JP2010115613A - Water-purifying cartridge and water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water-purifying cartridge capable of confirming a remaining amount of an additive with a simpler constitution, and to provide a water purifier using the water cleaning cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A purifying chamber S2 for purifying water and an additive accommodating chamber S1 for accommodating the additive 16 to be added to water are formed in a case 7 of the water-purifying cartridge 6 and, on the case 7, a water inlet 7a for introducing water to the additive accommodating chamber S1 is formed and a remaining amount detection part 7a capable of detecting the remaining amount of the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 from the outside of the case 7 is disposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purification cartridge and a water purifier using the water purification cartridge.

Conventionally, as a water purifier, a water filtration system for filtering raw water introduced from a water inlet with a water filter (water purification chamber) is provided, and an additive stored in a storage tank (additive storage chamber) is added to the filtered water. An additive dispensing system is provided, and a visible liquid level meter is installed in the storage tank so that the user can check the remaining amount of the additive in the storage tank (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Special table 2007-537872 gazette

  However, the conventional technology has a problem in that the structure is complicated because the storage tank provided with the visible liquid level gauge and the water inlet of the raw water are provided separately and follow independent paths.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the water purifier which can confirm the residual amount of an additive with a simpler structure, and the water purifier using the same.

  The present invention forms in the case a purification chamber for purifying water and an additive storage chamber for storing an additive to be added to water, and introduces water into the additive storage chamber in the case And a remaining amount detection unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the additive stored in the additive storage chamber from the outside of the case.

  According to the present invention, compared to a configuration in which an additive storage chamber provided with a remaining amount detection unit and a water inlet are separately provided and each follows an independent path, a configuration that can check the remaining amount of the additive is more It can be obtained as a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that similar components are included in the following embodiments. Therefore, in the following, common reference numerals are given to those similar components, and redundant description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water purifier, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a water purification cartridge, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the water purification cartridge. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the water purification cartridge, in which FIG. 4A shows a state where the water inlet is opened by the movable shielding member, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the water inlet is shielded by about half. .

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, schematic structure of the water purifier 1 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated. This water purifier 1 is configured as a pot-type water purifier. A substantially bottomed cylindrical partition wall body 3 is accommodated in the cylinder of the substantially bottomed cylindrical pot case 2, and the partition wall body 3 forms approximately the upper half of the cylinder of the pot case 2. It is partitioned into a raw water chamber 4 and a water purification chamber 5 that forms approximately half of the lower side.

  The bottom wall 3a of the partition wall 3 is formed with a substantially cylindrical recess 3b that is recessed downward. A substantially cylindrical water purification cartridge 6 is inserted into the recess 3b from the top to the back and fitted. An opening 3d is formed in the back wall 3c of the recess 3b.

  In a state where the water purification cartridge 6 is fitted in the recess 3b, the upper portion 6a of the water purification cartridge 6 is exposed in the raw water chamber 4, and the water inlets 7a and 7b formed in the case 7 face the raw water chamber 4 at the upper portion 6a. It is like that. The second water inlet 7b is installed in the vicinity of the bottom wall 3a. In this state, the lower end 6b of the water purification cartridge 6 is exposed in the water purification chamber 5 through the opening 3d, and the drain port 7c formed in the case 7 faces the water purification chamber 5 at the lower end 6b. Yes. The raw water in the raw water chamber 4 is introduced into the water purification cartridge 6 from the water inlets 7a and 7b, and after being purified at least, is discharged into the water purification chamber 5 from the drain port 7c.

  Above the raw water chamber 4, a ceiling wall 8 in which a water supply port 8a is formed is disposed. The water supply port 8a is closed so as to be openable and closable by a top-opening type lid 9 that is rotatably attached to the top wall 8. The raw water is supplied into the raw water chamber 4 through the water supply port 8a with the lid 9 opened upward.

  Further, a passage 10 extending upward from the water purification chamber 5 is formed between the side wall 3e of the partition wall 3 and the pot case 2, and the pot case 2 or the top wall 8 has an upper end portion of the passage 10. A water inlet 10a is formed at the position. In the present embodiment, the pot case 2 is tilted so that the water injection port 10a is downward (in FIG. 1, the pot case 2 is tilted clockwise), and the purified water stored in the water purification chamber 5 is collected. The water is discharged from the water inlet 10a through the passage 10. In the present embodiment, the water inlet 10a is closed so as to be openable and closable by a top-opening type lid 11 that is rotatably supported by the pot case 2 or the top wall 8. In this case, when the pot case 2 is tilted, the lid 11 can be rotated by its own weight, dynamic pressure of water, or the like to open the water inlet 10a.

  Next, the configuration of the water purification cartridge 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. The water purification cartridge 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical central axis Ax (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is used in a posture along the vertical direction. The case 7 has an upper case 12 that forms an upper part in use and a lower case 13 that forms a lower part. The lower edge of the upper case 12 and the upper edge of the lower case 13 are connected to each other to form a substantially cylindrical outer shape. Presents. In the following, the vertical direction, the axial direction, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction are defined based on the cylindrical shape of the water purification cartridge 6 in the use state.

  The inside of the case 7 is roughly divided into three spaces in the vertical direction (axial direction) by a partition wall 14 and a sheet 15 disposed below the partition wall 14 with a space therebetween. The upper portion is an additive storage chamber S1 for storing the additive 16, the lowermost portion is a purification chamber S2 for purifying water, and the intermediate portion is an intermediate chamber S3.

  The additive storage chamber S <b> 1 is formed by being surrounded by the upper case 12 and the partition wall 14. The upper case 12 includes a peripheral wall 12a that forms the upper part of the peripheral wall of the case 7, a top wall 12b that forms the top wall of the case 7, and an inner portion that extends downward from the center of the top wall 12b substantially along the central axis Ax of the water purification cartridge 6. Tube 12c. A partition wall 14 is attached to the upper case 12 so as to close the lower part in the cylinder. In other words, in the present embodiment, the additive storage chamber S1 is formed in the cylinder of the upper case 12 as a space having a substantially annular cross section surrounded by the peripheral wall 12a, the top wall 12b, the inner cylinder 12c, and the partition wall 14. Yes. In this additive storage chamber S1, an additive 16 such as granular calcium having a diameter of about several millimeters is stored.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, a substantially rectangular water inlet 7a is formed in the peripheral wall 12a. A mesh 17 as a water-permeable mesh member is stretched at the water inlet 7a by insert molding or the like, so that the additive 16 is prevented from flowing out of the water inlet 7a. The inner cylinder 12c is formed with a slit-shaped notch 12d extending upward from the lower end thereof. The width of the notch 12d is set to be smaller than the particle diameter of the additive 16, thereby suppressing the additive 16 from flowing out of the notch 12d. In the present embodiment, the axial position of the upper edge 12e of the notch 12d and the axial position of the upper edge 12f of the water inlet 7a are substantially the same.

  A projecting portion 14b that projects upward in a substantially conical shape is formed at the center portion of the bottom wall portion 14a of the partition wall 14, and the projecting portion 14b projects upward and projects into the inner cylinder. A cylindrical portion 14c through which 12c is inserted is formed. A plurality of slits 14d extending radially from the central axis Ax of the water purification cartridge 6 are formed in the bottom wall portion 14a as drain ports from the additive storage chamber S1. The width of the slit 14d is also set to be smaller than the particle diameter of the additive 16, thereby suppressing the additive 16 from flowing out of the slit 14d.

  In the additive storage chamber S1 having the above configuration, the additive 16 is eluted into the raw water introduced into the additive storage chamber S1 from the raw water chamber 4 through the water inlet 7a, and the water to which the additive has been added is added. It flows out from the agent storage chamber S1 to the intermediate chamber S3 through the slit 14d of the partition wall 14.

  Here, in the present embodiment, an air reservoir Aa for confining air is formed in the upper portion of the additive storage chamber S1, and thereby, the additive 16 existing in the air reservoir Aa, that is, in the upper portion of the additive storage chamber S1. Do not immerse in water. That is, the concave portion 18 constituted by the peripheral wall 12a, the top wall 12b, and the inner cylinder 12c is only opened downward and has no air passage upward, so that the additive is contained from the water inlet 7a. Even when water enters the chamber S1 and all of the upper part 6a of the water purification cartridge 6 is immersed in the water stored in the raw water chamber 4 (that is, in a submerged state), air accumulates in the recess 18 and the air pools. It is possible to prevent the additive 16 in the Aa from getting wet. In the present embodiment, normally, the positions of the notches 12d and the upper edges 12e and 12f of the water inlet 7a become the upper limit L of the inundation area Aw, and the additive 16 positioned below the upper limit L is immersed in water, and the upper limit L The additive 16 located above is not soaked in water.

  In such a configuration, when the additive 16 located below is immersed in water and eluted, the additive 16 located above falls downward due to gravity and is automatically supplied to the flooded area Aw. Therefore, since the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 can be used sequentially from the one arranged on the lower side, the additive accommodated in the water purification cartridge is totally submerged or submerged. Compared to the configuration, the usable period of the additive 16 can be made longer, and the concentration difference of the additive can be more easily suppressed between the initial stage of use of the water purification cartridge 6 and the latter stage of use. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the immersion height of the additive 16 can be set according to the height of the flooded area Aw, and thereby the maximum value of the additive concentration can be set. That is, it is possible to suppress the additive 16 from dissolving in water more than necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a plurality of second water inlets 7 b are formed at substantially lower intervals in the circumferential direction at the lower part of the peripheral wall 12 a of the upper case 12 that forms the peripheral wall of the intermediate chamber S <b> 3. Therefore, raw water is introduced into the intermediate chamber S3 from the raw water chamber 4 through the second water inlet 7b, and water to which the additive is added from the additive storage chamber S1 through the slit 14d, These waters are introduced into the purification chamber S2 (the adsorption treatment chamber S21) disposed below the intermediate chamber S3. That is, in this embodiment, the raw water introduced from the second water inlet 7b to the intermediate chamber S3 bypasses the additive storage chamber S1. In this way, by dividing the water flowing through the additive storage chamber S1 and the water bypassing the additive storage chamber S1, the flow rate of the water flowing through the additive storage chamber S1 and the additive storage chamber S1 are reduced. The flow rate of the water to be bypassed can be set independently, so that the adjustment accuracy of the additive concentration can be easily increased.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the 2nd water inlet 7b is arrange | positioned below the water inlet 7a. For this reason, the water head difference due to the height difference between the water inlet 7a and the second water inlet 7b, and the second water inlet 7b located near the bottom wall 3a of the partition wall 3 when the raw water chamber 4 is initially supplied with water. Due to the dynamic pressure of the water that reaches, the water is more likely to enter from the second water inlet 7b than the water inlet 7a. Therefore, particularly when the raw water chamber 4 is initially supplied, the flow rate of water at the water inlet 7a can be relatively reduced, and the flow rate of water in the additive storage chamber S1 can be easily adjusted to be small.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since additive storage chamber S1 was arrange | positioned above the 2nd water inlet 7b, after the water level of the raw | natural water chamber 4 became lower than the lower end of the additive storage chamber S1, from the 2nd water inlet 7b. Only water will flow into the water purification cartridge 6 and will not pass through the additive storage chamber S1 and will not contain the additive 16 and will be downstream from the intermediate chamber S3 (in the intermediate chamber S3, the purification chamber S2, etc.). Thus, the discharge of the additive 16 can be promoted to prevent the additive 16 from remaining. Therefore, at the time of the next use, it is suppressed that the additive concentration becomes higher than the set value due to the remaining additive 16, and the desired additive concentration is easily obtained.

  The purification chamber S2 disposed below the intermediate chamber S3 is partitioned in a radial direction by a substantially cylindrical cylindrical body 19 disposed at a position along the central axis Ax of the water purification cartridge 6. In the present embodiment, The outer peripheral side of the cylinder 19 is an adsorption processing chamber S21 in which an adsorbent (eg, granular or powdered activated carbon) 20 is accommodated, and the inside of the cylinder 19 is a hollow filter material (eg, an inverted U-shaped curve). A filtration processing chamber S22 in which a thread membrane 21) is accommodated. In such a configuration, the water introduced from the intermediate chamber S3 is discharged from the drain port 7c of the lower end portion 6b via the adsorption processing chamber S21 and the filtration processing chamber S22 in this order. The cylindrical body 19 is fitted into a recessed portion 13b that is recessed downward formed in the center portion of the bottom wall 13a of the lower case 13 that forms the bottom wall of the case 7, and thereby, in the vertical direction along the central axis Ax of the water purification cartridge 6. It is erected.

  The adsorption processing chamber S <b> 21 is surrounded by the peripheral wall 13 c of the lower case 13, which forms the lower peripheral wall of the case 7, the cylindrical body 19, the bottom wall 13 a, and the sheet 15, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a substantially annular cross section. The sheet | seat 15 can be comprised, for example with a nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the sheet 15 is formed in a ring shape and surrounds the cylinder 19, and the outer edge portion 15 a is fixed to the case 7 so as to be sandwiched between the upper case 12 and the lower case 13. On the other hand, the inner edge portion 15b is a free end so that water is introduced from the intermediate chamber S3 into the adsorption processing chamber S21 through a gap between the inner edge portion 15b and the cylindrical body 19. In addition, the sheet | seat 15 may be comprised with a water-permeable raw material, and you may make it permeate | transmit water. Further, in the present embodiment, the cap 22 is attached to the upper end of the cylindrical body 19, and the inner edge portion 15b of the sheet 15 is warped upward from the flange portion 22a by the flange portion 22a protruding from the cap 22 to the outside of the diameter. I am trying not to. With such a configuration, even when the water purification cartridge 6 is tilted or turned upside down with the water purification cartridge 1 removed from the water purifier 1, the sheet 15 is locked to the flange portion 22a and the gap is closed. It is possible to suppress the adsorbent 20 from leaking from S21 to the intermediate chamber S3 side.

  A communication port 19a is formed in the lower part of the cylindrical body 19, and the adsorption processing chamber S21 and the filtration processing chamber S22 are communicated with each other through the communication port 19a. The water removed by adsorbing impurities to the adsorbent 20 in the adsorption treatment chamber S21 is introduced into the filtration treatment chamber S22 through the communication port 19a.

  In the filtration chamber S22, a number of thin straw-shaped hollow fiber membranes as the filtering material 21 are accommodated in a state of being bundled and curved in a substantially inverted U shape. The water that has passed through the membrane wall of the hollow fiber membrane from the inside of the filtration processing chamber S22 and permeated into the membrane flows out into the lower end of the filtration processing chamber S22 through the membrane, and flows out from the drain port 7c into the water purification chamber 5. . When water passes through the membrane wall of the hollow fiber membrane, impurities contained in the water are filtered. The hollow fiber membrane as the filter medium 21 is fixed to the cylindrical body 19 while being filled with an adhesive (not shown) below the communication port 19a, and is hollowed out from the filtration processing chamber S22 by this adhesive. Direct outflow is prevented without passing through the thread membrane.

  As a result of intensive studies conducted by the inventors on the water purification cartridge 6 having the above-described configuration, it has been found that the concentration of water additive varies depending on the flow rate of water flowing through the additive storage chamber S1. As an example, in the case where a granular calcium agent is used as the additive 16, as the flow rate of the water flowing in the additive storage chamber S1 is increased, the stirring effect by the water flow is increased and mixed in the water in the additive storage chamber S1. The additive concentration of the water after the water that has passed through the additive storage chamber S1 and the water introduced into the water purification cartridge 6 from the second water inlet 7b merged, and thus the water purification cartridge 6 increases. It has been found that the additive concentration of water discharged from the plant increases. Therefore, a movable shielding member 23 that variably sets the opening area of the water inlet 7a is attached to the case 7, and by adjusting the position of the movable shielding member 23, the flow rate of the water flowing in the additive containing chamber S1 is changed. The additive concentration in the water (purified water) that has passed through the water purification cartridge 6 can be variably set.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a substantially bottomed cylindrical movable shielding member 23 that covers the outer periphery of the upper case 12 from above is attached so as to be rotatable along the circumferential direction of the upper case 12. It is. The peripheral wall 23a of the movable shielding member 23 covers the peripheral wall 12a of the upper case 12 with a slight gap, and the peripheral wall 23a has a substantially rectangular cutout 23c as an opening from the lower edge 23b upward. Is provided.

  On the outer surface of the peripheral wall 12a of the upper case 12, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) ridges 12g along the circumferential direction are provided in parallel up and down at regular intervals, while the peripheral wall 23a of the movable shielding member 23 is provided. A projection 23d is provided on the inner surface, and the projection 23d is engaged with the projection 12g in the axial direction with the movable shielding member 23 assembled to the upper case 12, and the projection 23d is guided in the circumferential direction by the projection 12g. It has become. Further, the protrusion 12g is provided with a notch 12h that allows relative movement in the axial direction of the protrusion 23d. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper case 12 and the movable shielding member 23 are brought close to each other in the axial direction with the projection 23d and the notch 12h aligned, and then they are relatively rotated in the circumferential direction. By doing so, the projection 23d is accommodated between the ridges 12g, and the movable shielding member 23 can be assembled to the upper case 12 (case 7), and the movable shielding member 23 rotates along the circumferential direction of the upper case 12. It becomes possible. In addition, by providing protrusions at predetermined intervals in the grooves between the ridges 12g, the protrusions are overcome at predetermined positions in the circumferential direction with respect to the water inlet 7a of the movable shielding member 23, thereby generating a click feeling and setting the opening area. Since it can be used as a standard, it is more preferable.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the circumferential position of the movable shielding member 23 is changed, the area where the notch 23c and the water inlet 7a overlap changes, and the opening width w and the opening area ( The width and area of the area facing the raw water chamber 4 can be variably set.

  FIG. 4A shows a state where the entire water inlet 7a is open. In this state, since the flow rate of water flowing into the additive storage chamber S1 from the water inlet 7a is relatively large, the concentration of the additive eluted into water in the additive storage chamber S1 becomes high.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which about half of the water inlet 7a is closed by the peripheral wall 23a of the movable shielding member 23 and about half is opened. In this state, compared to the case of FIG. 4A, the flow rate of water in the additive storage chamber S1 is reduced, and the concentration of the additive eluted into the water in the additive storage chamber S1 is correspondingly reduced. .

  Thus, according to the water purification cartridge 6 concerning this embodiment, the additive concentration of water is changed by changing the relative rotation position (lateral position) around the central axis Ax of the movable shielding member 23 with respect to the case 7. Can be changed.

  Here, the amount of the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 gradually decreases as the additive concentration is controlled by the movable control member 23 and eluted into water. Therefore, it is preferable that the user can check the remaining amount of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 from the outside of the case 7. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 is confirmed from the water introduction port 7a for introducing water to the additive accommodating chamber S1. That is, in this embodiment, the water inlet 7 a that guides water to the additive storage chamber S <b> 1 functions as a remaining amount detection unit that can detect the remaining amount of the additive 16 from the outside of the case 7.

  When detecting the remaining amount of the additive 16, the water purification cartridge 6 is removed from the recess 3b of the partition wall 3 of the water purifier 1, and the remaining amount of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 from the water inlet 7a. Can be confirmed by visual inspection. By checking the remaining amount of the additive 16 through the water inlet 7a, there is an advantage that it is possible to predict a life time when the remaining amount of the additive 16 is not present. At that time, for example, by providing a scale that is a measure of the remaining amount on the peripheral wall 12a of the case 7 facing the additive containing chamber S1, the remaining amount of the additive 16 is detected by this scale through the water inlet 7a. be able to.

  As described above, the mesh 17 as a mesh member for preventing the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 from leaking to the outside is attached to the water inlet 7a. Using a transparent material makes it easier to check the remaining amount.

  In addition, the mesh opening 17a of the mesh 17 is preferably large enough to prevent the internal additive 16 from leaking, but if it is too fine, there is a problem that the flow rate is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the opening 17a is formed to be in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and still more preferably 0.1 to 2 mm. It can be set in the range of ~ 0.3 mm.

  Examples of the material of the mesh 17 include polyolefin materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester materials such as polyarylate and PET, fluorocarbon materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyamide materials such as nylon and polyurethane. Materials, vinyl materials such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride, cellulose materials such as nitrocellulose and regenerated cellulose, polyketone materials, synthetic fiber materials such as acrylic materials such as polyacrylonitrile, and wool materials Various materials such as silk materials, natural materials such as chitin and chitosan, and inorganic materials such as carbon, stainless steel, titanium, and graphite of various metals can be used. However, those that are insoluble in water are preferred.

  In addition, when air is unintentionally collected between each part in the water purification cartridge 6, particularly between the intermediate chamber S 3 and the sheet 15 and the adsorbent 20, the gravity of the water and the buoyancy of the air balance and the water flow path is blocked with air. As a result, a desired flow rate cannot be obtained, and it may take time until purified water is obtained, or a desired additive concentration may not be obtained. Therefore, in this embodiment, an air vent passage is formed substantially along the central axis Ax of the water purification cartridge 6.

  Specifically, a substantially cylindrical central tube portion 23f that extends downward and enters the tube of the inner tube 12c is formed at the center portion of the top wall 23e of the movable shielding member 23. A through hole 23g penetrating the top wall 23e is formed on the back side (upper side). This through hole 23g becomes an air vent hole of the water purification cartridge 6.

  The cap 22 fitted to the upper end of the cylindrical body 19 has a conical portion 22b that becomes thinner as it goes upward, and a cylindrical portion 22c that extends upward from the top of the conical portion 22b. The front end extends to the vicinity of the lower end of the central cylinder portion 23f. Therefore, the air in the filtration chamber S22 is discharged from the through hole 23g through the insides of the conical portion 22b, the cylindrical portion 22c, and the central cylindrical portion 23f.

  The air in the adsorption processing chamber S21 and the intermediate chamber S3 moves to the central axis Ax side of the water purification cartridge 6 while rising along the protruding portion 14b of the partition wall 14, enters the cylinder of the inner cylinder 12c through the notch 12d, Furthermore, it enters into the cylinder of the central cylinder part 23f from the opening at the lower end of the central cylinder part 23f, and is discharged from the through hole 23g.

  Except for the air stored in the air reservoir Aa, the air in the additive storage chamber S1 is discharged from the through hole 23g through the notch 12d, through the cylinder of the inner cylinder 12c, and the cylinder of the central cylinder portion 23f.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the case 7 is formed with the water inlet 7a for introducing water into the additive storage chamber S1, and the additive stored in the additive storage chamber S1 from the water inlet 7a. The remaining amount of 16 can be confirmed. Therefore, the remaining amount of the additive 16 can be easily confirmed through the water inlet 7a, and the additive storage chamber in which the remaining amount detector is provided and the water inlet are provided separately, and each is independent. Compared with the configuration that follows the route, a configuration that can confirm the remaining amount of the additive can be obtained as a simpler configuration.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the water inlet 7a is provided with the mesh 17 as a mesh member, it is possible to prevent the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 from leaking to the outside. .

  In the present embodiment, the case 7 is provided with the second water inlet 7b that bypasses the additive storage chamber S1 and introduces water into the purification chamber S2. Therefore, by dividing the water that passes through the additive storage chamber S1 and the water that bypasses the additive storage chamber S1, the flow rate of the water flowing through the additive storage chamber S1 and the additive storage chamber S1 are bypassed. The flow rate of water can be set independently, so that the adjustment accuracy of the additive concentration can be easily increased.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the water inlet 7a was arrange | positioned above the 2nd water inlet 7b. For this reason, the water head difference due to the height difference between the water inlet 7a and the second water inlet 7b, and the second water inlet 7b located near the bottom wall 3a of the partition wall 3 when the raw water chamber 4 is initially supplied with water. Due to the dynamic pressure of the water that reaches, the water is more likely to enter from the second water inlet 7b than the water inlet 7a. Therefore, particularly when the raw water chamber 4 is initially supplied, the flow rate of water at the water inlet 7a can be relatively reduced, and the flow rate of water in the additive storage chamber S1 can be easily adjusted to be small. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, it becomes easy to adjust the additive concentration lower. Furthermore, according to this structure, it becomes easy to arrange | position the movable shielding member 23 which changes the opening area of the water inlet 7a in the upper part of the water purification cartridge 6. FIG. Therefore, when the water purification cartridge 6 is inserted and installed in the pot case 2 of the water purifier 1 from above as in the present embodiment, the immersion height is movable from above while being mounted in the pot case 2. The member 23 is easy to operate and is convenient.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the water purification cartridge according to the present embodiment.

  The water purification cartridge 6A according to the present embodiment can be used by being attached to the water purifier 1 instead of the water purification cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment.

  In the water purification cartridge 6A of the present embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 from the outside of the case 7A is compared with the water purification cartridge 6 of the first embodiment. Different.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the additive storage chamber S1 is provided in the uppermost portion facing the top wall 12b of the case 7A in the case 7A, as shown in FIG. In addition, a transmissive portion 30 as a remaining amount detecting portion is formed on the top wall 12b.

  The transmission part 30 is formed in at least a part of the top wall 12b at a position that avoids the central part of the top wall 12b. For example, a part of the top wall 12b is opened, and the opening is liquid-tight with, for example, glass or transparent resin. The transmission part 30 can be configured by closing the cover.

  With this configuration, the remaining amount of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S <b> 1 can be easily confirmed from the transmission portion 30. At that time, the remaining amount of the additive 16 is detected by this scale through the transmission part 30 by providing a scale that is a measure of the remaining amount on the peripheral wall 12a of the case 7 facing the additive storage chamber S1. Can do.

[Third Embodiment]
6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a remaining amount detection unit of the present embodiment. It is.

  The water purification cartridge 6B according to the present embodiment can be used by being attached to the water purifier 1 instead of the water purification cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment.

  In the water purification cartridge 6B of the present embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 from the outside of the case 7B is compared with the water purification cartridge 6 of the first embodiment. Different.

  In the present embodiment, the additive storage chamber S1 is provided with a weight detection unit 46 that detects the weight of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1, and the remaining amount detection unit is the weight detection unit. The remaining amount of the additive 16 can be detected based on the weight of the additive 16 detected at 46.

  Specifically, the weight detection unit 46 is accommodated in the substantially L-shaped support plate 46b having a bottom wall 47 placed under the granular additive 16 and the additive accommodating chamber S1, and this support is provided. A coil spring 46a as an urging mechanism for urging the plate 46b upward, and changing the position of the support plate 46b in the vertical direction according to the amount of the additive 16 placed on the bottom wall 47. It is configured to be able to.

  The support plate 46b includes a bottom wall 47 on which the additive 16 is placed, an extension plate 48 extending upward from an end of the bottom wall 47, and a top plate 50 provided at the tip of the extension plate 48. It is configured with.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the top plate 50 of the support plate 46b is exposed to the outside through a hole 12y provided in the peripheral wall 12a of the upper case 12A. In the present embodiment, the top plate 50 is located in the vicinity of the hole 12y. A window 40 as a remaining amount detection unit with a scale as shown in FIG. 7 is arranged on the peripheral wall 12a of the upper case 12A.

  The coil spring 46a is in a state where at least the additive 16 is not placed on the bottom wall 47 of the support plate 46b to a state where the additive 16 is filled in the additive storage chamber S1, that is, the support plate 46b. It is provided so that the top plate 50 can be elastically deformed in a range from a position indicating the upper limit (the highest position) to a position indicating 100% in FIG.

  According to such a configuration, the weight of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 is detected by the support plate 46b of the weight detection unit 46, and at that time, the scale pointed to by the top plate 50 of the support plate 46b is visually observed from the window 40. By doing so, the remaining amount of the additive 16 can be detected. Further, according to this configuration, since there is no need to look into the additive storage chamber S1, there is an advantage that the remaining amount of the additive 16 can be detected even when the additive storage chamber S1 is dark.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The water purification cartridge 6C according to the present embodiment can be used by being attached to the water purifier 1 instead of the water purification cartridge 6 according to the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a height detection unit that detects the height position of the additive 16 stored in the additive storage chamber S1 is provided in the additive storage chamber S1, and the remaining amount detection unit The remaining amount of the additive 16 can be detected based on the height of the additive 16 detected by the height detector.

  Specifically, in the water purification cartridge 6 </ b> C of this embodiment, a pressing mechanism 26 is provided as a height detection unit that presses the additive 16 downward toward the flooded area Aw.

  The pressing mechanism 26 includes a top plate 26a placed on the granular additive 16, and a coil as a biasing mechanism that is housed in the recess 18 of the upper case 12B and biases the top plate 26a downward. A spring 26b, and the additive 16 is pressed downward through the top plate 26a by the compression reaction force of the coil spring 26b.

  According to such a configuration, the height position of the additive 16 accommodated in the additive accommodating chamber S1 can be detected by the top plate 26a of the pressing mechanism 26, and thereby, via the remaining amount detection unit (water inlet 7a). Thus, the remaining amount of the additive 16 can be detected at the height position. Furthermore, by urging the additive 16 downward, there is an advantage that the filling density of the additive 16 can be maintained higher and fluctuations in the additive concentration can be suppressed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, the water purification cartridge may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape, and the movable shielding member may have a shape other than the bottomed cylindrical shape. Moreover, the specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) of the additive storage chamber, the purification chamber, the water inlet, the second water inlet, and other details can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, you may form the window for remaining amount detection parts other than the water inlet 7a in the surrounding wall 12a of the case 7 which faces additive storage chamber S1. The number of the windows is not particularly limited, and any number may be provided. Moreover, it is also possible to configure by combining each of a water inlet, a transmission part, a window, a weight detection part, and a height detection part as a remaining amount detection part.

It is sectional drawing of the water purifier concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the water purification cartridge concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the water purification cartridge concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view of the water purification cartridge concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the state by which the water inlet was open | released by the movable shielding member, (b) is the state by which the water inlet was shielded about half FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the water purification cartridge concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the water purification cartridge concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed the residual amount detection part concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the water purification cartridge concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Water purifier 6, 6A, 6B, 6C Water purification cartridge 7, 7A, 7B, 7C Case 7a, water inlet 7a, water inlet (remaining amount detection unit)
30 Transmission part (remaining amount detection part)
40 windows (remaining amount detection unit)
16 Additive S1 Additive storage chamber S2 Purification chamber

Claims (9)

In the case, a purification chamber for purifying water and an additive storage chamber for storing an additive to be added to water are formed,
In the case, forming a water inlet for introducing water into the additive storage chamber,
A water purification cartridge comprising a remaining amount detection unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the additive stored in the additive storage chamber from the outside of the case.   The water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount detection unit is the water inlet.   The mesh member for preventing the additive accommodated in the said additive accommodation chamber from leaking outside is provided in the said water inlet, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Water purification cartridge. The additive storage chamber is provided in the uppermost portion facing the top wall of the case in the case,
The water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount detection unit is a transmission unit formed on at least a part of the top wall. The additive storage chamber is provided with a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the additive stored in the additive storage chamber,
The said remaining amount detection part detects the remaining amount of the said additive based on the weight of the additive detected by the said weight detection part, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Water purification cartridge. The additive storage chamber is provided with a height detection unit that detects the height position of the additive stored in the additive storage chamber.
The said remaining amount detection part detects the remaining amount of the said additive based on the height of the additive detected by the said height detection part, The any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The water purification cartridge as described.   The water purification cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a second water introduction port is formed in the case to bypass the additive storage chamber and introduce water into the purification chamber.   The water purification cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the water inlet is disposed above the second water inlet.   A water purifier in which the water purification cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is detachably mounted to obtain at least purified water by introducing raw water.

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