Electrolytic water dispersing device

Abstract

The electrolytic water distribution device of the present application includes: a short-period maintenance water storage portion (30) for storing liquid, which requires short-period maintenance; a long-period maintenance water storage portion (31) for storing liquid, which requires long-period maintenance; and a notification control portion (43) for separately notifying the period of short-period maintenance and the period of long-period maintenance. The notification control portion (43) simultaneously performs the notification of the period of short-period maintenance and the notification of the period of long-period maintenance in the case where the period of next short-period maintenance is close to the period of next long-period maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrolytic water distribution device. Background Technology

[0002] For the removal (including inactivation) of bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, etc., in the air, there are known devices that generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolysis and then release the electrolyzed water (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the generation of hypochlorous acid, an electrolysis promoter such as salt is added to produce water containing chloride ions.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-24811 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In existing electrolyzed water distribution devices, electrolyzed water is generated in a storage section, and the generated electrolyzed water is continuously brought into contact with air drawn in from the outside. The air is then released directly from the storage section to the outside. However, in cases where the device is divided into an electrolyzed water storage section that generates and stores the electrolyzed water, and a distribution storage section that stores the electrolyzed water supplied from the storage section and released to the outside, the maintenance time required for each section differs.

[0007] Specifically, if electrolysis continues in the water electrolysis reservoir, inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and silica in the water will adhere as impurities to the electrolysis unit, potentially shortening its lifespan. Most impurities are transported along with the electrolyzed water when it is supplied to the reservoir, but some remain. Therefore, although infrequent, regular cleaning and maintenance of the water electrolysis reservoir are necessary.

[0008] When electrolyzed water is received from the electrolyzed water storage section in the distribution water storage section, impurities are introduced into the electrolyzed water. These impurities accumulate in the distribution water storage section. If impurities continue to accumulate in the distribution water storage section, the performance of the filter used to release (discharge) the electrolyzed water will deteriorate. Therefore, regular cleaning and maintenance of the distribution water storage section are necessary.

[0009] Existing electrolyzed water distribution devices require two notification functions: one for informing the user when maintenance is needed in the electrolyzed water storage section, and another for informing them when maintenance is needed in the distribution section. If these notifications are sent independently, the user may be immediately notified of the need for maintenance after performing one type of maintenance, which is both inconvenient and time-consuming for the user.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a technology that improves the convenience for users regarding maintenance.

[0011] The electrolyzed water distributing device of the present invention is an electrolyzed water distributing device for releasing (discharging) electrolyzed water, comprising: a short-cycle maintenance water storage section for storing liquid, which requires maintenance on a short cycle basis, i.e., short-cycle maintenance; a long-cycle maintenance water storage section for storing liquid, which requires maintenance on a longer cycle basis than the maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section, i.e., long-cycle maintenance; and a notification control section, which respectively notifies the short-cycle maintenance water storage section of the timing of short-cycle maintenance and the long-cycle maintenance water storage section of the timing of long-cycle maintenance. The notification control section simultaneously notifies both the timing of the next short-cycle maintenance and the timing of the next long-cycle maintenance when the timing of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the timing of the next long-cycle maintenance.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for users regarding maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the water electrolysis distribution device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic water distribution device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from the right side.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic functional block diagram of the control unit and peripheral unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the control sequence of the control unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the control sequence of the control unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, presented as a time sequence.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the control sequence of the control unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the control sequence of the control unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, presented as a time sequence. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are examples given to concretize the technical concept of the invention, and the invention is not limited to the following. In particular, the materials, shapes, constituent elements, arrangements of constituent elements, and relative arrangements described in the embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these. In addition, in the various figures, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same structures, and repeated descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0021] Existing water electrolysis distribution devices generate chloride-containing water by dissolving an electrolysis promoter in the water of the storage section, and then electrolyze the chloride-containing water to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen. Furthermore, in existing devices, the generated electrolyzed water and air drawn in from the outside are continuously in contact inside the storage section, and the air that has come into contact with the air is released to the outside by the rotation of a fan. Therefore, the electrolyzed water in the storage section is easily contaminated due to contact with air. If the electrolyzed water is contaminated, the electrolysis unit may deteriorate. Therefore, in this embodiment, a new structure for an electrolyzed water distribution device with a structure that makes the electrolysis unit less prone to deterioration will be described.

[0022] (Implementation Method 1)

[0023] Hereinafter, the methods for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the electrolyzed water distribution device Z is a device for releasing electrolyzed water, including the main body shell 1.

[0024] The main body shell 1 is a roughly box-shaped box, including an air intake 2, an exhaust outlet 4, and a panel 3. Here, [the following is a description of a feature / feature]... Figure 1 In the state of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z, the side with panel 3 is designated as the "front", the side opposite to the front of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z is designated as the "back", and the right side is designated as the "right side" when viewed from the front side of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z.

[0025] The air intake 2 is located on both sides of the main body shell 1 and is a grid-like (grid-like) opening that introduces air from outside the main body shell 1 into the main body shell 1.

[0026] The exhaust port 4 is located on the back side of the top surface of the main body shell 1, and is an openable opening for discharging (blowing out) air that has been introduced (taken in) from the intake port 2 into the main body shell 1 to the outside of the main body shell 1. Figure 1 In the middle, outlet 4 is in the closed state.

[0027] Panel 3 is located on the front of the main body shell 1. Panel 3 is an openable and closable cover, mainly made of plastic resin.

[0028] Figure 2 Viewed from the right side Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the electrolytic water distribution device at time Z. Figure 2 This indicates the internal structure of the water electrolysis distribution device Z.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the main body shell 1 includes: a water storage section 5, a first pump 7, a first water delivery path 9, a second pump 8, a second water delivery path 10, a water supply section 11, an electrolyzed water storage section 12, an electrolysis promoter addition section 13, an electrolysis unit 14, a third pump 15, a third water delivery path 16, a distributing water storage section 17, a distributing section 18, an air supply section 19, an air passage (air duct) 20, and a control section 21.

[0030] The water storage section 5 has a box shape with an open top surface and a structure capable of storing water supplied from the water supply section 11 (described later). The water storage section 5 is, for example, located on the lower part of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z. The water storage section 5 is integrally formed with the distribution water storage section 17 (described later), and can be installed and removed together with the distribution water storage section 17 by opening the panel 3 and sliding it relative to the main body housing 1 in the front-back direction. The water storage section 5 has a structure capable of maintaining the water supply section 11. The water storage section 5 includes a detection section 6.

[0031] The detection unit 6 detects the water level in the water storage unit 5. For example, it may consist of a magnet with a float that has internal buoyancy and a magnetic detection unit located opposite the float magnet that detects the magnetic force of the magnet. However, this configuration may not be necessary if the water level can be detected. The detection unit 6 detects a water shortage in the water storage unit 5 by detecting that the water level in the water storage unit 5 is below the water shortage level. The water shortage level is, for example, a water level lower than the opening / closing section of the water supply unit 11, which is a problematic level when water is supplied from the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 (described later). A problematic water level when water is supplied from the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 refers to a level where air mixes into the water in the first pump 7 and the second pump 8 when water is supplied from the first pump 7 and the second pump 8. This is because when the water level drops, air enters the pump, leading to a decrease in water delivery and abnormal noise. When the water level in the water storage unit 5 falls below the water shortage level, the detection unit 6 sends a water shortage detection signal to the control unit 21.

[0032] A first pump 7 is disposed within the water storage section 5 and connected to a first water supply passage 9. The first pump 7 operates according to instructions from the control unit 21, drawing water stored in the water storage section 5 into the first water supply passage 9. The first water supply passage 9 is a pipe connecting the water storage section 5 and the electrolyzed water storage section 12, and has a supply port 24 at the side end of the electrolyzed water storage section 12. Water drawn by the first pump 7 flows within the first water supply passage 9 and is supplied to the electrolyzed water storage section 12 from the supply port 24. In other words, the first pump 7 and the first water supply passage 9 supply water from the water storage section 5 to the electrolyzed water storage section 12.

[0033] The second pump 8 is disposed within the water storage section 5 and connected to the second water supply passage 10. The second pump 8 operates according to instructions from the control unit 21, drawing water stored in the water storage section 5 into the second water supply passage 10. The second water supply passage 10 is a pipe connecting the water storage section 5 and the distribution water storage section 17. The water drawn by the second pump 8 flows within the second water supply passage 10 and is supplied to the distribution water storage section 17; that is, the second pump 8 and the second water supply passage 10 supply water from the water storage section 5 to the distribution water storage section 17.

[0034] The water supply unit 11 is located above the water storage unit 5. The water supply unit 11 is a water tank that stores water internally, and is detachable from the water storage unit 5. The water supply unit 11 can be removed with the panel 3 open. A cover (not shown) is provided at the opening (not shown) of the water supply unit 11, and an opening / closing part (not shown) is provided in the center of the cover. When the opening / closing part is open, water from the water supply unit 11 is supplied to the water storage unit 5.

[0035] Specifically, the opening of the water supply unit 11 faces downwards, and when the water supply unit 11 is installed in the water storage unit 5, the opening and closing part is open. That is, when the water supply unit 11 containing water is installed in the water storage unit 5, the opening and closing part is open to supply water to the water storage unit 5, and water accumulates in the water storage unit 5. When the water level in the water storage unit 5 rises to the position of the cover, the opening of the water supply unit 11 is water-sealed, and the water supply stops. When there is water remaining inside the water supply unit 11, whenever the water level in the water storage unit 5 drops, the water inside the water supply unit 11 supplies water to the water storage unit 5. As a result, the water level in the water storage unit 5 remains constant.

[0036] The electrolyzed water storage section 12 has a box shape with an open top surface and is disposed below the supply port 24 at the side end of the first water supply passage 9. The electrolyzed water storage section 12 stores water supplied from the supply port 24. On the upper side of the electrolyzed water storage section 12, an electrolysis promoter injection section 13 is disposed side by side with the supply port 24.

[0037] The electrolysis accelerator dispensing unit 13 is capable of storing electrolysis accelerators internally. When the control unit 21 issues an instruction to dispense electrolysis accelerators, the tablet dispensing component (not shown) rotates. As the tablet dispensing component rotates, the electrolysis accelerators fall into the electrolyzed water reservoir 12. The electrolysis accelerator dispensing unit 13 counts the number of electrolysis accelerators falling into the electrolyzed water reservoir 12, and stops rotating the tablet dispensing component when it is determined that one electrolysis accelerator has fallen into the electrolyzed water reservoir 12. That is, the electrolysis accelerator dispensing unit 13 dispenses electrolysis accelerators into the electrolyzed water reservoir 12. By dissolving the electrolysis accelerators in the water within the electrolyzed water reservoir 12, water containing chloride ions is generated in the electrolyzed water reservoir 12. An example of an electrolysis accelerator is sodium chloride, which is used to form an electrolysis-accelerated tablet.

[0038] The electrolysis unit 14 includes electrodes that are immersed in water within the electrolyzed water storage section 12. The electrolysis unit 14 electrochemically electrolyzes the chloride-containing water in the electrolyzed water storage section 12 by applying current to the electrodes, generating electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species. Here, reactive oxygen species refer to oxygen molecules and related substances that have higher oxidizing activity than ordinary oxygen. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only narrowly defined reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anions, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, or hydrogen peroxide, but also broadly defined reactive oxygen species such as ozone and hypochlorous acid.

[0039] Electrolysis unit 14 generates electrolyzed water by repeatedly performing one cycle, which includes the energizing time for electrolysis and the time after energizing stops (i.e., the non-energizing time). By setting a non-energizing time for electrolysis unit 14, its lifespan is extended. Extending the energizing time compared to the non-energizing time results in the generation of electrolyzed water containing a greater amount of reactive oxygen species in each cycle. Conversely, extending the non-energizing time compared to the energizing time suppresses the generation of reactive oxygen species in each cycle. Furthermore, increasing the electrical force during the energizing time allows for the generation of electrolyzed water containing an even greater amount of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the electrolyzed water storage unit 12 can be considered a tank for generating and storing electrolyzed water from water containing an electrolysis promoter.

[0040] The third pump 15 is disposed within the electrolyzed water storage section 12 and is connected to the third water supply passage 16. The third pump 15 operates according to instructions from the control unit 21, drawing electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water storage section 12 into the third water supply passage 16. The third water supply passage 16 is a pipe connecting the electrolyzed water storage section 12 and the distribution water storage section 17. Water drawn by the third pump 15 flows within the third water supply passage 16 and is supplied to the distribution water storage section 17. In other words, the third pump 15 and the third water supply passage 16 supply electrolyzed water from the electrolyzed water storage section 12 to the distribution water storage section 17.

[0041] The water distribution storage section 17 has a box shape with an open top surface, and stores the distributed water obtained by mixing water supplied from the water storage section 5 and electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water storage section 12. This is equivalent to using the water supplied from the water storage section 5 to dilute the electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water storage section 12.

[0042] The distribution section 18 has water retention properties and is a cylindrical filter with holes in its circumference to allow air to pass through. The distribution section 18 is configured to be installed with one end immersed in the distribution water storage section 17, and rotates under the action of a drive unit (not shown) provided in the distribution water storage section 17, so that the electrolyzed water and air are in continuous contact.

[0043] An air supply unit 19 is located in the center of the main body shell 1, and is composed, for example, of an electric motor (not shown), a Sirocco fan (not shown), and a housing (not shown) surrounding them. The air supply unit 19 uses the electric motor to rotate the Sirocco fan, drawing air from outside the main body shell 1 through the air intake 2. The air drawn in from the air intake 2 is then drawn into the housing from the lower part through the distribution section 18. The air drawn into the housing is discharged out of the main body shell 1 through the exhaust port 4. Thus, the air drawn in from the air intake 2 is discharged from the exhaust port 4.

[0044] The air passage 20 connects the intake port 2 and the exhaust port 4. In this air passage 20, starting from the intake port 2, it sequentially includes a distribution section 18, an air supply section 19, and an exhaust port 4. When the Sirocco fan in the air supply section 19 rotates, the air entering the main body shell 1 of the air passage 20 from the intake port 2 is sequentially discharged to the outside of the main body shell 1 via the distribution section 18, the air supply section 19, and the exhaust port 4. At this time, by allowing the intake air to pass through the distribution section 18, the electrolyzed water permeated in the distribution section 18 is released to the outside of the main body shell 1. Alternatively, the electrolyzed water distribution device Z may not necessarily distribute the electrolyzed water itself; even if the reactive oxygen species generated from the electrolyzed water (including those that evaporate) are released, they are included in the electrolyzed water distribution.

[0045] The control unit 21 controls the electrolyzed water distribution device Z, but the details of its control will be explained later.

[0046] In addition, a notification display unit 22 and an operation unit 23 are provided on the top surface of the main body shell 1.

[0047] The notification display unit 22 is used to urge the user to perform maintenance operations. The notification display unit 22 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), which is turned on according to the instruction from the control unit 21, thereby urging the user to perform maintenance operations. The LED includes a short-cycle maintenance LED for notifying short-cycle maintenance and a long-cycle maintenance LED for notifying long-cycle maintenance.

[0048] The operation unit 23 includes user-operable buttons, including at least a maintenance complete button 50. When the user completes the maintenance work and presses the maintenance complete button 50, a message is sent to the control unit 21 indicating that the maintenance complete button 50 has been pressed.

[0049] In this embodiment, maintenance performed by the user includes short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance. The components requiring short-cycle maintenance are the distribution water storage section 7 and the water storage section 5. That is, the distribution water storage section 17 and the water storage section 5 can also be considered as the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30, which stores liquid and requires short-term maintenance. In the distribution water storage section 17, when electrolyzed water is supplied from the electrolyzed water storage section 12, impurities such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and silica are mixed in and continuously accumulate. As impurities accumulate, the performance of the filter in the distribution section 18 deteriorates. Therefore, at least one of drainage and cleaning needs to be performed periodically. The water storage section 5 is integrated with the distribution water storage section 17, and at least one of drainage and cleaning is performed simultaneously with the distribution water storage section 17. Drainage here refers to the drainage of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30 (distribution water storage section 17 and water storage section 5). Cleaning includes, for example, washing the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30. After at least one of drainage and cleaning has been carried out, the user needs to perform water supply maintenance.

[0050] Water supply maintenance refers to supplying water to the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30. This is equivalent to adding new water to the water supply section 11 and installing the water supply section 11 into the water storage section 5. That is, short-cycle maintenance includes at least one of draining and cleaning the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30, and water supply maintenance performed after at least one of the drainage and cleaning is carried out. In addition, the filter of the distribution section 18 may also be included as a component that requires short-cycle maintenance.

[0051] In this embodiment, the component requiring long-term maintenance is the electrolyzed water storage section 12. That is, the electrolyzed water storage section 12 can also be described as a long-term maintenance storage section 31 that stores liquid and requires long-term maintenance compared to the short-term maintenance storage section 30. When the electrolyzed water storage section 12 continuously electrolyzes, inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and silicon dioxide contained in the water may adhere as impurities to the electrolysis unit 14, shortening the lifespan of the electrolysis unit 14. When electrolyzed water is supplied to the distribution storage section 17, most of the impurities are supplied along with it, but some remain in the electrolyzed water storage section 12. Therefore, compared to existing electrolyzed water distribution devices, although the frequency is not high, at least one of drainage and cleaning needs to be performed periodically. Drainage here refers to the drainage of the long-term maintenance storage section 31 (electrolyzed water storage section 12), and cleaning includes, for example, washing the long-term maintenance storage section 31. That is, long-term maintenance includes at least one of draining and cleaning the water storage section 31. The criteria for determining whether short-term maintenance or long-term maintenance is required will be explained later.

[0052] Next, refer to Figure 3 The functions of the control unit 21 in an embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figure 3This is a schematic functional block diagram of the control unit 21 and its peripheral parts. The control unit 21 includes a count unit 40, a time count unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a notification control unit 43.

[0053] The counting unit 40 counts the number of times the detection unit 6 performs water shortage detection on the water storage unit 5 of the water storage unit 30 as a short-cycle maintenance unit. The counting of detection counts increments by one when a water shortage detection signal is received from the detection unit 6. Alternatively, the number of water supply counts can be used instead of the water shortage detection counts. The counting of water supply counts is performed, for example, when the water level in the water storage unit 5 is below the water shortage level and water supply maintenance is performed by the user. That is, during water supply maintenance, when the water level in the water storage unit 5 exceeds the water shortage level, a water supply detection signal is sent from the detection unit 6, and the water supply count increments by one when the control unit 21 receives the water supply detection signal.

[0054] The time counter 41 counts the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit 31 was completed. The elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance is recorded as "long-cycle maintenance elapsed time," and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance is recorded as "short-cycle maintenance elapsed time." Furthermore, the control unit 21 determines that maintenance is complete when the maintenance completion button 50 on the operation unit 23 is pressed and a signal from the maintenance completion button 50 is received.

[0055] Storage unit 42 stores: a time threshold T1 or a detection frequency threshold K1 for short-cycle maintenance notification judgment, and a time threshold T2 for long-cycle maintenance notification judgment that is larger than the time threshold T1.

[0056] The time threshold T1 is the time during which impurities accumulate in the distribution water storage section 17, which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30, and is used to determine whether maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30 is required. It is a value determined in advance through experiments, and can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, it is set to 30 days as an example.

[0057] The number of tests K1 is the number of times impurities accumulate in the distributed water storage section 17, which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30, to determine whether maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30 is necessary. This number can be arbitrarily set, for example, by pre-determining through experiments. In this embodiment, it is set to 30 times as an example. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a water shortage test is performed approximately once a day. Therefore, the time until the number of tests K1 is reached is expected to be approximately 30 days, close to the time threshold T1. However, since the consumption of electrolyzed water varies depending on various factors such as season and weather, the time from the last water shortage test to the next water shortage test is different each time, and the time until the number of tests reaches the number of tests K1 is not necessarily 30 days. For example, in cases where a large amount of electrolyzed water is consumed for sterilization and deodorization over a long period, it is also possible to consider reaching the number of tests K1 in 25 days. Since the amount of impurities accumulated in the water storage section 17 is constant until the number of tests reaches the threshold K1, it is possible to accurately determine whether short-cycle maintenance of the water storage section 30 is required based on the threshold K1.

[0058] The time threshold T2 is the time used to determine whether long-term maintenance of the electrolyzed water storage section 31 is needed, based on the accumulation of impurities in the electrolyzed water storage section 12, which serves as a long-term maintenance water storage section 31. It is a value determined in advance through experiments and can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, it is set to 365 days as an example. Since impurities are less likely to accumulate in the electrolyzed water storage section 12 compared to the dispersed water storage section 17, the time threshold T2 used to determine whether maintenance is needed is set to be larger than the time threshold T1.

[0059] The notification control unit 43 notifies the maintenance period of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 and the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit 31. The notification control unit 43 includes a next maintenance notification judgment unit 44, a short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45, a long-cycle maintenance judgment unit 46, and a maintenance notification unit 47.

[0060] The next maintenance notification judgment unit 44 determines whether the timing of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the timing of the next long-cycle maintenance. Details of the judgment method will be provided later. Figure 4 , Figure 5 The following explanation is provided: If the period for the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period for the next long-cycle maintenance, the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 sends information to the maintenance notification unit 47 indicating that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance will be performed simultaneously via the next maintenance notification. Conversely, if the period for the next short-cycle maintenance is not close to the period for the next long-cycle maintenance, the maintenance notification unit 47 sends information to the maintenance notification unit 47 indicating that short-cycle maintenance will be performed via the next maintenance notification.

[0061] The short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines whether a notification for short-cycle maintenance is required. The short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 makes the determination based on at least one of the following: "the number of times the water storage unit 5, which is the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30, has experienced water supply maintenance" and "the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30." Water supply maintenance of the water storage unit 5 refers to supplying water to the water storage unit 5. In other words, the determination can also be based on both "the number of times the water storage unit 5 has experienced water shortage" and "the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance." In this embodiment, as an example, the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 makes the determination based on the number of times the water storage unit 5, which is the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30, and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30.

[0062] Specifically, the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines that a short-cycle maintenance notification is required when the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance is more than the time threshold T1 or the number of water shortage detections since the last short-cycle maintenance is more than the number threshold K1. When the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines that a short-cycle maintenance notification is required, it sends the notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47.

[0063] Furthermore, only when the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines whether both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance are required in the next maintenance notification, may the long-cycle maintenance determination unit 46 issue a notification regarding whether short-cycle maintenance is needed. In this case, whether a notification for short-cycle maintenance (and long-cycle maintenance) is needed is determined based on the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance performed on the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit 31, which will be explained in detail later.

[0064] The long-term maintenance determination unit 46 determines whether a long-term maintenance notification is required. The long-term maintenance determination unit 46 determines this based on the elapsed time since the last long-term maintenance of the long-term maintenance water storage unit 31. Specifically, when the counting time of the time counter unit 41 is greater than or equal to a time threshold T2, the long-term maintenance determination unit 46 determines that a long-term maintenance notification is required. When determining that a long-term maintenance notification is required, the long-term maintenance determination unit 46 sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47.

[0065] Furthermore, if the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance will be performed simultaneously via the next maintenance notification, there may be a situation where the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines whether a notification for the next long-cycle maintenance is required. In this case, whether a notification for long-cycle maintenance (and short-cycle maintenance) is required is determined based on at least one of "the number of times the water storage unit 5 of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 is short-cycle maintained or the number of times the water storage unit 5 of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 is water-supply maintenance" and "the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance performed on the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30," wherein water supply maintenance of the water storage unit 5 refers to supplying water to the water storage unit 5.

[0066] The maintenance notification unit 47 receives signals from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 and signals from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 or the long-cycle maintenance determination unit 46. When the maintenance notification unit 47 receives information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 indicating that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance are to be performed simultaneously via the next maintenance notification, and receives a determination from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 or the long-cycle maintenance determination unit 46 that a notification is required, the maintenance notification unit 47 simultaneously illuminates the short-cycle maintenance LED and the long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22 to simultaneously notify both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance.

[0067] In addition, when the maintenance notification unit 47 receives information from the next maintenance notification judgment unit 44 that a short-cycle maintenance will be performed through the next maintenance notification, and receives a judgment from the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 that a notification is required, the short-cycle maintenance LED of the notification display unit 22 will be lit to notify the short-cycle maintenance.

[0068] Here, the control unit 21 is composed of a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the main functions of the apparatus or method of the present invention. The computer is primarily configured with a processor that operates according to a program. The type of processor is not limited as long as it can perform the function by executing a program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). Multiple electronic circuits can be integrated into a single chip or disposed across multiple chips. Multiple chips can be integrated into a single device or disposed across multiple devices. The program is recorded in a non-volatile recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory). The program can be pre-stored in the recording medium or provided to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0069] use Figure 4 and Figure 5 Explain the operation of the control unit 21 based on the above structure. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the control sequence of the control unit 21. Here, in the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the letter S. For example, S001 refers to a processing step. However, the numerical value representing a processing step is independent of the processing order. Figure 5 Represented in time series Figure 4 A diagram illustrating one example of the control sequence described.

[0070] In this embodiment, the operation of the control unit 21 after both the previous long-cycle maintenance and short-cycle maintenance are explained. First, the time counting unit 41 begins counting the elapsed time since the completion of the previous long-cycle maintenance (S001). Figure 5 In this process, counting begins at a specified time A (time A).

[0071] Then, the next maintenance notification judgment unit 44 determines whether the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance. Specifically, the next maintenance notification judgment unit 44 determines whether the time obtained by adding the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time counted by the time counting unit 41 to the specified time Tx when the short-cycle maintenance is completed is above the time threshold T2 (S002).

[0072] The specified time Tx is used to determine whether the next maintenance notification will be a short-cycle maintenance notification, or a combination of short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications. For example, the specified time Tx can be set to a value close to the time threshold T1 used for short-cycle maintenance to determine whether the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance. To determine whether the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance, it is preferable to set the specified time Tx to less than twice the time threshold T1. If the specified time Tx is set to more than twice the time threshold T1, the period from the last short-cycle maintenance to the next short-cycle maintenance becomes too long. For example, if there is a gap between two short-cycle maintenance periods, excessive impurities will accumulate in the distribution water storage section 17, which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage section 30. By setting the specified time Tx to less than twice the time threshold T1, excessive accumulation of impurities in the distribution water storage section 17, which could lead to filter performance degradation, can be prevented.

[0073] exist Figure 5At time A, the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines that the time obtained by adding the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time to the specified time Tx is less than the time threshold T2. Therefore, since the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is not close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance (S002: No), the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 sends a notification to the maintenance notification unit 47 to perform short-cycle maintenance in the next maintenance notification.

[0074] Next, the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines whether the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance was completed, i.e., the short-cycle maintenance elapsed time, is above the time threshold T1 (S007).

[0075] If the elapsed time for short-cycle maintenance exceeds the time threshold T1 (S007: Yes), the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines that maintenance is required and sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47. Since the maintenance notification unit 47 receives notification information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 that short-cycle maintenance will be performed via the next maintenance notification, and receives the determination that notification is required from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45, it notifies the unit of short-cycle maintenance by illuminating the short-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22 (S010).

[0076] If the elapsed time of short-cycle maintenance is less than the time threshold T1 (S007: No), the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines whether the number of water shortage detections counted by the count unit 40 is greater than or equal to the count threshold K1 (S009).

[0077] If the number of water shortage detections exceeds the threshold K1 (S009: Yes), the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines that maintenance is required and sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47. The maintenance notification unit 47, having received notification information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 that short-cycle maintenance will be performed in the next maintenance notification, and having received the determination that notification is required from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45, issues a short-cycle maintenance notification by illuminating the short-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22 (S010).

[0078] If the number of water shortage detections is less than the threshold K1 (S009: No), the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines that no maintenance notification is required and returns to the judgment processing in step S007 (S007).

[0079] exist Figure 5A notification for short-cycle maintenance (S010) is issued at time B (time B) after the time from time A to the time threshold T1 or the number of water shortage detections reaches the number threshold K1 or more. Alternatively, if the short-cycle maintenance time exceeds the time threshold T1, a notification for short-cycle maintenance can be issued upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit 6. This allows short-cycle maintenance to be performed when the water in the water storage unit 5 (which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30) is low, reducing the burden on the user when moving the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30. Alternatively, a detection unit can be installed in the distributed water storage unit 17, and a notification for short-cycle maintenance can be issued upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit of the distributed water storage unit 17. This also allows short-cycle maintenance to be performed when the water in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 is low, reducing the burden on the user when moving the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30.

[0080] exist Figure 5 At time C, the user completes the maintenance operation, and the maintenance completion button 50 is pressed, notifying the control unit 21 that the maintenance completion button 50 has been pressed. The maintenance notification unit 47 ends the short-cycle maintenance notification by turning off the short-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22. This removes impurities accumulated in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30. Furthermore, the count unit 40 resets the water shortage detection count (S011). Afterward, the process returns to step S002, where the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines that the time obtained by adding the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time to the specified time Tx is less than the time threshold T2.

[0081] exist Figure 5 At time D, a short-cycle maintenance notification is issued in the same manner as at time B. Subsequently, at times E, F, G, H, I, and J, the same process performed at times C and D is repeated. That is, short-cycle maintenance completion and notification are repeated. This allows for the periodic removal of impurities accumulated in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30. If, as an example of this embodiment, the time threshold T1 (30 days), the number of times threshold K1 (30 times), and the time threshold T2 (365 days) are used, then in reality, short-cycle maintenance completion and notification are repeated many more times, but for simplicity, they are repeated up to time J.

[0082] The above explains the situation where only short-cycle maintenance notifications are repeatedly sent. Next, we will explain the situation where both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications are sent in the next maintenance notification.

[0083] exist Figure 5After the short-cycle maintenance at time K is completed, the process returns to step S002. The next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines that the time obtained by adding the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time to the specified time Tx is above the time threshold T2. Therefore, since the time of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the time of the next long-cycle maintenance (S002: Yes), the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 sends information to the maintenance notification unit 47 indicating that both the short-cycle maintenance notification and the long-cycle maintenance notification will be performed in the next maintenance notification.

[0084] Next, the long-cycle maintenance judgment unit 46 determines whether the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance was completed, i.e., the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time, is above the time threshold T2 (S003).

[0085] If the elapsed time for long-cycle maintenance exceeds the time threshold T2 (S003: Yes), the long-cycle maintenance determination unit 46 determines that a maintenance notification is required and sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47. The maintenance notification unit 47, having received information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance notifications will be performed in the next maintenance notification, and having received a determination from the long-cycle maintenance determination unit 46 that a notification is required, simultaneously illuminates the short-cycle maintenance LED and the long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22, thus simultaneously issuing both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance notifications (S005).

[0086] If the elapsed time of long-cycle maintenance is less than the time threshold T2 (S003: No), the long-cycle maintenance judgment unit 46 repeatedly makes judgments until the elapsed time of long-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the time threshold T2.

[0087] exist Figure 5 At time L (time L), both short-cycle maintenance notifications and long-cycle maintenance notifications are issued simultaneously (S005), after the time from time K to the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time exceeding the time threshold T2. Furthermore, if the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time exceeds the time threshold T2, both short-cycle maintenance notifications and long-cycle maintenance notifications can be issued simultaneously upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit 6. Therefore, short-cycle maintenance can be performed when the water in the water storage unit 5, which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30, is low, reducing the burden on the user in transporting the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30. Alternatively, a detection unit can be installed in the distributed water storage unit 17, and short-cycle maintenance notifications can be issued upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit of the distributed water storage unit 17. This also allows short-cycle maintenance to be performed when the water in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 is low, reducing the burden on the user in transporting the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30.

[0088] exist Figure 5At time M, the user completes the maintenance operation, and the maintenance completion button 50 is pressed, notifying the control unit 21 that the maintenance completion button 50 has been pressed. The maintenance notification unit 47 ends the notification for short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance by turning off the short-cycle maintenance LED and long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22. This removes impurities accumulated in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir 30 and the long-cycle maintenance water reservoir 31. Furthermore, the count unit 40 resets the detection count, and the time counter unit 41 resets the count value (S006).

[0089] Through the above processing, when a long-cycle maintenance period is approaching, the next short-cycle maintenance notification can be aligned with the long-cycle maintenance notification period (time). By issuing short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications simultaneously, it can be ensured that another maintenance notification is not issued immediately after the completion of one maintenance. Therefore, users can receive two maintenance notifications with a single notification, reducing maintenance hassles. In other words, it improves user convenience regarding maintenance. Furthermore, it allows for issuing only short-cycle maintenance notifications at appropriate times, as well as issuing both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications simultaneously.

[0090] (Implementation Method 2)

[0091] In Embodiment 1, when both short-cycle maintenance notifications and long-cycle maintenance notifications are issued simultaneously, the short-cycle maintenance notification is aligned with the long-cycle maintenance notification in terms of time. However, in Embodiment 2, when both short-cycle maintenance notifications and long-cycle maintenance notifications are issued simultaneously, the long-cycle maintenance notification is aligned with the short-cycle maintenance notification in terms of time. Furthermore, the structure of the water electrolysis distribution device Z in Embodiment 2 is different from that in Embodiment 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure described herein is the same. The differences from Implementation Method 1 will be explained.

[0092] The schematic functional block diagram of the control unit 21 and its surrounding parts in Embodiment 2 is the same as that described in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 The process is largely the same, but the long-cycle maintenance judgment unit 46 can be omitted. This is to ensure that the notification for long-cycle maintenance is consistent with the notification for short-cycle maintenance when the long-cycle maintenance period is approaching. Detailed control procedures will be explained later.

[0093] use Figure 6 and Figure 7 Explain the operation of the control unit 21 based on the above structure. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the control sequence of the control unit 21. Here, in the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the letter S. For example, S001, etc., refer to processing steps. However, the processing sequence is not related to the magnitude of the values ​​representing the processing steps. Figure 7 Represented in time series Figure 6 A diagram illustrating an example of the control sequence.

[0094] In Implementation 2, the operation of the control unit 21 after both the previous long-cycle maintenance and short-cycle maintenance will also be explained. Figure 7 The times A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J are compared with those in implementation method 1. Figure 5 The same control is applied at times A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J, that is, Figure 6 Steps S001, S002, S007, S009, S010, and S011 are respectively performed with... Figure 4 Steps S001, S002, S007, S009, S010, and S011 are the same control. Therefore, the description up to time J is omitted.

[0095] exist Figure 7 After the short-cycle maintenance at time K is completed, the process returns to step S002. The next maintenance notification determination unit 44 determines that the time obtained by adding the long-cycle maintenance elapsed time to the specified time Tx is above the time threshold T2. Therefore, since the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance (S002: Yes), the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 sends information to the maintenance notification unit 47 indicating that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance will be performed in the next maintenance notification.

[0096] Next, the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines whether the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance was completed, i.e., the short-cycle maintenance elapsed time, is above the time threshold T1 (S103).

[0097] If the elapsed time for short-cycle maintenance exceeds the time threshold T1 (S103: Yes), the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines that a maintenance notification is required and sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47. The maintenance notification unit 47, having received information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 that both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance notifications will be performed in the next maintenance notification, and having received the determination that a notification is required from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45, simultaneously illuminates the short-cycle maintenance LED and the long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22, thus simultaneously issuing both short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance notifications (S106).

[0098] If the elapsed time of short-cycle maintenance is less than the time threshold T1 (S103: No), the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines whether the number of water shortage detections counted by the count unit 40 is greater than or equal to the count threshold K1 (S105).

[0099] If the number of water shortage detections exceeds the threshold K1 (S105: Yes), the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45 determines that maintenance is required and sends notification information to the maintenance notification unit 47. The maintenance notification unit 47, having received information from the next maintenance notification determination unit 44 that both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications will be performed in the next maintenance notification, and having received the determination that notification is required from the short-cycle maintenance determination unit 45, simultaneously illuminates the short-cycle maintenance LED and the long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22, thus simultaneously issuing both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications (S106).

[0100] If the number of water shortage detections is less than the threshold K1 (S105: No), the short-cycle maintenance judgment unit 45 determines that no maintenance notification is needed and returns to the judgment processing in step S103.

[0101] exist Figure 7 At time O (time O), both short-cycle maintenance notification and long-cycle maintenance notification are simultaneously issued (S106), which occurs when time threshold T1 has elapsed from time K or until the number of water shortage detections exceeds the number threshold K1. Alternatively, in step S103, if the short-cycle maintenance elapsed for more than time threshold T1, both short-cycle maintenance notification and long-cycle maintenance notification can be issued simultaneously upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit 6. This allows short-cycle maintenance to be performed when the water in the storage unit 5 (which serves as the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30) is low, reducing the burden on the user in transporting the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30. Furthermore, a detection unit can be installed in the distributed water storage unit 17, and short-cycle maintenance notification can be issued upon receiving a water shortage detection signal from the detection unit of the distributed water storage unit 17. This also allows short-cycle maintenance to be performed when the water in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30 is low, reducing the burden on the user in transporting the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit 30.

[0102] exist Figure 7 At time P, the user completes the maintenance operation, and the maintenance completion button 50 is pressed, notifying the control unit 21 that the maintenance completion button 50 has been pressed. The maintenance notification unit 47 ends the notification for short-cycle maintenance and long-cycle maintenance by turning off the short-cycle maintenance LED and long-cycle maintenance LED on the notification display unit 22. This removes impurities accumulated in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir 30 and the long-cycle maintenance water reservoir 31. Furthermore, the count unit 40 resets the detection count, and the time count unit 41 resets the count value (S107).

[0103] Through the above processing, when the time for long-cycle maintenance is approaching, the next long-cycle maintenance notification can be aligned with the time for short-cycle maintenance notification. By issuing short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications simultaneously, it is possible to prevent another maintenance notification from being issued immediately after one maintenance is completed. Therefore, users can receive two maintenance notifications with a single notification, reducing maintenance hassles. In other words, it improves user convenience regarding maintenance. Furthermore, it allows for issuing only short-cycle maintenance notifications at appropriate times, as well as issuing both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications simultaneously.

[0104] The present invention has been described above according to embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are examples, and various modifications can be made to the combinations of their constituent elements or processing procedures; such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0105] For example, the control unit 21 (notification control unit 43) may also include a control content storage unit 48 that stores the control content currently being executed. An example of the control content storage unit 48 is a non-volatile memory. The control unit 21 periodically stores the control content currently being executed in the control content storage unit 48 as needed. In the event of a power outage and subsequent power restoration of the electrolyzed water distribution device Z, the control unit 21 restarts control from the control content stored in the control content storage unit 48. Therefore, even if a power outage occurs in the electrolyzed water distribution device Z and power is subsequently restored, correct control can still be performed.

[0106] The electrolyzed water distributing device of the present invention is an electrolyzed water distributing device for releasing electrolyzed water, comprising: a short-cycle maintenance water storage section for storing liquid, which requires maintenance on a short cycle basis, i.e., short-cycle maintenance; a long-cycle maintenance water storage section for storing liquid, which requires maintenance on a longer cycle basis than the maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section, i.e., long-cycle maintenance; and a notification control section, which respectively notifies the short-cycle maintenance period of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section and the long-cycle maintenance period of the long-cycle maintenance water storage section. When the period of the next short-cycle maintenance is close to the period of the next long-cycle maintenance, the notification control section simultaneously notifies both the short-cycle maintenance period and the long-cycle maintenance period.

[0107] Therefore, notifications for one maintenance will not be sent immediately after another, reducing the inconvenience for users. In other words, it improves the convenience for users regarding maintenance.

[0108] Alternatively, notification for short-cycle maintenance can be determined based on at least one of the following: the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit has experienced water shortage or water supply maintenance; and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. Alternatively, it can be determined based on the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit. Water supply maintenance for the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit refers to supplying liquid to the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. Similarly, notification for long-cycle maintenance can be determined based on the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit. Alternatively, it can be determined based on at least one of the following: the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit has experienced water shortage or water supply maintenance; and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. This allows for the issuance of notifications for both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance at appropriate times.

[0109] Alternatively, short-cycle maintenance notifications can be determined based on two factors: the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit has experienced water shortages or water supply maintenance, and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the water storage unit. Water supply maintenance refers to supplying liquid to the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. This allows for the issuance of both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications at appropriate times.

[0110] Alternatively, short-cycle maintenance may include at least one of drainage and cleaning; and water supply maintenance performed after at least one of drainage and cleaning. Long-cycle maintenance may also include at least one of drainage and cleaning. This allows both the short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance water storage sections to be kept clean. Furthermore, it allows the removal of impurities accumulated in both the short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance water storage sections.

[0111] Alternatively, the electrolyzed water distribution device may also include: a detection unit that detects the lack of liquid in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit or the supply of liquid to the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit; a count unit that counts the number of times the detection unit performs the tests; a time count unit that counts the elapsed time since the last maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit was completed; and a storage unit that stores a time threshold T1 or a detection count threshold K1 for short-cycle maintenance notification judgment, and a time threshold T2 for long-cycle maintenance notification judgment that is larger than the time threshold T1. Alternatively, the notification control unit may notify the next short-cycle maintenance if, when the count value counted by the time count unit at the time of short-cycle maintenance completion plus a predetermined time Tx is less than or equal to the time threshold T2, the elapsed time since the completion of short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the time threshold T1, or the number of tests after the completion of short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the count count threshold K1. Alternatively, the control unit can be notified that if the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counter to the predetermined time Tx at the time of short-cycle maintenance completion is longer than the time threshold T2, then both the next short-cycle maintenance notification and the next long-cycle maintenance notification can be issued simultaneously. This allows for the notification of only short-cycle maintenance or both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance at appropriate times.

[0112] Alternatively, the control unit can notify that if the time calculated by adding a predetermined time Tx to the count value of the time counter when short-cycle maintenance is completed is longer than a time threshold T2, then, in order to align the short-cycle maintenance notification with the long-cycle maintenance notification in terms of timing, both the short-cycle maintenance notification and the long-cycle maintenance notification can be issued simultaneously when the count value is above the time threshold T2. This ensures that the short-cycle maintenance notification is aligned with the long-cycle maintenance notification in terms of timing, preventing the short-cycle maintenance notification from being issued at a similar time to the long-cycle maintenance notification.

[0113] Alternatively, the control unit can notify that if the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counter to the predetermined time Tx at the time of short-cycle maintenance completion is longer than the time threshold T2, in order to align the notification of long-cycle maintenance with the notification of short-cycle maintenance in terms of timing, both short-cycle maintenance notification and long-cycle maintenance notification can be issued simultaneously when the elapsed time since the completion of short-cycle maintenance is greater than the time threshold T1 or the number of checks after the completion of short-cycle maintenance is greater than the number of checks K1. This ensures that the notification of long-cycle maintenance is aligned with the notification of short-cycle maintenance in terms of timing, preventing the notification of long-cycle maintenance from being issued around the same time as the notification of short-cycle maintenance.

[0114] Furthermore, the specified time Tx can also be less than twice the time threshold T1. This prevents excessive accumulation of impurities in the water storage section during short-cycle maintenance.

[0115] Additionally, the detection unit can also detect water shortages in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir. Alternatively, it can notify the control unit that if the time calculated by adding a predetermined time Tx to the count value of the time counter at the time of short-cycle maintenance completion is less than or equal to a time threshold T2, and the elapsed time since the completion of short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to a time threshold T1, then after the detection unit detects water shortages in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir, it will notify the user of the next short-cycle maintenance. This allows for short-cycle maintenance notifications when the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir is low on water, reducing the burden on the user when moving the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir.

[0116] Alternatively, the detection unit can detect water shortage in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir and notify the control unit when both short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications are required. The notification is issued after the detection unit detects water shortage in the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir. This allows for simultaneous short-cycle and long-cycle maintenance notifications even when the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir is low on water, reducing the burden on users when moving the short-cycle maintenance water reservoir.

[0117] Alternatively, the long-cycle maintenance water storage section can be an electrolyzed water storage section that stores electrolyzed water, while the short-cycle maintenance water storage section can be a water storage section that stores water and a distribution water storage section that stores the distributed water obtained by mixing the water from the water storage section and the electrolyzed water from the electrolyzed water storage section. This allows for the maintenance of the electrolyzed water storage section, the water storage section, and the distribution water storage section at appropriate times.

[0118] Industrial availability

[0119] The electrolyzed water dispersing device of the present invention is useful as an electrolyzed water dispersing device for removing (including inactivating) bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, etc. from the air.

[0120] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0121] Z Electrolytic Water Distribution Device

[0122] 1 Main shell

[0123] 2. Inlet (Air Inlet)

[0124] 3 panels

[0125] 4-outlet

[0126] 5 water storage department

[0127] 6 Testing Department

[0128] 7 First Pump

[0129] 8 Second Pump

[0130] 9 First Water Delivery Route

[0131] 10 Second water supply line

[0132] 11. Water Supply Department

[0133] 12 Electrolyzed water storage section

[0134] 13 Electrolysis Accelerator Input Section

[0135] 14 Electrolysis Unit

[0136] 15 Third Pump

[0137] 16 Third Water Supply Route

[0138] 17. Distribute water storage sections

[0139] 18 Distributed Section

[0140] 19. Air Supply Department

[0141] 20 Wind Road

[0142] 21 Control Department

[0143] 22 Notification Display Department

[0144] 23 Operations Department

[0145] 24 Supply Port

[0146] 30 Short-cycle maintenance water storage section

[0147] 31. Long-term maintenance water storage section

[0148] 40 counts

[0149] 41 Time Counting Unit

[0150] 42 Storage Section

[0151] 43 Notify Control Department

[0152] 44 Next Maintenance Notification Judgment Department

[0153] 45 Short-cycle maintenance judgment unit

[0154] 46 Long-cycle maintenance judgment department

[0155] 47 Maintenance Notification Department

[0156] 48. Control Content Storage Unit

[0157] 50. Maintenance Complete Button.

Claims

1. An electrolyzed water dispersing device for releasing electrolyzed water, characterized in that, include: Short-cycle maintenance is required for the water storage section, which is used to store liquids and requires maintenance on a short cycle basis. The long-cycle maintenance water storage section, which is used to store the liquid, requires maintenance on a longer cycle than the maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage section, i.e., long-cycle maintenance. and The control department is notified of the short-cycle maintenance period for the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit and the long-cycle maintenance period for the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit, respectively. The notification control unit will simultaneously notify the user of both the short-cycle maintenance period and the long-cycle maintenance period if the next short-cycle maintenance period is close to the next long-cycle maintenance period.

2. The electrolytic water distribution device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The notification for short-cycle maintenance is determined based on at least one of the following: the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit experiences water shortage or the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit undergoes water supply maintenance, and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. Alternatively, it can be determined based on the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit. The water supply maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit refers to supplying liquid to the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. The notification of long-cycle maintenance is determined based on the elapsed time since the last long-cycle maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit, or based on at least one of the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit is short of water or the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit is water-supply maintenance, and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit.

3. The electrolytic water distribution device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The notification of short-cycle maintenance is determined based on two factors: the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit is short of water or the number of times the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit is maintained for water supply, and the elapsed time since the last short-cycle maintenance of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit.

4. The electrolyzed water distribution device as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The short-cycle maintenance includes at least one of drainage and cleaning; and the water supply maintenance performed after at least one of the drainage and cleaning has been carried out. The long-term maintenance includes at least one of the drainage and the cleaning.

5. The electrolyzed water dispenser of claim 2 or 3, wherein Also includes: The detection unit detects the lack of water in the liquid in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit or the supply of liquid to the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit; The count unit counts the number of times the detection unit performs the detection as the number of detections; The time counting unit counts the elapsed time since the last maintenance of the long-cycle maintenance water storage unit was completed; and The storage unit stores either a time threshold T1 for determining the notification during short-cycle maintenance or a detection frequency threshold K1, and a time threshold T2, which is larger than the time threshold T1, for determining the notification during long-cycle maintenance. If, when the short-cycle maintenance is completed, the count value of the time counter plus the predetermined time Tx is less than or equal to the time threshold T2, the notification control unit will notify the next short-cycle maintenance if the elapsed time since the completion of the short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the time threshold T1, or if the number of checks since the completion of the short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the number of checks K1. If the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counting unit to the predetermined time Tx when the short-cycle maintenance is completed is longer than the time threshold T2, the notification control unit will simultaneously issue a notification for the next short-cycle maintenance and a notification for the long-cycle maintenance.

6. The electrolytic water distribution device as described in claim 5, characterized in that: If the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counting unit to the predetermined time Tx when the short-cycle maintenance is completed is longer than the time threshold T2, the notification control unit will simultaneously issue the notification of the short-cycle maintenance and the notification of the long-cycle maintenance when the count value is greater than the time threshold T2 in order to align the notification of the short-cycle maintenance with the notification of the long-cycle maintenance in time.

7. The electrolyzed water distribution device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, When the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counting unit to the predetermined time Tx at the time of completion of the short-cycle maintenance is longer than the time threshold T2, in order to align the notification of the long-cycle maintenance with the notification of the short-cycle maintenance in time, the notification control unit simultaneously issues the notification of the short-cycle maintenance and the notification of the long-cycle maintenance when the elapsed time since the completion of the short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the time threshold T1 or when the number of detections after the completion of the short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the number of detections threshold K1.

8. The electrolytic water distribution device as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The specified time Tx is less than twice the time threshold T1.

9. The electrolytic water distribution device as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The detection unit is used to detect the water shortage in the liquid of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. When the time calculated by adding the count value of the time counting unit to the predetermined time Tx at the time of completion of the short-cycle maintenance is less than the time threshold T2, and when the elapsed time since the completion of the short-cycle maintenance is greater than or equal to the time threshold T1, the notification control unit will notify the next short-cycle maintenance after the detection unit detects a water shortage in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit.

10. The electrolyzed water distribution device as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The detection unit detects the water shortage in the liquid of the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit. When the notification control unit needs to simultaneously issue both the notification for short-cycle maintenance and the notification for long-cycle maintenance, the notification is issued after the detection unit detects a water shortage in the short-cycle maintenance water storage unit.

11. The electrolyzed water distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The long-cycle maintenance water storage section is an electrolyzed water storage section for storing the electrolyzed water. The short-cycle maintenance water storage section is a water storage section for storing water and a distribution water storage section for storing distributed water obtained by mixing the water in the water storage section with the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water storage section.

12. The electrolyzed water distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also includes a control content storage section that stores the control content currently being executed. In the event of a power outage followed by power restoration, the notification control unit restarts the execution of control content stored in the control content storage unit.

Images