JP2002035745A - Protection method for water softener and water softener - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for protecting instruments by preventing the pressure increase in the instruments when on/off valves connected to a water softener are opened or closed, and to provide a water softener therefor. SOLUTION: This water softener comprises a water feed valve S2 which is connected to the inflow port of a water softening tank 7 in which cation exchange resin 5 is packed for softening hard water and can be opened and closed, and a proper number of on/off valves which are connected to the outflow port of the water softening tank 7. In such a constitution, the water feed valve S2 is opened after opening the on/off valve in the case that soft water is made to flow out by opening the on/off valve, and the water feed valve S2 is closed before closing the on/off valve in the case that the soft water is stopped by closing the on/off valve, thereby this protection method for water softener and the water softener suppress the increase of inner pressure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for protecting a water softening device for softening hard water and a water softening device. The present invention relates to a method for preventing an increase in internal pressure and a water softening device therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a water softening device for softening tap water or well water has a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water, and the hard water passes through the softening tank. By doing so, water is softened by replacing calcium and magnesium ions in water with sodium ions.

[0003]

In the conventional water softening device, the opening and closing of an on-off valve connected to the outlet of the water softening tank is used to stop and discharge the soft water. When the on-off valve is opened and closed while the inflow port of the water tank is connected to, for example, water, the pressure in the water softening tank may suddenly increase due to surge pressure, which may cause a problem in extending the life of the device. is there.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water. In a configuration comprising an openable / closable water supply valve connected to an inflow port and an appropriate number of on / off valves connected to an outflow port of the water softening tank, the on / off valve is opened when the on / off valve is opened to discharge soft water. When the water supply valve is opened after the opening operation of the water supply valve to close the on-off valve to stop the outflow of soft water, the water supply valve is closed before the on-off valve is closed to increase the internal pressure. This is a method for protecting a water softening device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water softening apparatus for softening hard water, wherein a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water is provided, and the regeneration of the cation exchange resin is performed. A salt tank connected to the soft water tank for supplying salt water to the soft water tank and containing a salt for regeneration, a water supply valve capable of opening and closing an inlet to the soft water tank, A regeneration valve that can open and close the inflow port, a plurality of on-off valves that are connected in parallel to the outflow port of the water softening tank and that can be opened and closed, and control means that controls the opening and closing of each valve; And a sequence operation storage unit for storing a sequence operation for performing an opening operation of the water supply valve after an opening operation of the on-off valve connected to the valve.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water softening apparatus according to the second aspect, a sequential operation is stored to perform the closing operation of the water supply valve prior to the closing operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet. This is a configuration provided with a sequential operation storage unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water softening apparatus for softening hard water, wherein a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water is provided, and the regeneration of the cation exchange resin is performed. A salt tank connected to the water softening tank for supplying salt water to be supplied to the water softening tank and containing a salt for regeneration, a water supply valve capable of opening and closing an inlet to the soft water tank, and the salt tank A regeneration valve openable and closable to an inlet of the water softening tank, a plurality of openable and closable valves connected in parallel to an outlet of the water softening tank, and control means for controlling the opening and closing of each valve. This is a configuration including a sequential operation storage unit that stores a sequential operation to perform the closing operation of the water supply valve prior to the closing operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet side.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water softening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Referring to FIG. 1 conceptually shown, a water softening device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a casing main body 3 in which tap water, well water, or the like is provided. A water softening tank 7 containing a cation exchange resin 5 for softening hard water is provided. The cation exchange resin 5 is provided above the water softening tank 7.
Tank 1 containing salt 9 such as salt for regenerating
1 is provided.

The interior of the water softening tank 7 is partitioned into an upper chamber 13U and a lower chamber 13L by containing a cation exchange resin 5, and the upper chamber 13U is provided at the bottom of the salt tank 11. A float valve 17 that can open and close the communication hole 15 is provided so as to be vertically movable.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the salt tank 11 is provided with a basket 19 for storing the salt 9 in a detachable manner. This basket 19 is provided with the salt 9
Is provided with a large number of small holes so that water can freely enter and exit from the surroundings. A pipe-shaped outlet member 21 is provided upright at the center of the bottom of the salt tank 11, and the outlet member 21 is provided with the communication hole 15.

The upper end 21U of the outlet member 21 projects higher than the bottom 19B of the basket 19 when the basket 19 is installed in the salt tank 11. The upper part of the outlet member 21 is
Is covered with a cylindrical lid member 23 which is disposed with an appropriate distance from the upper end portion 21U and the peripheral surface. The lower end of the lid member 23 is provided near the bottom of the salt tank 11.

When the regeneration valve S1 as an on-off valve connected to the inlet side of the salt tank 11 is opened and closed to appropriately supply water to the salt tank 11, the salt 9 flows into the basket 19 and dissolves the salt 9. Will be done. The amount of water supplied to the salt tank 11 per unit time is controlled by the flow control valve 25. When the amount of water supplied to the salt tank 11 increases and the salt water in which the salt 9 in the salt tank 11 is dissolved rises above the upper end 21U of the outlet member 21, the salt water flows out of the communication hole 15 to the water softening tank 7. At this time, since the upper side of the outlet member 21 is covered with the lid member 23, the salt tank 1
Most of the salt water in 1 is discharged.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a water supply valve S2 as an on-off valve is disposed between the inlet of the lower chamber 13L in the water softening tank 7 and the water supply passage 27, and the water supply valve S2 is The regeneration valve S1 is connected in parallel. At the outlet of the upper chamber 13U in the water softening tank 7, a bath valve S3, a shower valve S4, and a drain valve S5 as on / off valves are respectively connected in parallel.

The bath valve S3 is connected to a bathtub (not shown) via a water amount sensor 29. Water sensor 29
Is a configuration including, for example, an impeller that rotates by detecting a water flow, and outputs a pulse in accordance with the rotation of the impeller. Therefore, the amount of water supplied to the bathtub can be detected by counting the number of pulses. The shower valve S4 is assembled so as to be “open” in a normal state.
The shower head 33 is connected to the shower head 33 via a hose 31. The shower head 33 is provided with a shower switch 33SW as a hand switch.

A check valve 35 is connected to the outlet of the lower chamber 13L in the water softening tank 7. In the normal state where no water pressure is applied, the check valve 35 allows the poppet valve to be slightly opened due to the action of a weak spring, for example, and allows a very small amount of backflow, but water pressure acts to flow out in large quantities. At times, it functions to prevent the backflow by mechanically closing.

The water supply passage 27 is connected to a switching valve 39 of the mixing faucet 37.
It is connected to a water tap 43 connected to a water source such as tap water via a thermomixing 41 and to a water tap 45 connected to a water heater or the like.

A controller 47 is provided in the casing body 3. This controller 47 has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown conceptually in FIG. 1, an operation unit 49 having a display such as a liquid crystal display is connected, and power switches SW1, bath switches SW2, hot water switches SW3, display changeover switches SW4, as various switch means. Up switch SW5, down switch SW6. The salt set switch SW7 and the manual regeneration switch SW8 are connected, and the shower switch 33SW is connected. Further, the controller 47 is connected to the regeneration valve S1, the water supply valve S2, the bath valve 33, the shower valve S4, the drain valve S5, and the water amount sensor 29 as various on-off valves. , A power supply 51 is connected. As the power source 51, a battery is used in consideration of safety in view of being installed in the melting chamber.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 49
The power switch SW1, the bath switch SW2, the hot water switch SW3, the display changeover switch SW4, the up switch SW5, the down switch SW6, the salt set switch SW7, and the manual regeneration switch SW8, and a liquid crystal for displaying various states. An indicator 53 is provided.

The display unit 53 has a numerical value display unit 53A for displaying numerical values such as water volume and time, a water volume display unit 53B for displaying that the numerical value is the water volume, and displays that the numerical value display is the current time. Current time display section 53C, reproduction time display section 53D for displaying the reproduction time, and bath display section 5 for displaying that bath switch SW2 is ON.
3E, a hot water display section 53F for displaying that the hot water switch is ON, and a liter display section 5 for displaying a water amount unit.
3G, a low battery display section 53H for displaying that the battery is about to run out, a salt set display section 53I for displaying the salt set, and a reproducing display section 53J for displaying that the reproduction is being performed. It is.

The circuit configuration of the controller 47 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The microcomputer 55 is connected to a battery voltage detecting circuit 57 for detecting the voltage of the power supply 51 and a battery missing detecting circuit 59 for detecting battery missing. . The microcomputer 55 has a valve drive circuit 6 for driving on-off valves such as the regeneration valve S1 and the water supply valve S2.
1, a water sensor circuit 63, a key input circuit 65 connected to various switches such as the power switch SW1, an LCD display circuit 67, and a reset circuit 69 are connected.

The power supply 51 is connected to a power supply booster circuit 71 which is connected to the valve drive circuit 6.
1, connected to the reset circuit 69 and the circuit stop circuit 73, and to other various circuits. The circuit stop circuit 73 is provided with the water amount sensor circuit 6.
3. Connected to LCD display circuit 67.

In the above configuration, when the power switch SW1 is pressed, the power switch SW1 is turned on. When the power switch is pressed again, the power switch SW1 is turned off. When the power switch SW1 is turned off, all the display sections of the operation section 49 are turned off. Thus, battery consumption is suppressed.

When the power switch SW1 provided on the operation unit 49 is turned on to operate the water softening device 1 (step S0), the current time is displayed on the display 53 (step 1) and the microcomputer 55 The amount of hot water stored in the memory is reset (step S
2). Therefore, immediately after the power is turned on, the water storage value stored in the memory is not carried over to the next time, and the hot water can be always filled with the preset water amount. That is, for example, when the set water amount is 200
Liters, and when the stored amount of water is 150 liters and the remaining is 50 liters, it is possible to prevent the remaining 50 liters from being filled with hot water immediately after turning on the power. is there. In other words, in the initial state in which the power switch SW1 is turned on, the hot water can always be filled with the preset water amount.

Next, in step S3, the power supply battery 5
1 is performed, and the battery voltage XV is set to the set value V1.
When the pressure becomes lower, a battery exhaustion display section 53H displays that the battery is almost exhausted in step S5. Therefore, it is sufficient to replace the battery with a new one based on the display such as the blinking of the battery exhaustion display section 53H.

In step S6, the number of times of regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is displayed. In other words, the used amount or the remaining amount of the salt 9 used for the regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is indirectly displayed. You can know. Therefore, when the number of times of reproduction is equal to or more than the predetermined number of times, it can be understood that the remaining number of times of reproduction is small. Can be prevented.

In step S7, the number of times of regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is determined. When the number of times of regeneration becomes 7 or more, the salt set display section 53I flashes in step S8 to notify the user of a salt set request. . If the number of times of reproduction is less than seven, a standby state is set.

That is, when the power switch SW1 is turned on, the cation exchange resin 5 is always regenerated, so that there is a problem that the water softening treatment cannot be performed immediately after the power switch SW1 is turned on. That is not something.

When the regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is completed and the apparatus enters a standby state, and if no operation of the water softening apparatus 1 is performed thereafter, the flow shifts to step S9 in FIG. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10, in which the power switch SW1 is automatically turned off, and all displays are turned off. Therefore, the consumption of the battery is suppressed and the life of the battery can be extended.

In the standby state after steps S7 and S8, as shown in FIG. 7, when the shower switch 33SW provided on the shower head 33 is turned on to use the shower (step S11S), step S11 is performed.
, The water supply valve S2 is opened. When the ON signal of the shower switch 33SW is input to the microcomputer 55 as described above, an interlock function operates in the microcomputer 55, and while the shower switch 33SW is ON, the bath switch SW2, the hot water switch SW3, and the manual regeneration switch. Even if the switch SW8 or the like is turned on, input is rejected, and the shower can be continuously used without interruption.

As described above, when the water supply valve S2 is opened, the shower valve S4 is normally open. Therefore, when the water supply valve S2 is opened to supply water to the water softening tank 7, the water supply valve S2 is opened. As a result, the internal pressure of the water softening tank 7 does not increase and safety is maintained.

As described above, when the water supply valve S2 is opened and water is supplied to the lower chamber 13L of the water softening tank 7, a small amount of water is discharged from the check valve 35 which is slightly open. The check valve 35 is mechanically closed by the water pressure acting on the check valve 35. Therefore, the lower chamber 13L
The water supplied to the inside passes through the cation exchange resin 5 to reach the upper chamber 13U, and is used as a shower through the shower valve S4 in the open state.

As described above, when hard water passes through the cation exchange resin 5, ion exchange is performed to soften the water as is well known. And the upper chamber 1 of the water softening tank 7
The soft water filled with 3U tends to flow into the salt tank 11 from the communication hole 15, but when flowing into the upper chamber 13U through the cation exchange resin 5 from the lower chamber 13L, the float valve 17 rises. Thus, since the communication hole 15 is closed, the soft water in the upper chamber 13U does not flow into the salt tank 11.

Then, the shower switch 33SW is turned off.
When F is set (step S12S), the water supply valve S2 is closed in step S12, and the use of the shower switch is stopped. At this time, since the water supply valve S2 is closed when the shower valve S4 is in the open state, the pressure in the water softening tank 7 does not increase, and the life of the equipment can be extended. is there.

After using the shower, the power switch SW1 is turned off.
When a predetermined time has elapsed without being set to FF or performing any other operation, the power is automatically turned off in step S9.

When the apparatus is in the standby state after steps S7 and S8, as shown in FIG.
When N is set (Step S13S), the bath display section 53E is lit and displayed, and the liter display section 53G and the water amount display section 53B are lit and displayed (Steps S13 and S1).
4). The bath valve S is turned on by turning on the bath switch SW2.
3 is opened (step S15) and the shower valve S4 is closed (step S16), and then the water supply valve S2 is opened.
Is opened (step S17). This step S1
The sequential operations of 5, S16, and S17 are stored in advance in the sequential operation storage unit provided in the microcomputer 55.

That is, the opening / closing operation of each on-off valve is performed by the on-off valve (water supply valve S) connected to the inlet side of the water softening tank 7.
Since the opening operation of 2) is performed after the opening operation of the on-off valve (bath valve S3) connected to the outlet side, the internal pressure in the water softening tank 7 increases when the water supply valve S2 is opened. In other words, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the device from increasing and extend the life of the device. When the water supply valve S2 and the bath valve S3 are opened as described above, hot water filling (also synonymous with water filling) is started in the bathtub, and the hot water filling amount can be measured by the water amount sensor 29.

As described above, when the water supply valve S2 and the bath valve S3 are opened to start water supply or hot water supply to the bathtub,
Water count is started (step S18). The start of the water count at this time is not to immediately measure the pulse output from the water sensor 29, but to start time measurement. That is, although it is possible to always measure by setting the water amount sensor 29 to the ON state, a slight error is allowed in hot water or the like, and in the present embodiment, in consideration of battery consumption, When the first set time t1 elapses from the start of the water amount count (start of timing) immediately after the water supply valve S2 is opened, the power supply of the water amount sensor 29 is turned ON for the second set time t2. The output flow rate sensor 29 counts the output pulses to calculate the first flow rate Qn (step S19).

Thereafter, the power of the water amount sensor 29 is turned off for the third set time t3 to suppress the consumption of the battery (step S20). Then, after the third set time t3 has elapsed, the power supply of the water amount sensor 29 is turned on again for the second set time t2.
Then, the number of pulses output from the water sensor 29 is counted to calculate the second flow rate Qn + 1, and the average value of the first flow rate Qn and the second flow rate Qn + 1 is calculated. Then, the calculated average value and the total time of each set time (t1
+ T2 + t3 + t2) to calculate the total flow rate Vn from the start of the water amount count (step S21).

The management of the times t1, t2, t3, etc. is controlled and managed by a water amount management means provided in the microcomputer 55, and the calculation of the flow rate is performed by the calculation means.

Then, in step S22, the total flow rate Vn is compared with the set amount Vf. If Vn <Vf, the flow returns to step S20 to turn on and off the water amount sensor 29.
The FF operation is repeated, and the flow rate is calculated each time to calculate the total flow rate Vn. The total flow rate Vn is compared with the capacity Q0 of the water softening capacity set value at which the cation exchange resin 5 can continuously soften water (Step S23), and Vn ≠
In the case of Q0, it is assumed that the total flow rate Vn is equal to the set amount Vf, and in Step S24, the hot water quantity is reset and the hot water is stopped.

If Vn = Q0 in step S23, it is necessary to regenerate the cation exchange resin 5, and the operation is temporarily stopped in step S25. In step S25, the amount of water supplied so far is calculated by the microcomputer 55.
Is stored in the memory. Then, in step S27, the process proceeds to the automatic regeneration described later, and the automatic regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is performed. In step S28, it is determined whether or not the automatic regeneration is completed. When the automatic regeneration is completed, the process proceeds to step S19, and the remaining amount of hot water is restarted.

Press the bath switch SW2 as described above and turn it on.
When the hot water filling is started, the bath switch SW2 can be pressed again to turn it off to stop the hot water filling, but other switches,
For example, shower switch 33SW, hot water switch SW
3, Manual regeneration switch SW8, salt set switch SW7
Etc. are ignored.

As will be understood from the above description,
Since the power supply of the water amount sensor 29 is intermittently turned on and off and the water supply amount is measured at the time of the ON time to calculate the water amount for the entire time, the accuracy of the water amount detection for the entire amount is lacking.
The approximate amount of water can be detected and the consumption of the battery can be suppressed. Further, even when a large amount of soft water is required, such as hot water, the water softening device 1 can sufficiently cope with the small size. In other words, even if the water softening device is made compact, it can cope with the use of a large amount of water.

In order to detect the total flow rate, the flow rate is always assumed to be substantially constant, and is set for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).
It is also possible to measure the flow rate for a fixed time (for example, 5 seconds) within a second, and to estimate and detect the total flow rate for a predetermined time based on the measured value. On this occasion,
The above-mentioned fixed time can be set to a desired time at the beginning, at the middle, or at the end of the measurement of the predetermined time for detecting the flow rate.

As described above, the bath switch SW2 is turned on, and during bathing, the bath switch SW2 is pressed to open the bath.
F (step S29S), the display of the bath display unit 53E is turned off and turned off in step S29,
In step S30, the water supply valve S2 is closed. Thereafter, the shower valve S4 is opened (step S3).
1) and the bath valve S3 is closed (step S3).
2). The order of steps S30, S31, and S32 is stored in the order operation storage unit in advance. Then, in step S33, the counting of the amount of hot water is stopped, and in step S34, the amount of hot water so far is stored. When the hot water filling is completed, steps S33 and S34 are omitted. After that, when a certain period of time elapses without any operation being performed (step S9), the power switch SW1 is turned off and all displays are turned off (step S9).
10).

As will be understood from the above description, when the supply of the soft water from the soft water tank 7 is stopped, the water supply valve S2 as an on-off valve connected to the inflow side of the soft water tank 7 is closed, and then the outflow port is opened. Since the bath valve S3 as an on-off valve connected to the side is closed, the internal pressure in the soft water tank 7 does not increase due to water supply from the inflow side, and the equipment has a long service life. Can be achieved.

When the water supply valve S2 is closed as described above, the normally open shower valve S4 is opened, and at least one on-off valve on the outlet side of the soft water tank 7 is opened. By opening the soft water tank 7 to the atmospheric pressure, the internal pressure can be prevented from rising.

As described above, when the water supply valve S2 is closed and the shower valve S4 is opened, the water supply to the soft water tank 7 is stopped and the inside thereof becomes a static pressure. Therefore, the check valve 35 is operated by the action of the built-in weak spring. The water is slightly opened and the amount of water remaining in the water softening tank 7 is drained through the check valve 35.

As described above, the bath switch SW2 is turned off to temporarily stop the hot water filling. For example, when the shower switch 33SW is turned on to use the shower and then the bath switch SW2 is turned on again. The steps from step S13 to step S28 are repeated, and the remaining hot water filling is restarted.

That is, if the bath switch SW2 is turned off and the bathing is temporarily stopped while the bathing switch SW2 is turned on and the bathing is being performed, the amount of hot water that has been stored is stored. Sometimes, hot water can be applied to the set amount without excess or shortage.

When the apparatus is in the standby state after steps S7 and S8, as shown in FIG.
Is pressed to turn on (step S35S), the hot water display section 53F is lit (step S35). Thereafter, steps S14 to S1 in hot water filling
Various processes of steps S36 to S39 according to 7 are performed, and the counting of the amount of added hot water is performed in step S40 in accordance with the start of the counting of the amount of hot water in step S18.

Thereafter, step S in the hot water beam is performed.
Various processes in steps S41 to S44 according to 19 to S22 are performed. Step S44
In the above, the total flow rate Vn and the set value Ve of the amount of added hot water are compared. Then, various processes of steps S45 to S49 according to steps S23 to S28 (excluding step S24) are performed.

The determination in step S45 is NO.
In step S50, the hot water display unit 5
3F is turned off and turned off, and the added hot water amount is reset in step S51.
In step 2, the water supply valve S2 is closed, and step S
At 53, the shower valve S4 is opened, and at step S54, the bath valve S3 is closed.

When the hot water switch SW3 is turned on, the hot water switch SW3 can be pressed again to turn it off to temporarily stop the operation. However, the interlock function allows, for example, a shower switch 33SW, a bath switch SW2, and a manual regeneration switch SW8. And the input signal of the salt set switch SW7 and the like are ignored.

After the adding hot water switch SW3 is turned off to temporarily stop the adding hot water, after the hot water filling is temporarily stopped, various processes in accordance with the steps S29 to S34, that is, in steps S29 to S34. Various processes are performed, in which “floor display” is replaced with “hot water display” and “hot water filling” is replaced with “hot water”.

Therefore, in the case of adding hot water, an effect similar to that in the case of hot water filling can be obtained.

When the display changeover switch SW4 is turned on in step S55 in the standby state after steps S7 and S8 as shown in FIG. 11, the reproduction time display section 53D is turned on (step S56). When the display changeover switch SW4 is pressed again to perform the ON operation (step S57), the water amount display section 53B is turned on next (step S58). When the display changeover switch SW4 is pressed again to perform an ON operation (step S59), the current time display section 53C is turned on (step S60).

That is, when the display changeover switch SW4 is pressed, the reproduction time display, the water amount display and the current time display are sequentially switched.
When the up switch SW5 or the down switch SW6 is turned on as shown in FIG. 12 when the 3C is lit (step S61) and the display of the numerical value display section 53A is changed, the current time display section 53C blinks. (Step S62). Thereafter, when the display of the numerical value display section 53A becomes accurate and the display changeover switch SW4 is pressed to be turned ON (step S63), the current time is determined.

After the current time is determined as described above,
The display switch SW4 is turned on again (step S5).
5) Turn on the reproduction time display section 53D (step S5).
6) Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the up switch SW5 or the down switch SW6 is turned on (step S64), the reproduction time display section 53D displayed on the numerical value display section 53A blinks (step S65). In addition, the reproduction time displayed on the numerical value display section 53A changes. When the reproduction time of the numerical value display section 53A reaches a set time (for example, a time when a normal bath is not used),
When the display changeover switch SW4 is pressed and turned on (step S66), the reproduction time is set.

After the reproduction time is set as described above,
When the display changeover switch SW4 is turned on again (step S57), the water amount display section 53B is turned on (step S5).
8) Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14, when the up switch SW5 or the down switch SW6 is turned ON (step S67), the water amount display section 53B flashes (step S68) and is displayed on the numerical value display section 53A. The amount of hot water that changes is changing. When the amount of hot water in the numerical value display section 53A reaches the set value, the display changeover switch S
When W4 is turned ON (step S69), the amount of hot water is determined.

In the water softener 1, as shown in FIG. 15, when a preset regeneration time is reached (step S7).
0), the display section 53J during reproduction lights up (step S7).
1). When the regeneration valve S1 is opened for the first set time T1, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the salt tank 11, and thereafter the regeneration valve S1 is closed for the second set time T2. . At this time, the shower valve S4 is in the open state, and the internal pressure inside the device does not increase.

When the regeneration valve S1 is opened and a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the salt tank 11 as described above, the inside of the salt tank 11 is lower than the upper end 21U of the outlet member 21 but the basket 19 The bottom portion 19B of the water remains at the depth of submersion. Therefore, although the salt 9 in the basket 19 is dissolved, it does not flow out of the outlet member 21, so that a predetermined amount of high concentration salt water such as saturated salt water is produced.

Thereafter, when the regeneration valve S1 is opened for the third set time T3 (step S74), and the regeneration valve S1 is closed for the fourth set time T4 (step S7).
5), a desired amount of water is newly added to the high-concentration predetermined amount of salt water to dilute the salt water to the predetermined concentration, and the diluted salt water passes through the upper end 21U of the outlet member 21; The water flows down from the communication hole 15 and is supplied to the cation exchange resin 5 in the water softening tank 7. At this time, most of the salt water in the salt tank 11 is discharged due to the phenomenon of siphon. As described above, the production of a high-concentration saline solution, the dilution of the aqueous solution into a predetermined amount of the saline solution with a predetermined concentration, and the supply of the diluted salt water to the cation exchange resin 5 are repeated a predetermined number of times (N times) (step S76).

As is already understood, since the supply of the salt water for regeneration to the cation exchange resin 5 is performed a plurality of times, the supply amount of the salt water per one time can be reduced, and the overall structure can be reduced. Can be reduced in size and size.

As described above, when the supply of the salt water to the cation exchange resin 5 is repeated a plurality of times, the drain valve S5 is opened (Step S77), the shower valve S4 is closed, and the water supply valve S2 is set to the predetermined value. When the water supply valve S2 is opened only for a certain time and the water supply valve S2 is opened, the salt water in the soft water tank 7 is discharged and fresh water is supplied to wash out the salt water.

As described above, after the water supply valve S2 is opened for a predetermined time to perform cleaning for washing out salt water, the water supply valve S2 is closed in step S80, and then the shower valve S4 is opened (step S81). , Drain valve S
The closing operation of Step 5 (Step S82) is performed, the display section 53J during reproduction is turned off and turned off, and the automatic reproduction ends (Step S83).

As described above, also during automatic regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5, when the on-off valve connected to the outflow side of the water softening tank 7 is open, the on-off valve on the inflow side is opened.
Further, since the on-off valve on the inflow side is closed after the on-off valve on the inflow side is closed, the internal pressure in the water softening tank 7 can be prevented from rising.

When the automatic reproduction is automatically performed at the reproduction time as described above, the shower switch 33SW, the bath switch SW2,
It ignores input signals of other switches such as the hot water switch SW3 and the salt set switch SW7. Further, for example, when the playback time comes while any one of the shower switch 33SW, the bath switch SW2, and the hot water switch SW3 is in the ON state and is being used, for example, the automatic playback is performed after the use of the shower or the like is completed. It is something to be done.

While in the standby state after steps S7 and S8, the user feels the need to regenerate the cation exchange resin 5, and turns on the manual regeneration switch SW8 as shown in FIG.
When the N operation is performed (step S84), various processes of steps S71 to S83 in the automatic regeneration are performed (step S85), and in step S86, the number of regenerations of the cation exchange resin 5 including the automatic regeneration is counted. Then, when the preset number of times (M times) is reached, the process proceeds to step S87, in which the salt set display section 53I flashes to notify that it is time to replenish the salt 9 for regeneration.

That is, when the cation exchange resin 5 is regenerated a predetermined number of times (M times), the salt 9 in the salt tank 11 is regenerated.
Is notified that the remaining amount of the cation-exchange resin 5 is small. By replenishing the salt 9 with this notification, it is possible to prevent the cation exchange resin 5 from becoming unreproducible.

During automatic reproduction and manual reproduction, the during-reproduction display section 53J lights up to indicate that the reproduction is being performed, and the numerical value display section 53A indicates the number of reproductions. Things. Therefore, by the blinking of the salt set display section 53I and the number display of the numerical value display section 53A, it is possible to appropriately know the salt set time.

As described above, when the salt set display section 53I blinks or the replenishment of the salt 9 is felt, the salt set switch SW7 is turned on as shown in FIG. 17 (step S).
88), the number of times of reproduction counted in step S89 is reset, and the salt set display section 53I lights up (step S90) to notify that salt is being newly replenished.

When the salt 9 is newly replenished to the salt tank 11, the regeneration valve S1 is opened for a predetermined time (step S1).
91), a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the salt tank 11. In this case, the replenished water is absorbed by the new salt 9 and excess water flows down from the outlet member 21 to the water softening tank 7.
The salt 9 is in a state where it has sufficiently absorbed water, and the salt water in the salt tank 11 is almost exhausted, so that the salt 9 is in an initial state under certain conditions.

Thereafter, when the regeneration valve S1 is closed (step S92), in step S93, various processes of steps S77 to S82 at the time of the automatic regeneration are performed to perform cleaning. Then, after the cleaning is completed, the salt set display section 53I is turned off (step S94), and the salt setting ends.

Even in the standby state after steps S7 and S8, the battery voltage detection circuit 57 detects the battery voltage XV and constantly compares the detected voltage XV with the first set value V1 (step S95). When the setting value V1> the detection voltage XV, it is determined that the battery is almost exhausted, and the exhausted battery indicator 53H blinks (step S96). When the dead battery display 53H flashes in this manner, the numerical display 53A
It is desirable to display the detection voltage XV on the display.

As described above, when the dead battery indicator 53H flashes and the battery replacement is informed, the display of the detected voltage XV displayed on the numerical value indicator 53A indicates whether the battery should be replaced immediately or slightly. It is possible to know that there is enough room, and the battery can be properly replaced.

If the battery is not replaced, the detected voltage XV of the battery is compared with the second set voltage V2 of a lower voltage (step S97). If the set voltage V2> the detected voltage XV, the flow proceeds to step S98. The blinking of the battery exhaustion display section 53H is continued. In this case, it is desirable to change the blinking cycle so as to prompt the user to replace the battery.
In step S97, the setting voltage V2 = the detection voltage X
When the voltage reaches V, the life of the battery is approaching.
At 99, a signal for returning various on-off valves to the initial state is output, and the on-off valves are returned to the initial state. In this way, when various on-off valves are returned to the initial state,
Batteries have almost a lifetime.

The battery dead indicator 53 in step S96
When the battery is removed to replace the battery according to the blinking of H, or when unexpected battery removal is detected by the battery removal detection circuit 59, the detection voltage XV suddenly becomes lower than the set voltage V2. In this case, each on-off valve is returned to the initial state by discharging the voltage stored in a large-capacity capacitor (not shown) provided in the valve drive circuit 61.

As described above, when the batteries are replaced, the on-off valves on the inlet side of the water softening tank 7 are closed because the on-off valves are returned to the initial state when the batteries are replaced. Since S4 is in the open state, the water softening device 1 does not suddenly operate when the battery is replaced, and the internal pressure in the device does not increase.

As understood from the above description,
According to the present embodiment, the battery can be suppressed from being consumed, the battery can be appropriately replaced, and the battery does not suddenly operate when the battery is replaced or the internal pressure in the device does not increase. It is.

Further, compared to the amount of soft water used, the overall structure can be made smaller and more compact, and at the time of use, the salt for regeneration can be properly replenished, and the soft water can always be used. It is. Further, the opening and closing of each on-off valve for various usage modes is stored and sequenced in the sequential operation storage unit so that the internal pressure of the equipment does not increase, so that the life of the equipment can be extended.

FIG. 19 conceptually shows a water softening device 81 according to the second embodiment. Components having the same functions as those of the components of the water softening device 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. And a duplicate description will be omitted.

In the water softening device 81, the regeneration valve S
1 and the water supply valve S2 are connected to a temperature control valve 85 having a temperature control handle 83. The temperature control valve 85 has a water tap 43 and a hot water tap 45 through check valves 87A and 87B, respectively. Each is connected.

A discharge valve S5A is connected to the outlet side of the water softening tank 7, and a switching valve 91 provided with a switching handle 89 is connected thereto. The discharge valve S5A is configured to be normally open. The switching valve 91 is for switching from a closed neutral state to a shower or a call, and a second valve is provided on the shower valve side.
A shower switch 33SW2 is provided, and a call switch KSW is provided on the call valve side.

The operation section of the controller 47 of the water softening device 81 is provided with a manual regeneration switch SW8, and a battery exhaustion display section 53H and a regeneration display section 5 are provided.
3J are provided.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG.
Switching handle 8 of switching valve 91 to use shower
When 9 is switched to the shower side (step S100), the second shower switch 33SW2 is turned on (step S101), the water supply valve S2 is opened, and the drain valve 5 is closed (steps S102, S103). Thereafter, when the switching handle 89 is returned to the neutral position to stop the shower (step S104), the second shower switch 33S
W2 is turned off (step S105), and the water supply valve S2
Is closed and the drain valve S5A is opened (steps S106 and S107).

Further, in a state where the switching handle 89 is switched to the shower side and the second shower switch 33SW2 is turned on, as shown in FIG.
By pressing the shower switch 33SW provided in the step (Step S109) and turning off the shower switch 33SW (Step S111), the water supply valve S2 is closed and the drain valve S5A is opened (Steps S112 and S11).
3). That is, the use of the shower is stopped.

Then, the shower switch 33SW is pressed again (step S114).
Is turned on (step S115), the water supply valve S2 is opened and the drain valve S5A is closed (step S1).
16, S117). That is, the shower is used again.

As understood from the above description,
When the shower is used, the opening and closing valve (switching valve 91) on the outlet side of the water softening tank 7 is opened, and then the opening and closing valve (water supply valve) on the inlet side is opened. Since the opening / closing valve on the outflow side is opened after the opening / closing valve on the side is closed, the internal pressure in equipment such as the water softening tank 7 can be prevented from increasing.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 22, when the switching handle 89 is switched to the callan side and opened to use the callan (step S119A), the callan switch KSW is turned on, and the water supply valve S2 is turned on. The drain valve S5A is opened and the drain valve S5A is closed (steps S119 and S119).
120, S121). Note that, as described above, the switching handle 8
When the switch 9 is switched to the callan side, the callan switch KSW is turned on near the stroke end of the switching handle 89 when the callan passage is open.
In other words, when the callan switch KSW is turned on, the switching valve 91 is already in the open state.

As described above, when the switching handle 89 is started to move to the neutral position to stop after using the callan (step S122), the callan switch KSW is turned off almost simultaneously with the start of the movement of the switching handle 89 (step S123). ). Thus, the callan switch KSW
Is turned off when the callan passage is still open. Callin switch KSW is OFF as described above
Then, the water supply valve S2 is closed and the drain valve S5A is opened.

Therefore, even when using curan,
As in the case of using the shower, the pressure in the equipment such as the soft water tank 7 does not increase.

In the above configuration, when the regeneration switch SW8 is turned on to regenerate the cation exchange resin 5 (step S126), the display section 53J during reproduction blinks (step S127). Then, the regeneration valve S1 is opened for a predetermined time to supply a predetermined amount of water to the salt tank 11 (step S128), and when a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the regeneration valve S1 is closed (step S129). The closed state of the regeneration valve S1 is maintained for a predetermined time to produce a high-concentration brine such as saturated brine.

After the closed state of the regeneration valve S1 is maintained for a predetermined time to produce high-concentration salt water, the water supply valve S2 is opened and closed for a short time (steps S130, S131), and the drain valve S5A.
The drainage from is slightly done. And the above-mentioned water supply valve S2
When the valve is closed (step S131), the regeneration valve S1 is opened and closed almost simultaneously (steps S132 and S13).
3), a desired amount of water is additionally supplied, dilution of high-concentration salt water is performed, and supply of salt water for regeneration to the cation exchange resin 5 is performed.

As described above, the water supply valve S2 is opened to drain the water from the drain valve S5A. When the regeneration valve S1 is opened almost simultaneously with the closing operation of the water supply valve S2, the drainage through the drain valve S5A is performed. The salt water for regeneration is supplied to the cation exchange resin 5 almost at the same time when the negative pressure is formed in the water softening tank 7 due to inertia, and the supply of the salt water for regeneration to the cation exchange resin 5 is effectively performed. Can be done.

As described above, when the regeneration salt water is supplied to the cation exchange resin 5, the number of times of regeneration salt water supply is counted in step S134, and when the preset number of times is reached, the water supply valve S2 is opened. Water is supplied (step S135), and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the water supply valve S2 is closed (step S136) to perform cleaning. Thereafter, the display section 53J during reproduction is turned off (step S137), and the reproduction switch SW8 is turned off (step S138), and the reproduction processing of the cation exchange resin 5 ends.

As described above, at the time of reproduction with the reproduction switch SW8 turned ON, the input of the ON signal of the shower switch or the call switch is ignored by the interlock function. As for the battery voltage monitoring, the detected voltage XV is compared with a set value, and when the detected voltage becomes smaller than the set value, a blinking display is displayed on the battery exhaustion display section 53H. Therefore, it is only necessary to replace the battery at this time.

As already understood, in the second embodiment, only the shower and the curan can be used, and the regeneration of the cation exchange resin 5 is performed manually to perform various functions. By reducing the number, the overall configuration can be simplified, and the configuration becomes simpler. In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, if no operation is performed for a certain period of time, the power is automatically turned off and the consumption of the battery is suppressed.

[0100]

As will be understood from the above description, the invention according to claim 1 is an openable and closable type connected to the inlet of a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water. In a configuration including a water supply valve and an appropriate number of on-off valves connected to the outlet of the water softening tank, when the on-off valve is opened to discharge soft water, the water supply valve is opened after the on-off valve is opened. When opening the on-off valve to close the on-off valve to stop the outflow of the soft water, the water supply valve is closed before the on-off valve is closed to prevent the internal pressure from rising. Therefore, a surge pressure or the like does not occur when the on-off valve connected to the outlet port is opened and closed, and it is possible to protect against a sudden increase in pressure, vibration, and the like inside the device.

The invention according to claim 2 is a water softening device for softening hard water, wherein a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water and a regeneration of the cation exchange resin are provided. A salt tank connected to the soft water tank for supplying salt water to the soft water tank and containing a salt for regeneration, a water supply valve capable of opening and closing an inlet to the soft water tank, A regeneration valve that can open and close the inflow port, a plurality of on-off valves that are connected in parallel to the outflow port of the water softening tank and that can be opened and closed, and control means that controls the opening and closing of each valve; The opening operation of the water supply valve is performed after the opening operation of the on-off valve connected to the water supply valve. Such as performing the opening operation first DOO without water supply valve is that there is no such thing as the opening operation previously in the internal pressure is increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water softening apparatus according to the second aspect, a sequential operation is stored to perform the closing operation of the water supply valve prior to the closing operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet. With the configuration provided with the sequential operation storage unit described above, the closing operation of the on-off valve is not performed prior to the closing operation of the water supply valve when the on-off valve connected to the outlet side is closed. The order of the operation is not reversed, and the internal pressure does not increase.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water softening apparatus for softening hard water, wherein a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water and a regeneration of the cation exchange resin are provided. A salt tank connected to the water softening tank for supplying salt water to be supplied to the water softening tank and containing a salt for regeneration, a water supply valve capable of opening and closing an inlet to the soft water tank, and the salt tank A regeneration valve openable and closable to an inlet of the water softening tank, a plurality of openable and closable valves connected in parallel to an outlet of the water softening tank, and control means for controlling the opening and closing of each valve. Prior to the closing operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet side, the water supply valve has a sequential operation storage unit for storing the sequential operation to perform the closing operation, so that the on-off valve connected to the outlet side is closed. The water supply valve is closed prior to operation. Becomes Rukoto, it is capable of effectively preventing the increase in the internal pressure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a configuration of a water softening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view conceptually showing a configuration of a salt tank.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a block diagram conceptually showing a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when power is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a power supply auto-off.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart when a shower is used.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of hot water filling.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of stopping hot water filling.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a hot water bath.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of display switching.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a current time setting.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of setting a reproduction time.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of water amount setting.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of automatic reproduction.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of manual regeneration.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a salt setting.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of battery voltage monitoring.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a configuration of a water softening apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of use and stop of a shower.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of using and stopping a shower.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of using and stopping the callan.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of reproduction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Softening device 5 Cation exchange resin 7 Softening tank 9 Salt 11 Salt tank 13U Upper chamber 13L Lower chamber 15 Communication hole 19 Basket 21 Outlet member 21U Upper end part 23 Cover member 29 Water amount sensor 33 Shower head 33SW Shower switch 47 Controller 49 Operation unit 51 Power supply 53 Display unit 53A Numerical value display unit 53B Water amount display unit 53C Current time display unit 53D Playback time display unit 53E Bath display unit 53F Hot water display unit 53G Liter display unit 53H Battery exhaustion display unit 53I Salt set display unit 53J Playback Middle display unit 55 Microcomputer (microcomputer) 57 Battery voltage detection circuit 61 Valve drive circuit 63 Water quantity sensor circuit 81 Water softener 89 Switching handle 91 Switching valve S1 Regeneration valve S2 Water supply valve S3 Bath valve S4 Shower valve S5 Drain valve SW1 Power switch SW2 Bath switch SW3 Hot water switch SW4 Display switch SW5 Up switch SW6 Down switch SW7 Salt set switch SW8 Manual regeneration switch

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Fujie 1250 Shimoe-ren, Shimodate-shi, Ibaraki Pref.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An openable water supply valve connected to an inlet of a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water, and an appropriate number of open / close valves connected to an outlet of a water softening tank. When the open / close valve is opened to discharge soft water, the water supply valve is opened after the open / close valve is opened, and the open / close valve is closed to stop the flow of soft water. A method for protecting a water softener, characterized in that the water supply valve is closed before the on-off valve is closed to suppress an increase in internal pressure. 2. A water softening device for softening hard water, comprising: a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water; and a salt water for regenerating the cation exchange resin. A salt tank connected to the soft water tank for supply to the soft water tank and containing a salt for regeneration;
A water supply valve that can open and close an inlet to the water softening tank, a regeneration valve that can open and close the inlet to the salt tank, and a plurality of openable and closable valves that are connected in parallel to the outlet of the water softening tank And a control means for controlling the opening and closing of each of the valves, and a sequential operation storage unit storing a sequential operation for performing the opening operation of the water supply valve after the opening operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet. Water softening device. 3. The water softener according to claim 2, wherein
A water softening device characterized by comprising a sequential operation storage unit for storing a sequential operation to perform a closing operation of the water supply valve prior to a closing operation of an on-off valve connected to an outlet. 4. A water softening device for softening hard water, comprising: a water softening tank containing a cation exchange resin for softening hard water; and a salt water for regenerating the cation exchange resin. A salt tank connected to the water softening tank to supply the water softening tank and containing a salt for regeneration, and a water supply valve capable of opening and closing an inlet to the soft water tank,
A regeneration valve configured to open and close an inlet to the salt tank, a plurality of openable and closable valves connected in parallel to an outlet of the water softening tank, and control means for controlling opening and closing of each valve. A water softening device, characterized in that the water softening device further comprises a sequential operation storage unit for storing a sequential operation for performing a closing operation of the water supply valve prior to a closing operation of the on-off valve connected to the outlet side.