JP2009233591A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the breeding of general bacteria of accumulated water in a water storage tank for a long period of time by discharging impurities inside a water purifier generated when starting to use a cartridge to the outside of the system of the water purifier and generating antibacterial silver ions, in the water purifier for treating raw water such as tap water in a filtration cartridge, manufacturing purified water and storing the purified water in a tank or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The water purifier is provided with the water storage tank 18 for storing the purified water treated in a pretreatment cartridge 40 for treating the water by silver impregnated activated carbon and a membrane filtration cartridge 15 including an RO membrane or an NF membrane. A flow meter 14b for detecting the flow rate of the membrane filtration cartridge 15, a three-way switching valve 50 for switching a water path, and an antibacterial unit 70 which elutes antibacterial metal ions from an electrode to which a voltage is applied are disposed between the membrane filtration cartridge 15 and the water storage tank 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier that filters raw water.

  There are various types of water purifiers that purify raw water such as tap water, such as those that are directly attached to the faucet, those that are installed in the kitchen, those that are stored and installed inside the kitchen, and alkaline ion water purifiers that perform electrolysis. A water purifier is used. Moreover, as a purification means incorporated in the water purifier, a purification treatment cartridge in which activated carbon and a microfiltration level hollow fiber membrane are combined is generally used.

  Water purifiers with a plurality of purification treatment cartridges attached to increase filtration capability, and water purifiers using nanofiltration membranes or reverse osmosis membranes with high filtration accuracy have also been proposed.

  Some of these cartridges composed of nanofiltration membranes and reverse osmosis membranes contain a performance maintenance agent in order to maintain the permeation performance of the filtration membrane until the start of use. In some cases, the pH of the aqueous solution is immersed in a strong acidic aqueous solution of 1 to 3 and sealed to prevent general bacteria from breeding. This type of filtration membrane needs to be washed at the start of use to remove the performance-maintaining agent, and the water quality must be adjusted to pH 5.8 to 8.6 that is compatible with drinking water applications stipulated by the Water Supply Law.

  In addition, it is widely known that organic substances eluted from filter media such as members used in water purifier water passages and reverse osmosis membranes can serve as nutrient sources for general bacteria. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a hollow fiber membrane is provided at the final stage of a reverse osmosis membrane water purification system to remove fine powder generated from an activated carbon filter that is a nutrient source for general bacteria. However, even if fine powder can be removed with a hollow fiber membrane, it is difficult to remove organic substances eluted from the reverse osmosis membrane.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method in which a drain valve for draining wash water is installed between the membrane module and the permeate tank, and the wash water for the membrane module and permeate line is discharged from the concentration line and the permeate side drain valve. However, in this method, the permeate side of the membrane module may not be washed.

In Patent Document 3, a drain line is installed between the reverse osmosis membrane and the pure water tank, and initial water and accumulated water in the apparatus can be discharged out of the system. Although a technique for circulating water is disclosed, it is expected that it is difficult to prevent the propagation of general bacteria by this method, and there is also a concern that general bacteria may diffuse into the apparatus.
JP 2000-288539 A JP 2000-79328 A JP 2000-262868 A

  Cartridges that have been immersed in an aqueous strong acid solution to prevent the growth of general bacteria must be washed before use to lower the pH to the proper value described above. In addition, in the type of water purifier that stores the treated water in a water storage tank (hereinafter referred to as “water purifier with water storage tank”), the treated water stored in the water storage tank contains organic matter, It is necessary to suppress the propagation of various germs.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention discharges impurities eluted from water passages, filter media, filtration membranes, and the like in the water purifier to the outside of the water purifier system, and the purified water subjected to membrane treatment with silver ions having antibacterial properties. An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier capable of suppressing the propagation of general bacteria in a storage tank to be stored for a long period of time.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
A raw water solenoid valve to stop the inflow of the supplied raw water,
A pretreatment section through which raw water that has passed through the raw water solenoid valve passes;
A membrane filtration unit that obtains filtered water by filtering the pretreated raw water that has passed through the pretreatment unit;
A flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the filtered water;
A cartridge replacement control unit that receives an exchange signal indicating that the cartridge of the pretreatment unit and the membrane filtration unit has been exchanged, and opens the raw water electromagnetic valve and the filtrate drain valve;
An antibacterial unit for obtaining metal ion-containing filtered water by eluting metal ions into the filtered water according to the received control signal;
A control unit that outputs the control signal to the antibacterial unit based on the measurement value of the flow meter,
A water storage tank for storing the metal ion-containing filtered water;
A water supply pump provided on the downstream side of the water storage tank;
A water supply line for supplying the metal ion-containing filtered water in the water storage tank from the water purification nozzle to the outside via the water supply pump;
There is provided a water purifier having a bypass line disposed in the middle of the water supply line and leading to the water surface of the water storage tank.

  According to the present invention, after replacing the cartridges of the pretreatment unit and the membrane filtration unit, the water that has passed through the pretreatment unit and the membrane filtration unit is discharged out of the system through the filtrate drainage line for a predetermined period. The organic matter discharged from the cartridge and the aqueous solution of strong acid contained in the membrane filtration cartridge are brought back to neutrality.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

  Drawing 1 is an outline flow figure showing one embodiment of the water treatment process performed in the water purifier concerning the present invention. FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the water purifier.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the configuration of the water purifier 100 according to the present embodiment branches from the water pipe 1 at the stop cock 7 and uses the tap water in the water purifier. The strainer 8, the flow control valve 9, and the raw water solenoid valve 10 form an integral structure and are connected to each other via the stop cock 7 and the pressure hose 5.

  The line is branched in two directions from the raw water electromagnetic valve 10, and one line drains tap water from the relief valve 22 through the drain line A (25) to the outside of the water purifier 100. The other line is a flow meter A (14a) between the pretreatment cartridge 40 and the membrane filtration cartridge 15, and a flow meter B (14b), a three-way switching valve 50, and an antibacterial unit 70 downstream of the membrane filtration cartridge 15. The water tank 18 is installed in this order.

  In addition, a pretreatment container 40a and a pretreatment container lid 40b for loading the pretreatment cartridge 40, and a membrane filtration container 15a and a membrane filtration cartridge lid 15b for loading the membrane filtration cartridge 15 are provided.

  Further, the concentration line 45 of the membrane filtration cartridge 15 is connected to the drainage line A (25) via the constant flow valve 23, and the overflow line 16 of the water storage tank 18 is also connected to the drainage line A (25). 18 has a water level sensor 30.

  A drainage valve 24 and a water supply pump 19 are installed below the water storage tank 18. The drainage valve 24 is connected to a drainage line B (26), and the water supply pump 19 is connected to a water purification nozzle 20 that supplies membrane filtrate water to the outside through a water supply line 60. It is connected. Further, a water purifier 100 is formed by providing a bypass line 21 between the water supply pump 19 and the water purification nozzle 20.

With reference to FIG. 1, the water purifier 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.
When an operation button (not shown) attached to the external portion of the water purifier 100 is pressed, the raw water electromagnetic valve 10 is opened and the tap water flows into the water purifier. At this time, if the water pressure of the relief valve 22 is set to 0.4 MPa, for example, the relief valve 22 is opened at a water pressure higher than that, and the tap water is discharged from the drainage line A (25) to the outside of the water purifier 100. Therefore, a water pressure higher than the set water pressure is not applied to the downstream side of the raw water solenoid valve 10, and water leakage or breakage of the water passage can be prevented.

  Further, foreign matter in the tap water and lump of iron rust are captured by the wire mesh of the strainer 8, so that the valve seats of the raw water electromagnetic valve 10 and the relief valve 22 are not damaged or foreign matter is not caught. The size of the wire mesh is preferably in the range of 80 to 150 mesh, and the material is preferably made of SUS. Since the wire mesh portion (not shown) is detachably attached to the housing of the strainer 8, it can be removed and cleaned when the wire mesh becomes clogged.

  The other side of the raw water solenoid valve 10 communicates with the pretreatment cartridge 40 via the hose 17. The pretreatment cartridge 40 is filled with a cylindrical filter 13 having an average pore diameter of 0.1 to 10 μm and the silver-impregnated activated carbon 12. The raw water passes through the filter 13 and the silver impregnated activated carbon 12 in the pretreatment section.

  The filter layer used here is not particularly limited as long as the average pore diameter is 0.1 to 10 μm, and may be any of a pleat type, a wind type, a depth type, etc., and the material is also particularly limited. Any of polypropylene, polyester and the like may be used.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the minimum of the density | concentration of the silver ion in water after passing the silver impregnated activated carbon 12 to be used shall be 5 microgram / L. This is because the suppression of the growth of general bacteria can be expected greatly, and the reason for setting the upper limit to 100 μg / L or less is that the silver ion concentration is not a management item in Japanese tap water quality standards, but WHO ( According to the World Health Organization guidelines, “It is desirable to set it to 100 μg / L or less.” Also, in the water quality standards for safe drinking water regulations stipulated by the USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the same as WHO. 100 μg / L or less. This is because it is stipulated.

  If the upper limit is determined by water quality standards by each country / region, that value is the upper limit. In addition, the silver ion concentration prescribed | regulated by this embodiment is the numerical value measured with the ICP emission-spectral-analysis apparatus.

  The shape of the silver impregnated activated carbon 12 may be any of powder, granule, fiber and the like. The lifetime of the pretreatment cartridge 40 is measured and displayed by the flow meter A (14a).

  Furthermore, if the check valve 11 is installed upstream of the pretreatment cartridge 40, it is more preferable because a filter medium such as activated carbon does not flow out even if a negative pressure is applied to the piping.

The raw water that has passed through the pretreatment cartridge passes through the membrane filtration cartridge 15.
The separation membrane used in the membrane filtration cartridge 15 having a reverse osmosis membrane (hereinafter referred to as RO membrane) or nanofiltration membrane (hereinafter referred to as NF membrane) used in the present embodiment has a desalination rate of 93% or more. (Evaluation conditions NaCl concentration: 500 mg / L, operating pressure: 0.1 MPa) RO membrane or desalination rate is 5% or more and less than 93% (Evaluation conditions NaCl concentration: 500 mg / L, operating pressure: 0.1 MPa) An NF film can be selected and used.

  In the case of the RO membrane, a polymer material such as cellulose acetate, cellulose-based polymer, polyamide, and vinyl polymer can be used as a separation membrane material having such performance. In the case of an NF film, a polyamide-based, polypiperazine amide-based, polyester amide-based, or a water-soluble vinyl polymer crosslinked can be used. Typical RO membranes include cellulose acetate-based or polyamide-based asymmetric membranes, and composite membranes having a polyamide-based active layer. Among them, the surface layer of the polyamide-based active layer is coated with polyvinyl alcohol. The composite membrane is preferable because it has high exclusion performance, high water permeability, and high contamination resistance.

  As the shape of the separation membrane, both the RO membrane and the NF membrane are preferably flat membranes or hollow fiber membranes. For example, the separation membrane has a thickness of 10 μm to 1 mm, and in the case of a hollow fiber membrane, the outer diameter is 50 μm to 4 mm. It is preferable to be in the range.

  Moreover, the hollow fiber membrane is a hollow membrane having a pore diameter of about 0.1 μm on the outer wall, and the pore diameter is larger than that of the RO membrane or NF membrane. This has the advantage that the amount of water that can be treated is large.

  RO membranes and NF membranes are available in the form of spiral, pleated, plate-and-frame, and disk-type discs when the separation membrane is a flat membrane. Has a cylindrical shape in which hollow fiber membranes are bundled in a U shape or I shape and stored in a container, but any cartridge shape may be used in this embodiment.

  These membrane filtration cartridges 15 are preferably capable of being operated at a low pressure from the viewpoint of reducing running costs.

  Moreover, although the film | membrane to be used can be selected suitably according to the state of the raw | natural water supplied to a water purifier, it is preferable to use a NF film | membrane from the point which can remove a dissolved substance selectively and is easy to adjust to the target water quality. .

  If the desalination rate of monovalent ions is within the range of 10 to 93% using the selective removal capability of the NF membrane, the tap water after passing through the membrane filtration cartridge 15 is divalent such as calcium ions and magnesium ions. It becomes water containing moderate mineral components and can supply delicious water.

  In order for water to pass through the filtration membrane, a certain level of water pressure is required. However, a constant flow valve 23 may be provided in the concentration line 45 of the membrane filtration cartridge 15 to control the flow rate of the concentrated water. The water that has passed through the membrane filtration cartridge is called filtered water.

  The antibacterial unit 70 used in the present embodiment has two plate-like electrodes arranged facing each other in a form along the flow of the membrane filtration treated water from the inlet to the outlet, and the electrodes are silver alone, silver and copper It is made of a metal material containing a metal that is a source of antibacterial metal ions, such as an alloy of silver and an alloy of silver and zinc. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to both electrodes, antibacterial metal ions such as silver ions are eluted from the anode side. The metal ions eluted in the filtered water are preferably silver ions and copper ions because they have high antibacterial ability and are effective in extremely small amounts, and silver ions are particularly effective in that the antibacterial effect is effective against the most various bacteria. preferable. In the following explanation, explanation is continued with silver ions, but it does not mean to exclude other metal ions.

  The antibacterial unit 70 is controlled so that a current flows between the electrodes according to the flow rate of the filtrate filtered with the flow meter B (14b). Specifically, when the flow rate of membrane filtration water is large, control is performed to increase the current and increase the elution amount of silver ions, and when the flow rate is small, the current is decreased and the elution amount of silver ions is decreased. More specifically, a control signal that controls the amount of current that flows between the electrodes of the antibacterial unit from the output of the flow meter B is generated by the control unit. The antibacterial unit 70 receives this control signal and causes a current corresponding to the control signal to flow between the electrodes.

  The control signal may be either voltage or current, and may be either direct current or pulse wave. The control signal may be a signal other than electricity, for example, mechanical force transmission, light, or sound.

  The control unit may be a part that generates a control signal to be sent to the antibacterial unit 70, and may be a control device using an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) and a program, or a flow meter itself.

  Thus, by eluting the silver ions according to the flow rate of the filtrate water, the silver ion concentration in the filtrate water can be made constant even if the flow rate of the membrane filtration treatment water amount fluctuates. Although a predetermined amount of silver ions is eluted, the relationship between the flow rate of filtered water for eluting the predetermined amount of silver ions and the current supplied to the antibacterial unit is one of the filtration characteristics of RO membranes and NF membranes. It is necessary to set appropriately according to the rate.

  This is because silver ions eluted from the silver-impregnated activated carbon 12 are removed by the membrane filtration cartridge 15. That is, [silver ion concentration 5 μg / L to 100 μg / L] = [silver ion concentration after membrane filtration cartridge filtration] + [silver ion concentration eluted from antibacterial unit].

  At this time, since the concentration of silver ions eluted from the antibacterial unit 70 is controlled according to the flow rate detected by the flow meter 14b, it is generally constant but not uniform. Further, since silver ions are difficult to diffuse, the silver ion concentration in the water storage tank 18 can be distributed. The filtered water from which metal ions are eluted is referred to as metal ion-containing filtered water. The filtered water from which silver ions are eluted is also metal ion-containing filtered water. In the following description, the term “silver ion-containing filtered water” may be used. This refers to filtered water from which silver ions having particularly high antibacterial properties are eluted in the metal ion-containing filtered water.

  The silver ion-containing filtered water that has passed through the antibacterial unit 70 is introduced into the water storage tank 18 and stored in the water storage tank until the upper limit sensor 30b installed in the water storage tank 18 senses it. The water purifier 100 of the present embodiment continues operation while water is supplied from the water supply. When the upper limit sensor 30b senses that the water level of the water storage tank has reached a predetermined position, a signal is sent from the upper limit sensor to automatically close the raw water supply valve 10 and stop the operation. In this way, the silver ion-containing filtered water is always filtered and stored until the water storage tank is full.

Next, a method for supplying membrane filtrate to the outside will be described.
When supplying purified water from the water storage tank 18, if a water supply button (not shown) installed outside the water purifier 100 is pressed, the water is supplied from the purified water nozzle 20 by the water supply pump 19.

  A bypass line 21 installed between the water supply pump 19 and the water purification nozzle 20 is located in the upper part of the water storage tank 18, and a part of the purified water is always returned to the water storage tank 18 through the bypass line 21 during water supply.

  Since the inside of the water storage tank 18 is agitated by the reflux from the bypass line to the water storage tank, the silver ion concentration becomes uniform.

  The water supply amount from the water purification nozzle 18 and the recirculation amount of the bypass line 21 may be selected as needed, and the ratio of the water supply amount and the recirculation amount can be arbitrarily set by changing the inner diameter of the bypass line 21. . It is also a preferable aspect to provide an orifice in the bypass line 21.

  If there is no bypass line 21, even if the water supply pump 19 is stopped, if the tip of the water purification nozzle 20 is located below the liquid level of the water storage tank 18, the water storage tank 18, the water supply pump 19, and the water purification nozzle 20. Is maintained in a watertight communication state via the water supply line 60. Therefore, the membrane filtrate in the water storage tank 18 continues to flow out of the water purification nozzle 20 due to the siphon phenomenon.

  However, in this embodiment, since the bypass line 21 is provided between the water supply pump 19 and the water purification nozzle 20, and there is a space between the bypass line 21 and the water storage tank 18, the water supply pump 19 is stopped. The staying water in the water purification nozzle 20 flows back through the bypass line 21 by its own weight and is returned to the water storage tank 18. At the same time, the inside of the water purification nozzle 20 is replaced with air. For this reason, the membrane filtrate in the water storage tank 18 is not discharged by the siphon phenomenon.

  If water supply continues and the water level in the storage tank 18 falls below the upper limit sensor 30b, the raw water electromagnetic valve 10 opens and automatically starts supplying tap water. A signal is sent if the lower limit sensor 30a senses the water level. The feed water pump 19 is automatically turned off and the supply of the membrane filtrate is stopped, but the operation is continued until the water level reaches the upper limit sensor 30b.

  Moreover, since the overflow line 16 is installed in the water storage tank 18, even if a detection failure occurs in the upper limit sensor 30b, water does not leak from the water purifier 100 onto the sink 3. This overflow water is connected to the concentrated water line 45 and the discharge line from the relief valve 22 to form a discharge line A (25), and is discharged out of the water purifier 100.

  When the water purifier is not used for a long time, there is a concern that general bacteria will grow in the accumulated water in the water storage tank 18. As a solution, if the set time (for example, 24 hours) is reached, the drain valve 24 automatically opens and the accumulated water in the water storage tank 18 is discharged out of the water purifier 100 from the drain line B (26). Is preferable because it is maintained for a long time.

  In this case, the drain valve 24 automatically closes if the water level is lower than the lower limit sensor 30a. However, the timing of this automatic stop is that no stagnant water remains if a predetermined time elapses after the detection of the lower limit sensor 30a. Therefore, it is preferable. When the draining operation is finished, the raw water supply valve 10 is automatically opened and the supply of tap water is started.

  The pretreatment cartridge 40 and the membrane filtration cartridge 15 are replaced when their lifetimes are over. Life detection is performed when the pretreatment cartridge 40 measures the flow rate with the flow meter A (14a), and the membrane filtration cartridge 15 measures the flow rate with the flow meter B (14b). . Further, the usage time of the cartridge may be set by a timer. The display means is preferably selected according to the environment such as LCD, LED and sound. For this reason, it is possible to avoid continuous use of the deteriorated cartridge.

  Next, the three-way switching valve 50 will be described. The three valves incorporated in the three-way switching valve 50 are connected to the flow meter B (14b) on the input side, and the output side is connected to the filtrate water drain line 51 and the antibacterial unit 70 line. Yes. Therefore, if the valve on the input side and the antibacterial unit 70 side are opened and the valve of the filtrate drainage line 51 is closed, the filtrate enters the water storage tank 18 via the antibacterial unit 70.

  If the valve on the input side and the filtrate water drain line 51 are opened and the valve on the antibacterial unit 70 side is closed, the filtered water passes through the filtrate water drain line 51 and the water purifier 100 system from the drain line A25. Discharged outside.

  These controls are performed by a series of controls using storage means and MPU (not shown) installed in the water purifier 100. The MPU is a product control means. As described above, the MPU controls the elution amount of silver ions. In addition, the MPU is an operation means for operating the product by clearing the integrated flow rate counter that is the cartridge life, or by inputting with a switch or the like. Electromagnetic valve driving means for driving the electromagnetic valve for water flow and water stop, flow rate input means for inputting flow rate data flowing to the product with a flow sensor, etc., and the state inputted from the operation means to the electromagnetic valve driving means The integrated flow rate and the instantaneous flow rate are calculated from the flow rate data output from the flow rate input means, and the data necessary for the calculation and operation of the timer and data is input / output.

  Next, a cartridge replacement method will be described. As described above, the pretreatment container 40a for loading the pretreatment cartridge 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a flow path is formed by mounting the pretreatment container lid 40b after the pretreatment cartridge 40 is stored. Is done.

  The pretreatment container lid 40b is watertightly and detachably fixed to the pretreatment container 40a via an O-ring (not shown), and the fixing method may be a screw fixing type or a bayonet type. When these fixing methods are used, the pretreatment section lid 40b can be removed with a slight force, so that the cartridge can be easily replaced without contaminating the inside and the surroundings of the water purifier with water. The membrane filtration container 15a for loading the membrane filtration cartridge 15 and the membrane filtration cartridge lid 15b have the same structure as that of the pretreatment section, and the material of the container is preferably a resin molded product such as ABS, POM, PP.

  The pretreatment cartridge 40 is a unit in which the filter 13 as the filtering means and the silver-impregnated activated carbon 12 are integrated, and is housed in the pretreatment container 40a and sealed with a pretreatment container lid 40b. The membrane filtration cartridge 15 is also housed in a membrane filtration container 15a and sealed with a membrane filtration container lid 15b.

  If an exchange button (not shown) installed outside the water purifier 100 is pressed, the raw water electromagnetic valve 10 is closed and the supply of tap water is stopped. Remove each lid and replace the cartridge, then close the lid. When the exchange button is pressed, the raw water electromagnetic valve 10 is opened and tap water is supplied again, and the tap water is purified through each cartridge and introduced into the water storage tank 18.

  At this time, impurities such as the performance maintaining agent in the membrane filtration cartridge 15 and the organic matter contained in the filtration membrane flow into the water storage tank 18 and lead to deterioration of water quality and the possibility of breeding as a nutrient source for general bacteria. is there.

  As a countermeasure, in the present invention, a three-way switching valve 50 is provided between the membrane filtration cartridge 15 and the water storage tank 18. That is, after the cartridge replacement, the accumulated flow rate is detected at an arbitrary set time or by the flow meter B (14b), and the filtrate water drain line 51 of the three-way switching valve 50 is opened until the set total flow rate is reached, and the water storage tank Since the valve on the side is closed, the substance that causes the deterioration of the water quality is discharged out of the water purifier system from the drain line A25.

  This will be described in more detail. When the exchange button is pressed and the cartridge is exchanged, the water purifier knows that the exchange is complete. The method of knowing that the cartridge has been replaced is not particularly limited, and may be an operation for resetting the replacement button, or a mechanical switch is placed at the entrance of the cartridge and the switch is pressed. It may be. A signal in which the cartridge is exchanged is referred to as an exchange signal. The cartridge exchange control unit configured by the MPU receives the exchange signal.

  After the cartridge replacement is completed, the filtrate drainage line side of the three-way switching valve 50 is opened, and the raw water solenoid valve 10 is opened. This may be controlled such that the cartridge replacement control unit opens the three-way switching valve 50 and the raw water electromagnetic valve 10.

  When the raw water solenoid valve 10 is opened, accumulation of running water from the flow meter B (14b) is started. The cartridge replacement control unit may add up the elapsed time using a timer (not shown). The water passes through the pretreatment cartridge and the membrane filtration cartridge, and is drained from the three-way switching valve 50 through the filtrate drainage line 51. Impurities such as organic substances contained in the performance maintaining agent and the filtration membrane are discharged out of the system by this drainage. The cartridge replacement control unit switches the three-way switching valve 50 so that the filtrate flows through the antibacterial unit after a predetermined flow rate or a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Although the cartridge replacement control unit performs these operations here, the above-described control unit may perform these operations. In addition, a dedicated sequencer or the like may be used instead of using an MPU and a program. That is, the cartridge replacement control unit may be the same as the control unit.

  After the discharge operation is completed, the water tank side valve of the three-way switching valve 50 is automatically switched to open and the valve of the filtrate drainage line 51 is switched to closed, so that the membrane filtered water is purified in a good state without impurities. Into the water storage tank 18. Furthermore, the growth of general bacteria is suppressed by silver ions. Therefore, this water purifier can always supply safe and delicious water by the above-described operation.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a water treatment apparatus including a water purifier.

It is a flow figure showing one embodiment of a water purifier concerning the present invention. It is an assembly perspective view of a water purifier.

Explanation of symbols

1: Water pipe 2: Piece cheese 3: Sink 4: Water tap 5: Pressure hose 7: Stop cock 8: Strainer 9: Flow control valve 10: Raw water solenoid valve 11: Check valve 12: Silver impregnated activated carbon 13: Filter 14a: Flow meter A
14b: Flow meter B
15: Membrane filtration cartridge 15a: Membrane filtration container 15b: Membrane filtration container lid 16: Overflow line 17: Hose 18: Water storage tank 19: Water supply pump 20: Water purification nozzle 22: Relief valve 23: Constant flow valve 24: Drain valve 25: Drainage line A
26: Drainage line B
30: Water level sensor 30a: Water level lower limit sensor 30b: Water level upper limit sensor 40: Pretreatment cartridge 40a: Pretreatment container 40b: Pretreatment container lid 45: Concentration line 50: Three-way switching valve 51: Filtrated water drainage line 60: Water supply line 70: Antibacterial unit 100: Water purifier

Claims (6)

A raw water solenoid valve to stop the inflow of the supplied raw water,
A pretreatment section through which raw water that has passed through the raw water solenoid valve passes;
A membrane filtration unit that obtains filtered water by filtering the pretreated raw water that has passed through the pretreatment unit;
A flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the filtered water;
A cartridge replacement control unit that receives an exchange signal indicating that the cartridge of the pretreatment unit and the membrane filtration unit has been exchanged, and opens the raw water electromagnetic valve and the filtrate drain valve;
An antibacterial unit for obtaining metal ion-containing filtered water by eluting metal ions into the filtered water according to the received control signal;
A control unit that outputs the control signal to the antibacterial unit based on the measurement value of the flow meter,
A water storage tank for storing the metal ion-containing filtered water;
A water supply pump provided on the downstream side of the water storage tank;
A water supply line for supplying the metal ion-containing filtered water in the water storage tank from the water purification nozzle to the outside via the water supply pump;
A water purifier having a bypass line arranged in the middle of the water supply line and leading to the water surface of the water storage tank. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the metal ions are silver ions. 3. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge exchange control unit integrates signals from the flow meter after opening the raw water electromagnetic valve and the filtrate drain valve. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cartridge replacement control unit accumulates a predetermined time after opening the raw water electromagnetic valve and the filtered water drain valve. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pretreatment section is provided with silver-impregnated activated carbon. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a silver ion concentration in the silver ion-containing filtered water is 5 µg / L or more and 100 µg / L or less.

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