JPH10314743A - Alkaline ion water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a safe and highly reliable alkaline ionized water purifier capable of maintaining a favorable environment without generating bacteria even when water is stopped for a long time. And SOLUTION: This is an alkaline ionized water conditioner 3 which generates alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis of raw water in an electrolytic cell 7, and detects a temperature of water retained in the electrolytic cell 7. 23 and a voltage application control unit 24 for applying a voltage to the electrode plates 9 and 10 in the electrolytic cell 7, and a heating time control unit 25 for heating the retained water in the electrolytic cell 7 to generate in the electrolytic cell 7 and the water passage. Effective bacteria are killed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alkali ion for electrolyzing raw water such as tap water to produce alkaline ionized water used for drinking and medical use and acidic ionized water used for lotion and purified water. The present invention relates to a water conditioner, and more particularly, to an alkali ion water conditioner having a sterilizing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an alkali ion water conditioner has become widespread as a continuous electrolysis type ion water generator. This alkali ion water regulator electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and generate alkali ion water on the cathode side.

[0003] A conventional continuous electrolysis-type alkali ion water conditioner will be described below. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner. 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet, 3 is a raw water pipe 1 via a faucet 2.
4 is a water purifier equipped with activated carbon that adsorbs residual chlorine, trihalomethane and mold odor in raw water, and a hollow fiber membrane that accurately removes general bacteria and impurities. A flow rate sensor for confirming the flow of water and instructing the control means to control the flow rate. 6 is a calcium supply section for increasing the conductivity of raw water by giving calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate to the raw water. Electrolyzer for producing alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolyzing the water, 8 is a membrane for dividing the electrolyzer into two, and an electrode chamber is formed.
An electrode plate disposed in each of the divided electrode chambers, 11
Is a drain pipe for discharging water on the electrode plate 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), 12 is an electrolytic cell 7 and a drain pipe 1
1 is a flow controller for adjusting the water discharge flow rate, which is provided in the vicinity of the connection section 1 and is provided for efficiently generating alkaline ionized water. Reference numeral 13 denotes water on the electrode plate 9 side (alkaline when the electrode plate 9 is a cathode, A discharge pipe for discharging ionized water), a solenoid valve 14 for discharging accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 and cleaning water in which a scale made of calcium, magnesium, or the like elutes when cleaning the electrode plate, and 15 a drain pipe 11. A discharge pipe for draining water on the electrode plate 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode) and accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7; 16 a water purification unit detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the water purification unit 4; Is a power supply plug, 18 is a power supply unit for converting an AC power supply from the power supply plug 17 into a DC power supply, 19 is an operation display unit for displaying an operation state of the alkali ion water purifier 3, and 21 is a water purification mode. By closing the valve A solenoid valve for cutting drainage and performs draining open the valve at the time and an acidic ion water generation alkali ion water generation.

[0004] Next, the operation of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner 3 composed of the above-described components when generating the alkali ion water will be described below.

[0005] A user presses a mode selection button on the operation display section 20 to select and set an alkaline ionized water generation mode, an acidic ionized water generation mode, or a water purification mode. In, the desired pH intensity is selected with the pH intensity setting button on the operation display section 20, and the faucet 2 is opened. The raw water passed through the faucet 2 is subjected to removal of impurities such as residual chlorine, trihalomethane, mold odor, and general bacteria in the raw water in the water purification section 4, and the calcium glycerophosphate and lactic acid in the calcium supply section 6 through the flow rate sensor 5. After calcium and the like are dissolved and treated with water that is easily electrolyzed, the water is passed through the electrolytic cell 7.

On the other hand, AC1
00V is supplied, a DC voltage and current necessary for electrolysis are generated by a transformer and a control DC power supply in a power supply unit 18, and the electrode plates 9 and 1 of the electrolytic cell 7 are controlled via a control unit 19.
0 is supplied with electric power required for electrolysis. At this time, assuming that the electrode plate to which a relatively positive voltage is applied is an anode and the electrode plate to which a negative voltage is applied is relatively, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by a diaphragm 8 are formed in the electrolytic cell 7. In the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the electrode plate 10 functions as an anode, and the electrode plate 9 functions as a cathode. In the acidic ion water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode, and the electrode plate 10
Becomes the cathode.

After the water flow, the control means 19 reads the signal of the flow rate sensor 5, and when the flow rate level exceeds a certain level,
It is determined that this state is passing water. At this time, the operation display unit 2
Since the electrolysis conditions have already been set by pressing the generation mode selection button of 0, the control means 19
In order to carry out the electrolysis, an operation command is output so that a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode plates 9 and 10. Thus, in the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 functions as a cathode and the electrode plate 10 functions as an anode, and the alkaline ionized water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13. The plate 10 serves as a cathode, and the acidic ion water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13.

When the raw water is stopped by the faucet 2, the control means 19 determines that the water is stopped by the flow rate sensor 5, stops applying the voltage to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7, and sets the electromagnetic valve 14. The water is retained in the electrolytic cell 7 by closing. The retained water has effects such as prevention of drying of the diaphragm 8 and prevention of generation of mold.

In the water purification mode, the electrode plate 9
No voltage is applied to and, and drainage is cut by closing the electromagnetic valve, and purified water is discharged from the discharge pipe.

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional alkali ion water purifier, residual chlorine for the purpose of disinfecting microorganisms and bacteria contained in the raw water passed through the faucet 2 is purified by the water purification section 4. At the time of water stoppage
Thereafter, water having no sterilizing power will stay. At this time, bacteria and the like floating in the air enter from the opening at the end of the discharge pipe 13, and bacterial contamination proceeds in the water passage of the alkali ion water dispenser 3. Bacteria-contaminated water is drunk and poses a health hazard.

Further, even if all the water having no sterilizing power remaining after the water purification section 4 is drained, bacteria and the like also invade and adhere to the inner wall of the water passage, and bacterial contamination proceeds.

In addition, by passing acidic water in the initial stage of water passage, it is possible to effectively sterilize bacteria generated in the water passage, and water contaminated with bacteria when drinking water is drunk. However, the inside of the water channel and the electrolytic cell 7
Bacteria and the like attached to the inner wall cannot be completely sterilized.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a safe and reliable alkali ion water conditioner capable of maintaining a favorable environment without generating bacteria even when water is stopped for a long time.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an alkali ion water dispenser of the present invention generates an alkaline ionized water and an acidic ionized water by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell and forms an alkaline water. An ion water purifier,
When alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water are not generated for a long time, or when purified water is not discharged for a long time, after a certain period of time, a voltage is applied to the retained water in the electrolytic cell to heat the retained water to a constant temperature. The configuration is provided with.

According to the present invention, even when water is stopped for a long time, bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and other water passages are sterilized by heating, and a safe and reliable alkaline ionizer can be obtained.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an alkali ion water purifier for producing alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell and producing purified water, When the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water are not generated for a long time, or when the purified water is not discharged for a long time, an alkali provided with a heating means for heating stagnant water in the electrolytic cell for sterilizing the electrolytic cell and the water passage. It is an ion water conditioner and has the function of discharging safe water free of bacterial contamination.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the alkali ion water conditioner of the first aspect, the heating means for heating the water retained in the electrolytic cell applies a voltage to the electrode plate in the electrolytic cell. This is a means for applying the voltage, and has the effect that the water retained in the electrolytic cell can be effectively sterilized by heating.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the alkali ion water conditioner according to the first or second aspect, the electrolytic cell is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of stagnant water inside. There is an effect that the temperature of the retained water in the electrolytic cell is detected and heated effectively, and the retained water can be heated and sterilized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the alkali ion water conditioner according to any one of the first, second and third aspects, the control means for controlling the stagnant water in the electrolytic cell to a constant temperature is provided. This has the effect that the water retained in the electrolytic cell is efficiently heated and the bacteria can be sterilized by heating.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the alkali ion water conditioner according to any one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects, wherein the accumulated water sterilized by heating in the electrolytic cell is drained. Since the accumulated water in the electrolytic cell is sterilized by heating, the heated accumulated water is discharged from the drain pipe, so that safe water free from bacterial contamination can be discharged when the water is passed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alkali ion water purifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the conventional example are basically the same in the first embodiment, and therefore, detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a raw water pipe such as tap water;
2 is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water conditioner, 4 is a water purification unit, 5
Is a flow sensor, 6 is a calcium supply unit, 7 is an electrolytic cell, 8
Is a diaphragm, 9 and 10 are electrode plates, 11 is a drain pipe, 12 is a flow control unit, 13 is a discharge pipe, 14 is a solenoid valve, 15 is a water discharge pipe, 16 is a water purification section detection sensor, 17 is a power supply plug, Reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply unit, 19 denotes a control unit, 20 denotes an operation display unit, and 21 denotes a solenoid valve.

The feature of the first embodiment is that the temperature of the retained water in the electrolytic cell 7 can be detected so that the temperature of the electrolytic cell 7 can be detected.
Temperature sensor 22 attached to the
A temperature detection circuit unit 23 that converts the characteristic change with respect to the temperature change into an electric signal and detects the temperature of the stagnant water;
A relatively positive or negative voltage is applied to the electrode plate 9 to heat the water retained in the electrolytic cell 7, and a relatively negative voltage is applied to the electrode plate 10 when the electrode plate 9 has a positive voltage. The voltage application control unit 24 applies a relatively positive voltage when the electrode plate 9 is a negative voltage.
Further, the elapsed time from the last stop of water is always monitored, and when the set time has elapsed, a voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 7 from the voltage application control unit 24. If there is, the voltage application control unit 24
That is, a heating time control unit 25 for applying more voltage is provided.

In this configuration, when the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water are generated, and when the water is stopped after the discharge in the purified water, the solenoid valve 14 and the solenoid valve 21 are closed immediately, and the water stays in the electrolytic cell 7. In the case where the electrode plate 9 is not generated for a long time and the ejection is not performed, a voltage is applied between the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10, and the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 1
The electrolysis of water occurs during the period of 0, and further heat energy is generated to heat the retained water.

The temperature of the stagnant water in the electrolytic cell 7 to be heated is:
Detected by the temperature sensor 22 and the temperature detection circuit unit 23,
The voltage application control unit 24 controls the temperature to be constant. The stagnant water that has reached a certain temperature sterilizes bacteria generated inside the electrolytic cell 7 due to the heat, and then the solenoid valve 14
The electromagnetic valve 21 is opened, and the drainage pipe 11 and the water discharge pipe 15 are drained while being heated and sterilized.

Here, a brief description will be given of the principle of heating of the stagnant water, which controls the electrolysis and sterilization of water. A pair of electrodes is put in water, and a permeable membrane is provided between the electrodes, the ionic substance in the water passing freely, but having fine pores to such an extent that the free passage of liquid water itself is prevented. When one electrode is connected to the positive electrode of the battery and the other to the negative electrode, anions such as chloride ions are attracted to the anode of the electrolytic cell, while cations such as magnesium and calcium ions are attracted to the cathode. Is attracted. At this time, if a sufficient voltage is applied between both poles,
Electrolysis of water occurs. The anode emits H ions into water at the same time as oxygen gas or chlorine gas is generated from the anode, and the cathode emits O ions at the same time as hydrogen gas is generated from the cathode.

As a result, the water on the anode side becomes water in which anions such as chloride ions biased toward the acid side are relatively increased, and the water on the cathode side is water such as sodium ions and calcium ions biased toward the alkali side. The result is water with relatively increased cations. The basic principle of electrolyzed ionic water is to take out and use these waters individually.

At this time, the reaction occurring on the surface of each electrode can be expressed as follows.・ Anode side 2H2O → 4H + O2 + 4e 2CI → CI2 + 2e ・ Cathode side 6H2O + 6e → 6OH + 3H2 At this time, the water between both poles has a certain resistance, and when a sufficient voltage is applied between both poles, the water temperature gradually rises, and finally Will be in a boiling state. Generally, a bactericidal action is recognized at a water temperature of 70 to 80 ° C.

As described above, the bacteria generated or adhered to the inside of the electrolytic cell and the water passage can be sterilized by heating by the sterilizing effect of the water retained in the heated electrolytic cell.

The frequency of heating the retained water in the electrolytic cell is determined by the time elapsed since the last stoppage of the water or the regular time period during which the water is not used for a long time, such as a sleeping time period or a going out time period. May be set arbitrarily.

The heating time control unit 25 always monitors the elapsed time from the last water stop, and controls the voltage application control unit 24 to apply a voltage to the electrolytic cell 7 when a set time has elapsed. If the time is set periodically, control is performed such that a voltage is applied from the voltage application control unit 24 to the electrolytic cell 7 at that time.

While the retained water is being heated, the setting keys for the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the water purification mode, and the acidic water generation mode are not accepted, and a warning is issued by a melody for prohibiting the passage of water.

When the heat treatment time elapses, the mode is automatically switched to the alkaline ionized water generation mode or the water purification mode, and predetermined water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13 during the passage of water.

The setting of the heating time may be a fixed time, or the set time may be increased or decreased according to the standing time after stopping the water. For example, if the standing time from the last water stoppage to the regular set time is long, it is highly likely that many bacteria are growing during that time, and in order to kill those bacteria, the heating time must be long. Because it must be.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and the water passage can be effectively sterilized even in a long-time water stop state, and a favorable environment is maintained. It can be used as a possible alkali ion water conditioner.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, bacteria generated in the electrolytic cell and in the water passage can be effectively heat-sterilized even when the water is stopped for a long time. By maintaining a favorable environment, it is possible to provide a safe and reliable alkali ion water purifier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alkali ion water purifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 raw water pipe 2 faucet 3 alkali ion water purifier 4 water purification section 5 flow sensor 6 calcium supply section 7 electrolytic tank 8 diaphragm 9 electrode plate 10 electrode plate 11 drainage pipe 12 flow control section 13 discharge pipe 14 solenoid valve 15 discharge pipe 16 Water purification unit detection sensor 17 Power supply plug 18 Power supply unit 19 Control means 20 Operation display unit 21 Solenoid valve 22 Temperature sensor 23 Temperature detection circuit unit 24 Voltage application control unit 25 Heating time control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An alkali ion water purifier for producing alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell and producing purified water, wherein said alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water are not produced for a long time. Or an alkali ion water conditioner provided with a heating means for heating water retained in the electrolytic cell for sterilizing the electrolytic cell and the water passage when the purified water is not discharged for a long time. 2. A heating means for heating water retained in an electrolytic cell,
The alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising means for applying a voltage to an electrode plate in the electrolytic cell. 3. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the stagnant water therein.
The alkali ion water purifier as described. 4. The alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the temperature of the water retained in the electrolytic cell to a constant temperature. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for draining the stay water sterilized by heating in the electrolytic cell.
The alkali ion water purifier according to any one of the above.