Water electrolysis device

A water electrolysis device comprises an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell includes an ion exchange membrane, a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, a hydrogen output tube, and an oxygen output tube. An anode is configured in the anode chamber, and a cathode is configured in the cathode chamber. The ion exchange membrane is configured between the anode chamber and the anode chamber. The hydrogen output tube is coupled to the cathode chamber, and the oxygen output tube is coupled to the anode chamber. When water is electrolyzed by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, oxygen is generated by the anode and then exported through the oxygen output tube, and hydrogen is generated by the cathode and then exported through the hydrogen output tube. The hydrogen and the oxygen are exported from the same side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Chinese Application Serial No. 201710739861.5 filed Aug. 25, 2017 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a water electrolysis device, more particularly, to a water electrolysis device comprising an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell outputting hydrogen and oxygen from the same side.

Description of the Prior

As people have always been paying much attention on health developments, many developments in medical technology are often targeted on treating diseases and prolonging human life. Most of the treatments in the past are passive, which means that the disease is treated only when it occurs. The treatments include an operation, a medication treatment, a radiation therapy, or even a medical treatment for cancer. However, in recent years, most of the researches from medical experts are gradually moving towards preventive medical methods, such as research on healthy food, screening and the prevention of inherited diseases, which actively prevents diseases from occurring in the future. Due to the focus of the prolongation of human life, many anti-aging and anti-oxidation technologies including skin care products and anti-oxidation food/medicine are gradually being developed and becoming increasingly popular to the general public.

Studies have found that there are instable oxygen species (O+), also known as free radicals, in the human body. The free radicals which are usually generated due to diseases, diet, environment or one's lifestyle can be excreted in the form of water by reacting with the inhaled hydrogen. With this method, the amount of free radicals in the human body can be reduced, thereby restoring the body condition from an acidic state to an alkaline state, achieving an anti-oxidation, anti-aging and beauty health effect, and even eliminating chronic diseases. Furthermore, there are also clinical experiments showing that patients who need to inhale a high concentration of oxygen for an extended period of time would experience lung damage, but the lung damage could be ameliorated by inhaling hydrogen.

In order to enhance the efficacy of inhaling hydrogen, increasing the time of inhaling hydrogen is an effective method. However, the electrolysis device is bulky in prior art; moreover, it is not easy to arrange enough daytime to inhale hydrogen. Therefore, the use of sleeping-time to inhale hydrogen would be an effective way. However, as mentioned above, the conventional electrolysis device is bulky. How to reduce the volume of the electrolysis device and maintain a sufficient quantity of hydrogen is a problem waiting to be solved.

In addition to the health care, the hydrogen also can be used to generate hydrogen flame to heat or burn, or to remove the engine carbon deposits. In general, hydrogen is generated by electrolyzing the electrolyte water along with the high working temperature. And, the temperature of the electrolysis device is cooling down by fan. Once there is something wrong with the fan, the hydrogen explosion might be happened. Besides, the gas generated by the electrolysis device usually has the electrolyte which is not suitable for inhaling. At the same time, the electrolyte will be lost during the electrolyzation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a water electrolysis device.

The present invention provides a water electrolysis device, comprising a housing and an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The housing comprises a side wall. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell is configured at a non-center within the housing. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprises a first side, a second side corresponding to the first side, an ion exchange membrane, a cathode, an anode, a hydrogen output tube, and an oxygen output tube. The ion exchange membrane is configured between the cathode and the anode. Wherein, when the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell electrolyzes water, the cathode generates hydrogen, and the hydrogen is outputted via the hydrogen output tube. The anode generates oxygen, and the oxygen is outputted via the oxygen output tube. Wherein the first side faces the side wall, and the hydrogen and the oxygen are outputted from the second side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell.

In an embodiment, the anode is configured between the ion exchange membrane and the second side. The cathode is configured between the ion exchange membrane and the first side. The oxygen output tube extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane and the second side to the second side, and penetrates through the second side. The hydrogen output tube extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane and the first side to the second side, and penetrates through the second side.

In an embodiment, the anode is configured between the ion exchange membrane and the first side. The cathode is located between the ion exchange membrane and the second side. The hydrogen output tube extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane and the second side, and penetrates through the second side. The oxygen output tube extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane and the first side, and penetrates through the first side.

In an embodiment, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprises a cathode chamber and an anode chamber. The cathode chamber comprises the cathode, a cathode seal plate, a cathode conductive plate, and a cathode external plate. The anode chamber comprises the anode, an anode seal plate, an anode conductive plate, and an anode external plate.

In an embodiment, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell further comprises a water tube penetrating through the cathode external plate, the cathode conductive plate, and the cathode seal plate for communicating the cathode chamber and a water tank. The water of the water tank flows into the cathode chamber via the water tube for replenishing the cathode chamber.

In an embodiment, the electrolysis device further comprises a gas tube, a fan, and a gas pump. Wherein, the gas tube is coupled to hydrogen output tube for receiving the hydrogen. The fan draws the air from external environment out of the electrolysis device into the electrolysis device, and the gas pump draws the air into the gas tube for diluting the hydrogen concentration inside the gas tube.

In an embodiment, the electrolysis device further comprising a gas mixing chamber coupled to the gas tube for receiving the diluted hydrogen. Wherein the gas mixing chamber selectively generates an atomized gas for mixing with the hydrogen to form a healthy gas, and the atomized gas is one selected from a group consisting of water vapor, atomized solution, volatile essential oil, and any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the gas pump is coupled to the gas tube via a gas inlet, and a linking position between the gas inlet and the gas tube is provided with an angle, and the angle is less than 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle is in a range between 25 degrees and 45 degrees, and the shape of the linking position with the angle is made into an arc angle.

The electrolysis device of claim may further comprise a hydrogen concentration detector and a controller. The hydrogen concentration detector is coupled to the gas tube and is for detecting whether the hydrogen concentration of the gas tube is in a range between a first threshold and a second threshold. Wherein, the hydrogen concentration detector generates a first warning signal when the detected hydrogen concentration is higher than the first threshold. The controller is coupled to the hydrogen concentration detector, the gas pump, and the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. Wherein, the controller generates a start command for turning on the gas pump when receiving the first warning signal.

In an embodiment, the hydrogen concentration detector generates a second warning signal when the detected hydrogen concentration is higher than the second threshold. The controller generates a stop command for turning off the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell when receiving the second warning signal. The first threshold is 4%, the second threshold is 6%, and the range is from 4% to 6%.

In an embodiment, the ion exchange membrane comprises a membrane body, a cathode catalyst layer, and an anode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer. The anode catalyst layers are respectively located at two sides of the membrane body, the cathode catalyst layer is located at the cathode chamber, and the anode catalyst layer is located at the anode chamber. The anode catalyst layer is one selected from a group consisting of Pt, Ir, Pd, the alloy powder of Pt, carbon, and combinations thereof; the cathode catalyst layer is one selected from a group consisting of Pt, Ir, Pd, the alloy powder of Pt, and combinations thereof, and the membrane body is a Nafion membrane.

In an embodiment, the electrolysis device further comprises a water gauge for detecting water level of the water tank.

The electrolysis device may further comprise a power supplier. Wherein, the power supplier comprises a high power port and a low power port. The electric power outputted from the low power port is less than 50% of the electric power outputted from the high power port. The high power port outputs a first voltage and a first current, and the low power port outputs a second voltage and a second current. The first voltage is less than the second voltage, and the first current is greater than the second current.

In an embodiment, the electrolysis device may further comprises an operation panel; wherein, the volume of the electrolysis device is less than 8.5 liters, and a hydrogen production rate of the electrolysis device regulated by the operation panel is in a range between 120 mL/min to 600 mL/min.

The present invention also provides another electrolysis device comprising a water tank, an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, and a pre-heating tank. The water tank accommodates water. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell receives the water from the water tank. Wherein, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprises an ion exchange membrane, a cathode, an anode, a hydrogen output tube, and an oxygen output tube. When the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell electrolyzes the water, the cathode generates hydrogen and the anode generates oxygen, the hydrogen output tube is used for outputting the hydrogen, and the oxygen output tube is used for outputting the oxygen and the remained water.

The pre-heating tank comprises a water inlet, a water outlet, and an oxygen import tube. The water inlet is coupled to the water tank for receiving the water. The water is outputted to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell from the water outlet. The oxygen import tube is coupled to the oxygen output tube, and the water with high temperature remained after electrolyzing and the oxygen being outputted to the pre-heating tank via the oxygen import tube. Wherein, the oxygen and the hydrogen are outputted from the same side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The water with high temperature outputted from the oxygen import tube pre-heats the water of the pre-heating tank.

The water of the pre-heating tank is pre-heat to the temperature between 55° C. and 65° C., and the volume of the pre-heating tank is less than that of the water tank.

In an embodiment, the pre-heating tank further comprises a plurality of cooling fins and a second fan; the cooling fins are radially configured on an outside wall of the pre-heating tank, and the second fan is configured on an end of the pre-heating tank for cooling the pre-heating tank.

The present invention further provides another electrolysis device comprising an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell and an integrated pathway module. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell is configured for electrolyzing water. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell comprises a second side, an ion exchange membrane, a cathode, an anode, a hydrogen output tube, and an oxygen output tube. Wherein, the ion exchange membrane is configured between the cathode and the anode. Wherein, when the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell electrolyzes water, the cathode generates hydrogen, and the hydrogen is outputted via the hydrogen output tube, the anode generates oxygen, and the oxygen is outputted via the oxygen output tube. The integrated pathway module has a water tank and a gas pathway. The water tank is coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell for replenishing the water to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. Wherein, the top of the water tank is higher than the top of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The gas pathway is coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell for transporting the hydrogen. Wherein, the second side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell faces the integrated pathway module. The oxygen and the hydrogen are outputted to the gas pathway from the second side. The water is inputted to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell from the second side.

Compare to the prior art, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell outputs the hydrogen and the oxygen at the same side. Furthermore, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, the water tank, the gas tube, the fan, the gas pump, the operation panel, the gas mixing chamber, and other devices are configured in the housing within the limited volume. Therefore, the present invention maintains enough hydrogen production and also provides accommodation space within the housing as much as possible. The present invention provides a water electrolysis device which is efficient in using space, small size and low noise, so the electrolysis device can be used conveniently by the user.

The advantages, spirits, and features of the present invention will be explained and discussed with embodiments and figures as follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present invention.

In the description of the present specification, the terminologies “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, or “in some embodiments” means that the specific feature, structure, material or characteristic of the present embodiment is involved in at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present specification, the schematic representation of the mentioned terminologies does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described specific feature, structure, material or characteristic can be involved in any one or more embodiments in a proper way.

In the embodiments of the present specification, the terminology “or” includes the combination of part of listed components, and the combination of all the listed components. For example, the described “A or B” includes only A, only B, and both A and B. Moreover, the terminologies “a” and “the” before the element or component of the present invention do not limit the number of element or component. Therefore, the terminologies “a” and “the” should be read as including one or at least one. Besides, the singular form of element or component also includes the plural form, unless the number clearly refers to the singular form.

Please refer toFIG. 1AtoFIG. 1C.FIG. 1Ashows an appearance view of one embodiment of the electrolysis device in the present invention.FIG. 1Bshows an appearance view of the electrolysis device without the shell ofFIG. 1Ain the present invention.FIG. 1Cshows a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the electrolysis device in the present invention. The electrolysis device in the present invention comprises a housing100and an operation panel102. The housing100comprises a side wall and a base. A water tank10and an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12are configured within the housing100. The water tank10is configured at a side opposite to the operation panel102. The water tank10is configured for providing water to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is configured between the operation panel102and the water tank10, and the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is located at a non-center within the housing. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen. In an embodiment, the water is deionized water for preparing hydrogen with high purity. However, it is not limited to deionized water.

Please refer toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B.FIG. 2Ashows a sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in the present invention.FIG. 2Bshows a sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in the present invention.FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bwill be used to briefly illustrate the main features of the present invention in this section. Please refer toFIG. 2A. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12comprises a first side S1, a second side S2corresponding to the first side S1, an ion exchange membrane120, a cathode123, an anode124, a hydrogen output tube21, and an oxygen output tube22. The ion exchange membrane120is configured between the first side S1and the second side S2. The cathode123is configured between the first side S1and the ion exchange membrane120. The anode124is configured between the second side S2and the ion exchange membrane120. Wherein, the area having the first side S1and the cathode123is called as the cathode chamber1201. The area having the second side S2and the anode124is called as the anode chamber1202. However, in order to more clearly express the corresponding positions of the cathode chamber1201and the anode chamber1202, the position of the cathode chamber1201and the anode chamber1202is indicated by a dashed line inFIG. 2A. The hydrogen output tube21extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane120and the first side S1to the second side S2, and penetrates through the second side S2. The oxygen output tube22extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane120and the second side S2to the second side S2, and penetrates through the second side S2. While the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12electrolyzes water, the cathode123generates hydrogen and the anode124generates oxygen. The main features of the present invention is that the hydrogen and the oxygen are respectively outputted via the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22from the second side S2of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22output the hydrogen and the oxygen from the side near the anode chamber1202of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12.

However, the position of the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22in the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment. Please refer toFIG. 2B. The components of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12shown inFIG. 2Bare the same as those ofFIG. 2A. The difference is that the position of the first side S1and the second side S2inFIG. 2Bis opposite to that inFIG. 2A. Therefore, inFIG. 2B, the anode124is configured between the first side S1and the ion exchange membrane120. The cathode123is configured between the second side S2and the ion exchange membrane120. The anode chamber1202has the first side S1and the anode124. The cathode chamber1201has the second side S2and the cathode123. The hydrogen output tube21extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane120and the second side S2to the second side S2, and penetrates through the second side S2. The oxygen output tube22extends from the area between the ion exchange membrane120and the first side S1to the second side S2, and penetrates through the second side S2. While the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12electrolyzes water, the cathode123generates hydrogen and the anode124generates oxygen. The main features of the present invention is that the hydrogen and the oxygen are respectively outputted via the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22from the second side S2of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22output the hydrogen and the oxygen from the side near the cathode chamber1201of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. This also indicates that the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22could be configured at any side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12according to the design or the demand of the users.

Please refer toFIG. 2C.FIG. 2Cshows a sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment according toFIG. 2Ain the present invention. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12comprises the ion exchange membrane120, the cathode chamber1201, and the anode chamber1202, as shown inFIG. 2C. The cathode chamber1201accommodates the cathode123, and the anode chamber1202accommodates the anode124. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is configured between the cathode chamber1201and the anode chamber1202. While the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12electrolyzes water, the cathode123generates hydrogen and the anode124generates oxygen. In an embodiment, the anode chamber1202accommodates water. The water in the anode chamber1202may further penetrate into the cathode chamber1201through the ion membrane120. Besides,FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B, andFIG. 2Care the sectional schematic diagrams for demonstrating the structure inside the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12, but not to disclose the actual ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The blank area inFIG. 2Cshows the housing of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12.

The ion exchange membrane120comprises an ion exchange membrane body1203, the anode catalyst layer128and the cathode catalyst layer127, as shown inFIG. 2C. The ion exchange membrane body1203can be a proton exchange membrane. In a better embodiment, the ion exchange membrane body is a Nafion membrane. The anode catalyst layer128can be selected from a group consisting of Pt, Ir, Pd, the alloy powder of Pt, carbon or any combination of thereof. The cathode catalyst layer127can be selected from a group consisting of Pt, Ir, Pd, the alloy powder of Pt, or any combination of thereof. In an embodiment, the material of the anode catalyst layer128or the cathode catalyst layer127is able to be slurry which is disposed on two sides of the ion membrane to form the anode catalyst layer128and the cathode catalyst layer127. In practice, the hydrogen may be generated by the catalyst layer, and hydrogen may be generated by the cathode123instead; hydrogen may be even generated between the ion exchange membrane body1203and the cathode123. Therefore, compare to the prior art, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12in the present invention may avoid several problems such as cell corrosion, environmental pollution, or inhalation with electrolyte gas due to incomplete filtration.

Please refer toFIG. 2AtoFIG. 2C. Inside the cathode chamber1201comprises a cathode platen121, the cathode123, a cathode seal plate125, and the cathode catalyst layer127. Inside the anode chamber1202comprises an anode platen122, the anode124, an anode seal plate126, and the anode catalyst layer128. Wherein, the first side S1and the second side S2inFIG. 2Ais respectively corresponding to the cathode platen121and the anode platen122inFIG. 2C. On the other hand, the first side S1and the second side S2inFIG. 2Bare corresponding to the anode platen122and the cathode platen121inFIG. 2Crespectively. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12comprises the hydrogen output tube21, the oxygen output tube22, and a water tube24. The oxygen output tube22is configured for outputting the oxygen, and the hydrogen output tube21is configured for outputting the hydrogen generated within the cathode chamber1201. The hydrogen output tube21penetrates through the cathode seal plate125, the anode seal plate126, the anode124, and the anode platen122, as shown inFIG. 2C. Therefore, the cathode chamber1201could be connected to the environment outside the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12and output the hydrogen. The oxygen output tube22is configured for outputting the oxygen generated within the anode chamber1202. The oxygen output tube22penetrates through the anode124and the anode platen122, so that the anode chamber1202could be connected to the environment outside the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12and output the oxygen. The water tube24penetrates through the anode124and the anode platen122. The water tube24is connected to the water tank10for introducing the water in the water tank10into the anode chamber1202. Therefore the water for electrolyzing in the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is replenished. Wherein, since the hydrogen output tube21and the oxygen output tube22are configured at the same side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12, the oxygen and the hydrogen are outputted at the same side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. In the present embodiment, all of the hydrogen output tube21, the oxygen output tube22, and the water tube24penetrate through the anode platen122, and are configured at the anode platen122. The present invention is not limit to the described embodiment. With a similar structure, the hydrogen output tube21, the oxygen output tube22, and the water tube24may also penetrate through and be disposed on the cathode platen121, as shown as the second side S2inFIG. 2B.

In prior art, since the gas and the water are outputted from two, even three sides of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, a large accommodating space for ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell and the connective line and connective tube must be reserved. In the present invention, since the oxygen and the hydrogen are outputted at the same side of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12, the space around the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell can be used effectively.

Please refer toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.FIG. 3shows an exploded diagram of one embodiment of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in the present invention.FIG. 4shows another exploded diagram ofFIG. 3of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in the present invention. The ion exchange membrane120further comprises an ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204for fixing the relatively position of the ion exchange membrane body1203, the cathode catalyst layer127, and the anode catalyst layer128in the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12.FIG. 3andFIG. 4show the relative position of each component of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. Then each component contained by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12can be assembled according to the stacking sequence as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4.

Please refer toFIG. 3andFIG. 4. In an embodiment, the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204, the cathode seal plate125, and the anode seal plate126can configured around the electrode plate to get the effects such as insulation and airtight. Wherein, the material of the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204can be silicone gel. However, the material and setting method of the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204is not limited to those mentioned above. In practice, the material and setting method of the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204can be any kinds of material or setting methods which can get the effects like insulation and airtight.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the hydrogen output tube21penetrates through the cathode seal plate125, the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204, the anode seal plate126, the anode124, and the anode platen122, so that the hydrogen generated within the cathode chamber1201can be outputted via the hydrogen output tube21and the ion exchange membrane peripheral plate1204from the side of the anode platen122; and the oxygen output tube22penetrates through the anode124and the anode platen122, so that the oxygen generated within the anode chamber1202can be outputted via the oxygen output tube22from the side of the anode platen122. The water tube24penetrates through the anode124and the anode platen122. The water tube24is connected to the water tank10for introducing the water in the water tank10into the anode chamber1202. Therefore the water for electrolyzing in the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is replenished. A gasket25is configured among the hydrogen output tube21, the oxygen output tube22, the water tube24, and the anode platen122. The gasket25is configured for sealing the space among the hydrogen output tube21, the oxygen output tube22, the water tube24, and the anode platen122.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the cathode123comprises a cathode conductive plate123-1and a cathode conductive plate123-2; the anode124comprises an anode conductive plate124-1and an anode conductive plate124-2. In an embodiment, each conductive plate can be a titanium powder casting piece, and the material of each conductive plate may be titanium. However, in practice, it is not limited to the above materials or molding methods. As shown inFIG. 3, in an embodiment, the cathode conductive plate123-2can be configured between the ion exchange membrane120/the ion exchange membrane body1203and the cathode conductive plate123-1; and the anode conductive plate124-2can be configured between the ion exchange membrane120/the ion exchange membrane body1203and the anode conductive plate124-1. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12may be connected with a power supplier by the cathode conductive plate123-1and the anode conductive plate124-1. In an embodiment, there are pathways designed in the anode conductive plate124-1shown inFIG. 3and in the cathode conductive plate123-1shown inFIG. 4, respectively. While the cathode conductive plate123-1and the cathode conductive plate123-2are overlapped, a plurality of the cathode cavities123-3is formed in the cathode chamber1201. While the anode conductive plate124-1and the anode conductive plate124-2are overlapped, a plurality of the anode cavities124-3is formed in the anode chamber1202. The cathode cavities123-3and the anode cavities124-3can be used for circulating the air and the water therein. Wherein, the anode cavities124-3is connected to the oxygen output tube22and the cathode cavities123-3is connected to the hydrogen output tube21.

Please refer to theFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B.FIGS. 5A and 5Bshow composition diagrams with different visual angles of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell in the present invention. The cathode platen121and the anode platen122respectively disposed at the two outer sides of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for fixing, isolating, and protecting the whole ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The material of the cathode platen121and the anode platen122may be stainless steel. In an embodiment, after the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is assembled, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12can be fixed by the fixing element shown inFIG. 6. However, the quantity, type and fixing manner are not limited to the figure. As shown inFIG. 6, the volume of the assembled ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is relatively small. Therefore, the volume of the electrolysis device in the present invention is compact.

Please refer to theFIG. 1C,FIG. 6,FIG. 7AandFIG. 7B.FIG. 6shows an exploded diagram of one embodiment of the electrolysis device in the present invention.FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow an exploded diagram and a composition diagram in another visual angle of the electrolysis device in the present invention. Only the necessary components are shown for illustrating clearly. The electrolysis device1of the present invention comprises the water tank10and the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12mentioned above; besides, the electrolysis device1also comprises a gas tube11, a gas pump13, a fan15, a gas mixing chamber16, a hydrogen concentration detector18, a controller14, a separation tank30, and a water gauge40. The separation tank30is located at a isolated room in the water tank10. In an embodiment, the water gauge40is for detecting water level of the water tank10. The water gauge40is configured at the outer surface of the water tank10and is used to measures the water volume in the water tank10by measuring the difference in capacitance between water area and waterless area in the water tank10.

Please refer toFIG. 6,FIG. 8AandFIG. 8B.FIG. 8Ashows a top view of one embodiment of the electrolysis device in the present invention.FIG. 8Bshows a sectional schematic diagram according to segment D-D ofFIG. 8Ain the present invention. The hydrogen output tube21of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is coupled and connected to the separation tank30by a hydrogen port211. The oxygen output tube22of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is coupled and connected to the water tank10by an oxygen port222. Wherein, a sterilizer is contained in the water tank10. In the present embodiment, the sterilizer is a straight UV sterilizer. The sterilizer is located at the side in the water tank10away from the separation tank30. The water tube24is connected directly to the side in the water tank10near the sterilizer by a water port242, so that the sterilized water in the water tank10is replenished to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for electrolyzing.

The separation tank30comprises a spring valve32, a float34, and a hydrogen discharge tube36therein. The hydrogen generated by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is transported to the separation tank30via the hydrogen output tube21and the hydrogen port211. While the hydrogen in the separation tank30accumulates to a threshold, the spring valve32is opened due to the hydrogen pressure. Therefore, the hydrogen may be outputted via the hydrogen discharge tube36to a filter60. The filter60will filter impurities in hydrogen. Besides, when the hydrogen is outputted from the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12, the hydrogen may contain a little residual electrolytic water. The residual electrolytic water is accumulated in the separation tank30, so that the float34floats up with rising water level. Then a water outlet covered by the float34is exposed, and the accumulated residual electrolytic water is discharged via the water outlet to the water tank10for reusing.

The oxygen generated by electrolyzing is discharged directly to the water tank10via the oxygen port222and the oxygen output tube22. The oxygen is directly dissipated from the upper part of the water tank10to the atmosphere. The oxygen outputted from the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12may contain a little residual electrolytic water. The residual electrolytic water will be discharged to the water tank10for reusing.

Please refer toFIG. 7A,FIG. 7B,FIG. 8A, andFIG. 9.FIG. 9shows a sectional schematic diagram according to segment Q-Q ofFIG. 8Ain the present invention. As mentioned in previous paragraph, the hydrogen is outputted to the filter60via the hydrogen discharge tube36, then a filter cartridge602contained in the filter60is used to filter the impurities in hydrogen. The filtered hydrogen is transported to the gas tube11and is diluted to enter the gas mixing chamber16. The gas tube11is connected to the filter60to receive the filtered hydrogen. The gas tube11is also connected to the gas pump13. The fan15draws the air from external environment out of the electrolysis device1into the electrolysis device1, and the gas pump13draws the air into the gas tube11for diluting the hydrogen concentration inside the gas tube11. Wherein, all of the components mentioned above are encased in the housing100. The housing100has a plurality of pores. The fan15draws the environment air into the electrolysis device1by the pores on the housing100, and then the drawn air is drawn into the gas tube11by the gas pump13. In the present invention, the gas pump13may be a vortex fan. The air drawn by the fan15is drawn into the gas pump13via a suction port134of the gas pump13, so that the air can be transported to the gas tube11. As shown inFIG. 7BandFIG. 9, a gas pump tube132of the gas pump13is coupled to the gas tube11via a gas inlet112. The gas tube11has a first flowing direction D1, and the gas inlet112has a second flowing direction D2. The gas in the gas tube11flows to the gas mixing chamber16in the first flowing direction D1, shown as the arrow on the indicating line. The gas in the gas inlet112flows into the gas tube11in the second flowing direction D2, shown as the arrow on the indicating line. So that the gas from the gas pump tube132is inputted to the gas tube11via the gas inlet112. A linking position between the gas inlet112and the gas tube11, which is the intersection of the first flowing direction D1and the second flowing direction D2, is provided with an angle A. The angle A is less than 90 degrees. The preferred angle of the angle A is in a range between 25 degrees and 45 degrees. The shape of the linking position with the angle A is made into an arc angle. By the design of the angle A, the air in the gas pump tube132can be transported into the gas tube11to dilute the hydrogen in the gas tube11.

Please refer toFIG. 9. The gas mixing chamber16is connected to the gas tube11and receives the filtered and diluted hydrogen. The gas mixing chamber16selectively generates an atomized gas for mixing with the hydrogen to form a healthy gas, and the atomized gas is the one selected from a group consisting of water vapor, atomized solution, volatile essential oil, and any combination thereof. The gas mixing chamber16comprises a shaker162. The shaker162atomizes the water vapor, the atomized solution, or the volatile essential oil in the gas mixing chamber16by shaking to generate the atomized gas. Then the atomized gas is mixed with hydrogen in the gas mixing chamber16to form the healthy gas for inhaling. The gas mixing chamber16may selectively turn on or turn off according to the requirement. That also means the gas mixing chamber16and the shaker162can be turned on to provide the hydrogen with the atomized gas for inhaling; otherwise, the gas mixing chamber16and the shaker162can be turned off to provide the hydrogen only for inhaling. The user may inhale the hydrogen or the healthy gas by releasing the hydrogen or the healthy gas into the atmosphere. Also, the user may inhale the hydrogen or the healthy gas via a pipe or a mask.

The hydrogen concentration detector18is connected to the gas tube11for detecting the hydrogen concentration of the gas tube11. The controller14is coupled to the hydrogen concentration detector18, the gas pump13and the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. In an embodiment, the hydrogen concentration detector18may be coupled to the hydrogen output tube21and the hydrogen port211for detecting the hydrogen concentration of the gas tube11outputted from the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. Wherein, the hydrogen concentration detector18detects whether the hydrogen concentration of the gas tube11is in a range. The range is between a first threshold and a second threshold. For example, the first threshold is 4% and the second threshold is 6%, then the hydrogen concentration detector18detects whether the hydrogen concentration of the gas tube is between 4% and 6%. The value of the first threshold and the second threshold can be adjusted through the operation panel102according to the requirement. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen concentration detector18generates a first warning signal while the detected hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen output tube21and the hydrogen port211is higher than the first threshold 4%. The controller14generates a start command when receiving the first warning signal. The start command is sent to the gas pump13for turning on the gas pump13. The hydrogen concentration detector18generates a second warning signal while the detected hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen output tube21and the hydrogen port211is higher than the second threshold 6%. The controller14generates a stop command when receiving the second warning signal. The stop command is sent to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for turning off the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. For example, the power inputted to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is cut off to avoid gas explosion due to high hydrogen concentration, further to improve overall safety. The mentioned first threshold can be 3.5% hydrogen volume of the total gas volume. The first warning signal is generated when the detected hydrogen concentration is higher than 3.5%. However, the threshold is not limited to this.

Please refer toFIG. 10.FIG. 10shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the electrolysis device in the present invention. In an embodiment, the electrolysis device1comprises the pre-heating tank17configured between the water tank10and the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. Wherein, the pre-heating tank17is roughly a cylinder or a circular tube. Although the pre-heating tank17is shown larger than the water tank10inFIG. 10, the volume of the pre-heating tank17is smaller than that of the water tank10in other embodiments. The pre-heating tank17comprises a water inlet172coupled to a bottom port10-2of the water tank10. The pre-heating tank17further comprises a water outlet174coupled to the water tube24of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The pre-heating tank17further comprises an oxygen import tube176coupled to the oxygen output tube22. The pre-heating tank17further comprises an oxygen export tube178coupled to a top port10-1of the water tank10. The water in the water tank10flows into the pre-heating tank17via the bottom port10-2at first, then flows into the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for electrolyzing via the water outlet174. Oxygen and part of the residual electrolyzed water generated during electrolyzing water are discharged into the pre-heating tank17via the oxygen import tube176. Part of the residual electrolyzed water will be remained in the pre-heating tank17. The oxygen is discharged into the water tank10via the top port10-1and the oxygen export tube178.

Wherein, the temperature of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12will increase while electrolyzing. The temperature of the electrolyzed water is related to the electrolysis efficiency. The temperature range of electrolyzed water about 55° C. to 65° C. increases the electrolysis efficiency. Therefore, the electrolyzed water in the pre-heating tank17is preheated to the appropriate temperature by recovering the electrolyzed water with high temperature discharged by the oxygen output tube22of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12into the pre-heating tank17. The appropriate temperature may be in a range between 55° C. to 65° C. In order to maintain the electrolyzed water with appropriate temperature in the pre-heating tank17, the pre-heating tank17further comprises a plurality of cooling fins171and a second fan173. The cooling fins171are radially configured on an outside wall of the pre-heating tank17, and the second fan173is configured on an end of the pre-heating tank17. The cooling fins171works with the second fan173to generate convection for cooling the pre-heating tank17. For a simple illustration, the cooling fins171are only drawn on a portion of the outer wall of the pre-heating tank17, and in other embodiments, the cooling fins171may be distributed on the outer wall of the pre-heating tank17. In one embodiment, the water electrolysis device further comprises an integrated water tank module having a water tank configured to supply the water to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, wherein the integrated water tank module receives the hydrogen and the oxygen generated by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell through the hydrogen output tube and the oxygen output tube, respectively. In one embodiment, the water electrolysis device further comprises an integrated water tank module having a water tank, a hydrogen port, an oxygen port, and a water port, wherein the hydrogen port, the oxygen port, and the water port are fluidly coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. In one embodiment, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell further comprises a casing, the oxygen output tube, the hydrogen output tube and the water tube extend from the casing of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell. In one embodiment, the integrated water tank module further comprises a pre-heating tank. In one embodiment, the integrated water tank module further comprises a gas tube, and the water electrolysis device further comprises a gas pump, wherein the gas tube is coupled to hydrogen output tube to receive the hydrogen, and the gas pump draws a gas into the gas tube to dilute the hydrogen inside the gas tube. In one embodiment, the water electrolysis device further comprises an integrated pathway water tank module having a water tank coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell to replenish the water to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell and a gas pathway, with a hydrogen port and an oxygen port, coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell to transport the hydrogen and the oxygen.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the noise and the volume of the electrolysis device1while maintaining a sufficient amount of hydrogen production, so that the electrolysis device1may be suitable for being used while sleeping. Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to reduce the volume of the electrolysis device1. For example, the electrolysis device1of the present invention is roughly cylindrical. Since the longest section length at the bottom is 200 mm and the height of the device is up to 270 mm, the maximum volume is about 8500 cm3, or 8.5 liters. The appearance of the electrolysis device1of the present invention is not limited to cylindrical; the appearance of the electrolysis device1can be other shape. For example, the appearance of the electrolysis device1can be ellipse, square or polygon. Then the accommodation space defined by the housing of the electrolysis device1is effectively used as far as possible. There are six outputting setting for adjusting the hydrogen generating rate of the electrolysis device1, including 120 ml/min, 240 ml/min, or 360 ml/min of hydrogen generating rate respectively corresponding to 2 L/min, 4 L/min, and 6 L/min of total gas (healthy gas). Also, the electrolysis device1may output 400 ml/min, 500 ml/min, or 600 ml/min of the hydrogen. The user may adjust the hydrogen generating rate and the type of gas by operation panel. The user can adjust the hydrogen generating rate to decrease the noise while sleeping, so that the present invention can be disposed near the user's head.

Please refer toFIG. 1Cagain. In an embodiment, the electrolysis device1comprises a power supplier80for converting the mains to output the 240 watts of direct current to supply electrolysis device1. The power supplier80comprises a high power port801and a low power port. The high power port801is coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for supplying the power in electrolytic reaction. The low power port is suitable for supplying power to other devices of the electrolytic device1, such as the gas pump13, the controller14, the fan15, and the hydrogen concentration detector18. In order to simplify the drawings, only the power supplier80and the high power port801are depicted inFIG. 1C. However, the person with general knowledge should be able to know how to configure a power line in an electrolysis water device at the low power port for supplying power required for the operation of the electrolysis device1.

The electric power outputted from the low power port is less than 50% of the electric power outputted from the high power port801. 172 watts of the 240 watts DC supplied by the power supplier80is outputted from high power port801to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The high power port801outputs a first voltage and a first current. The first voltage is in a range between 3 Volts to 6.3 Volts, and the first current is in a range between 10 amps to 27.3 amps. The low power port supplies 60 watts DC to operate the electrolysis device1. The low power port outputs a second voltage and a second current. The second voltage may be 24 Volts and the second current is 2.5 amps. In another embodiment, the second voltage may be 5 Volts and the second current is 0.5 amps. It can be known after comparison that the first voltage is less than the second voltage, and the first current is greater than the second current. The high power port801outputs a DC with high current and low voltage. The low power port outputs a DC with low current and high voltage.

Please refer toFIG. 1C,FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B,FIG. 10, andFIG. 11.FIG. 11shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the integrated pathway module in the present invention. In another embodiment, the present invention further provides another electrolysis device1comprising the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12and an integrated pathway module19. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is configured for electrolyzing water. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12comprises the second side S2, the ion exchange membrane120, the cathode123, the anode124, the hydrogen output tube21, and the oxygen output tube22. Wherein, the ion exchange membrane120is configured between the cathode123and the anode124. Wherein, when the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12electrolyzes water, the cathode123generates hydrogen, and the hydrogen is outputted via the hydrogen output tube21; the anode124generates oxygen, and the oxygen is outputted via the oxygen output tube22. The integrated pathway module19has a water tank199and a gas pathway. The water tank199is coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for replenishing the water to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. Wherein, the top of the water tank199is higher than the top of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. The gas pathway is coupled to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12for transporting the hydrogen. Wherein, the second side S2of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12faces the integrated pathway module19. The oxygen and the hydrogen are outputted to the gas pathway from the second side S2. The water is inputted to the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12from the second side S2.

The integrated pathway module19further has a hydrogen port1922, an oxygen port1924and a water port1926. The hydrogen port1922is coupled to the hydrogen output tube21for inputting the hydrogen generated by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12into the integrated pathway module19. The oxygen port1924is coupled to the oxygen output tube22for inputting the oxygen generated by the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12into the integrated pathway module19. The water port1926is coupled to the water tank199for outputting the water from the water tank199into the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12. Besides, the pre-heating tank17, the separation tank, and the ports, the inlets, the outlets, or the passways among the devices may be integrated to the integrated pathway module19.

In the present embodiment, the function, the structural design, and the various changes of the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12is the same with the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell12in other embodiments. The function, the structural design, and the various changes of other components in the electrolysis device are similar to those in other embodiments. However, the components accommodating and transporting gas and water are integrated to a systematic structure; moreover, the integrated pathway module19can be integrally formed. Therefore, the volume of the electrolysis device can be compact, the space in the electrolysis device can be used effectively, and the concern of the pathway breakage can be relieved.

In summary, the present invention provides a water electrolysis device comprising an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell outputting hydrogen and oxygen from the same side, so the space around the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell can be used effectively. The electrolysis device further comprises a gas tube, a gas pump, and a gas mixing chamber. The ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen is transported into the gas tube. The gas pump draws air into gas tube unidirectionally with an angle to dilute the hydrogen in the gas tube. Then the diluted hydrogen is transported into gas mixing chamber and mixed with an atomized gas. After that, the healthy gas is formed and is inhaled by users.

Compare to the prior art, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell outputs the hydrogen and the oxygen at the same side. Furthermore, the ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell, the water tank, the gas tube, the fan, the gas pump, the operation panel, the gas mixing chamber, and other devices are configured in the housing within the limited volume. Therefore, the present invention maintains enough hydrogen production and also provides accommodation space within the housing as much as possible. The present invention provides a water electrolysis device which is efficient in using space, safety, small size and low noise, so the electrolysis device can be used conveniently by the user.

With the examples and explanations mentioned above, the features and spirits of the invention are hopefully well described. More importantly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.