JP2017192889A - Ion exchange device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion exchange device, when a user or an operator changes a bypass changeover valve or a raw water strainer or a treatment water strainer is cleaned, capable of performing required operations using the operation tools arranged at an operation tool arrangement part.SOLUTION: Provided is an ion exchange device comprising: a pressure tank; a regenerated liquid feed unit; a piping unit; a flow passage control valve unit; and an enclosure. The enclosure is provided with an operation tool arrangement part 621 at any of the front, rear, left and right faces, the piping unit being an assembly including: bypass changeover valve operation tools 5151, 5311; a raw water strainer operational tool 5111; and a treatment water strainer operational tool 5221. This assembly is arranged in the vicinity at the face provided with the operation tool arrangement part 621 to the enclosure, and the bypass changeover operation tools 5151, 5311, the raw water strainer operation tool 5111 and the treatment water strainer operation tool 5221 are arranged so as to be assembled at the operation tool arrangement part 621.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion exchange device such as a water softening device.

  In recent years, the characteristics and effectiveness of soft water have attracted attention as water for domestic use and processing water in the food manufacturing industry, and ion exchange devices for producing soft water (so-called soft water softening devices) have begun to spread. . The ion-exchange device for soft water production produces soft water, which is treated water, by adsorbing and removing hardness components (calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in raw water such as tap water and groundwater with a cation exchange resin (patent) Reference 1).

  In the water softening device as described above, when the ion exchange resin bed reaches a predetermined amount of water, the ion exchange group becomes almost saturated with the hardness component and loses the ion exchange ability (that is, breakthrough state). . Therefore, in the water softening device, before the ion exchange resin bed becomes a breakthrough state, a regeneration operation is performed to restore ion exchange capacity by supplying salt water as a regeneration solution to the pressure tank in which the ion exchange resin bed is accommodated. Is called. Salt water as a regenerating solution is stored in a regenerating solution tank (salt water tank).

  A general water softening device includes a pressure tank in which an ion-exchange resin bed is accommodated, a regenerated liquid tank in which salt water as a regenerated liquid is stored, a raw water introduction unit for introducing raw water, and an ion exchange resin in the pressure tank. And a piping unit having a treated water deriving unit for deriving treated treated water. The pressure tank is provided with a control valve for switching a flow path such as a water flow process and a regeneration process, and the pressure tank is connected to a piping section through the control valve. Furthermore, the home water softening device is configured to include a housing for accommodating a pressure tank, a regenerated liquid tank, and a piping portion in addition to these elements.

  Furthermore, the water softening device is provided with several operation units that are manually operated. For example, a bypass switching valve operation unit, a raw water strainer operation unit, a treated water strainer operation unit, and the like. The bypass switching valve operation unit is manually operated when the water flow path is switched by the bypass switching valve. The raw water strainer operation unit is manually operated when cleaning the raw water strainer. The treated water strainer operation unit is manually operated when cleaning the treated water strainer.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-166070

  However, in the conventional water softening device, various operation units that are manually operated are provided at different positions. Therefore, there is a problem that it is troublesome to access the operation unit.

  The present invention provides an ion exchange device that allows easy access to these operation tools when a user or an operator switches a bypass switching valve or when cleaning a raw water strainer or a treated water strainer. Objective.

  The present invention relates to a pressure tank in which an ion exchange resin bed for producing treated water by introducing raw water is accommodated, a regenerated liquid supply unit that supplies regenerated liquid to the ion exchange resin bed, a raw water introduction section, and a treatment A piping unit having a water outlet, the pressure tank, the regeneration liquid supply unit, and the piping unit, and a flow path control valve unit that switches the flow path, the pressure tank, the regeneration liquid supply unit, and the piping unit And a housing that houses the flow path control valve unit, wherein the housing is provided with an operation tool arrangement portion on one of front, rear, left and right surfaces, and the piping unit includes: (a) the raw water introduction portion; A raw water pipe that communicates with the raw water inflow port of the flow path control valve unit; and (b) a treated water outflow port of the flow path control valve unit and the treated water outlet. A treated water pipe that is entangled, (c) a bypass pipe that connects the raw water pipe and the treated water pipe, and (d) a non-bypass that feeds the raw water into the flow path control valve unit without flowing into the bypass pipe. A bypass switching valve that can be switched to a bypass path that allows the flow path or raw water to flow into the bypass pipe without flowing into the flow path control valve unit; (e) a raw water strainer provided in the raw water pipe; A treated water strainer provided in the treated water piping; (g) a bypass switching valve operating tool manually operated when switching the bypass switching valve; and (h) manually operated when cleaning the raw water strainer. A raw water strainer operating tool, and (i) a treated water strainer operating tool that is manually operated when cleaning the treated water strainer. The assembly of the unit is disposed in the vicinity of the surface on which the operation tool placement unit is provided with respect to the housing, and the bypass switching valve operation tool, the raw water strainer operation tool, and the treated water strainer operation tool are The present invention relates to an ion exchange device that is arranged in an operation tool arrangement unit.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said operation tool arrangement | positioning part is arrange | positioned at the upper part in either the front-back, left-right surface of the said housing | casing.

  In addition, the operation tool arrangement unit is configured as an operation tool box that stores the bypass switching valve operation tool, the raw water strainer operation tool, and the treated water strainer operation tool, and the operation tool box is configured to be in the housing when the lid is closed. It is preferable to provide a cover plate member that is substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover plate.

  The piping unit further includes (j) a valve group including a vacuum relief valve, a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure relief valve provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the raw water piping, The branch portion of the bypass pipe from the pipe is preferably disposed between the check valve and the pressure reducing valve.

  According to the present invention, when a user or an operator switches the bypass switching valve, or when the raw water strainer or the treated water strainer is washed, it is easy to access those operating tools. Therefore, the convenience of manual operation is improved.

It is a whole block diagram which shows a water treatment process when the flow-path control valve of the water softening apparatus as one Embodiment of the ion exchange apparatus of this invention exists in a 1st state. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the outer cover member of the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which abbreviate | omitted the outer cover member and front side board of the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and opened the inner cover member. It is a perspective view which shows a part of salt water supply unit in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment in cross section. It is a disassembled perspective view of the salt water supply unit in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which accommodated the salt water plate in the lower tank. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the inside of the lower tank in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is an exploded perspective view showing the intermediate panel member, the inner lid member, and the control box in the water softening device according to the present embodiment in an exploded manner. (B) is the disassembled perspective view seen from the bottom face side which decomposes | disassembles and shows the packing member of the intermediate | middle panel member in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the piping unit in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged view of an operation tool arrangement | positioning part. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the connector and the pressure relief valve to the flow-path control valve unit in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (B) is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path control valve unit, connector and pressure relief valve of (A).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an ion exchange device of the present invention is applied to a water softening device will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The hard water softening device 1 according to the present embodiment substitutes sodium ions (or potassium ions) for hardness components contained in raw water such as tap water, groundwater, and industrial water to generate soft water as treated water. The hard water softening device 1 is used for the purpose of supplying soft water as various types of water to demand points. The water softening device 1 uses water from residential buildings such as houses and condominiums, customer collection facilities such as hotels and public baths, medical provision facilities such as clinics and hospitals, refrigeration equipment such as boilers and cooling towers, food processing equipment and cleaning equipment. Connected to equipment. In particular, the hard water softening device 1 is suitable for softening tap water in a general household.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, each component which comprises the water softening apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. The water softening apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pressure tank 2, a flow path control valve unit 3, a salt water supply unit 4 (see also FIGS. 4 to 7) as a regenerating liquid supply unit, and a piping unit 5 (FIG. 9 to FIG. 11), a housing 6, and an intermediate panel 7 (see also FIG. 8). In the following description, “line” is a general term for a flow path, a path, a pipeline, and the like.

[Pressure tank 2]
The pressure tank 2 is a cylindrical pressure-resistant container (for example, the outer periphery is substantially circular in plan view) having a rounded bottom portion, and has an opening 21 at the top. Inside the pressure tank 2, a liquid collection / distribution pipe 231 (see FIG. 1) extending from the center of the opening 21 to the vicinity of the bottom of the pressure tank 2 is provided. A top screen 241 is provided in an area of the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2 excluding the liquid collection and distribution pipe 231. A bottom screen 242 is provided between the lower end of the liquid collection and distribution pipe 231 and the bottom of the pressure tank 2. Therefore, the liquid that has flowed into the pressure tank 2 from the upper end of the liquid collection / distribution pipe 231 descends in the liquid collection / distribution pipe 231 and exits from the lower end through the bottom screen 242 to the outside of the liquid collection / distribution pipe 231. The interior space of the pressure tank 2 outside the liquid pipe 231 rises and exits from the pressure tank 2 through the top screen 241. On the contrary, the liquid that has flowed into the pressure tank 2 through the top screen 241 descends the internal space of the pressure tank 2, enters the collection / distribution pipe 231 through the bottom screen 242, and enters the collection / distribution pipe 231. It rises and comes out of the pressure tank 2 from its upper end. The top screen 241 and the bottom screen 242 are also referred to as a distributor or a collector because of their functions.

  The internal space of the pressure tank 2 outside the collection and distribution pipe 231 is composed of an ion exchange resin bed 211 made of ion exchange resin beads (typically cation exchange resin beads used for water softening), and filtered gravel. A support floor 212 is accommodated. The support floor 212 is disposed on the bottom side of the pressure tank 2. The support floor 212 functions as a fluid rectifying member for the ion exchange resin bed 211. The ion exchange resin bed 211 is laminated above the support floor 212. The ion exchange resin bed 211 functions as a treatment material for producing soft water W2 as treated water by introducing raw water (for example, tap water) W1.

[Flow path control valve unit 3]
The flow path control valve unit 3 is attached to the upper opening 21 (see FIG. 1) of the pressure tank 2. The flow path control valve unit 3 is connected to the pressure tank 2, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5, and switches the flow path according to a required operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the flow path control valve unit 3 includes a valve housing 300 and a driving mechanism (for example, a motor, a gear, an arm, and the like) for driving a main valve 31, a brine valve 35, and a drain valve 36, which will be described later. And a drive mechanism composed of a cam or the like (not shown). The valve housing 300 includes a lower opening 301 attached to the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2, a raw water inflow port 302, a soft water outflow port 303 as a treated water outflow port, a salt water inflow port 304 as a regenerated liquid inflow port, A drain port 305 is formed. A connector 57 (described later) of the piping unit 5 is attached to the raw water inflow port 302 and the soft water outflow port 303. A first pipe joint 54 a (described later) is connected to the salt water inflow port 304. One end of a first drain pipe 551 (described later) is connected to the drain port 305. The drive mechanism is covered with a waterproof cover 306.

  The flow path control valve unit 3 includes a main valve 31, an ejector 33, a strainer 34, a brine valve 35, and a drain valve 36, as shown in FIG. It is incorporated in the valve housing 300. Further, the valve housing 300 includes a raw water line L12, soft water lines L21, L22, L23, L24, dilution water lines L31, L32, salt water lines L42, L43, L44, and drainage lines L51, L52. It is formed as a transport channel. The soft water lines L21 to L24, the dilution water lines L31 and L32, and the salt water line L44 also function as raw water lines. The soft water line L21 also functions as a salt water line.

  The main valve 31 includes a cylinder part 311 formed in the valve housing 300 and having one end opened, and a valve body 312 accommodated in the cylinder part 311. The valve body 312 is configured to be slidable along the axial direction of the cylinder portion 311. The cylinder portion 311 includes four holes 3111 to 3114 at a predetermined interval along the axial direction on the peripheral wall. The valve body 312 includes three seal portions 3121 to 3123. The three seal portions 3121 to 3123 protrude outward from the peripheral wall at a predetermined interval along the axial direction. The valve body 312 has one hole 3124 at the top.

  When the lower opening 301 of the valve housing 300 is attached to the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2, the opening end of the flow path control valve 31 is attached to the upper end of the collection and distribution pipe 231 of the pressure tank 2 in a watertight manner. One end of the raw water line L12 is connected to the raw water inflow port 302 of the valve housing 300. The other end of the raw water line L12 is connected to the first hole 3111 of the cylinder portion 311.

  One end of the soft water line L21 is watertightly connected to a region excluding the liquid collection and distribution pipe 231 at the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2. The other end of the soft water line L21 is connected to a connection point between one end of the soft water line L22 and one end of the salt water line L44. The other end of the soft water line L22 is connected to the third hole 3113 of the cylinder portion 311. One end of the soft water line L23 is connected to the second hole 3112 of the cylinder portion 311. The other end of the soft water line L23 is connected to a connection point between one end of the soft water line L24 and one end of the dilution water line L31. The other end of the soft water line L24 is connected to the soft water outflow port 303.

  The other end of the dilution water line L31 is connected to one side of the strainer 34. One end of a dilution water line L32 is connected to the other side of the strainer 34. The other end of the dilution water line L32 is connected to the nozzle side of the ejector 33. The other end of the salt water line L44 is connected to the diffuser side of the ejector 33. One end of a salt water line L43 is connected to the suction port of the ejector 33. The other end of the salt water line L43 is connected to one side of the brine valve 35. The other side of the brine valve 35 is in communication with the salt water inflow port 304.

  One end of the drain line L51 is connected to the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311. The other end of the drain line L51 is connected to one side of the drain valve 36. The other side of the drain valve 36 is in communication with the drain port 305.

  The main valve 31 produces soft water W2 by collecting the raw water W1 to the bottom screen 242 of the pressure tank 2 while collecting the raw water W1 to the bottom screen 242 and collecting the raw water W1 with respect to sampling and regeneration. Water flow (raw water W1, soft water W2) in the water treatment process to be performed, and salt water W3 as a regenerating liquid is distributed to the top screen 241 and collected at the bottom screen 242 to generate a downward flow of the salt water W3. Thus, the flow of the salt water W3 in the regeneration process for regenerating the ion exchange resin bed 211 is a valve that can be switched.

(First state)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the main valve 31, when the first seal portion 3121 of the valve body 312 is positioned between the first hole 3111 and the second hole 3112 of the cylinder portion 311, The seal portion 3122 is located between the third hole 3113 and the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311, and the third seal portion 3123 of the valve body 312 is formed between the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311 and the opening end portion. Located between. At this time, the first hole 3111 of the cylinder portion 311 has a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cylinder portion 311 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 312, the space inside the top portion of the cylinder portion 311, and the top portion of the valve body 312. It communicates with the space inside the valve body 312 through the hole 3124. That is, the first hole 3111 of the cylinder portion 311 communicates with the upper end portion of the liquid collection and distribution pipe 231 of the pressure tank 2. The second hole 3112 and the third hole 3113 of the valve housing 311 communicate with each other via a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cylinder portion 311 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the valve body 312. The fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311 does not communicate with other holes or the space inside the valve body 312. Hereinafter, this positional relationship is referred to as a “first state” of the flow path control valve 31.

  In addition, the main valve 31 has a second state, a third state, and a fourth state. About these, the detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using the description regarding the 2nd state in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application, the 3rd state, and the 4th state, respectively. .

[Piping unit 5]
As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path control valve unit 3 includes a raw water line L11 extending from the raw water inlet 510 to the raw water inlet port 302 (via a connector 57 described later), and a soft water outlet port 303 (connector 57). A soft water line L25 leading to the soft water outlet 520 is connected. The raw water line L11 and the soft water line L25 are connected by a bypass line L61. The raw water line L <b> 11 includes a raw water pipe 51. The soft water line L25 includes a soft water pipe 52. The bypass line L61 includes a bypass pipe 53.

  The piping unit 5 includes a raw water pipe 51, a soft water pipe 52 as a treated water pipe, a bypass pipe 53, a first bypass switching valve 515, a second bypass switching valve 531, and various valve groups described later. The assembly including. Therefore, the piping unit 5 includes a raw water introducing unit 510 and a soft water deriving unit 520 as a treated water deriving unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the piping unit 5 includes an integrally formed connector 57 for connecting the raw water piping 51 and the soft water piping 52 to the flow path control valve unit 3. The connector 57 communicates with the first port 571 to which the raw water pipe 51 is connected, the second port 572 connected to the raw water inflow port 302, and the third port connected to the soft water outflow port 303. A port 573 and a fourth port 574 that communicates with the third port 573 and is connected to the soft water pipe 52 are provided. An intermediate port 575 serving as a raw water flow path is provided at an intermediate position between the first port 571 and the second port 572. A pressure relief valve 518 described later is connected to the intermediate port 575. That is, the pressure relief valve 518 is connected to an intermediate port 575 that communicates the first port 571 and the second port 572 instead of the raw water pipe 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the raw water line L11 (raw water pipe 51) includes, in order from the side close to the raw water introduction section 510, a raw water strainer 511, a vacuum relief valve 512 having a filter 513, a check valve 514, 1 bypass switching valve 515, pressure reducing valve 516, flow switch 517, and pressure relief valve 518 are provided. The raw water strainer 511 prevents the distribution of fine particles contained in the raw water W1. The vacuum relief valve 512 is opened when a negative pressure is generated in the system and sucks air. The check valve 514 regulates the flow of the raw water W1 in one direction to prevent the backflow of the raw water W1.

  The first bypass switching valve 515 switches the inlet flow path between the raw water line L11 and a later-described bypass line L61 in cooperation with the second bypass switching valve 531. The pressure reducing valve 516 reduces the raw water W1 to a predetermined water pressure. When the flow switch 517 detects that the raw water W1 having a predetermined flow rate has circulated, the flow switch 517 outputs a detection signal to the electronic device 731 of the control box 73 described later. The pressure relief valve 518 allows the excess pressure to escape outside the system when the water pressure of the raw water W1 or the back pressure from the secondary side of the water softening device 1 exceeds a predetermined value. The control valve unit 3 is protected.

  In the soft water line L25 (soft water pipe 52), a check valve 521, a soft water strainer 522 as a treated water strainer, and a switching valve 523 are provided in this order from the side close to the flow path control valve unit 3. The check valve 521 prevents the back flow of the soft water W2 by restricting the flow of the soft water W2 in one direction. The soft water strainer 522 can capture foreign matter (fine particles or crushed pieces of ion exchange resin) mixed in the soft water W2, and the foreign matter is removed by opening the water inspection cock 5221 to the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). Through the system.

  Between the connection point between the check valve 514 of the raw water line L11 (raw water pipe 51) and the first bypass switching valve 515 and the downstream side of the switching valve 523 of the soft water line L25 (soft water pipe 52), a bypass line is provided. L61 is connected. The bypass line L61 constitutes a bypass pipe 53 that connects the raw water pipe 51 and the soft water pipe 52. A branch portion of the bypass pipe 53 from the raw water pipe 51 is disposed between the check valve 514 and the pressure reducing valve 516. In the bypass line L61 (bypass pipe 53), a second bypass switching valve 531 and a check valve 532 are provided in order from the side closer to the raw water line L11.

  The second bypass switching valve 531 switches the inlet flow path in cooperation with the first bypass switching valve 515 and switches the outlet flow path in cooperation with the switching valve 523. Specifically, when the first bypass switching valve 515 is opened and the second bypass switching valve 531 is closed, the raw water W1 does not flow into the bypass pipe 53 but flows into the flow path control valve unit 3. To do. On the contrary, when the first bypass switching valve 515 is closed and the second bypass switching valve 531 is opened, the raw water W1 flows into the bypass pipe 53 without flowing into the flow path control valve unit 3.

  For example, when the ion exchange resin bed 211 is replaced or the flow path control valve unit 3 is repaired, the water softening device 1 is installed while the flow of water to the flow path control valve unit 3 and the pressure tank 2 is stopped. It is necessary to continue water supply to the house. Therefore, in this case, maintenance is performed with the second bypass switching valve 531 open and the first bypass switching valve 515 and the switching valve 523 closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the assembly of the piping unit 5 including the raw water piping 51, the soft water piping 52, and the bypass piping 53 is arranged over and over the pressure tank 2. The outer periphery of the pressure tank 2 is substantially circular in plan view, and the piping unit 5 is disposed along the circular outer periphery of the pressure tank 2.

[Salt water supply unit 4]
The salt water supply unit 4 mainly supplies salt water W3 generated from the salt S as the raw material drug to the ion exchange resin bed 211 in the pressure tank 2 as shown in FIGS. The salt water supply unit 4 includes a salt water tank 41 as a regenerating liquid tank, a salt water plate 42 as a regenerating liquid plate, a salt water valve pipe 43 as a regenerating liquid circulation pipe, and a salt water valve 44 as a regenerating liquid valve. Configured. The salt water tank 41 includes a raw material storage unit 411 that can store the salt S, and a salt water storage unit 412 as a regenerative liquid storage unit that can store the salt water W3 generated from the salt S and makeup water. The salt water plate 42 is disposed inside the salt water tank 41 and has a placement surface 421 on which the salt S is placed. In the salt water valve pipe 43, salt water W3 led out from the salt water tank 41 or makeup water introduced into the salt water tank 41 circulates. The salt water valve 44 is connected to the salt water valve pipe 43 and controls the flow of makeup water and the flow of the salt water W3, and the water level in the salt water tank 41 reaches a preset specified water level WL (see FIG. 7). Has the function of blocking the flow of makeup water. The salt water valve 44, the salt water valve pipe 43, and a closing member 4224 as an upper cover portion described later are integrally assembled as a salt water valve assembly (regeneration liquid valve assembly) 45.

  The salt water tank 41 is divided into an upper tank 41A and a lower tank 41B. The salt water tank 41 is integrally formed by connecting the upper tank 41A and the lower tank 41B in the vertical direction. The lower tank 41B is a generally rectangular tubular body. The bottom of the lower tank 41B is set to a position that is higher than the first bottom 41B1 and the first bottom 41B1 corresponding to the region where the salt water valve 44 is installed, and corresponds to the salt water W3 supply stop position BL (see FIG. 7). And the second bottom portion 41B2. The first bottom portion 41B1 is disposed in the vicinity of one corner portion of the lower tank 41B. The first bottom 41B1 is located on the front side of the water softening device 1 when the salt water tank 41 is installed at a predetermined position of the water softening device 1.

  The lower tank 41B is provided with a step 41B3 at a predetermined height from the second bottom 41B2 of the lower tank 41B. The step portion 41B3 is a step portion in which the size of the cross section of the lower tank 41B below the lower tank 41B is smaller than the size of the cross section of the lower tank 41B above the step portion 41B3. Inside the lower tank 41B, a salt water plate 42 is disposed on the step 41B3. The salt S is placed on the salt water plate 42. In the lower tank 41 </ b> B, the lower surface than the mounting surface 421 functions as a salt water storage unit 412 with the mounting surface 421 of the salt water plate 42 as a boundary. On the other hand, the part above the boundary functions as a raw material container 411.

  The upper tank 41A functions exclusively as the raw material container 411. This means that among the raw material storage unit 411 and the salt water storage unit 412 of the salt water tank 41, the upper tank 41A serves only as the raw material storage unit 411 and does not function as the salt water storage unit 412. is there. The boundary between the raw material container 411 and the salt water reservoir 412 is determined by the placement surface 421 of the salt water plate 42. The salt water plate 42 is disposed inside the lower tank 41B. Therefore, the lower tank 41 </ b> B not only functions as the salt water storage unit 412 but also partially functions as the raw material storage unit 411. Therefore, the upper tank 41A functions exclusively as the raw material storage unit 411.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the salt water tank 41 is provided with an overflow portion 413 that discharges excess salt water W3 inside through an opening 4133 communicating with the raw material storage portion 411. The overflow part 413 is disposed inside the lower tank 41B. Specifically, an overflow portion 413 is provided at a predetermined height from the step portion 41B3 at a corner portion different from the corner portion where the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is formed. That is, the corner portion of the lower tank 41B where the overflow portion 413 is provided is provided with a recess 4131 that is recessed inward in the lateral direction of the lower tank 41B from the second bottom portion 41B2 to the overflow height. The upper surface of the recess 4131 constitutes an overflow surface 4132 having an opening 4133. The overflow surface 4132 is provided with a cylindrical drain tube 4134 extending downward from the opening 4133. One end of the second drain pipe 552 is connected to the bottom opening 4135 of the drain cylinder 4134. The other end of the second drain pipe 552 is connected to the common drain pipe 554.

  The salt water plate 42 protrudes from the mounting surface 421 and covers the portion of the salt water valve 44 that is located above the mounting surface 421. And an overflow portion bulge portion 423 that is higher than 421 and covers the opening 4133 of the overflow portion 413. That is, the salt water valve bulge 422 is connected to the salt water plate 42 and has a side cover 4221 that covers a portion of the salt water valve 44 located above the placement surface 421 from the side, and the salt water valve 44 placement. It is comprised by the upper cover parts 4222 and 4224 which cover the part located above the surface 421 from upper direction. The side cover portion 4221 (and the upper cover portion 4222 integrated with the side cover portion 4221) and the upper cover portion 4224 are configured to be separable.

  Specifically, the salt water valve bulge 422 bulges from the mounting surface 421 to a predetermined height that substantially accommodates the salt water valve 44 installed at the first bottom 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. The salinity valve bulge portion 422 includes a partition wall 4221 as a side cover portion, and a partition plate 4222 and a closing member 4224 as upper cover portions. That is, the partition wall 4221 has a corner in the vicinity of the corner where the first bottom 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is disposed so that the salt water valve 44 installed in the first bottom 41B1 is isolated in the vicinity of the corner. Covering from the first side wall 41B4 of the lower tank 41B constituting the part to the adjacent second side wall 41B5 at a required height. The partition plate 4222 continues to the upper edge of the partition wall 4221 and covers a region substantially in contact with the first side wall 41B4 and the second side wall 41B5 of the lower tank 41B. In the partition plate 4222, for example, a circular opening 4223 is provided at a position directly above the first bottom 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. A closing member 4224 serving as an upper cover integrally closes the opening 4223 of the partition plate 4222 together with the opening 41A3 of the upper tank 41A.

  The overflow portion raised portion 423 rises from the mounting surface 421 of the salt water plate 42 and covers the overflow surface 4132 and the opening 4133 of the overflow portion 413. Specifically, the overflow portion raised portion 423 rises from the placement surface 421 to a height substantially the same as the salt water valve raised portion 422. The overflow portion raised portion 423 includes a partition wall 4231 as a side cover portion and a partition plate 4232 as an upper cover portion. Specifically, the partition wall 4231 requires from the second side wall 41B5 constituting the corner portion to the adjacent third side wall 41B6 so as to isolate the corner portion where the overflow portion 413 of the lower tank 41B is provided. Cover with the height of. The partition plate 4232 is connected to the upper edge of the partition wall 4231 and covers a region substantially in contact with the second side wall 41B5 and the third side wall 41B6 of the lower tank 41B.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a gap 4225 is provided between the side edge of the salt water valve bulge 422 and the inner wall of the salt water tank 41 (first side wall 41B4 and second side wall 41B5). It is done. The gap 4225 functions as a convection flow path resulting from a difference in concentration of the salt water reservoir 412 that occurs when the salt S is dissolved in the makeup water. A gap 4233 is provided between the side edge of the overflow ridge 423 and the inner wall (second side wall 41B5 and third side wall 41B6) of the salt water tank 41. The gap 4233 functions as a flow path for discharging salt water that has exceeded the appropriate amount of liquid in the salt water storage unit 412 and has reached the specified position of the raw material storage unit 411 from the overflow surface 4132 of the overflow unit 413. On the other hand, the gap 4233 also functions as a convection flow path due to a difference in concentration of the salt water reservoir 412 that occurs when the salt S is dissolved in the makeup water.

  The upper tank 41A has an open space 41A1 that is partitioned above the salt water valve bulge 422 and separated from the raw material container 411 via a tank wall 41A5 and opens upward. A salt water valve pipe 43 is disposed in the open space 41A1. Specifically, the upper tank 41A is partially different from the cylindrical body corresponding to the cylindrical body of the lower tank 41B. That is, the portion of the upper tank 41A located directly above the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is a recess 41A1 as an open space that is recessed in the lateral and downward directions of the upper tank 41A through the height of the upper tank 41A. Is provided. A bottom plate 41A2 is provided at the lowermost portion of the recess 41A1 so as to be integrated with other parts of the upper tank 41A. In the bottom plate 41A2, for example, a circular opening 41A3 is provided at a position directly above the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. On the upper surface of the upper tank 41A, a raw material inlet 41A4 for introducing a raw chemical (salt) is provided.

  In the salt water valve pipe 43, salt water W3 led out from the salt water tank 41 or makeup water introduced into the salt water tank 41 circulates. Specifically, the salt water valve pipe 43 constitutes a part of a salt water line L41 for supplying the salt water W3 to be stored to the pressure tank 2 in, for example, a regeneration process. In the water softening apparatus 1 using cation exchange resin beads, the salt water W3 can use aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inside of the salt water tank 41 is partitioned into a raw material storage unit 411 and a salt water storage unit 412 by a salt water plate 42. The raw material storage unit 411 is a region that can store a salt S (for example, sodium chloride or potassium chloride) as a raw material of the regenerated liquid. The salt water storage part 412 is an area | region which can store the salt water W3 produced | generated from the salt S accommodated in the raw material accommodating part 411 and the supplementary water introduce | transduced from the outside.

  The salt S accommodated in the raw material accommodating part 411 is mounted on the salt water plate 42. A part of the salt S placed on the salt water plate 42 is dissolved into the salt water storage part 412 through the salt water plate 42 and mixed with makeup water to become salt water W3. The lower part of the salt water valve 44 is installed in the first bottom 41B1 of the salt water tank 41. The cross-sectional area of the first bottom 41B1 is preferably 1.2 times or less the area under the salt water valve 44, for example. For example, the height of the second bottom portion 41B2 is preferably 2 to 5 cm lower than the salt water supply stop position BL.

  The salt water valve 44 controls the flow of makeup water from the flow path control valve unit 3 and the flow of salt water W3 to the flow path control valve unit 3, and the water level in the salt water tank 41 is set to a preset specified water level WL. When it reaches, it has a function to block the flow of makeup water. The salt water valve 44 includes a water level detection float 4401, a float rod 4404, a salt water valve pipe 43, and an air check housing part 4420. The water level detection float 4401 detects the water level of the salt water W3 stored in the salt water tank 41. The water level detection float 4401 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a reverse concave shape in a vertical section. The water level detection float 4401 is made of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of makeup water. Therefore, the water level detection float 4401 has buoyancy with respect to the makeup water and the salt water W3. The float rod 4404 is a rod-shaped member that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level detection float 4401. The upper end of the float rod 4404 is connected to the water level detection float 4401. The lower end of the float rod 4404 is connected to a water replenishing stopper (not shown) as a valve body.

  The salt water valve pipe 43 is a cylindrical member through which salt water W3 supplied from the salt water tank 41 to the outside and makeup water supplied from the outside to the salt water tank 41 flow. The lower end of the salt water valve pipe 43 is connected to a lower air check housing (not shown). The air check housing part 4420 includes a salt water valve filter 4421, an upper air check housing, a water replenishing stopper, a ball holder, a float ball, a lower air check housing, a metal ball, and a plug. About the structure and effect | action of the salt water valve 44 including the detail of the air check housing part 4420, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2015-174074 by the same applicant as this application.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the salt water valve assembly 45 includes a salt water valve 44, a salt water valve pipe 43, and a blocking member 4224 of the salt water valve bulge 422 of the salt water plate 42. A third connection end 543 of the salt water pipe 54 is connected to the tip of the salt water valve pipe 43. When the saltwater valve pipe 43 is pulled upward, both the closing member 4224 and the saltwater valve 44 are lifted. The closing of the raw material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 will be described later.

[Salt water piping]
The flow path control valve unit 3 is connected to a salt water pipe for introducing salt water when the ion exchange resin bed 211 is regenerated. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a salt water line L <b> 42 is connected to the salt water inflow port 304 of the flow path control valve unit 3. The other end of the salt water line L42 is connected to one side of the salt water flow meter 545. One end of a salt water line L41 is connected to the other side of the salt water flow meter 545. The other end of the salt water line L41 is connected to the salt water valve pipe 43 of the salt water supply unit 4. Specifically, the other end of the salt water line L42 constitutes a first connection end 541 of the first pipe joint 54a as shown in FIG. One end of the salt water flow meter 545 is connected to the first connection end 541 of the first pipe joint 54a. The other end 542 of the second pipe joint 54b is connected to the other side of the salt water flow meter 545.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third connection end 543 of the third pipe joint 54 c is connected to the tip of the salt water valve pipe 43 of the salt water supply unit 4. The second connection end 542 of the second pipe joint 54b and the third connection end 543 of the third pipe joint 54c are connected by a flexible tube (not shown). That is, the salt water line L41 is configured by a salt water pipe including the flexible tube and the pipe joints 54a to 54c. The salt water inlet port 304 of the flow path control valve unit 3 and the tip of the salt water valve pipe 43 are connected by this salt water pipe.

[Drainage piping]
The flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5 are connected to drain piping for deriving various types of drainage. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a drain line L52 is connected to the drain port 305 of the flow path control valve unit 3. The drain line L52 includes a first drain pipe 551. In the first drain pipe 551, recycled waste water discharged when the ion exchange resin bed 211 is regenerated flows. One end of a drainage line L53 is connected to the overflow part 413 of the salt water supply unit 4. The drain line L53 includes a second drain pipe 552. Overflow drainage from the salt water tank 41 flows through the second drainage pipe 552. One end of a drain line L54 is connected to the pressure relief valve 518 of the piping unit 5. The drain line L54 includes a third drain pipe 553. Raw water drainage discharged when the pressure relief valve 518 is operated flows through the third drain pipe 553. The other side of the first drain pipe 551, the other side of the second drain pipe 552, and the other side of the third drain pipe 553 are all connected to the common drain pipe 554.

  The common drain pipe 554 guides a plurality of types of drainage to a drainage joint 550 as a single drainage part through a single flow path. A water-sealed trap 5541 is provided in the common drain pipe 554 on the downstream side of the connection part between the common drain pipe 554 and the first drain pipe 551 and the connection part between the common drain pipe 554 and the second drain pipe 552. . The trap 5541 is configured to hold sealed water by circulation of the regenerated waste water to the common drain pipe 554.

[Internal layout]
Next, the arrangement relationship among the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure tank 2 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the water softening device 1. The flow path control valve unit 3 is disposed above the pressure tank 2. The salt water supply unit 4 is disposed on one side (left side) of the pressure tank 2. The piping unit 5 is disposed on the other side (right side) of the pressure tank 2. The height occupied by the pressure tank 2 and the flow path control valve unit 3 is set lower than the height occupied by the salt water tank 41.

The housing 6 accommodates the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. The housing 6 includes a base 61 that supports the pressure tank 2 and the salt water supply unit 4, and a first side plate 62 that surrounds the side of the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. And a second side plate 63, a pressure tank 2, a flow path control valve unit 3, a salt water supply unit 4, and an outer lid member 64 that covers the piping unit 5. The housing 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. In addition, the housing | casing 6 is not a rectangular parallelepiped shape, The outer surface of the side plate of the housing | casing 6 may be rounded.
The flow path control valve unit 3 is attached to the pressure tank 2 and supported by the pressure tank 2. The piping unit 5 is attached to the flow path control valve unit 3 and supported by the flow path control valve unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 61 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The base 61 includes anchor attachment portions 613 on the entire peripheral surfaces of both long sides and both short sides in plan view. The base 61 is made of a resin material. The anchor attachment portion 613 is made of the same resin material as the base 61 and is integrally formed with the base 61. An anchor fitting 614 is attached to the anchor attachment portion 613. For example, by fixing the anchor fitting 614 using an anchor bolt (not shown), the water softening device 1 is firmly installed at the installation location. Note that it is not necessary to use all the anchor attachment portions 613, and only some of the anchor attachment portions 613 may be used according to the installation location, the required installation strength, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first side plate 62 and the second side plate 63 are fixed to the base 61 at the lower edge portion. The first side plate 62 covers the back surface and the left and right side surfaces of the water softening device 1, and the second side plate 63 covers the front surface of the water softening device 1. On the right side surface of the first side plate 62, a raw water introduction portion 510, a soft water lead-out portion 520, and a drainage joint 550 of the piping unit 5 are provided. As shown in FIG. 10, an operation tool box 621 serving as an operation tool placement unit is provided on the upper portion of the right side surface of the first side plate 62. Inside the operation tool box 621, the first bypass switching valve operating tool 5151 that is manually operated when switching the first bypass switching valve 515 and the manual operation when switching the second bypass switching valve 531 are performed. Second bypass switching valve operating tool 5311, a raw water strainer lid 5111 as a raw water strainer operating tool that is manually operated when cleaning the raw water strainer 511, and a manual operation when cleaning the treated water strainer 522. The test water cock 5221 as the treated water strainer operating tool is arranged and stored (stored).
The water inspection cock 5221 is provided in the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). The form of the operation tool is not limited, and examples thereof include a handle, a lever, a knob (a knob), and a knob.

  A drain port 6211 is provided in front of the operation tool box 621 on the lower right side. The drain port 6211 is for discharging, for example, water leaking from the strainer discharge pipe 5222 of the water inspection cock 5221 from the inside of the operation tool box 621. The operation tool box 621 includes a cover plate member 622 that covers and covers the operation tool box 621. A bulging portion 6221 bulging forward is provided at the lower right of the cover plate member 622 so as to cover the upper side of the drain port 6211. The cover plate member 622 is screwed into the boss hole 6212 of the operation tool box 621 with a decorative screw 6222 inserted through the center hole of the lower edge portion with the upper edge portion inserted into the locking portion of the operation tool box 621 from below. By fastening, it is attached to the operation tool box 621. The lid plate member 622 is substantially flush with the right side surface of the first side plate 62 when attached to the operation tool box 621. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the assembly of the piping unit 5 is arranged in the vicinity of the surface of the housing 6 on which the operation tool box 621 is provided.

  The intermediate panel 7 is placed on the upper edges of the first side plate 62 and the second side plate 63. The intermediate panel 7 includes an intermediate panel member 71, an inner lid member 72, and a control box 73. The intermediate panel member 71 is fixed to the upper edge portions of both side surfaces of the first side plate 62. The outer lid member 64 is attached to the intermediate panel member 71 so as to be openable and closable by providing a pivot shaft on the back side. A cylinder lock 641 is fixed at the center of the front side of the outer lid member 64. A holding portion 642 for receiving and holding the cylinder lock 641 is fixed at the center of the front side of the intermediate panel member 71. By closing the outer lid member 64 and locking the cylinder lock 641, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the outer lid member 64 is opened without permission and an unexpected accident may occur.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the intermediate panel member 71 is located above the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5 below the outer lid member 64. It is placed over. The intermediate panel member 71 includes raw material inlets 711 and 712 at a position above the salt water tank 41. Specifically, the first raw material inlet 711 is a region surrounded by a flange that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the intermediate panel member 71. The second raw material inlet 712 is an area surrounded by a flange that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the intermediate panel member 71 slightly below the first raw material inlet 711. The second raw material inlet 712 is similar to the raw material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 and has a slightly smaller shape. The first raw material input port 711 and the second raw material input port 712 communicate with each other in the vertical direction.

  A packing member 7121 is attached to the outer periphery of the second raw material charging port 712 having a downward flange shape. The inner periphery of the packing member 7121 has a shape and a size that are in close contact with the entire outer periphery of the downward flange of the second raw material inlet 712. The outer periphery of the packing member 7121 has a shape and a size that are in close contact with the entire inner periphery of the raw material introduction port 41A4 of the salt water tank 41. Therefore, when the second raw material inlet 712 to which the packing member 7121 of the intermediate panel member 71 is attached is pushed into the raw material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 from above, the second raw material inlet 712 is placed inside the raw material inlet 41A4. Are connected together. By covering the upward flange of the first raw material charging port 711 with the inner lid member 72, the first raw material charging port 711 is closed, and thus the second raw material charging port 712 is also closed.

  The intermediate panel member 71 is made of a hard resin material, specifically, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (abbreviation: ASA). The inner lid member 72 is made of a soft resin material, specifically, low-density polyethylene (abbreviation: LDPE). The intermediate panel member 71 and the inner lid member 72 do not include another member and / or a coating for improving the sealing performance. The upper tank 41A is made of polypropylene (abbreviation: PP).

  The control box 73 is fixed to the lower side of the intermediate panel member 71 at a position removed from above the salt water tank 41. The control box 73 stores an electronic device 731 used for controlling the water softening device 1. The electronic device 731 includes a switching power supply 7311 that converts commercial AC power into DC power, and a microcomputer 7312 that is driven by the DC power converted by the switching power supply 7311 and controls the operation of the flow path control valve unit 3. . The drive voltage of the microcomputer 7312 is in the range of 5 to 24V. The microcomputer 7312 is configured as a one-board microcomputer on which at least a CPU (not shown), a memory (not shown), a display device 7313, and operation buttons 7314 are mounted. The intermediate panel member 71 has a display operation area 732 in which the display device 7313 can be visually recognized and the operation button 7314 can be pressed so as to correspond to the positions of the display device 7313 and the operation button 7314 when the control box 73 is fixed. Provided.

[Operation of water softening device 1]
Next, the operation | movement operation | movement of the water softening apparatus 1 in this embodiment is demonstrated. The water softening device 1 has a water treatment mode, a regeneration mode, a cleaning mode, a water replenishment mode, and a standby mode as operation modes.

  The water treatment mode is a mode for producing treated water (soft water W2) by introducing the raw water W1 into the pressure tank 2. In the water treatment mode, the microcomputer 7312 executes a water treatment process.

  The regeneration mode is a mode in which the ion exchange resin bed 211 is regenerated by introducing salt water W3 as a regeneration solution into the pressure tank 2. In the regeneration mode, the microcomputer 7312 sequentially performs a regeneration process, an extrusion process, and an air bleeding process.

  The cleaning mode is a mode for cleaning the ion exchange resin bed 211 by generating an upward flow in the pressure tank 2 by introducing raw water W1 as a cleaning liquid into the pressure tank 2. In the water treatment mode, the microcomputer 7312 executes a cleaning process.

The water replenishment mode is a mode in which the raw water W1 is replenished to the salt water tank 4. In the water replenishment mode, the microcomputer 7312 executes a water replenishment process.
The standby mode is a mode in which the liquid in the pressure tank 2 is not controlled (fluid is not introduced into the pressure tank 2). In the standby mode, the microcomputer 7312 executes a standby process.

  The microcomputer 7312 controls the flow path control valve unit 3 so as to switch each operation mode based on a predetermined transition condition (event). The details of the switching of each operation mode will be omitted by using FIG. 10 and the description related thereto in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application.

Hereafter, the process performed in the operation mode mentioned above is demonstrated. The flow path control valve unit 3 switches the state of the main valve 31 and the open / close state of the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 7312 and executes a process defined for each operation mode. First, a water treatment process is demonstrated and about a different process, only a difference with a water treatment process is demonstrated.
In each of the following steps, the first bypass switching valve 515 is in the open position, the second bypass switching valve 531 is in the closed position, and the water inspection cock 5221 is in the closed position unless operated by a user or maintenance personnel. It is in.

[Water treatment process]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the water treatment process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the first state, and both the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are in the closed position. Therefore, the raw water W1 introduced into the hard water softening device 1 from the raw water introduction unit 510 sequentially flows through the raw water line L11, the raw water line L12, the first hole 3111 and the hole 3124 of the flow path control valve 31, and the collection and distribution of the pressure tank 2 The liquid is supplied to the liquid pipe 231 and distributed from the bottom screen 242. The raw water W1 distributed from the bottom screen 242 passes through the ion exchange resin bed 211 in an upward flow. In the process in which the raw water W1 passes through the inside of the pressure tank 2 in an upward flow, the hardness component of the raw water W1 is replaced with sodium ions (or potassium ions), and the raw water W1 is softened. The treated water (soft water W <b> 2) that has passed through the ion exchange resin bed 211 is collected on the top screen 241 at the top of the pressure tank 2. Thereafter, the soft water W2 sequentially flows through the soft water line L21, the soft water line L22, the third hole 3113 and the second hole 3112 of the flow path control valve 31, the soft water line L23, the soft water line L24, and the soft water line L25, and the soft water deriving unit 520 To the outside of the hard water softening device 1 and supplied to the demand point of the soft water W2.

[Regeneration process]
In the regeneration process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, and the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are both in the open position. About the detail of a reproduction | regeneration process, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using description regarding the reproduction | regeneration process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Extrusion process]
In the extrusion process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. About the detail of an extrusion process, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using the description regarding the extrusion process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Air bleeding process]
In the air venting process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the third state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. About the detail of an air bleeding process, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using description regarding the raising process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Washing process]
In the cleaning process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the fourth state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. About the detail of a washing | cleaning process, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using description regarding the descending process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Water replenishment process]
In the water replenishment process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the first state, the brine valve 35 is in the open position, and the drain valve 36 is in the closed position. About the detail of a water replenishment process, the detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using the description regarding the water replenishment process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Standby process]
In the standby process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, and both the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are in the closed position. About the detail of a standby process, detailed description in this specification is abbreviate | omitted by using description regarding the standby process which concerns on 1st Embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as this application.

[Manual bypass operation]
When bypassing the water supply of the water softening apparatus 1 manually, a user and a maintenance worker operate as follows. That is, when the water softening device 1 is in the water treatment mode (the flow path control valve unit 3 is in the water treatment step), the operation tool box 621 is opened to place the first bypass switching valve 515 in the closed position, and the second The bypass switching valve 531 is set to the open position.

  By this operation, the raw water W1 introduced into the hard water softening device 1 from the raw water introduction unit 510 sequentially flows through the raw water strainer 511, the vacuum relief valve 512, and the check valve 514 of the raw water line L11, and then the first of the bypass line L61. 2 sequentially flows through the bypass switching valve 531 and the check valve 532, and then sequentially flows downstream of the switching valve 523 of the soft water line L25 to be supplied to the demand point of the soft water W2.

[Operation of soft water strainer cleaning]
When cleaning the soft water strainer 522, a user or a maintenance staff operates as follows. That is, when the water softening device 1 is in the water treatment mode (the flow path control valve unit 3 is in the water treatment step), the operation tool box 621 is opened to place the first bypass switching valve 515 in the closed position, and the second The bypass switching valve 531 is set to the open position. Then, the water inspection cock 5221 is set to the open position.

  By this operation, the raw water W1 introduced into the hard water softening device 1 from the raw water introduction unit 510 sequentially flows through the raw water strainer 511, the vacuum relief valve 512, and the check valve 514 of the raw water line L11, and then the first of the bypass line L61. 2 sequentially flows through the bypass switching valve 531 and the check valve 532, and then sequentially flows through the switching valve 523 and the soft water strainer 522 of the soft water line L25, and finally the test water cock 5221 and the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). Discharged through. At this time, foreign matter (fine particles or crushed pieces of ion exchange resin) mixed in the soft water W2 previously captured by the soft water strainer 522 opens the test water cock 5221, thereby causing the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line). L62) is discharged out of the system.

  In the above embodiment, the operation tool box 621 is provided on the upper portion of the right side surface of the first side plate 62, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation tool box 621 may be provided on either the left side surface or the back surface of the first side plate 62 or the front surface of the second side plate 63.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the raw | natural water introducing | transducing part 510, the soft water derivation | leading-out part 520, and the drainage coupling 550 were provided in the right side surface of the 1st side plate 62, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the drainage joint 550 may be provided on either the left side surface or the back surface of the first side plate 62 or the front surface of the second side plate 63.

  Further, the salt water valve assembly 45 may include a float switch (not shown) for detecting whether or not the salt water (regeneration liquid) has reached a predetermined salt water concentration.

According to the water softening apparatus 1 of this embodiment mentioned above, the following various effects are show | played, for example.
The water softening device 1 of the present embodiment includes a pressure tank 2 in which an ion exchange resin bed 211 that produces soft water W2 is introduced by introducing raw water W1, and salt water that supplies salt water W3 to the ion exchange resin bed 211. A flow path control valve unit 3 that is connected to the supply unit 4, the pipe unit 5 having the raw water introduction part 510 and the soft water lead-out part 520, the pressure tank 2, the salt water supply unit 4 and the pipe unit 5, and switches the flow path; A tank 2, a salt water supply unit 4, a piping unit 5, and a housing 6 that houses the flow path control valve unit 3. The casing 6 is provided with an operation tool arrangement portion 621 on either the front, back, left, or right side, and the piping unit 5 is connected to (a) the raw water introduction port 510 and the raw water inflow port 302 of the flow path control valve unit 3. A pipe 51, (b) a soft water pipe 52 connecting the soft water outflow port 303 of the flow path control valve unit 3 and the soft water outlet 520, and (c) a bypass pipe 53 connecting the raw water pipe 510 and the soft water pipe 520. (D) A non-bypass path for flowing the raw water W1 into the flow path control valve unit 3 without flowing into the bypass pipe 53, or a bypass for flowing the raw water W1 into the bypass pipe 53 without flowing into the flow path control valve unit 3 Bypass switching valves 515 and 531 that can be switched to a path, (e) raw water strainer 511 provided in the raw water pipe 51, and (f) soft water provided in the soft water pipe 52. A trainer 522; (g) bypass switch valve operating tools 5151 and 5311 that are manually operated when switching the bypass switch valves 515 and 531; and (h) a raw water strainer that is manually operated when cleaning the raw water strainer 511. The assembly includes an operation tool 5111 and (i) a soft water strainer operation tool 5221 that is manually operated when the soft water strainer 522 is cleaned. The assembly of the piping unit 5 is disposed in the vicinity of the surface of the housing 6 where the operation tool placement unit 621 is provided. Bypass switching valve operation tools 5151 and 5311, raw water strainer operation tool 5111, and soft water strainer operation tool 5221. Are arranged together in the operation tool arrangement part 621.

  Therefore, when a user or an operator switches the bypass switching valves 515 and 531 or when the raw water strainer 511 or the soft water strainer 522 is washed, the bypass switching valve operation tools 5151 and 5311 disposed in the operation tool placement unit 621 are provided. Necessary operations can be performed using the raw water strainer operation tool 5111 or the soft water strainer operation tool 5221. Therefore, it is easy to access each operation tool, and the convenience of manual operation is improved.

  In addition, the operating tool placement unit 621 is placed on either the front, back, left, or right side of the housing 6. Specifically, the operation tool placement unit 621 is placed on the upper part of the right side surface of the housing 6. Therefore, even if it is the comparatively short water softening apparatus 1, a required manual operation can be performed, without a user and an operator bending much.

  In addition, the operation tool placement unit 621 is configured as an operation tool box 621 for storing bypass switch valve operation tools 5151 and 5311, raw water strainer operation tool 5111, and soft water strainer operation tool 5221. The operation tool box 621 is enclosed when closed. A cover plate member 622 that is substantially flush with the outer surface of the body 6 is provided. Therefore, when the cover plate member 622 normally closes the operation tool box 621, the operation tool box 621 is hardly noticeable and has excellent appearance.

  The piping unit 5 further includes (j) a valve group including a vacuum relief valve 512, a check valve 514, a pressure reducing valve 516, and a pressure relief valve 518 provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the raw water piping 51. A branch portion of the bypass pipe 53 including the raw water pipe 51 is disposed between the check valve 514 and the pressure reducing valve 516. Therefore, it is easy to dispose the bypass switching valves 515 and 531 at a position away from the flow path control valve unit 3, and as a result, it is easy to dispose the bypass switching valve operating tools 5151 and 5311 on the right side surface of the housing 6. It is.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms.

  In the above embodiment, the operation tool placement unit 621 is placed on the upper right side of the housing 6. However, the operation tool placement portion 621 may be placed on the left side, front, or back of the housing 6. Furthermore, the operation tool placement unit 621 may be placed at a position not limited to the upper part on any of the front, rear, left, and right surfaces of the housing 6.

1 Water softener (ion exchanger)
2 Pressure tank 211 Ion exchange resin bed 3 Flow path control valve unit 302 Raw water inflow port 303 Soft water outflow port (treated water outflow port)
4 Salt water supply unit (regenerated liquid supply unit)
5 Piping unit 51 Raw water piping 510 Raw water introduction part 511 Raw water strainer 5111 Raw water strainer lid (raw water strainer operation tool)
512 Vacuum Relief Valve 514 Check Valve 515 First Bypass Switch Valve 5151 First Bypass Switch Valve Operating Tool 516 Pressure Reducing Valve 518 Pressure Relief Valve 52 Soft Water Pipe (Treatment Water Pipe)
520 Soft water outlet (treated water outlet)
522 Soft water strainer (treated water strainer)
5221 Water inspection cock (treated water strainer operation tool)
53 Bypass piping 531 2nd bypass switching valve 5311 2nd bypass switching valve operation tool 6 Case 621 Operation tool box (operation tool arrangement part)
W1 Raw water W2 Soft water (treated water)
W3 Brine (regenerated liquid)

Claims (4)

A pressure tank containing an ion exchange resin bed for producing treated water by introducing raw water;
A regenerative liquid supply unit for supplying the regenerative liquid to the ion exchange resin bed;
A piping unit having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet;
A flow path control valve unit that is connected to the pressure tank, the regeneration liquid supply unit, and the piping unit, and switches the flow path;
A housing for housing the pressure tank, the regeneration liquid supply unit, the piping unit, and the flow path control valve unit;
The casing is provided with an operation tool arrangement portion on one of the front, rear, left and right sides,
The piping unit includes: (a) raw water piping that connects the raw water introduction unit and the raw water inflow port of the flow path control valve unit; and (b) a treated water outflow port of the flow path control valve unit and the treated water lead-out. A treated water pipe that communicates with the section; (c) a bypass pipe that connects the raw water pipe and the treated water pipe; and (d) a raw water that flows into the flow path control valve unit without flowing into the bypass pipe. A bypass switching valve that can be switched to a non-bypass path to be made, or a bypass path that allows raw water to flow into the bypass pipe without flowing into the flow path control valve unit, and (e) a raw water strainer provided in the raw water pipe, (F) a treated water strainer provided in the treated water pipe, (g) a bypass switching valve operating tool manually operated when switching the bypass switching valve, and (h) Serial raw water strainer raw water strainer operation member which is operated manually when cleaning the a assembly comprising a treated water strainer operation member which is operated manually when cleaning the (i) the treated water strainer,
The assembly of the piping unit is disposed in the vicinity of the surface on which the operation tool placement unit is provided with respect to the housing.
The bypass switching valve operation tool, the raw water strainer operation tool, and the treated water strainer operation tool are arranged together in the operation tool placement unit,
Ion exchange device. The operation tool arrangement part is arranged on the upper part of either the front, rear, left, or right side of the housing.
The ion exchange apparatus according to claim 1. The operation tool arrangement unit is configured as an operation tool box that stores the bypass switching valve operation tool, the raw water strainer operation tool, and the treated water strainer operation tool,
The operation tool box includes a cover plate member that is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing when the lid is closed.
The ion exchange apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The piping unit further includes (j) a valve group including a vacuum relief valve, a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure relief valve provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the raw water piping,
A branch portion of the bypass pipe from the raw water pipe is disposed between the check valve and the pressure reducing valve.
The ion exchange apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3.

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