JP2001246376A - Method for controlling domestic water softening device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that when water is not passed through a domestic water softening device using ion-exchange resin over a long period of time, harmless organic matter flows out from the ion-exchange resin and the softening device treated water is contaminated by the organic matter in the form of some odor substances or colored water. SOLUTION: The water-softening/softening-device-regeneration process comprises a conventional water passing stage (water softening stage); a conventional regeneration stage; a conventional flow displacement stage for passing raw water through a flow displacement passage successively comprising a treatment vessel and a drain line; and a new washing stage for passing raw water through a washing passage successively comprising the treatment vessel and the drain line; wherein the flow rate of raw water used in the washing stage is higher than that used in the flow displacement stage and when it is detected that in the water passing stage, no flow of raw water or no flow of treated water by the treatment vessel exists in a passing water passage for a prescribed period of time or longer, the washing water stage is performed and thereafter, the softening operating is shifted from the washing stage to the water passing stage.

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. Control method.

[0002]

In this type of household water softener, an ion exchange resin is generally used as a material for softening water. In such an apparatus, if water is not passed into the processing container for a long time, harmless organic substances will flow out of the ion exchange resin, and when water flow is resumed, some odor or color water will be present in the treated water. Will be mixed. This can cause complaints.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has a water flow through which raw water flows through a processing vessel containing a processing material and a flow path sequentially including a processing water line. When the process is performed in a predetermined amount, a regeneration step of flowing a regenerating solution through a regeneration channel including a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially and an extrusion step of flowing raw water through an extrusion channel including a processing vessel and a drain line are sequentially performed. A washing step in which the flow rate of raw water is increased per unit time from that in the extrusion step, and the raw water flows through a washing flow path including a processing vessel and a drain line sequentially, in a domestic soft water device that performs control to return to the water passing step. When detecting that there is no flow of the raw water or the treated water treated by the treatment vessel in the water passage for a predetermined time or more, the process proceeds to the water passage step after performing the washing step. It is characterized in.

According to the above means, when it is detected that the flow of the raw water or the treated water in the water flow path has not been flowing for a predetermined time or more, the washing step is automatically executed, and the inside of the treatment vessel is quickly washed. Move to water flow process.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As an embodiment of a water softener for domestic use according to the present invention, a treatment container containing raw material for treating water,
When a predetermined amount of a water-passing step of circulating a treated water line into a water-passage flow path sequentially including a treated water line is performed, a regeneration step of circulating a regenerated liquid through a treatment vessel and a regeneration passage sequentially including a drain line; And an extruding step of sequentially circulating the extruding flow path including the extruding flow path, in which the flow rate per unit time of the raw water is increased from that in the extruding step, and the processing vessel Providing a washing step to flow to the washing flow path sequentially including the drain line, when it is detected that the flow of the raw water or the treated water treated by the treatment vessel in the water passage is not longer than a predetermined time, after performing the washing step A method for controlling a household water softening device that shifts to a water passing process will be described.

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. When 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.

When it is detected that the flow of the raw water in the water flow passage or the flow of the treated water flowing out of the processing vessel has not been present for a predetermined time or more, the washing step is executed for a predetermined time. This detection is performed by a water flow detecting means such as a flow switch provided in the water passage. This water flow detecting means can also be used as a means for controlling the water supply pump.

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 household water softener) and a case where it is not provided. In any case, the water pressure of the raw water line is approximately equal to the water pressure. It 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.

In this embodiment, the first valve V1 to the fifth valve V5 included in each of the flow paths are configured as switching valve devices VA that are opened and closed by a cam mechanism (not shown). It can be composed of two solenoid valves. The cam mechanism is driven by a valve drive motor 31 (see FIG. 6), and the rotational position is controlled so as to correspond to each step. The switching valve device VA controls the open / close state of each valve to form a water flow passage, a priming flow passage, a regeneration flow passage, an extrusion flow passage, and a washing flow passage corresponding to the different open / close states. Further, the second check valve G2 to the fourth check valve G4 are integrally provided in one check valve box (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 6, the switching valve device VA and the water supply pump 9 are controlled by a control device C including a microcomputer or the like in accordance with a processing procedure stored in advance, in accordance with a flow switch 10, a pressure switch 11, and a pressure switch 11. Control is performed by inputting a signal from the position detecting means 33 for detecting the switching state (each process position) of the switching valve device VA. When the flow switch 10 detects a predetermined first set flow rate,
A water flow presence signal (water supply pump drive request signal) is output, and when a second set flow rate smaller than the first set flow rate by a predetermined value is detected, a water flow no signal (water supply pump stop request signal) is output. The pressure switch 11 outputs a feedwater pump drive request signal when the pressure is equal to or lower than the first set pressure, and outputs a feedwater pump stop request signal when the pressure is equal to or higher than a second set pressure that is higher than the first set pressure by a predetermined value. As shown in FIG. 7, the control by the control device C includes an initial setting control CA and a water flow control C.
B, regeneration control CC, and cleaning control CD. The initial setting control CA is a control that is performed when a reset is performed, for example, by operating a reset switch (not shown), and includes a cleaning process SJ and an origin setting process SG (switching the switching valve device VA to the water passage process position at the origin position). Control). The water passage control CB is a control for performing a water passage process as the switching valve position of the switching valve device VA. The regeneration control CC is a control for regenerating the ion exchange resin 4 when the water passing step 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, an extrusion step SO, Cleaning process S
J and the origin setting step SG are sequentially performed. Priming process SY
May be unnecessary 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).
Here, the cleaning step SJ is not always necessary. 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). An example of the cleaning control CD is as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the above-mentioned respective controls in this embodiment will be described. First, the water flow control CB will be described. FIG.
The switching valve device VA is controlled to the water passage process position by the initial setting control CA. In this process position control, a rotary shaft (both not shown) for driving a cam mechanism for controlling the open / close state of the switching valve device VA is rotationally driven,
This is performed by detecting the rotational position by the position detecting means 33 (see FIG. 6). Switching valve device V in water passage process
The open / close state of A is such that the first valve V1: open, the second valve V2: open, the third valve V3: closed, the fourth valve V4: closed, and the fifth valve V5: closed. When the faucet (not shown) is opened, the raw water tank 5 is opened.
The raw water inside flows into the resin cylinder 1 through the raw water line 8. Thereby, the water supply pump 9 is driven by a signal indicating that there is a water flow from the flow switch 10 or a detection signal of a predetermined pressure or less from the pressure switch 11, 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 faucet via a soft water line 13. In this water passing step, the flow of the treated water from the soft water outlet 12 of the resin cylinder 1 to the raw water tank 5 is blocked by the blocking action of the third check valve G3.

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 of FIG. 2 is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about several seconds to several tens of seconds), which will be described. The switching valve device VA 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. It is configured to be piped upward to the fifth valve V5 of the device VA, and then inverted and piped downward. For this reason, when air flows into the drain line 18, the head pressure difference cannot be obtained,
Raw water and salt water may not flow smoothly through the drain line 18 during the regeneration step SS. The priming step SY is performed in the regeneration step S in order to eliminate such a defect.
In step S, a route through which raw water or salt water flows, particularly, a step of filling the drain line 18 with raw water. The open / close state of the switching valve device VA during the priming process SY is determined by the first valve V1:
Open, second valve V2: closed, third valve V3: open, fourth valve V4:
Open, fifth valve V5: Open. As a result, the raw water tank 5
When the raw water in the pump flows into the resin cylinder 1 and a signal indicating that there is a 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, the water supply pump 9 Is driven. The raw water flows through the raw water line 8-the drain line 18, bleeds the air in this flow passage, fills it with raw water, and, via the raw water line 8-the resin cylinder 1, from the resin cylinder 1 to the second check valve G 2. And the flow path between the resin cylinder 1 and the third check valve G3 is filled with raw water. After the priming process SY has been performed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to the salt water regeneration process SS.

Next, the regeneration step SS will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the open / close state of the switching valve device VA in this step 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. As a result, the saturated salt water in the salt water tank 6 becomes
It flows down by gravity through 6. On the other hand, the raw water in the raw water tank 5 flows down via the raw water flow down line 17, and at the time of the regeneration step SS, the saturated salt water and the raw water are mixed at the soft water outlet 12, which is the inlet of the regenerated liquid. 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. This regeneration process SS
At this time, since the third valve V3 is open, when a 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 water supply pump 9 is operated by the operation of the flow switch 10. Is driven. As a result, raw water tank 5-part of raw water line 8-bypass line 15-soft water line 1
Since raw water is supplied through part of 3, the use of water is not hindered. Then, the regeneration step SS is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about 15 minutes). That is, when the regeneration of the ion exchange resin 4 is completed by flowing a predetermined amount of salt water, the process proceeds to the next extrusion step SO.

Next, the extrusion process SO will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the open / close state of the switching valve device VA in this step is as follows: the first valve V1: closed, the second valve V2: closed, the third valve V3: open, the fourth valve V4: closed, and the fifth valve V4. Valve V5: Open.
As a result, the raw water in the raw water tank 5 naturally falls through the raw water flow-down line 17 and flows into the resin cylinder 1 to push out the salt remaining in the ion exchange resin 4 and wash it. The water after the washing is discharged out of the system through the drain line 18. This extrusion process SO is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about 1
20 minutes), and a predetermined amount of raw water is allowed to flow down to extrude salt to complete the regeneration. After completion of the regeneration, an origin setting step SG is performed through a cleaning step SJ described later. In normal regeneration control, the cleaning step SJ is not always necessary.

Here, water replenishment 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 water replenishment is performed by the operation of the water level control device 19 of the raw water tank 5, and the net 2
It flows to a predetermined water level LW above 1 and the salt dissolves in the raw water to generate and store saturated brine during regeneration. 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 control CD will be described.
Referring to FIG. 8, step S1 (hereinafter referred to as Sx
Means step Sx. ), Flow switch 1
Based on 0, it is determined whether there is a water flow. If NO is determined here, the process proceeds to step S2 to start counting the no-water flow time, and proceeds to step S3 to determine whether the no-water flow has been counted for a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). If so, the process returns to step S1. Thus,
When no water flow is counted for a predetermined period of time, the process proceeds from step S3 to the cleaning step SJ. In the cleaning step SJ, the position of the cleaning step is detected, and the cleaning step SJ is executed, for example, for about 5 minutes.

The execution of the cleaning step SJ will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, 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:
Open, third valve V3: open, fourth valve V4: closed, fifth valve V5: 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 supplied to a part of the raw water line 8-a bypass line 15 by a suction and discharge action of the water supply pump 9.
-Part of the soft water line 13-Resin cylinder 1-Drain line 18
Flow through a washing channel consisting of Thus, the water supply pump 9
The amount of raw water supplied per unit time to the resin cylinder 1 by the action of (1) is larger than that during the extrusion process SO (for example,
(Approximately 15 times), the residual water in the resin cylinder 1 is rapidly discharged out of the system. When the cleaning step SJ is completed, step S
Then, the flow goes to 4 to clear the count of the accumulated time of no water flow, and then goes to the origin setting step SG. Here, it is assumed that the water supply step can be executed. If YES is determined in the step S1, the process shifts to the step S5 to clear the count of the integrated time without water flow.

In the water softener using the ion exchange resin 4 as in this embodiment, when the water passage step is not performed for a long time, the color and odor of the ion exchange resin 4 are slightly increased in the resin tube 1. Is dissolved in the residual water in the resin cylinder 1. In addition, if the raw water in the raw water tank 5 is stored without being used for a long period of time, depending on the installation environment of the water softener, an undesired state of hygiene such as propagation of various bacteria may be generated. However, by executing the washing step SJ, the residual water in the resin cylinder 1 can be rapidly discharged, and the raw water in the raw water tank 5 can be rapidly discharged out of the system. There is an effect that the process can be promptly shifted to the next water passing step.

In the above embodiment, the following control can be performed. That is, the control device C (see FIG. 6) 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 regeneration 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) is provided, and when this switch is operated, regeneration control is forcibly executed.

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.
6, 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-a bypass line 15 (including the third valve V3)-a 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. In FIG. 9, 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 water supply step and the regeneration step S
S, first valve V of switching valve device VA in extrusion process SO
The open / close states of the first to fifth valves V5 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the sixth valve V6 is all closed in each step. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, 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 V3:
Open, fourth valve V4: closed, fifth valve V5: open, sixth valve V6: 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 supplied to a part of the raw water line 8-a bypass line 15 by a suction and discharge action of the water supply pump 9.
-Part of the soft water line 13-Raw water line 50-Resin cylinder 1-
It flows through the washing flow path composed of the drain line 18. 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, the third valve V3:
Open, fourth valve V4: open, fifth valve V5: open, sixth valve V6: 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 a water softener of the type. 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 path is directly connected to the raw water supply line 20 without providing the water supply pump 9, and the flow path in the cleaning step SJ is changed. This is a cleaning 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. In FIG. 10, 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 supply step and the priming step S
The opening and closing states of the first valve V1 to the fifth valve V5 of the switching valve device VA in Y, the regeneration step SS, the extrusion step SO, and the cleaning step SJ are the same as those in FIGS.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the inside of the processing vessel can be cleaned in a short time by the cleaning process in which the flow rate of the raw water supplied to the processing vessel per unit time is large, and Even if a substance having a color or an odor is dissolved out of the material, the substance can be quickly discharged without being mixed into the treated water, and the process can be shifted to the water passing step, which is extremely effective as a household water softener.

[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 electrical schematic configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure by a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another control procedure performed by the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a household water softener showing a cleaning step in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 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 10 Flow switch 13 Soft water line 16 Salt water flowing down line 17 Raw water flowing down line 18 Drain line C Control device V1 to V5 First valve to fifth valve VA Switching valve device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoji Oda 7, Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Fukuoka 7, Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] When a predetermined amount of a water-passing step of flowing raw water to a processing vessel containing a processing material and a flow path sequentially including a processing water line is performed, a regenerating liquid containing a processing vessel and a drain line is sequentially generated. In a domestic soft water unit 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 treatment vessel and a drain line in sequence, and controls the return to the water passing step, the raw water is discharged for a unit time. A washing step in which the flow rate per unit is increased from the time of the extrusion step and is circulated to a washing flow path including the processing vessel and the drain line in order, and the flow of the raw water in the water flow path or the treated water treated by the processing vessel is set to a predetermined value. A method for controlling a water softener for home use, characterized in that when it is detected that no time has elapsed, the washing step is performed and then the flow is shifted to a water passing step.