JP2001239263A - Method for controlling regeneration of domestic water softener - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that when water supply is interrupted in a domestic softener regeneration process, brine (regenerant) in a treatment vessel is mixed into soft water and the soft water containing brine is supplied as a soft water product in the initial period of a water passage process for passing raw water through a domestic softener to soften the raw water. SOLUTION: The regeneration process using this regeneration control method comprises a conventional regeneration stage for passing a liquid regenerant (brine) through a regeneration passage successively comprising a treatment vessel and a drain line, a conventional plug flow displacement stage for passing raw water through a plug flow displacement passage successively comprising the treatment vessel and the drain line, and a new washing stage for passing raw water through a washing passage successively comprising the treatment vessel and the drain line, which stage is performed after the plug flow displacement stage. The flow rate (amount of flowing fluid per unit time) of raw water used in the washing stage is higher than that used in the plug flow displacement stage and the washing stage is performed for a prescribed period of time in such a stage that no water supply interruption is caused.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and a method for supplying a regenerated liquid to a processing vessel and a drain when a predetermined amount of water is passed through a water supply step for sequentially passing raw water to a processing vessel containing a processing material and a water flow path including a processing water line. A household water softener that performs a regeneration step of sequentially flowing a raw water through a regeneration flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially through a regeneration flow path including a processing line and a drain line, and performs a regeneration control returning to a water flow step. And a reproduction control method.

[0002]

In this type of water softener for home use, if water is cut off during the regeneration process, the process returns to the water flow process without substantially performing the extrusion process after the regeneration process. Then, when starting a water-flow process, the subject that salt water in a processing container mixes with treated water (soft water) and is supplied is assumed.

[0003]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is to sequentially arrange a processing vessel containing raw water and a processing water line. When a predetermined amount of a water-passing step of circulating a regenerating liquid is performed in a regenerating flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line, an extruding flow of a raw water is sequentially performed in a processing vessel and a drain line. In a water softener for home use that performs regeneration control after returning to the water passing step by sequentially performing the extrusion step of circulating the raw water into the passage, and increasing the flow rate of the raw water per unit time from that in the extrusion step, by treating the processing vessel,
A cleaning step of sequentially circulating the water through a cleaning flow path including a drain line is provided after the extrusion step, and the cleaning step is performed for a predetermined time in a state where the raw water is not cut off.

According to the above-mentioned means, even if the water is cut off during the regeneration control and the extrusion step is insufficiently completed, the washing step is performed without water cut off for a predetermined period of time. The water is discharged to the outside of the system through the drain line, and mixing of the regenerating liquid at the start of the water flow step is prevented. In this cleaning step, the flow rate of raw water per unit time supplied to the processing container is increased as compared with the extrusion step, and the residual liquid in the processing container is quickly discharged in a short time.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the method for controlling regeneration of a household water softener according to the present invention is directed to a water passing step of flowing raw water to a water flow path including a processing vessel containing a processing material and a processing water line sequentially. A regeneration step of flowing a regeneration liquid to a regeneration flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line in sequence when the predetermined amount is executed;
An extrusion step of sequentially passing raw water through an extrusion flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line, and then returning to the water passing step. A washing step is provided after the extruding step, in which the washing step is carried out in a washing flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line in order, the washing step being performed for a predetermined time without interruption of raw water. .

This embodiment will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the household water softener includes the following three embodiments. That is, the raw water is once stored in the raw water tank from the raw water supply line, and during the water passing step, the stored raw water is supplied to the processing vessel by the action of a water supply pump, and during the extrusion step, the raw water in the raw water tank is naturally dropped. (1st form: feedwater tank interposed form), raw water is temporarily stored in the raw water tank from the raw water supply line, and the raw water supply line is directly connected to the treatment vessel. Is supplied directly from the raw water supply line to the processing vessel, and during the extrusion process, the raw water in the raw water tank is naturally dropped into the processing vessel (second mode:
Direct pressure / tank coexistence form) and the form (third form: direct pressure form) in which raw water is directly supplied from the raw water supply line to the treatment vessel during the water passing step and the extrusion step without providing a raw water tank. is there. In these embodiments, the raw water line refers to the line through which the raw water flows, the regenerating liquid line refers to the line through which the regenerating liquid flows, and the treated water line distributes the treated raw water treated with the treatment material. Means a line, and a drain line means a line for discharging a liquid to be drained in a processing vessel.

The case of the first embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, the water flow path includes a raw water tank, a treatment vessel, and a treated water line sequentially. The raw water tank is a means for temporarily storing raw water, and the processing container is a means for storing a processing material therein. The raw water line is a supply path for supplying raw water from a raw water tank to a treatment vessel. The end of the raw water line on the processing vessel side is usually connected to the upper part of the processing vessel, but can also be connected so that the tip is inserted into the processing material in the processing vessel. The treated water line is a supply path that is connected to the treatment vessel and supplies treated water generated by flowing raw water into the treatment vessel. The connection position of the treated water line to the treatment vessel is a position where the treated material is sandwiched with respect to the tip of the raw water line so that the raw water flows out of the treated water line after flowing the treated material. , But is not limited to this. A water supply pump that sucks raw water and sends it under pressure is installed in this water passage.
This installation position is a raw water line between the raw water tank and the processing container, or a processing water line on the outlet side of the processing container. In the water passing step, the water supply pump is driven to flow the raw water in the raw water tank to the water flow path. After a predetermined amount of the water passing step is executed, a regeneration step is executed. The predetermined amount is
This means that the execution time of the water passing step, the flow rate of the treated water, or the flow rate of the raw water reaches a predetermined value.

The regeneration flow path includes a regeneration liquid line, a processing vessel, and a drain line in order. The regenerating liquid line of the regenerating flow path includes a regenerating liquid tank as necessary. The regenerating liquid tank is a means for storing a regenerating liquid for regenerating the processing material in the processing container. The regenerating liquid line is a supply path for supplying the regenerating liquid in the regenerating liquid tank to the processing container.
The drain line is connected to the processing container and is a discharge path for discharging the regenerating solution after the regenerating operation. The flow of the regenerating solution to the processing vessel is generated by a gravity drop method by providing a regenerating solution tank above the processing vessel, or by generating a flow of raw water and generating a jet pump by the flow. In the case of using a jet pump, the raw water and the regenerating liquid are supplied to the processing vessel in a mixed state. If it is necessary to reduce the concentration of the regenerating solution, connect the raw water flow down line, where the raw water flows down from the raw water tank by natural fall, in front of the processing vessel in the regenerating liquid line or in front of the processing material in the processing vessel. Then, the regenerating liquid in the regenerating liquid line and the raw water in the raw water flowing down line are mixed and diluted, and then supplied to the processing vessel. In the case where a regenerating solution whose concentration has been adjusted to an appropriate concentration is stored in the regenerating solution tank, the means for this mixing is unnecessary. At the time of the regeneration step, the regeneration solution or a mixture of the regeneration solution and the raw water is passed through the regeneration channel.

The extrusion flow path includes a raw water tank, a raw water flowing down line, a processing vessel, and a drain line in order. The raw water tank is positioned above the processing vessel, and the raw water is naturally dropped by gravity, so that the raw water is supplied to the raw water tank-raw water flowing down line. Flow through the processing vessel and drain line. The raw water flow down line of the extrusion flow path is a natural fall type, while the raw water line of the water flow path is forced to flow by a water supply pump, so both lines are basically separate lines, but some parts must be shared Is possible. At the time of the extrusion process, the raw water in the raw water tank is allowed to flow to the extrusion flow path by natural fall.

The washing flow path includes a raw water tank, a raw water line, a processing vessel, and a drain line in order, and a water supply pump is provided in a raw water line between the raw water tank and the processing vessel. The washing flow path can also be provided with a feed pump in the raw water line of the washing flow path by sharing a part of the feed water pump and the raw water line of the flowing water flow path. Further, the raw water line of the washing flow path may or may not share a part of the treated water line. Further, it is desirable that the drain line of the washing flow path shares the drain line of the extrusion flow path, but it is also possible to provide the drain line separately. At the time of the washing step, the water supply pump is driven to flow the raw water in the raw water tank to the washing flow path. This washing step is provided after the extrusion step, and the regeneration control includes a regeneration step, an extrusion step, and a washing step. In this playback control, if necessary,
A priming process is included. This priming step is provided as a step before the regeneration step, and is a step of bleeding air from the drain line of the regeneration flow path, filling the drain line with water, and facilitating the natural fall of the regeneration liquid during the regeneration step. In order to increase the flow rate of raw water per unit time in the washing step from that in the extrusion step, the flow rate can be increased by driving the water supply pump during the washing step, and without driving the water supply pump during the extrusion step. The flow rate can be reduced by supplying raw water by natural fall. In addition,
The reason for reducing the flow rate of raw water per unit time in the extrusion step is that it is necessary to slowly regenerate the treated material over time.

The washing step is performed for a predetermined time in a state where the raw water is not cut off. The detection of the water interruption is desirably provided by a detection means for detecting the presence / absence of water in the raw water tank, and when the detection means falls below a predetermined water level, it is determined by a determination means for judging that the water supply is interrupted. This detection means may be provided in the middle of the water passage in a portion other than the raw water tank. As the detecting means, a low temperature measuring antibody such as a thermistor, a pressure sensor, an electrode rod, or the like can be used. If water is cut off during regeneration control and raw water runs out during the extrusion process, the extrusion process is not substantially performed, and when the process shifts to the water flow process after the extrusion process is completed, the remaining regenerated liquid in the processing vessel is treated. May be mixed in water. However,
In the regeneration control, a washing step is added after the extrusion step, and is executed for a predetermined time without water interruption, so that such residual regeneration liquid is prevented from being mixed into the treated water. In this embodiment, if the water supply is interrupted during the regeneration control, the regeneration step and the extrusion step are executed regardless of the presence or absence of the raw water, and the process is shifted to the cleaning step, and the apparatus stands by until the water interruption is released. Then, when the water cut is released and it is confirmed that there is water (no water cut), the regeneration control is restarted from the washing step,
The cleaning step is performed for a predetermined time. In other words, even if water is cut off during the regeneration control, the washing process is controlled to secure a predetermined washing time in a state where water is present (no water cut off).
Here, a brief description will be given of a specific modified example of the regeneration control when the water supply is interrupted. First, when water interruption is detected during the regeneration process, the regeneration process may be stopped, the extrusion process may be skipped, and the process may be shifted to the cleaning process. In this case, the regeneration control is performed again when the interruption of the water supply is released. Next, when water interruption is detected during the extrusion process, the extrusion process may be stopped and the process may shift to the cleaning process. Further, when it was confirmed that the extrusion process was performed without water interruption to the end (ie,
When water outage is detected at the end of the extrusion process)
The cleaning process may be passed, and the process may be shifted to the water passing process.

In the case of the second mode, the water flow passage is configured to sequentially include a raw water supply line, a raw water line, a processing vessel containing a processing material, and a processed water line. The structure includes a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially. The extrusion flow path includes a raw water tank, a raw water line, a processing vessel, and a drain line. The cleaning flow path includes a raw water supply line, a raw water line, a processing vessel, and a drain line. Are sequentially included. In this embodiment, there is a case where a pump means is provided on the upstream side of the raw water supply line (outside the water treatment apparatus) and a case where it is not provided. Has become. In this embodiment, during the cleaning step, the raw water with a high water pressure is supplied directly to the treatment vessel from the raw water supply line, and during the extrusion step, the raw water with a low water pressure is supplied by natural fall from the raw water tank. Therefore, the flow rate of raw water per unit time in the washing step is larger than that in the extrusion step.

In the case of the third mode, the water flow passage is configured to sequentially include a raw water supply line, a raw water line, a processing vessel containing a processing material, and a processed water line. The processing vessel and the drain line are sequentially included. The extrusion flow path is configured to sequentially include the raw water supply line, the raw water line, the processing vessel, and the drain line.
Raw water supply line, raw water line, treatment vessel, drain line will be included in order. In this embodiment, the flow resistance between the washing channel and the extrusion channel is adjusted. For example, a flow resistance member such as an orifice is interposed at an appropriate position in the extrusion flow path, and a flow resistance member is not interposed in the cleaning flow path, so that the flow rate of raw water per unit time in the cleaning step is smaller than that in the extrusion step. To do more.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiment of the present invention as described above is embodied in a domestic soft water device using a treatment material as an ion exchange resin and a regenerating solution as a saline solution. This specific embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are schematic explanatory views showing the configuration of a household water softener embodying the present invention, showing a water passing step, a priming step, a regeneration step, an extrusion step, and a washing step, respectively. Reference numeral 1 denotes a resin tube (a cylindrical resin processing container).
A predetermined amount of silica stone 2 serving as a resin holding member is accommodated in a lower portion of the resin cylinder 1, and a predetermined amount of silica stone 2 is provided between the resin cylinder 1 and a wire mesh 3 serving as a resin holding member provided above the silica stone 2. Of ion-exchange resin (processing material) 4 of this type. A raw water tank 5 and a salt water tank (regenerated liquid tank) 6 are provided in parallel above the resin cylinder 1, and a raw water inlet 7 provided at a lower part of the resin cylinder 1 and a lower part of the raw water tank 5 are connected by a raw water line 8. In the raw water line 8, a water supply pump 9, a first check valve G1 for preventing a flow in the direction of the water supply pump 9, a flow switch (water flow detecting means) 10, a pressure switch (pressure detecting means).
11 and the first valve V1 are sequentially provided from the upstream side. A soft water outlet 12 is provided at the upper part of the resin tube 1, a soft water line (treated water line) 13 is connected to the soft water outlet 12, and a second valve V2 and an accumulator 14 are provided on the way. And the downstream side of the second valve V2 of the soft water line 13,
A bypass line 15 is connected between the pressure switch 11 of the raw water line 8 and the first valve V1 so as to branch off from the raw water line 8, and a third valve V3 is provided on the way. This bypass line 15 avoids water interruption during regeneration of the ion exchange resin 4 in the resin cylinder 1. In addition,
The accumulator 14 reduces the number of times the water supply pump 9 starts and stops due to leakage from the faucet (not shown) of the soft water line 13 and discharge of the water.

Further, a lower portion of the salt water tank 6 and a position adjacent to the soft water outlet 12 of the soft water line 13 are connected by a salt water falling line (regenerating liquid line) 16, and the salt water flowing line 16 is moved toward the salt water tank 6. A second check valve G2 and a fourth valve V4 for preventing the flow of the air are provided sequentially from the upstream side.
And, on the downstream side of the fourth valve V4 of the salt water descending line 16,
The downstream end of a raw water flow-down line 17 connected to the lower part of the raw water tank 5 is connected before the resin cylinder 1. A third check valve G <b> 3 for preventing flow in the raw water tank 5 direction is provided in the raw water flow down line 17. A drain line 18 is connected to the raw water inlet 7 provided at the lower part of the resin tube 1, and a fifth valve V5 is provided in the middle thereof.

The raw water tank 5 has a water level controller 19
(For example, a ball tap system) is provided, and a raw water supply line 20 for supplying raw water such as tap water by the water level control device 19 is connected. A net 21 is provided in the salt water tank 6, and the salt 22 is placed on the net 21, and the lower part of the net 21 of the salt water tank 6 is separated from the first portion 6 A and the second And a portion 6B. This first part 6A and raw water tank 5
Are connected by a water supplement line 24 so that raw water is supplied to the salt water tank 6. Reference numeral G4 denotes a fourth check valve provided in the water refilling line 24 to prevent flow toward the raw water tank 5. The partition wall 23 is a member for preventing the raw water supplied from the raw water tank 5 and the already generated saturated salt water from being mixed in the lower part of the salt water tank 6 during the regeneration step. In addition, the salt water falling line 16 is connected to the bottom of the second portion 6B. The salt 22 on the net 21 is dissolved in the raw water supplied from the raw water tank 5 to generate saturated brine. The raw water tank 5 and the salt water tank 6 are respectively provided with a raw water overflow pipe 25 and a salt water overflow pipe 26.
It has. In the above description of the embodiments, the line means a flow path or a path, and more specifically, a pipe.

In the above configuration, the water flow passage, the priming flow passage, the regeneration flow passage, the extrusion flow passage, and the washing flow passage corresponding to each of the water passage process, the priming process, the regeneration process, the extrusion process, and the washing process are arranged. explain. The flow passage includes, in order, a raw water tank 5-a raw water line 8-a resin cylinder 1-a soft water (treated water) line 13. The water flow path includes a water supply pump 9, a first check valve G1, a first valve V1, and a second valve V2. The priming flow path includes the raw water tank 5-a part of the raw water line 8 (including the water supply pump 9)-the drain line 18 in order. The priming flow path includes a first check valve G1, a first valve V1, and a fifth valve V5. The regeneration flow path is a flow path in which a highly concentrated salt water (regenerated liquid) and raw water for diluting the mixed water are mixed and supplied to the ion-exchange resin 4 of the resin cylinder 1, and the salt water tank 6-brine flow down line 16-soft water line 13, a resin tube 1-a drain line 18, and a raw water tank 5-a raw water flow down line 17. In this regeneration passage, the second check valve G2, the fourth valve V4, the fifth valve V5,
A third check valve G3 is included. The extrusion flow path is a raw water tank 5-a raw water flowing down line 17-a resin cylinder 1-a drain line 18
Are sequentially included. The extrusion flow path includes a third check valve G3 and a fifth valve V5. The washing flow path is a raw water tank 5-a raw water line (a part of the raw water line 8-a bypass line 15-a part of the soft water line 13, which is a raw water line in the sense that the raw water flows in the washing step)- The resin cylinder 1-drain line 18 is sequentially included. Thus, the raw water line of the washing flow path is connected to the third valve V3 of the bypass line 15.
And the portion of the water softening line 13 where the second valve V2 is provided is shared, in order to simplify the circuit configuration. The cleaning flow path includes a first check valve G1 and a third valve V
3, a second valve V2, and a fifth valve V5.

The first valve V1 to the fifth valve V5 included in each of the flow paths are provided with a switching valve device VA as shown in FIGS.
As a single unit. That is, the valve box B
X has five first to fifth valve seats J1 to J5, and the first to fifth valve bodies B1 to B5 corresponding to the respective valve seats J1 to J5.
The first cam body K1 to the fifth cam body K5 corresponding to the valve bodies B1 to B5 constantly biased in the closing direction by the first spring body Z1 to the fifth spring body Z5 are provided. K1
ＫK5 to control opening and closing by the first operating rod L1 to the fifth operating rod L5 that operate the respective valve elements B1 to B5. FIG.
Also, the first valve seat J1 and the first valve body B1 in FIG. 11 correspond to the first valve V1 in FIG. 1, and the second valve seat J2 and the second valve body B2 correspond to the second valve V2. The n-th (where n is 1 to
5) The valve seat Jn and the n-th valve body Bn correspond to the n-th valve Vn. The switching valve device VA controls the open / close state of each of the valves V1 to V5 to open a water flow channel, a priming channel, a regeneration channel, an extrusion channel, and a washing channel in accordance with the different open / closed states. , Close. As shown in FIG. 11, the cam bodies K1 to K5 are integrally connected by a rotating shaft 30, and the rotating shaft 30 is firstly to firstly driven by a valve driving motor (which may be referred to as a cam driving motor) 31. Four gear GR1, G
It is configured to be rotationally driven via R2, GR3 and GR4. The rotating shaft 30 and the valve driving motor 31
Is a driving body of each of the cam bodies K1 to K5.

Here, a description will be given with reference to FIG. Symbol PS denotes position detecting means (process position detecting means) as means for detecting the position of the driving body, which detects the rotational position of the rotating body 32 provided to rotate in conjunction with the driving shaft 30. Then, the rotational position of the driving body and, consequently, the process position are detected. The rotator 32 includes a base 33 and a cylindrical erected portion 34 erected on the periphery thereof. A fourth gear GR4 is formed on an outer periphery of the erected portion 34 on the base 33 side. At the same time, notched first detection holes H1 to fifth detection holes H5 for detecting the respective process positions are formed in the front end portion. Each of the first detection hole H1 to the fifth detection hole H5 is formed by expanding the standing portion 34 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the lower edge of the rotation direction Y (the edge on the side detected first by the photosensor SN) is a water flow process position (origin) P1, a priming process position P2, and a regeneration process position. The forming position is set so as to be P3, the extrusion process position P4, and the cleaning process position P5. Each of these detection holes H1 to H5 is notched, but is not limited to this. The formation interval of the detection holes H1 to H5, that is, the process position interval, is represented by the time of the rotating body 32 rotating at a predetermined constant speed, and the interval between P1 and P2 is T1 (for example, 147 seconds) and P2.
T2 (for example, 183 seconds) between P3 and P3, T3 (for example, 128 seconds) between P3 and P4, and T4 between P4 and P5.
(For example, 55 seconds), and T5 (110
(Seconds). Then, an auxiliary detection hole HS is formed adjacent to the lower side of the rotation direction Y of the first detection hole H1. As described later, the detection of the water passage process position P1, which is the origin, is performed with the cleaning process position P5 and the water passage process P5. It is configured so that it can be detected even from PX between the process position P1. Each of the cam bodies K1 to K5 and the rotating shaft 3
0, the rotating body 32, and the bearing portions R1 and R2 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin, and are rotatably housed by the bearing portions R1 and R2 in a drive box KX connected to a valve box BX made of a synthetic resin. Is done.

The position detecting means PS is provided so as to detect the detection holes H1 to H5 which move with the rotation of the rotating body 32, and a light source PH disposed with the standing portion 34 interposed therebetween. And a photosensor SN for detecting the presence or absence of emitted light.

As shown in FIG. 13, a valve drive motor 31 for controlling the open / close state of the water supply pump 9 and the switching valve device VA includes a control device C including a microcomputer and the like.
Thus, according to the processing procedure stored in advance, signals from the flow switch 10, the pressure switch 11, the photo sensor SN, the water cutoff sensor DS and the like are input and controlled. The water cutoff sensor DS is provided at the bottom of the raw water tank 5 or at a water level detection cylinder (not shown) communicating with the raw water tank 5 so as to detect a predetermined low water level in the raw water tank 5. Although the presence or absence of water is detected by energizing, the interruption of water may be detected by detecting the water level by a pressure sensor or detecting the water level by an electrode rod. This water cutoff sensor D
S can be used as a detection signal for stopping the water supply pump 9 when water outage is detected, in addition to being used for controlling a washing process described below. In this case, idle operation of the water supply pump 9 can be prevented. Flow switch 10
Outputs a water flow presence signal (water supply pump drive request signal) when a predetermined first set flow rate is detected, and outputs a water flow no signal (water supply pump) when a second set flow rate smaller than the first set flow rate by a predetermined value is detected. Stop request signal). Further, the pressure switch 11 outputs a feed water pump drive request signal when the pressure is equal to or lower than the first set pressure, and outputs a feed water pump stop request signal when it detects a second set pressure that is higher than the first set pressure by a predetermined value. .

As shown in FIG. 14, the control by the control device C includes an initial setting control CA, a water flow control CB, and a regeneration control CC.
And a cleaning control CD. The initial setting control CA is
The control is performed when a reset is performed, for example, by operating a reset switch (not shown). The control includes a cleaning process SJ and an origin setting process SG (control of setting the switching valve device VA to the water passage process position P1 at the origin position). I do. The water passage control CB is a control for performing the water passage process ST as the switching valve device VA as the water passage process position P1. The regeneration control CC is a control for regenerating the ion-exchange resin 4 when the water passage step ST is performed for a predetermined number of days and the current time becomes equal to the regeneration time, and includes a priming step SY, a regeneration step SS, and an extrusion step SO. , Washing process S
J and the origin setting step SG are sequentially performed. Priming process SY
May not be necessary depending on the structure of the device. Each priming process SY, regeneration process SS, extrusion process SO, cleaning process S
J includes detection of each process position and execution of the process (execution of the process means execution of operations such as priming and regeneration).
The cleaning control CD is a control for performing the cleaning step SJ when the flow switch 10 satisfies a predetermined condition such as not detecting a flow for a predetermined time or more (for example, 24 hours or more).

This embodiment also has the following configuration. That is, the control device C (see FIG. 13) includes a battery (not shown) and can continue the clock function even during a power failure. Further, a setting unit is provided for setting a current time, a reproduction time, and a reproduction cycle (period for performing reproduction control).
Even when these are not set, default values (initial setting values) of the reproduction time and the reproduction cycle are set. Also,
When the playback time comes, if a power failure occurs, the playback control is performed at the time of recovery from the power failure, and if a power failure occurs during the playback, the playback is continued after the recovery from the power failure. Further, a manual regeneration switch (not shown)
When this switch is operated, the regeneration control is forcibly executed. Further, in a state where the drive (ON) signal of the water supply pump 9 is being output, the control device C detects that the flow switch 10 detects no water and the pressure switch 11 detects a pressure equal to or less than the second set value. Means for judging whether or not the state has continued for a certain period of time or more, means for judging any of the water supply pump 9, the flow switch 10, and the pressure switch 11 when the continuation is judged, based on this judgment Means for displaying an abnormality.

Hereinafter, each control in this embodiment will be described. First, the water flow control CB will be described. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 6, it is assumed that the switching valve device VA is controlled to the water passage process position P1 by the initial setting control CA. This process position control, as described later,
The rotation is performed by rotating the rotating shaft 30 that controls the open / close state of the switching valve device VA, and detecting the rotational position of the rotating body 32 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation by the position detecting means PS. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the open / close state of the switching valve device VA at the water passage process position P1 is the first valve V1: open,
The second valve V2 is opened, the third valve V3 is closed, the fourth valve V4 is closed, and the fifth valve V5 is closed. When the user opens the faucet (water tap), the raw water in the raw water tank 5 is changed to the raw water line 8.
Flows into the resin cylinder 1 via the. Thereby, the water supply pump 9 is supplied by a signal indicating the presence of water flow from the flow switch 10 or a detection signal of a predetermined pressure or less of the pressure switch 11.
Is driven, and the raw water flows from the lower part of the resin cylinder 1 as an upward flow. By this water flow, the raw water is softened by the action of the ion exchange resin 4, and is supplied as soft water (treated water) from a soft water outlet 12 provided at the upper part of the resin cylinder 1 to a soft water line 13.
And supplied to the faucet. In the water passage step ST, the soft water outlet 12 of the resin cylinder 1 is prevented by the third check valve G3.
The flow of the treated water from the tank to the raw water tank 5 is blocked.

Next, a regeneration control CC for regenerating the ion exchange resin 4 will be described. In the regeneration control CC, before entering the regeneration step SS, the priming step SY shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about several seconds to several tens of seconds), which will be described. Switching valve device V
A is provided above the resin cylinder 1 or on the side of the upper part of the resin cylinder 1, so that the drain line 18 is not piped straight downward but from the lower part of the resin cylinder 1 to the switching valve device VA. It is configured to be piped upward to the fifth valve V5, and then inverted and then piped downward. For this reason, when air flows into the drain line 18, a difference in head pressure cannot be obtained, and raw water and salt water may not flow smoothly through the drain line 18 during the regeneration step SS. The priming step SY includes a route through which raw water or salt water flows in the regeneration step SS in order to eliminate such a defect.
In particular, this is a step of filling the drain line 18 with raw water. The open / close state of the switching valve device VA at the priming process position P2 is as follows: the first valve V1: open, the second valve V2: closed, and the third valve V
3: Open, fourth valve V4: open, fifth valve V5: open. As a result, the raw water in the raw water tank 5 flows to the resin cylinder 1, and a signal indicating the presence of water flow is output from the flow switch 10, or a detection signal of a predetermined pressure or less of the pressure switch 11 is output. As a result, the water supply pump 9
Is driven. Raw water is raw water line 8-drain line 1
8, the air in this flow passage is evacuated and filled with raw water, and the raw water line 8 is connected to the second check valve G2 between the resin cylinder 1 and the third check valve G2 via the resin cylinder 1. The flow path up to the stop valve G3 is filled with raw water. After the priming process SY has been performed for a predetermined time, the regeneration process SS using salt water is performed.
Move to.

Next, the regeneration step SS will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the open / close state of the switching valve device VA at the regeneration step position P3 is as follows: the first valve V1: closed, the second valve V2: closed, the third valve V3: open, and the fourth valve. V4: Open, Fifth valve V5: Open. As a result, the saturated brine in the brine tank 6 flows down by gravity through the brine downflow line 16. On the other hand, the raw water in the raw water tank 5 is supplied to the raw water flow down line 17.
The saturated saline and raw water are mixed at the soft water outlet 12 serving as the inlet of the regenerating solution during the regeneration step SS. Then, the salt water becomes a predetermined concentration (about 10%) and flows down from the upper portion of the resin tube 1 to regenerate the ion exchange resin 4.
The salt water after the regeneration is discharged out of the system through the drain line 18. During the regeneration step SS, since the third valve V3 is open, when the user at home opens a faucet (not shown) connected to the end of the soft water line 13, a water flow is generated, and the flow switch 10 is operated. Drives the water supply pump 9. As a result, the raw water is supplied through the raw water tank 5-a part of the raw water line 8-the bypass line 15-a part of the soft water line 13, so that use of the water is not hindered. And
This regeneration step SS is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about 15 minutes). That is, when regeneration of the ion-exchange resin 4 is completed by flowing a predetermined amount of salt water, the next extrusion step SO
Move to.

Next, the extrusion process SO will be described. The open / closed state of the switching valve device VA at the extrusion process position P4 is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the first valve V1:
Closed, second valve V2: closed, third valve V3: open, fourth valve V4:
Closed, fifth valve V5: Open. As a result, the raw water tank 5
The raw water falls naturally through the raw water flow-down line 17 and flows into the resin tube 1 to push out the salt remaining in the ion exchange resin 4 and wash it. The water after washing is drain line 1
It is discharged out of the system via 8. This extrusion step SO
The operation is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about 120 minutes), and a predetermined amount of raw water is caused to flow down to extrude salt, thereby completing the regeneration. After completion of the regeneration, an origin setting step SG is performed through a cleaning step SJ described later.

Here, the replenishment of water from the raw water tank 5 to the salt water tank 6 during the regeneration step SS will be described with reference to FIG. That is, at the time of the regeneration step SS, the saturated brine already generated and stored before the regeneration step SS flows down through the brine downflow line 16. 5 flows into the first portion 6A of the salt water tank 6, passes over the upper end of the partition wall 23, and flows into the second portion 6B. In this way, as the saturated saline water flows down, the raw water is replenished to the extent that the level of the saturated saline water drops, but due to the difference in specific gravity, a raw water layer with a low concentration is located above the saturated saline water layer. While maintaining the state relatively, the flow of the saturated brine is performed. The water level control in the salt water tank 6 by this replenishment is performed by the operation of the water level control device 19 of the raw water tank 5, and flows into the predetermined water level LW above the net 21 to dissolve the salt in the raw water, thereby achieving saturation during regeneration. Generate and store salt water. Saturated salt water eventually ends after a lapse of a while (for example, about 12 hours) after the end of the regeneration control CC.

Next, the cleaning step SJ of the cleaning control CD will be described. The switching valve device V at the cleaning process position P5
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the open / close state of A is as follows: first valve V1: closed, second valve V2: open, third valve V3: open, fourth valve V4: closed, fifth valve V5: open. It is said. As a result, by the operation of the flow switch 10 or the pressure switch 11 caused by the raw water in the raw water tank 5 flowing down the raw water line 8,
The water supply pump 9 is driven. The raw water in the raw water tank 5
By the suction and discharge actions of the water supply pump 9, the washing water flows through a washing flow path including a part of the raw water line 8, a bypass line 15, a part of the soft water line 13, a resin cylinder 1, and a drain line 18.
Thus, the amount of raw water supplied to the resin cylinder 1 per unit time by the operation of the water supply pump 9 increases (for example, about 15 times) as compared with the time of the extrusion process SO, and the residual water in the resin cylinder 1 rapidly increases. It is discharged out of the system.

When the cleaning step SJ is completed, an origin setting step SG is executed. In the origin setting step SG, the switching valve device VA is controlled to the water flow step position (origin) P1 to be in a water flow standby state. When the user opens the faucet in the water-flow standby state, the water-flow process ST is performed.

Next, the regeneration control CC when water is cut off will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Step S1 (hereinafter Sx
Means step Sx. In), it is determined whether or not the current time is the set reproduction time. In the case of YES, the process shifts to step S2 to determine whether or not the number of days of water passage has reached the set regeneration cycle. In the case of YES, the process shifts to step S3 to determine whether or not the water supply is cut off. This is performed based on the output of the water cutoff sensor DS. If NO is determined here, the process shifts to step S4 and the reproduction control CC,
That is, the priming process SY, the regeneration process SS, and the extrusion process S
O, a cleaning step SJ and an origin finding step SG are executed.
If water interruption occurs during the regeneration control CC, the regeneration step SS and the extrusion step SO are executed irrespective of the presence or absence of raw water, and the process proceeds to the cleaning step SJ, where the apparatus stands by until the water interruption is released. Then, the water cut is released and there is water (no water cut)
Is confirmed, the regeneration control CC is restarted from the cleaning step SJ, and the cleaning step SJ is executed for a predetermined time. In other words, even if water interruption occurs during the regeneration control CC, the cleaning step SJ is a control that secures a predetermined cleaning time while confirming that water is present (no water interruption). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the salt water from remaining in the resin tube 1 due to the water cutoff during the regeneration control CC and being contained and supplied in the soft water generated in the next water passage step ST. If "YES" is determined in the step S3, the process shifts to a step S5 to execute the next day reproduction. In this process, the switching valve device VA is held at the regeneration process position P3, and the regeneration control CC is executed when the set regeneration time is reached the next day.

Next, the cleaning step SJ and the origin setting step SG
The method for detecting the process position described above will be described below. Extrusion process S
When shifting from O to the next cleaning step SJ, the control device C drives the valve drive motor 31. Accordingly, the rotating shaft 30 and the rotating body 32 start rotating at a constant speed, and the position detecting means PS starts detecting the cleaning process position P5.

This detection is performed as follows.
That is, when the photo sensor SN is in the predetermined range of time T41 to T41
OFF (shield) -ON (detection hole) -OFF in T42
When a (shielding) -ON (detection hole) pattern is detected,
The second ON position is determined as the cleaning process position P5. The interval between the extrusion process position P4 and the cleaning process position P5 is set to T4 (55 seconds), and the fourth detection hole H4
When the fifth detection hole H5 sequentially passes through the photo sensor SN, the photo sensor SN turns O within a time slightly exceeding T4.
FF-ON-OFF-ON is detected. Therefore, T
41 is slightly shorter than T4 (for example, 45 seconds), and T42 is slightly longer than T4 (for example, 66 seconds).
Seconds). With this setting, the intervals T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 are set as described above, so that the OFF-ON-OFF-O
Detecting the N pattern does not exist with other combinations of detection holes.

Next, the detection of the water passage process position P1 by the origin finding process SG is performed in the same manner as the detection of the washing process position P5, by using two adjacent detection holes, the first detection hole H1 and the auxiliary detection hole HS. This is performed using That is, the photo sensor SN is turned off (shielded) within T01 (45 seconds).
When an ON (detection hole) -OFF (blocking) -ON (detection hole) pattern is detected, the second ON position is determined to be the water passage process position (origin) P1.

The priming step S in the regeneration control CC
The position detection of Y, the regeneration step SS, the extrusion step SO, and the cleaning step SJ is performed when the photo sensor SN detects the next ON signal with the rotation of the rotating body 32 because the current process position is known. Is recognized as the next process position.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in FIG. 1 in that a water supply pump 9 is provided in the soft water line 13 on the outlet side of the resin tube 1, and the water supply pump 9 is provided from the outlet side of the water supply pump 9 in the soft water line 13. A raw water line 50 that branches to the upper part of the resin cylinder 1 is provided, and a sixth valve V6 is provided in the raw water line 50, and the flow path in the washing step SJ is changed to a part of the raw water tank 5-a part of the raw water line 8-the bypass line 15 (Including the third valve V3)-Part of the soft water line 13 (including the water supply pump 9)-Raw water line 50-Resin cylinder 1-Drain line 18
This is a point that the cleaning channel is made of Further, a point that the flow path in the priming step SY is the same as the cleaning flow path. The pressure switch 11 and the flow switch 1
0 is provided on the outlet side of the water supply pump 9. Note that FIG.
, The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the opening / closing state of the first valve V1 to the fifth valve V5 of the switching valve device VA in the water passing step ST, the regeneration step SS, and the pushing step SO are the same as those in FIGS. The sixth valve V6 is closed in each step. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the open / close state of the switching valve device VA in the cleaning step SJ is as follows: the first valve V1: closed, the second valve V2: closed, and the third valve V
3: Open, 4th valve V4: Closed, 5th valve V5: Open, 6th valve V
6: Open. As a result, the water supply pump 9 is driven by the operation of the flow switch 10 or the pressure switch 11 when the raw water in the raw water tank 5 flows down the raw water line 8. The raw water in the raw water tank 5 is washed by a suction / discharge operation of the feed water pump 9 to form a part of the raw water line 8, a bypass line 15, a part of the soft water line 13, a raw water line 50, a resin tube 1 and a drain line 18. Distribute the road.
Thus, the cleaning step SJ is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The open / close state of the switching valve device VA in the priming process SY is as follows: the first valve V1: closed, the second valve V2: closed, and the third valve V
3: open, fourth valve V4: open, fifth valve V5: open, sixth valve V
6: Open.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. As described in the section of the embodiment of the present invention, the water supply pump is not provided, and the direct pressure of the raw water supply line is applied to the processing vessel. It can also be applied to household water softeners. In this case, it is necessary to secure the water pressure of the raw water supply line by providing a pump upstream of the raw water supply line. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the raw water line 8 in the water flow passage is directly connected to the raw water supply line 20 without providing the water supply pump 9, and the cleaning step S
The flow path in J is a washing flow path composed of the raw water supply line 20-a part of the raw water line 8-the bypass line 15 (including the third valve V3)-the part of the soft water line 13-the resin cylinder 1-the drain line 18. Is a point. In FIG. 18, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the water flow step ST, the priming step SY, the regeneration step SS, the extrusion step SO, and the cleaning step SJ
The opening and closing states of the first valve V1 to the fifth valve V5 of the switching valve device VA in FIG.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if water is cut off during the regeneration control, the residual regenerated solution in the processing vessel can be reliably discharged, and the salt water is removed at the start of the water passage process. It is highly effective in that it can be prevented from being mixed into the treated water, and can be immediately shifted to the water passing step.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a water passage step in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a priming process in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a regeneration step in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing an extrusion process in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a cleaning step in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an open / closed state of a switching valve device in a water passage process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an open / closed state of a switching valve device in a priming process in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the open / closed state of the switching valve device in the regeneration step in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an open / closed state of a switching valve device in an extrusion process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an open / closed state of a switching valve device in a cleaning step according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure performed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a main part showing a positional relationship between detection holes of a rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a cleaning step in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a water passage step in another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Resin cylinder 4 Ion exchange resin 5 Raw water tank 6 Salt water tank 8 Raw water line 9 Feed water pump 13 Soft water line 16 Salt water flowing down line 17 Raw water flowing down line 18 Drain line DS Water cutoff sensor VA switching valve device V1 to V5 First valve to fifth valve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Saburo Nakamura 7th Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Yoneda 7th Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] When a predetermined amount of a water-passing step of flowing raw water to a water-flow passage including a treatment vessel containing a treatment material and a treatment-water line is performed in a predetermined amount, a regeneration liquid containing a treatment vessel and a drain line is sequentially provided. In a domestic soft water device that performs a regeneration step of circulating the raw water and an extrusion step of circulating the raw water through an extrusion flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially, and then returns to the water-passing step, the raw water is removed. A washing step is provided after the extrusion step in which the flow rate per unit time is increased from the time of the extrusion step and is passed through a washing flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially. And a method for controlling the regeneration of the domestic soft water device.