JP2009262118A - Heat-sterilizing water purifier having downstream shutoff valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple and inexpensive heat-sterilizing adsorption-type water purifier which can safely be used with a downstream shutoff valve, and uses no solenoid valves or motorized valves. <P>SOLUTION: A temperature-regulating on-off valve 12 is provided at a raw water inlet 5. Meanwhile, a temperature-regulating three-way valve 7 is provided at a purified water outlet 6. Electric heaters 13, 8 are directly attached to the exterior surfaces of the temperature-regulating on-off valve 12 and the temperature-regulating three-way valve 7. These electric heaters are set so as to turn on at the same time that a heat-sterilizing electric heater 4 is turned on. Thus, in heating mode, the temperature-regulating on-off valve 12 at the raw water side is heated by the electric heater thereon and closed to stop the raw water flowing in, while the temperature-regulating three-way valve 7 is also heated by the electric heater thereon, directing the heated purified water to a hot water output pipe 10. Since these three electric heaters are not turned on in water purifying mode, the temperature-regulating on-off valve 12 opens, allowing the raw water in, while the temperature-regulating three-way valve directs the purified water to a purified water supply pipe 9 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat sterilizing water purifier.

  Water purifiers of a type that adsorb chemical substances in tap water with an adsorbent such as activated carbon, so-called adsorption water purifiers, are widely used. It is well known that the adsorption type water purifier has a sanitary problem that bacteria such as bacteria and fungi grow inside the water purifier including the adsorbent.

  As a means for solving this problem, a method of heating the inside of a water purifier containing an adsorbent, a so-called heat sterilization type, has been proposed and partially put into practical use. For example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 propose a method of heating the water in the container by installing an electric heater outside the bottom surface of the water purifier container. Cited Document 4 proposes a method of heating the water in the container by installing an electric heater inside the bottom surface of the water purifier container. In this way, the hygiene problem of the propagation of bacteria inside the water purifier was solved.

  However, the application of the heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier is limited to a so-called main-stop type, and there is no one that meets the so-called first-stop type request. As shown in FIG. 2, in the main stop type, the supply of purified water is performed by opening and closing a main plug on the upstream side of the water purifier. Heat sterilization is generally set at midnight, but since the main plug is closed, heat sterilization is performed on the water and the adsorbent stored in the water purifier. It becomes possible to warm.

  On the other hand, in the first stop type, as shown in FIG. 3, the supply of purified water is performed by opening and closing a faucet or the like on the downstream side of the water purifier. In general, there are a plurality of faucets or the like, and the opening and closing thereof is arbitrary and irregular. Therefore, when a heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier is used in the first stop type, if the faucet is opened during overheat sterilization, the raw water is pressurized, and hot water is supplied from the faucet, resulting in a risk of burns. Alternatively, a situation occurs in which the temperature cannot be raised to a predetermined temperature because water flows through the heating layer. These disadvantages are the reason why the heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier is limited to the original stop type.

  As described above, none of the heat sterilization type adsorption water purifiers can be used for the first stop type. If a heat sterilization-type adsorption water purifier that can be used for the first stop type is realized, a single water purifier will be installed in a place with multiple faucets, such as a restaurant kitchen or a food factory. It is only necessary to do so, and the economic efficiency is expected to increase dramatically. Under such circumstances, the cited document 5 proposes a heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier that can be safely used for a first-stop type application. In this proposal, as shown in FIG. 4, electromagnetic valves or motor-operated valves are installed at three locations on the raw water side, the purified water supply side, and the hot water discharge side. In the water purification mode, the raw water side valve and the purified water supply side valve are opened. In the heat sterilization mode, the electric heater is energized, the raw water side valve and the purified water supply side valve are closed, and the warm water discharge side valve is opened. Therefore, since raw water does not flow into the heating layer, the temperature can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time. There is no danger of hot water coming out of the faucet even if the faucet is opened during heat sterilization. In the cooling mode immediately after the heat sterilization mode, the upstream valve and the hot water discharge side valve are opened, and the purified water supply side valve is closed. As described above, the problem is solved by performing sequence control of the three modes by the timer built-in control circuit.

As described above, a heat sterilization-type adsorption water purifier that responds to a first-stop type of application has been realized. However, as is well known, electromagnetic valves or motor-operated valves are expensive, and there is a disadvantage that a complicated and expensive circuit is required for the control. If a front-end heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier that does not require a solenoid valve or a motorized valve can be realized, the structure will be simple and the manufacturing cost will be significantly reduced. It is expected to become a vessel.
Japanese Utility Model Sho 61-187292 JP-A-9-248563 JP-A-11-342387 JP-A-18-314963 Registered Utility Model 3131349

Indication of invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is simple and inexpensive heating that can be safely used for a first-stop type application and does not require a solenoid valve or a motorized valve. It is to realize a sterilization type adsorption water purifier.

Means for solving the problem

  A temperature control valve is installed at the raw water intake. The temperature control on / off valve is closed above a predetermined temperature to shut off the inflow of raw water, and opened below the predetermined temperature to introduce the raw water into the water purifier. On the other hand, a temperature-controlled three-way valve is installed at the water purification outlet. This temperature control three-way valve guides purified water toward the hot water discharge pipe when the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, and guides purified water to the purified water supply pipe when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature. An electric heater is closely attached to the outer surfaces of the temperature control on-off valve and the temperature control three-way valve. These electric heaters are set to be energized simultaneously when energizing the electric heater for heat sterilization. For this reason, in the heating mode, the temperature control opening / closing valve on the raw water side is heated and closed by the electric heater to shut off the inflow of the raw water, and the temperature control three-way valve is also heated by the electric heater to heat the high-temperature purified water heated. Lead to hot water discharge pipe. Since these three types of electric heaters are not energized in the water purification mode, the temperature control opening / closing valve is opened to introduce raw water, and the temperature control three-way valve guides purified water to the purified water supply pipe side.

  As described above, the problem can be solved by operating the temperature control on-off valve and the temperature control three-way valve by heating with the electric heater. However, when the water pressure of the raw water is high, there is a case where the temperature control three-way valve or the temperature control opening / closing valve does not operate due to the influence of the water pressure. That is, taking the temperature control three-way valve shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the piston sliding in the cylinder has a protrusion at the center, and the protrusion is sandwiched between the shape memory alloy spring and the bias spring from the left and right. . Now, since the temperature of the shape memory alloy spring is low in the water purification mode, the spring repulsive force is weak, and the piston is pushed to the left side of the figure by the bias spring, so that the hot water path is blocked. In this state, since the left side of the piston is released from the water pressure, a leftward hydraulic unbalance force is applied to the piston. Next, when switching to the heat sterilization mode, an electric heater attached to the outer surface of the temperature control three-way valve is energized, and the shape memory combination spring is heated and tends to extend. If the difference between the extension force and the repulsive force of the bias spring cannot exceed the hydraulic pressure unbalance force, the piston cannot be moved in the right direction in the figure, resulting in a disadvantage that the flow path cannot be switched. Become.

  Therefore, as appealed in claims 2 and 3, this inconvenience was solved by providing a temperature control three-way valve or a pilot mechanism that operates without being affected by water pressure inside the temperature control on-off valve. This structure will be described with reference to FIG. The piston slides in the cylinder. A hollow portion is provided in the central portion of the piston, and a stopper is slidably fitted into the hollow portion. A shape memory alloy spring and a bias spring are fitted with a stopper in between. The piston has a thin hole connecting the hot water path and the depression on the left side of the figure. Regardless of the position of the piston, the stopper applies the same water pressure to the left and right, so there is no unbalanced water pressure. When the electric water heater is energized from the water purification mode to the heat sterilization mode, the shape memory alloy spring is heated and stretched, and the stopper is pushed. Since the hydraulic pressure unbalance force is not applied to the stopper, the stopper moves to the right in the figure. Then, the pores that have been blocked by the stopper are released, and at the same time, the hydraulic pressure unbalance force is released. When the hydraulic pressure unbalance force is released, the piston itself is pushed by the shape memory alloy spring and moves to the right in the figure. Thus, the inconvenience that the flowing water path is not switched when the water pressure is high has been solved.

The invention's effect

  The present invention makes it possible for the first time to use a heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier for a first-stop type application without using a solenoid valve or an electric valve. As for the control system, it is only necessary to energize the heater for heat sterilization, the heater for temperature control valve and the heater for temperature control three-way valve at the same time, so it only needs to be turned on and off with a mechanical timer, relay and special electronic circuit It is not necessary. As described above, a simple and inexpensive front-end heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier was realized.

  The water purifier container may be a system in which the adsorption layer and the heating layer are separated into two bodies and connected by a pipe or the like, but it is preferable that the water purifier container is integrated as shown in FIG. The container shape may be a rectangular tube shape, but a cylindrical shape is preferable in terms of pressure resistance, sealing properties, and manufacturing costs. The container material may be metallic, glass or plastic, but stainless steel is best in terms of heat resistance, corrosion resistance and safety.

  The adsorbent may be either an organic adsorbent or an inorganic adsorbent, but an inorganic adsorbent, particularly particulate activated carbon is most preferred from the viewpoints of adsorption performance, safety, durability and economy. The greater the amount of adsorbent, the longer the lifetime is desirable. The adsorbent is preferably held between two upper and lower stainless steel nets fixed to the container.

  The electric heater may be installed inside or outside the container bottom. External installation has the advantage of not causing the problem of scale deposition on the heater surface, but has the disadvantage of poor heat transfer efficiency. On the contrary, the heater built-in type has excellent heat transfer efficiency, but has a problem that durability is reduced due to scale deposition on the heater surface. The built-in heater is required to have excellent water resistance in order to be immersed in water. Of the heaters in practical use, the stainless steel heater is the best.

  As the raw water supply means, a method of guiding water from the water supply directly to the bottom of the water purifier container directly or through a water receiving tank is generally used, and it is best, but it may be guided from the water tank by a water level difference or a pump. .

  As the temperature control opening / closing valve, a wax valve type temperature control valve can be used, but a method using a shape memory alloy spring as shown in FIG. 5 is the best. In this method, a slidable piston housed in a metal case is sandwiched between a shape memory alloy spring and a stainless steel bias spring. The raw water supplied from the raw water supply pipe passes through the shape memory alloy spring and is then guided to the raw water intake.

  An electric heater is attached in close contact with the outer surface of the metal case of the temperature control valve. As the electric heater, a flexible and insulating material such as a rubber heater may be wound, but as shown in FIG. 5, a ceramic heater is attached via an elastic body such as a leaf spring, or heat conduction. The best method is to use an adhesive that adheres.

  When the electric heater is energized, the shape memory alloy spring is heated and extended through the metal case, and the raw water passage is blocked by moving the piston in the right direction in FIG. As a result, in the heat sterilization mode, the raw water is shut off, and only the water stored in the water purifier is heated by the heating electric heater and becomes high temperature.

  As for the temperature control three-way valve, the method using a shape memory alloy spring is the best as with the temperature control on / off valve. This method is shown in FIG. A ceramic heater is attached to the outer surface of the metal case via an elastic body. The ceramic heater may be bonded to the metal case using a heat conductive adhesive. When the electric heater is energized, the shape memory alloy spring is heated and stretched through the metal case, and the piston is moved to the right in the figure to guide the hot water from the hot water discharge port to the hot water discharge pipe. .

  Next, the pilot mechanism of the temperature control three-way valve appealed in claim 2 will be described with reference to FIG. A shape memory alloy spring and a bias spring are fitted with a stopper interposed therebetween. The temperature characteristics, length, wire diameter, and bias of the shape memory alloy spring so that the force of the bias spring exceeds the force of the shape memory alloy spring at about 30 ° C or less, and exceeds the force of the shape memory alloy spring at about 40 ° C or more. Set the Young's modulus, wire diameter, length, etc. of the spring. The material of the shape memory alloy spring is not specified. The material of the bias spring is not particularly specified, but it is preferable to use stainless steel for use in water. If it sets in this way, a piston will be pressed on the left side of a figure in water purification mode. At this time, the hot water path needs to be completely blocked. As shown in the figure, a method in which a stepped portion is provided at the end of the piston and the hot water path is blocked by fitting an O-ring is the best.

  The piston is provided with a recess, and the stopper is slidably fitted into the recess. The sliding width of the stopper may be about 1 mm. The stopper may be made of metal or hard polymer material. The piston is provided with a thin hole so as to connect the recess and the hot water path. This hole may have any shape. The hole diameter may be about 1 millimeter. In the water purification mode, the stopper is pushed to the left side of the figure and closes the entrance of the pore. At this time, since it is necessary to completely block the water so as not to leak, it is preferable that a sealing material made of a polymer material is interposed in the contact portion when both the piston and the stopper are made of a metal material.

  The heat sterilization type adsorption water purifier according to the present invention does not require replacement of the cartridge, so that the economic efficiency is increased when the amount of water used is large. In addition, since the flow resistance is small due to the structure, a large flow rate can be ensured, so that a place requiring a large flow rate is also appreciated. Since the use of the first stop type is made possible, there is a high possibility of use for business use having a plurality of faucets such as kitchens for hotels, restaurants, lunch facilities, and food factories.

It is the figure which showed the whole water purifier structure of this invention. It is the figure which showed the structure of the former stop type water purifier. It is the figure which showed the structure of the front stop type water purifier. It is the figure which showed the structure of the tip-stop type water purifier using a solenoid valve. It is the figure which showed the structure of the temperature control on-off valve. It is the figure which showed the structure of the temperature control three-way valve. It is the figure which showed the structure of the temperature control three-way valve which has a pilot mechanism. It is the figure which showed the structure of the temperature control release valve which has a pilot mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

1. Container 2. 2. Adsorbent 3. Heating layer Electric heater 5. Raw water intake 6. 6. Clean water discharge port Temperature controlled three-way valve8. 8. Heater for temperature control three-way valve Purified water supply pipe 10. 10. Hot water discharge pipe Raw water supply pipe 12. Temperature control on-off valve 13. 13. Heater for temperature control valve Valve body 15. Clean water route 16. Hot water path 17. Cylinder 18. Hollow part 19. Piston 20. Stopper 21. Shape memory alloy spring 22. Bias spring 23. O-ring 24. Pore 25. Valve body 26. Raw water supply path 27. Water supply path 28. Cylinder 29. Recess 30. Piston 31. Stopper 32. Shape memory alloy spring 33. Bias spring 34. O-ring 35. pore

Claims (3)

  A container 1, an adsorbent 2 held in the container, a heating layer 3 provided at the bottom of the container, an electric heater 4 for heating attached to the bottom of the container, and a raw water intake provided at the bottom of the container 5. Water purifying outlet 6 provided in the upper part of the container, a temperature controlling three-way valve 7 connected to the water purifying outlet, and an electric heater 8 for the temperature controlling three-way valve attached in close contact with the outer surface of the temperature controlling three-way valve The purified water supply pipe 9 connected to the temperature control three-way valve, the warm water discharge pipe 10 connected to the temperature control three-way valve, the raw water supply pipe 11, the temperature connected between the raw water intake and the raw water supply pipe The temperature control on / off valve 12 and a temperature control on / off valve electric heater 13 attached in close contact with the outer surface of the temperature control on / off valve. In the water purification mode, the heating electric heater, the temperature adjusting three-way valve electric heater, and the temperature Electric heater for regulating valve Not energized in the chromatography, heat sterilization type water purifier characterized by being energized simultaneously to an electric heater for the heating electric heaters and electric heaters for the temperature control three-way valve and the temperature control on-off valve in the heat sterilization mode.   A temperature-controlled three-way valve has a valve body 14, a water purification path 15 and a hot water path 16 drilled in the valve body, a cylinder 17 drilled in the valve body, and is slidably installed in the cylinder. A piston 19 having a recessed portion 18 in a portion, a stopper 20 slidably installed in the recessed portion, a shape memory alloy spring 21 sandwiched between the valve body and the stopper, and sandwiched between the valve body and the stopper 2. The bias spring 22 formed, an O-ring 23 fitted to both ends of the cylinder, and a pore 24 drilled so as to connect the hot water path and the recess. Heat sterilization type water purifier.   A temperature control opening / closing valve includes a valve body 25, a raw water supply path 26 and a water supply path 27 drilled in the valve body, a cylinder 28 drilled in the valve body, and a slidably installed in the cylinder. A piston 30 having a recessed portion 29 in a portion, a stopper 31 slidably installed in the recessed portion, a shape memory alloy spring 32 sandwiched between the valve body and the stopper, and sandwiched between the valve body and the stopper 2. The bias spring 33, an O-ring 34 fitted to both ends of the cylinder, and a pore 35 drilled so as to connect the water supply path and the recess. Heat sterilization type water purifier.

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