JP3299592B2 - Water supply electrolytic treatment equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrolytically treating feed water for producing, for example, alkaline ionized water or alkaline ice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, alkaline ionized water produced by electrolysis of water has been widely consumed as being effective for maintaining and promoting health. On the other hand, conventionally, ice blocks of a predetermined shape made by an automatic ice making machine have been used to give a refreshing feeling to drinking water and the like, but ice blocks made from ordinary water are put in alkaline ionized water. In other words, as the material is melted, the ion concentration of the alkaline ionized water decreases, and the initial advantages may be lost. Therefore,
There is a need for an automatic ice making machine that makes ice using electrolyzed water such as alkaline ionized water as a raw material.

In a conventionally known automatic ice making machine, a water supply valve connected to an ice making water tank is connected to an external water supply system, and the water supply valve is opened and closed to receive tap water into the ice making water tank and use this as a raw material. However, if the electrolyzed water generator is installed on the outside tap side of the water supply valve, there is a concern that the external tap water pressure and excessive pressure due to the water hammer due to opening and closing of the water supply valve directly act on the electrolyzed water generator. Is done.
In consideration of these problems and other circumstances, in an automatic ice making machine for producing electrolyzed water ice, it is a promising proposal by the present applicant to provide an electrolyzed water generator between a water supply valve and an ice making water tank. Has been filed.

[0004] When an electrolyzed water generator is provided in a system through which water flows, whether it is upstream or downstream of a water supply valve, a predetermined amount of water is provided, unlike the case where this is provided in a tank for storing water. It is necessary to determine whether or not is flowing into the electrolytic cell of the electrolyzed water generator and apply an electrolysis voltage only at that time. Otherwise, normal electrolytic action will not occur and cause failure. In order to prevent such a problem, a flowing water detecting means such as a pressure sensor or a resistance sensor is provided in the flowing water passage of the electrolytic cell, and a resistance detecting means is provided between the electrolytic electrodes, and a signal is received from these detecting means. It has been proposed to stop the application of the electrolytic voltage.

[0005]

Conventionally, the running water detecting means such as a pressure sensor which has been used for protecting the electrolyzed water generating apparatus is not only relatively expensive but also liable to break down due to scale and the like. When the amount of flowing water is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a flowing water signal lowering signal is issued to stop applying the electrolytic voltage. In general, the water supply valve does not flow a flow rate of a predetermined value or more even if the pressure of the external water supply system increases, but instead of completely shutting off the water, a small amount of water flows when the water pressure is low, In such a state, since the function of the electrolyzed water generator is stopped as described above, the non-electrolyzed water flows to the water receiving tank on the downstream side, or to the ice making water tank in the automatic ice making machine. When water containing such non-electrolyzed water is used, ice produced by an automatic ice maker does not become completely electrolyzed water ice, which is a problem in maintaining ice quality. Further, even in the case of a water heater such as a coffee server or a tea server that uses electrolyzed water, even if it is not an automatic ice maker, if non-electrolyzed water is contained in the raw water, the same problem of maintaining quality occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply electrolytic treatment apparatus having a protection control device using a water level detection sensor which is inexpensive, has few failures, and operates reliably. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a water supply electrolytic treatment apparatus capable of completely removing electrolytic water even when unprotected water flows by operating the protection control device, thereby always supplying complete electrolytic treated water. It is in.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply valve connected to an external water supply system, and an electrolyzed water generator connected to the water supply valve. And a receiving tank provided with a water level detection sensor while receiving the generated electrolysis water by contacting the electrolyzed water generation device, and a protection control device electrically connected to the above-described water supply valve, electrolyzed water generation device and water level detection sensor. In the electrolyzing apparatus having the protection control device, an application start means for applying an electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generator in response to opening and closing of a water supply valve, and a water level detection sensor rises within a predetermined time after the water supply valve is opened. When the water level is not detected, there is provided an application stopping means for stopping the application of the electrolytic voltage. According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, in the above-described electrolytic treatment apparatus, the water receiving tank is further provided with a forced drainage unit, and the protection control device further includes:
When the water level detection sensor detects the rising water level after the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generation device is stopped, the apparatus is configured to have a drainage operation means for closing the water supply valve and draining the forced drainage means.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the water supply valve is opened, water is supplied to the electrolyzed water generator and flows therethrough.
Then, an electrolytic voltage is applied, and the supplied water is electrolyzed and flows out to the water receiving tank. When the flow rate of tap water flowing through the water supply valve decreases, the amount of electrolyzed water remaining in the water receiving tank within a predetermined time set based on the normal flow rate is small, so that the water level detection sensor does not detect the water level. The protection control device determines that the water supply is cut off or abnormal water supply, and stops the application of the electrolytic voltage to the electrolyzed water generation device. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the case of incomplete water cutoff, a low flow rate of water flows, the water level detection sensor does not detect the water level during a predetermined time, and the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped. The low-flow water that flows thereafter flows into the receiving tank as unelectrolyzed water, and after a considerable period of time, rises to a predetermined water level, the water level detection sensor is activated, the water supply valve is closed, and under the action of the forced drainage means. And discharge the water mixed with the electroless water in the receiving tank.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although this embodiment is an example in which the invention is applied to an automatic ice making machine, it is an example for explanation, and it should not be understood that the present invention is limited to this. It can be applied to servers and the like. Note that the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram of an automatic ice maker 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the overall configuration of the automatic ice maker 1 will be described. The ice maker 10 includes a refrigeration system (not shown) (generally, a refrigerant compressor, an expansion valve, a condenser,
An ice making plate 13 provided with an evaporator 11 which is a part of a condenser cooling fan), an ice making water tank 15 serving as a water receiving tank of the present invention, a water sprinkling pipe 17 and a circulation pump 19. An ice making completion detecting sensor 21 and a deicing completion detecting sensor 23, which are part of a protection control device described later, are attached to the lower surface of the ice making plate 13, and a water level detecting sensor 25 is disposed above the inside of the ice making water tank 15.

In the ice making section 10, during the ice making cycle operation, the electrolyzed water, that is, the alkaline ionized water w, supplied to the ice making water tank 15 is sent as ice making water to the water spray pipe 17 by the circulation pump 19, and the ice making plate 13 Sprinkle on top. While flowing on the ice making plate 13 cooled by the condensed refrigerant in the evaporator 11, the alkaline ionized water is cooled and partly freezes on the upper surface of the ice making plate 13, and the others are in the ice making water tank 1
Run down into 5. This returned alkaline ionized water w
The circulation operation of the alkaline ionized water w is performed again by the circulation pump 19 through the above-described path.
Until the ice 3 on the upper surface of 3 becomes a predetermined thickness (the ice making is completed)
You can continue.

An electrolyzed water generator 30 which is a main part of the present invention
Has an electrolytic cell 31, which communicates with a water supply valve 41 connected to the external water supply system 5 via a water purifier 43. The water supply valve 41 is a general one and has a built-in flow control device, that is, a flow controller. Even if the water pressure of the external water supply system 5 becomes excessive, a certain amount of tap water, that is, water supply, is electrolyzed through the water purifier 43. It is sent to the tank 31. This closed type electrolytic cell 31 made of a resin such as vinyl chloride is connected to a water purifier 43 through a supply port 31a at the bottom, and the inside is connected to a negative electrode chamber 33 and a positive electrode chamber by a permeable diaphragm 32. 34. Each of these chambers 33 and 34 is provided with a negative electrode 35 and a positive electrode 36 connected to an AC power supply (both not shown) via a rectifier circuit. A power supply unit (not shown) connected to the negative electrode 35 and the positive electrode 36 is electrically connected to a protection control device (not shown in FIG. 1), and is operated and controlled as described later. Further, the water supply connecting pipe 37 extending from the upper part of the negative electrode chamber 33 is opened to the ice making water tank 15 of the ice making part 10 to supply the ice water tank 15 with electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis, that is, alkali ion water. On the other hand, the positive electrode chamber 34
A drain pipe 38 extending from the uppermost portion communicates with a drainage system (not shown) to discharge the acidic ionized water generated by the electrolysis to the outside.

In this embodiment, alkaline ice water, which is electrolyzed water, is used as ice making water to produce alkaline ice. Of course, alkaline ion water is used exclusively for drinking.
When using acidic ionized water as ice making water, drain pipe 3
8 to the ice making water tank 15 and the water supply connection pipe 37 to the drinking water server.

Returning again to the main body of the automatic ice making machine 1, the ice storage unit 50 for receiving the ice produced by the ice making unit 10 has an ice storage tank 51 located below the ice making unit 10 and has a front surface thereof. Is provided with an opening / closing door 53 for taking out ice. The ice storage tank 51 has a bottom inclined toward a central bottom opening 51 a, and the bottom opening 51 a is covered with a porous partition plate 55.

At the upper part of the ice storage tank 51, a cut heater 59 having an electric resistor 57 such as a nichrome wire arranged in a two-tiered grid pattern is provided adjacent to the ice making unit 10. During the deicing operation of the ice making unit 10, hot gas is flowed into the evaporator 11, and the plate-like ice 3 separated from the ice making plate 13 slides down onto the cut heater 59, and is cubically shaped by the grid-like electric resistor 57. , And is dropped and stored in the ice storage tank 51. An overflow pipe 61 extends downward from the periphery of the bottom surface of the ice storage tank 51, and its opening is covered by an inclined shielding plate 63. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the shielding plate 63 prevents the ice block or its melted water from directly flowing into or falling into the overflow pipe 61 and is guided toward the bottom opening 51a.

The automatic ice maker 1 is further provided with a water storage section 70 for storing alkaline ionized water below the ice storage section 50. The water storage tank 71 has a ceiling entrance at the ice storage tank 51.
To the bottom opening 51a of the partition plate 55,
The molten water of the alkaline ice, which flows down through a, is stored. And the water storage tank 71 is provided with the valve 7
When the valve 73 is opened and the valve 73 is opened, the stored alkaline ionized water is poured into an appropriate container such as the glass 7 and used for drinking. Further, a drain pipe 79 having a valve 77 is connected to the bottom of the water storage tank 71, and communicates with the overflow pipe 61 described above. When the valve 77 is opened, old alkaline ionized water and washing water are discharged to the outside via the drain pipe 79 and the overflow pipe 61.

Returning to the ice making section 10 again, the ice making water tank 15 having a water level detecting sensor 25 for detecting the water level of the alkaline ionized water w is provided with an L-shaped overflow pipe 27 penetrating the bottom surface in a watertight manner. I have. A large number of holes 29 are provided in the horizontal portion of the overflow pipe 27 to force the alkaline ionized water w to flow out according to demand.

An ice storage completion detection sensor 65 is provided above the inside of the ice storage tank 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage completion detection sensor 21, the ice removal completion detection sensor 23, Along with the button 81, the water level detection sensor 25, the control unit of the water supply valve 41, the control unit 9 of the refrigeration system, and the power control unit of the negative electrode 35 and the positive electrode 36 of the electrolytic cell 31, a control system 91 which can be a microcomputer is communicated. Protection control device 9
0.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation sequence of the automatic ice maker 1 controlled by the protection control device 90, which will be described with reference to these as appropriate. FIG. 3 shows a sequence of the entire operation, and FIGS. 4 to 6 show details of specific parts of the sequence. First, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the power is turned on (step 100), an initial water supply step is first started (step 110). That is, since the ice making water tank 15 is normally empty before the operation by the application starting means of the protection control device 90 built in the microcomputer 91, the water supply valve 41 is provided.
Is opened (step 111), and at the same time, an electrolytic voltage is applied to each electrode 35, 36 of the electrolytic cell 31 (step 1).
12). Thereby, the tap water flowing into the electrolytic cell 31 through the water supply valve 41 is electrolyzed. And the negative electrode chamber 33
Is supplied to the ice making water tank 15 as ice making water. As described above, when the alkaline ionized water continues to flow into the ice making water tank 15, its water level (surface) rises and reaches the water level detection sensor 25.
The water level detection sensor 25 detects this (step 11).
3) The detection signal of the rising water level is supplied to the microcomputer 91.
Then, the water supply valve 41 is closed (step 115), and at the same time, the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped (step 116).

As described above, when the water pressure of the external water supply system 5 is in the normal range, the water supply valve 41 allows water to flow at a substantially constant flow rate. For this reason, the time required until the water level of the ice making water tank 15 rises and the water level detection sensor 25 is activated is temporarily predicted. A predetermined time is determined based on the required time, and the protection control device 90 is provided with a timer function. As shown in FIG. 4, when the water level detection sensor 25 is not operated, it is determined whether the predetermined time has elapsed. Check (Step 1
14). Before the predetermined time elapses, the water level detection sensor 25 detects or follows the rising water level (predetermined water level), and if the water level detection sensor 25 detects the predetermined water level within the predetermined time, the water supply valve as described above. Close 41. If the water pressure in the external water supply system 5 drops significantly or the water supply is cut off, it goes without saying that it passes through the water supply valve 41 and the electrolyzed water generator 3
Since the flow rate of water entering the ice making water tank 15 through 0 (the amount of water flowing per unit time) decreases, the water in the ice making water tank 15 does not rise to the predetermined water level within a predetermined time. . In this case, the application stopping means incorporated in the microcomputer 91 stops the application of the electrolytic voltage (step 117), and the protection control device 90 issues a water-cut alarm (step 118). At this time, if the water supply valve 41 is closed at the same time as the stop of the application of the electrolytic voltage, the power supply must be turned on when the operation is restarted. wait.

When the alkaline ionized water w accumulates in the ice making water tank 15 and the water supply valve 41 is closed and the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped as described above, the initial water supply step is completed and the ice making step (FIG. 5) (Step 120). Referring to FIG. 5, the operation of a refrigeration system having a refrigerant compressor, a condenser cooling fan, and the like (not shown) is started (step 121), and the circulation pump 19 is also operated (step 122). Alkaline ion water w in the sprinkling pipe 1
7 and is spread on the ice making plate 13 from here. At the same time, the condensed refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 11 and evaporates by taking heat from the outside (by cooling the ice making plate 13 and the alkaline ionized water flowing down). The operation of the refrigeration system and the circulation pump 19
The process continues until the ice making completion detection sensor 21 detects the completion of ice making (step 123). When the ice making is completed, the operation of the circulation pump 19 is stopped (step 124), and the operation of the refrigeration condenser cooling fan is stopped (step 12).
5) The process proceeds to the deicing step (step 130).

The deicing step is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the hot gas valve of the refrigeration system is opened (step 131), and hot gas, that is, non-condensed compressed refrigerant (gas) is supplied to the evaporator 11. Electric power is supplied to the electric resistor 57 of the cut heater 59 to become hot (step 132). When the adhesion between the ice making plate 13 and the ice 3 is released by the hot gas, the plate-like ice 3 is cut off by the cut heater 59.
Slide down on Apart from the melting and slipping of the ice 3, the cut heater 59 is turned on, and the water supply valve 41 is opened (step 133) to prepare for the next ice making process operation. At the same time, the electrolytic voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 31. (Step 134). Therefore, alkaline ionized water is generated by the electrolyzed water generator 30 and is supplied to the ice making water tank 15. At the end of the ice making process, the alkali ion water is almost consumed and the ice making water tank 15 is empty. However, at the time of the water supply process, the alkali ion water w is fed and accumulated as described above, The water level rises. When the water level detection sensor 25 detects a predetermined water level (step 135), the water supply valve 41 is closed (step 136), and subsequently, the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped (step 137). When the deicing completion detecting sensor 23 detects the completion of deicing (step 141), the hot gas valve is closed (step 142).

Obviously, even during the deicing step, the water supply of the external water supply system 5 may be cut off or the water pressure may drop. If such a water cutoff occurs, the water level detection sensor 25 is stopped because the alkaline ionized water in the ice making water tank 15 does not reach the predetermined water level even after the predetermined time elapses, as in the above-described initial water supply step. Does not work (step 138). In this case, it is determined that an accident has occurred, and the electrolyzed water generator 3
In order to protect 0, the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped (step 139), and the water cutoff alarm is activated (step 14).
0).

The operation of the above ice making process and deicing process is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the ice is accumulated in the ice storage tank 51 and the operation is continued until the ice storage completion detection sensor 65 is activated (step 15).
0). When the door 53 is opened, the ice in the ice storage tank 51 can be taken out. As long as there is ice, the ice can be taken out even during the operation of the ice making process and the deicing process.

If the ice storage detecting sensor 65 detects that ice is sufficiently stored in the ice storage tank 51, there is no need to make any more ice and there is no space for storing ice, so that the ice making process and the deicing process are performed. Is repeated (step 16).
0). If ice is taken out of the ice storage tank 51 and the ice storage detection sensor 65 detects that ice replenishment is necessary, the process returns to step 120 again to start the operation of the ice making process. When the operation of the ice making process and the operation of the de-icing process are interrupted, the operation enters the ice storage process (FIG. 3), and the operation of the refrigeration compressor is stopped (step 170).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the ice (alkali ice) stored in the ice storage tank 51 is partially melted as alkaline ionized water and stored in the water storage tank 71 as described above. Ice melting occurs while the ice is being stored,
Since this amount is small, when the demand for alkaline ionized water is large, this alone cannot be used. Therefore, the ice storage unit 7
When the push button 81 provided at an appropriate position is pressed, the water supply valve 41 is opened by the operation of the microcomputer 91 regardless of the ice making process and the deicing process, and the electrolytic water generation device 30 is opened.
(When the water supply valve 41 is already open and the electrolytic voltage is being applied, the state is continued). This state is continued ignoring the signal of the water level detection sensor 25 as long as the push button 81 is pressed, whereby the alkaline ionized water w overflows from the ice making water tank 15 and flows into the overflow pipe 27, and from the hole 29, Ice storage tank 51
Sprinkled inside. This flows down while being cooled by ice, and flows into the water storage tank 71. This comes out of the faucet 75, as before. If the alkali ion water is excessively accumulated in the water storage tank 71, the water level rises, flows out of the overflow pipe 61, and does not adversely affect the ice in the ice storage tank 51. Thus, the alkaline ionized water can be discharged at any time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the automatic ice maker 101 of FIG. 7 and the automatic ice maker 1 of FIG. 1 is that a drain pipe (forced drain means) 26 is provided instead of the overflow pipe 27. This drain pipe 26 has a drain valve (forced drain means).
A tip 28 communicates with the drainage pipe 38 in the middle. The other parts are the same for both the automatic ice making machines 1 and 101, and therefore, only the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

As described above, since the structure is the same, most of the operation procedure is the same, but the part related to the drain valve 28 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
4 corresponds to the whole or part of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, and shows a flowchart of a water supply part of an initial water supply step and a deicing step.

In FIG. 8, in the initial water supply step and the deicing step, the water supply valve 41 is opened (step 171), and the electrolysis voltage is applied to the electrolyzed water generator 30 (step 172). If there is, the alkaline ionized water is supplied to the ice making water tank 15, reaches a predetermined water level within a predetermined time (step 173), and shifts to an ice making process (step 174). In the case of interruption of water supply or a large drop in water pressure, the predetermined water level is not reached within a predetermined time (step 175). In this case, the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped (step 17).
6).

In this state, since the water supply valve 41 is not closed, the water supply at a low flow rate continues to flow, or when the water supply is restored, the non-electrolyzed water is accumulated in the ice making water tank 15 and reaches a predetermined water level. The water level detection sensor 25 is in a standby state even after the application of the electrolytic voltage is stopped, and when a predetermined water level is detected (step 177), the water supply valve 41 is closed by the operation of the drainage operation means of the protection control device 90 (step 177). Step 178),
The drain valve 28 is opened (step 179). That is, the water containing the non-electrolyzed water in the ice making water tank 15 is completely discharged. Then, a predetermined drainage time (the ice making water tank 1)
(Determined from the amount of water in 5 and the flow rate of drainage) (step 180), the drain valve 28 is closed (181), and the process returns to the water supply step.

[0031]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the time elapsed from the opening of the water supply valve and the water level are detected using the water level detection sensor provided in the water receiving tank such as an ice making water tank. The operation is reliable because the application of the electrolytic voltage to the electrolyzed water generator is stopped by comparing the water level detection of the detection sensor with the water level detection and judging the interruption of water supply or abnormal water supply. The water level detection sensor is widely used in conventional automatic ice making machines and the like, and is not only inexpensive, but also
Since it is not provided in the water and is usually located on the surface of the water, it does not cause problems due to water scale and the like, and its operation is reliable for a long period of time. Is realized.

Further, according to the present invention described in claim 2,
The above-mentioned protection control device, after stopping the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generation device, continues to supply a small amount of water, and when the water level of the water receiving tank reaches a predetermined water level, closes the water supply valve and forcibly drains the water. Is operated to completely discharge the water including the non-electrolyzed water in the water receiving tank, so that the water receiving tank can always supply complete electrolyzed water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the entire system of an automatic ice maker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a protection control device of the automatic ice maker of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing all the operation steps of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a part of the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of another part of the flowchart in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of still another part of the flowchart in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an overall view showing the entire system of an automatic ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial flowchart showing an operation state of a characteristic portion of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic ice-making machine, 5 ... External water supply system, 15 ... Ice making water tank (water receiving tank), 25 ... Water level detection sensor, 26 ... Drainage pipe (forced drainage means), 28 ... Drainage valve (forced drainage means), 30 ...
Electrolyzed water generator, 31 ... electrolyzer, 41 ... water supply valve, 90 ...
Protection control device, 91: control system as a microcomputer; 101, automatic ice machine.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/46

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply valve connected to an external water supply system, an electrolyzed water generator connected to the water supply valve to electrolyze the water supply, and a water level detection sensor connected to the electrolyzed water generator and receiving the generated electrolyzed water. In the electrolytic treatment device having a water receiving tank and a protection control device electrically connected to the water supply valve, the electrolyzed water generation device and the water level detection sensor, the protection control device responds to opening and closing of the water supply valve. An application start means for applying an electrolytic voltage to the electrolyzed water generator, and an application stop for stopping the application of the electrolytic voltage when the water level detection sensor does not detect a water level within a predetermined time after opening of the water supply valve. Means for electrolytically treating water supply. 2. The water receiving tank further includes forced drainage means, and the protection control device applies the electrolytic voltage without the water level detection sensor detecting a water level within the predetermined time after the water supply valve is opened. The water supply according to claim 1, further comprising a drainage operation unit that closes the water supply valve and drains the forced drainage unit when the water level detection sensor detects the water level after stopping the water supply. Electrolytic treatment equipment.