JP2001128875A - Water cup with chlorine removal function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water cup wit a chlorine removal function for preventing the chlorine neutralizer solution of vitamin C or the like from unnecessarily leaking out from a pouring port at the time of stopping passing water. SOLUTION: A water cup body 1 for which a water passage 4 for making city water flow is formed between an introduction port 5 and a discharge port 7 is provided with a container 10 filled with the aqueous solution of a chlorine neutralizer in the inside. A single pouring port 14 for pouring the solution inside the container 10 to the water passage is formed, a turning shutter 15 to be operated by the passing water flowing in the water passage 4 is disposed, and an energizing means using permanent magnets 21 and 22 for operating the shutter 15 so as to close the pouring port 14 at the time of stopping the passing water of the water passage 4 is provided. Since the shutter 15 automatically closes the pouring port 14 when the passing water is stopped, the aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizer is prevented from leaking out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a bath tub having a chlorine removing function of neutralizing residual chlorine by mixing a chlorine neutralizing agent for neutralizing residual chlorine with tap water (including hot water). Shower head, bathtub / washroom /
The present invention relates to a water supply device attached to a faucet such as a kitchen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tap water is required to be mixed with chlorine in order to sterilize and disinfect various germs. According to the Japanese water supply law, tap water from a tap must contain 0.1 ppm or more of residual chlorine. It is stipulated. Recently, a large amount of chlorine has been put into the sterilization of raw water due to the fact that water quality in water sources such as rivers tends to deteriorate and O-157 E. coli and the like are generated. Therefore, the tap water discharged from the tap has a considerable amount of residual chlorine. However, residual chlorine (especially free residual chlorine such as HOCl hypochlorite) contained in tap water has an adverse effect on human skin and hair, causing aging of the skin, bleaching and rusting of hair, and hair loss. It is said. It is also said that tap water containing residual chlorine has a chlorine odor and is not delicious to drink. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for removing residual chlorine from tap water used as bath water, shower water, drinking water, and cooking water.

[0003] Under such circumstances, a shower head having a dechlorination function having a function of neutralizing residual chlorine contained in tap water has recently been developed.
No. 26 has been applied for a patent. This type of shower head with a dechlorination function is configured such that a cartridge containing a chlorine neutralizing agent such as L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is attached to a grip portion or a head portion constituting the shower head, and a spout formed in the cartridge. The aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizer is discharged into tap water flowing through a water passage in the shower head. According to such a showerhead, the chlorine neutralizer chemically reacts with the residual chlorine contained in the tap water to convert the residual chlorine into a harmless chlorine compound. Or hot water) is discharged from the water sprinkling hole at the head end.

In the above shower head, the water pressure of tap water acts on the inside of the cartridge through the spout while passing water through the shower head, and the pressure inside the cartridge increases. It is to be discharged into the water channel. In such a structure, when the flow of water through the shower head is stopped, the water pressure in the shower head returns to substantially the atmospheric pressure, and then the pressure in the cartridge also returns to the atmospheric pressure. With such pressure return, immediately after stopping the flow of water, vitamin C
The aqueous solution is discharged into the water passage and is stored in the shower head. This release of vitamin C is not really necessary,
It is wastefully consumed, which causes the life of the cartridge to be shortened. For this reason, in the invention of the above publication, a spout is opened in the upstream end wall of the cartridge, a valve body is provided in the shower head body facing the spout, and a spring is installed at the downstream end of the cartridge. Then, when water is passed, the cartridge receives water pressure and moves downstream against the urging force of the spring,
Thus, the spout is opened by moving away from the valve body, and when water is stopped, the cartridge is seated on the valve body and closed by the urging force of the spring. Therefore, when the water supply is stopped, the spout is closed, so that wasteful release of the vitamin C aqueous solution can be prevented.

[0005]

However, in the above-described structure, since the cartridge moves in the vertical direction (axial direction), a space corresponding to the stroke and a spring mounting space are required. Increase in size in the direction. To put it the other way around, the axial dimension of the cartridge must be reduced, and the amount of the vitamin C aqueous solution to be stored is reduced, and the life of the cartridge is shortened. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose is to have a compact structure in a small space, automatically open the spout when water is supplied, and automatically when the water is stopped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply device having a chlorine removal function capable of closing a spout.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water supply body having an inlet and an outlet, and a water passage for flowing tap water between the inlet and the outlet. A container provided in the main body, a container filled with an aqueous solution of a chlorine neutralizing agent, a single outlet for discharging the aqueous solution in the container to a water passage, and when water is passed through the water passage, a water flow is generated. An opening / closing member that receives and operates to open the spout; and urging means using a permanent magnet that operates the opening / closing member to close the spout when water flow in the water passage is stopped. Provided is a water dispenser having a chlorine removing function. According to such a configuration, water (or hot water) is supplied to the water passage.
The opening / closing member is operated by the water flow such that the opening / closing member is deformed or displaced against the urging means of the permanent magnet to open the spout. Therefore, the aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizing agent in the container is discharged into the water passage. When the flow of water is stopped, the opening / closing member returns by receiving the urging force of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, and closes the spout. For this reason, when the water supply device is not used, the aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizer does not leak, so that unnecessary consumption of the aqueous solution can be prevented. The urging means using a permanent magnet attaches a permanent magnet between the opening / closing member and a fixed member facing the opening / closing member, and applies the attraction force or repulsion force of the permanent magnet so that the opening / closing member closes the spout. It gives power. In this case, a permanent magnet may be attached to one side, and a non-magnetized magnetic body may be attached to the other side to generate an attractive force between the two. A spring or the like can be considered as the urging means for returning the opening / closing member, but the structure is simplified when a permanent magnet is used. As the chlorine neutralizer, in addition to L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium ascorbate, other ascorbic acids,
Or calcium sulfite, sodium sulfite, etc. are suitable. In the present invention, an aqueous solution of a chlorine neutralizing agent is contained in the container, and the aqueous solution is preferably a saturated aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizing agent. In this case, an aqueous solution may be generated by storing the powder or granules of the chlorine neutralizer and water in a container, and dissolving the powder or granules of the chlorine neutralizer with water. Also,
The chlorine neutralizer may be stored in excess and dissolved by tap water entering from outside.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing member is of a rotating type which rotates in a predetermined range by receiving a water flow. The rotary type opening / closing member has a simple structure and is easily operated by receiving a water flow. Another preferred embodiment is a shower head in which the chlorine remover body has an inlet connected to a shower hose and a sprinkler plate provided at the outlet, and the container is provided in the shower head. That is. In this way, residual chlorine can be neutralized in tap water flowing through the shower head, and the harm of chlorine affecting hair and skin can be suppressed. Shower heads can be used in general households, inns, hotels, swimming pools, hospitals and other shower facilities and washrooms, or hairdressers,
It can be used for shower heads in all fields, such as showers for hair washing at barbers. Further, it is desirable that the container is a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the water supply main body. In this way, if the aqueous solution in the container runs out, it can be replaced and used.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on a first embodiment applied to a shower head shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side view of a partially sectioned shower head, FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of a lower end portion of the cartridge, and FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a shower head main body corresponding to a water supply main body. The shower head main body 1 includes a grip portion 2 and a head portion 3. These grip part 2 and head part 3
Are formed of a transparent resin, and are detachably connected to each other by means such as screws or bayonet coupling (not shown). The grip portion 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and has a water passage 4 formed therein. The water passage 4 is connected to a shower hose (not shown) through an inlet 5 at a base end portion. The internal space of the head portion 3 is continuous with the water passage 4 of the grip portion 2, and a sprinkling plate 6 is attached to the tip. A large number of watering holes 7 (corresponding to the discharge ports of the present invention) are formed on the watering plate 6 over the entire surface, and shower water is discharged from these watering holes 7. The sprinkling plate 6 is detachably attached to the head unit 3 by a holding ring 8.

A cartridge 10 corresponding to the container of the present invention is accommodated in the water passage 4 of the grip portion 2. The cartridge 10 has a cylindrical shape with a sealed structure in which both ends are closed, and is formed transparent with a synthetic resin or the like so that the inside can be seen through. The cartridge 10 is filled with an aqueous solution of vitamin C as a chlorine neutralizer. In this case, the vitamin C granules 11 and water are stored in the cartridge 10, and the water is used to dissolve the vitamin C granules to form a saturated aqueous solution, and the vitamin C granules 11 are stored in excess. The cartridge 10 is formed with a channel 12 that is located at the center and extends vertically, and tap water that has flowed from the inlet 12 substantially flows through the channel 12. At the lower part of the cartridge 10, a step 13 is formed at the entrance (upstream end) of the flow path 12, and the flow path diameter becomes larger at the entrance side of the step 13. An enlarged diameter portion is formed. A single spout 14 is formed in the side wall of the enlarged diameter portion. A rotary shutter 15 corresponding to an opening / closing member of the present invention is rotatably attached to the enlarged diameter portion of the cartridge 10 within a predetermined angle range. The rotary shutter 15 has an outer peripheral surface in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion and an upper end attached to the step portion 13.
6 and is rotatably supported by another thrust receiving plate 17 whose lower end is fixed to the lower surface of the cartridge 10. A plurality of guide blades 18 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotary shutter 15 so as to protrude inward.
Extend spirally with respect to the axis of. For this reason, when water flows in the flow path 12, the guide blade 18 receives this water flow,
Therefore, the rotary shutter 15 rotates. The rotating shutter 15 is provided with a stopper 1 protruding from the cartridge 10.
The rotation angle of the shutter 15 is regulated by the stopper 9 as shown in FIG.
When the shutter 15 rotates and the other end in the circumferential direction comes into contact with the other end of the stopper 19 when the shutter 15 is rotated and displaced as shown in FIG. The spout 14 is opened.

The rotating shutter 15 has a permanent magnet piece 2
1 is fixed, and another permanent magnet piece 22 is attached to the thrust receiving plate 17 which is a non-rotating member. The magnet pieces 21 and 22 are attracted by the mutual magnetic force, and the attractive force causes the shutter 15 to move to the home position shown in FIG.
Stop at the position where the spout 14 is closed.
When water flows through the flow path 12, these magnet pieces 21,
The shutter 15 is rotated to overcome the suction force of the shutter 22 and is set to rotate to the position shown in FIG.

A strainer 23 is provided in the cartridge 10 to prevent the vitamin C granules 11 from entering the outlet 14 and blocking the outlet 14. The strainer 23 is made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric or the like, and
The partition plate 24 has a water passage hole 25 formed therein. For this reason, the aqueous solution of vitamin C is stored in the cartridge 10 below the partition plate 24. In such a cartridge 10, the lower end thereof abuts against the thick step portion 26 formed at the lower portion of the grip portion 2, and the upper end abuts on the base end portion 27 of the head portion 3, and is inserted into the grip portion 2. When the head portion 3 is detached from the grip portion 2, the head portion 3 can be taken out from the grip portion 2. That is, the cartridge 10 is detachably attached to the shower head main body 1.

The operation of the shower head having such a structure will be described. Before using the shower head,
Vitamin C granules 11 are filled above the strainer 23 in the cartridge 10 and do not contain water.
Air is left in the cartridge 10. When such a shower head main body 1 is connected to a shower hose (not shown) and a faucet (water tap) is opened, tap water (or hot water) is supplied to the shower head main body 1 through the shower hose. Tap water passes from the inlet 5 of the grip portion 2 through the water passage 4 and the flow path 12 in the cartridge 10, reaches the head portion 3, and is sprayed as shower water from the water spray holes 7 of the water spray plate 6. Tap water is supplied to the channel 12 of the cartridge 10.
, The guide blades 18 formed on the rotating shutter 15 receive the water flow, and thus the rotating power is given to the rotating shutter 15, and the rotating shutter 15 is moved by the permanent magnets 21 and 22.
Rotate against the suction force of By this rotation, the shutter 15 opens the spout 14.

Although air remains in the cartridge 10 before use and the pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure, the pressure of tap water flowing through the flow path 12 is higher than the atmospheric pressure. A part of the water flowing through 12 flows into the cartridge 10 through the spout 14 when the spout 14 is opened due to the pressure difference. When water enters the cartridge 10, the pressure in the cartridge 10 increases,
As a result, the internal air is compressed. However, the air tends to collect at the top of the cartridge 10 because it is light. At this time, if the shower head is kept upside down from the position shown in the figure, since the spout 14 is located at the top, the air in the cartridge 10 gathers upward and automatically flows into the channel 12 through the spout 14. Will be eliminated. In this manner, the air in the cartridge 10 can be evacuated, the inside can be filled with water, and the water contained therein dissolves vitamin C to produce an aqueous solution. Therefore, the interior of the cartridge 10 is filled with the aqueous solution.

When the shower is used when taking a bath or the like, when the water is started to flow, the rotary shutter 15 is rotated as shown in FIG. Due to the pressure difference between the tap water and the vitamin C aqueous solution, the concentration difference, the flow rate of the passage 12, the diffusion action, and other effects, the water in the flow path 12 enters the cartridge 10 through the spout 14,
Instead of the intruded water, the aqueous solution of vitamin C in the cartridge 10 is discharged into the flow channel 12 via the outlet 14.
As described above, the outflow of the vitamin C aqueous solution and the inflow of the water occur simultaneously, and the liquid amount in the cartridge 10 does not decrease.
The tap water flowing into the cartridge 10 dissolves the undissolved vitamin C granules 11 to form a saturated aqueous solution. On the other hand, the aqueous solution of vitamin C flowing out of the outlet 14 into the flow channel 12 is mixed with the tap water, reacts with free residual chlorine contained in the tap water, and neutralizes this. Therefore, watering holes 7
Is the water from which residual chlorine has been removed.

When the faucet is closed to stop using the shower, the passage of water through the flow path 12 is stopped. For this reason, the guide blade 18 of the rotary shutter 15 does not receive the water flow, and thus the rotation force is lost, so that the permanent magnet piece 21 provided on the shutter 15 and the permanent magnet piece 2 provided on the thrust receiving plate 20 are provided.
2 attract each other by magnetic force, and the shutter 15 is rotated and returned as shown in FIG. Therefore, the shutter 15 closes the spout 14. In this way, when water flow is stopped, the spout 14 is automatically closed,
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the aqueous solution in the cartridge 10 from leaking into the flow channel 12 during the stoppage of the water flow. From this,
When the shower is not used, leakage of the vitamin C aqueous solution can be prevented, and thus wasteful consumption of vitamin C can be avoided.

In the shower head having the above structure, the cartridge 10 can be seen through from the outside, and the grip portion 2 containing the cartridge 10 can be seen through from the outside. C granules 11 are visible. Therefore, the remaining amount of vitamin C can be visually recognized from the outside, and the cartridge 10 can be replaced when the remaining amount decreases or runs out. In this case, the head unit 3 is detached from the grip unit 2, and the cartridge 10 can be exchanged through the upper end opening of the grip unit 2.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention applied to a faucet-mounted water supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. In the water supply device shown in FIG. 4, a water supply device body 31 made of a transparent resin is connected to a faucet 33 through a water pipe 32. A switching lever 34 is attached to the water pipe 32. By operating the switching lever 34, tap water discharged from the faucet 33 is directly supplied as raw water as shown by an arrow A by a known switching structure (not shown). And when
It can be switched to the case of supplying the removed water from which chlorine has been removed as shown by arrow B via the water supply device of the present embodiment. The water pipe 32 communicates with an inlet 35 formed on the upper side surface of the water supply main body 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply main body 31 has a cylindrical shape with upper and lower ends opened, and a water passage 36 connected to the introduction port 35 and the discharge port at the lower end is formed inside. The upper end of the water supply body 31 is an opening / closing cap 3
A water regulating plate 38 is detachably attached to the discharge port at the lower end.

A cartridge 40 is provided in the water supply main body 31.
Is housed. The cartridge 40 has substantially the same structure as the cartridge of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 6, the same members and structures as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Note that 41
Is a sealing stopper. When air in the cartridge 40 is evacuated, the sealing stopper 41 is opened outside the water supply main body 31, water is filled in the cartridge 40 to eliminate air, and the cartridge 40 is sealed in this state. . Thereafter, the opening / closing cap 37 is opened to load the cartridge 40 into the water supply main body 31.

In the water supply device having such a structure, when the faucet 33 is opened and the switching lever 34 is operated to flow the tap water to the water conduit 32 side, the tap water is supplied from the water conduit 32 through the introduction port 35 to the water supply device. The water is supplied to the water supply passage 36 in the main body 31. The water that has entered the water supply passage 36 passes downward through the flow path 12 formed in the center of the cartridge 40 and is jetted through the water regulating plate 38. When the tap water flows through the flow path 12 of the cartridge 40, the rotary shutter 15 receives the water flow by the guide blade 18, so that the rotary shutter 15 rotates as shown in FIG.
Open 4. Therefore, due to the pressure difference between the tap water and the vitamin C aqueous solution, the concentration difference, the flow rate of the passage 12, the diffusion action, and other effects, the water in the flow path 12 enters the cartridge 40 through the spout 14, and The aqueous solution of vitamin C in the cartridge 40 instead of the
Poured into 2. As described above, the outflow of the vitamin C aqueous solution and the inflow of the water occur simultaneously, and the liquid amount in the cartridge 40 does not decrease. The tap water flowing into the cartridge 10 dissolves the undissolved vitamin C granules 11 to form a saturated aqueous solution. On the other hand, the aqueous solution of vitamin C flowing out of the outlet 14 into the flow channel 12 is mixed with the tap water, reacts with free residual chlorine contained in the tap water, and neutralizes this. Therefore, the shower water injected from the water sprinkling holes 7 is water from which residual chlorine has been removed.

When the faucet 33 is closed to stop the water supply, the passage of water in the flow path 12 is stopped, the water flow does not act on the guide blade 18, and the permanent magnet piece 21 provided on the shutter 15 and the permanent magnet provided on the thrust receiving plate 20 are provided. The magnet pieces 22 attract each other by magnetic force, and the shutter 15 is rotated and returned as shown in FIG. Therefore, the shutter 15 closes the spout 14. Thus, when water flow is stopped, spout 1
4 is automatically closed, thereby preventing the aqueous solution in the cartridge 40 from leaking into the flow channel 12 during the stoppage of the flow of water. From this, when the shower is not used, the leakage of the vitamin C aqueous solution can be prevented, so that wasteful consumption of vitamin C can be avoided.

In the case of this embodiment as well, the water supply body 31
And since the cartridge 40 can be seen through from the outside, the vitamin C granules 11 in the cartridge 40 can be seen. Therefore, the remaining amount of vitamin C can be visually recognized from the outside, and the cartridge 40 can be replaced when the remaining amount decreases or runs out. In this case, the cartridge 40 can be replaced by removing the opening / closing gap 37.

The faucet-mounted chlorine remover of the above embodiment is
When installed not only on kitchen faucets, but also on faucets in washrooms and bathrooms, it neutralizes residual chlorine contained in tap water when washing limbs, face, hair and body. Can be suppressed. In addition, such a chlorine remover can supply tap water from which residual chlorine has been removed to a washing machine by connecting a water supply hose of the washing machine to a discharge port. Chlorine has a bleaching effect and may cause discoloration and fading of clothes during washing.
By supplying the washing machine with water from which residual chlorine has been removed by the chlorine remover of the present invention, discoloration and fading of clothes can be prevented.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, when water (or hot water) flows through the water passage, the opening / closing member operates against the urging means of the permanent magnet due to the water flow to open the spout. The aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizer in the container is discharged into the water passage. When the flow of water is stopped, the opening / closing member returns by receiving the urging force of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, and closes the spout. For this reason, when the water supply device is not used, the aqueous solution of the chlorine neutralizer does not leak, so that unnecessary consumption of the aqueous solution can be prevented. In addition, since a permanent magnet is used as the urging means for returning the opening / closing member, a large space is not required and the structure is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention and showing a partial cross section of a shower head.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a main part of the embodiment, in which FIG. 3A is a case where a spout is closed, and FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a faucet-mounted chlorine remover.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the chlorine remover of the embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a main part of the embodiment, in which FIG. 6A is a case where the spout is closed, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shower head main body 2 ... Grip part 3 ... Head part 4 ... Water passage 5, 35 ... Inlet 6 ... Spray hole 10 ... Cartridge 11 ... Vitamin C granules 12 ... Flow path 14 ... Spouting outlet 15 ... Rotating shutter ( Opening / closing member) 21, 22: permanent magnet piece 31: water supply body 35: introduction port 40: cartridge

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water supply body having an inlet and an outlet, and a water passage for flowing tap water between the water supply body and the water supply body, wherein an aqueous solution of a chlorine neutralizer is provided inside. A filled container, a single spout for discharging the aqueous solution in the container to the water passage, and an opening / closing member that, when passed through the water passage, receives the water flow and opens the spout. A water supply device with a chlorine removing function, comprising: urging means using a permanent magnetic force for operating the opening / closing member to close the spout when water flow through the water passage is stopped. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member is of a rotation type that rotates in a predetermined range by receiving a water flow.
Water supply device with chlorine removal function as described in 3. The water supply device body is a shower head having an inlet connected to a shower hose and a sprinkler plate provided at an outlet, wherein the container is provided in the shower head. The water supply device with chlorine removal function according to claim 1 or 2.