Electrolyzed water generating device

Abstract

To alleviate non-uniformity of electrolyte concentration in an electrolyzed water generator without an additional water agitator for a water in a storage tank.SOLUTION: An electrolyzed water generator comprises a water storage tank 1 capable of storing water, a water supply mechanism 2 which supplies water to the water storage tank 1, and an electrolyte input mechanism 3 which inputs a solid electrolyte into the water storage tank 1. The water storage tank 1 is provided with a channel 6 through which the supplied water flows. The channel 6 includes an electrolyte holding part 10 which holds the electrolyte moving by the flow of water so as not to be moved, an electrolytic unit 11 for electrochemically treating water and a drainage mechanism 12 for taking water in the water storage tank 1 out of the water storage tank 1. The electrolyte holding part 10 is provided upstream of the electrolytic unit 11 in the channel 6, and the drainage mechanism 12 generates a water flow from the most downstream of the channel 6 to an upstream side during a drain operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates electrolyzed water using electrolytes such as sodium chloride.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatuses include a water storage tank capable of storing water, a water supply mechanism for supplying water into the water storage tank, an electrolyte input mechanism for inputting an electrolyte into the water storage tank, an electrolysis unit provided with electrodes for electrochemically treating water and the electrolyte, and a drainage mechanism for taking out the electrolyzed water generated in the water storage tank outside the water storage tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a conventional electrolyzed water generating apparatus, the production efficiency of electrolyzed water varies depending on the electrolyte concentration of the water near the electrode unit. If the electrolyte concentration in the water storage tank is non-uniform, the reproducibility of electrolyzed water production decreases, and there is a problem that the sterilization performance is not stable. To solve this problem, a method of providing a water stirring device such as a blade rotated by a motor in the water storage tank to alleviate the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration in the water storage tank can be considered. However, by adding a motor, blades, and a power supply means for the motor, there are problems that the cost increases and the electrolyzed water generating apparatus itself becomes larger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] And, in order to achieve this object, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention includes a water storage tank capable of storing water, a water supply mechanism for supplying water to the water storage tank, and an electrolyte input mechanism for inputting a solid electrolyte into the water storage tank. The water storage tank includes a flow path through which the supplied water flows from one end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank toward the other end side. In the flow path, there is an electrolyte holding portion for holding the electrolyte that moves by the flow of water so as not to move, an electrolysis unit for electrochemically treating water, and a drainage mechanism for taking out the water in the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank. The electrolyte holding portion is provided upstream of the electrolysis unit in the flow path, and the drainage mechanism generates a water flow that flows from the most other end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank toward one end side during the drainage operation. through the electrolysis unit and is characterized by generating a water flow that flows from one end side toward one end side, thereby achieving the intended object.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] As described above, the present invention can obtain an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that can mitigate the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration and generate electrolyzed water with a stable concentration without additionally providing a stirring device for the water in the water storage tank.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water storage tank of the electrolyzed water generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolyzed water generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the casing of the electrolyzed water generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generator includes a water storage tank 1, a water supply mechanism 2, and an electrolyte input mechanism 3.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the water storage tank 1 includes a casing 4 for storing water and a cover 5 for covering the top surface of the casing 4.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the casing 4 has a horizontally long bowl shape, includes a flow path 6 through which water flows, and the bottom surface of the casing 4 has an inclined surface portion 7 and a horizontal surface portion 8.

[0013] The flow path 6 is for the water supplied from the water supply mechanism 2 to the casing 4 to flow, and the supplied water flows from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing 4. The flow path 6 includes an electrolyte holding portion 10 that holds a solid electrolyte tablet 9 containing an electrolyte as a component, an electrolysis unit 11 that electrochemically processes the water in which the electrolyte is dissolved, and a drainage mechanism 12. An example of the electrolyte tablet 9 is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 11 electrochemically electrolyzes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to generate electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (in this embodiment, hypochlorous acid as an example). Here, reactive oxygen species refer to oxygen molecules having higher oxidation activity than ordinary oxygen and related substances thereof. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only so-called narrow-sense reactive oxygen such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called broad-sense reactive oxygen such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid).

[0014] The electrolyte holding portion 10 is in the shape of a plate extending vertically from the bottom surface of the casing 4, protrudes toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, and has a gap 13 at the most downstream position.

[0015] The gap 13 is provided at the most downstream position of the electrolyte holding portion 10 and notches from the upper end to the lower end of the electrolyte holding portion 10.

[0016] The electrolysis unit 11 is provided so that a part thereof is immersed in the water in the casing 4, and has a first electrode (not shown), a second electrode (not shown), and an electrode case 14 for fixing these electrodes. A voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode immersed in the water in which the electrolyte tablet 9 is dissolved to electrochemically treat the water. The downstream end portion of the flow path 6 of the electrolysis unit 11 is located upstream of the most downstream of the flow path 6.

[0017] The drainage mechanism 12 takes out the water in the water storage tank 1 to the outside of the water storage tank 1.

[0018] The inclined surface portion 7 is the bottom surface located upstream of the electrolyte holding portion 10 and is inclined vertically downward toward the electrolyte holding portion 10.

[0019] The horizontal surface portion 8 is the bottom surface located downstream of the electrolyte holding portion 10, is mainly composed of a horizontal surface, and has a pump arrangement position 8a.

[0020] The pump arrangement position 8a protrudes vertically downward from the surrounding horizontal surface portion 8, is the position where a pump described later is arranged, and is provided upstream of the most downstream point in the flow path 6.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 5 is in the shape of a lid covering the top surface of the casing 4 and has a water supply opening 15, an input opening 16, and a mounting opening 17.

[0022] The water supply opening 15 is substantially square-shaped, is an opening for supplying water from the water supply mechanism 2 to the casing 4, and is located directly above the inclined surface portion 7.

[0023] The input opening 16 is substantially square-shaped and is an opening for introducing the electrolyte tablet 9 from the electrolyte introduction mechanism 3. It is located directly above the inclined surface portion 7. The input opening 16 is provided in the downstream direction of the flow path 6 from the water supply opening 15.

[0024] The mounting opening 17 is substantially rectangular and is an opening for mounting the electrolysis unit 11 inside the casing 4.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the water supply mechanism 2 includes a water supply duct 18 and a water supply device (not shown). One end of the water supply duct 18 is connected to the water supply device, and the other end is a circular opening 18a, and the opening 18a is provided above the water supply opening 15 of the cover 5.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrolyte introduction mechanism of the electrolyzed water generation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the electrolyte introduction mechanism 3 is installed above the water storage tank 1 and includes a tablet input case 19, a tablet input member (not shown) provided in the tablet input case 19, and a tablet input cover 20 detachably provided above the tablet input case 19. When the tablet input cover 20 is removed from the tablet input case 19 and the electrolyte tablet 9 is placed in the tablet input case 19, the tablet input member rotates, and the electrolyte tablet 9 automatically falls from the opening (not shown) on the bottom surface of the tablet input case 19 and is introduced into the casing 4 through the input opening 16.

[0028] The electrolyzed water generation operation in the electrolyzed water generation device of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0029] First, the electrolyte input mechanism 3 starts operating, and as the tablet input member rotates, the electrolyte tablet 9 drops into the casing 4 through the input opening 16 from the opening of the tablet input case 19. The dropped electrolyte tablet 9 moves along the inclination of the inclined surface portion 7 toward the electrolyte holding portion 10 and comes to rest by contacting the electrolyte holding portion 10. Next, the water supply mechanism 2 starts operating, and water passing through the water supply duct 18 is supplied into the casing 4 through the water supply opening 15. The water supplied into the casing 4 drops onto the inclined surface portion 7, and the inclination of the inclined surface portion 7 generates a water flow toward the electrolyte holding portion 10. The water flow dissolves the electrolyte tablet 9 and flows downstream through the gap 13 toward the flow path 6. The water supply mechanism 2 stops after operating for a certain period to obtain the target water level. Next, a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the electrolyte dissolved in the water is consumed to generate electrolyzed water. The generation efficiency of the electrolyzed water in the electrolysis unit 11 varies depending on the electrolyte concentration near the electrolysis unit 11, and the higher the electrolyte concentration, the more efficiently the electrolyzed water can be generated.

[0030] The drainage mechanism 12 generates a water flow from the most downstream to the upstream of the flow path 6 during the drainage operation.

[0031] That is, it has a water storage tank 1 capable of storing water, a water supply mechanism 2 for supplying water to the water storage tank 1, and an electrolyte input mechanism 3 for inputting solid electrolyte into the water storage tank 1. The water storage tank 1 includes a flow path 6 through which the supplied water flows, and in the flow path 6, there is an electrolyte holding portion 10 for holding the electrolyte that moves due to the water flow without moving, an electrolysis unit 11 for electrochemically treating the water, and a drainage mechanism 12 for taking out the water in the water storage tank 1 to the outside of the water storage tank 1. The electrolyte holding portion 10 is provided upstream of the electrolysis unit 11 in the flow path 6, and the drainage mechanism 12 is configured to generate a water flow from the most downstream to the upstream of the flow path 6 during the drainage operation.

[0032] An example of the drainage mechanism 12 that generates a water flow from the most downstream to the upstream of the flow path 6 during the drainage operation is shown.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the casing of the electrolyzed water generating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the drainage mechanism 12 includes a pump 21 provided so as to be immersed in the water of the water storage tank 1 and a transport unit 22 connected to the pump 21.

[0035] The pump 21 pumps up the water that has been electrochemically treated in the water storage tank 1 to the transport unit 22, and is provided at a pump arrangement position 8a upstream of the most downstream point in the flow path 6 of the water storage tank 1.

[0036] The transport unit 22 transports the water of the water storage tank 1 pumped up by the pump 21 outside the water storage tank 1.

[0037] During the drainage operation, the drainage mechanism 12 operates the pump 21, and the electrolyzed water pumped up by the pump 21 is transported outside the water storage tank 1 by the transport unit 22. When the pump 21 operates, a water flow toward the pump 21 is generated in the water storage tank 1, and accordingly, the electrolyte dissolved in the water also moves toward the pump 21 at the same time. Since the pump 21 is provided at the pump arrangement position 8a upstream of the most downstream point in the flow path 6 of the water storage tank 1, a water flow toward the upstream is generated at the most downstream of the flow path 6 during the drainage operation.

[0038] That is, the drainage mechanism 12 includes a pump 21 that pumps up the water of the water storage tank 1 from a predetermined point and a unit that transports the water pumped up by the pump 21 outside the water storage tank 1, and the predetermined point is upstream of the most downstream point in the flow path 6.

[0039] In the electrolyzed water generator of the present embodiment, the water supplied into the casing 4 falls onto the inclined surface portion 7, and due to the inclination of the inclined surface portion 7, a water flow is generated toward the electrolyte holding portion 10. The water flow moves downstream in the flow path 6 while dissolving the electrolyte tablets 9. At this time, the electrolyte dissolved in the water moves to the most downstream of the flow path 6 by the water flow. Although the electrolyte dissolved in the water has the property of natural diffusion, its diffusion rate is relatively slow, and the lower the water temperature, the lower the diffusibility. From this, the electrolyte concentration in the water in the casing 4 becomes the highest at the most downstream, and a concentration gradient is formed from the downstream to the upstream.

[0040] The drainage mechanism 12 generates a water flow from the most downstream to the upstream in the flow path 6 during the drainage operation. Therefore, the electrolyte moves upstream together with the water at the most downstream, and the concentration gradient in the casing 4 is alleviated. That is, it alleviates the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration in the water storage tank 1. As a result, it is possible to alleviate the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration without additionally providing a stirring device for the water in the water storage tank 1. From this, an electrolyzed water generator capable of generating electrolyzed water with a stable concentration can be obtained.

[0041] Further, the transport unit 22 includes a cylindrical transport water channel 23 connected to the pump 21, a supply tank 24 with a predetermined volume into which the water passing through the transport water channel 23 flows, and a drainage opening 25 which is an opening provided at the bottom surface of the supply tank 24. The supply tank 24 is provided in the water storage tank 1, and the upper end of the supply tank 24 is located above the water level in the water storage tank 1 and below the upper end of the water storage tank 1. The pump 21 is preferably configured to operate for a time longer than the time when water overflows from the upper end of the supply tank 24 during the drainage operation.

[0042] The transport water channel 23 is a cylindrical tube with both ends open. One end is connected to the pump 21, and the other end is connected to the supply tank 24.

[0043] The supply tank 24 has a substantially bowl shape with a vertically long shape and an open top surface, and is provided inside the water storage tank 1. The upper end of the supply tank 24 is provided above the water level of the water storage tank 1 and below the upper end of the water storage tank 1.

[0044] The drainage opening 25 is an opening provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the supply tank 24 to the outside of the water storage tank 1. The water in the water storage tank 1 is drained to the outside of the water storage tank 1 by passing through the drainage opening 25. When water is supplied to the supply tank 24, drainage is automatically performed from the drainage opening 25. The amount of drainage per unit time at this time is less than the amount of drainage per unit time of the pump 21. The drained electrolyzed water is utilized for uses such as the use in an air purification device that purifies air using electrolyzed water and the cleaning of medical instruments.

[0045] The pump 21 operates for a time longer than the time when water overflows from the upper end of the supply tank 24 during the drainage operation.

[0046] With the above configuration, during the drainage operation of the drainage mechanism 12, the water that has entered the supply tank 24 from the pump 21 provided at the pump arrangement position 8a overflows from the upper end of the supply tank 24 into the casing 4. At this time, the electrolyte that has entered the supply tank 24 together with the water from the pump 21 also moves into the casing 4 from the upper end of 24. As a result, the water containing the electrolyte near the pump 21 moves from the height of the pump 21 to the height of the upper end of the supply tank 24 in the vertical direction, and the electrolyte diffuses not only in the direction from the downstream to the upstream of the flow path 6 but also in the vertical direction. Thereby, it is possible to further alleviate the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration in the water storage tank 1. From this, an electrolyzed water generating device capable of generating electrolyzed water with a more stable concentration can be obtained.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which some components of the water storage tank of the electrolyzed water generating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are removed.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, it is desirable that the supply tank 24 has a configuration including a first guide 26 and a second guide 27 at the upper end.

[0049] The first guide 26 is a notch provided at the upper end of the surface of the supply tank 24 facing the right side surface of the water storage tank 1. The water that overflows from the supply tank 24 overflows from the first guide 26 into the water storage tank 1 and flows in the direction of the right side surface of the water storage tank 1 (the most downstream direction of the flow path 6).

[0050] The second guide 27 is a notch provided at the upper end of the surface of the supply tank 24 facing the front surface of the water storage tank 1. The water overflowing from the supply tank 24 overflows from the second guide 27 into the water storage tank 1 and then flows in the front direction (the direction of the electrolysis unit 11) of the water storage tank 1.

[0051] That is, the supply tank 24 is provided with a first guide 26 and a second guide 27 at its upper end. The first guide 26 guides the water overflowing from the upper end of the supply tank 24 to flow in a first predetermined direction of the water storage tank 1, and the second guide 27 guides the water overflowing from the upper end of the supply tank 24 to flow in a second predetermined direction of the water storage tank 1.

[0052] When the water flow overflows from the first guide and the second guide into the water storage tank 1, the speed of the overflowing water flow becomes faster compared to when water overflows from the entire upper end of the supply tank 24, and the water and electrolyte are carried further. In addition, since the water overflowing from the supply tank 24 into the water storage tank 1 flows in two directions perpendicular to each other, namely the right side surface direction and the front surface direction, diffusion in three directions perpendicular to each other is carried out, including the vertical diffusion from the height of the pump 21 to the height of the upper end of the supply tank 24. As a result, it is possible to further alleviate the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration in the water storage tank 1 during the drainage operation of the drainage mechanism 12. From this, an electrolyzed water generating device capable of generating electrolyzed water with a more stable concentration can be obtained.

[0053] It should be noted that the first predetermined direction and the second predetermined direction only need to be different from each other, and it is desirable to select the direction optimal for alleviating the non-uniformity of the electrolyte concentration according to the shape of the water storage tank 1 and the like.

Industrial Applicability

[0054] The electrolyzed water generating device according to the present invention is useful as a device for generating electrolyzed water to be utilized in applications such as an air purification device for purifying air using electrolyzed water and cleaning of medical instruments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 1 Water storage tank 2 Water supply mechanism 3 Electrolyte input mechanism 4 Casing 5 Cover 6 Flow path 7 Inclined surface part 8 Horizontal surface part 8a Pump installation position 9 Electrolyte tablet 10 Electrolyte holding part 11 Electrolysis unit 12 Drainage mechanism 13 Gap 14 Electrode case 15 Water supply opening 16 Input opening 17 Mounting opening 18 Water supply duct 18a Opening 19 Tablet input case 20 Tablet input cover 21 Pump 22 Transport unit 23 Transport waterway 24 Supply tank 25 Drainage opening 26 First guide 27 Second guide

Claims

1. A water storage tank capable of storing water, A water supply mechanism for supplying water to the water storage tank, An electrolyte input mechanism for inputting solid electrolyte into the water storage tank, having, the water storage tank, a flow path through which the supplied water flows from one end side to the other end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank, in the flow path, an electrolyte holding portion for holding the electrolyte that moves due to the flow of water so as not to move, an electrolysis unit for electrochemically treating water, and a drainage mechanism for taking out the water in the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank, and the drainage mechanism, is characterized in that, during the drainage operation, a water flow is generated in the flow path from the most other end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank through the electrolysis unit toward one end side. An electrolyzed water generating device.

2. The drainage mechanism, a pump for pumping up the water in the water storage tank from a predetermined point, and a transport unit for transporting the water pumped up by the pump to the outside of the water storage tank, wherein the predetermined point is one end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank from a point on the most other end side in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the water storage tank in the flow path. The electrolyzed water generating device according to Claim 1.

3. The transport unit, a supply tank having a predetermined volume into which the water pumped up by the pump flows, a drainage opening which is an opening provided on the bottom surface of the supply tank, the supply tank is provided in the water storage tank, the upper end of the supply tank is above the water level in the water storage tank and below the upper end of the water storage tank, wherein the pump operates for a time longer than the time when water overflows from the upper end of the supply tank during the drainage operation. The electrolyzed water generating device according to Claim 2.

4. The supply tank, is provided with a first guide and a second guide at the upper end, the first guide guides the water overflowing from the upper end of the supply tank to flow in a first predetermined direction of the water storage tank, the second guide guides the water overflowing from the upper end of the supply tank to flow in a second predetermined direction of the water storage tank. The electrolyzed water generating device according to Claim 3.

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