Metal ion generator

Abstract

To provide a metal ion generator capable of notifying a user that the electric power generated by a power generator is insufficient for generating a metal ion.SOLUTION: A metal ion generator 5 comprises a power generator 20, a metal ion generator 130, a notifier 140, a first determiner 151, and a notification controller 152. The power generator 20 generates an electric power by a water stream. The metal ion generator 130 receives an electric power from the power generator to generate a metal ion to be fed to water. The notifier 140 notifies a user of information relating to the electric power. The first determiner 151 determines whether or not the electric power is equal to or lower than a first threshold. The notification controller 152 controls the notifier 140 so as to allow the notifier 140 to carry out notification, when the first determiner determines that the electric power is equal to or lower than the first threshold. The first threshold shows an electric power that enables the metal ion generator 130 to generate a metal ion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal ion generator.

Background Art

[0002] The bath water reforming device described in Patent Document 1 includes an electrolysis unit, a control device, and a power generation device. The electrolysis unit reforms bath water. The electrolysis unit has electrodes. The control device controls by applying a voltage to the electrodes. The power generation device generates electricity. The power generation device has a waterwheel and a generator. The waterwheel rotates by the flowing water energy. The generator generates electric power by the rotation of the waterwheel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, it was impossible to inform the user that the generated electric power was not sufficient for the generation of metal ions.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a metal ion generator capable of informing the user that the generated electric power is not sufficient for the generation of metal ions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a metal ion generator includes a power generation unit, a metal ion generation unit, a notification unit, a first determination unit, and a notification control unit. The power generation unit generates electric power by the flow of water. The metal ion generation unit generates metal ions to be supplied to the water by receiving the supply of the electric power from the power generation unit. The notification unit notifies a user of information regarding the electric power. The first determination unit determines whether the electric power is equal to or less than a first threshold value. The notification control unit controls the notification unit to perform notification when the first determination unit determines that the electric power is equal to or less than the first threshold value. The first threshold value indicates the electric power at which the metal ion generation unit can generate the metal ions.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the metal ion generator of the present invention, it is possible to notify the user that the electric power generated by the power generation unit is not sufficient for the generation of metal ions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the metal ion generator 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] The washing machine system 1 including the metal ion generator 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the metal ion generator 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the washing machine 40.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine system 1 includes a metal ion generator 5 and a washing machine 40.

[0012] The metal ion generator 5 is connected to the washing machine 40 via a hose. The metal ion generator 5 supplies metal ions to the water W flowing into the metal ion generator 5. Specifically, the metal ion generator 5 uses the electric power supplied to the metal ion generator 5 to supply metal ions to the water W flowing into the metal ion generator 5. Thereby, the metal ion generator 5 generates water W containing metal ions.

[0013] The metal ion generator 5 includes a metal ion generation unit 10, a power generation unit 20, and a power cable 50. The power generation unit 20 supplies electric power to the metal ion generation unit 10. The power generation unit 20 supplies electric power to the metal ion generation unit 10 via the power cable 50. The water W flowing out from the faucet of the water supply 30 flows into the power generation unit 20. The water W flowing into the power generation unit 20 flows into the metal ion generation unit 10. Further, the metal ion generation unit 10 is connected to the power generation unit 20 via the power cable 50.

[0014] The washing machine 40 performs the washing of laundry. The washing machine 40 performs the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydration process in this order. The washing process is a process of separating the dirt adhering to the laundry from the laundry using the water W supplied to the washing machine 40 and the laundry detergent put into the washing machine 40. In the washing process, it is a process of washing the laundry using the water W mixed with the laundry detergent. The rinsing process is a process of removing the dirt separated from the laundry using the water W and the laundry detergent adhering to the laundry. The dehydration process is a process of removing the moisture absorbed by the laundry from the laundry. Therefore, the washing process and the rinsing process include a water supply process of supplying the water W to the washing machine 40.

[0015] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the metal ion generator 5 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the metal ion generation unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a longitudinal section of the metal ion generation unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the metal ion generation unit 10 further includes a water flow section 110, a housing 116, a metal ion generation section 130, and a notification section 140.

[0017] The water flow section 110 allows the water W flowing out from the faucet of the water supply pipe 30 to pass through the inside. The water flow section 110 includes an inflow section 111 and an outflow section 112. The inflow section 111 is a portion where the water W flowing out from the faucet of the water supply pipe 30 flows into the inside of the water flow section 110. The inflow section 111 has an inflow protrusion 114. The inflow protrusion 114 is connected to a hose that guides the water W flowing out from the faucet of the water supply pipe 30. The outflow section 112 is a portion where the water W inside the water flow section 110 flows out. The outflow protrusion 115 is connected to a hose that guides the water W passing through the inside of the water flow section 110 to the washing machine 40.

[0018] The housing 116 houses the metal ion generation section 130 and the notification section 140. The housing 116 also houses a substrate or the like that operates the metal ion generation section 130.

[0019] The metal ion generation unit 130 generates metal ions to be supplied to the water W. The metal ion generation unit 130 generates metal ions to be supplied to the water W by receiving power supply from the power generation unit 20. The metal ion generation unit 130 is provided in the flowing water part 110 of the metal ion generation unit 10. The metal ion generation unit 130 supplies metal ions to the water W sent to the washing machine 40.

[0020] The metal ion generation unit 130 includes a constant current circuit and a metal electrode 131. When the metal electrode 131 is energized, metal ions of the metal constituting the metal electrode 131 are eluted into the water W. The metal constituting the metal electrode 131 is, for example, silver. Therefore, the metal electrode 131 elutes silver ions into the water W flowing through the flowing water part 110.

[0021] In the metal ion generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, the metal electrode 131 is a silver plate. Therefore, silver ions are eluted from the metal electrode 131 to generate silver ion water W. Silver ions have an antibacterial effect. Therefore, the antibacterial effect is imparted to the laundry washed using the silver ion water. Note that the metal electrode 131 is not limited to a silver plate, and the type of metal to be used can be selected according to the intended effect. Also, a pair of opposing metal electrodes 131 may be an electrode pair of different metals.

[0022] The notification unit 140 notifies the user of information regarding power. The information regarding power includes information indicating the power of the power generation unit 20. The notification unit 140 includes a light emitter 141. The light emitter 141 emits light. The light emitter 141 is, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED). The number of light emitters 141 may be one or a plurality. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 140 includes one light emitter 141. Alternatively, the light emitter 141 may include an Organic Electro-Luminescence (EL) element or an incandescent bulb. Also, the notification unit 140 is not limited to the light emitter 141, and may be an element that does not emit light spontaneously, such as a liquid crystal display.

[0023] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the power generation unit 20 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the power generation unit 20 according to the present embodiment. The power generation unit 20 generates electric power by the flow of water W. Specifically, the power generation unit 20 generates electric power by the flow of water W discharged from the faucet of the water supply 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation unit 20 is located upstream of the metal ion generation unit 130.

[0024] The power generation unit 20 includes a water wheel 21, a generator 22, a casing 23, a water conduit 24, a water supply pipe 25, and a rectifying substrate 28.

[0025] The water wheel 21 rotates by the flow of water W sent to the washing machine 40.

[0026] The generator 22 generates electricity. The generator 22 has a coil and a fixed magnet (both not shown) that rotate together with the water wheel 21.

[0027] The casing 23 houses the water wheel 21. The casing 23 includes a cylindrical portion 31, a flange portion 32, six screw guide portions 33, and a disk portion 34. The cylindrical portion 31 is connected to the water conduit 24 and the water supply pipe 25. The cylindrical portion 31 has a water inlet 26 connected to the water conduit 24 and a water outlet 27 connected to the water supply pipe 25. The cylindrical portion 31 sends the water W guided from the water inlet 26 to the water outlet 27 after using it for the rotation of the water wheel 21. The water inlet 26 is formed with a smaller cross-sectional area than the water outlet 27 so that the water W with increased flow velocity is used for the rotation of the water wheel 21.

[0028] The flange portion 32 is a member connected to the disk portion 34 by six screws 36. The six screw guide portions 33 are attached to the cylindrical portion 31 and the flange portion 32 at equal intervals. The disk portion 34 rotatably holds the water wheel 21. The disk portion 34 is formed with six screw holes 35 at positions corresponding to the six screw guide portions 33.

[0029] The rectifying substrate 28 converts the AC power generated by the coil and the fixed magnet of the generator 22 into DC power. The power converted into DC is measured for the power generation amount by a control unit 150 described later and the output is adjusted, and then sent to the metal ion generation unit 130.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the metal ion generator 5 will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the metal ion generator 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the metal ion generation unit 10 further includes a storage unit 160 and a control unit 150.

[0031] The storage unit 160 stores data and computer programs. For example, the storage unit 160 temporarily stores data necessary for each process of the control unit 150. The storage unit 160 includes storage devices (main storage device and auxiliary storage device), and includes, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 160 may include a removable medium. The storage unit 160 stores a correspondence table of the elution amount of metal ions corresponding to the power generation amount of the power generation unit 20.

[0032] The control unit 150 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a storage device. For example, the control unit 150 receives various signals from each element of the metal ion generation unit 10, and controls each element of the metal ion generation unit 10 based on the received signals. Specifically, the control unit 150 controls each element of the metal ion generation unit 10 such as the metal ion generation unit 130, the notification unit 140, and the storage unit 160.

[0033] For example, the control unit 150 controls the metal ion generation unit 130. Specifically, the control unit 150 controls the metal ion generation unit 130 so that the metal ion generation unit 130 generates metal ions.

[0034] Further, the control unit 150 measures the power generation amount by the generator 22. The control unit 150 can specify the flow rate of the water W based on the measured power generation amount. Note that the control unit 150 may specify the rotation speed of the waterwheel 21 based on the measured power generation amount. Based on the rotation speed of the waterwheel 21, the control unit 150 can convert the water flow rate.

[0035] Also, the control unit 150 detects the voltage and current of the power generation unit 20. The control unit 150 can predict the elution amount of metal ions based on the detected voltage and current of the power generation unit 20 and the correspondence table stored in the storage unit 160.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 150 includes a first determination unit 151 and a notification control unit 152. The control unit 150 functions as the first determination unit 151 and the notification control unit 152 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 160.

[0037] The first determination unit 151 determines whether the power generated by the power generation unit 20 is equal to or less than a first threshold value. The first threshold value indicates the power at which the metal ion generation unit 130 can generate a predetermined amount of metal ions. Depending on the amount of water W discharged from the faucet of the water supply 30, the power generation amount of the power generation unit 20 may not be sufficient, and the power may not be such that the metal ion generation unit 130 can generate a predetermined amount of metal ions. That is, when it is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the metal ion generation unit 130 cannot generate a predetermined amount of metal ions and cannot include sufficient metal ions in the water W. On the other hand, when it is not less than the first threshold value, the metal ion generation unit 130 can generate a predetermined amount of metal ions and can include sufficient metal ions in the water W.

[0038] The notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140. Specifically, when the first determination unit 151 determines that the power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to notify the user of information regarding the power. Therefore, it is possible to inform the user whether metal ions are being generated. As a result, it is possible to inform the user that the power generated by the power generation unit 20 is not sufficient for the generation of metal ions. Furthermore, it is possible to prompt the user to change the power supply method. For example, the user can be prompted to supply power from a household power source.

[0039] More specifically, when the first determination unit 151 determines that the power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to execute a first notification indicating that the notification unit 140 increases the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply 30 that discharges water W. By increasing the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply 30, the amount of water W discharged from the faucet of the water supply 30 increases. Therefore, the power generated by the power generation unit 20 increases in response to the increase in the amount of water W discharged from the faucet of the water supply 30. That is, the power supplied to the metal ion generation unit 130 can be increased. As a result, the possibility that the power exceeds the first threshold value increases. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the power generated by the power generation unit 20 the power capable of generating metal ions.

[0040] Also, when the first determination unit 151 determines that the power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the notification control unit 152 changes at least one of the light emission timing of the light emitter 141, the light emission period of the light emitter 141, or the color of the light of the light emitter 141. Therefore, by changing the light mode of the light emitter 141, it is possible to notify the user whether metal ions are being generated. As a result, the user can be prompted to open the faucet of the water supply 30.

[0041] For example, the notification control unit 152 controls the light emitter 141 to emit light only "once per second" at the light emission timing of the light emitter 141. By changing the light emission timing of the light emitter 141, it is possible to notify the user whether metal ions are being generated.

[0042] Further, for example, the notification control unit 152 controls the light emitter 141 so that the light emission period of the light emitter 141 becomes "0.5 seconds". By changing the light emission period of the light emitter 141, it is possible to notify the user whether metal ions are generated.

[0043] Also, for example, the notification control unit 152 changes the color of the light of the light emitter 141 from "green" to "red". By changing the color of the light of the light emitter 141, it is possible to notify the user whether metal ions are generated.

[0044] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 150 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 150 further includes an adjustment unit 153 and a second determination unit 154. The control unit 150 functions as the adjustment unit 153 and the second determination unit 154 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 160.

[0045] The second determination unit 154 determines whether the power generated by the power generation unit 20 is equal to or less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value indicates a value larger than the first threshold value. Depending on the amount of water W discharged from the faucet of the water supply 30, the power generated by the power generation unit 20 may become excessively large and exceed the allowable input range of the control unit 150 and the metal ion generation unit 130. In this case, the control unit 150, for example, the adjustment unit 153, the power generation unit 20, etc., are restricted so that the power is within the allowable range, thereby ensuring safety and preventing damage to the equipment. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the power corresponding to the increase in the amount of water W is not supplied to the metal ion generation unit 130.

[0046] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the power generated by the power generation unit 20 is not less than the second threshold value, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 so as to execute a second notification indicating that the notification unit 140 reduces the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply 30 that discharges the water W. Therefore, it is possible to supply the metal ion generation unit 130 with power within the range allowed by the system and having a magnitude suitable for generating metal ions.

[0047] The adjustment unit 153 executes an adjustment process. For example, when the first determination unit 151 determines that the power supplied to the metal ion generation unit 130 is not less than the first threshold value, the adjustment unit 153 executes the adjustment process. Also, for example, when the second determination unit 154 determines that the power supplied to the metal ion generation unit 130 is less than or equal to the second threshold value, the adjustment unit 153 executes the adjustment process. That is, when appropriate power for the metal ion generation unit 130 to generate metal ions is supplied, the adjustment unit 153 executes the adjustment process. Therefore, the adjustment unit 153 can execute the adjustment process in a state where a sufficient current for generating metal ions can be ensured.

[0048] The adjustment process indicates a process of adjusting a physical quantity related to electricity. The physical quantity related to electricity indicates current or voltage. The ease of flow of the current in water is affected by the conductivity of the water W. The conductivity of the water W varies depending on the region. Therefore, in order to generate the desired amount of metal ions, it is necessary to adjust the physical quantity related to electricity of the metal ion generation unit 130 according to the conductivity of the water W.

[0049] Also, for example, when the power generation amount is insufficient with respect to the current required for the metal ion generation unit 130 to generate metal ions, the voltage for operating the control unit 150 decreases, the operation of the control unit 150 becomes unstable, and the notification by the notification unit 140 may not be performed.

[0050] The adjustment process executed by the adjustment unit 153 in this embodiment controls the physical quantity related to the electricity of the metal ion generation unit 130 to be a specific physical quantity. For example, the adjustment unit 153 first controls the power supplied from the power generation unit 20 to be the voltage at which the control unit 150 including the adjustment unit 153 operates. Next, the adjustment unit 153 controls the voltage applied to the metal electrode 131 so that the current flowing through the metal electrode 131 of the metal ion generation unit 130 becomes a specific value. Further, the adjustment unit 153 gradually increases the current value flowing through the metal electrode 131 to a specific value. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the attempt to cause a current exceeding the power generation capacity to flow through the metal electrode 131 at a stage when the generated power amount is not stable immediately after the power generation unit 20 starts power generation. As a result, it is possible to suppress the operation of the control unit 150 from becoming unstable and the notification by the notification unit 140 from being unable to be performed.

[0051] The specific physical quantity indicates a predetermined current value or a predetermined voltage value. In the above example, the specific value is a predetermined current value, and indicates a current value at which the metal ion generation unit 130 can sufficiently generate metal ions. The specific value is, for example, "20 mA". Further, the predetermined voltage value indicates a voltage value at which the metal ion generation unit 130 can sufficiently generate metal ions and a voltage range allowed by the system. Note that the adjustment unit 153 adjusts the voltage applied to the metal electrode 131 within a range where the voltage value is "45 V or less".

[0052] Further, the control unit 150 may calculate the conductivity of the water W based on the current value of the current applied to the metal electrode 131 and the voltage value.

[0053] In this embodiment, the control unit 150 determines whether the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is a specific physical quantity. When the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is a specific physical quantity, a state in which metal ions can be sufficiently generated is obtained. Further, when the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is not a specific physical quantity, a state in which metal ions cannot be sufficiently generated is obtained.

[0054] When the conductivity of water W does not result in a specific physical quantity, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to execute a third notification indicating that the notification unit 140 cannot generate metal ions. As a result, it is possible to convey that it is difficult to use the metal ion generation unit 10.

[0055] When executing the third notification, specifically, the control unit 150 determines whether a state where it is impossible to secure the current required for generating metal ions continues for a predetermined period based on the physical quantity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether a state where the current value cannot be adjusted to "10 mA or more" continues for a predetermined period based on the current value adjusted by the adjustment unit 153.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 150 determines whether a state of the maximum voltage continues for a predetermined period based on the physical quantity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153. The maximum voltage is, for example, the upper limit of the voltage allowed by the system and is set to "44 V" or the like. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether a state where the voltage value is "44 V" continues for a predetermined period based on the voltage value adjusted by the adjustment unit 153. The predetermined period can be arbitrarily set by the designer.

[0057] When a state where it is impossible to secure the current required for generating metal ions and a state where the voltage value is the maximum voltage continue for a predetermined period, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to execute the third notification. As a result, it is possible to convey to the user using water W with low conductivity that it is difficult to use the metal ion generation unit 10.

[0058] Also, when the notification unit 140 executes the third notification, the user may be notified to reduce the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply 30. By reducing the flow rate of water W per unit time, the current becomes easier to flow, and the possibility of eluting metal ions is improved.

[0059] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the processing executed by the control unit 150 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the control unit 150 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the processing executed by the control unit 150 includes steps S101 to S107.

[0060] In step S101, water injection from the water supply 30 into the washing machine 40 is started, and the power generation unit 20 generates electric power by the flow of water W. The process proceeds to step S102.

[0061] In step S102, the first determination unit 151 determines whether the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is less than or equal to a first threshold value. If the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is not less than or equal to the first threshold value (No in step S102), the process proceeds to step S105. If the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is less than or equal to the first threshold value (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0062] When Yes in step S102, in step S103, when the first determination unit 151 determines that the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to execute a first notification indicating that the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply 30 from which the notification unit 140 discharges water W is increased. The process ends.

[0063] When No in step S102, in step S105, the second determination unit 154 determines whether the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is less than or equal to a second threshold value. If the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is not less than or equal to the second threshold value (No in step S107), the process proceeds to step S107. If the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 is less than or equal to the second threshold value (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0064] When Yes in step S105, in step S106, the adjustment unit 153 executes an adjustment process. The adjustment process will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. The process ends.

[0065] If the answer is No in step S105, in step S107, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 to execute a second notification indicating that the notification unit 140 reduces the opening degree of the faucet of the water supply pipe 30 that discharges the water W. The process ends.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the adjustment process executed by the adjustment unit 153 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the adjustment process executed by the adjustment unit 153 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the adjustment process executed by the adjustment unit 153 includes steps S201 to S205.

[0067] In step S201, the adjustment unit 153 executes an adjustment process. Specifically, the adjustment unit 153 executes a process of increasing the physical quantity related to the electricity of the metal ion generation unit 130 until it becomes a specific physical quantity. The process proceeds to step S202.

[0068] In step S202, the control unit 150 determines whether the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is a specific physical quantity. If the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is a specific physical quantity (Yes in step S202), the process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. If the physical quantity related to the electricity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153 is not a specific physical quantity (No in step S202), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0069] In step S204, the control unit 150 determines whether the state where the current required for generating metal ions cannot be secured and the state of the maximum voltage continue for a predetermined period based on the physical quantity adjusted by the adjustment unit 153. If the state where the current required for generating metal ions cannot be secured and the state of the maximum voltage do not continue for a predetermined period (No in step S204), the process proceeds to step S201. If the state where the current required for generating metal ions cannot be secured and the state of the maximum voltage continue for a predetermined period (Yes in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0070] If the answer is Yes in step S204, in step S205, the notification control unit 152 controls the notification unit 140 so that the notification unit 140 executes the third notification.

[0071] In FIG. 7, an example in which the adjustment process is executed after the determination by the second determination unit 154 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment process may be executed after step S102 shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are schematically shown mainly for each component for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each illustrated component are different from the actual ones for convenience of drawing creation. Also, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

[0073] (1) The metal ion generation unit 10 of the present embodiment may further include a detection unit that detects the temperature of water. The conductivity of water W and the elution amount of metal ions are changed depending on the temperature. Therefore, the control unit 150 may control the adjustment unit 153 based on the temperature of the water W detected by the detection unit. As a result, a desired amount of metal ions can be eluted with high accuracy.

[0074] (2) The metal ion generation unit 10 of this embodiment may utilize the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 by including the storage battery 29. Specifically, before supplying silver ions, that is, when the water supply flow rate is large during the washing process, the generator 22 generates sufficient electric power. The electric power obtained by power generation is not used during the water supply in the washing process but is stored in the storage battery 29 and then used during the rinsing process. Even when the remaining battery level of the storage battery 29 is extremely low (for example, 0), the storage battery 29 can be charged with the electric power obtained from the large water supply flow rate during the washing process. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shortage of electric power for supplying silver ions. By storing the electric power from the generator 22 in the storage battery 29, it is possible to enhance the reliability of the metal ion generation unit 10 while compensating for the shortage of electric power for supplying silver ions.

Industrial Applicability

[0075] The present invention provides a metal ion generator and has industrial applicability.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0076] 20: Power generation unit 30: Water supply 130: Metal ion generation section 140: Notification section 141: Light emitter 150: Control section 151: First determination section 152: Notification control section 153: Adjustment section 154: Second determination section W: Water

Claims

1. A power generation unit that generates electric power by the flow of water, a metal ion generation unit that generates metal ions to be supplied to the water by receiving the supply of the electric power from the power generation unit, a notification unit that notifies a user of information regarding the electric power, a first determination unit that determines whether the electric power is equal to or less than a first threshold value, a notification control unit that controls the notification unit so that the notification unit performs notification when the first determination unit determines that the electric power is equal to or less than the first threshold value and includes, the first threshold value indicates the electric power at which the metal ion generation unit can generate the metal ions, when the first determination unit determines that the electric power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the notification control unit controls the notification unit to execute a first notification indicating that the notification unit increases the opening degree of a faucet of a water supply pipe that discharges the water, a metal ion generator.

2. A power generation unit that generates electric power by the flow of water, a metal ion generation unit that generates metal ions to be supplied to the water by receiving the supply of the electric power from the power generation unit, a notification unit that notifies a user of information regarding the electric power, a first determination unit that determines whether the electric power is equal to or less than a first threshold value, a notification control unit that controls the notification unit so that the notification unit performs notification when the first determination unit determines that the electric power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, a second determination unit that determines whether the electric power is equal to or less than a second threshold value, and includes, the first threshold value indicates the electric power at which the metal ion generation unit can generate the metal ions, the second threshold value indicates a value larger than the first threshold value, when the electric power is not equal to or less than the second threshold value, the notification control unit controls the notification unit to execute a second notification indicating that the notification unit decreases the opening degree of a faucet of a water supply pipe that discharges the water, a metal ion generator.

3. The notification unit includes a light emitter that emits light, when the first determination unit determines that the electric power is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the notification control unit changes at least one of the light emission timing, the light emission period, or the color of the light, the metal ion generator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The metal ion generator further includes an adjustment unit that executes an adjustment process of increasing a physical quantity related to electricity of the metal ion generation unit until the physical quantity becomes a specific physical quantity, the physical quantity related to electricity indicates current or voltage, the metal ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. ​ ​ According to claim 5, when a period during which the physical quantity after the adjustment process has not become the specific physical quantity continues for a predetermined period, the notification control unit controls the notification unit to execute a third notification indicating that the notification unit cannot generate the metal ions. The metal ion generator according to claim 4.

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