JPH11300355A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an electrolytic water generator having a simple structure capable of obtaining drinking alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water. SOLUTION: First and second electrodes 2 and 3 are arranged facing each other in a supply area D, and first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 2 are arranged in an ejection area E.
No. 2 was arranged facing. The first electrode 2 is an anode, the second electrode 3
Is applied as a cathode, and the first and second sub-electrodes 2 are applied.
In the state where no voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 22 and 22, drinking alkaline ionized water is obtained in the first area D _{1, and} thus in the third area E ₁ and the fourth area E _2a , and the first electrode 2 serves as an anode and the second electrode 3 serves as an electrode. Is a cathode, the first sub-electrode 21 is an anode, the second
Sub-electrode 22 of the strongly acidic water is obtained in the third range E ₁ by a voltage applied to a cathode. Since the production of drinking alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water is achieved by disposing the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 and the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 in the electrolytic cell 1, There is no increase in complexity and cost of the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generator used to generate electrolyzed water such as alkaline ionized water and acidic water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an electrolytic water generator has been used to obtain alkaline ionized water for drinking and acidic ionized water (hereinafter referred to as acidic water) used for cosmetics or disinfection. FIG. 8 shows an example of the electrolyzed water generator. In FIG. 8, a pair of electrodes (hereinafter, referred to as first and second electrodes) 2 and 3 and a first electrode are provided in an electrolytic cell 1.
And a diaphragm 4 for separating a region A where the electrode 2 is disposed and a region B where the second electrode 3 is disposed. A power supply circuit 6 is connected to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 via a polarity inversion circuit 5.

In a normal state in which the polarity inversion circuit 5 is not operated, plus and minus voltages are respectively applied to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 (first and second electrodes 2 and 3). Constitute an anode and a cathode, respectively. Thereby, the water to be treated is electrolyzed, and at the same time, the cations in the water to be treated pass through the diaphragm 4 and move to the second electrode 3 side. Alkaline ionized water is obtained in the region B, and at the same time, anions pass through the diaphragm 4 and move to the first electrode 2 side, so that acidic water is obtained in the region A. Electrolyzer 1
Corresponds to a region A in which the first electrode 2 is disposed and a region B in which the second electrode 3 is disposed, respectively, which are referred to as first and second discharge tubes 7 and 8 for convenience. Is connected.

[0004] The electrolytic cell 1 is connected to a water supply source 10 such as a water tap via a water supply pipe 9 so that water to be treated is supplied. The water supply pipe 9 is provided with a flow control means 11 such as a flow control valve for adjusting the flow rate of the water to be treated, a flow meter 12, and a water purification means 13 from upstream to downstream.
It is interposed in this order. The water purification means 13 includes activated carbon, nonwoven fabric, hollow fiber, and the like, and removes residual chlorine, bacteria, red rust, and the like existing in the water to be treated.

[0005] An inorganic electrolyte adding means 14 is connected to a downstream portion of the water purification means 13 in the water supply pipe 9.
The inorganic electrolyte adding means 14 can supply an inorganic electrolyte of a type corresponding to the target electrolyzed water to the water supply pipe 9. When the target electrolyzed water is alkaline water, for example, sodium glycerophosphate, calcium glycerophosphate or calcium lactate is used as the inorganic electrolyte, and when the target electrolyzed water is acidic water, the inorganic electrolyte is, for example, chloride. Sodium or potassium chloride is used.

A control unit 15 is connected to the polarity inversion circuit 5, the power supply circuit 6, the flow rate adjusting means 11, the flow meter 12, and the inorganic electrolyte adding means 14. The control unit 15 controls the power supply circuit 6 and the polarity reversing circuit 5 based on the measurement data of the flow meter 12 to generate electrolytic water, remove deposits on the electrodes (cleaning), and perform desired water quality. (PH)
Each part is controlled so as to maintain.

[0007]

In the electrolyzed water generator, the electrolysis such as the applied voltage (supply current) and the supply amount of the water to be treated depends on which of the alkaline ionized water and the acidic water is produced. Conditions are made different. In particular, in the case of drinking alkaline ionized water and acidic water (strongly acidic water) having a strong bactericidal action (high acidity), the electrolysis conditions and the like are greatly different. Attempts to obtain potable alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water have resulted in a complicated structure, resulting in an increase in the price of the apparatus, and have not been able to cope appropriately.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic water generator having a simple structure capable of obtaining drinking alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water.

[0009]

The present invention is an electrolyzed water generator having an electrolyzer for electrolyzing water to be treated to generate electrolyzed water. An electrolytic range in which a region on the treated water supply side and a region on the electrolytic water discharge side communicating with the region on the treated water supply side are divided, and the region on the electrolytic water discharge side communicates with the region on the treated water supply side. And a non-electrolytic range, wherein a pair of electrodes are arranged in the region on the side of the water to be treated, and a pair of sub-electrodes are arranged in the electrolytic range.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electrolyzed water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that descriptions of members and portions equivalent to those shown in FIG. 8 will be omitted as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic cell 1 has a flat box shape with a small thickness in one direction (the XX ′ direction in FIG. 2), and the surface portion in the XX ′ direction (for convenience, the surface portion on the X side is The first surface portion 1a, the surface portion on the X 'side is referred to as a second surface portion 1b.) The other surface portion (the surface portion in the YY' direction, the surface portion in the direction orthogonal to the XX 'direction and the YY' direction). The shape is larger than that. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, one end of a water supply pipe 9 is connected to the Y side (hereinafter referred to as a lower side) in the YY ′ direction. , Water to be treated is supplied from the lower side. The Y ′ side of the electrolytic cell 1 in the YY ′ direction (hereinafter, referred to as the Y ′ side)
It is called the upper side. As shown in FIG. 1, three holes (hereinafter referred to as first, second, and third) are arranged in the center in FIG.
This is called the third hole. ) 16, 17, 18 are formed.

One end of the first discharge pipe 7 is connected to the first hole 16, and one end of the second discharge pipe 8 is connected to the third hole 18. One end of an auxiliary cylinder 19 is connected to the second hole 17. The auxiliary cylinder 19 is connected to the middle part of the first discharge pipe 7 and the middle part of the second discharge pipe 8 via the switching valve 20, respectively. The communication with the first discharge pipe 7 and the communication between the auxiliary cylinder 19 and the second discharge pipe 8 can be selectively performed.

1 and 2 are provided in an area D (hereinafter referred to as a supply area) on the lower side (water supply side of the treated water) in the electrolytic cell 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, first and second rectangular plates 2 and 3 are arranged. The first electrode 2 is disposed opposite to and near the first surface 1a, and the second electrode 3 is disposed adjacent to and adjacent to the second surface 1b. 3 is opposed. Between the first and second electrodes 2 and 3, a portion (referred to as a first range) D ₁ in the supply region D where the first electrode 2 is disposed and a second region in the supply region D
Portion arranged in the electrode 3 membrane 4 to separate the D ₂ (referred to as a second range) is provided. In this case, the ratio of the distance m between the first electrode 2 and the diaphragm 4 (hereinafter referred to as distance m) to the distance n between the second electrode 3 and the diaphragm 4 (hereinafter referred to as distance n) is 8: 2 (distance m: The diaphragm 4 is arranged so that the distance n = 8: 2).

An upper (discharge side) area E (hereinafter referred to as a discharge area) E in the electrolytic cell 1 has first and second rectangular plate shapes.
Are arranged. First sub electrode 2
The first sub-electrode 22 is disposed opposite to and near the first surface portion 1a, and the second sub-electrode 22 is disposed opposite to the second surface portion 1b at a predetermined distance and away from the first surface portion 1a. Sub electrode 21,
Numeral 22 is opposed. In the present embodiment,
The second sub-electrode 22 is disposed above the diaphragm 4.

[0014] Between the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22,
Portion of the discharge region E where the first sub-electrode 21 is arranged
(Hereinafter, referred to as a third range) E₁ And in the ejection region E
A portion where the second sub-electrode 22 is disposed (hereinafter referred to as a fourth range)
U) E_Two (Hereinafter, referred to as a sub-membrane) 4
A is provided. In this case, the first sub-electrode 21 and
The distance r between the sub diaphragms 4A (hereinafter referred to as distance r) and the second sub
The distance s between the electrode 22 and the sub-diaphragm 4A (hereinafter referred to as distance s)
U) is 5: 5 (distance r: distance s = 5: 5)
Thus, the sub diaphragm 4A is arranged. The first hole 1
6 is the third range E₁ , And the second hole 17 is
4 range E_Two Between the second sub-electrode 22 and the sub-diaphragm 4A
Minute (hereinafter referred to as range 4a) E_2aTo face
The third hole 18 is in the fourth area E_Two And the second sub-electrode 22
A portion between the second surface portion 1b (hereinafter, referred to as a 4b range)
U. ) E_2bIt is provided facing. In this embodiment
Is the third range E ₁ And the 4a range E_2aConstitutes the electrolysis range
And the 4b range E_2bConstitutes the non-electrolytic range.

The first sub-electrode 21 and the second sub-electrode 22 are provided with a polarity inversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as a sub-polarity inversion circuit) 5.
A power supply circuit 6 is connected via A. The sub-polarity inverting circuit 5 </ b> A switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the first sub-electrode 21 and the second sub-electrode 22 and has a switch function. The connection to the first sub-electrode 21 and the second sub-electrode 22 can be stopped by cutting off the connection with the first sub-electrode 21 and the second sub-electrode 22.

In this electrolyzed water generator, an inorganic electrolyte adding means (hereinafter, referred to as a second inorganic electrolyte adding means) for adding an inorganic electrolyte (sodium chloride or potassium chloride) when strongly acidic water is generated in addition to the inorganic electrolyte adding means 14. Means.)
14A is provided. Second inorganic electrolyte adding means 14
A, the inorganic electrolytes (sodium chloride or potassium chloride) the third range the addition port 14b so as to supply to the E ₁ is opened to the portion (third range E _1).

In this electrolyzed water generator, the water supply pipe 9
The flow rate fixing means 23 is interposed in the portion on the side of the electrolytic cell 1 so that the flow rate of the water to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 1 can be kept constant (fixed).

The switching valve 20, the auxiliary polarity reversing circuit 5A, the flow rate fixing means 23, and the second inorganic electrolyte adding means 14A comprise a polarity reversing circuit 5, a power supply circuit 6, a flow rate adjusting means 11, a flow meter 12, and an inorganic electrolyte adding means. Control unit 15 together with 14
It is connected to the. The control unit 15 controls the power supply circuit 6, the polarity reversing circuit 5, the sub-polarity reversing circuit 5A, the second inorganic electrolyte adding unit 14A, and the like based on the measurement data of the flow meter 12, the selection setting of the alkaline ionized water or the strongly acidic water, and the like. Controlled electrolysis water (drinkable alkaline ionized water or strong acid water)
Are generated, and the respective parts are controlled so as to maintain a desired water quality (pH).

Next, the operation of the electrolyzed water generator having the above configuration will be described.
Will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG.
As shown, by input from a selection switch (not shown)
Electrolyzed water intended by the user is a drinking alkali ion
Water or strong acid water (acid water for sterilization)
Is set (step S1). Alkaline for drinking in step S1
When the ionic water is selected, the flow control means 11 is opened to operate.
Then, water flow is started (step S2). Continue to step S2
And the first electrode 2 serves as a cathode and the second electrode 3 serves as an anode
Voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 as shown in FIG.
Step S3). The first electrode 2 is a cathode, the second electrode 3 is an anode
Voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 so that
As a result, as shown in FIG.₁ To al
Cali ion water is obtained, and the second range D_Two Acid water
can get. First range D₁ Alkaline ionized water obtained
Is the third range E₁ And the 4a range E _2aSent to the second category
Surround D_Two The acidic water obtained in the range 4b range E_2bSent to

Subsequent to step S3, the sub-polarity inverting circuit 5A is operated to stop supplying power to the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 (step S4). Subsequent to step S4, the switching valve 20 is operated to allow the auxiliary cylinder 19 to communicate with the first discharge pipe 7 (step S5).

In step S4, the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and
By energization of the 2 is stopped, electrolytic processing is not performed for a large amount of alkaline ionized water fed to the third range E ₁ and the 4a range E _2a, the alkali ion water first, It is guided from the first discharge pipe 7 to the outside through the auxiliary cylinder 19 and the switching valve 20 through the second holes 16 and 17 (step S6). Further, a small amount of acidic water sent to the fourth range _E2b is discharged from the second discharge pipe 8 to the outside.

When the electrolyzed water intended by the user is strongly acidic water (acidic water for sterilization) and the strongly acidic water is selected in step S1, the flow control means 11 is opened to start the flow. Is performed (step S2A). In addition, at the time of this water flow, the flow rate fixing means 23 is operated to fix the flow rate of the water to be treated supplied to the electrolytic cell 1 (to make it constant), and to maintain the property of the obtained strongly acidic water at a constant level. I have. Steps
Following S2A, a voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 so that the first electrode 2 functions as an anode and the second electrode 3 functions as a cathode (step S3A). First electrode 2 is an anode, the first as the second electrode 3 as a cathode, by applying a voltage to the second electrodes 2 and 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the first range D ₁ acidic water is obtained, the alkali ion water is obtained in the second range D _2. Acid water obtained in the first range D ₁ is sent to the third range E ₁ and the 4a range E _2a, alkali ion water obtained in the second range D ₂ are sent to the 4a range E _2a.

Subsequent to step S3A, the auxiliary polarity inverting circuit 5A
Is operated to make the first sub-electrode 21 an anode and the second sub-electrode 2
A voltage is applied to the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 so that 2 becomes a cathode (step S4A). When a voltage is applied (re-electrolysis) to the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22, the second
And an inorganic electrolyte addition means 14A is operated, may be supplied with sodium chloride or potassium chloride in the third range E _1. Subsequent to step S4A, the switching valve 20 is operated to communicate the auxiliary cylinder 19 with the second discharge pipe 8 (disconnect the communication between the auxiliary cylinder 19 and the first discharge pipe 7) (step S4A).
S5A).

In step S4A, the first sub-electrode 21 is
When a voltage is applied to the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 so that the second sub-electrode 22 becomes a cathode, the acidic water sent to the third range E ₁ and the fourth range E _2a is applied to the acidic water. is again the electrolytic process is performed for, the acidic water in the third range E ₁ is generated (strongly acidic water), to the 4a range E _2a, acidic water produced in the third range E ₁ (strongly acidic water) Electrolyzed water that is more neutral than neutral is generated.

The strongly acidic water produced in the third range E ₁ is
Is guided from the first discharge pipe 7 to the outside through the hole 16 (step S6A). Further, the alkaline ionized water sent to the fourth range E _2b and the water generated in the fourth range E _2a are mixed and discharged to the outside from the second discharge pipe 8.

As described above, the polarity of the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes 2 and 3 is inverted between when strongly acidic water is generated and when alkaline ionized water is generated. Therefore, a compound (scale) such as calcium precipitated on the first electrode 2 or the second electrode 3 when the alkaline ionized water is generated can be washed. In the prior art, the polarity was periodically inverted for cleaning separately from the intended generation of electrolyzed water. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, drinking alkaline ionized water and strong The choice of acidic water is convenient because scale removal can be achieved.

As described above, the first electrode 2 is an anode,
The first and second electrodes 2 and 3 so that the second electrode 3 becomes a cathode.
(Step S3A), and the first range D₁ Acidic
Water is generated, the first sub-electrode 21 serves as an anode, and the second sub-electrode 2
The first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 are connected so that 2 becomes a cathode.
Apply voltage to the first range D₁ Electrolytic treatment for acidic water from
The third range E₁ To obtain strong acid water, the first discharge pipe
7 is discharged. In addition, the first electrode 2 is a cathode,
The first and second electrodes 2 and 3 are electrically connected so that the electrode 3 serves as an anode.
Pressure is applied (step S3), and the first range D₁ Al for drinking
Generating potassium ion water, in which case the first and second sub-electrodes
The first range D₁ Generated in
Drinking alkaline ionized water is in the third range E₁ And the 4a range
Enclosure E _2aIs discharged from the first discharge pipe 7 through the
S6).

The first and second electrodes 2 and 3 (a pair of electrodes) are supplied to a supply region D (region on the supply side of the water to be treated) in the electrolytic cell 1 by producing alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water for drinking. This is achieved by arranging and arranging the first and second sub-electrodes 21 and 22 (a pair of sub-electrodes) in the discharge area E (area on the electrolytic water discharge side), so that the structure is complicated and the apparatus is expensive. Never invite.

The production of drinking alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water is controlled by a supply area D (area on the supply side of the water to be treated) and a discharge area E (area on the electrolytic water discharge side) formed in the electrolytic cell 1. Are provided with a pair of electrodes and a pair of auxiliary electrodes, so that the structure is simplified and the cable length and, consequently, the energy loss are minimized as compared with the case where the pair of auxiliary electrodes are provided outside the electrolytic cell 1. The electrolysis efficiency can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where the diaphragm 4 is arranged so that the ratio of the distance m to the distance n is 8: 2 (distance m: distance n = 8: 2) has been described as an example. Is not limited to this, and may be another ratio (7: 3, 6: 4, etc.). Further, the sub-diaphragm 4 is set so that the distance r: distance s = 5: 5.
A has been described as an example, but is not limited to this, and other ratios (5.5: 4.5, 5.4: 4.6, 4.5: 5.5.
5, 4.6: 5.4, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the case where the power supply circuit 6 is used in common for the polarity inversion circuit 5 and the sub-polarity inversion circuit 5A has been described as an example. The power supply circuit may be provided independently.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the acidic water generated by the electrolysis of the pair of electrodes and reaching the region on the discharge side of the electrolytic water can be re-electrolyzed by the pair of sub-electrodes. It is also possible to discharge the alkaline ionized water generated by the electrolysis of the pair of electrodes by passing through the region on the electrolytic water discharge side without applying a voltage to the pair of sub-electrodes. The generation of drinking alkaline ionized water and strongly acidic water can be achieved by an electrolytic cell containing a pair of electrodes and a pair of sub-electrodes,
It is possible to reduce the cost of the device without causing the device to be complicated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the electrolytic cell 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line XX ′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line YY ′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the operation of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 1 for the purpose of generating alkaline ionized water.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 1 for generating acidic water.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a conventional electrolyzed water generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 electrolytic bath 2, 3 first and second electrodes (pair of electrodes) 21, 22 first and second sub-electrodes (pair of sub-electrodes) D supply area (area on supply side of treated water) E discharge area (electrolytic water discharge side of the region) E ₁ third range (electrolytic range) E _2a. 4a range (electrolytic range) E _2b. 4b range (non-electrolytic range)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electrolyzed water generator having an electrolyzer for electrolyzing unprocessed water to generate electrolyzed water, wherein the electrolyzer includes a region on the unprocessed water supply side in the electrolyzer and the electrolyzer. Dividing into the region on the electrolytic water discharge side communicating with the region on the treated water supply side, dividing the region on the electrolytic water discharge side into an electrolytic range and a non-electrolytic range respectively communicating with the region on the treated water supply side, Placing a pair of electrodes in the region on the treated water supply side,
An electrolyzed water generator comprising a pair of sub-electrodes arranged in the electrolysis range.