JP7312939B2 - Electrolytic water spray device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an electrolyzed water spraying device that generates and sprays electrolyzed water.

An electrolyzed water spraying device that generates and sprays electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolysis in order to remove (including inactivate) bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, etc. from the air is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In order to generate hypochlorous acid, it is necessary to add an electrolysis promoting tablet such as salt to the water to be electrolyzed to generate water containing chloride ions.

JP 2008-29574 A

If electrolysis is carried out while the water to be electrolyzed is dirty, dirt may adhere to the electrodes for electrolysis, shortening the life of the electrodes. Therefore, periodic drainage is required. However, the need for regular drainage reduces user convenience.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a technique for improving the user's convenience regarding drainage of an electrolyzed water spraying device.

In order to solve the above problems, the electrolyzed water spraying device of the present disclosure is an electrolyzed water spraying device for spraying electrolyzed water, comprising: a water storage unit for storing water; an electrolysis unit for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water in the water storage unit; a pump for discharging water from the water storage unit;
a drain tank forA water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the water storage unit and a measurement unit for measuring a period in which the water level detected by the water level detection unit indicates that there is water. When the period measured by the measurement unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the water in the water storage unit is determined to be discharged to the drain tank by the pump..

It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components and expressions of the present disclosure converted between methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the user's convenience regarding drainage of an electrolyzed water spraying device.

1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing the structure of an electrolyzed water spraying device according to an embodiment. Fig. 1(a) - Fig. 1(b) is a sectional view showing the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device. FIGS. 3(a)-(c) are diagrams showing structures of a water reservoir, a filter, and a filter frame in the electrolyzed water spraying apparatus of FIGS. 1(a)-(b). FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device of FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a control unit in FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by a control unit in FIG. 5; FIG.

Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be described. This embodiment relates to an electrolyzed water spraying device that generates electrolyzed water using water stored in a water storage unit and then sprays the electrolyzed water. Specifically, the electrodes are immersed in the water stored in the water reservoir, and the electrodes are energized to electrochemically electrolyze the water and generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. However, if electrolyzed water continues to be generated, the water stored in the water reservoir will become dirty. As described above, if the electrolyzed water is continuously produced using dirty water, the electrodes will become dirty and the service life of the electrodes will be shortened. In order to prevent this, the dirty water needs to be drained periodically, but the need for regular draining reduces convenience for the user.

In order to suppress the deterioration of user's convenience, the electrolyzed water spraying device according to the present embodiment includes a drain tank having a capacity larger than the amount of water stored in the water reservoir. In addition, when the water stored in the water storage part is used for a long period of time, the water in the water storage part is discharged to the drain tank. Since the interval at which water is to be drained from the drain tank is longer than the interval at which water is to be drained from the water reservoir, the frequency of draining water is reduced, thereby suppressing a decrease in convenience for the user.

Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. FIG. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, and is a front view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. FIG. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, and is a front view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 with the panel 8 of FIG. 1(a) opened. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. As shown in FIG.

The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 includes a main body case 1 , an air blowing section 2 , an air cleaning section 3 , a control section 4 , an operation section 5 , a piping case 33 and a piping section 32 . The body case 1 has a substantially box shape, and is provided with an intake port 6 , an air outlet 7 , and a panel 8 . The intake ports 6 are provided on both side surfaces of the body case 1 . The air outlet 7 is of an opening/closing type and is provided on the back side of the top surface of the main body case 1 . 1(a)-(b), the outlet 7 is in a closed state. An operation unit 5 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the main body case 1 .

A panel 8 that can be opened and closed is provided on the right side surface (one side surface of the main body case 1) when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1. - 特許庁An intake port 6 is provided on the panel 8 on the front side of the main body case 1 . When the panel 8 is opened, a hollow portion 9 is provided inside the main body case 1 . The hollow portion 9 is a hole extending horizontally to the left side of the main body case 1 from a vertically long rectangular opening 9 a on the right side of the main body case 1 . An air purifier 3 is provided in the cavity 9 . The air purifier 3 can be taken out of the main body case 1 from inside the cavity 9 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , an air passage 10 is provided in the main body case 1 so as to communicate the air inlet 6 and the air outlet 7 . The air passage 10 is provided with an air purifier 3 , a blower 2 , and an air outlet 7 in this order from the air inlet 6 . The air cleaning section 3 and the blowing section 2 are put together as a spraying section. The air blowing unit 2 is provided in the central portion of the body case, and includes a motor unit 11, a fan unit 12 rotated by the motor unit 11, and a scroll-shaped casing unit 13 surrounding them. The motor portion 11 is fixed to the casing portion 13 .

The fan section 12 is a sirocco fan and is fixed to a rotating shaft (not shown) extending horizontally from the motor section 11 . The rotating shaft of the motor portion 11 extends from the back side of the body case 1 to the front side. The casing portion 13 is provided with a discharge port 14 and a suction port 15 . The discharge port 14 is provided on the upper surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing portion 13 . In addition, the suction port 15 is provided on the back side of the main body case 1 of the casing portion 13 . When the fan portion 12 is rotated by the motor portion 11 , air is sucked into the casing portion 13 through the suction port 15 of the casing portion 13 , and the sucked air is blown out of the casing portion 13 through the discharge port 14 . The air volume of the air blower 2 is determined for each air volume unit time (for example, 5 minutes) according to the temperature, humidity, and gas odor level. The amount of rotation of the motor section 11 is controlled based on the determined air volume.

The air purification unit 3 includes a water storage unit 16 , a water supply unit 17 , a gas-liquid contact portion (not shown), an electrolysis unit 19 , and a drain tank 50 . The water storage part 16 has a substantially box shape with an opening on the top surface, and has a structure capable of storing water. The water storage part 16 is arranged in the lower part of the main body case 1 and can be attached and detached by sliding horizontally from the hollow part 9 . The water storage unit 16 stores water supplied from the water supply unit 17 .

The drain tank 50 has a substantially box shape with an opening on the top surface, and has a structure capable of storing water discharged from the water storage section 16 . Since the volume of the drain tank 50 is larger than the volume of the water reservoir 16 , the amount of water that can be stored in the drain tank 50 is greater than the amount of water that can be stored in the water reservoir 16 . The drain tank 50 is arranged below the water reservoir 16 in the lower part of the main body case 1 and is detachable from the main body case 1 . Here, a pipe (not shown) is provided to connect the water reservoir 16 and the drain tank 50, and the pipe is provided with a pump, which will be described later. The pump drains the water in reservoir 16 to drain tank 50 .

The water supply part 17 has a tubular shape and communicates with a water pipe. One end side of the water supply portion 17 is connected to a water pipe, and water in the water pipe flows from the water pipe into the water supply portion 17 from one side of the water supply portion 17 . The water that has flowed into water supply portion 17 drips into water storage portion 16 from the other end side of water supply portion 17 .

3(a) to 3(c) show structures of the water reservoir 16, the filter 20, and the filter frame 21 in the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the water reservoir 16, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the filter 20 and the filter frame 21. FIG. The gas-liquid contact portion 18 is a member that brings the water stored in the water storage portion 16 into contact with the indoor air sucked into the main body case 1 by the blower portion 2 . The gas-liquid contact portion 18 has a filter 20, a filter frame 21, and a driving portion (not shown). The filter 20 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and has a configuration in which holes through which air can flow are provided in the circumference portion. The filter 20 is attached to the filter frame 21 so that one end of the filter 20 is immersed in the water of the reservoir 16 . The filter frame 21 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 23 provided in the water storage portion 16 . The filter 20 and the filter frame 21 are structures that are rotated by a drive unit. This allows the filter 20 to be in continuous contact with water and room air.

FIG. 3( c ) shows the water reservoir 16 , the filter 20 , the filter frame 21 and the electrolyzer 19 . The filter frame 21 is attached to the water reservoir 16 . The electrolytic part 19 is provided in the main body case 1 so as to be vertically movable. The electrolysis part 19 of FIG.3(c) is the state moved below. In this state, the lower portion of the electrolytic section 19 is immersed in the water in the water storage section 16 . The electrolytic section 19 has a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown). When the water storage part 16 is attached to the lower hollow part 9 of the main body case 1 and the electrolytic part 19 is moved downward, the first electrode and the second electrode are immersed in the water storage part 16 . When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode while the first electrode and the second electrode are immersed in the water reservoir 16, the water in the water reservoir 16 containing the electrolysis promoting solvent (not shown) introduced by the user is electrochemically processed.

An example of the electrolysis accelerating solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 19 electrochemically electrolyzes the sodium chloride aqueous solution to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. Here, the active oxygen species refer to oxygen molecules having higher oxidation activity than normal oxygen and their related substances. For example, active oxygen species include so-called narrowly defined active oxygen such as superoxide anions, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, or hydrogen peroxide, and so-called broadly defined active oxygen such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). Also, the electrolysis unit 19 is detachable from the main body case 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 3(a)-(c), the water storage section 16 has a first water storage section 24, a second water storage section 25, a partition plate 26, and a communication hole 27. As shown in FIGS. The first water storage section 24 is a section in which the electrolysis section 19, the tip portion of the water supply section 17, and the pump 52 are arranged. In FIG. 3(a), it is the partition on the right side. Water is supplied from the water supply unit 17 into the first water storage section 24 . Also, the water in the first water storage compartment 24 is pumped up by a pump 52 and discharged to a drain tank 50 (not shown). The second water storage section 25 is a section in which the filter 20 and the filter frame 21, which are part of the gas-liquid contact portion 18, are arranged. In FIG. 3(a), it is the left section.

The partition plate 26 is a plate that partitions the first water storage compartment 24 and the second water storage compartment 25 . The partition plate 26 extends upward from the bottom surface of the water reservoir 16, and the upper end of the partition plate 26 is arranged above the water surface. The communication hole 27 is a laterally long opening and is arranged at the lower end of the partition plate 26 . The communication hole 27 communicates between the first water storage section 24 and the second water storage section 25 . Water in the first water storage compartment 24 flows into the second water storage compartment 25 via the communication hole 27 . The bottom surface of the first water storage compartment 24 and the bottom surface of the second water storage compartment 25 are arranged on the same plane.

The filter 20 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and is provided with holes through which air can flow in the circumferential portion. The filter 20 is rotatably built in the water storage part 16 by a filter frame 21 around the center axis extending in the horizontal direction of the filter 20 so that one end of the filter 20 is immersed in the water of the water storage part 16. - 特許庁The filter frame 21 has a structure that is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 23 of the water storage portion 16 . The filter frame 21 includes an inner frame (not shown) that contacts the inner surface of the filter 20 , a first shaft cover 29 and a second shaft cover 30 .

The first shaft cover 29 includes a first cover 29a, which is a circular plate fixed to one side of the inner frame in the central axis direction, and a first shaft 29b, which is a columnar projection projecting outward from the center of the first cover 29a. The first shaft 29b has a structure that can be rotatably attached to the bearing portion 23 on one side of the water storage portion 16. As shown in FIG. The first cover 29a and the first shaft 29b are an integral structure.

The second shaft cover 30 includes a second cover 30a, which is a circular plate that can be attached and detached on the other side of the inner frame in the direction of the central axis, and a second shaft 30b, which is a columnar projection projecting outward from the center of the second cover 30a. The second shaft 30b has a structure that can be rotatably mounted on the bearing portion 23 on the other side of the water storage portion 16 . The inner frame, the second cover 30a and the second shaft 30b are an integral structure. A large number of teeth 30c, which are a large number of protrusions, are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the second shaft 30b. A large number of teeth 30c of the second shaft 30b are in contact with gears of a drive unit (not shown), and the rotation of the gears of the drive unit rotates the filter frame 21 via the second shaft 30b.

The drive unit includes gears (not shown), and the rotation of the gears rotates the filter frame 21 , and the rotation of the filter frame 21 rotates the filter 20 . Since one end of the filter 20 is arranged so as to be immersed in the water of the water reservoir 16, the structure is such that the water and the room air are in continuous contact.

In the second water storage section 25 and around the second water storage section 25, a first detection section and a second detection section, which are water level detection sections to be described later, are arranged. The first detection section detects the maximum amount of water that is required to be stored in the water storage section 16 . The first detection unit includes a float portion 40a having buoyancy, a magnet 41a provided on the float portion 40a, and a detection portion (not shown) for detecting the position of the magnet 41a provided on the float portion 40a. The float portion 40 a is arranged within the second water storage compartment 25 , and the sensing portion is arranged outside the water storage section 16 around the second water storage compartment 25 , that is, in the body case 1 . When the float portion 40a floats to a first predetermined height corresponding to the maximum amount of water required, the first sensing portion senses the magnet 41a provided on the first float portion 40a and sends a first signal to the control section 4.

The second detector detects the minimum amount of water required to be stored in the water reservoir 16 . The second detection unit includes a float portion 40b having buoyancy, a magnet 41b provided on the float portion 40b, and a detection portion (not shown) for detecting the position of the magnet 41b provided on the float portion 40b. The float portion 40 b is arranged within the second water storage compartment 25 , and the sensing portion is arranged outside the water storage section 16 around the second water storage compartment 25 , that is, in the body case 1 . When the minimum amount of water or more is stored in the water storage portion 16, the float portion 40b moves to a predetermined position due to buoyancy, and the detection portion detects the magnet 41b provided on the float portion 40b. However, when the water in the water storage part 16 decreases and the float part 40b falls to a second predetermined height corresponding to the minimum required amount of water, the detection part can no longer detect the magnet 41b provided in the float part 40b and sends a second signal to the control part 4.

4(a)-(b) show the structure of the electrolytic water spraying device 100. FIG. FIG. 4A is a view of the main body case 1 and the piping case 33 as seen from the back side of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, with the lid 37 removed from the inspection opening 36. FIG. FIG. 4B is a side view of the main body case 1 and the piping case 33, with the cover 37 removed from the inspection opening 36. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1(b), 2, and 4(a)-(b), the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 includes a water supply unit 17 that supplies water to the water storage unit 16, and a piping unit 32 that connects the water supply unit 17 and the water pipe 31. The piping part 32 is arranged in a piping case 33 protruding from the back surface of the main body case 1 . The main body case 1 has a water storage portion 16 , a gas-liquid contact portion 18 , an air blowing portion 2 , a water supply portion 17 and an air passage 10 . Here, by arranging the water supply side connection part 34 connectable to the water pipe 31 on one end side of the piping part 32 , the water supply side connection part 34 is arranged on the top surface of the piping case 33 .

When connecting the water pipe 31 and the pipe portion 32, the water pipe 31 extending from the wall of the room into the room is bent and connected to the water supply side connection portion 34. - 特許庁Since the water supply side connection part 34 is arranged on the top surface of the piping case 33, the water supply side connection part 34 and the water pipe 31 do not become an obstacle, and the rear surface of the piping case 33 can be arranged so as to be in contact with the wall of the room, thereby improving the interior property. The water pipe 31 is a flexible water pipe that can be manually bent by an operator.

The water supply side connection part 34 is arranged on the top surface 33a of the pipe case 33, the center axis of the water supply side connection part 34 extends in the vertical direction, and the work of connecting the water pipe 31 to the water supply side connection part 34 from above is performed, so the piping work is facilitated. Specifically, the water supply side connection portion 34 is a cylindrical portion 34a protruding upward from the top surface of the piping case 33, and has a threaded portion 34b on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The tip of the cylindrical portion 34a is aligned with the end of the water pipe 31, and a nut attached to the water pipe 31 is screwed to the screw portion 34b of the cylindrical portion 34a to fix the water pipe 31 to the water supply side connection portion 34.

The height of the top surface 33 a of the piping case 33 is lower than the height of the top surface of the main body case 1 . Specifically, the piping case 33 has a box shape, the bottom surface of the piping case 33 and the bottom surface of the main body case 1 are arranged on the same plane, and the height of the top surface 33a of the piping case 33 is lower than two thirds of the height of the top surface of the main body case 1. As a result, when the water pipe 31 and the pipe portion 32 are connected and the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 is arranged so as to be in contact with the indoor wall, first, the water pipe 31 extending from the indoor wall into the room is connected from above to the water supply side connection portion 34. Here, since the water supply side connection part 34 is arranged at a height where the operator can see it from above, the work of connecting the water pipe 31 to the water supply side connection part 34 from above is facilitated. Next, the main body case 1 and the piping case 33 are moved so that the rear surface of the piping case 33 is in contact with the wall of the room. In this state, when the water pipe 31 is arranged between the main body case 1 and the wall of the room, the water pipe 31 is hidden by the main body case 1 when the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 is seen from the front side of the main body case 1 and becomes difficult to see, thereby improving the interior property.

The horizontal dimension of the piping case 33 is the same as the horizontal dimension of the main body case 1 or slightly smaller. As a result, when the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 is viewed from the front side of the main body case 1, the piping case 33 is hidden by the main body case 1 and becomes difficult to see, thereby improving the interior design.

The water supply side connection portion 34 is arranged on the top surface 33 a of the piping case 33 toward one side (the left side when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1 ) in the left-right direction of the main body case 1 . As a result, even when the rear surface of the pipe case 33 is placed in contact with the wall of the room, the work of exchanging the on-off valve 35 of the pipe part 32 can be facilitated from the space on one side of the main body case 1 in the left-right direction. Further, the depth dimension of the piping case 33 is a dimension that allows an arm to enter from above. Specifically, the depth dimension of the piping case 33 is 10 cm to 15 cm. This facilitates the work of removing the water pipe 31 from the water supply side connection portion 34 .

The piping section 32 has an on-off valve 35 . The on-off valve 35 has a structure for stopping or flowing the water in the water supply section 17 . The on-off valve 35 has a valve mechanism for opening and closing. An example of the on-off valve 35 is an electromagnetic valve. This valve mechanism opens when a predetermined current flows through the solenoid valve, and closes when no current flows through the solenoid valve. When a predetermined current flows through the solenoid valve, the valve mechanism opens and water flows through the water supply section 17. When no current flows through the solenoid valve, the valve mechanism closes and the water flow within the water supply section 17 stops.

The on-off valve 35 is controlled by the controller 4 . The control unit 4 controls the electrolysis unit 19 , the gas-liquid contact part 18 (driving unit), the blower unit 2 (motor unit 11 ), the on-off valve 35 and the pump 52 . As an example of water supply, when the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 is operated by operating the operation unit 5, the control unit 4 first opens the on-off valve 35 to allow the water pipe 31 and the water supply unit 17 to communicate with each other. When a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the water reservoir 16, the first detector of the water reservoir 16 detects a predetermined water level and transmits a first signal. The controller 4 closes the on-off valve 35 upon receiving the first signal.

Next, the control unit 4 controls the voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode that are the electrolysis unit 19, the operation of the driving unit that is the gas-liquid contact part 18, the rotation speed of the fan unit 12 that is the air blowing unit 2, and the like. When the fan portion 12 is rotated by the motor portion 11 of the air blowing portion 2, the external air entering the main body case 1 from the air inlet 6 is blown out of the main body case 1 via the air purifying portion 3 (the water storage portion 16, the filter 20), the air blowing portion 2, and the air outlet 7 in order. As a result, the electrolyzed water generated in the water reservoir 16 is sprayed outside. The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 does not necessarily have to spray the electrolyzed water itself, and even if the electrolyzed water-derived (including volatilized) active oxygen species generated as a result is sprayed, it is included in electrolyzed water spraying.

The on-off valve 35 is detachably provided on the piping portion 32 . The on-off valve 35 is arranged on one side of the main body case 1 in the left-right direction (on the left side when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1 ) in the piping case 33 . An inspection opening 36 is provided on one side surface of the piping case 33 in the left-right direction of the main body case 1 . The inspection port 36 has a detachable lid 37 . When the lid 37 is removed from the piping case 33, the on-off valve 35 can be inspected and replaced through an inspection port 36, which is a rectangular opening. Since the on-off valve 35 is arranged near the inspection port 36, inspection and replacement work are facilitated.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control section 4. As shown in FIG. The control section 4 includes a measuring section 150 and a processing section 152 . Also, the control unit 4 is connected to the water storage unit 16 , the on-off valve 35 , the electrolytic unit 19 and the pump 52 . Water storage unit 16 includes water level detection unit 140 . The water level detection unit 140 includes the above-described first detection unit and second detection unit, and detects the water level in the water storage unit 16 by the first detection unit and the second detection unit. As described above, the first detection unit detects whether or not the water level exists up to the first predetermined height corresponding to the required maximum amount of water, and the second detection unit detects whether or not the water level exists up to the second predetermined height corresponding to the required minimum amount of water. Further, when the water level is equal to or higher than the first predetermined height, the first detection unit transmits the first signal, and when the water level is equal to or lower than the second predetermined height, the second detection unit transmits the second signal. If the water level is between the first predetermined height and the second predetermined height, neither the first nor the second signal is transmitted.

The measurement unit 150 measures the period during which the first signal is received from the water level detection unit 140 . Receiving the first signal from the water level detector 140 corresponds to indicating that there is water in the water level. The measurement unit 150 is configured by a counter, and counts up when it continues to receive the first signal. Here, when the measuring unit 150 stops receiving the first signal and resumes receiving the first signal, it resumes counting up from the previous count value. That is, the measurement unit 150 cumulatively adds the periods. The measurement unit 150 outputs the count value, that is, the period to the sequential processing unit 152 .

The processing unit 152 receives the period measured by the measuring unit 150 (hereinafter referred to as “measurement period”). The processing unit 152 determines to drain the water in the water storage unit 16 when the measurement period is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The threshold value has a value corresponding to the period during which the water stored in the water reservoir 16 should be drained. The threshold may be determined based on experiments or operational results. The processing unit 152 causes the electrolysis unit 19 to generate electrolyzed water by applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrolysis unit 19 before causing the pump 52 to discharge the water in the water storage unit 16 . The electrolysis section 19 generates electrolyzed water as described above in accordance with instructions from the processing section 152 . After generating the electrolyzed water, the processing unit 152 operates the pump 52 to drain the generated electrolyzed water to the drain tank 50 (not shown) without spraying the electrolyzed water. A known technique may be used for the pump 52, so the description is omitted here. The processing unit 152 resets the measurement period of the measurement unit 150 when the pump 52 is operated. This corresponds to resetting the counter in the measuring unit 150 .

As described above, since the volume of the drain tank 50 is larger than the volume of the reservoir 16, the water is drained from the reservoir 16 several times until the drain tank 50 is filled with water. The drain tank 50 may be provided with a detection unit (not shown) including a float (not shown) and a magnet (not shown), which, like the float 40a and magnet 41a described above, detects when the drain tank 50 is full. The detector transmits a signal to the controller 4 when detecting that the water level is full. Upon receiving the signal, the controller 4 notifies the user that the drain tank 50 is full by turning on a lamp (not shown) provided on the main body case 1 . After confirming that the lamp is lit, the user can drain the water from the drain tank 50 .

The water to be drained from reservoir 16 is generally dirty and has an odor. If such water is stored in the drain tank 50 as it is, the water stored in the drain tank 50 will rot or emit a foul odor. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water is generated and then discharged, so that the water stored in the drain tank 50 is prevented from rotting or giving off a foul odor.

If the processing unit 152 receives the second signal from the water level detection unit 140 while the measurement period is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing unit 152 opens the on-off valve 35 for a certain period of time. Here, receiving the second signal from the water level detection unit 140 corresponds to indicating that the water level detected by the water level detection unit 140 indicates water shortage. The on-off valve 35 is opened, the water pipe 31 and the water supply unit 17 are communicated, and the water in the water pipe 31 is supplied from the water supply unit 17 to the water storage unit 16 via the piping unit 32 . Further, the certain period of time during which the on-off valve 35 is opened is predetermined so as to be the minimum amount of water necessary for generating electrolyzed water. Since this is lower than the water level at which the first signal is transmitted from the first detection section, the amount of water to be supplied from the water supply section 17 is suppressed. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the processing unit 152 closes the on-off valve 35 . After the water supply unit 17 finishes supplying water, the electrolysis unit 19 causes the electrolysis unit 19 to generate electrolyzed water before the water in the water storage unit 16 is discharged by the pump 52 as before.

The subject of an apparatus, system, or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The main functions of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure are realized by the computer executing the program. A computer has a processor that operates according to a program as its main hardware configuration. Any type of processor can be used as long as it can implement functions by executing a program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or LSI (Large Scale Integration). A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be provided on a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated into one device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, hard disk drive, or the like. The program may be pre-stored in a recording medium, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area network including the Internet.

The operation of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by the control unit 4. As shown in FIG. The measurement unit 150 measures the period with water (S10). If the period is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (N of S12), the process returns to step 10. If the period is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y of S12), and water shortage is detected by the water level detection unit 140 (Y of S14), the processing unit 152 causes the water supply unit 17 to absorb water by opening the on-off valve 35 (S16). If the water level detection unit 140 does not detect water shortage (N of S14), step 16 is skipped. The processing unit 152 causes the electrolysis unit 19 to generate electrolyzed water (S18). The processing unit 152 drains water from the water storage unit 16 to the drain tank 50 by operating the pump 52 (S20).

According to this embodiment, the water in the water storage part 16 is discharged to the drain tank 50 by the pump 52, so that the user's convenience regarding the draining of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 can be improved. Moreover, since the volume of the drainage tank 50 is made larger than the volume of the water storage part 16, the frequency of drainage can be reduced. In addition, since the frequency of drainage is reduced, the user's convenience regarding drainage of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 can be improved. In addition, since the electrolyzed water is generated before the pump 52 discharges the water in the water storage section 16, the water stored in the drainage tank 50 can be cleaned. In addition, since the water stored in the drain tank 50 becomes clean, the putrefaction of the water stored in the drain tank 50 can be suppressed. In addition, since the water stored in the drainage tank 50 becomes clean, generation of foul odors from the water stored in the drainage tank 50 can be suppressed.

Further, when the period in which the water level detected by the water level detection unit 140 indicates the presence of water is equal to or greater than the threshold value, electrolyzed water is generated before the pump 52 discharges the water in the water storage unit 16, so the timing of generating the electrolyzed water can be appropriately set. Further, if the detected water level indicates a water shortage, electrolyzed water is generated after water is supplied to the water storage part 16 and before the pump 52 discharges the water in the water storage part 16, so damage to the electrodes of the electrolysis part 19 can be suppressed.

A summary of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. An electrolyzed water spraying device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electrolyzed water spraying device (100) for spraying electrolyzed water, comprising a water reservoir (16) for storing water, an electrolyzer (19) for electrolyzing the water in the water reservoir (16) to generate electrolyzed water, a pump (52) for discharging the water in the water reservoir (16), and a drain tank (50) for storing the water discharged by the pump (52).

The electrolyzer (19) may produce electrolyzed water before the pump (52) expels the water in the reservoir (16).

It may further comprise a water level detector (140) for detecting the water level in the water storage part (16) and a measuring part (150) for measuring the period during which the water level detected by the water level detector (140) indicates the presence of water. The electrolyzer (19) may generate electrolyzed water before the pump (52) discharges the water in the water reservoir (16) when the period measured by the measuring unit (150) is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

A water supply section (17) for supplying water to the water storage section (16) may be further provided. The water supply unit (17) may supply water to the water storage unit (16) if the water level detected by the water level detection unit (140) indicates a water shortage when the period measured by the measurement unit (150) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the electrolysis unit (19) may generate electrolyzed water before the pump (52) discharges the water in the water storage unit (16) after the water supply unit (17) finishes supplying water.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference Signs List 1 body case 2 air blower 3 air cleaner 4 control unit 5 operation unit 6 intake port 7 outlet 8 panel 9 cavity 9a opening 10 air passage 11 motor unit 12 fan unit 13 casing unit 14 discharge port 15 suction port 16 water storage unit 17 water supply unit 18 gas-liquid contact portion 19 electrolytic portion 20 filter 21 filter frame 23 bearing portion 24 first water storage compartment 25 second water storage compartment 26 partition plate 27 communication hole 29 first shaft cover 29a first cover 29b first shaft 30 second shaft cover 30a second cover 30b second shaft 30c tooth, 31 water pipe, 32 piping part, 33 piping case, 33a top surface, 34 water supply side connection part, 34a cylindrical part, 34b screw part, 35 on-off valve, 36 inspection port, 37 lid, 40 detection part, 40a float part, 100 electrolytic water spraying device, 140 water level detection part, 150 measurement part , 152 processing unit.

Claims (2)

An electrolytic water spraying device for spraying electrolytic water,
a reservoir for storing water;
an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit to generate electrolyzed water;
a pump for discharging water in the water reservoir;
a drain tank for storing water discharged by the pump;
a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the water storage unit;
a measurement unit that measures a period in which the water level detected by the water level detection unit indicates that there is water ;
When the period measured by the measuring unit is equal to or greater than the threshold,
determining that the water in the reservoir is discharged by the pump to the drain tank;
After the determination, before the discharge, the electrolysis unit electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit to generate electrolyzed water;
An electrolyzed water spraying device that discharges the generated electrolyzed water to the drain tank by the pump . further comprising a water supply unit that supplies water to the water storage unit;
The water supply unit supplies water to the water storage unit when the water level detected by the water level detection unit indicates a water shortage when the period measured by the measurement unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value,
The electrolyzed water spraying device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrolyzing unit generates electrolyzed water after the supply of water by the water supply unit is finished and before the pump discharges the water in the water storage unit.

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