Electrolysis-based toilet bowl sterilization apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing a toilet bowl of a bathroom on the basis of electrolysis. The apparatus is characterized by comprising: a main body (20) having a water tank (23) connected to a water pipe (15) inside a housing (21); an electrode member (30) alternately having positive and negative electrode plates (31) made of a conductive resin material inside the water tank (23) and forming a module capable of increasing and decreasing capacity with the electrode plates (31) of the same size; and a control means (40) for connecting a controller (41) to the main body (20) and the electrode member (30) and controlling same with a set algorithm. Accordingly, the present invention has the effects of improving practical usability and hygiene of public toilets by lowering manufacturing costs on the basis of a polymer electrode, enhancing a disinfection and sterilization function, and reducing operation costs due to labor saving to enhance economic efficiency.

Description

Electrolysis-based toilet bowl sterilization device

[0001] The present invention relates to toilet sterilization using an electrolytic structure, and more specifically, to an electrolytic-based toilet sterilization device for maintaining the cleaning water used in toilets in public restrooms, etc., in a clean state.

[0002] Public restrooms, in general, require extensive management from a public hygiene perspective because they are used by an unspecified number of people. Even with regular cleaning, ensuring hygiene is limited. For toilets, sterilization functions must be added to the wash water to eliminate bacteria and viruses that proliferate. Considering the recent labor shortages due to an aging population, electrolysis sterilization methods with automatic electrical control are a realistically suitable option.

[0003] In this regard, prior art documents that can be referenced include Korean Utility Model Publication No. 2016-0001408 (prior art document 1) and Korean Patent Registration No. 1915717 (prior art document 2).

[0004] Prior art document 1 includes an electrolysis tank having a molded upper and lower case facing each other; a positive electrode and a negative electrode respectively housed in the electrolysis tank to electrolyze tap water within the tank; a power supply means for supplying power to the positive and negative electrodes; and a tap water inlet and outlet provided in the case. Thus, it is expected that the neutralization of wastewater will not cause discomfort to restroom users and will have an environmentally friendly effect.

[0005] According to prior art 2, the device comprises a toilet tank, a circulation pump, electrodes, and a dilute hydrochloric acid supply means. The circulation pump operates to discharge and re-introduce water stored in the toilet tank, thereby creating a circulation cycle. The circulating water is electrolyzed by the electrodes to produce hypochlorous acid. Therefore, the device is expected to have a compact structure that eliminates the need for a separate electrolysis device, thereby reducing costs and providing excellent sterilization power in mildly acidic areas.

[0006] However, according to the above-mentioned prior literature, there is room for improvement as it shows limitations in reducing manufacturing costs and causes a cost burden as it involves management.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention to improve the above-mentioned conventional problems is to provide an electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device that enhances disinfection and sterilization function while lowering manufacturing cost based on a polymer electrode and reduces operating expenses through energy saving, thereby improving cleanliness.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a device for sterilizing a toilet bowl based on electrolysis, comprising: a main body having a water tank connected to a water pipe inside a housing; an electrode member having positive and negative electrode plates made of a conductive resin material alternately provided inside the water tank and forming a module capable of increasing or decreasing capacity with electrode plates of the same specification; and a control means for connecting a controller to the main body and the electrode member and controlling them using a set algorithm.

[0009] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the main body is characterized by having a branch pipe and a washer having a structure corresponding to a plurality of toilets.

[0010] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the electrode plate of the electrode member is characterized in that it maintains uniform performance with an electrical resistivity value of 0.3 ohmㆍcm or less using a nanocarbon composite as a main material, and further has a corrosion-resistant surface treatment area.

[0011] As a first embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plate is characterized in that it maintains a certain gap between the insulating rod and the spacer that are connected to the center.

[0012] As a second embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plates are characterized in that they are maintained at a certain interval by supports that are connected on both sides.

[0013] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the controller is characterized in that it inputs signals from a human body detector that detects a user's approach to the toilet, an operation detector that detects the operating status of the sterilization function, and a contamination detector that detects contamination of the toilet and the main body.

[0014] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the controller is characterized in that it accumulates operating frequency and sterilization / contamination information for a plurality of toilets and performs differential control while outputting the information locally and remotely.

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, the manufacturing cost is lowered based on the polymer electrode, the disinfection and sterilization function is strengthened, and the operating cost is reduced through revitalization, thereby improving the cleanliness, thereby improving the practical usability and hygiene of public restrooms.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prototype of a device according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing a modified example of a device according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode member of a device according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of an electrode member according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a device according to the present invention.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the attached drawings.

[0022] The present invention proposes a device for sterilizing toilet bowls using electrolysis. The device is intended to treat toilet bowls installed in public restrooms with sterilizing wash water using electrolysis, but is not necessarily limited to this. Public restrooms pose a significant risk of infection through urinals, toilet seats, sinks, and other areas, as it is difficult to individually identify users and manage hygiene in real time.

[0023] The main body (20) according to the present invention has a structure having a water tank (23) connected to a water pipe (15) inside a housing (21).

[0024] Referring to Fig. 1, a housing (21), a water tank (23), a branch pipe (25), etc. constituting the main body (20) are shown. The housing (21) is formed of a resin material, ceramic, or a composite thereof, and is placed adjacent to the toilet using a stand (12). The water tank (23) forms an electrolytic space inside the housing (21) and is connected to a water pipe (15) through a branch pipe (25). It is advantageous in terms of economy for the housing (21) and the water tank (23) to be formed of the same material. Tap water contains a trace amount of chloride ions, which generates slightly acidic hypochlorous acid through electrolysis. Depending on the region of the public restroom, hydrochloric acid (3-6%) for food additives may be added.

[0025] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the main body (20) is characterized by having a branch pipe (25) and a washer (27) having a structure corresponding to a plurality of toilets (10).

[0026] Referring to Fig. 2, a state in which multiple toilets (10) are connected to a single main body (20) in a public restroom is illustrated. The branch pipe (25) is equipped with a remote-controlled opening / closing valve corresponding to each toilet (10). The washer (27) is formed based on a nozzle and is connected from each toilet (10) to the branch pipe (25). The washer (27) may also be equipped with a function to spray a separate cleaning agent.

[0027] Although not shown, one body (20) can cover three toilets (10), and the toilets (10) can include a toilet bowl in addition to a urinal.

[0028] In addition, according to the present invention, the electrode member (30) having positive and negative electrode plates (31) of conductive resin material alternately provided inside the tank (23) forms a structure in which a module capable of increasing or decreasing capacity is formed with electrode plates (31) of the same standard.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 3, the electrode plate (31), electrode rod (34), spacer (36), etc. that constitute the electrode member (30) are shown. The positive electrode plate (31) and the negative electrode plate (31) are alternately stacked with each electrode rod (34) interposed therebetween to form a membraneless electrolytic cell together with the water tank (23). The electrode rod (34) may be at least partially made of a metal material in terms of durability. The spacer (36) allows the positive and negative electrode plates (31) to maintain a constant interval. The electrode rod (34) and the spacer (36) may be combined in a spiral structure. It is preferable that the electrode plate (31) and the spacer (36) use the same conductive resin material. If the configuration is modularized to facilitate capacity increase and decrease, partial replacement is also possible, thereby increasing economic efficiency.

[0030] For example, the main body (20) of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be configured so that only the quantity of electrode plates (31) and spacers (36) differs. It is possible to make other components have a somewhat minimal change in size (capacity) or to make them common.

[0031] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the electrode plate (31) of the electrode member (30) is characterized by maintaining uniform performance with an electrical resistivity value of 0.3 ohmㆍcm or less using a nano-carbon composite as a main material, and further having a corrosion-resistant surface treatment area.

[0032] Although omitted in the city, the electrode plate (31) is mass-produced using a high-content compounding method based on nano-carbon composite electrically conductive plastic technology. The conductive resin electrode plate (31) excludes precious metal materials in the electrolysis action, thereby increasing the cost-effectiveness compared to the performance. The positive electrode plate (31) and the negative electrode plate (31) can have somewhat different physical properties. In either case, the stability of the electrolytic action is secured with a uniform performance of an electrical resistivity value of 0.3 ohmㆍcm or less. The corrosion resistance of the electrode plate (31) can be improved through surface treatment such as a fluororesin coating. The corrosion resistance of the electrode plate (31) can be limited to a certain range in consideration of cost-effectiveness.

[0033] Meanwhile, in order to increase the electrolytic action of the electrode member (30), it is desirable to form permeable holes (31a) at regular intervals in the electrode plate (31).

[0034] As a first embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plate (31) is characterized in that it maintains a certain gap between an insulating rod (32) and a spacer (35) that are connected to the center.

[0035] In Fig. 3, a state in which an insulating rod (32) and a spacer (35) are combined at the center of an electrode plate (31) is shown. The insulating rod (32) and the insulating spacer (35) maintain the gap of the electrode plate (31) together with the electrode rods (34) and the conductive spacer (36) on both sides. However, as the size of the insulating rod (32) and the spacer (35) increases, the electrolytic area of ​​the electrode plate (31) decreases, so they are set to a minimum. The spacer (35) is shown as a pipe or washer structure, but it is also possible to apply a pin structure inserted into the perforation hole (31a).

[0036] As a second embodiment of the present invention, the electrode plate (31) is characterized in that it maintains a certain distance between the supports (38) that are connected on both sides.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, which is a side view of FIG. 3, a state in which a support (38) is coupled to both sides of an electrode plate (31) is shown. In this case, the insulating rod (32) and spacer (35) of the first embodiment can be omitted, and the electrolytic area of ​​the electrode plate (31) can be increased. The support (38) has a plurality of bonding materials (38a) arranged at regular intervals on one side. The bonding materials (38a) are shown in a simple pin shape, but a snap-fit ​​structure can also be applied. Of course, the electrode plate (31) has a hole or groove that engages with the bonding materials (38a) of the support (38).

[0038] At this time, it is also possible to apply the insulating rod (32) of the first embodiment and the support (38) of the second embodiment simultaneously. In this case, the insulating rod (32) and the support (38) can be formed in a smaller size.

[0039] In addition, according to the present invention, the control means (40) is structured to control the main body (20) and the electrode member (30) by connecting a controller (41) to the main body (20) and the electrode member (30) using a set algorithm.

[0040] In Fig. 1, a state in which a control means (40) is connected to a main body (20) and an electrode member (30) is shown. The controller (41) of the control means (40) is configured based on a microcomputer circuit having a microprocessor, memory, and input / output interface. The algorithm of the controller (41) is stored in the memory in the form of a program and data and executed by the microprocessor.

[0041] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the controller (41) is characterized by inputting signals from a human body detector (43) that detects a user's approach to the toilet, an operation detector (44) that detects the operating status of the sterilization function, and a contamination detector (45) that detects contamination of the toilet and the main body (20). The control means (40) sterilizes harmful bacteria through an environmentally friendly electrolysis method that is harmless to the human body and increases the cleanliness of public restrooms through periodic sterilization and disinfection.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 5, a human body detector (43), a motion detector (44), a contamination detector (45), etc. connected to a controller (41) are shown. The human body detector (43) can be composed of an infrared sensor and is installed singly or in multiples in the main body (20). The motion detector (44) selectively applies a pH detector, a water level detector of a water tank (23), a power detector of an electrode rod (34), etc. depending on the installation environment. The contamination detector (45) selectively detects foreign substances, specific bacteria, and specific viruses in the toilet (10) and / or the water tank (23).

[0043] As a detailed configuration of the present invention, the controller (41) is characterized by accumulating operating frequency and sterilization / contamination information for a plurality of toilets and performing differential control while outputting the information locally and remotely.

[0044] In Fig. 5, a state in which a driver (47) and a communicator are connected to the input / output interface of the controller (41) is shown. The driver (47) supplies operating power to the opening / closing valve of the branch pipe (25), the electrode plate (31) of the electrode rod (34), the indicator (48), etc. The communicator is connected to an external server and / or a smartphone to transmit and receive control information. The controller (41) obtains operating frequency information of each toilet (10) from the signal of the human body detector (43) and obtains contamination information from the signal of the contamination detector (45). Since such information is accumulated in the memory and / or server of the controller (41), the controller (41) can differentially maintain the operating status of each toilet (10).

[0045] Both public restroom managers and users can check the sterilization / contamination information of the toilet (10) through the indicator (48). Ultimately, this can lead to energy savings through a real-time automatic power-saving system and reduced operating costs through improved personnel management efficiency.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such variations or modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a device for sterilizing a toilet bowl based on electrolysis: A body (20) having a water tank (23) connected to a water pipe (15) inside a housing (21); An electrode member (30) that forms a module in which anode and cathode electrode plates (31) of a conductive resin material are alternately provided inside the above tank (23) and the capacity can be increased or decreased with electrode plates (31) of the same standard; and An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized by comprising a control means (40) that controls the main body (20) and the electrode member (30) by connecting a controller (41) to the main body (20) and the electrode member (30) using a set algorithm.

2. In claim 1, An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that the main body (20) is provided with a branch pipe (25) and a washer (27) having a structure corresponding to a plurality of toilets (10).

3. In claim 1, An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that the electrode plate (31) of the electrode member (30) is made of a nano-carbon composite material and maintains uniform performance with an electric resistivity value of 0.3 ohmㆍcm or less and further has a corrosion-resistant surface treatment area.

4. In claim 1, An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that the electrode plate (31) is maintained at a certain interval by an insulating rod (32) and a spacer (35) connected to the center.

5. In claim 1, An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that the electrode plates (31) are maintained at a certain interval by means of supports (38) connected on both sides.

6. In claim 1, An electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that the controller (41) inputs signals from a human body detector (43) that detects a user's approach to a toilet, an operation detector (44) that detects the operating status of a sterilization function, and a contamination detector (45) that detects contamination of the toilet and main body (20).

7. In claim 1, The above controller (41) is an electrolysis-based toilet sterilization device characterized in that it accumulates operating frequency and sterilization / contamination information for multiple toilets and performs differential control while outputting it locally and remotely.

Images