JP2010158652A - Water softener - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water softener 1 capable of reducing an operation cost by reducing the number of times of discharging water. <P>SOLUTION: The water softener 1 comprises: a resin cylinder 5 filled with an ion exchange resin 52 for softening water to be treated; a water passage line 12 which is connected to the resin cylinder 5 and supplies water to be treated into the resin cylinder 5; a water softening line 13 which is connected to the resin cylinder 5 and supplies the treated water softened in the resin cylinder 5 to a use place; a bypass line 14 which connects the water passage line 12 with the water softening line 13 and supplies the water to be treated to a use place; and a control device 7 which can switch the supply of the water to be treated from a supply to the resin cylinder 5 to a supply to the bypass line 14 in accordance with a presettable time or time zone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softener.

  Conventionally, water softening devices that use treatment materials such as ion exchange resins to replace hardness components (calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in raw water such as tap water and groundwater with sodium ions have been used in various fields. Yes.

  In addition, raw water in Japan usually contains a large amount of carbonates, and soft water containing sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate can be obtained by replacing the hardness component in the raw water with sodium ions using a soft water device. This soft water has high moisturizing power and heat retaining power, and for example, a feeling of bathing similar to that of a hot spring can be obtained, and for example, there are cases where it is effective in healing allergic diseases. Water softeners are attracting attention.

  By the way, an ion exchange resin that is easily exchanged is used as a softening treatment material in a water softener used for home use. Ion exchange resins are usually used while being accommodated in a resin cylinder. However, when water is not passed for a long time, harmless organic substances may be eluted from the ion exchange resin into the accumulated water staying inside the resin cylinder. is there. And when this organic substance elutes inside a resin cylinder, when a soft water apparatus restarts water flow, for example, it may mix in treated water (soft water) as some smell or colored water. Such a slight smell or colored water mixed into the treated water is a problem that may cause complaints and the like when the soft water device is used for home use.

  In response to this, for example, Patent Document 1 includes a water supply detection means for monitoring the water supply state, and detects the continuous stop time by measuring the time when the detection signal from the water supply detection means is continuously interrupted. A soft water device is disclosed that drains the staying water that stays when the continuous stop time reaches a predetermined value. According to the water softener disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when water is not passed for a long time, mixing of colored water and organic substances in water at the time of resuming water flow by draining stagnant water every predetermined time elapses. Can be avoided.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-315086

  However, in the soft water device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when an ion exchange resin from which organic substances are easily eluted, such as an inexpensive ion exchange resin, is used, it is necessary to drain the accumulated water at short intervals. The drainage of the stagnant water at such a short interval leads to an increase in the amount of water used, resulting in a problem that the operating cost increases.

  An object of this invention is to provide the soft water apparatus which can reduce an operating cost by reducing the frequency | count of drainage.

  The water softener of the present invention includes a resin tube filled with an ion exchange resin for softening water to be treated, a water passage line connected to the resin tube and supplying the water to be treated to the inside of the resin tube, A soft water line that is connected to the resin cylinder and supplies treated water softened inside the resin cylinder to a use place, connects the water passage line and the soft water line, and supplies the treated water to the use place. And a control unit capable of switching the supply of the water to be treated from the supply to the resin cylinder to the supply to the bypass line in accordance with a presettable time or time zone. It is characterized by that.

  The soft water device of the present invention further includes a drain line connected to the resin cylinder and capable of draining the accumulated water staying inside the resin cylinder to the outside, and the control unit supplies the treated water. When switching from supply to the bypass line to supply to the resin cylinder, it is preferable to drain the accumulated water from the drain line.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a plurality of times or time zones can be set.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said time or time slot | zone can be set by the user.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said control part has a calendar timer function, and the said time or time slot | zone can be set for every day or every day of the week.

  In addition, the control unit is a calculation unit that can calculate the expected water consumption for each month based on the time or time zone set for each day or day of the week, and a display unit that can display a calculation result by the calculation unit It is preferable to have.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said estimated consumption water amount is shown by the number of predetermined marks.

  The present invention can provide a water softener capable of reducing operating costs by reducing the number of times of drainage.

It is a lineblock diagram showing typically a schematic structure of a water softener concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the control apparatus which controls the water softener which concerns on this embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the water flow state of the soft water of the water softener in which the bypass process was set.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The water softener 1 according to the present embodiment supplies treated water (hereinafter also referred to as “soft water”) obtained by softening water to be treated (hereinafter also referred to as “raw water”) to a place of use (not shown) such as a bathroom. Water supply treatment, regeneration treatment for regenerating the ion exchange resin 52 for softening raw water, waste water treatment for soft water drainage treatment, and supply of raw water to the place of use in a time zone set by user input Bypass processing is possible.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the whole structure of the water softener 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the following description, the “line” is described as including a flow path, a path, or a pipeline.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of the water softener according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the soft water device 1 includes a raw water supply line 11, a raw water tank 2, a water flow line 12, a water flow pump 3, a water flow valve 12 a, a flow switch 4, and a resin cylinder 5. The soft water line 13, the soft water valve 13a, the bypass line 14, the bypass valve 14a, the salt water tank 6, the salt water flow down line 15, the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down line 16, and the raw water flow down valve 16a, The drain line 17, the drain valve 17 a, the water replenishment line 18, and the control device 7 as a control unit are mainly configured.

  The raw water supply line 11 has an upstream side connected to a supply source (not shown) and a downstream side connected to the raw water tank 2. The raw water supply line 11 constitutes a supply path for supplying raw water such as tap water supplied from a supply source to the raw water tank 2. The raw water tank 2 stores raw water supplied from the raw water supply line 11. The raw water tank 2 includes a water level control device 21 and an overflow pipe 22. The water level control device 21 is connected to the raw water supply line 11 and controls the amount of water in the raw water tank 2 so that the water level stored in the raw water tank 2 maintains a predetermined water level. The overflow pipe 22 discharges the excess raw water to the outside when the raw water supplied to the raw water tank 2 exceeds a predetermined water level.

  The water flow line 12 has an upstream side connected to the raw water tank 2 and a downstream side connected to the bottom of the resin cylinder 5. The water flow line 12 mainly constitutes a supply path for supplying raw water supplied from the raw water tank 2 to the inside of the resin cylinder 5. Moreover, the water flow line 12 is provided with a first bypass point 12b and a drainage point 12c provided on the downstream side of the first bypass point 12b. The upstream side of the bypass line 14 is connected to the first bypass point 12b. The upstream side of the drainage line 17 is connected to the drainage point 12c. Further, the drainage point 12 c is provided such that the drainage line 17 is disposed on the bottom side of the resin cylinder 5.

  The water flow pump 3 is disposed in the water flow line 12. Specifically, the water pump 3 is disposed on the upstream side of the first bypass point 12b. The water flow pump 3 sucks the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 and pumps the raw water toward the resin cylinder 5 or the place of use. The water pump 3 is electrically connected to the control device 7 so that the flow switch 4 detects a water flow and is activated when a predetermined detection signal is input from the flow switch 4 to the control device 7. It is configured.

  The flow switch 4 is disposed in the water passage line 12. Specifically, the flow switch 4 is disposed between the water pump 3 and the first bypass point 12b. The flow switch 4 is electrically connected to the control device 7 and outputs a detection signal to the control device 7 when a predetermined water flow is detected. That is, the flow switch 4 outputs a detection signal to the control device 7 when detecting a predetermined amount of water flow.

  The water flow valve 12a is disposed between the first bypass point 12b and the drainage point 12c. The water flow valve 12a is configured to be able to open and close the water flow line 12. In addition, the water flow valve 12a is electrically connected to the control device 7, and is configured such that opening and closing is controlled by the control device 7.

  The resin cylinder 5 includes a resin cylinder main body 50, a meteorite 51, and an ion exchange resin 52. The resin cylinder main body 50 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape capable of accommodating the meteorite 51 and the ion exchange resin 52 therein. A water passage line 12 is connected to a substantially central portion at one end portion (hereinafter referred to as “bottom portion”) of the resin cylinder main body 50 in the axial direction. That is, raw water is supplied into the inside of the resin cylinder 5 from the bottom. On the other hand, the soft water line 13 is connected to the substantially central portion of the other end portion (hereinafter referred to as “upper portion”) in the axial direction of the resin tube main body 50. That is, the soft water softened by the ion exchange resin 52 inside the resin cylinder 5 flows from the upper part of the resin cylinder 5 to the soft water line 13.

  The meteorite 51 functions as a holding member for the ion exchange resin 52. The meteorite 51 is accommodated on the bottom side of the resin tube main body 50. The ion exchange resin 52 functions as a treatment material that softens raw water. The ion exchange resin 52 is filled in the upper part of the meteorite 51 inside the resin cylinder main body 50. Further, a screen 53 is disposed above the ion exchange resin 52, and the ion exchange resin 52 is accommodated inside the resin cylinder main body 50 so as to be sandwiched between the meteorite 51 and the screen 53.

  The soft water line 13 has an upstream side connected to the upper portion of the resin cylinder 5 and a downstream side connected to the place of use. The soft water line 13 mainly constitutes a supply path for supplying soft water softened by the ion exchange resin 52 to a place of use. Further, the soft water line 13 is provided with a second bypass point 13b and a regenerating liquid point 13c provided on the upstream side of the second bypass point 13b. A downstream side of the bypass line 14 is connected to the second bypass point 13b. The regenerant liquid point 13 c is connected to the downstream side of the salt water flow line 15 and the raw water flow line 16.

  The soft water valve 13a is disposed between the second bypass point 13b and the regenerating liquid point 13c. The soft water valve 13 a is configured to be able to open and close the soft water line 13. The soft water valve 13 a is electrically connected to the control device 7 and is configured to be controlled by the control device 7 for opening and closing.

  The bypass line 14 has an upstream side connected to the first bypass point 12 b of the water passage line 12 and a downstream side connected to the second bypass point 13 b of the soft water line 13. The bypass line 14 constitutes a supply path for supplying raw water to the place of use without going through the resin cylinder 5.

  The bypass valve 14a is disposed between the first bypass point 12b and the second bypass point 13b. The bypass valve 14a is configured to open and close the bypass line 14. The bypass valve 14a is electrically connected to the control device 7, and is configured to be controlled by the control device 7.

  The salt water tank 6 is disposed in parallel with the raw water tank 2 above the resin cylinder 5. The salt water tank 6 includes a first region 60, a second region 61, a placement portion 62, and an overflow pipe 65. The first region 60 is connected to the raw water tank 2 by the supplementary water line 18, and is configured such that raw water is supplied from the raw water tank 2. The second region 61 is partitioned from the first region 60 by the partition wall 63. The second region 61 stores the generated saturated salt water. The saturated salt water is generated by dissolving a salt, which will be described later, placed on the placement unit 62 in the raw water stored in the first region 60. The placement unit 62 is provided above the first region 60 and the second region 61. The placement unit 62 and the first region 60 and the second region 61 are partitioned by a net 64 provided above the first region 60 and the second region 61. A salt to be dissolved in raw water is placed on the placement unit 62. The overflow pipe 65 drains the excess saturated salt water to the outside when the saturated salt water stored in the salt water tank 6 exceeds a predetermined water level.

  The salt water flow line 15 is connected to the second region 61 of the salt water tank 6 on the upstream side, and connected to the regenerating liquid point 13c on the downstream side. The salt water flow-down line 15 constitutes a supply path for supplying salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin 52 to the resin cylinder 5. The salt water flow down valve 15 a is disposed in the salt water flow down line 15. The salt water flow down valve 15 a is configured to be able to open and close the salt water flow down line 15. Further, the salt water flow down valve 15 a is electrically connected to the control device 7, and is configured such that opening and closing is controlled by the control device 7.

  The raw water flow-down line 16 has an upstream side connected to the raw water tank 2 and a downstream side connected to the regenerated liquid point 13c. The raw water flow-down line 16 constitutes a supply path for supplying raw water for washing the ion exchange resin 52 regenerated with salt water to the resin cylinder 5. The raw water flow valve 16 a is disposed in the raw water flow line 16. The raw water flow valve 16a is configured to be able to open and close the raw water flow line 16. The raw water flow down valve 16a is electrically connected to the control device 7, and is configured to be controlled by the control device 7.

  As for the drainage line 17, the upstream side is connected to the drainage point 12c of the water flow line 12, and the downstream side is open to the outside. The drainage line 17 constitutes a drainage channel for draining the stagnant water retained in the resin cylinder 5, salt water used for regeneration of the ion exchange resin 52, and raw water used for washing the ion exchange resin 52 to the outside. The drain valve 17 a is disposed in the drain line 17. The drain valve 17a is configured to be able to open and close the drain line 17. The drain valve 17a is electrically connected to the control device 7 and is configured to be controlled by the control device 7 for opening and closing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control device that controls the water softener according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 7 includes an input unit 70, a memory 71, a CPU 72 as a calculation unit, an image processing unit 73, a display unit 74, and a valve drive circuit 75. It is configured.

  The input unit 70 is used for inputting a soft water unnecessary time zone by the user. That is, the user inputs from the input unit 70 during a time period in which the supply of soft water is unnecessary. For example, based on a calendar displayed on the display unit 74, the user inputs a soft water unnecessary time zone for each day or for each day of the week. Input data input from the input unit 70 is output to the CPU 72 as an input data signal.

  The memory 71 stores processing procedure data, calendar data, and the like. In the memory 71, for example, a display procedure (mark) or a display that is displayed based on a processing procedure for executing water flow processing, regeneration processing, drainage processing, bypass processing, monthly calendar data, and estimated water consumption is registered. Images and the like are stored.

  The CPU 72 determines the water flow state of the water softener 1 based on the output signal output by the flow switch 4 and outputs a predetermined output signal based on the processing procedure data stored in the memory 71 to the valve drive circuit 75. . For example, when an output signal is not received from the flow switch 4 for a predetermined time, it is determined that water has not been passed through the resin cylinder 5 for a predetermined time, and an output signal for executing drainage treatment is sent to the valve drive circuit 75. Output to. Further, when the input data signal output from the input unit 70 is input, the CPU 72 outputs an output signal of processing procedure data for executing bypass processing based on the input data signal to the valve drive circuit 75. Further, the CPU 72 calculates, for example, a predicted consumption amount of water for each month based on the soft water unnecessary time zone input to the calendar timer by the user, and outputs it to the image processing unit 73 and the display unit 74.

  The image processing unit 73 selects from the memory 71 a display corresponding to the predicted consumption water amount (e.g., an eco mark) or a pre-registered image from the predicted consumption water amount calculated by the CPU 72 and outputs the selected image to the display unit 74. . The display unit 74 displays the monthly consumption predicted water amount calculated by the CPU 72 and the predetermined display or image output by the image processing unit 73. For example, the display unit 74 is configured to display a smile mark or a plurality of predetermined marks as an image or the like that is displayed when the expected water consumption is small.

  The valve drive circuit 75 is electrically connected to the water flow valve 12a, the soft water valve 13a, the bypass valve 14a, the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a, and the drain valve 17a. The valve drive circuit 75 opens and closes the water flow valve 12a, the soft water valve 13a, the circulation valve 14a, the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a, and the drainage valve 17a based on the output signal output from the CPU 72.

  Next, the operation of the water softener 1 will be described. The water softening device 1 in the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a water flow process, a drainage process, a regeneration process, and a bypass process.

  First, the water flow treatment will be described. This water flow treatment is a treatment that enables a user to use soft water generated from raw water. The water softener 1 is normally set to this soft water treatment state. When the water softening device 1 is activated and the water softening treatment is executed, the control device 7 opens the water flow valve 12a and the water softening valve 13a. As a result, the water flow line 12 and the soft water line 13 are opened. The bypass valve 14a, the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a and the drainage valve 17a are in a closed state, and the bypass line 14, the salt water flow down line 15, the raw water flow down line 16 and the drainage line 17 are closed. .

  When the water flow valve 12a is opened, raw water in the water flow line flows, and the flow switch 4 detects a predetermined water flow. When the flow switch 4 detects a predetermined water flow, the flow switch 4 outputs a detection signal to the control device 7. When receiving the detection signal from the flow switch 4, the control device 7 activates the water pump 3. When the water pump 3 is activated, the water pump 3 sucks the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 and pumps the raw water toward the resin cylinder 5. At this time, in the water flow line 12, the first bypass point 12 b is connected to the bypass line 14, but since the bypass valve 14 a is closed, the raw water is not circulated to the bypass line 14. . Similarly, the water flow line 12 is connected to the drain line 17 at the drain point 12c, but the raw water is not drained because the drain valve 17a is closed.

  When the raw water is pumped toward the resin cylinder 5, the raw water is supplied into the resin cylinder 5 from the bottom of the resin cylinder 5. The raw water supplied to the inside of the resin cylinder 5 is softened by the ion exchange resin 52 filled inside the resin cylinder 5. The soft water softened by the ion exchange resin 52 is pumped from the upper part of the ion exchange resin 52 to the soft water line 13 and supplied to the place of use by the user. At this time, the soft water line 13 is connected to the bypass line 14 at the second bypass point 13b, but since the bypass valve 14a is closed, the soft water is circulated from the bypass line 14 to the water flow line 12. Never happen. Similarly, in the soft water line 13, the regeneration water point 13 c is connected to the salt water flow down line 15 and the raw water flow down line 16, but since the salt water flow down valve 15 a and the raw water flow down valve 16 a are in a closed state, It does not circulate in the salt water flow line 15 and the raw water flow line 16. In this way, the soft water supplied to the place of use becomes ready for use by opening and closing the faucet at the place of use by the user.

  Next, drainage treatment will be described. In this soft water treatment apparatus 1 in the above water flow treatment, when the soft water is not used by a user for a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour), the soft water retained in the resin cylinder 5 is removed from the soft water equipment 1. This is a process of draining to the outside. In the soft water device 1, when soft water stays in the resin cylinder 5 for a predetermined time, there is a possibility that harmless organic substances eluted from the ion exchange resin 52 are mixed into the soft water that remains. Therefore, the water softener 1 is set to perform this wastewater treatment when soft water is not used for a predetermined time by the user.

  When the soft water is not used by the user for a predetermined time, that is, when the flow switch 4 does not detect a predetermined water flow (predetermined amount of water flow) for a predetermined time, the control device 7 executes a drainage process. When the wastewater treatment is executed, the control device 7 closes the water passage valve 12a and opens the bypass valve 14a and the drainage valve 17a. That is, the water softener 1 closes the water flow valve 12a, the circulation valve 14a, the salt water flow down valve 15a, and the raw water flow down valve 16a, and opens the soft water valve 13a, the bypass valve 14a, and the drain valve 17a.

  Subsequently, the water pump 3 is started with the soft water valve 13a, the bypass valve 14a and the drain valve 17a opened. Then, raw water is pumped toward the resin cylinder 5, and the accumulated water staying inside the soft water device 1 is pushed out from the drain line 17 connected to the bottom of the resin cylinder 5 and drained to the outside. When the accumulated water is drained from the drain valve 17a, the control device 7 closes the drain valve 17a and returns to the water flow treatment again. That is, the control device 7 opens the water flow valve 12a and the soft water valve 13a, closes the bypass valve 14a, the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a, and the drain valve 17a, and returns to the water flow treatment state. Thereby, the waste water treatment is completed. In addition, the waste water treatment is configured to be performed every predetermined time when soft water is not used for a predetermined time by the user.

  Next, the regeneration process of the water softener 1 will be described. This regeneration process is a process for regenerating the ion exchange resin used every predetermined time (for example, every 96 hours). If the ion exchange resin 52 used for the water softener 1 collects a predetermined amount of soft water, the ability to soften the water decreases. Therefore, the water softening device 1 is set to perform the regeneration process of the ion exchange resin 52 when a predetermined time has passed in the state of water flow treatment.

  The regeneration process of the ion exchange resin 52 is performed by circulating salt water through the ion exchange resin 52. When the regeneration process is executed, the control device 7 first opens the salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a, the drain valve 17a and the bypass valve 14a, and closes the water flow valve 12a and the soft water valve 13a. As a result, the saturated salt water stored in the salt water tank 6 flows down by gravity through the salt water flow line 15. Similarly, the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 also flows down by gravity through the raw water flow line 16. Saturated salt water and raw water are mixed at the regenerating liquid point 13 c to become salt water having a predetermined concentration (about 10%), and flow down from the top of the resin cylinder 5 to regenerate the ion exchange resin 52. The salt water after regeneration is drained to the outside through the drain line 17. The circulation of the salt water to the ion exchange resin 52 is executed for a predetermined time (for example, about 15 minutes).

  When the circulation of the salt water to the ion exchange resin 52 is completed, the control device 7 then closes the salt water flow down valve 15a. As a result, only the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 flows down through the raw water flow line 16. The raw water that has flowed down flows from the upper part of the resin cylinder 5 into the resin cylinder 5. When the raw water is circulated inside the resin cylinder 5, the raw water rinses the ion exchange resin 52 while pushing out the salt water remaining inside the ion exchange resin 52. The raw water after the washing is drained to the outside through the drain line 17. This water washing of the ion exchange resin 52 is performed for a predetermined time (for example, about 60 minutes), and is completed by flowing a predetermined amount of raw water and pushing out salt water.

  The regeneration process is terminated by circulating salt water through the ion exchange resin 52 and then washing the ion exchange resin 52 with water. When the regeneration process is completed, the water softener 1 returns to the water flow process state.

  Note that when the ion exchange resin 52 is regenerated, the bypass valve 14a is opened, so that a predetermined water flow is generated in the water flow line 12 when the user opens a faucet or the like at the place of use. When a predetermined water flow is generated in the water flow line 12, the flow switch 4 outputs a detection signal to the control device 7. When receiving the output signal from the flow switch 4, the control device 7 activates the water pump 3. When the water pump 3 is activated, the water pump 3 sucks the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 and pumps the raw water to the place of use by the user via the bypass line 14. As described above, the water softener 1 is configured so that raw water is supplied to the user (raw water supply state) when the regeneration process is performed.

  Next, the bypass process of the water softener 1 will be described. This bypass process is a process for setting the soft water unnecessary time zone to make the soft water apparatus 1 in the raw water supply state in the time zone and reducing the number of times of drainage treatment.

  First, the setting of the soft water unnecessary time zone by the user will be described. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a water flow state of the water softener in which the bypass treatment process is set. The setting of the soft water unnecessary time zone is performed when the user inputs a predetermined time zone to the input unit 70 provided in the control device 7. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of soft water unnecessary time zones can be set.

  First, the user changes the control device 7 to the setting mode for bypass processing. When the setting mode for bypass processing is selected by the user, the control device 7 causes the display unit 74 to display the calendar for the current month. The user selects either daily or weekday input from the calendar displayed on the display unit 74. When daily input is selected by the user, the user sets the soft water unnecessary time for each day of the month. On the other hand, when the user selects input for each day of the week, the user inputs a soft water unnecessary time zone for each day of the week.

  When the soft water unnecessary time zone for each day or day of the week is input by the user, the control device 7 calculates the expected consumption water amount for the month and displays it on the display unit 74. Moreover, the control apparatus 7 displays the predetermined | prescribed mark showing the increase / decrease in the amount of consumption water which compared the consumption amount of water of this month with the consumption amount of water last month or an average consumption amount of water. The predetermined mark indicating the increase / decrease in the amount of water consumption is, for example, displayed in five stages, and the user can confirm the increase / decrease in the displayed predicted water amount with the predetermined number of marks.

  When the user confirms the estimated water consumption and the predetermined mark, the user presses a determination button (not shown) provided on the input unit 70. Thereby, the setting of the soft water unnecessary time zone is completed.

  Next, operation | movement of the water softener 1 in a bypass process is demonstrated. When the soft water unnecessary time zone is set by the user, the control device 7 executes a bypass process based on the set soft water unnecessary time zone. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when 0 to 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock, 14 o'clock to 17 o'clock, and 23 o'clock to 24 o'clock are set as the soft water unnecessary time zone, The bypass process is executed from 6:00 to 6:00, from 9:00 to 11:00, from 14:00 to 17:00, and from 23:00 to 24:00.

  When the soft water unnecessary time zone is reached, the control device 7 closes the water flow valve 12a and the soft water valve 13a and opens the bypass valve 14a. As a result, the water flow line 12 is closed and the bypass line 14 is opened. The salt water flow down valve 15a, the raw water flow down valve 16a and the drainage valve 17a are in a closed state, and the salt water flow down line 15, the raw water flow down line 16 and the drainage line 17 are closed.

  When the bypass valve 14a is opened, raw water flows through the bypass line 14, and the flow switch 4 detects a predetermined water flow. When the flow switch 4 detects a predetermined water flow, the flow switch 4 outputs a detection signal to the control device 7. When receiving the output signal from the flow switch 4, the control device 7 activates the water pump 3. When the water pump 3 is activated, the water pump 3 sucks the raw water stored in the raw water tank 2 and pumps the raw water through the bypass line 14 toward the user's place of use.

  At this time, the water flow line 12 connected to the bypass line 14 is connected to the bypass line 14 at the first bypass point 12b. However, since the water flow valve 12a is in a closed state, the raw water is passed through. It is not distributed to the line 12. Similarly, the soft water line 13 connected to the bypass line 14 is connected to the bypass line 14 at the second bypass point 13b. However, since the soft water valve 13a is in a closed state, the raw water is supplied to the resin cylinder 5. It will not be distributed. In this way, the raw water pumped to the place of use can be used by the user opening and closing the faucet at the place of use.

  In the bypass process, raw water is supplied to the place of use without using the ion exchange resin 52. Therefore, during the bypass process, when the raw water is not used by the user for a predetermined time, that is, when the flow switch 4 does not detect a predetermined water flow (predetermined amount of water flow) for a predetermined time, the above-described drainage is performed. It is configured not to execute processing. On the other hand, in the case of shifting from the bypass process to the water flow process, there is a possibility that stagnant water or the like is present inside the ion exchange resin 52. Therefore, the water softener 1 is configured to perform the above-described drainage process. Has been. Moreover, in the water flow treatment transferred from the waste water treatment, the same operation as the normal water flow treatment is performed.

  According to the water softening device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following effects are exhibited.

  The water softening device 1 according to the present embodiment connects the water flow line 12 and the water softening line 13, the bypass line 14 that can supply raw water to the user, and the user from the bypass line 14 at the time or time zone set by the user. And a control device 7 capable of supplying raw water.

  Therefore, for example, the water softener 1 can be in a state in which raw water is supplied to the user via the bypass line 14 in a soft water unnecessary time zone in which the soft water is unnecessary. For example, the soft water device 1 is implemented when the soft water does not pass for a predetermined time by setting the time when the raw water can be passed because the soft water is not used, such as late at night, early morning or when going out. It is possible to reduce the number of times of soft water drainage treatment. Thereby, for example, the operating cost of the water softener 1 can be reduced.

  Moreover, the water softener 1 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised so that the time and time slot | zone which supply raw | natural water from the bypass line 14 can be set by the user. Therefore, for example, setting according to the user life cycle becomes possible. Thereby, it becomes possible to use soft water effectively without waste.

  Moreover, the water softener 1 which concerns on this embodiment has a calendar timer, and is comprised so that the time and time slot | zone which supply raw | natural water from the bypass line 14 every day or every day of the week can be set. Therefore, for example, setting according to the user life cycle becomes possible. Thereby, it becomes possible to use soft water effectively without waste.

  Moreover, the water softener 1 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised so that calculation of the consumption water quantity for every month is possible based on the time and time slot | zone which supply the raw | natural water for every day or every day of the week input by the user. Therefore, for example, the user can easily confirm the monthly difference in the amount of water consumption due to the setting. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to make a user perform positively the time and time zone which supply raw water for every day or every day of the week. In addition, for example, it becomes possible to make the user aware of water saving.

  Moreover, the water softener 1 which concerns on this embodiment is based on the time and the time slot | zone which supply the raw | natural water for every day or every day of the week inputted by the user, for example, the consumption consumption water quantity compared with last month or an average consumption water quantity. It can be displayed with a predetermined mark. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily confirm the expected consumption water amount compared to the last month or the average consumption water amount. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to make the user actively perform the time and the time zone for supplying the raw water every day or every day of the week, and to make the user aware of water saving.

  In addition, this embodiment is not limited to said embodiment at all, and the technical scope of this invention is not limited to these. For example, in the present embodiment, the bypass process in the water softener 1 is configured to input a time zone in which the soft water is not used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bypass process may be set so as to input a time zone during which the raw water is softened.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the bypass process in the water softener 1 was comprised so that the time slot | zone which does not use soft water was input, in this invention, it is not limited to this. For example, the bypass process may be set to input a time when soft water is not used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Soft water apparatus 2 Raw water tank 3 Water flow pump 4 Flow switch 5 Resin cylinder 6 Salt water tank 7 Control apparatus (control part)
12 Water Flow Line 13 Soft Water Line 14 Bypass Line 17 Drainage Line 52 Ion Exchange Resin

Claims (7)

A resin cylinder filled with an ion exchange resin that softens the water to be treated;
A water passage line connected to the resin cylinder and supplying the treated water into the resin cylinder;
A soft water line connected to the resin cylinder and supplying treated water softened inside the resin cylinder to a place of use;
A bypass line that connects the water flow line and the soft water line, and is capable of supplying the treated water to the place of use;
A soft water device comprising: a control unit capable of switching supply of the water to be treated from supply to the resin tube to supply to the bypass line in accordance with a preset time or time zone. A drainage line connected to the resin cylinder and capable of draining the accumulated water staying inside the resin cylinder to the outside;
The said control part drains the said stagnant water from the said drainage line, when switching the supply of the said to-be-processed water from the supply to the said bypass line to the supply to the said resin cylinder. The water softener described.   The water softener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of times or time zones can be set.   The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the time or time zone can be set by a user. The control unit has a calendar timer function,
The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the time or time zone can be set every day or every day of the week. The control unit is a calculation unit capable of calculating an estimated water consumption for each month based on the time or time zone set for each day or each day of the week;
A display unit capable of displaying a calculation result by the calculation unit;
The water softener according to claim 5, comprising: The soft water device according to claim 6, wherein the expected water consumption is indicated by a predetermined number of marks.

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