JP2004049964A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water purifier which permits easy replacement of a filter cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The water purifier is provided with a raw water feed port and clean water outlet, the filter cartridge disposed between the raw water feed port and the clean water outlet, a raw water flow passage communicatively connecting the raw water feed port and the filter cartridge, and a clean water flow passage communicatively connecting the filter cartridge and the clean water outlet. The raw water flow passage is provided with a three-way selector valve. A water purifying system provided with the water purifier, a water purifying nozzle, and a faucet to the water purifying nozzle is also a preferable embodiment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water purifier for purifying tap water and the like, and particularly to a water purifier suitable for being installed below a kitchen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART In recent years, pollution by various organic and inorganic substances in tap water has become a problem. This has been caused by increased pollution of water sources, aging of water supply tanks and pipes of high-rise houses and buildings, and the like. For this reason, in order to obtain safe water, a water purifier having a filtration cartridge in which a filter medium such as a hollow fiber membrane or activated carbon is disposed has been widely used.
[0003]
In a water purifier equipped with such a filter medium and a hollow fiber membrane, chlorine-based ions and the like that cause odor are removed by adsorption or decomposition by a chlorine filter medium such as an activated carbon layer, and then the hollow fiber membrane Iron rust and various germs are prevented, and it becomes safe and delicious water, which is discharged from the water purification outlet.
[0004]
In particular, an undersink-type water purifier installed and used below the kitchen, such as below the sink, has the advantage that it does not hinder the installation location and has a good appearance around the sink. As such a water purifier, for example, there is a water purifier described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-71587.
[0005]
By the way, since a filter medium and a hollow fiber membrane deteriorate or accumulate dirt with use, it is necessary to periodically exchange a filtration cartridge in order to obtain safe and delicious water. In such a replacement operation of the filtration cartridge, if the internal pressure remains in the filtration cartridge, there is a problem that water remaining in the filtration cartridge, the connection hose, and the like overflows. In particular, in a water purifier of a type directly connected in the middle of a water pipe such as an undersink type, the internal pressure in the water purifier is high, and such a problem is serious.
[0006]
As means for solving such a problem, a pressure release valve is provided in the water purifier, and before the operation of replacing the filtration cartridge, the pressure release valve is opened to release the internal pressure. However, in this method, there are problems that the number of operation steps and the structure of the water purifier are complicated in the operation of replacing the filtration cartridge.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a water purifier in which a filtration cartridge can be easily replaced.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, a filtration cartridge provided between the raw water inlet and the purified water outlet, a raw water passage communicating the raw water inlet and the filtered cartridge, a filtration cartridge and a purified water guide. It is a water purifier provided with a purified water flow passage communicating with an outlet, wherein the raw water flow passage is provided with a three-way switching valve.
[0009]
The present invention also provides a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, a filtration cartridge provided between the raw water inlet and the purified water outlet, a raw water flow path communicating the raw water inlet and the filtered cartridge, a filtration cartridge and a purified water. It is a water purifier provided with a water purification flow passage communicating with an outlet, wherein the raw water flow passage is provided with means for simultaneously closing the raw water flow passage and releasing the internal pressure of the filtration cartridge.
[0010]
Here, a check valve was provided upstream of the three-way switching valve in the raw water flow path, a check valve was provided in the purified water flow path, the filtration cartridge was provided with activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane, It is preferable to be installed below.
[0011]
Further, a water purification system including any one of the above water purifiers, a water purification nozzle, and a water tap for the water purification nozzle is also a preferable embodiment.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the water purifier of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
[0013]
The water purifier 17 of the present invention is composed of a holder 1, a filtration cartridge 2 and the like as shown in, for example, a schematic longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, and the holder 1 is composed of a main body 4 and a switching mechanism 3 and the like. It is installed below.
[0014]
The main body 4 includes a raw water inlet 7 and a purified water outlet 8, a raw water flow path 50, a purified water flow path 51, and a three-way switching valve 60 provided in the raw water flow path. The three-way switching valve 60 is provided to communicate the upstream side and the downstream side of the raw water flow path 50 at the open position, and to communicate the outside air and the downstream side of the raw water flow path 50 at the closed position. That is, when the three-way switching valve 60 is in the open position, the raw water is introduced into the filtration cartridge 2 through the raw water flow path 50, while when the three-way switching valve 60 is switched to the closed position, the raw water flows through the raw water flow path. At the same time as the upstream side is closed, the filtration cartridge 2 is communicated with the outside air through the three-way switching valve 60, and the internal pressure in the filtration cartridge 2 is released.
[0015]
As a means for simultaneously closing the raw water flow path and releasing the internal pressure of the filtration cartridge, a three-way switching valve is preferable because it is easy to operate, has a simple structure, and can be manufactured at low cost. The passage may be closed and the internal pressure of the filtration cartridge may be released at the same time.
[0016]
One end of a raw water introduction pipe 9 is connected to the raw water introduction port 7, and a water pipe 20 is connected to the other end of the raw water introduction pipe 9 via a water tap 19 as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the check valve 5 is built in the raw water flow path 50. The check valve 5 can prevent the germs and the filter medium from flowing back from the filtration cartridge 2 toward the raw water introduction pipe 9 when the flow of water is stopped. The check valve 5 is preferably provided on the upstream side of the three-way switching valve 60 because the function of opening the internal pressure in the filtration cartridge 2 by switching the three-way switching valve 60 is not hindered.
[0017]
A purified water outlet pipe 11 is connected to the purified water outlet 8, and the other end of the purified water outlet pipe 11 is connected to a water purification nozzle 21 installed on an upper part of the sink as shown in FIG. 2. The non-return valve 6 for preventing the back flow from the water purification nozzle 21 is built in the water purification flow path 51 immediately downstream of the filtration cartridge, that is, at a position connected to the water purification outlet 23 of the filtration cartridge 2.
[0018]
The check valve 6 prevents the stagnant water in the purified water outlet pipe 11 and the purified water flow path 51 from leaking when the filtration cartridge 2 is removed from the holder 1. Further, according to the check valve 6, even if various bacteria enter from the water purification nozzle 21 when the flow of water is stopped, it is possible to prevent the bacteria from entering the filter cartridge 2 and propagating.
[0019]
Further, a bypass channel 10 that bypasses the filtration cartridge 2 and connects the raw water channel 50 and the purified water channel 51 is provided, and a switching mechanism 3 that opens and closes the bypass channel 10.
[0020]
The switching mechanism 3 includes a spool shaft 12 for opening and closing the bypass flow passage 10, a spool shaft mounting means 14 provided in the raw water flow passage 50 for mounting the spool shaft 12, and the like. Screws of the same pitch are applied to the inner diameter portion of the spool shaft mounting means 14 and the outer diameter portion of the spool shaft 12, and the spool shaft 12 moves in the axial direction of the bypass flow passage when rotated. Further, the moving distance of the spool shaft 12 is regulated by the cap nut 13 attached to the spool shaft attaching means 14, so that the spool shaft 12 is not turned too much and accidentally detached from the holder 1. Further, since the spool shaft 12 is provided with the seal ring 12a which is engaged with the spool shaft mounting means 14 in a water-tight manner, no water leaks from the spool shaft 12.
[0021]
In addition, the switching mechanism 3 may employ a method in which a solenoid valve or the like is arranged and a method of automatic cleaning by a timer or automatic switching by a switch is periodically employed in addition to the method using a manual valve.
[0022]
The check valve 6 operates as follows when the bypass passage 10 is released as shown in, for example, a partially enlarged view of FIG. That is, the raw water flows to both the filtration cartridge 2 and the purified water outlet 8 through the bypass flow path 10. Since the pressure becomes lower than the water pressure at the outlet 8, the check valve 6 is closed, and the purified water does not flow out of the filtration cartridge 2. Therefore, the raw water that has passed through the bypass flow path 10 flows to the water purification nozzle 21.
[0023]
The filtration cartridge 2 is preferably configured by storing a chlorine-free filter medium such as a hollow fiber membrane module or activated carbon in a container 24 having a raw water inlet 22 and a purified water outlet 23 on the same plane.
[0024]
The hollow fiber membrane module is housed in a case 26 in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 25 are aligned and bent in a U-shape and both ends are opened, and the hollow fiber membranes 25 and the hollow fiber membranes 25 and Are sealed and fixed with a synthetic resin 28. At this time, the end of each hollow fiber membrane 25 is opened. The hollow fiber membrane module is disposed at the center of the container 24 so that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane faces the water purification outlet 23. At this time, the case 26 is connected to the case housing via the seal ring 32. 31 is attached.
[0025]
The case housing 31 is provided with a primary filter 29 having a net for preventing the activated carbon 27 (dechlorinated filter medium) from leaking from the container 24. The case housing 31 includes a seal ring 33. It is provided detachably on the container 24 through the. Then, a secondary filter 30 is fixed to the end of the container 24 opposite to the primary filter 29, and activated carbon 27 is placed in a space formed by the primary filter 29, the secondary filter 30, the case 26 and the container 24. Is housed.
[0026]
When the filtration cartridge 2 having the above configuration is used, the filter cartridge 2 is integrally connected to the holder 1 via a seal ring 33 as shown in FIG. In order to easily attach the holder 1 to the holder 1 with one touch without performing any operation, the main body 4 constituting the holder 1 is provided with a convex portion 4a, and the container 24 constituting the filtration cartridge 2 is provided with a concave portion 2a, and the two are fitted together. Preferably, a so-called bayonet mechanism is used.
[0027]
In the above-described water purifier 17, when the normal use state, that is, the three-way switching valve 60 is set to the open position, the switching mechanism 3, the bypass flow path 10 is closed, and the water tap 19 is opened, the tap water (raw water) is supplied to the raw water introduction pipe 9 It reaches the filtration cartridge 2 more. At this time, since the holder 1 and the filtration cartridge 2 are connected by the bayonet mechanism via the seal ring 34, water does not leak from both and does not come off under the influence of water pressure, and reaches the activated carbon 27. The tap water from which the chlorine contained is removed by the activated carbon 27 and has no sterilization effect is then filtered by the hollow fiber membrane 25 to remove fine particles and the like, and is purified. The tap water is passed from the purified water outlet 23 through the purified water supply port 16 and directly connected to the purified water outlet pipe 11. The water is discharged from the water purification nozzle 21 of the water tap 19. At this time, since the purified water outlet 23 and the purified water supply port 16 are in close contact with each other via the seal ring 35, water does not leak outside from this portion.
[0028]
Here, when replacing the filtration cartridge 2, first, the three-way switching valve 60 is switched to the closed position, and then the filtration cartridge 2 is removed. In the filtration cartridge 2 having the bayonet structure as described above, the cartridge can be removed with a single touch by simply twisting the cartridge to disengage the fitting between the projection 4a and the recess 2a. By switching the three-way switching valve 60 to the closed position, the upstream side of the raw water flow path is closed as shown in FIG. Is prevented from leaking. At the same time, since the filtration cartridge 2 is communicated with the outside air through the three-way switching valve 60, and the internal pressure in the filtration cartridge 2 is released, it is possible to prevent the water from overflowing due to the internal pressure when removing the filtration cartridge 2. . Further, the check valve 6 prevents the staying water in the purified water outlet pipe 11 and the purified water flow path 51 from leaking.
[0029]
When the water purifier 17 is stopped for a long period of time with the switching mechanism 3 closed after stopping the flow of water, the retained water in the water purifying nozzle 21 has been removed because chlorine having a sterilizing effect has been removed. Bacteria enter and propagate from the tip of the nozzle 21 and eventually reach the purified water flow path 51. However, when the bypass flow path 10 is released and the water tap 19 is opened, tap water containing chlorine having a sufficient sterilizing effect passes through the raw water introduction pipe 9, the raw water introduction port 7, the raw water flow path 50, and the bypass flow path 10. Thus, all of the contaminated water passages can be sterilized up to the purified water flow path 51, the purified water outlet 8, the purified water outlet pipe 11, and the purified water nozzle 21. In this way, by blocking the water passage with the check valve provided immediately downstream of the filtration cartridge in the water purification flow path, even if water is not passed for a long time and water remains, the contamination of the filtration cartridge is prevented. In addition, even if the purified water channel is contaminated, water can be passed to sterilize the pipes, and safe and delicious water can be continuously supplied.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
The water purifier of the present invention has a complicated structure by providing a three-way switching valve in the raw water flow path, or by providing means for simultaneously closing the raw water flow path and opening the internal pressure of the filtration cartridge in the raw water flow path. And the replacement of the filtration cartridge can be easily performed in a small number of steps.
[0031]
Further, by providing the check valve upstream of the three-way switching valve of the raw water flow path, it is possible to prevent the germs and the filter medium from flowing back to the raw water introduction pipe side from the filtration cartridge when the flow of water is stopped.
[0032]
Further, by providing the check valve in the purified water flow path, it is possible to prevent the retained water in the purified water discharge pipe and the purified water flow path from leaking when the filtration cartridge is removed.
[0033]
In addition, by providing a bypass flow path that bypasses the filtration cartridge and connects the raw water flow path and the purified water flow path, even if the purified water flow path and the like are contaminated, water can be passed and the pipes can be sterilized. Can be continuously supplied.
[0034]
In addition, since the filtration cartridge is provided with a hollow fiber membrane in addition to a dechlorination filter medium such as activated carbon, it is possible to filter bacteria contained in raw water, so that safer and more delicious water can be supplied. .
[0035]
In addition, in the case of a water purifier installed below the kitchen, and furthermore, in the case of a water purification system in which the water purifier is provided with a water purification nozzle and a water tap for the water purification nozzle, the appearance around the sink is to be installed under the kitchen. It has no effect and is suitable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a water purifier showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view when a water purifier is installed on a sink.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a use state of the water purifier of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the water purifier of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view (in a three-way switching valve open state) of a raw water flow path in the water purifier of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Body 5, 6 Check valve 7 Raw water inlet 8 Purified water outlet 9 Raw water inlet pipe 10 Bypass flow path 11 Purified water outlet pipe 12 Spool shaft 19 Water tap 20 Water pipe 21 Purified water nozzle 24 Container 50 Raw water flow path 51 Purified water flow path

Claims (8)

A raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, and a filtration cartridge provided between the raw water inlet and the purified water outlet, a raw water passage communicating the raw water inlet and the filtered cartridge, and a filtration cartridge and a purified water outlet. A water purifier provided with a water purification passage, wherein the raw water passage is provided with a three-way switching valve. A raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, and a filtration cartridge provided between the raw water inlet and the purified water outlet, a raw water passage communicating the raw water inlet and the filtered cartridge, and a filtration cartridge and a purified water outlet. What is claimed is: 1. A water purifier comprising a water purification flow path, wherein the raw water flow path is provided with means for simultaneously closing the raw water flow path and releasing the internal pressure of the filtration cartridge. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is provided upstream of the three-way switching valve in the raw water flow path. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is provided in the water purification channel. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a bypass flow path that bypasses the filtration cartridge and connects the raw water flow path and the purified water flow path. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filtration cartridge includes activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane. The water purifier according to claim 1, which is installed below a kitchen. A water purification system comprising the water purifier according to claim 1, a water purification nozzle, and a water tap for the water purification nozzle.

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