JPH1043761A - Alkaline ion water conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to maintain a good environment over a long period by providing the device with a structure to pass acidic water in an initial period of water passage, to remove the slime, etc., generated in a water flow passage and a pH sensor section and to sterilize the water by allowing the residual chlorine generated in an anode chamber to leak to a discharge side at the time of discharge of alkaline ion water or clean water. SOLUTION: The electrolysis of the water takes place between electrode plates 9 and 10 when a plus voltage is impressed on the electrode plate 9 and a minus voltage on an electrode plate 10 before the start of the water passage at the time of forming the alkaline ion water. The acidic ion water which has the sterilizing power and is formed at this time is discharged from a water discharge pipe 13 through the water passage section, is branched from the discharge pipe 13 and is drained through a pH sensor 21, by which the bacteria generated or adhered to the water passage section and the pH sensor 21 are sterilized and the slime is removed. In a water purification mode, the sterilization is executed by closing the electric magnetic valve 22 and applying such a voltage at which the residual chlorine to the extent that the bacteria are sterilized is generated is applied between the electrode plate 10 of the anode and the electrode plate 9 of the cathode. The environment where the slime is not occurrence of in the pH sensor is thus created.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolysis of raw water such as tap water, and to an alkaline ionized water used for drinking and medical use, and an acidic ionized water used as a lotion and a sterilizing washing water. The present invention relates to an alkali ion water purifier to be manufactured.

[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 purifier electrolyzes tap water etc. in an electrolytic cell,
It generates acidic ion water on the anode side and generates alkali ion water on the cathode side.

[0003] A conventional continuous electrolysis type alkali ion water conditioner will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a raw water pipe for tap water or the like;
Is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water purifier connected to a raw water pipe via a faucet 2, 4 is an activated carbon that adsorbs residual chlorine and trihalomethane in raw water, and a hollow fiber membrane that removes general bacteria and impurities. 5 is a calcium supply unit for increasing the conductivity of raw water by applying calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate to the raw water. Further, 6 is a flow sensor for confirming the flow of water and instructing the control means to control it. 7 is an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water that has passed through the flow sensor 6, and 8 is an electrolytic cell for bisecting the electrolytic cell 7 to form an electrode chamber. The diaphragms 9 and 10 are electrode plates provided in each of the electrode chambers bisected by the diaphragm 8.

A drain pipe 11 for discharging water on the electrode plate 10 side (acid ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode),
Numeral 12 denotes a flow rate adjuster which is disposed near the connection between the electrolytic cell 7 and the drain pipe 11 and is provided to efficiently generate alkaline ionized water for adjusting the water discharge flow rate. Numeral 13 denotes water on the electrode plate 9 side (electrode plate). A discharge pipe for discharging alkaline ionized water when 9 is a cathode), and a solenoid valve 14 for draining water retained in the electrolytic tank 7 and cleaning water in which scales such as calcium and magnesium are dissolved when cleaning the electrode plate. Reference numerals 15 denote drain pipes for draining water on the electrode plate 10 side (acidic ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode), accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 and washing water via the drain pipe 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a water purification unit detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of washing of the water purification unit 4, reference numeral 17 denotes a power supply plug, reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply unit for changing an AC power supply from the power supply plug 17 to DC power supply, and reference numeral 19 denotes an alkali ion regulator. Control means 20 for controlling the operation of the water dispenser 3 is an operation display unit for displaying an operation state of the alkali ion water dispenser 3.

A pH sensor 21 is provided on a branch pipe branched from the discharge pipe 13 and connected to the drain pipe 11 or the water discharge pipe 15. The pH sensor 21 is a glass electrode type, a semiconductor electrode type, or an ion conductive type. A diaphragm electrode type is used. Reference numeral 22 denotes an electromagnetic valve that cuts off drainage by closing the valve in the washing mode, and opens the valve 22 to drain water when generating alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water.

Next, the operation of the alkali ion water conditioner 3 configured as described above for generating alkali ions will be described below.

The 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 purified water mode. , A desired pH value is appropriately selected by a pH adjustment button of the operation display section 20, and then the faucet 2 is opened. In the raw water passed through the faucet 2, impurities such as residual chlorine odor and general bacteria in the raw water are removed in the water purification section 4,
After calcium glycerophosphate or the like is dissolved in the calcium supply unit 5 and processed into water that can be easily decomposed by electricity, the water is further passed through the flow rate sensor 6 to the electrolytic cell 7.

On the other hand, AC100 is
V is supplied, a DC voltage and current necessary for electrolysis are generated by a transformer and a control current power supply in the power supply unit 18, and the power is supplied to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 via the control unit 19. The electrode plate that applies a relatively positive voltage is the anode,
Assuming that the electrode plate to which the negative voltage is applied is a cathode, an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by the 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 functions as an anode, and the electrode plate 10 functions as a cathode.

After the passage of water, the control means 19 reads the signal of the flow rate sensor 6, and if the flow rate level exceeds a certain level, determines that the state is water flow. At this time, the electrolysis conditions have already been set by pressing the mode selection button and the pH adjustment button of the operation display section 20, and the control means 19 controls the electrode plates 9 and 10 to perform electrolysis by the electrolytic cell 7. An operation command is output so that a predetermined voltage is applied. Thereby, in the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as an anode, and the acidic ionized water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13. Further, in the water purification mode, no voltage is applied to the electrode plates 9 and 10, and the electromagnetic valve 22 is closed to cut off the drainage, and the purified water is discharged from the discharge pipe 13.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional alkali ion water purifier, residual chlorine for the purpose of sterilizing microorganisms and bacteria contained in the raw water passed through the faucet is removed by the water purification section. However, at the time of water stoppage, water having no sterilizing power will stay in the downstream area after the water purification section.

In this state, when bacteria or the like floating in the air enter from the opening of the discharge pipe tip, bacterial contamination progresses in the water passage of the alkali ion water purifier, and water is stopped again after water is stopped. At this time, water contaminated with bacteria is discharged.
Therefore, if this is taken, there is a risk of harm to health. As a countermeasure, even if all non-sterile water remaining in the downstream area of the water purification section after drainage is drained,
Again, there is a possibility that bacteria and the like may infiltrate and adhere to the inner wall of the water passage, and in this case, bacterial contamination also proceeds. Therefore, the drainage of stagnant water is not a fundamental solution.

A pH sensor for detecting the pH value of alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water or purified water discharged from an alkali ion water purifier is used for slimming due to bacterial contamination or calcium, magnesium, silica or the like contained in water. Deterioration is caused by the generation of precipitates, and the sensitivity and responsiveness of the sensor are deteriorated.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to prevent bacteria generated inside the water passage when water is stopped, slime caused by bacterial contamination generated in the pH sensor portion, and precipitates such as calcium, magnesium and silica contained in water. To provide a safe and reliable alkali ion water purifier by effectively removing and maintaining a good environment without producing bacteria even in a long-time water stop state. Aim.

[0015]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems, an alkali ion water conditioner of the present invention allows acidic water to flow at an early stage of water flow, and causes bacteria or pH sensor generated inside the water flow passage. In addition to having control means for effectively removing slimming due to bacterial contamination generated in the water and deposits such as calcium, magnesium and silica contained in the water, at the time of discharging alkaline ionized water or purified water, the anode chamber is used. Equipped with a structure for sterilizing bacteria by leaking the required amount of residual chlorine to the discharge side, and a control means for generating the required amount of residual chlorine by electrolysis for sterilizing bacteria even at the time of water stoppage. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a safe and reliable alkali ion water conditioner, which efficiently sterilizes a water passage system and the like.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An alkali ion water conditioner having an electrolysis tank and a water passage system connected thereto and generating alkali ion water by electrolysis, wherein acidic water is passed through the water passage system at an initial stage of the generation of the alkali ion water. In addition, the apparatus is provided with control means for sterilizing bacteria generated in the water channel, sterilizing bacteria generated in the water channel, and discharging safe water free of bacterial contamination.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control means for supplying acidic water to the water passage system at an initial stage of discharge of purified water at the time of purified water spouting without generating ionic water, and sterilizing bacteria generated in the water passage system. It discharges safe water free of bacterial contamination.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method according to the first aspect, wherein acidic water is passed through the water passage before discharging the alkaline ionized water or purified water, whereby bacteria generated in the pH sensor portion provided in the water passage are provided. It is equipped with control means to remove slicks due to contamination and precipitates such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in water.This prevents deterioration of the pH sensor and reduces the sensitivity and response characteristics of the sensor. An excellent long life and highly reliable alkali ion water purifier can be obtained.

[0020] The invention according to claim 4 is provided with means for leaking residual chlorine generated in the anode chamber to the discharge side of the water passage system when discharging alkaline ionized water or purified water. The sterilized bacteria can be sterilized, safe water not contaminated by the bacteria can be discharged, and the pH sensor section can be set in an environment in which slimming due to the bacterial contamination does not occur.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when water is stopped,
It is provided with a control means for generating a required amount of the residual chlorine by electrolysis, so that a good environment can be maintained without generating bacteria even in a water-stop state for a long time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, components corresponding to the conventional example described in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

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 calcium supply unit, 6 is a flow sensor, 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 section, 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, 21 denotes a pH sensor, and 22 denotes a solenoid valve.

Reference numeral 23 is provided in the control means 19 and determines whether or not to pass acidic water before starting the flow of water when generating alkaline ionized water or discharging purified water. And a voltage application control block for applying a relatively negative voltage to the electrode plate 10. By these controls, electrolysis of water occurs between the electrode plates 9 and 10 through the diaphragm 8, and the generated germicidal acidic ionized water is discharged from the water discharge pipe 13 through the water passage portion. At the same time, the water is branched from the water discharge pipe 13, passes through the pH sensor 21, and is further drained to the outside through the drain pipe 11 and the water discharge pipe 15.

Here, a brief description will be given of the principle of generation of residual chlorine which controls the electrolysis and sterilization of water.

A pair of electrodes is placed in the water of an electrolytic cell, and a diaphragm having fine pores that allow ionic substances in the water to pass freely but hinder the free flow of liquid is placed between the electrodes. Provide. 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, when a sufficient voltage is applied between the two electrodes, electrolysis of water occurs.

Oxygen gas and chlorine gas are generated from the anode at the same time as the electrolysis, and H ions are released into water at the same time.
Releases ions into water. 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 formed by cations such as sodium ions and calcium ions biased toward the alkali side. The water becomes relatively increased. It is the principle of electrolyzed ionic water that separates and uses these waters. At this time, the reaction occurring on the surface of each electrode can be expressed as follows.

[0028] At this time, the vicinity of the surface of each electrode is in a very special environment. That is, since the alkali becomes locally strong near the cathode, microcrystals of a hydroxide compound such as calcium are generated. On the other hand, the vicinity of the anode is in an extremely strong oxidizing atmosphere, and particularly in the case of water containing chloride ions, a strong bactericidal action is observed along with the generation of hypochlorous acid.

When chlorine becomes an aqueous solution, it becomes HClO (hypochlorous acid) and HCl (hydrochloric acid). In addition, HClO (hypochlorous acid) further comprises ClO (hypochlorite ion) and H ⁺
(Hydrogen ions). HClO (hypochlorous acid) and ClO (hypochlorite ion) are collectively called residual chlorine.

Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO + HCl HClO → ClO + H As described above, by effectively utilizing the sterilizing effect of the generated low-pH acidic ion water and residual chlorine, bacteria generated or adhered to the water passage portion. Sterilization and p
It is possible to effectively remove slime caused by bacterial contamination or the like generated in the H sensor and precipitates such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in water.

It should be noted that the frequency of passing acidic water before starting the flow of water at the time of generation of alkaline ionized water or the discharge of purified water is as follows. Either condition of the elapsed time may be used.

Referring back to FIG. 1, reference numeral 24 provided in the control means 19 indicates an acidic water passage time when the acidic water is passed before the start of the passage of the alkaline ionized water or the discharge of the purified water. This is an acidic water flow time control block that issues a command to set and supply acidic water to the electrolytic cell 7. By the acidic water flow time control block 24, while the acidic water is flowing, the acidic ion water is generated and discharged with a warning sound of drinking prohibition regardless of the alkaline ion water generation mode or the water purification mode. Then, when the set time has elapsed, 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.

The setting of the acidic water flow time may be a fixed time, or the set time may be increased or decreased according to the water stoppage time before water flow. For example, if the water stoppage time before water passage is long, it is highly likely that many bacteria are growing during that time, and in order to sterilize those bacteria, it is necessary to lengthen the water passage time in acidic water It is.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an electrode chamber pressure adjusting unit which is provided immediately before the electrode chamber having the electrode plate 10 and is provided for adjusting the internal pressure of the electrode chamber having the electrode plate 9 and the electrode chamber having the electrode plate 10. It is. In the alkaline ionized water generation mode, the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode, alkali ionized water is generated in the electrode chamber, and the other electrode plate 10 serves as an anode. Is generated. At this time, by adjusting the internal pressure of each electrode chamber by the electrode chamber pressure adjusting unit 25 so that residual chlorine enough to kill bacteria is leaked to the electrode chamber side having the electrode plate 9, during the generation of alkaline ionized water. It is also possible to sterilize the adhered bacteria, to discharge safe water not contaminated by bacteria, and to create an environment in which the pH sensor section is free from slimming due to bacterial contamination and the like.

In the water purification mode, the water passing through the electrode chamber having the electrode plate 10 is also discharged through the electrode chamber having the electrode plate 9 because the solenoid valve 22 is closed. By applying a voltage such that the electrode plate 9 serves as a cathode and the electrode plate 10 serves as an anode, and a voltage that generates residual chlorine to the extent that the bacteria are disinfected is applied, bacteria adhered even during discharge of purified water can be removed. It can sterilize and discharges safe water that is not contaminated by bacteria,
Create an environment where slime due to bacterial contamination does not occur in the pH sensor section.

In this case, electrolysis is performed by applying a voltage to each electrode. Since the ionized water generated in each electrode chamber is mixed and neutralized and discharged, the purified water has a pH of about 7. . The polarity may be such that the electrode plate 9 is an anode and the electrode plate 10 is a cathode.

Reference numeral 26 provided in the control means 19 is a water stoppage voltage application control block for applying a voltage to the electrode plates 9 and 10 such that residual chlorine is generated to the extent that bacteria are killed in the water stoppage. In response to the command from the water stoppage voltage application control block 26, residual chlorine is generated to such an extent that bacteria are continuously or continuously sterilized to create an environment in which bacteria and slime do not occur in all water passages, and water is stopped. Sterilize bacteria that have arisen or have already adhered. In addition,
The polarity may be such that the electrode plate 9 is an anode and the electrode plate 10 is a cathode, or the electrode plate 9 may be a cathode and the electrode plate 10 may be an anode. In addition, both polarities may appear.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, slime caused by bacteria generated in the water passage or bacterial contamination generated in the pH sensor portion, and precipitates such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in the water. Can be effectively removed, and a good environment can be maintained without generating bacteria even in a long-time water stop state.

[0039]

As can be seen from the above description, according to the alkali ion water conditioner of the present invention, the slime caused by bacteria contaminated in the water passage and the bacteria contaminated in the pH sensor at the time of stopping water and the water in the water are prevented. Precipitates such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained can be removed effectively, thereby maintaining a good environment without bacteria generation even in a long-time water-stop state, and safe And a highly reliable alkali ion water conditioner can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water tap 3 Alkaline ion water purifier 4 Water purification part 5 Calcium supply part 6 Flow rate sensor 7 Electrolysis tank 8 Diaphragm 9,10 Electrode plate 11 Drainage pipe 12 Flow control part 13 Discharge pipe 14,22 Solenoid valve 15 Water discharge pipe Reference Signs List 16 Water purification unit detection sensor 17 Power supply plug 18 Power supply unit 19 Control means 20 Operation display unit 21 pH sensor 23 Voltage application control block 24 Acid water flow time control block 25 Electrode indoor pressure adjustment unit 26 Water stop voltage application control block

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An alkali ion water purifier having an electrolytic cell and a water passage system connected to the electrolytic cell and generating alkaline ionized water by electrolysis, wherein the acidic water is passed through at the initial stage of the generation of the alkaline ionized water. An alkali ion water conditioner comprising a control means for passing water through a waterway system and sterilizing bacteria generated in the waterway system. 2. A control means for supplying acidic water to said water passage system at the initial stage of discharge of purified water during discharge of purified water without generating ionized water, and comprising a control means for sterilizing bacteria generated in said water passage system. The alkali ion water purifier according to claim 1, wherein 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acidic water is passed through the water passage before discharging the alkaline ionized water or purified water. The alkali ion water purifier according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control means for removing precipitates such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained therein. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for causing residual chlorine generated in the anode chamber to leak to the discharge side of the water passage when discharging the alkaline ionized water or purified water.
An alkali ion water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The alkali ion water conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising control means for generating the residual chlorine by electrolysis when water is stopped.