Apparatus for utilizing water

An apparatus for utilizing water such as, for example, an atomizer or vaporizer, having at least one container for water. Here, two ceramic electrodes that can be used to treat the water are arranged for the purpose of improving the water quality in the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for utilizing water, such as, an atomizer or vaporizer, having at least one container for water, and to increase the water quality by having two ceramic electrodes arranged in the container to treat the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

JP 10-281501 A1 discloses an apparatus for utilizing water that is designed as an atomizer and has two containers for water. Here, the second container, from which the water is atomized, is fed from the first container. Chlorine-generating electrodes made from platinum and iridium are arranged in the first container in order to sterilize the water. Disadvantages of such an apparatus for utilizing water are, on the one hand, escape of unpleasantly smelling chlorine gas and, on the other hand, in some circumstances inadequate sterilization of the water when the latter is stored for a relatively long time before being atomized in the second container, which is arranged downstream of the first container. Furthermore, oxidizing substances are required that lead to undesired deposits in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to develop an apparatus for utilizing water that is more secure against contamination, does not produce any unpleasant smelling gases and requires no oxidizing substances.

The inventive apparatus for utilizing water has two ceramic electrodes that serve to improve the water quality in the container from which water can be directly extracted, or water can be directly consumed. The use of ceramic electrodes necessitates no oxidizing substances, and all that is produced during operation is oxygen, which does not lead to the perception of an odor nuisance. The arrangement of the ceramic electrodes in the container from which water is directly extracted, or from which water is directly consumed, avoids a water accumulator lying between the location of treatment and the location where the water is extracted or consumed. The core of the invention is thus the use of ceramic electrodes and their positioning in the container from which the water is extracted or consumed. By contrast with the prior art, this results in a reduced risk of contamination after the treatment of the water, and in water treatment that is environmentally friendly and lacks odor.

The invention provides for the use of two electrically conducting ceramic electrodes that are connected to a DC power source. As a result, catalytic processes of oxygen radical formation proceed under electric voltage and trigger an oxidation of the biological compounds in the water and, in particular, a destruction of the cell membranes.

Furthermore, the invention provides for carrying out a polarity reversal at the ceramic electrodes at specific time intervals. The location of the oxygen radical formation is displaced hereby between the electrodes and uniform wearing of the two ceramic electrodes is achieved.

According to the invention, the DC power source makes available a voltage between 2 V and 50 V and, in particular, approximately 24 V to 30 V. Good success in sterilization can be attained with such values.

The invention further provides to carry out the polarity reversal every 2 minutes to 20 minutes and, in particular, approximately every 5 minutes. With the aid of such values, it is possible to attain a good compromise between the stipulation of uniform wearing of the ceramic electrodes and the stipulation of using as little treatment time as possible in starting up the catalytic processes.

The invention provides to limit the current flow to at most 100 mA. The operating costs can thereby be kept low.

Finally, the invention provides for the water treated with the ceramic electrodes to be led through a filter before being extracted or before being consumed. It is thereby possible to employ simple means to restrain lime deposits resulting from decalcification effected by the ceramic electrodes.

Within the meaning of the invention, a treatment of the water in the container is understood as a sterilization and/or decalcification of the water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus1for utilizing water W is illustrated in a cutaway side view inFIG. 1a. The apparatus1is designed as a vaporizer2with the aid of which the water W can be vaporized in order to raise a level of atmospheric humidity in an environment U by means of cold vaporization. The apparatus1is based in principle on an apparatus for treating gases described in DE 44 14 045 A1. The apparatus1essentially comprises an upper part3and a lower part4. Arranged in the upper part3are a fan5and a drive6for the rolls7and8rotatably mounted in the lower part4. The lower part4forms a container9for the water W. The container9is filled with water up to a level N. The rolls7and8rotate slowly in the water W in order to vaporize the water W, and are driven in this case by the drive6. Furthermore, the fan5blows ambient air over the rolls7and8, the humidity of which is increased upon passing over the rolls7and8. Two ceramic electrodes10and11are arranged in the container9(see alsoFIG. 1b). As is to be gathered fromFIG. 1b, the two ceramic electrodes10,11are connected to a DC power source12. An electronic system13that controls the current flow and undertakes a polarity reversal at given time intervals is also connected between the DC power source12and the electrodes10,11. The electronic system13is connected to the electrodes10and11via electric lines L10and L11. The DC power source12supplies the electronic system via lines L12. The electrodes10,11, the DC power source12and the electronic system13are combined in a housing14as a module15that can be fitted on a trough16forming the container9. The housing14is closed inFIG. 1a, and illustrated with the cover17removed inFIG. 1b.

A second embodiment of an apparatus1for utilizing water W is illustrated inFIG. 2in a schematic side view. The apparatus1is designed as an atomizer18with the aid of which the water W can be atomized or sprayed into an environment U. For the atomization, the apparatus1has in a container9an oscillating plate19that is excited to oscillate by an electronic system20. Via the oscillating plate19, this produces a water cone WK composed of very fine water droplets. The latter are blown out of the apparatus1into the environment U by means of a fan21. Also arranged in the container9are two ceramic electrodes10,11that are connected to a positive pole26and a negative pole27of a DC power source12with the interposition of the electronic system20. The electronic system20controls a current flow and carries out a polarity reversal at the electrodes10,11at prescribed intervals. The electrodes therefore operate alternately as anode24and as cathode25. Lime deposits K resulting from the activity of the ceramic electrodes10,11in the water W are kept away from the oscillating plate19by a filter22. This prevents impairment of the functioning of the oscillating plate19by the lime deposits K.

FIG. 3illustrates a plan view of a third embodiment of an apparatus1whose mode of operation corresponds to the apparatus shown inFIG. 2. The apparatus1comprises a container B that is constructed from a nonconducting material23such as plastic, for example. The container B with a total volume V is subdivided by a filter22into a first part container B1with a volume V1, and a second part container B2with a volume V2. Arranged in the first part container B1are two electrodes10,11that are connected to a power source (not illustrated). The electrodes10,11are alternately connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power source, and therefore alternately form an anode24and a cathode25. Water W is treated in the first part container B1by the electrodes10,11and flows through the filter22into the second part container B2. The water W is atomized by an oscillating plate19in the second part container B2.

The invention is not restricted to exemplary embodiments illustrated or described. Rather, it comprises developments of the invention within the scope of the patent claims. In particular, the invention also provides to design the apparatus for utilizing water as a coffee machine, tea machine or drinking water dispenser.

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