JP2020033054A - Water server - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water server capable of suppressing a decrease in filter performance even when dew condensation water is depleted.SOLUTION: A water purifier (3) of a water server (1) includes a pump (34) for intermittently supplying water from a pre-tank (31) to a water purification filter (32), the pump (34) is controlled so as to automatically stop supplying water to the water purification filter (32) when dew condensation water in the pre-tank (31) decreases below a predetermined amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a water server.

  A conventional water server uses, for example, tap water or purified water purified to a predetermined quality in advance. However, such a conventional water server has a problem that it is difficult to install the water server in an area where the quality of tap water cannot be sufficiently ensured or in an area where water purification treatment is difficult. Therefore, there has been proposed an apparatus for generating drinking water using water vapor contained in air.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a hydrogen water production device that generates hydrogen water in which active hydrogen is dissolved using dew water obtained by condensing moisture in the air as raw water. The hydrogen water production apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates a hydrogen generation reaction with respect to dew condensation water to generate hydrogen water in which active hydrogen is dissolved, and a filter that filters the hydrogen water. And a drinking water server that supplies hydrogen water from which impurities have been removed by the filter as drinking water. The dew water is stored in a reaction vessel of the hydrotreating apparatus.

  Further, Patent Literature 2 discloses a water generating device that uses dew water of a dehumidifier as drinking water. It is disclosed that a photocatalyst is applied to a storage unit that stores dew water.

JP 2013-94757 A JP 2012-12805 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has a problem that when the dew water stored in the reaction vessel is depleted, the performance of a filter for filtering the dew water is reduced.

  The amount of dew water generated varies depending on the surrounding humidity environment. For example, in a low humidity environment, the amount of condensed water generated is low. Therefore, when the device described in Patent Literature 1 is used in a low humidity environment, there is a possibility that dew water stored in the reaction container may be depleted. Further, even when the device described in Patent Document 1 is used in a high humidity environment, when the amount of hydrogen water supplied to the drinking water server is extremely large, the dew condensation water stored in the reaction vessel is depleted. There is a risk.

  That is, unlike a conventional water server that can always supply tap water or purified water as raw water to a drinking water server, the apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 requires a reaction vessel depending on the surrounding humidity environment, the required supply amount of drinking water, and the like. There is a risk of depletion of dew water stored in the area.

  In the apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, when the amount of water stored in the reaction vessel reaches a predetermined level, the supply of dew condensation water is stopped. Therefore, the reaction vessel is always filled with dew water for the hydrogenation reaction. It is in a state of being satisfied. Therefore, in the device described in Patent Literature 1, it is not assumed that dew water in the reaction vessel is depleted.

  An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to realize a water server that can suppress a decrease in the performance of a filter that filters dew water even when the amount of dew water stored therein is exhausted.

  In order to solve the above problems, a water server according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a dehumidifier that dehumidifies air taken in, a water purifier that purifies dew water condensed in the dehumidifier, and a purified water purifier. A discharge unit that discharges water, a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of purified water, the water purifier includes a first water storage tank that stores the dew water, and a filter that removes impurities of the dew water, A second water storage tank connected to the discharge unit; and a pump for intermittently supplying water from the first water storage tank to the filter, wherein the pump is configured to control a location of the dew condensation water in the first water storage tank. This is a configuration in which the water supply to the filter is automatically stopped when the amount of water decreases below the fixed amount.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in performance of a filter that filters dew water even when the amount of dew water stored is depleted.

It is a mimetic diagram for explaining a schematic structure of a water server concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (b) are perspective views for explaining a schematic configuration of a water server according to the embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the heat radiation structure which radiates the heat | fever from UV-LED is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is the bottom view seen from the discharge side.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a water server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views for explaining a schematic configuration of the water server 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The water server 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which air is taken in from the outside, moisture in the air is condensed, and the condensed water is purified. Therefore, the water server 1 is particularly effective in a hot and humid area.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the water server 1 was dew-condensed in the air purifying filters 11 and 12, the dehumidifier 2 for dehumidifying the taken-in air, and the dehumidifier 2. The water purifier 3 includes a water purifier 3 that purifies dew water, a discharge unit 4 that discharges purified water, and a discharge control unit 81 that controls discharge of purified water. In the water server 1, the dehumidifier 2, the water purifier 3, the discharge unit 4, and the discharge control unit 81 are integrated by the same housing.

  The air purification filter 11 is provided at an air intake port (not shown) of the water server 1, and the air purification filter 12 is provided at an exhaust port (not shown). The air cleaning filters 11 and 12 may be configured to remove dust and dirt contained in the air by passing the air. Examples of the air cleaning filters 11 and 12 include a HEPA filter, a ULPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. Further, as the air purifying filters 11 and 12, a configuration in which the filters exemplified above are combined can be used.

  The water server 1 is provided with a blower (not shown). When the blower is driven, external air is taken into the water server 1. A conventionally known configuration can be adopted for the blower as long as it can transfer air. As the blower, for example, a fan can be used.

  The dehumidifier 2 has a function of dehumidifying the air that has passed through the air cleaning filter 11 arranged at the air intake. Due to this dehumidification, moisture in the air is dewed in the dehumidifier 2. The dehumidifier 2 can adopt a conventionally known dehumidification method. Examples of the dehumidification method used for the dehumidifier 2 include an adsorption method using zeolite, an air cooling method using a refrigerant, and an air compression method using a compressor. The dehumidifier 2 shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 2 is a dehumidifier that employs an air compression method using a compressor, and includes a compressor 21 and a heat exchanger 22. The heat exchanger 22 includes a radiator 22a and a heat absorber 22b. The compressor 21, the radiator 22a, and the heat absorber 22b are connected by piping. In the dehumidifier 2, the refrigerant circulates between the compressor 21, the radiator 22a, and the heat absorber 22b.

  The compressor 21 compresses a refrigerant. In the dehumidifier 2, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 circulates in the order of the radiator 22a and the heat absorber 22b. Here, when the refrigerant circulating in the dehumidifier 2 is compressed under high pressure, it generates a high temperature and changes to a liquid. When the liquefied refrigerant returns to gas at normal pressure, it takes away heat from the surroundings (so-called latent heat). The compressor type dehumidifier 2 utilizes the latent heat. More specifically, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 passes through the radiator 22a in a liquid state. For this reason, the radiator 22a becomes hot due to the compressed refrigerant, and radiates heat to the passing air.

  Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the radiator 22a passes through the heat absorber 22b in a state of normal pressure. At this time, the refrigerant becomes a gas and absorbs heat with respect to the passing air. Thereby, the heat absorber 22b is cooled. Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the heat absorber 22b flows into the compressor 21 again.

  When the air taken into the water server 1 comes into contact with the cooled heat absorber 22b, water vapor is condensed to remove water. Thereby, dehumidification is performed.

  The water purifier 3 has a function of purifying dew water condensed in the dehumidifier 2, and includes a pre-tank 31 (first water storage tank), a water purification filter 32, and a drinking water tank 33 (second water storage tank). , A pump 34. The pre-tank 31 is a tank for storing dew water condensed in the dehumidifier 2. Further, the water purification filter 32 is a filter that removes impurities of dew condensation water. The drinking water tank 33 is connected to the discharge unit 4 and is a tank for storing purified drinking water. The pump 34 is configured to supply water intermittently from the pre-tank 31 to the water purification filter 32.

  In the water server 1, the pre-tank 31, the water purification filter 32, the drinking water tank 33, and the pump 34 are connected by piping. A drinking water tank 33 and a pump 34 are arranged between the pre-tank 31 and the drinking water tank 33. Further, the pump 34 is arranged between the pre-tank 31 and the water purification filter 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pre-tank 31 is disposed directly below the heat absorber 22b. Thereby, the dew water condensed in the heat absorber 22 b falls naturally and is stored in the pre-tank 31. In the water server 1, by driving the pump 34, the dew condensation water stored in the pre-tank 31 is purified by passing through the water purification filter 32 and becomes drinking water. The drinking water that has passed through the water purification filter 32 is stored in the drinking water tank 33. Here, the water server 1 is configured to supply water from the pre-tank 31 to the drinking water tank 33 disposed above the pre-tank 31 by driving the pump 34. With such a configuration, the discharge unit 4 can be connected to the drinking water tank 33 disposed above the pre-tank 31. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure a space for installing a cup for receiving the drinking water discharged from the discharge unit 4. That is, it is possible to realize a pot-type configuration in which water is pumped from the pre-tank 31 to the drinking water tank 33 by the pump 34 and the water is discharged by the discharge unit 4.

  In the water server 1, a water level gauge 82 is provided in the pre-tank 31, and is configured to detect the amount of water stored in the pre-tank 31. In addition, the water server 1 includes a pump control unit 83 that controls driving of the pump 34. The pump control unit 83 controls the pump 34 so that the dew water in the pre-tank 31 is intermittently supplied to the water purification filter 32.

  Here, by driving the pump 34, a predetermined amount of dew water is supplied from the pre-tank 31 to the water purification filter 32. When the dew water in the pre-tank 31 is depleted, the dew water of a predetermined amount or less is supplied to the water purification filter 32. As a result, bubbles and the like may be mixed in the water purification filter 32, and the performance of the water purification filter 32 may be reduced. Therefore, it is important to maintain the dew water in the pre-tank 31 at a water amount exceeding a predetermined amount supplied to the water purification filter 32.

  Therefore, in the water server 1 according to the present embodiment, the pump 34 is controlled to automatically stop supplying water to the water purification filter 32 when the condensed water in the pre-tank 31 decreases to a predetermined amount or less. . The pump control unit 83 drives the pump 34 and supplies the dew water to the clean water filter 32 when the amount of dew water detected by the water level meter 82 in the pre-tank 31 is larger than a predetermined amount. On the other hand, when the amount of dew water detected by the water level gauge 82 decreases to a predetermined amount or less, the pump control unit 83 stops driving the pump 34 and stops the supply of dew water to the water purification filter 32. In addition, after stopping the driving of the pump 34, the pump control unit 83 restarts the driving of the pump 34 when the amount of the condensed water detected by the water level gauge 82 recovers to an amount exceeding a predetermined amount.

  By controlling the driving of the pump 34 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the supply amount of the dew condensation water to the water purification filter 32 from becoming equal to or less than a predetermined amount. As a result, the incorporation of air bubbles into the water purification filter 32 is reduced, and a decrease in performance of the water purification filter 32 can be suppressed. The predetermined amount of the dew condensation water in the pre-tank 31 as a reference for driving or stopping the pump 34 may be at least the amount of water supplied by the pump 34 and depends on the performance of the pump 34.

  Further, in the water server 1, a water level gauge 84 is provided in the drinking water tank 33 so as to detect the amount of water stored in the drinking water tank 33. In order to keep the amount of drinking water in the drinking water tank 33 constant, the pump control unit 83 drives the pump 34 when the amount of drinking water detected by the water level gauge 84 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and performs water purification. The dew water is supplied to the filter 32. When the amount of drinking water detected by the water level meter 84 exceeds a predetermined amount, the pump control unit 83 stops driving the pump 34.

  Here, the heat absorber 22b in the heat exchanger 22 is a portion to which organic matter adheres or that bacteria such as bacteria and viruses easily propagate because water vapor in the air is condensed. Therefore, the condensed water condensed in the dehumidifier 2 may include foreign matters such as organic substances and various germs. Such dew water may contain impurities even if it is purified by the water purification filter 32. Particularly in a low humidity environment, the amount of organic carbon (TOC) tends to increase. Further, the performance of the water purification filter 32 may be reduced. For this reason, in order to maintain the performance of the water purification filter 32 and produce safe drinking water, it is necessary to remove organic substances from the heat absorber 22b or to remove various bacteria.

  Therefore, the water server 1 includes a photocatalyst material 7 and a UV irradiation unit 62 (first UV irradiation unit) that irradiates the photocatalyst material 7 with ultraviolet rays. The photocatalyst material 7 is applied to a portion of the heat exchanger 22 that comes into contact with air, and more specifically, is applied to the heat absorber 22b as shown in FIG.

  When the UV irradiator 62 irradiates the photocatalytic material 7 with ultraviolet rays, the photocatalytic material 7 exhibits catalytic activity. Due to the catalytic activity of the photocatalytic material 7, organic substances and various germs attached to the heat absorber 22b are decomposed. Therefore, according to the configuration of the water server 1, it is possible to remove organic matter from the heat absorber 22b or to eliminate various bacteria. The UV irradiator 62 irradiates the heat absorber 22b with ultraviolet light. Therefore, by virtue of the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic material 7 and another action, it is possible to eliminate various bacteria attached to the heat absorber 22b.

As the photocatalyst material 7, a conventionally known material exhibiting photocatalytic activity by ultraviolet irradiation can be used. As the photocatalyst material 7, for example, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) and tungsten oxide (WO ₃ ) can be used. The amount of the photocatalyst material 7 applied can be appropriately set according to the size of the heat absorber 22b, the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst material 7, and the like. The arrangement of the UV irradiator 62 may be any position that can irradiate the photocatalyst material 7 with ultraviolet rays, and can be set as appropriate according to the arrangement of various members inside the water server 1. The water server 1 according to the present embodiment may have a configuration including at least the heat exchanger 22 coated with the photocatalyst material 7 and the UV irradiation unit 62.

  In addition, drinking water is stored in the drinking water tank 33 for a long period of time, and there is a possibility that various germs may propagate. Also, due to the deterioration of the performance of the water purification filter 32, there is a possibility that the drinking water in the drinking water tank 33 may contain various bacteria. Therefore, in the water server 1, a UV irradiation lamp 63 is attached to the drinking water tank 33 in order to store drinking water in the drinking water tank 33 so that various bacteria do not propagate.

  In the water server 1, a water flow path 51 and a discharge pump 52 that connect the drinking water tank 33 and the discharge unit 4 are provided. By driving the discharge pump 52, the drinking water in the drinking water tank 33 passes through the flowing water path 51 and is discharged from the discharge unit 4. The discharge control unit 81 controls the discharge of the drinking water by controlling the driving of the discharge pump 52. The discharge control unit 81 has an operation unit (a discharge button or the like) operated by a user. And it is comprised so that discharge control according to a user's operation may be performed. For example, the discharge control unit 81 drives the discharge pump 52 in response to an operation of the operation unit (such as pressing of a discharge button) by a user.

  For example, when drinking water is not discharged for a long time, there is a possibility that germs may propagate in the drinking water in the drinking water tank 33. Furthermore, there is a possibility that germs may adhere to the side wall of the flowing water path 51 and the inside of the discharge section 4.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the water server 1 includes a UV irradiator 61 (second UV irradiator) that irradiates purified water (drinking water) passing through the discharge unit 4 or the flowing water path 51 with ultraviolet light. Have. Thus, the drinking water discharged from the discharge unit 4 can be sterilized.

  The UV irradiator 61 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conventionally known light source that can irradiate UV, but is preferably an LED light source, that is, a UV-LED. FIG. 3 shows that when the UV irradiation unit 61 is a UV-LED, the discharge unit 4 has a heat radiation structure 41 that emits heat from the UV-LED. 3A and 3B show the configuration of the heat radiation structure 41. FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a bottom view as viewed from the discharge side.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the UV-LED 61 a, which is an LED that emits ultraviolet light, is disposed so as to surround the discharge unit 4 or the flowing water path 51. The flowing water path 51 is made of a material that can transmit ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the disinfection efficiency of the purified water passing through the discharge section 4 or the flowing water path 51 is improved.

  The heat radiation structure 41 is made of a material that can conduct heat from the UV-LED 61a, and has a base 41a and a plurality of heat radiation fins 41b extending from the base 41a. The base portion 41a is formed in a tubular shape surrounding the periphery of the flowing water path 51. The UV-LED 61 a is placed on the inner wall portion of the tube constituting the base 41 a so as to surround the flowing water path 51. The plurality of radiating fins 41b are provided around the base 41a. The plurality of radiating fins 41b are formed so as to extend radially so that their tips are away from the UV-LED 61a. As described above, in the water server 1, the heat radiation structure 41 has the radiation fins 41b radially spreading around the flowing water path 51, so that the heat from the UV-LEDs 61a can be efficiently released to the outside. Note that the water server 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured to include at least the UV irradiation unit 61.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the water server 1 according to the present embodiment may include a heating / cooling device that heats and / or cools purified water purified by the water purifier 3. Good. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide drinking water at various temperatures.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Summary]
As described above, the water server according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a dehumidifier that dehumidifies air taken in, a water purifier that purifies dew water condensed in the dehumidifier, and a discharge that discharges purified water. And a discharge control unit that controls discharge of purified water, wherein the water purifier includes a first water storage tank that stores the dew water, a filter that removes impurities of the dew water, and a discharge unit. A pump for intermittently supplying water from the first water storage tank to the filter, wherein the pump reduces condensed water in the first water storage tank to a predetermined amount or less. In this case, the water supply to the filter is automatically stopped when the water supply is performed.

  According to the above configuration, the pump is controlled so as to automatically stop supplying water to the filter when the dew condensation water in the first water storage tank decreases to a predetermined amount or less. It is possible to avoid that the supply amount of the dew water to the filter becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. As a result, according to the above configuration, the incorporation of bubbles into the filter is reduced, and a decrease in filter performance can be suppressed.

  In the water server according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the dehumidifier is applied to a heat exchanger for dehumidifying air flowing from an air intake, and a portion of the heat exchanger in contact with the air. The photocatalyst material includes a first UV irradiation unit that irradiates the photocatalyst material with ultraviolet light.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to remove organic substances from the heat exchanger, which is a portion where water vapor is condensed, or to remove various bacteria. For this reason, safe drinking water can be produced while maintaining the performance of the filter.

  The water server according to the third aspect of the present invention is the water server according to the first or second aspect, in which a water flow path connecting the second water storage tank and the discharge part, and a purified water passing through the discharge part or the water flow path are provided. And a second UV irradiator for irradiating ultraviolet rays.

  According to the above configuration, the drinking water discharged from the discharge unit can be reliably sterilized.

  The water server according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the water server according to the third aspect, wherein the second UV irradiator is a UV-LED arranged to surround the discharge unit or the flowing water path.

  A water server according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the water server according to the fourth aspect, wherein the discharge unit has a heat radiation structure that emits heat from the UV-LED.

  The water server according to an aspect 6 of the present invention is the water server according to the aspect 5, wherein the heat radiating structure includes radiating fins radially spreading around the flowing water path.

  According to the above configuration, the heat from the UV-LED can be efficiently radiated to the outside.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water server 2 Dehumidifier 3 Water purifier 4 Discharge part 7 Photocatalytic material 22 Heat exchanger 31 Pre-tank (first water storage tank)
32 Water purification filter 33 Drinking water tank (second water storage tank)
34 pump 41 heat radiation structure 41a base part 41b heat radiation fin 51 flowing water path 61 UV irradiation part (second UV irradiation part)
62 UV irradiation part (first UV irradiation part)
61a UV-LED
81 Discharge control unit 83 Pump control unit

Claims (6)

A dehumidifier for dehumidifying the air taken in,
A water purifier that purifies dew water condensed in the dehumidifier,
A discharge section for discharging purified purified water,
A discharge control unit for controlling discharge of purified water,
The water purifier includes a first water storage tank that stores the dew condensation water, a filter that removes impurities of the dew water, a second water storage tank connected to the discharge unit, and the first water storage tank. A pump for intermittently supplying water to the filter,
The water server, wherein the pump is controlled to automatically stop supplying water to the filter when the condensed water in the first water storage tank decreases to a predetermined amount or less. The dehumidifier, a heat exchanger for dehumidifying the air flowing from the air intake,
A photocatalyst material applied to a portion of the heat exchanger that comes into contact with the air,
The water server according to claim 1, further comprising: a first UV irradiator that irradiates the photocatalytic material with ultraviolet light. A flowing water path connecting the second water storage tank and the discharge unit;
The water server according to claim 1, further comprising: a second UV irradiator configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the discharge unit or the purified water passing through the flowing water path.   The water server according to claim 3, wherein the second UV irradiator is a UV-LED disposed so as to surround the discharge unit or the flowing water path.   The water server according to claim 4, wherein the discharge unit has a heat dissipation structure that emits heat from the UV-LED.   The water server according to claim 5, wherein the heat radiation structure has heat radiation fins radially extending around the flowing water path.

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