HK1223084A1

HK1223084A1 - Electrolyzed water generating device

Info

Publication number: HK1223084A1
Application number: HK16111245.2A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 義信小泉; 义信小泉
Original assignee: 日本多宁股份有限公司
Priority date: 2015-01-07
Filing date: 2016-09-23
Publication date: 2017-07-21
Also published as: KR102493547B1; TWI641559B; JP6212505B2; TW201625489A; JP2016123952A; KR20160085223A; CN105753108A

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic water generator which enables replacement times of a plurality of water purification cartridges having different purification performances to be appropriately managed. The electrolytic water generator (1) comprises: an apparatus body (2) which has an electrolytic tank (4) adapted to electrolyze water; and a water purification cartridge (5) which is installed upstream or downstream of the electrolytic tank (4) and purifies water. The water purification cartridge (5) is replaced by being detached from the apparatus body (2). An RFID tag (6) in which at least one piece of information adapted to determine replacement time has been stored is installed in the water purification cartridge (5). The apparatus body (2) comprises: a communication means (7) which reads the information of the RFID tag (6) of the mounted water purification cartridge (5); a control means (8) which calculates replacement time of the water purification cartridge (5) based on the information read by the communication means (7); and a notification means (9) which notifies a user of the calculated replacement time.

Description

Electrolyzed water generation device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generation apparatus that generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water.

Background

There is known an electrolyzed water generation apparatus capable of electrolyzing water to generate an electrolyzed hydrogen water (reduced water) in which hydrogen molecules are dissolved. Hydrogen water electrolysis has been attracting attention to exert an excellent effect in improving gastrointestinal symptoms. Hydrogen electrolysis water is also used effectively to reduce oxidative stress in order to remove active oxygen.

In recent years, home-use electrolytic water generating apparatuses have become widespread, enabling easy intake of electrolytic hydrogen water in daily life. For example, patent document 1 discloses an electrolyzed water generation apparatus including: the water purifying filter element is freely assembled and disassembled and is used for purifying tap water; and an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the water purified by the water purification cartridge.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2012-016643

The water purification cartridge is generally composed of activated carbon, a hollow fiber membrane, and the like, and in terms of its properties, the purification function gradually decreases as the cumulative amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge (cumulative amount of water passing) increases. Therefore, in order to obtain electrolytic water of stable quality, it is necessary to replace the filter element with a new water purification filter element.

In general, an electrolytic water generating apparatus is provided with a flow sensor for detecting the amount of water passing through a water purification cartridge. When the accumulated water flow obtained by accumulating the water flow reaches a recommended upper limit value, a notification for urging a user to replace the water purification cartridge is issued, thereby managing the replacement time of the water purification cartridge. The recommended upper limit value is set in advance as the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge to effectively function, and is stored in a memory of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus.

Generally, the replacement time of the water purification cartridge is different according to the specification of the water purification cartridge. For example, in the case of a water purification cartridge having the same capacity, the replacement time of the water purification cartridge capable of removing more substances is shortened.

As described above, since the replacement time (the recommended upper limit value) differs for each type of water purification cartridge, when the recommended upper limit value stored in the memory of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus differs from the recommended upper limit value of the water purification cartridge installed in the apparatus, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus cannot appropriately manage the replacement time of the water purification cartridge. For example, although the recommended upper limit value of a certain water purification cartridge is 7000 liters, when 5000 liters, which is the recommended upper limit value of another water purification cartridge, is stored in the memory, a notification prompting the user to replace the water purification cartridge is issued before the actual recommended upper limit value is reached.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water forming apparatus capable of appropriately managing replacement times of a plurality of types of water purification cartridges.

The present invention is an electrolyzed water generation apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body having an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water; and a water purification cartridge that is provided upstream or downstream of the electrolytic cell and purifies water, the water purification cartridge being replaced by being detachably attached to the apparatus main body, wherein the water purification cartridge is provided with a storage unit that stores information for specifying a replacement time of the water purification cartridge, and the apparatus main body includes: a communication unit reading the information of the storage unit of the installed water purification cartridge; the control unit is used for calculating the replacement time of the water purification filter element according to the information read by the communication unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the calculated replacement time.

In the electrolytic water generation device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the device main body includes: and the flow sensor is used for detecting the water passing amount of the water purifying filter element, and the information comprises a recommended upper limit value of the water passing amount for the water purifying filter element to effectively play a role.

In the electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication means has a function of writing an accumulated amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge into the storage means.

In the electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the information includes a recommended upper limit value of a service time during which the water purification cartridge effectively functions.

In the electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication means has a function of writing an accumulated time for using the water purification cartridge into the storage means.

In the electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that one type of water purification cartridge selected from a plurality of types having different purification performance be attachable as the water purification cartridge.

The water purifying cartridge of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided to be replaceable by being attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The water purification cartridge is provided with a storage unit in which information for specifying a replacement time predetermined for each type of water purification cartridge is stored.

The device main body has: a communication unit for reading information of the water purification cartridge; the control unit calculates the replacement time of the water purification filter element; and a notification unit that notifies a user of a replacement time of the water purification cartridge. The control unit calculates the replacement time of the water purification cartridge based on the information read by the communication unit, for example, and causes the notification unit to display that the replacement time has come. Accordingly, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus of the present invention can appropriately manage the replacement time of each type of water purification cartridge and notify the user of the replacement time, regardless of which type of water purification cartridge among a plurality of types of water purification cartridges different in replacement time is attached.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing process steps of the control unit of fig. 2 when the water purification cartridge is installed.

Description of the symbols

1 electrolyzed water producing apparatus

2 device body

4 electrolytic cell

5 Water purification filter element

6RFID tag

7 communication unit

8 control unit

9 notification unit

91 loudspeaker (Notification unit)

92LCD (Notification unit)

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a structure of an electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes: an apparatus main body 2 having an electrolytic cell 4 for electrolyzing water; and a water purification cartridge 5 for purifying water supplied to the electrolytic bath 4. In fig. 1, a housing constituting a part of an apparatus main body 2 is shown by a two-dot chain line, and a main structure of an electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 is seen through.

The electrolytic cell 4 is fixed to the apparatus main body 2 via screws (not shown) or the like, for example. The electrolytic cell 4 may be fixed by a method such as embedding. An electrolytic chamber 40 is formed inside the electrolytic bath 4.

The water purification cartridge 5 is provided to be replaceable by being attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2. The water purification cartridge 5 that has been replaced at an earlier time is replaced with a new water purification cartridge 5 by, for example, opening the cover member 3 of the apparatus body 2 by a user.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the water purification cartridge 5 is provided upstream of the electrolytic bath 4. Raw water is supplied to the water purification cartridge 5. Tap water is generally used as the raw water, but other water such as well water, ground water, and the like may be used. The water purification cartridge 5 purifies raw water by filtration and supplies the obtained purified water to the electrolysis chamber 40.

A water purification cartridge 5 may also be provided downstream of the electrolysis cell 4. At this time, the water purification cartridge 5 purifies the water electrolyzed by the electrolytic bath 4.

The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 of the present invention can selectively install a plurality of types of water purification cartridges 5 having different purification performance. Instead of the standard water purification cartridge 5, the user can install the water purification cartridge 5 having more excellent purification performance. In addition, replace standard water purification filter core 5, the user can install the longer water purification filter core 5 of change time.

Inside the electrolytic chamber 40, an anode power feeder 41 and a cathode power feeder 42 are disposed to face each other. A separator 43 is disposed between the anode power feeder 41 and the cathode power feeder 42. The diaphragm 43 divides the electrolytic chamber 40 into an anode chamber 40a on the anode power feeder 41 side and a cathode chamber 40b on the cathode power feeder 42 side.

Water is supplied to both the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b of the electrolysis chamber 40, and a dc voltage is applied to the anode power feeder 41 and the cathode power feeder 42, whereby electrolysis of water occurs in the electrolysis chamber 40.

The diaphragm 43 passes ions generated by electrolysis. The anode power-supply body 41 and the cathode power-supply body 42 are electrically connected via the separator 43. The water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis chamber 40, whereby electrolyzed reduced water is obtained in the cathode chamber 40b and electrolyzed acidic water is obtained in the anode chamber 40 a.

In the cathode chamber 40b, hydrogen gas is generated by electrolysis and dissolved in water in the cathode chamber 40 b. Therefore, the electrolytically reduced water obtained in the cathode chamber 40b is also referred to as electrolytic hydrogen water, and is considered to be effective in removing active oxygen.

The electrolytic reduced water obtained in the cathode chamber 40b and the electrolytic acidic water obtained in the anode chamber 40a are supplied to the faucet through the flow path switching valve 21 and discharged. The flow path switching valve 21 can switch the connection destination while separating the flow path of the electrolytically-reduced water obtained in the cathode chamber 40b from the flow path of the electrolytically-reduced water obtained in the anode chamber 40 a.

In the water purification cartridge 5, an RFID tag 6 is provided as a storage unit. The RFID tag 6 is a storage unit that can read and write information by wireless communication. The form of the storage unit is not limited to the RFID tag 6. For example, the storage unit may be configured to read and write information from and to the communication unit 7 by wired communication.

The RFID tag 6 stores unique ID information for identifying the water purification cartridge 5. In the present embodiment, information for specifying the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 is stored in the RFID tag 6. For example, information on the specification of the water purification cartridge 5 is stored as information for specifying the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5. More specifically, a recommended upper limit value of the amount of water passing through which the water purification cartridge 5 effectively functions and a recommended upper limit value of the service time during which the water purification cartridge 5 effectively functions are stored. The recommended upper limit value of the water flow amount or the recommended upper limit value of the usage time may be stored.

The apparatus main body 2 includes: a communication unit 7 that communicates with the RFID tag 6; a control unit 8 for controlling each part of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1; and a notification unit 9 that notifies a user of a replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5.

When the water purification cartridge 5 is replaced, the communication unit 7 wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag 6, reads the information stored in the RFID tag 6, and transmits the information to the control unit 8. The communication unit 7 of the present embodiment is a read/write device having a function of writing information into the RFID tag 6 in addition to the information reading function described above.

The control unit 8 controls each part of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 such as the electrolytic bath 4 and the notification unit 9. For example, the control unit 8 controls the electrolytic current supplied to the anode power supply 41 and the cathode power supply 42 of the electrolytic cell 4 in order to generate an electrolytic hydrogen water having a desired hydrogen dissolution concentration. The control unit 8 controls synchronization between switching of the polarities of the dc voltages applied to the anode power feeder 41 and the cathode power feeder 42 and the operation of the flow path switching valve 21.

The control unit 8 has a memory function and a function of counting time, and controls each part of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 based on the counted time. For example, the control unit 8 calculates the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 based on the counted time.

The control unit 8 of the present embodiment calculates the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 based on the information for specifying the replacement time read by the communication unit 7. When the control unit 8 determines that the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 is up, the control unit controls the notification unit 9 so that the notification unit 9 notifies the user that the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 is up.

Further, the memory of the control unit 8 may store the ID information of the water purification cartridge 5 in association with the recommended upper limit values of the water flow amount and the use time. At this time, the ID information of the water purification cartridge 5 is substantially information for specifying the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5.

The notification unit 9 notifies the user that the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 has come using sound, light, or the like. In the present embodiment, a speaker 91 for outputting audio and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 92 for displaying images such as character information are applied. It is also possible to use only either the speaker 91 or the LCD 92. The control unit 8 may be configured to notify the approach of the replacement time before the water purification cartridge 5 comes to the replacement time.

The speaker 91 and the LCD92 are controlled by the control unit 8. That is, the control unit 8 outputs a sound signal to the speaker 91, and the speaker 91 outputs a sound corresponding to the sound signal input from the control unit 8. Likewise, the control unit 8 outputs an image signal to the LCD92, and the LCD92 outputs an image or a message corresponding to the image signal input from the control unit 8. Further, instead of the LCD92, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or the like that facilitates replacement of the water purification cartridge 5 may be used.

According to the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration, even when any one of the plurality of types of water purification cartridges 5 having different purification performance is attached, it is possible to appropriately manage the replacement time for each type of water purification cartridge 5 and notify the user of the replacement time.

As shown in fig. 2, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a flow sensor 22 for detecting the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 5. In the present embodiment, the flow sensor 22 is provided downstream of the water purification cartridge 5, which is a flow path connecting the water purification cartridge 5 and the electrolytic cell 4. The flow sensor 22 may be provided upstream of or inside the water purification cartridge 5 as long as it can detect the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 5.

The flow rate sensor 22 detects the amount of the water passing therethrough, and sends a signal thereof to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 integrates the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 5 based on a signal transmitted from the flow sensor 22. The beginning of the integration is the moment when the water purification cartridge 5 is first installed. When the water purification cartridge 5 is installed, communication is started between the RFID tag 6 of the water purification cartridge 5 and the communication unit 7, and a signal thereof is output to the control unit 8. Therefore, the control unit 8 knows the timing when the water purification cartridge 5 is first attached based on the signal input from the communication unit 7, and starts integrating the amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge 5. Accordingly, the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 can be managed based on the accumulated water flow amount.

The control unit 8 also accumulates the service time of the water purification cartridge 5. The beginning of the integration is the moment when the water purification cartridge 5 is first installed. Accordingly, the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 can be managed according to the accumulated use time.

Fig. 3 shows the process steps of the control unit 8 when the water purification cartridge 5 is installed. When the control unit 8 detects the start of water supply based on the signal transmitted from the flow sensor 22 (S1), it transmits a wireless signal from the communication unit 7 (S2). The wireless signal transmitted by the communication unit 7 is received by the RFID tag 6 of the water purification cartridge 5. The RFID tag 6 that has received the wireless signal converts the information stored therein into a wireless signal and transmits it. The information includes unique ID information for identifying the water purification cartridge 5 and information for specifying the replacement time.

In the present embodiment, the information includes, as the information for specifying the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5, the recommended upper limit value of the water flow amount and the recommended upper limit value of the service time at which the water purification cartridge 5 effectively functions. The recommended upper limit values of the water flow amount and the usage time are stored differently for each type of the water purification cartridge 5 depending on the purification performance of the water purification cartridge 5 and the like.

The wireless signal transmitted from the RFID tag 6 is received by the communication unit 7 (S3), converted into ID information of the water purification cartridge 5 and information for determining the replacement time, and then forwarded to the control unit 8. Accordingly, the control unit 8 acquires the recommended upper limit value of the water passage amount and the recommended upper limit value of the service time at which the water purification cartridge 5 effectively functions (S4).

Then, the control unit 8 starts integrating the usage time (S5), and starts integrating the water flow amount (S6). Further, the control unit 8 causes the communication unit 7 to periodically transmit information on the accumulated usage time and the accumulated water flow amount. Accordingly, the information on the cumulative service time and cumulative water flow amount of the water purification cartridge 5 is periodically written to the RFID tag 6 and updated (S7).

Thereafter, when the accumulated water flow amount exceeds the recommended upper limit value of the water flow amount (yes in S8), the control unit 8 proceeds to S10, notifies the user of the arrival of the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 using the speaker 91 and the LCD92, and ends the process.

Even if the accumulated water flow amount does not reach the recommended upper limit value of the water flow amount (no in S8), the control unit 8 proceeds to S10 when the accumulated used time of the control unit 8 exceeds the recommended upper limit value of the used time (yes in S9). In S10, the control unit 8 causes the speaker 91 and the LCD92 to notify the user that the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 has come.

If the accumulated used time does not reach the recommended upper limit value of the used time (no in S9), the control unit 8 returns to S7.

In the present embodiment, as shown in S7, since the information on the cumulative use time and the cumulative water passage amount of the water purification cartridge 5 is periodically written in the RFID tag 6, the water purification cartridge 5 stores the information on its own use history in the RFID tag 6. When the water purification cartridge 5 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 of the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 and then attached again, the information is transmitted from the RFID tag 6 to the communication unit 7 when the above-described processes from S1 to S2 are performed. Accordingly, the control unit 8 can acquire the use history of each water purification cartridge 5 and can restart the accumulation of the water flow amount and the use time.

According to the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the configuration described above, the control unit 8 calculates the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 based on the information read by the communication unit 7, and causes the notification unit 9 to display that the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 has come. Accordingly, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 can appropriately manage the replacement time of each type of water purification cartridge 5 and notify the user of the replacement time, regardless of which type of water purification cartridge 5 of the plurality of types of water purification cartridges 5 different in replacement time is attached.

The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention has been described above in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be carried out in various modified embodiments. That is, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 1 includes at least: an apparatus main body 2 having an electrolytic cell 4 for electrolyzing water; and a water purification cartridge 5 provided upstream or downstream of the electrolytic cell 4 for purifying water, the water purification cartridge 5 being replaced by being attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2, the water purification cartridge 5 being provided with an RFID tag 6, the RFID tag 6 storing information for specifying a replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5, and the apparatus main body 2 may include: a communication unit 7 for reading information of the RFID tag 6 of the water purification cartridge 5; a control unit 8 for calculating the replacement time of the water purification cartridge 5 based on the information read by the communication unit 7; and a notification unit 9 that notifies the user of the calculated replacement time.

In addition, at least one of the electrolytic cell 4, the water purification cartridge 5, and the communication unit may be provided in plurality. For example, a plurality of electrolytic cells 4 may be arranged in parallel or in series. For another example, a plurality of water purification cartridges 5 may be provided in parallel or in series. In this case, the RFID tag 6 of each water purification cartridge 5 may be communicated with the single communication unit 7, or the RFID tag 6 of each water purification cartridge 5 may be communicated with each of the plurality of communication units 7.

Claims

1. An electrolyzed water production apparatus is provided with: an apparatus main body having an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water; and a water purification cartridge disposed upstream or downstream of the electrolytic cell for purifying water, the water purification cartridge being replaceable by being detachably mounted to the apparatus main body,

a storage unit is arranged in the water purification filter element and stores information used for determining the replacement time of the water purification filter element,

the device main body has:

a communication unit reading the information of the storage unit of the installed water purification cartridge;

the control unit is used for calculating the replacement time of the water purification filter element according to the information read by the communication unit; and

and a notification unit configured to notify the user of the calculated replacement time.

2. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to claim 1,

the device main body includes: a flow sensor for detecting the amount of water passing through the water purification filter element,

the information includes a recommended upper limit value of the water passing amount for the water purification filter element to effectively function.

3. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication means has a function of writing the cumulative amount of water passing through the water purification cartridge into the storage means.

4. An electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information includes a recommended upper limit value of a service time during which the water purification cartridge is effective.

5. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit has a function of writing accumulated time for using the water purification cartridge into the storage unit.

6. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1 to 5, wherein a water purification cartridge selected from a plurality of types differing in purification performance can be installed as the water purification cartridge.