JP2002045850A - Water softening device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the connection work of a water discharge pipe at the outside of the device. SOLUTION: In this water softening device provided with a water discharge port for discharging city water excessively fed to a regeneration means and overflowing as well as regeneration salt water discharged from an ion removing means, and washing water, a check valve is provided in the midway of an internal distributing water pipe for discharging overflowing water, which introduces water overflowing from the regeneration means to the water discharge port, and washing water discharged from the ion removing means is prevented from backward flowing to the regeneration means through the internal distribution water pipe for discharging overflowing water, thus the connection work of the water discharge pipe at the outside of the device can be performed at one place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water softening apparatus for softening tap water for use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tap water contains anions such as hypochlorite ions and cations such as calcium ions, magnesium ions and iron ions contained in a water source of a germicide injected for the purpose of sterilizing various germs. ing. These ions are
This may cause the detergent to lose its detergency and generate soap scum.

[0003] The great effect on the detergency of detergents is
It is a divalent cation such as calcium ion or magnesium ion contained as a hardness component. Since these react with the surfactant in the detergent to form a water-insoluble soap bath, the amount of the surfactant contributing to washing is reduced and the washing power is reduced. Further, the generated soap container adheres to the container and causes coloration and generation of an unpleasant odor. Furthermore, when it adheres and accumulates on a wall surface or the like, mold and the like may propagate there.

[0004] These adverse effects are particularly remarkable when soap is used as a detergent, and in areas where the hardness of water is high,
The use of soap is inappropriate.

As a method for avoiding the adverse effects of these ions, an ion removing apparatus using an ion exchange resin or activated carbon has been proposed.

[0006] The ion-exchange resin, after adsorbing and removing a certain amount of ions, has a reduced ion-adsorbing ability and loses its ion-removing effect. Therefore, the ion-exchange resin recovers the ion-adsorbing ability after treating a certain amount of water. It is necessary to perform a reproduction process. The regeneration of the ion exchange resin can be realized by causing salt water to act on the ion exchange resin on which the ions are adsorbed. Regeneration means for causing the salt water to act on the ion exchange resin to regenerate the ion exchange resin is integrated with an ion removal device to constitute a water softening device in order to streamline the water supply piping system.

[0007] Such a water softening apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-8 / 1999.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 0296, it is used to soften washing water used in a washing machine.

[0008]

If such a water softening device is installed in a bathroom, a washroom, or a kitchen, it can soften tap water used in these places as a water source. However, it is troublesome to perform a large-scale remodeling work to install a water softener in an existing bathroom, washroom, or kitchen.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a water softening device suitable for retrofitting an existing bathroom, washroom, or kitchen.

[0010] Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water softening device that can easily connect an external drain pipe.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ion removing means for removing ion components from tap water by passing the tap water through an ion exchange resin particle layer in a main body case, and a salt water producing container. A fixed amount of tap water is supplied, and the regenerated salt water generated is caused to act on the ion-exchange resin particle layer to restore the ion-adsorbing ability of the ion-exchange resin particle layer. And a water inlet for receiving tap water, a water outlet for discharging soft water from which ionic components have been removed from tap water, and In a water softening device provided with a drain outlet for draining supplied tap water and regenerated salt water and washing water discharged from an ion removing unit, an overflow drain for guiding the overflow from the regenerating unit to the drain outlet. A check valve is provided in the middle of the internal water pipe for preventing the washing water discharged from the ion removing means from flowing back to the regenerating means through the internal water pipe for overflow drainage. And

Further, the check valve is provided integrally with a drain port.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a water softening apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a water softening apparatus according to this embodiment.

This water softening device includes an ion removing means using an ion exchange resin particle layer, a regenerating means for restoring the ion adsorption capacity of the ion exchange resin, a water distribution pipe and a solenoid valve, and a control means. The ion removing means passes hot water (hereinafter referred to as tap water) supplied directly from the tap water or via a water heater through the ion-exchange resin particle layer to convert the ion components contained in the tap water into the ion-exchange resin. Adsorb to and remove. The regenerating means generates regenerated salt water, causes the regenerated salt water to act on the ion-exchange resin particle layer to restore the ion-adsorbing ability of the ion-exchange resin particles, and then cleans the ion-exchange resin particle layer with tap water. The control means controls the solenoid valve to execute water supply or hot water supply (hereinafter referred to as water supply) from which ions have been removed, and regeneration of the ion-exchange resin particle layer.

The ion removing means 10 of the water softening device 1
Incorporates an ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 in the middle portion of the ion-removal vessel 11, and supplies tap water supplied to a water receiving chamber 13 below the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 with the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12. It is guided to the water discharge chamber 14 above the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 while removing the ion component by passing through.

The regenerating means 20 includes the ion removing vessel 11
(Purified salt) 2 in the salt water generation container 21 installed above the
2 is configured to be detachably accommodated. Then, the salt 22 in the salt container 23 is immersed and dissolved in tap water supplied into the salt water generating container 21 to generate a regenerated salt water, and the regenerated salt water is poured into the ion removal container 11 and ion-exchange resin particles are discharged. By acting on the layer 12, the ion-adsorbing ability of the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 is restored.

Water is supplied to the water softening device 1 through a mixing faucet 3.
From 0 through the water pipe 31. The mixing faucet 30 includes a water faucet 32, a hot water faucet 33, a thermomixing valve 34, and a switching valve 35, and receives hot water from a water supply directly or from a water heater and supplies the water to the water discharge pipe 36 or the water distribution pipe 31.

The water softening apparatus 1 has an internal water pipe 41 connected to the water pipe 31 and a water receiving chamber 13 through a water supply solenoid valve 51.
And a connection is made via a regeneration solenoid valve 52 and a flow controller 53 so as to supply water to the saltwater generation container 21. The flow controller 53 has a function of overflowing an excessively supplied amount of water to make the amount of water (flow rate) flowing into the saltwater generation container 21 constant.

The water receiving chamber 13 is connected to an internal drainage pipe 42 through a drainage control valve 54. The drainage control valve 54 is closed during water supply when the inside of the water receiving chamber 13 is in a high water pressure state to prevent drainage of tap water, and is opened during regeneration in a low water pressure state where the regenerated salt water flows down, and the regeneration that flows down to the water receiving chamber 13. Functions to discharge salt water.

The water discharge chamber 14 is connected from the internal water distribution pipe 43 to the bath internal water distribution pipe 44 via a bath water supply electromagnetic valve 55 and a water amount sensor 56, and to the shower internal water distribution pipe 45 via a shower water supply electromagnetic valve 57. And connected to the internal drainage pipe 42 for drainage via a solenoid valve 58 for drainage. Actually, the internal water distribution pipe 43 is omitted, and the bath water supply solenoid valve 55, the shower water supply solenoid valve 57, and the drainage solenoid valve 58 are directly attached to the ion removal container 11 so as to communicate with the water discharge chamber 14, and water is discharged. I do.

A water discharge pipe 46 for bath is connected to a tip of the internal water pipe 44 for bath, an external drain pipe 47 is connected to a tip of the internal water pipe 42 for drain, and a tip of the internal water pipe 45 for shower is connected. The shower hose 48 is connected. A shower head 49 is provided at the tip of the shower hose 48.

The internal drain pipe 50 for overflow and drainage from the flow controller 53 is connected to the internal drain pipe 42 for drainage via a check valve 59, and the internal flow pipe 42 for drainage is connected to the internal drain pipe 42 for drainage. It is configured to prevent backflow to 53.

The control device includes a controller 61 composed mainly of a microcomputer, various input switch groups 62, and a liquid crystal display 63. The input switch group 62 includes a power stitch SW1, a bath switch SW2, a hot water switch SW3, a display changeover switch SW4, an UP switch SW5, a DOWN switch SW6, a salt set switch SW7, a manual regeneration switch SW8, and a shower head SW provided on the operation panel. Shower switch S provided in
W9 is provided.

The controller 61 receives detection signals from the input switch group 62 and the water flow sensor 56 using the battery 64 as a power supply, and outputs signals from the solenoid valves 51, 52, 55, 57, and 5.
By controlling 8, water supply from which ion components have been removed by the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 and regeneration of the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 are executed, and display control on the liquid crystal display 63 is executed.

Next, the structure of the water softening device 1 will be described. The water softening apparatus 1 in this embodiment is reduced in depth and width so that it can be installed on a shelf with a small depth (edge of a bathtub or shelf in a washing room) of various bathrooms. Is made wider, and the lower part is retracted so as to be surrounded by a vertically long box-shaped main body case whose depth is further narrowed. Specifically, a width of 250 mm and a depth of 125
mm and a height (thickness) of 340 mm. Then, a built-in ion removing means, a regenerating means, and a control device, a water receiving port of the internal water pipe 41 for connecting the water pipe 31, and a shower internal water pipe 45 for connecting the shower hose 48 are provided.
The water outlet of the internal drainage pipe 42 for connecting the water outlet and the drainage pipe 47 is symmetrically exposed from both sides of the main body case so that a connection joint or a water stopcock is fitted from the outside. Further, the water outlet of the internal water pipe 44 for the bath connecting the water discharge pipe 46 for the bath is provided so as to be symmetrically exposed to a leftward or rightward area of a recessed portion formed in a lower part of the front surface of the main body case, 4 spouts for bath at the water outlet
When 6 is pivotably connected, the water outlet on the right side is fitted with a water stopcock to stop water.

2 to 9 show the appearance of the water softening device 1 in a state in which the connection joint for external piping and the water stopcock are omitted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the upper right direction, and FIG. 4 is a front view, FIG. 5 is a rear view, FIG. 6 is a right side view, FIG. 7 is a left side view, FIG. 8 is a plan view, and FIG. 9 is a bottom view.

The main body case 70 is provided with a salt container attaching / detaching lid 72 for attaching and detaching the salt container 23 on the upper surface of a box-shaped case main body 71 having a front side opened and a lower front area retreated, and a horizontally long operation in the upper area. Panel exposure window 73 and battery case (lid) 74
The front cover 75 provided with a battery case exposure window 76 for exposing the battery case is attached to the case main body 71 so as to cover the front opening of the case main body 71.

The main body case 70 houses the above-described ion removing means 10, the regenerating means 20, the internal water pipes 41 to 45, the solenoid valves 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, the control valve 54, and the water amount sensor 56. An operation panel 65 incorporating an input switch group 62 and a liquid crystal display 63 is connected to the front cover 75.
The control board integrated with the operation panel 65 is exposed so as to be exposed from the operation panel exposure window 73, and the battery case (lid) 74 is accommodated inside.

The water softening device 1 is installed such that the main body case 70 is placed on a shelf, but in order to prevent overturning and displacement, a locking mechanism 80 on the rear surface of the case main body 71 to the side wall surface. Is provided.

The water receiving ports 91 of the internal water distribution pipe 41 for connecting the water distribution pipe 31 are provided in front of the part where the depth is narrowed by retreating in the lower areas on the left and right side surfaces of the case body 71.
R, 91L are exposed, and the drainage holes 92R, 92R, of the internal drainage pipe 42 for drainage connecting the external drainage pipe 47
The 92L is exposed, and the water outlets 93R and 93L of the shower internal water pipe 45 to which the shower hose 48 is connected are exposed at the rear portion of the middle section area.

Water receiving ports 91R, 91L and drain ports 92R, 9
The 2L and the water outlets 93R and 93L have a female screw connection structure. The water outlets 91R, 91L, the drain outlets 92R, 92L, and the outlets 93R, 93L of the female screw connection structure are connected to an external water pipe using a male screw type connection joint, and using a male screw type water stopcock. Since water can be stopped, the water inlet 9
1R, 91L, drain outlets 92R, 92L and outlet 93R,
The form of the outer peripheral surface of 93L can be freely designed.
Accordingly, the water receiving ports 91R, 91L and the drain ports 92R, 92L.
And the water outlets 93R and 93L can reduce the amount of protrusion from the case main body 71 (can also be flush), and bring these outer peripheral surfaces into close contact with the case main body 71 to make them watertight. Can also. In addition, water outlet 91
R, 91L, drainage outlets 92R, 92L and outlet 93R, 9
A tool contact surface for contacting a holding tool when fitting a connection joint or a water stopcock can be formed on the outer periphery of the 3L.

Further, the water outlet of the internal water pipe 35 for the bath to which the water discharge pipe 46 for the bath is connected is exposed downward at the left side of the retreating step surface of the front cover 75 which covers the lower part of the case body 71. Then, the bath water discharge pipe 46 is pivotably connected, and the water outlet, which is exposed downward on the right side, is fitted with a water stopcock 101 to stop water. Bath spout 46
Is rotatably connected to the water outlet exposed to the right,
The water outlet exposed to the left-hand side can be changed and used so as to be stopped by the water stopcock 101.

10 to 19 show the appearance of a water softening device 1 in which a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are fitted or disassembled. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view seen from the right. 11 is an exploded perspective view from the left, FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the right, FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the left, FIG. 14 is a front view, FIG. 15 is a rear view, and FIG. 17 is a left side view, FIG. 18 is a plan view, and FIG. 19 is a bottom view. 20 to 23 show a water receiving port, a drain port,
It is a longitudinal side view which shows the fitting state of the water outlet, the connection joint, and the water stopcock. Note that the same components as those of the water softening device 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the water softening apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 10 to 19, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 20, a male screw type straight connection joint 103 is fitted to a water receiving port 91R with a seal ring 102R interposed therebetween. Then, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 21, a male screw type water stopcock 104 is fitted to the water receiving port 91L with a seal ring 102L interposed therebetween, and as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. , A seal ring 105 on the drain port 92R.
R, the male thread type straight connection joint 106 is fitted thereto, and as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 23, the male thread type water stopcock 1 with the seal ring 105L interposed in the drain port 92L.
07 in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
A male screw type straight connection joint 109 is fitted to R with a seal ring 108R interposed therebetween, and a male screw type water stopcock 110 is fitted to the water outlet 93L with a seal ring 108L interposed therebetween, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a form worn.

FIGS. 24 to 33 show the appearance of the water softening device 1 in which an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are fitted or disassembled. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view seen from the right. 25 is an exploded perspective view from the left, FIG. 26 is a perspective view from the right, FIG. 27 is a perspective view from the left,
28 is a front view, FIG. 29 is a rear view, FIG. 30 is a right side view,
31 is a left side view, FIG. 32 is a plan view, and FIG. 33 is a bottom view. FIGS. 34 and 35 are longitudinal side views showing the fitting state of the water receiving port, the drain port and the connection joint. In addition, FIG.
The same components as those of the water softening device 1 shown in FIG. 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the water softening device 1 shown in FIGS. 24 to 33, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 34, a male screw type elbow connection joint 111 is fitted to a water receiving port 91R with a seal ring 102R interposed therebetween. Then, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 35, a male screw type elbow connection joint 112 is fitted to the drain port 92R with the seal ring 105R interposed therebetween, and the water outlet 93R is formed in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Seal ring 108
This is a form in which a male screw type elbow connection joint 113 is fitted with R interposed.

The seal rings 102R, 105R, 108
R makes the fitting portions of the water receiving port 91R, the drain port 92R, the water outlet 93R and the elbow connection joints 111, 112, 113 watertight so that the elbow connection joints 111, 11 are provided.
2, 113 can be oriented in any direction.

FIG. 36 is a vertical sectional front view of the drainage port 92L.

The drain port 92L in this embodiment is
The flow controller 5 is connected to the plurality of internal drain pipes and the external drain pipe 47 in one place to facilitate piping work.
A check valve 59 is integrated to allow the overflow from 3 and the regenerated salt water drained from the drain control valve 54 and the wash water drained from the drain solenoid valve 58 to be joined together inside. 92La to 92Le are provided. The connection port 92La has a straight connection joint 106 for external piping.
Alternatively, the elbow connection joint 112 or the stopcock 107 is connected, the connection port 92Lb is connected to the internal water pipe 50 for overflow drainage from the flow controller 53, and the connection port 92Lc is connected to the drainage electromagnetic valve 58. The internal water pipe is connected, the internal water pipe from the drain control valve 54 is connected to the connection port 92Ld, and the internal water pipe to the opposite water port 92R is connected to the connection port 92Le. .

Next, the internal structure of the water softening device 1 will be described.

FIGS. 37 to 39 show the ion removing means 10 and the regenerating means 20. FIG. 37 is a longitudinal side view, and FIG.
8 is a perspective view seen from the upper right direction, and FIG. 39 is a perspective view seen from the upper left direction.

The ion removing means 10 and the regenerating means 20 are vertically arranged in two stages with the ion removing means 10 positioned on the lower side and the regenerating means positioned on the upper side 20 so as to form a piping space therebetween. Are arranged side by side.

As described above, the ion removing means 10 is used to pack the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 formed by packing the ion-exchange resin particles with a mesh member,
It is housed in the middle section. Then, at the time of water supply, tap water is received into a lower water receiving chamber 13 from a water receiving port 11 a provided in a lower front wall surface of the ion removing container 11, and the ion component is removed by passing through the ion exchange resin particle layer 12. The tap water that has reached the water discharge chamber 14 is sent out from the water outlets 11b and 11c provided on the upper wall surface of the water discharge chamber 14, and is supplied to the water discharge chamber 14 from the regenerated salt water receiving port 11d on the upper wall surface, and the ion exchange resin particle layer 12 is discharged. And drains the regenerated salt water that has flowed down to the water receiving chamber 13 from the drain port 11 e provided on the bottom wall surface of the water receiving chamber 13. In this configuration, water is drained from a drain port 11f provided on the upper wall surface.

A drain port 11e provided on the bottom wall of the water receiving chamber 13.
Is connected to the drainage control valve 54. As described above, the drain control valve 54 is closed at the time of supplying water and is closed.
To prevent drainage of tap water and open it during regeneration to receive water 13
It functions to discharge the regenerated salt water flowing down to

FIGS. 40 and 41 show the drainage control valve 5.
4 is a vertical sectional side view and a bottom view of FIG. This drainage control valve 5
4, a valve 54d and a valve seat 54e are fitted into a housing 54c having a water inlet 54a and a drain 54b fitted to the drain 11e, and the valve 54d is moved with respect to the valve seat 54d. By opening and closing the water passage between the valve seat member 54d, the drain passages of the water inlet 54a and the drain 54b are intermittently connected. The valve body 54d is provided with a diaphragm 54 provided so as to respond to the pressure of water entering through the water inlet 54a.
It is connected to the diaphragm 54f so as to interlock with the displacement of f. This connection is performed by abutting the central portion of the diaphragm 54f on the rear end face of the valve element 54d, and connecting them together with the connecting screws 54h in a state where the backing plate 54g is applied to the rear surface. The valve element 54d moves so as to close the water passage between the valve seat member 54d and the displacement of the diaphragm 54f which retreats due to incoming water pressure.
A pressure adjusting spring 54j is interposed in a compressed state between the backing plate 54g separated from the water passage by the diaphragm 54f and the cover 54i fitted and screwed to the rear end of the housing 54c. The pressing force of the pressure adjusting spring 54j is
Diaphragm 54f such that valve body 54d closes the water passage.
Can be changed, so that the water passage is closed to prevent the drainage of tap water in the water receiving chamber 13 at the time of water supply with high water pressure, and is opened and closed at the time of low water pressure regeneration.
3 is set to discharge the regenerated salt water flowing down.

The drainage control valve 54 allows regenerated salt water to pass therethrough at the time of regeneration. However, since the pressure regulating spring 54j is installed at a site isolated from the water passage, the pressure regulating spring 54j is provided.
It is possible to prevent the control characteristics from changing due to the corrosion of j by contact with the regenerated salt water.

The drain control valve 54 contacts the housing 54c with the bottom wall surface of the ion removing container 11 so that the water inlet 54a fits into the drain port 11e of the ion removing container 11, and screws a mounting screw into the screw hole 54k. And attached to the ion removal container 11.

The regenerating means 20 includes a box-shaped salt water generation container 21 having an upper opening and installed above the ion removal container 11 and having a structure connected to a siphon section 24 provided at the bottom of the salt water generation container 21. A regeneration salt water supply pipe 21a is provided, and a distal end of the regeneration salt water supply pipe 21a is opened to a water discharge chamber 14 of the ion removal container 11 for a regeneration salt water receiving port 11d.
Connect to A check valve 15 is provided at the outlet of the regenerated salt water receiving port 11d to the water discharge chamber 14 to prevent tap water for water supply in the water discharge chamber 14 from entering the salt water generation container 21. The salt container 23 for accommodating the salt (purified salt) 22 is configured as a box-shaped container having an upper opening provided with mesh portions on the bottom surface and side surfaces, and is configured to be stored in the salt water generation container 21.

The salt water producing container 21 has a water receiving port 21b for receiving water from the flow rate controller 53 and an overflow port 21c for overflowing the excessively supplied tap water to the flow rate controller 53 at the upper portion of the side surface.

The ion removing container 11 of the ion removing means 10
And salt water generation container 21 and salt container 22 of regeneration means 20
Can be built in the main body case 70 in a vertically long form in which the depth is narrow and the width is wide, and the depth is narrow and the width is wide.

In order to use this water softening device 1 in a bathroom, it is necessary to use approximately 500 liters / day of tap water (hardness 8).
0 mg / liter) by water softening (hardness removal rate about 90
%), And to supply water to the shower, a flow rate of 0.05 M at a flow rate of about 10 l / min.
It is desirable that the pressure loss be Pa or less. About 500 liters / day of tap water softening treatment (hardness removal rate about 90
%), 0.5 liters of ion-exchange resin particles are required in order to achieve the processing capability. If this amount of ion-exchange resin particles is to be incorporated so as to have a pressure loss of 0.05 MPa or less at a water flow rate of about 10 liters / minute, a large water flow cross-sectional area is required, and the apparatus becomes large. Would. Also, when such a large amount of ion exchange resin particles are used, it is difficult to make the regenerated salt water act uniformly, and the regeneration efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in this embodiment, 0.25 liters of ion-exchange resin particles are used, and the automatic regeneration process is performed every day at a fixed time of the midnight time when this apparatus is not used, and automatically or manually during the process. By performing the intermediate regeneration treatment, softening treatment of tap water of 500 liter / day was realized. Then, the size of the device is reduced and the pressure loss is reduced (0.05 M at a flow rate of 10 liters / minute).
In this embodiment, the ion-exchange resin particles are packed in a mesh member to achieve a width of 2 mm.
The ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 had a shape of 00 mm, a depth of 50 mm, and a height (thickness) of 25 mm.

At the time of regeneration, the tap water is supplied to the salt water generating container 21 to a water level at which the siphon section 24 does not perform the water-passing function, so that the salt 2 in the salt container 23 is supplied.
2 to form a saturated saline solution, and then tap water for diluting the saturated saline solution to a concentration suitable for regeneration of the ion-exchange resin particles is added to the saltwater producing vessel 2.
1, the salt water in the salt water generation vessel 21 is diluted with a predetermined concentration of the regenerated salt water, and at the same time, the regenerated salt water is passed through the siphon section 24 to flow into the water discharge chamber 14 of the ion removal container 11. The regenerated salt water flowing into the water discharge chamber 14 flows down through the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 to restore the ion-adsorbing ability of the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12. The regenerated salt water that has flowed into the water receiving chamber 13 after passing through the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 is drained from the drain port 11 e to the drainage internal water pipe 42 via the drainage control valve 54.

Thereafter, water is supplied to the water receiving chamber 13,
The ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 is washed by draining water from the drain port 11f to the internal drainage pipe 42 through the drain electromagnetic valve 58.

The amount of the salt 22 consumed for restoring the ion-adsorbing ability of 0.25 liter of ion-exchange resin particles by such regeneration is determined because the regenerated salt water can uniformly act on the ion-exchange resin particles. In order to improve the regeneration efficiency, about 75 g / time is sufficient. Therefore,
The salt container 23 is configured to have a size capable of accommodating about 1 kg of the salt 22, so that salt (purified salt), which is commercially available in units of 1 kg, can be easily used. By the way, if the regeneration is performed twice / day, the salt consumption is about 4.5 kg / month, and the salt is replenished about once / week.

42 to 52 show the internal piping structure. FIG. 42 is a perspective view seen from the upper right direction, FIG. 43 is a perspective view seen from the upper left direction, FIG. 44 is a front view, and FIG. 46 is a right side view, FIG. 47 is a left side view, FIG. 48 is a plan view, FIG.
50 is a perspective view showing a state in which the control board 77 and the battery box 74 are installed in the case body 71, and FIG. 51 is a front view showing a state in which the control board and the battery box are built in the case body 71 and the control box and the battery box are removed. FIG. 52 is a front view showing a state in which the control board 77 and the battery box 74 are installed inside the case main body 71.

The internal piping is formed by effectively utilizing the piping space formed between the ion removing means 10 and the regenerating means 20 and the lower space below the ion removing means 10.

The water receiving ports 91R and 91L use one kind of T-shaped pipe joint member which is turned left and right, and the inner opposing connection ports 91Ra and 91La lie in the lower space below the ion removal container 11. Water pipe 41 arranged like
a, and the upward connection port 91R of the water receiving port 91R.
Rb stops the water by fitting the water stopcock 114.

An internal water distribution pipe 41b is connected to the upper connection port 91Lb of the water reception port 91L, and a distal end of the internal water distribution pipe 41 is connected to the water receiving chamber 13 of the ion removal container 11 via a water supply electromagnetic valve 51. 11a, and a midway thereof branches via a regeneration solenoid valve 52 and is connected to a flow controller 53.

A bath water supply solenoid valve 55 attached to the upper wall surface of the ion removal container 11 and arranged in the piping space is connected to a water outlet 11b connected to the water discharge chamber 14 of the ion removal container 11. Is connected to the upward connection port of the T-shaped water outlet 94R via the water flow sensor 56 by the internal water pipe 44a, and further, from the inward connection port of the water outlet 94R to the internal water pipe 44b. To the inward connection port of the T-shaped water outlet 94L. The downward connection ports of the water outlets 94R and 94L have a male screw connection structure, and the downward connection ports of the water outlet 94R are water stopcocks 1.
The water discharge pipe 46 is pivotally connected to the downward connection port of the water outlet 94L.

A shower water supply solenoid valve 57 attached to the upper wall surface of the ion removal container 11 and disposed in the piping space is provided at a water outlet 11c connected to the water discharge chamber 14 of the ion removal container 11.
And a connection port on the water outlet side of the shower water supply electromagnetic valve 57 is connected to a T-shaped branch connection pipe 95, and an internal water pipe 45 is connected.
a, 45b are connected to the inward connection ports of the water outlets 93R, 93L on both sides. This internal piping is performed using the piping space.

A water discharge port 11f connected to the water discharge chamber 14 of the ion removal container 11 is connected to a drain solenoid valve 58 mounted on the upper wall surface of the ion removal container 11 and arranged in the piping space. Connection port 92Rc of the drain port 92R via an internal water pipe (not shown).
Connect to The inward connection ports of the drain ports 92R and 92L are connected by the internal water pipe 42a. The internal water pipe 42a is disposed in a lower space below the ion removal container 11. Although illustration is omitted here, the internal water pipe 50 for overflow and drainage from the flow controller 53 and the water pipe from the solenoid valve 58 are connected to the connection ports 92L.

FIGS. 53 to 65 show a locking mechanism 80 for preventing the water softening device 1 from shifting or tipping over, and FIG. 53 shows an upper right direction of the water softening device in a state where the locking mechanism 80 is disassembled. 54 is a perspective view from the rear direction, FIG. 55 is a top view, FIG. 56 is a bottom view, FIG. 57 is a right side view, FIG. 58 is a rear view, and FIG. FIG. 60 is a longitudinal side view of the locking mechanism 80, FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional plan view of the same, and FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the fixing member from the rear. 63 is a perspective view from the front, FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the connecting member from the front, and FIG. 65 is a perspective view from the rear.

The locking mechanism 80 includes an engaging member 81 provided on the upper portion of the back surface of the case body 71 of the water softening device 1 and a space along the back surface of the water softening device 1 where the water softening device 1 is installed. A fixing member 82 that is adhered to the wall surface at a position facing the engaging member 81 with a double-sided adhesive, and the engaging member 81 and the fixing member 82 are inserted together so as to engage with each other in a state where the engaging member 81 and the fixing member 82 are aligned. Is provided.

The engaging member 81 has a shape protruding in a U-shape from the back of the case body 71, and has a stopper hole 8 in the protruding portion.
1a and 81b. The engagement member 81 is formed of a metal material, and can be integrally embedded when the case body 71 is molded with synthetic resin, or can be molded with synthetic resin integrally with the case body 71. The fixing member 82 cuts and raises vertically long engaging portions 82a and 82b on both sides with an interval for receiving the engaging member 81 and stands up, and the slip preventing projections 82c and 82 fit into the slip preventing holes 81a and 81b.
Raise d. The connecting member 83 includes outer legs 83a and 83b that are inserted into and engaged with the engaging portions 82a and 82b of the fixing member 82 on both sides, and are inserted into the U-shaped engaging member 81 at the center. And a central leg portion 83c that engages with the arm. The fixing member 82 and the connecting member 83 can also be formed of a metal material or molded of a synthetic resin.

When the connecting member 83 is inserted and the two members are connected with the engaging member 81 and the fixing member 82 being fitted together, the locking mechanism 80 prevents the water softening device 1 from falling down to the near side. The engagement between the engaging member 81 and the fixing member 82 by the member 83 is suppressed, and the lateral and lateral displacements are prevented by the stopper holes 81a and 81b and the stopper protrusions 82c and 82d.
Is suppressed by fitting.

FIG. 66 is a block diagram of the controller 61 in the control device of the water softening apparatus 1.

The controller 61 includes a microcomputer 611 that incorporates various control programs and executes control processing according to the control programs, and a power supply that requires the battery voltage input from the battery 64 in each circuit in the controller 61. Power booster circuit 6 that boosts the voltage and supplies it to each circuit
12, a reset circuit 613 for resetting the microcomputer 611 when the power supply voltage rises, and a battery removal detection circuit for detecting that the battery 64 is removed and inputting it to the microcomputer 611, such as when replacing the battery 64. 614, a battery voltage detection circuit 615 for detecting the voltage of the battery 64 and inputting it to the microcomputer 611, a key input circuit 616 for processing an input signal from the input switch group 62 and inputting it to the microcomputer 611, A water amount signal input circuit 617 for processing an input signal from the water amount sensor 56 and inputting it to the microcomputer 611;
11, various solenoid valves 51, 52, 55,
There is provided a valve drive circuit 618 for driving 57 and 58.

Then, the microcomputer 611
The detection signals from the input switch group 62 and the water amount sensor 56 are input to the key input circuit 616 and the water amount signal input circuit 6.
17 and recognizes that the battery 64 has been removed based on the input signal from the battery removal detection circuit 614, recognizes the voltage of the battery 64 by the input signal from the battery voltage detection circuit 615, By controlling the solenoid valves 51, 52, 55, 57 and 58 by instructing the circuit 618, the water supply from which the ions are removed by the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 and the regeneration of the ion-exchange resin particle layer 12 are executed. The display control for the display 63 is executed.

[0071]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ion removing means for removing an ion component from tap water by passing the tap water through an ion exchange resin particle layer, and supplying a predetermined amount of tap water to a salt water generating vessel to generate the tap water. The regenerated salt water is allowed to act on the ion-exchange resin particle layer to restore the ion-adsorbing ability of the ion-exchange resin particle layer. A water inlet for receiving tap water, a water outlet for discharging soft water from which ionic components have been removed from tap water, and a water supply that has been supplied to the regeneration means and has overflowed In a water softening device provided with a drain port for draining regenerated salt water and washing water discharged from water and ion removing means, an overflow drainage internal water distribution pipe for guiding overflow from the regenerating means to the drain port. Provided with a check valve to prevent the washing water discharged from the ion removing means from flowing back to the regenerating means through the internal drain pipe for overflow drainage, so that it can be connected to an external drain pipe. The connection can be made at one place, and the connection work becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a water softening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted, as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted, as viewed from an upper left direction.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the appearance of the water softening device from which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the appearance of the water softening device in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the appearance of the water softening device from which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the appearance of the water softening device in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an external appearance of the water softening device in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the external appearance of the water softening apparatus in which a connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are omitted.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device to which a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are added, as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening apparatus to which a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are added, as viewed from an upper left direction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock as viewed from an upper left direction.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an external appearance of a water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the appearance of the water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the appearance of the water softening apparatus fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 17 is a left side view of the appearance of the water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the external appearance of a water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the appearance of the water softening device fitted with a straight connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a water receiving port fitted with a straight connection joint.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a water receiving port fitted with a water stopcock.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a drain port to which a straight connection joint is fitted.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a drain port fitted with a water stopcock.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device to which an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are added, as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening apparatus to which an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are added, as viewed from an upper left direction.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a water softening device in which an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are fitted, as viewed from the upper left direction.

FIG. 28 is a front view of the external appearance of the water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 29 is a rear view of the appearance of the water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 30 is a right side view of the external appearance of the water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 31 is a left side view of the appearance of the water softening device in which an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock are fitted.

FIG. 32 is a plan view of an external appearance of a water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 33 is a bottom view of the external appearance of the water softening device fitted with an elbow connection joint for external piping and a water stopcock.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a water receiving port fitted with an elbow connection joint.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a drain port to which an elbow connection joint is fitted.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a drain port.

FIG. 37 is a longitudinal sectional side view of an internal structure in which an ion removing unit and a reproducing unit are combined.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the internal structure obtained by combining the ion removing means and the regenerating means as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an internal structure in which an ion removing unit and a reproducing unit are combined as viewed from an upper left direction.

FIG. 40 is a vertical side view of a drainage control valve.

FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the drainage control valve.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the internal piping structure as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing the internal piping structure as viewed from the upper left direction.

FIG. 44 is a front view showing the internal piping structure.

FIG. 45 is a rear view showing the internal piping structure.

FIG. 46 is a right side view showing the internal piping structure.

FIG. 47 is a left side view showing the internal piping structure.

FIG. 48 is a plan view showing an internal piping structure.

FIG. 49 is a plan view showing the internal piping structure with the salt water generation container removed.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view seen from the upper right direction showing the internal piping structure in a state where the control board and the battery box are installed in the case main body.

FIG. 51 is a front view showing the internal piping structure in a state where the control board and the battery box are detached while being built in the case main body.

FIG. 52 is a front view showing an internal piping structure in a state where a control board and a battery box are installed in a case main body.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the water softening device in an exploded view of the locking mechanism as viewed from the upper right direction.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the water softening device in an exploded view of the locking mechanism as viewed from the rear upper direction.

FIG. 55 is an exploded plan view of the water softening device showing the locking mechanism.

FIG. 56 is a bottom view of the water softening device in which the locking mechanism is exploded.

57 is an exploded right side view of the water softening device showing the locking mechanism. FIG.

FIG. 58 is a rear view of the water softening apparatus in which the locking mechanism is exploded.

FIG. 59 is a rear perspective view of the water softening device in a state where the locking mechanism is assembled.

FIG. 60 is a vertical sectional side view of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional plan view of a locking mechanism.

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the fixing member in the locking mechanism as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 63 is a front perspective view of a fixing member of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the connecting member in the locking mechanism as viewed from the front.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the connecting member in the locking mechanism as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 66 is a block diagram of a controller in the control device of the water softening apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... water softener, 47 ... external drain pipe, 59 ... check valve,
92L: drain port, 92La to 92Le4: connection port.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yasio Suzuki 1250 Shimoedori, Shimodate-shi, Ibaraki Pref.

Claims (2)

[Claims] An ion removing means for removing an ionic component from tap water by passing tap water through an ion exchange resin particle layer in a main body case, and supplying a predetermined amount of tap water to a salt water producing container. The generated regenerated salt water is applied to the ion-exchange resin particle layer to restore the ion-adsorbing capacity of the ion-exchange resin particle layer. Built-in regenerating means for washing the particle layer, a water receiving port for receiving tap water, a water outlet for discharging soft water from which ionic components have been removed from tap water, and a tap water which is excessively supplied to the regenerating means and overflows. In a water softening device provided with a drain outlet for draining the regenerated salt water and washing water discharged from the ion removing unit, a check is made halfway in an internal drainage pipe for overflow drainage that guides overflow from the regeneration unit to the drain outlet. A water softening device having a valve to prevent the washing water discharged from the ion removing means from flowing back to the regenerating means through the internal drainage pipe for overflow. 2. The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the check valve is provided integrally with a drain port.