JP2018158290A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect an abnormal state such as a short circuit in the generation of electrolyzed water regardless of the difference in electrical conductivity of water to be electrolyzed, to appropriately generate electrolyzed water, and to improve safety. A generator is provided. SOLUTION: To detect a short circuit of a current between electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, a voltage is applied between the electrodes for a short time in a state where there is water in an electrolytic tank, and a control unit controls the current value flowing between the electrodes. In addition, the voltage acquired at 30 and applied between the electrodes is set to be a voltage for a very short predetermined period near the minimum value in the pulsating flow waveform obtained by AC full-wave rectification, and the obtained current value is obtained. Since the control unit 30 determines whether or not it is in a short-circuited state in comparison with the threshold value, the voltage between the electrode units during energization for detection is reduced to reduce the current between the electrode units in a non-short-circuited state. It can be suppressed, the difference from the large current in the short-circuit state can be clarified, and the short-circuit can be appropriately identified to improve the safety of the device. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes supplied raw water to generate predetermined electrolyzed water.

  Water purifiers that remove harmful substances from supplied tap water and well water to obtain water suitable for drinking, and alkaline water and washing water that can be used as electrolyzed water, that is, potable water by electrolyzing tap water Devices such as an electrolyzed water generator that generates acidic water used for non-drinking such as the above have been widely used.

  Such devices are energized to perform electrolysis, so that excessive current flows through the devices and prevents overheating of the power supply, etc., and in order to ensure safety, the current is detected and rated. In general, a mechanism for determining the state of an overcurrent in which a current greatly exceeds is provided.

As a result, the electrode parts are in direct contact with each other by mistake due to manufacturing defects or damage, and a short circuit occurs between the electrode parts, or the electrical resistance between the electrode parts decreases due to the presence of foreign matters such as scales between the electrode parts. An abnormal state related to the current such as an excessive current flowing between the parts is detected at an early stage, and measures such as energization stop are made possible.
An example of a conventional electrolyzed water generator provided with a mechanism for detecting such a current abnormality is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-115877.

JP-A-5-115877

  When the conventional electrolyzed water generator detects the magnitude of current during electrolysis and determines that the current value exceeds a preset threshold, as shown in the patent document, an overcurrent The control was performed so as to suppress the electrolysis voltage.

  In such a conventional electrolyzed water generator, in the case of electrolysis of water having low electrical conductivity such as general tap water in Japan, the current flowing between the electrodes through water is relatively small, and the electrodes are in direct contact with each other. There is a big difference between the abnormal state in which a large current flows when a short circuit occurs, and such an abnormal state such as a short circuit can be identified and dealt with without problems. The threshold value for discriminating an abnormality could be set small to quickly discriminate the abnormality and ensure safety.

  However, when water with high electrical conductivity is used for electrolyzed water generation in environments where water with low electrical conductivity is difficult to obtain, such as overseas, when water is electrolyzed, The current flowing between the electrodes is increased, the difference from the current value in an abnormal state such as a short circuit is reduced, and the current threshold for determining an abnormality is the same value as in the case of water with low electrical conductivity. In this case, the current threshold may be exceeded even in a non-abnormal electrolysis state. In such a case, an abnormal state in which a large current flows due to a short circuit or the like and a state in which water electrolysis is being performed cannot be distinguished. Had the problem of falling into

  On the other hand, if the current threshold value for determining an abnormality such as a short circuit is set large in consideration of the case where the electric conductivity of the water to be electrolyzed is high, the detected current is reduced even if the electrode is in a short circuit state. Until the threshold value set larger is exceeded, it is not determined that there is an abnormality, and an abnormality such as a short circuit cannot be determined in its initial state, so that safety may not be sufficiently secured.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and when generating electrolyzed water, it is possible to detect an abnormal state such as a short circuit regardless of the difference in electric conductivity of water to be electrolyzed, and to generate electrolyzed water. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolyzed water generating device that can be appropriately executed and can improve safety.

  An electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the disclosure of the present invention is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that electrolyzes water in an electrolyzer to generate electrolyzed water. In the electrolyzed water generator, a plurality of electrode portions for electrolysis disposed in the electrolyzer And a power supply unit that is connected to a predetermined AC power source and supplies power to each of the electrode units, and an energization switching unit that is electrically connected to each of the electrode units and switches between energization from the power supply unit to the electrode unit. And at least a control of the energization switching unit, and a control unit capable of acquiring a current value flowing between the electrode units, the voltage waveform when the power supply unit energizes the electrode unit, Based on the full-wave rectification of alternating current obtained from an alternating current power source, the pulsating flow changes with a period that is half the period of alternating current, and the control unit is in a state where water to be electrolyzed exists in the electrolytic cell. The energization control unit can energize the electrode unit for a predetermined period The short-circuit detection for determining whether or not the value of the current flowing between the electrode parts exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to the short-circuit can be repeatedly executed at a predetermined repetition cycle. The control unit can acquire the current value when the electrode section is short-circuited, starting from the time when the voltage of the pulsating current is the minimum value of the periodic change during the predetermined period in which the energization control unit can be energized. And a time shorter than ½ of one cycle in the pulsating flow.

  As described above, according to the disclosure of the present invention, as an abnormality detection of the current between the electrode parts, a state in which a voltage is applied between the electrode parts for a short time for detection is repeated a plurality of times in a state where there is water in the electrolytic cell. The control unit obtains the value of the current flowing between the electrode units each time a voltage is applied, and in addition, the voltage applied between the electrode units is in the vicinity of the minimum value in the pulsating waveform obtained by AC full-wave rectification. The voltage at each energization for detection is determined by determining whether or not the control unit is in an abnormal state by comparing the obtained current value with a preset threshold value so that the voltage for a very short predetermined period is obtained. Even when the voltage between the electrodes is reduced and the water quality between the electrodes is high in electrical conductivity, the current between the electrodes can be suppressed in a non-short-circuited state, Difference from short-circuit state in which current flows Regardless of the difference in electrical conductivity in the water to be electrolyzed, abnormalities such as short-circuits can be properly identified, and the device can be protected from excessive current, improving the safety of the device. It is done.

  In addition, in the electrolyzed water generating device according to the disclosure of the present invention, a voltage waveform at the time of energization from the power supply unit to the electrode unit is input from the AC power supply to the power supply unit in the energized state of the energization switching unit as necessary. The alternating current having the same phase as that of the alternating current or a phase shifted by an integral multiple of 180 ° is a full-wave rectified pulsating current, and the control unit receives an alternating voltage of 0 from the alternating current power source to the power source unit. Is set as the timing at which the AC voltage becomes 0, and the start time at which the energization control unit is energized is set. is there.

  Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the timing at which the minimum value of the pulsating current energized between the electrode portions appears coincides with the timing at which the AC voltage becomes 0, and then becomes the basis of the pulsating waveform. To energize between the electrode parts by energizing the electrode parts starting from the timing when the AC voltage becomes 0, detecting the magnitude of the current energized between the electrodes, and determining whether or not there is a short circuit The switching timing of the current switching section can be obtained by AC zero-cross detection, and the commonly used zero-cross detection can be used for switching control, so that the control section can be simplified and reduced in cost, and a short circuit can be detected reliably. However, the cost of the entire apparatus can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the disclosure of the present invention, the predetermined period in which the control unit allows the energization control unit to be energized corresponds to 1/6 of one cycle in the pulsating flow as necessary. It is time.

  Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the control unit controls the energization switching unit, and energizes between the electrode units until 1/6 of one cycle has elapsed from the minimum value of the pulsating flow, By detecting the current value supplied between these electrode parts and determining whether or not a short circuit has occurred, while setting the energization time so that the current value at the time of the short circuit can be acquired, Only when the voltage does not rise so much from the minimum value, the electrode part is energized, the current can be suppressed even in the case of water quality where the current easily flows by electrolysis, and a short circuit in which a large current flows between the electrode parts even when energized for a short time The difference with the state can be clarified, and safety can be ensured by appropriately determining a short circuit.

It is a schematic perspective view of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a water treatment system schematic block diagram of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is schematic structure explanatory drawing of the circuit part for electrolysis in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is each part voltage and electric current value explanatory drawing in the short circuit detection process at the time of water use of the low electrical conductivity of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is each part voltage and electric current value explanatory drawing in the short circuit detection process at the time of water use of the high electrical conductivity of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is each part voltage and electric current value explanatory drawing in the short circuit detection process at the time of the electrode part short circuit of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment of the present invention)
Hereinafter, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the present embodiment, an example of a continuous electrolyzed water generating device that continuously performs electrolytic treatment on raw water that has flowed in through water from a water supply or the like and discharges the obtained electrolyzed water such as alkaline water will be described. To do.

  In each of the drawings, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment introduces water as raw water that is connected to a faucet 40 that is connected to a water supply source such as a water supply or a well and is fed through the faucet 40. A water supply pipe 11 to be replaced, a cartridge-type water purifying section 12 for purifying raw water that can be replaced with a cartridge having a filtering means, a flow rate sensor 13 for measuring a flow rate of water purified by the water purifying section 12, and a purification A salt addition cylinder 14a for adding salt to the purified water; a calcium addition cylinder 14b for adding calcium to the purified water; An electrolytic cell 1 that has a flow path switching unit 15 that switches between and a plurality of plate-like electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c and performs electrolysis of water that has passed through the salt addition tube 14a or the calcium addition tube 14b. And a discharge portion 17b for discharging the electrolyzed water to be used, a discharge passage 17b for discharging the unusable water, and a display unit 18 for displaying information on the electrolyzed water to be discharged, operating states of each part of the apparatus, and the like. And an operation unit 19 having a plurality of switches for instructing starting and stopping of the apparatus, generation of various electrolyzed water, and the like, and accepting a user's operation input, and each electrode unit 16a, 16b, 16c of the electrolytic cell 16. It is the structure provided with the circuit part 20 for electrolysis which enables energization of this, and the control part 30 which controls each part electrically connected.

  Among the electrolyzed water generating device 10, water supply pipe 11, water purification unit 12, flow rate sensor 13, salt addition cylinder 14 a, electrolysis (electrolysis) with respect to raw water flowing in by water flow and supply of electrolyzed water obtained thereby. About the structure of each mechanism of the calcium addition cylinder 14b, the flow-path switching part 15, the electrolytic vessel 16, the water discharge flow path 17a, and the discharge flow path 17b, it is refine | purified by the alkaline water and acidic water as electrolyzed water, and a water purification part. The purified water that is simply not electrolyzed is similar to a known electrolyzed water generator that can supply and discharge water, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Moreover, about the structure of the display part 18 which performs various information and a status display in the electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 10, and the operation part 19 as a switch which receives a user's operation input, alkaline water, acidic water, and purified water are also used. Since it is the same as a well-known general electrolyzed water generator which can supply water discharge, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The electrolysis circuit unit 20 is energized to the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c under the control of the control unit 30. Specifically, the electrolysis circuit unit 20 is connected to a predetermined AC power source, and supplies power to the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c, and an AC input from the AC power source to the power source unit 21. A zero-cross detection unit 22 that detects the passage of a zero point of voltage, and an energization switching unit 23 that is electrically connected to each of the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c and switches energization from the power source unit 21 to the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c. And a current detection unit 24 that outputs a signal for detecting a current value flowing between the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c to the control unit 30.

  The power source unit 21 is connected to an AC power source, for example, a commercial power source (single-phase AC 100 V), and transforms the supplied voltage into a voltage having a magnitude suitable for electrolysis, or all the AC that has passed through this transformer. This is a known configuration having a diode bridge or the like that is rectified by waves and converted into direct current, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In this power supply unit 21, the voltage waveform when the electrodes 16a, 16b and 16c are energized is a pulsating flow with a periodic change based on full-wave rectification of alternating current obtained from an alternating current power supply.

  In addition, the power supply unit 21 includes a relay or the like that is controlled by the control unit 30 to switch the circuit, and based on the control of the control unit 30, the power supply unit 21 receives power from the AC power supply and the power supply stop state. The polarity of each electrode part 16a, 16b, 16c at the time of electricity supply to each electrode part 16a, 16b, 16c based on control of the control part 30 can also be made switchable.

  The zero-cross detector 22 is a known zero-cross circuit that detects the passage of a zero point of an AC voltage, and a detailed description of the detection circuit itself is omitted. The zero-cross detection unit 22 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 21 and the control unit 30, and receives an AC voltage input from the AC power supply to the power supply unit 21 at the same time, detects the zero point passage of the AC voltage, This is a mechanism for outputting the detection timing to the control unit 30.

  Based on the control of the control unit 30, the energization switching unit 23 switches between a state where the power source unit 21 energizes the electrode units 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c so that electrolysis is possible and a state where electrolysis is not performed as non-energization. For example, a switching element such as an FET or a relay is used.

  The current detection unit 24 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 21 and the control unit 30, and a detection signal based on the magnitude of the current supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the electrode units 16 a, 16 b, 16 c is supplied to the control unit 30. For example, a known detection circuit that amplifies a voltage drop at a detection resistor inserted in series in the energization circuit and outputs the amplified voltage to the control unit 30, and detailed description of the circuit itself is omitted. To do. The control unit 30 combined with the current detection unit 24 also has a known function of receiving an output from the current detection unit 24 and comparing it with a predetermined reference value. The current detection unit 24 and the control unit 30 are used. Thus, the value of the current flowing between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c can be acquired.

  The control unit 30 switches the flow path switching unit 15 and each electrode of the electrolytic cell 16 based on the operation of the operation unit 19, the state of electrolytic water recorded and set in advance, and information obtained from the flow rate sensor 13 and the like. The parts 16a, 16b, and 16c are energized, respectively, and control for appropriately generating and supplying electrolyzed water is performed.

  The control unit 30 is a computer including a CPU, a storage unit, an input / output interface, and the like as its hardware configuration, and is a mechanism that causes the computer to operate as the control unit 30 by a program stored in the storage unit. The computer constituting the control unit 30 may be a microcomputer in which a CPU, a storage unit, a ROM, and the like are integrally formed.

  The computer unit constituting the control unit 30 is disposed in a predetermined space inside the apparatus housing 10a. Similarly, the internal flow rate sensor 13, the electromagnetic valve mechanism including the flow path switching unit 15, and the electrolytic cell 16 are provided. The electrode sections 16a, 16b, and 16c are electrically connected to the electrolysis circuit section 20 that enables energization, and control signals are output to control the operations of the sections. In addition, the control unit 30 is electrically connected to the display unit 18 and the operation unit 19 on the surface of the apparatus, and controls various displays and function execution corresponding to each switch operation.

  Then, the control unit 30 reads the data of the corresponding electrolyzed water when executing the supply of the electrolyzed water, for example, alkaline water or acidic water, which has been selected by the user through the operation unit 19, and converts the data into the data. The control signal is output based on each mechanism, specifically, the flow path switching unit 15 and other valve mechanisms, the electrolysis circuit unit 20 and the like are appropriately operated to set the flow path through which water passes. In addition to grasping the flow rate of the water that has passed through the water purification unit 12, the electrical conductivity of the water, the electrolysis current value, etc. are acquired along with the energization of the water that has entered the electrolytic cell 16, and the actual measurement data in these devices is obtained. Based on this, the electrolysis state is controlled by applying a predetermined voltage to each electrode plate 16a, 16b, 16c of the electrolytic cell 16 so as to realize the set water quality target value (pH, etc.). Thereby, the electrolyzed water selected by the user can be generated and supplied through the water discharge channel 17a.

  In addition, the faucet 40 that switches the water flow state to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 can be automatically opened and closed, and when the control unit 30 performs an operation of selecting the electrolyzed water to be generated, the water supply related information is displayed. In addition to receiving and putting each part of the electrolyzed water generating device 10 into an operating state corresponding to electrolyzed water, the faucet 40 is also automatically opened to allow water to flow, so that electrolyzed water is generated and supplied. It can also be set as the structure which performs automatically without going through a person's faucet operation.

  The control unit 30 further has a function of detecting a short-circuit state in each of the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c of the electrolytic cell 16 prior to electrolysis that generates alkaline water or acidic water. Specifically, the control unit 30 energizes the power source unit 21 and the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c at a predetermined timing under the control of the energization switching unit 23 in a state where water to be electrolyzed exists in the electrolytic cell 16. The current value flowing between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c is determined using the output from the current detection unit 24 in a state where electricity is supplied between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c in response thereto. It is obtained and it is determined whether or not the electrode portion is in a short circuit state based on the current value.

  In addition, the control unit 30 acquires a timing at which the AC voltage input from the AC power source to the power source unit 21 is zero through the zero-cross detection unit 22, and switches the energization switching unit 23 to the power source during a predetermined period based on this timing. The control for setting the power supply state between the unit 21 and each of the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times. Then, except for the predetermined period, under the control of the control unit 30, the energization switching unit 23 is switched to a state where the power source unit 21 and the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c are not energized.

  The predetermined period in which the control unit 30 allows the energization switching unit 23 to be energized is a time shorter than ¼ of one cycle in the AC voltage waveform input from the AC power source to the power source unit 21, that is, after full-wave rectification. It is set as a time shorter than the time from the minimum value of the pulsating flow to the maximum value. As this predetermined period, for example, a pulsating current having a peak voltage of about 50 V obtained by full-wave rectification of a single-phase AC voltage with a frequency of 50 Hz transformed by the transformer of the power supply unit 21 is used for energization between the electrodes. In this case, it is preferable that the period is about 1/12 (about 1 ms) of one cycle in the AC voltage waveform.

  If the predetermined period during which the control unit 30 can energize the energization switching unit 23 is shorter than this, the current detection unit 24 is used to control the current in the case of a short circuit due to the filter characteristics in the current detection unit 24. In this case, it is not possible to secure a sufficient time for obtaining a correct current value, and there is a possibility that the current value may be smaller and less accurate.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined period during which energization is possible is long, the voltage applied to the electrode portion increases, so that the current during energization in water with high electrical conductivity increases, and the difference from the current value in the case of a short circuit Becomes small, and it becomes difficult to determine a short circuit.

  Specifically, for example, when the zero-cross detection unit 22 detects the passage of the zero point of the AC voltage, the control unit 30 sets the energization switching unit 23 in the energized state for 1 ms from each detection time, and sets each electrode unit 16a, Energization is performed between 16b and 16c. From the output of the current detection unit 24 based on the current flowing between the electrode units at that time, the control unit 30 acquires a current value and determines whether or not the value exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to the short circuit. If the current value does not exceed the threshold value and cannot be determined as a short circuit, the zero point passage of the AC voltage is detected until the number of determinations from the start of the series of processing reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance, for example, 20 times. The same control process is repeated every time.

  When the current value exceeds the threshold value continuously for a plurality of times (for example, twice), the control unit 30 recognizes that the electrodes are short-circuited, and controls the power supply unit 21 and the energization switching unit 23 to control the electrodes. While not energizing between parts, the error display regarding the short circuit of the electrode part in the display part 18 is performed. On the other hand, even if the process up to the determination of the short circuit is repeated the predetermined number of times, if the situation where it is determined that the short circuit is continuously performed a plurality of times does not occur, the control unit 30 recognizes that the electrodes are not in the short circuit state. Therefore, the process proceeds to electrolyzed water generation.

  The voltage waveform during the period of energization when the energization switching unit 23 is energized is a period from the minimum value of the full-wave rectified waveform to the next minimum value, which corresponds to a half cycle of the AC voltage waveform before rectification in the power source unit 21. Is one cycle of the full-wave rectified waveform from the minimum value of the full-wave rectified waveform to 1/6 cycles of the full-wave rectified waveform (phase 0 to 30 °). For this reason, the voltage applied to the electrode parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the maximum value of the full-wave rectified waveform, that is, the peak value voltage is applied. The current at the time of energizing through becomes a small value even if the water has a high electrical conductivity, and a large difference occurs between the case where a large current flows in the case of a short circuit.

  Next, a control process related to short circuit detection prior to water electrolysis of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. As a premise, the electrolyzed water generating device 10 has been installed so that tap water as raw water can be passed, and the first water flow immediately after installation has been completed, and the water purification cartridge, salt, and calcium have been appropriately replenished. , Ready to use. In this state, water already exists in the electrolytic cell 16.

  A user inserts the power plug of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 into an outlet, or turns on the main power switch to turn on the power, and further operates the operation unit 19 to perform electrolyzed water, that is, alkaline water or When the generation of the acidic water is selected and then the faucet 40 is opened and the water flow to the apparatus is started, the short circuit detection process is started prior to the execution of the electrolysis related to the generation of the electrolyzed water.

  In the short circuit detection process, the control unit 30 acquires a timing at which the AC voltage input from the AC power source to the power source unit 21 is zero through the zero-cross detection unit 22, and uses this timing as a reference for one cycle of the AC voltage waveform. In a predetermined period corresponding to / 12 (1/6 of one cycle of the full-wave rectified waveform), the energization switching unit 23 is in a state in which energization is possible between the power supply unit 21 and the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c.

As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c through the energization switching unit 23 that is in the energized state, and the AC voltage is transformed by the power supply unit 21 and further obtained by full-wave rectification. In addition, a pulsating DC voltage is applied between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c. The voltage waveform in this energization is full-wave rectification starting from the minimum value of the full-wave rectified waveform corresponding to the zero point of the alternating-current voltage waveform before rectification in the power supply unit 21 in the pulsating current obtained by full-wave rectification of the alternating voltage The waveform corresponds to 1/6 period of the waveform (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7).
In the power supply unit 21, the phase of the AC voltage waveform does not change until immediately before rectification, and the zero point of the AC voltage and the minimum value of the pulsating flow after rectification match.

  Thus, the current flowing between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c is controlled by the control unit 30 using the output from the current detection unit 24 in a state in which energization is performed between the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c. A value is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the electrode portion is in a short-circuit state based on the current value.

  When it is determined in the control unit 30 that the acquired current value exceeds the threshold value for a plurality of times in succession (see FIG. 7) (see FIG. 7), the control unit 30 recognizes as an error and energizes the energization switching unit 23. Switching to the impossible state, and if necessary, energization to the primary side of the transformer of the power supply unit 21 is stopped, and energization from the power supply unit 21 to each electrode unit 16a, 16b, 16c is stopped. At the same time, the control unit 30 executes an error display on the display unit to alert the user.

In this way, even if the electrode part is in a state where a short circuit occurs, it is possible to promptly determine a short circuit from an excessive current and shift to a state where no power is supplied, and it is possible to prevent overheating of the power source part 21 and to ensure safety.
On the other hand, if the acquired current value does not exceed the threshold value, or if the current value does not exceed the threshold value continuously from the previous determination even when the threshold value is exceeded, the control unit 30 will be The energization switching unit 23 is switched to a state where the power source unit 21 and the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c are not energized.

  Under the control of the control unit 30, the voltage waveform energized as a pulsating current to the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c is limited to the 1/6 period of the full-wave rectified waveform from the minimum value of the full-wave rectified waveform to the electrode unit. By reducing the applied voltage, the current value when energizing without a short circuit can be kept small not only when using water with low electrical conductivity, but also when using water with high electrical conductivity ( FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), the difference from the case of occurrence of a short circuit is increased, and the short circuit can be easily discriminated.

  If the current value does not exceed the threshold value a plurality of times continuously and is not determined to be short-circuited, the control unit 30 determines that the number of times of determination from the start of the short-circuit detection process is a predetermined number of times (for example, 20 times) at each timing when the AC voltage becomes 0, the electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c are energized to obtain the current values flowing between the electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c. The series of processes for determining whether or not the short circuit is present is repeatedly executed.

  If the current value does not exceed the threshold value a plurality of times even when the energization to the electrode portions 16a, 16b, and 16c is repeated for the predetermined number of times under the control of the control unit 30, the control unit 30 determines that the electrode unit 16a, 16b and 16c are recognized as being in a normal state where no short circuit occurs, and the process proceeds to a process of generating electrolyzed water selected by the user's operation.

  Thereafter, when the user finishes using the electrolyzed water, the user operates the faucet 40 to stop the water flow to the electrolyzed water generator 10 as in the case of a general electrolyzed water generator. You can do it.

  In addition, although the control part 30 performs the energization and short circuit determination to an electrode part whenever an alternating voltage becomes 0 based on a zero cross detection, it is not restricted to this, The timing of energization etc. is changed to alternating current. It can also be set as appropriate, such as every other time when the voltage becomes 0 or every other time.

  Thus, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present embodiment, the control unit 30 switches the energization switching unit 23 in a state where there is water in the electrolytic cell 16 as an abnormality detection of the current between the electrode units 16a, 16b, and 16c. And a voltage is applied between the electrode portions for a short time for detection, and a current value flowing between the electrode portions is acquired by the control unit 30 through the current detection unit 24. The applied voltage is set to a voltage for a very short predetermined period in the vicinity of the minimum value in the pulsating waveform obtained by the full-wave rectification of alternating current, and the control unit 30 sets a preset threshold value for the obtained current value. Since it is determined whether or not it is an abnormal state by comparison, the voltage between the electrode parts during energization for detection is reduced, and even when the water quality intervening between the electrode parts is high in electrical conductivity , Not short circuit In this case, the current between the electrode parts can be suppressed, and the difference from the short-circuit state where a large current flows between the electrode parts can be clarified, regardless of the difference in electrical conductivity in the water to be electrolyzed. Abnormalities such as a short circuit can be determined, and the device can be protected from an excessive current, thereby improving the safety of the device.

(Second embodiment of the present invention)
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment is connected to a faucet 40 that leads to a water supply source, continuously electrolyzes the water that has been passed through, and sequentially discharges and supplies the desired electrolyzed water that is obtained. In addition to this, as a second embodiment, as a second embodiment, electrolytic water is generated by electrolyzing a predetermined amount of water placed in a container forming an electrolytic cell, and electrolysis is performed. The inside of the container may be configured as a storage-type device that does not take in and out water.

  In this case, when the user turns on the power of the apparatus in a state where water is put in the container constituting the electrolytic cell, and further selects the desired electrolyzed water generation by operating the operation unit, the electric power related to the electrolyzed water generation is selected. Prior to performing the disassembly, the short circuit detection process will begin.

  In the short-circuit detection process, as in the above-described embodiment, the control unit obtains the timing when the AC voltage input from the AC power supply becomes 0, and enables the energization switching unit to be energized during a predetermined period with reference to this timing. It is set as the state by which electricity supply via water is made between the inside electrode parts, the value of the electric current which flows between electrode parts is acquired, and it is determined whether an electrode part is in a short circuit state based on this electric current value.

  And when it determines with an electrode part being in a short circuit state in a control part, electricity supply to each electrode part is stopped. Further, when it is not determined as a short circuit, as in the above-described embodiment, the electrode unit is provided at every timing when the AC voltage becomes 0 until the number of determinations from the start of the short circuit detection process reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance. Is energized, a current value flowing between the electrode portions is acquired, and a series of processes for determining whether or not the electrode portions are in a short-circuit state are repeatedly executed. If such a determination is repeated for the predetermined number of times, but the short-circuit cannot be determined, the control unit recognizes a normal state in which no short-circuit has occurred in the electrode unit, and is selected by a user's operation. The process proceeds to an electrolyzed water generation process, energization of the electrode unit is performed, and electrolysis of water in the container is advanced.

  When a predetermined time elapses from the start of electrolysis and the time for ending electrolysis is reached, the control unit ends energization to the electrode unit. Thereafter, the user can take out the electrolyzed water from the container and use it for drinking.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 11 Water supply pipe 12 Water purifier 13 Flow sensor 14a Salt addition cylinder 14b Calcium addition cylinder 15 Flow path switching part 16 Electrolytic tank 16a Electrode part 16b Electrode part 16c Electrode part 17a Discharge water flow path 17b Discharge flow path 18 Display part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Operation part 20 Electrolytic circuit part 21 Power supply part 22 Zero cross detection part 23 Current supply switching part 24 Current detection part 30 Control part 40 Water faucet

Claims (3)

In an electrolyzed water generating device that electrolyzes water in an electrolyzer to generate electrolyzed water,
A plurality of electrode portions for electrolysis disposed in the electrolytic cell;
A power source unit connected to a predetermined AC power source and supplying power to each of the electrode units;
An energization switching unit that is electrically connected to each of the electrode units and switches energization from the power source unit to the electrode unit;
A control unit that controls at least the energization switching unit and is capable of acquiring a current value flowing between the electrode units,
The voltage waveform when the power supply unit energizes the electrode unit is a pulsating flow that changes in a cycle that is 1/2 of the cycle of AC based on the full-wave AC rectification obtained from the AC power source,
In the state where water to be electrolyzed is present in the electrolytic cell, the control unit makes the energization control unit ready to energize the electrode unit for a predetermined period, and the current value flowing between the electrode units is short-circuited. Short-circuit detection for determining whether or not a corresponding predetermined threshold value is exceeded can be repeatedly executed at a predetermined repetition cycle,
The predetermined period during which the control unit is able to energize the energization control unit starts from the time when the voltage of the pulsating current is a minimum value of a periodic change, and the current value when the electrodes are short-circuited is the control unit The electrolyzed water generating apparatus is characterized in that the time can be acquired by the above-described method and is shorter than ½ of one cycle in the pulsating flow. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1,
In the energized state of the energization switching unit, the voltage waveform when energizing the electrode unit from the power source unit is the same as the AC input from the AC power source to the power source unit, or the phase is shifted by an integral multiple of 180 ° It is considered as a pulsating flow with full-wave rectification of alternating current,
The control unit can acquire a timing at which the AC voltage input from the AC power source to the power source unit becomes 0, set a repetition cycle of the short-circuit detection based on the timing, and can energize the energization switching unit An electrolyzed water generating apparatus characterized in that the start point of the state is a timing at which the AC voltage becomes zero. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period in which the control unit allows the energization switching unit to be energized is a time corresponding to 1/6 of one cycle in the pulsating flow.

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