Electrolyzed water generator

Abstract

To provide an electrolyzed water generator capable of increasing a flow rate of circulating water.SOLUTION: There is provided an electrolyzed water generator in which an electrolysis section having a central opening 10a is fixed in a case 4 in which a water inlet section 2 and a water outlet section are formed, the electrolysis section being formed by stacking a sheet-like first electrode 15, a first mesh electrode, an ion exchange membrane, a second mesh electrode, and a second electrode 18, each of which has an opening in a center, in a state in which the openings are in communication with each other; and water introduced from the water inlet section and flowing between the first and second electrodes is electrolyzed to generate electrolyzed water, which is then supplied from the water outlet section. In this electrolyzed water generator, water flows between the first electrode and the second electrode from a central opening toward an outer periphery or from the outer periphery toward the central opening, and a water inlet or outlet is formed on one end side of the central opening so as to communicate with the central opening, and an opening / closing valve 20 equipped with a valve body 21 that blocks the other end side of the central opening is arranged so as to face the water inlet or outlet section through the electrolysis section 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes water in an electrolysis section to generate electrolyzed water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes water has been used to generate electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action such as hypochlorous acid water or ozone water. By equipping this electrolyzed water generating apparatus with a water heater, for example, the inside of the pipe for reheating a bathtub is sterilized with electrolyzed water and kept clean.

[0003] Electrolysis of water is performed by applying a voltage while water is flowing between a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electrolytic cell in which a diaphragm is disposed between a pair of electrodes. Then, in order to increase the amount of electrolyzed water generated by this electrolytic cell, the flow rate of the water supplied to the electrolytic cell is reduced to improve the efficiency of electrolysis, and the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell and the water bypassing the electrolytic cell are mixed and supplied to the outside.

[0004] Also, for example, as in Patent Document 2, in an apparatus for filtering and circulating hot and cold water in a bathtub, a technique is known in which ozone gas is generated from the outside air and mixed into the hot and cold water flowing through a throttle portion for sterilization of the hot and cold water. The ozone gas is sucked by the Venturi effect and mixed into the hot and cold water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the flow rate of water is restricted for electrolysis. However, the space between a pair of electrodes is narrow, and the water flow resistance of the electrolytic cell is large. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the flow rate of the electrolytic cell even when electrolysis is not being performed. For this reason, a passage for bypassing the electrolytic cell is provided. Further, in Patent Document 2, since the passage is narrowed due to the mixing of ozone gas, the flow rate of hot and cold water is restricted. Therefore, a passage for bypassing the throttle portion is provided in order to increase the circulation flow rate.

[0007] For example, when equipping a hot water supply device with a post-combustion function with an electrolyzed water generator, providing a bypass passage for bypassing the electrolyzed water generator and disposing a flow rate adjustment valve as described above complicates the control of the hot water supply device and inevitably increases the size of the hot water supply device. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water generator capable of increasing the flow rate of water flowing therethrough.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The electrolyzed water generator according to the invention of claim 1 is an electrolyzed water generator in which an electrolytic part having a central opening formed by laminating a sheet-like first electrode, a first mesh electrode, an ion exchange membrane, a second mesh electrode, and a second electrode, each having an opening at the center, in a state where the openings communicate with each other, is fixed in a case in which a water inlet part and a water outlet part are formed, and electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing water flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode introduced from the water inlet part is supplied from the water outlet part. In the electrolyzed water generator in which water flows between the first electrode and the second electrode from the central opening toward the outer periphery or from the outer periphery toward the central opening, the water inlet part or the water outlet part is formed at one end side of the central opening so as to communicate with the central opening, and an on-off valve having a valve body for closing the other end side of the central opening is disposed so as to face the water inlet part or the water outlet part via the electrolytic part.

[0009] According to the above configuration, in the electrolyzed water generator, an electrolysis unit having a central opening is housed in a case having a water inlet and a water outlet, and water flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrolysis unit is electrolyzed to generate electrolyzed water. In this electrolyzed water generator, one of the water inlet or the water outlet is formed at one end side of the central opening so as to communicate with the central opening of the electrolysis unit, and an on-off valve is provided on the opposite side so as to face the electrolysis unit through the electrolysis unit. The on-off valve has a valve body for closing the other end side of the central opening of the electrolysis unit. Then, by driving this on-off valve to open and close the other end side of the central opening, water can be circulated between the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrolysis unit when closed, and the water flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode can be reduced and circulated through the central opening when opened. Therefore, when opened, most of the water from the water inlet passes through the central opening without passing between the first electrode and the second electrode with a large water flow resistance, so the flow rate of the water flowing through the electrolyzed water generator can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to omit a bypass passage that bypasses the electrolyzed water generator.

[0010] The electrolyzed water generator according to the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the on-off valve is of a normally open type, and the valve body closes the other end side of the central opening during electrolyzed water generation. According to the above configuration, the central opening is normally open, and the on-off valve is driven to close the other end side of the central opening during electrolyzed water generation. Therefore, since the on-off valve is only driven during electrolyzed water generation, the energy consumption during normal times can be suppressed.

[0011] The electrolyzed water generator according to the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the electrolysis unit and the on-off valve are electrically connected so as to close the other end side of the central opening in conjunction with the power supply to the electrolysis unit. According to the above configuration, when power is supplied to the electrolysis unit for generating electrolyzed water, the on-off valve is also driven and the valve body closes the other end side of the central opening. Therefore, it is not necessary to control the electrolysis unit and the on-off valve individually, and the control of the electrolyzed water generator becomes easy.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention, since the flow rate of the flowing water can be increased, it is possible to omit a bypass passage that bypasses the electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples.

Example

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 includes a case 4 in which a water inlet portion 2 and a water discharge portion 3 are formed, an electrolysis portion 10 housed in the case 4 for electrolyzing water to generate electrolyzed water, and an on-off valve 20. The case 4 is composed of a first case 5 having a water discharge portion 3 and a second case 6 having a water inlet portion 2. In the first case 5, an on-off valve mounting portion 5a is formed at a portion facing the water inlet portion 2, and the on-off valve 20 is mounted on the on-off valve mounting portion 5a. Note that water pipes or hoses (not shown) are respectively connected to the water inlet portion 2 and the water discharge portion 3.

[0016] The electrolysis unit 10 is fixed to the second case 6 by a pressing plate 7 fixed with a plurality of screws 7a in a posture with the anode 11 facing the water inlet part 2 side. The electrolysis unit 10 has a rectangular central opening 10a. A circular opening 7b communicating with the central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10 is formed in the pressing plate 7.

[0017] To the second case 6 to which the electrolysis unit 10 is fixed, the first case 5 is fixed with a plurality of screws 4a with a packing 8 sandwiched therebetween. The second case 6 has a positioning part formed by a plurality of protrusions 6a. The position of the electrolysis unit 10 is determined by this positioning part, and the central opening 10 of the electrolysis unit 10 and the water inlet part 2 on the anode 11 side (one end side) of this central opening 10 communicate with each other through a communication part 2a. Incidentally, although the central opening 10a and the communication part 2a are each rectangular, they may be circular or may be a polygon such as an octagon.

[0018] Next, the electrolysis unit 10 will be described. The electrolysis unit 10 is formed by laminating such that each of a rectangular anode 11 and a cathode 12 sandwiches an ion exchange membrane 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the anode 11 is formed by laminating a sheet-like first electrode 15, a first mesh electrode 16, and a catalyst electrode 17. The cathode 12 is formed by a laminated sheet-like second electrode 18 and a second mesh electrode 19. The central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10 is a communication of openings 15a, 16a, 17a, 13a, 19a, 18a formed in the central portions of the first electrode 15, the first mesh electrode 16, the catalyst electrode 17, the ion exchange membrane 13, the second mesh electrode 19, and the second electrode 18, respectively.

[0019] The first electrode 15 has a terminal part 15b to which a power line 9a is connected. The second electrode 18 has a terminal part 18b to which a power line 9b is connected. Power for electrolysis of water is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10 via power lines 9a and 9b.

[0020] The first mesh electrode 16 and the second mesh electrode 19 are each formed in a mesh shape having fine gaps through which water can flow, using, for example, a metal wire made of titanium or stainless steel. The catalyst electrode 17 is formed, for example, in a mesh shape and carries a catalyst for promoting electrolysis of water on the side that contacts the ion exchange membrane 13. Incidentally, a catalyst may be supported on the first mesh electrode 16 to integrate the first mesh electrode 16 and the catalyst electrode 17.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the on-off valve 20 has a valve body 21 that can be advanced and retracted by an electric actuator (not shown). The valve body 21 closes the opening 7b of the holding plate 7 corresponding to the other end side of the central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10 in the advanced state, and opens the opening 7b in the retracted state. The holding plate 7 functions as a valve seat for receiving the valve body 21. Since the valve body 21 does not directly close the other end side of the central opening 10a, the holding plate 7 can prevent the first and second mesh electrodes 16 and 19 from being crushed by being pressed by the valve body 21.

[0022] The on-off valve 20 is preferably a normally open (NO) type, such as a thermostatic valve or a solenoid valve. When it receives power supply, the valve body 21 advances, and when the power is cut off, the valve body 21 retracts. Incidentally, on-off valves other than the above can also be adopted.

[0023] When the opening 7b is closed by the valve body 21 as shown in FIG. 5, the water introduced from the water inlet 2 flows, for example, as indicated by arrow A1, between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 of the electrolysis unit 10 from the central opening 10a toward the outer peripheral side. Then, the water that has passed between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 changes its direction, for example, as indicated by arrow A2, and flows out of the case 4 from the water outlet 3.

[0024] At this time, power is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10, and a part of the water flowing between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 is electrolyzed to generate electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water is, for example, ozone water, hypochlorous acid water, etc., and has a bactericidal effect. The space between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 is in a mesh shape and has a large water flow resistance. Therefore, when the electrolyzed water is generated and the opening 7b is blocked by the valve body 21, the flow rate of the water passing through the electrolyzed water generator 1 is limited.

[0025] On the other hand, when the opening 7b is opened as shown in FIG. 6, most of the water introduced from the water inlet 2 flows through the central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10 and the opening 7b, for example, as indicated by arrow A3. The water that has passed through the electrolysis unit 10 through the opening 7b changes its direction and flows out of the case 4 from the water outlet 3.

[0026] At this time, no power is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10, and no electrolyzed water is generated. Most of the water from the water inlet 2 flows from the central opening 10a through the opening 7b to the water outlet 3 without passing between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 having a large water flow resistance. Therefore, the flow rate of the water passing through the electrolyzed water generator 1 can be increased.

[0027] Here, for example, if the power line 9a and the power line 20a, and the power line 9b and the power line 20b are electrically connected to synchronize the power supply to the electrolysis unit 10 and the power supply to the on-off valve 20, the control of the electrolyzed water generator 1 becomes simple. Also, although the anode 11 of the electrolysis unit 10 is on the water inlet 2 side, the cathode 12 may be on the water inlet 2 side and the electrolysis unit 10 may be fixed to the case 4. Even when the roles of the water inlet 2 and the water outlet 3 are interchanged and the flow direction of the water is reversed from the above, when electrolyzed water is generated, the opening 7b is blocked by the valve body 21 to limit the flow rate, and when no electrolyzed water is generated, the opening 7b is opened to increase the flow rate of the water passing through the electrolyzed water generator 1.

[0028] The operation and effects of the above electrolyzed water generator 1 will be described. The electrolyzed water generation device 1 has an electrolysis unit 10 with a central opening 10a accommodated in a case 4 having a water inlet 2 and a water outlet 3, and electrolyzes the water flowing between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 of the electrolysis unit 10 to generate electrolyzed water. In this electrolyzed water generation device 1, the water inlet 2 or the water outlet 3 is formed to communicate with the central opening 10a on one end side of the central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10, and an on-off valve 20 is provided on the opposite side so as to face through the electrolysis unit 10. The on-off valve 20 has a valve body 21 for closing the other end side of the central opening 10a of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0029] By opening and closing the other end side of the central opening 10a by driving this on-off valve 20, water can be circulated between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 of the electrolysis unit 10 when closed, and when opened, the water flowing between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 can be reduced and the water can be circulated so as to pass through the central opening 10a. Therefore, when the on-off valve 20 is opened, most of the water from the water inlet 2 passes through the central opening 10a without passing between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 18 where the water flow resistance is large, so the flow rate of the water flowing through the electrolyzed water generation device 1 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to omit a bypass passage that bypasses the electrolyzed water generation device 1. Also, when closed, the water flow rate is reduced, so the concentration of the electrolyzed water is maintained.

[0030] The on-off valve 20 is of the normally open type, and the valve body 21 closes the other end side of the central opening 10a during electrolyzed water generation. Since the other end side of the central opening 10a that is normally kept open is closed by driving the on-off valve 20 during electrolyzed water generation, the on-off valve 20 is only driven during electrolyzed water generation, and the energy (electric power) consumption during normal times can be suppressed.

[0031] When the electrolysis unit 10 and the on-off valve 20 are electrically connected so as to close the other end side of the central opening 10a in conjunction with the power supply to the electrolysis unit 10, when power is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10 for electrolyzed water generation, the on-off valve 20 is also driven and the valve body 21 closes the other end side of the central opening 10a. Therefore, it is not necessary to control the electrolysis unit 10 and the on-off valve 20 individually, and the control of the electrolyzed water generation device 1 becomes easy.

[0032] In addition, those skilled in the art can implement the above embodiments in various modified forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention encompasses such modified forms.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1: Electrolyzed water generator 2: Water inlet 3: Water outlet 4: Case 5: First case 6: Second case 7: Pressing plate 7b: Opening 8: Packing 9a, 9b: Power lines 10: Electrolysis section 10a: Central opening 11: Anode 12: Cathode 13: Ion exchange membrane 13a: Opening 15: First electrode 15a: Opening 15b: Terminal section 16: First mesh electrode 16a: Opening 17: Catalytic electrode 17a: Opening 18: Second electrode 18a: Opening 18b: Terminal section 19: Second mesh electrode 19a: Opening 20: On-off valve 20a, 20b: Power lines 21: Valve body

Claims

1. In a case in which a water inlet portion and a water discharge portion are formed, a sheet-like first electrode, a first mesh electrode, an ion exchange membrane, a second mesh electrode, and a second electrode, each having an opening at the center, are laminated in a state where the openings communicate with each other to form an electrolysis unit provided with a central opening. The electrolysis unit is fixed, and the electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing the water introduced from the water inlet portion and flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode is supplied from the water discharge portion. In the electrolyzed water generator, water flows between the first electrode and the second electrode from the central opening toward the outer periphery or from the outer periphery toward the central opening. The water inlet portion or the water discharge portion is formed on one end side of the central opening so as to communicate with the central opening. An electrolyzed water generator, characterized in that an on-off valve provided with a valve body for closing the other end side of the central opening is disposed so as to face the water inlet portion or the water discharge portion via the electrolysis unit.

2. The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 1, wherein the on-off valve is of a normally open type, and the valve body closes the other end side of the central opening during electrolyzed water generation.

3. The electrolyzed water generator according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrolysis unit and the on-off valve are electrically connected so as to close the other end side of the central opening in conjunction with the power supply to the electrolysis unit.

Images