water passage port 12 (us) on the upstream side of the cathode unit 12. The water that has entered the upstream water passage 12 (us) of the cathode unit 12 becomes alkaline water in the process of moving upward in the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4. The alkaline water generated in the first cathode chamber 3 and the alkaline water generated in the second cathode chamber 4 merge at the downstream water passage 12 (ds) of the cathode unit 12. That is, the upstream water passage 12 (us) substantially constitutes the inlets of the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4, and the downstream water passage 12 (ds) substantially constitutes the inlets of the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4. It substantially constitutes the outlet of the alkaline water generated in 4. The downstream water passage 12 (ds) communicates with the second outlet hole Hout 2 of the first anode unit 10 through the second upper water passage 42 of the first diaphragm 7. As a result, the alkaline water generated in the first and second cathode chambers 3 and 4 is taken out from the second outlet hole Hout2 of the first anode unit 10.

It should be noted that the two inlet holes Hin1 and Hin2 at the lower part of the first anode unit 10 are located above the plurality of protrusions 16 of the lower string spacer 15, that is, the fixed portion of the linear body. Similarly, the two outlet holes Hout1 and Hout2 at the upper part of the first anode unit 10 are located below (inside) the plurality of protrusions 16 of the upper string spacer 15. In addition, all the elements constituting the water path such as the lower recess of the first anode unit 1, that is, the pocket 20 (ds), and the first and second water passage holes 40 and 12 located below the first diaphragm 7. It should be noted that is located above, or inside, the plurality of protrusions 16 of the lower string spacer 15, that is, the fixed portion of the linear body. Similarly, all of the elements constituting the water path, such as the two outlet holes Hout1 and Hout2 on the upper part of the first anode unit 10, are located below, that is, inside the plurality of protrusions 16 of the upper string spacer 15. Should be noted.

From this, the string-shaped spacer 15 interposed between the first positive electrode plate 5 and the first diaphragm 7 prevents the contact between the first positive electrode plate 5 and the first diaphragm 7, and the first positive electrode The distance between the plate 5 and the first diaphragm 7 is defined by the string spacer 15. The same is true for the distance between the first diaphragm 7 and the negative electrode plate 9, the distance between the negative electrode plate 9 and the second diaphragm 8, and the distance between the second diaphragm 8 and the second positive electrode plate 6. The same can be said about.

Therefore, the distance between the electrodes of the internal structure can be made extremely small. If the thickness of the string-shaped spacer 15 is reduced, the distance between each electrode and the diaphragm is shortened, and the separation distance between the electrodes is also shortened.

Here, when the applied voltage is increased, the reaction becomes violent and a large amount of hydrogen is generated, so it is easy to think that the dissolved hydrogen increases. .. Since the enlarged hydrogen mass becomes a gas and escapes from the water, it does not become dissolved hydrogen, and the dissolved hydrogen itself becomes a large mass, so that the absorption efficiency into the body deteriorates. According to the flat plate type electrode tank of the first embodiment, the distance between the electrodes can be reduced to the utmost limit, so that electrolysis can be performed even at a low voltage of, for example, 12 V (volt) or 24 V.

By the way, in the currently available water conditioners that generate electrolytic alkaline water, the distance between the electrodes is 4 mm or more, and the applied voltage is 70 V. As in the examples, the electrolysis reaction at a low voltage of 12V or 24V is mild. As a result, the possibility of hydrogen generated by electrolysis coalescing is reduced. As a result, the amount of hydrogen that escapes from the water due to gasification by coalescence is reduced, and the dissolved hydrogen can be maintained at the molecular level.

Further, since the linear body represented by the string 17 constituting the string-shaped spacer 15 extends in the direction of water flow, water can flow smoothly in each of the chambers 1 to 4.

7 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the second embodiment. The second embodiment relates to a cylindrical electrolytic cell. FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which a part of the cylindrical electrolytic cell is cut out. Reference numeral 50 indicates a cylindrical inner electrode plate, 52 indicates a cylindrical outer electrode plate, 54 indicates a diaphragm, and 56 indicates a housing. The water that has entered from the inlet 58 of the housing 56 is divided into a first flow that enters the central hole 60 inside the housing 56 and a second flow that enters the upstream gap 62 on the outside thereof. With reference to FIG. 8, the first water A entering the central hole 60 enters the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical diaphragm 54 from a plurality of upstream holes 66 provided in the central core 64 (FIG. 7), and enters the diaphragm. It flows between the 54 and the cylindrical inner electrode plate 50, enters the inside of the core 64 through a plurality of downstream holes 68 at the other end of the core 64, and is discharged from the housing first outlet 70 (FIG. 7). The housing first outlet 70 extends in the axial direction of the housing 56. Here, the diaphragm 54 is fixed to the core 64 in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the core 64.

On the other hand, the second water B (FIG. 8) that has entered the upstream gap 62 passes through the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical diaphragm 54, flows between the diaphragm 54 and the cylindrical outer electrode plate 52, and flows through the downstream gap 72. It is discharged from the second outlet 74 (FIG. 7) of the housing through the housing. The housing second outlet 74 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the housing 56.

If the inner electrode plate 50 is set as the anode and the outer electrode plate 52 is set as the cathode, the water B passing through the outside of the diaphragm 54 becomes alkaline water. The water A passing through the inside of the diaphragm 54 becomes acidic water. On the contrary, when the inner electrode plate 50 is set as the cathode and the outer electrode plate 52 is set as the anode, the water A passing through the inside of the diaphragm 54 becomes alkaline water. The water B passing outside the diaphragm 54 becomes acidic water.

The second embodiment also includes the string-shaped spacer 15. Although the string-shaped spacer 15 is arranged parallel to the center line of the cylinder in the example disclosed in FIG. 7, it may be arranged so as to spirally wind around the curved inner electrode plate 50 (FIG. 9). ).

FIG. 8 typically represents the technical idea of the present invention. As can be best seen from FIG. 8, the string spacer 15 is fixed and held by protrusions 16 at the upstream and downstream ends. Then, water is taken in inside the protrusions 16 on the upstream side and the downstream side, that is, the fixed portions (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the linear body, and alkaline water is taken out. That is, the

entrances

66 and 68 of the cathode chamber are located inside the cathode chamber with respect to the protrusions 16. Further, the protrusions 16 on the upstream side and the downstream side are located inward in the radial direction with respect to the string-shaped spacer 15. From this, the distance between the diaphragm 54 and the inner electrode plate 50 can be defined by the string 17, and the string 17 can prevent a contact accident between the diaphragm 54 and the inner electrode plate 50. In other words, the distance between the diaphragm 54 and the inner electrode plate 50 can be reduced to the thickness of the string-shaped spacer 15.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the string-shaped spacer 15 is arranged in a spiral shape. Further, FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example in which both ends of the string 17 are fixed by the downstream side fixing groove 76 and the upstream side fixing groove 78 instead of the spacer protrusion 16. Since the downstream fixing groove 76 and the upstream fixing groove 78 have a shape recessed inward in the radial direction, the fixing portion of the string 17 by the downstream fixing groove 76 and the upstream fixing groove 78 is a string. It does not protrude outward in the radial direction from 17.

Instead of the string-shaped spacer 15, a sheet-shaped spacer 80 having a single elongated hole made of resin may be adopted. 11 to 14 are views on the sheet spacer 80. With reference to FIG. 13, the sheet spacer 80 is made of a thin sheet made of PP (polypropylene) resin. The sheet-shaped spacer 80 having a rectangular shape in a plan view has a plurality of elongated openings 80a extending in the water flow direction in the entire area thereof, and the elongated openings 80a are formed by punching. The elongated opening 80a extends continuously from the upstream end to the downstream end of the sheet spacer 80 and does not include an element such as the transverse member 116 (FIG. 15) of the grid spacer 113 of the embodiment. Then, the portion 80b between the two adjacent openings 80a substantially functions as a spacer. The plurality of remaining spacer portions 80b extend in the water flow direction, and the two adjacent spacer portions 80b are parallel to each other. That is, the spacer portion 80b between the two adjacent openings 80a functions as a spacer in the same manner as the thread-like body typified by the string 17 described in the first embodiment or the like.

The sheet-shaped spacer 80 shown in FIG. 13 becomes cylindrical when rolled (FIG. 12). Also,
The cylindrical shape of the sheet spacer 80 is maintained even when incorporated in a cylindrical electrolytic cell. In other words, the sheet-shaped spacer 80 has shape retention. Therefore, unlike the string 17 adopted in the first embodiment or the like, the sheet-shaped spacer 80 can be positioned and fixed by clamping the upstream end and the downstream end of the sheet-shaped spacer 80 with some member. .. Therefore, if the inlet 66 and the outlet 68 described with reference to FIG. 8 are arranged inward from the upstream and downstream ends of the sheet spacer 80, they are arranged around the inner electrode plate 50. The diameter of the formed cylindrical sheet spacer 80 (FIG. 12) can be made substantially equal to the outer diameter of the inner electrode plate 50.

Needless to say, the sheet-shaped spacer 80 described above can also be applied to the flat plate type electrolytic cell of the first embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments, the separation distance between the electrode plates can be minimized, so that alkaline water can be produced to a desired pH even at a low voltage of, for example, 12 V (volt) or 24 V. Then, the hydrogen generated in the cathode chamber can be maintained at the molecular level. Drinking alkaline water containing hydrogen at the molecular level can increase the efficiency of absorption into the body.

In the conventional electrolyzed water generator for beverages, a configuration in which water flows through the upstream end and the downstream end of the diaphragm is adopted in order to stabilize the ion concentration. In the present invention, since the water inlet / outlet is located inside the portion for fixing the spacer arranged between the electrode and the diaphragm, that is, on the central side of the electrolytic cell, the shape of the spacer fixing portion is not affected. You can design an electrolytic cell. Therefore, the thickness of the spacer can be reduced to the utmost limit without being restricted by the spacer fixing portion. By applying the present invention to a water conditioner for general households, it is possible to provide a water conditioner for household use, which is smaller than the conventional one, to each household. The present invention also proposes a specific measure capable of providing each household with a water conditioner that produces alkaline water for drinking at a voltage of 24 V or less that does not require electrical inspection in each country.

1 1st anode chamber 2 2nd anode chamber 3 1st cathode chamber 4 2nd cathode chamber 5 1st positive electrode plate of 1st anode chamber 6 2nd positive electrode plate of 2nd anode chamber 2 7 1st diaphragm 8th 2 Diaphragm 9 Common negative electrode plate 15 String-shaped spacer 16 Spacer protrusion Hin1 First inlet hole of the first anode unit (supplying water for the anode chamber)
Hin2 2nd inlet hole of 1st anode unit (supplying water for cathode chamber)
Hout1 1st outlet hole of 1st anode unit (takeout of acidic water)
Hout2 2nd outlet hole of 1st anode unit (take out of alkaline water)
50 Inner electrode plate 52 Outer electrode plate 54 Septum 56 Housing 58 Housing inlet 70 Housing first outlet 74 Housing second outlet 76 Downstream fixing groove for spacer 78 Upstream fixing groove for spacer 80 Sheet-shaped spacer 80a Sheet Shaped spacer Elongated opening 80b Spacer part that substantially functions as a spacer

Claims

For water conditioning, which has a diaphragm that separates the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and can separately take out acidic water generated in the anode chamber and alkaline water generated in the cathode chamber by electrolyzing water. In the electrolytic cell
It has a spacer disposed between the positive electrode plate arranged in the anode chamber and the diaphragm, and at least one of the negative electrode plate arranged in the cathode chamber and the diaphragm.
The spacer is separate from the diaphragm, and the spacer is held by fixing portions located at the upstream end and the downstream end of the spacer.
The inlet for supplying water to the anode chamber or the cathode chamber and the outlet for taking out electrolyzed water from the anode chamber or the cathode chamber are located inside the fixed portion.
An electrolytic cell for water conditioning, wherein the spacer is composed of a linear body extending along the flow direction of water or a resin sheet provided with a spacer portion between a plurality of openings extending in the flow direction of water.
The spacer is composed of the resin sheet.
The electrolytic cell for water conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the resin sheet is formed by punching.
The electrolytic cell for water conditioning according to claim 2, wherein the opening created by the punching process continuously extends between the upstream end and the downstream end of the resin sheet.
The water conditioning electrolytic cell is a flat plate type electrolytic cell.
The water conditioning electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacer is arranged between the positive electrode plate and the diaphragm and between the negative electrode plate and the diaphragm.
The water-regulating electrolytic cell is a cylindrical electrolytic cell in which the diaphragm is arranged between a cylindrical outer electrode plate and a cylindrical inner electrode plate.
The electrolytic cell for water conditioning according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacer is arranged between the inner electrode plate and the diaphragm.
A household water conditioner incorporating the water conditioner electrolytic cell according to claim 4 or 5.
The household water conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the voltage applied between the electrodes is 24 V or less.