JP2021159849A - Water purification cartridge and water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water purification cartridge with excellent sealing performance on the end face of the adsorbent, and a water purifier using this water purification cartridge.SOLUTION: Water flows into a main body case 2 through a water inlet 4, passes between a flange 24 and the inner surface of the main body case 2, and flows between the outer peripheral of a molded charcoal 6 and the inner peripheral of a large diameter section 2b of the main body case 2. The water then permeates through the molded charcoal 6 and the adsorption process takes place. The water that has passed through the molded charcoal 6 enters the upper part of a holding cylinder 12 and is filtered by a hollow fiber membrane 8. The filtered water flows downward through the hollow fiber membrane 8, flows out from the bottom end of the hollow fiber membrane 8 into a water collection space 18, and flows out as purified water from an outlet 5. Packings 30, 40 that seal the upper and lower ends of the molded carbon 6 are a ribbed packing having ribs 32, 42, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

As water purifiers for general households, water purifiers that can be easily attached and used, such as pitcher type (pot type), portable type, faucet direct connection type, built-in type, and refrigerator type, are widely used (Patent Documents 1 and 2). ..

Patent Document 1 describes a tubular cartridge body container composed of a hollow fiber membrane case and an adsorbent case, a lid provided with a raw water inlet into which a sintered filter is fitted, and a cap provided with a water purification outlet. A water purification cartridge in which a hollow fiber membrane element and an adsorption filter are detachably housed is described in a cartridge outer container composed of.

Patent Document 2 describes a water purification cartridge that houses a cylindrical molded filter medium provided with a central flow path and fits a lid from above. The elastic member crimped to the end face of the molded filter medium is positioned by projecting an annular flange portion along the inner peripheral surface on the central flow path side.

As a filter medium for a water purification cartridge for a water purifier, a combination of an adsorbent such as activated carbon or an ion exchange resin and a filtration membrane such as a hollow fiber membrane is generally used.

The life of each of these filter media often differs depending on the water quality and the like. If the filter media could not be replaced individually, the entire cartridge had to be replaced, and the filter media with remaining filtration capacity was also discarded. In addition, there are many cases where the cartridge is not sorted and is discarded as a whole. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the cartridge container (including the container component), the adsorbent, the filtration membrane (hollow fiber membrane), and the sealing member can be disassembled.

Patent Document 3 describes that the casing of the water purification cartridge is made of biodegradable plastic (paragraph 0051).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-071444 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-138929 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-29627

In the cartridge of Patent Document 1, the adsorption filter body is filled in the bag body so that the adsorption filter body can be easily replaced. It causes a pass, and it becomes impossible to obtain sufficient filtration performance. That is, even if the molded filter is accommodated, in the cartridge structure of Patent Document 1, the water flowing around the molded filter does not come into contact with the molded filter, causing a short pass and sufficient filtration performance. You will not be able to get it. On the other hand, in order to prevent a short pass, when the case is directly filled with a powdery or granular adsorption filter body, the filter body cannot be easily taken out and replaced.

In the cartridge of Patent Document 2, the elastic member crimped to the end surface of the molded filter medium has an annular collar portion protruding along the inner peripheral surface on the central flow path side, so that the elastic member can be appropriately formed with respect to the molded filter medium. Can be positioned. In addition, leakage is prevented on both end faces of the molded filter medium. However, the molded filter medium in the industrial product has some errors in dimensions, and the elastic member of Patent Document 2 has a flange portion annular to the inner peripheral end portion of the elastic member along the inner peripheral surface on the central flow path side of the molded filter medium. However, since the part of the elastic member in contact with both end faces of the molded filter medium is flat, it cannot cope with the dimensional error and is sealed at both ends of the molded filter medium. There is a risk of leaks due to insufficient stopping.

The present invention provides a water purification cartridge in which the adsorbent and the elastic member are not adhered, the adsorbent portion is removable, and the end face of the adsorbent is excellent in sealing property, and a water purifier using this water purification cartridge. The purpose is to do.

The water purification cartridge of the present invention is a water purification cartridge having an adsorbent, and a ridge portion is provided at a seal portion in contact with the adsorbent.
The ridge portion is provided so as to be pressure-bonded to the adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, the seal portion is a packing.

In one aspect of the present invention, the packing has a flat ring-shaped flat packing portion and a ridge portion provided on at least one surface of the flat packing portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the seal portion is provided integrally with the member in contact with the adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, the adsorbent is tubular, and the seal portion is in contact with the first end surface of the tubular adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, the filter medium is arranged inside the tubular adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, the filter medium has a hollow fiber membrane.

In one aspect of the present invention, a potting material is provided on one end side of the hollow fiber membrane, and the potting material is arranged inside one end side of the holding cylinder.

In one aspect of the present invention, the adsorbent is arranged in a main body case that forms a part of the outer shell of the water purification cartridge, and the main body case has a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion, and a shoulder portion between them. The one end side of the holding cylinder is arranged in the small diameter portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the holding cylinder has a first flange portion that overlaps the shoulder portion, and has a ridge portion between the first flange portion and the first end surface of the adsorbent. The first packing is interposed.

In one aspect of the present invention, an inner lid for pressing the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent is provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, the inner lid has a second flange portion facing the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, a second packing having a ridge portion is interposed between the second flange portion and the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent.

In one aspect of the present invention, the outer lid holds the inner lid.

The water purifier of the present invention includes the water purification cartridge of the present invention.

In the water purification cartridge of the present invention, since the convex portion is provided in the sealing portion in contact with the adsorbent, even if there is a slight dimensional error in the length direction of the adsorbent, the sealing property of the end face of the adsorbent can be improved. Excellent.

It is a perspective view of the water purification cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a vertical sectional view of the water purification cartridge which concerns on embodiment. It is a partial enlarged view of FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the water purification cartridge which concerns on embodiment. (A) is a perspective view of the ribbed packing, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB of (a).

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the outer shell of the water purification cartridge 1 is composed of a substantially cylindrical main body case 2 and an outer lid 3 detachably fitted to the upper end portion of the main body case 2. ..

The outer lid 3 has a disk-shaped top surface portion 3a, an outer annular wall 3b erected downward from the outer circumference of the top surface portion 3a, and a lower surface of the top surface portion 3a coaxially downward with the outer annular wall 3b. It has an inner annular wall 3c erected in. The outer annular wall 3b is detachably fitted to the upper end of the main body case 2. The protruding portion 23 of the inner lid 20, which will be described later, is detachably fitted inside the inner annular wall 3c. The lower end of the inner annular wall 3c is in contact with the top surface portion 22 of the inner lid 20, which will be described later.

The main body case 2 and the outer lid 3 are made of resin, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer lid 3 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the main body case 2. As the fitting method, the bayonet method and the screw type are preferable from the viewpoint of easy attachment / detachment, but the bayonet type is more preferable from the viewpoint of reliable contact and press fitting of the inner lid 20.

A water inlet 4 is provided on the side peripheral surface of the upper part of the main body case 2. The lower end of the main body case 2 is a small diameter portion 2a, and a water outlet 5 is opened downward on the lower surface of the small diameter portion 2a.

The upper side of the main body case 2 with respect to the small diameter portion 2a is a large diameter portion 2b, and a shoulder-shaped portion 2c is formed between the large diameter portion 2b and the small diameter portion 2a.

Briquette (molded activated carbon: activated carbon molded into a substantially cylindrical shape) 6 as a substantially cylindrical adsorbent is arranged in the large diameter portion 2b of the main body case 2. The hollow fiber membrane unit 7 is arranged inside the briquette 6.

The hollow fiber membrane unit 7 includes a large number of hollow fiber membranes 8, a potting portion 9 for fixing the lower end side of the hollow fiber membrane 8, and a holding cylinder 10 in which the hollow fiber membrane 8 and the potting portion 9 are internally fitted. Have.

The hollow fiber membrane 8 is folded back in the middle of the longitudinal direction, and both end portions on the opposite side to the folded portion are embedded in the potting portion 9, respectively. The tip surfaces of both ends of the hollow fiber membrane 8 are open on the lower surface of the potting portion 9 and face the vacant room (water collecting space) 18 below the potting portion 9.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, the holding cylinder 10 includes a holding cylinder lower portion 11 internally fitted in the small diameter portion 2a of the main body case 2, a holding cylinder upper portion 12 internally fitted in the briquette 6, and the holding cylinder lower portion 11. It has a flange portion (first flange portion) 13 that expands laterally outward from the connecting portion with the holding cylinder upper portion 12. The flange portion 13 overlaps the shoulder portion 2c of the main body case 2 from above.

A potting portion 9 is arranged in the lower portion 11 of the holding cylinder. The outer peripheral surface of the potting portion 9 is watertightly fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion 11 of the holding cylinder. The lower end surface of the holding cylinder lower portion 11 and the lower surface of the potting portion 9 are flush with each other.

An O-ring 14 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the holding cylinder lower portion 11, and the O-ring 14 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the holding cylinder lower portion 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 2a.

In the present embodiment, the lower portion 11 of the holding cylinder is pushed into the small diameter portion 2a to be fitted, but other fitting methods such as a screw type and a bayonet type can be appropriately selected according to the water pressure of the water to be filtered. In the case of a self-weight filtration method such as a pitcher type (pot type), since the water pressure is low, the push-in type is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of attachment / detachment operation.

A packing (first packing) 30 is arranged between the flange portion 13 and the lower end surface (first end surface) of the briquette 6.

The holding cylinder upper portion 12 is provided with a large number of window holes 15 that communicate the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the holding cylinder upper portion 12. The upper end of the holding cylinder upper portion 12 is open upward.

The upper portion of the hollow fiber membrane 8 extends to the vicinity of the upper end of the holding cylinder upper portion 12. The upper end of the holding cylinder upper portion 12 is located slightly lower than the upper end surface of the briquette 6.

In the main body case 2, the inner lid 20 is arranged on the upper side of the briquette 6. The inner lid 20 has a tubular portion 21, a top surface portion 22 that closes the upper surface of the tubular portion 21, a protruding portion 23 that projects upward from the central portion of the top surface portion 22, and a slightly higher position than the lower end of the tubular portion 21. It has a flange portion (second flange portion) 24 that expands laterally from the side. As shown in FIGS.

As described above, the inner annular wall 3b of the outer lid 3 is in contact with the top surface portion 22 from above, and the protruding portion 23 is internally fitted to the inner annular wall 3b.

In this embodiment, the inner lid 20 and the outer lid 3 are non-perforated, but air vent holes may be provided.

A packing (second packing) 40 is interposed between the flange portion 24 and the upper end surface (second end surface) of the briquette 6.

When the outer lid 3 is fitted onto the main body case 2, the inner lid 20 is press-fitted, so that the flange portion 24 is brought into contact with the upper portion of the second packing 40. When the pressure from the flange 24 is applied to the second packing 40, the pressure is applied from the second packing 40 to the upper end surface of the briquette 6, and the lower end surface of the briquette 6 comes into contact with the first packing 30.

The outer diameter of the flange portion 24 and the packing 40 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 2b of the main body case 2, and the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 24 and the packing 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 2 are separated from above. There is an interval for water to pass downward.

As shown in FIGS. It is composed of a ribbed packing having ribs) 32 and 42. The ridges 32 and 42 are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the flat packing portions 31 and 41, respectively.
When the ridges are connected in an annular shape, the sealing property can be further improved, which is preferable.

The ridges 32 and 42 (ribs) are arranged so as to form ridges inside (between the inner circumference and the outer circumference) the inner circumference and the outer peripheral end of the flat packing portions 31 and 41. If it is located at the outer and inner peripheral ends of the flat packing portions 31 and 41, it may not come into good contact with the end face of the briquette 6 due to some dimensional error, and the sealing property may deteriorate. Further, since there is a possibility that the end portion of the briquette may be broken during crimping, it is preferable to position the flat packing portions 31 and 41 so as to form a ridge near the middle between the inner circumference and the outer circumference.
It is preferable that the flat packing portions 31 and 41 are arranged at a position closer to the center portion by 10% or more from both end portions in the distance between the inner circumference and the outer circumference. In particular, when it is located near the center of the flat packing portions 31 and 41, there is less risk of the contact between the briquette 6 and the ridge portions 32 and 42 being displaced, which is more preferable in order to secure higher sealing performance.

The water purification cartridge 1 configured in this way is incorporated into the water purifier in the same manner as in Patent Documents 1 and 2. When water is supplied to the water purifier, this water flows into the main body case 2 through the water inlet 4, passes between the flange portion 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the main body case 2, and reaches the outer peripheral surface of the briquette 6. It flows into the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 2b of the main body case 2. Next, this water permeates the briquette 6 and the adsorption treatment is performed. The water that has permeated the briquette 6 passes through the window hole 15 or enters the holding cylinder upper portion 12 from the upper side of the holding cylinder upper portion 12, and is filtered by the hollow fiber membrane 8. The filtered water flows downward in the hollow fiber membrane 8, flows out from the lower end of the hollow fiber membrane 8 into the water collecting space 18, and flows out as purified water from the water outlet 5.

In the water purification cartridge 1, the packings 30 and 40 that seal the upper and lower end surfaces of the briquette 6 are ribbed packings having ribs 32 and 42, so that the flange portion 24 and the upper end surfaces of the briquette 6 and the upper end surfaces of the briquette 6 are formed. It has excellent sealing characteristics between the flange portion 13 and the lower end surface of the briquette 6.

In general, the briquette 6 (briquette activated carbon (molding adsorbent)) has a slight dimensional error, and the sealing is insufficient and a leak (short pass) occurs just by bringing the flat packing into contact with the end face of the briquette. There is a risk of doing so.

Since the packings 30 and 40 have the annular convex portions 32 and 42, it is possible to absorb some dimensional errors and suppress leaks on the sealing surface, and the filtration performance is stabilized and improved.

It is desirable that the flat packing portions 31, 41 and the ridge portions 32, 42 of the packing are integrally molded.

The ridges 32 and 42 may be provided on one side of the flat packing portions 31 and 41, but are preferably provided on both sides.

The ridges 32 and 42 are preferably softened by a material having an elastic modulus that is easily deformed (easily crushed) by crimping. The convex portions 32 and 42 (ribs) are preferably made of the same material as the flat packing portion. The materials are silicone rubber (Q), fluororubber (FKM), natural rubber (NR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), urethane rubber (U), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene tetrafluoride. Examples thereof include resin (PTFE), but silicone rubber is more preferable in view of sealing property, cost, moldability, heat resistance, safety and the like.
Crimping in the present invention means pressing and contacting a substantially liquid-tight state.

The heights of the ridges 32 and 42 vary depending on the dimensional accuracy of the briquette, but are preferably 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm. By setting the thickness to 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, the ridges can be crimped to the end face of the briquette in response to some dimensional error of the briquette, and the sealing property can be ensured without losing the water pressure. .. The cross-sectional shape of the ridges 32 and 42 is preferably a semicircular shape.

When the outer lid 3 fitted to the main body case 2 is removed, the water purification cartridge 1 has the inner lid 20, the second packing 40, the briquette 6, the hollow fiber membrane unit 7, and the first packing 30 inside the main body case 2. It is possible to remove in order from.

According to the present invention, even if the cylindrical briquette 6 and the holding plates on both end faces of the briquette 6 (upper and lower flange portions 24 and 13 in the case of the present embodiment) are not adhered to each other, the briquette 6 end face portion may be formed. Since there is no leakage on the sealing surface and the filtration performance is stable and improved, it can be disassembled.

By being able to disassemble, it is possible to separate each part, and it is possible to reduce the environmental load. Further, by using the same material for each part as much as possible, it becomes easier to separate the parts.

In the above embodiment, packings 30 and 40 separate from the surrounding members are used, but the packing may be integrally molded with the flange portion 24 of the inner lid and the flange portion 13 of the holding cylinder. The inner lid or holding cylinder may be made of a soft material to form an inner lid or holding cylinder having packing.

In the above embodiment, briquette is used, but an adsorbent having a similar shape and another configuration may be used. For example, the adsorbent case having the same shape and having a water guide hole on the outer peripheral side surface and a water discharge hole on the inner peripheral surface may be filled with granular activated carbon.

In the above embodiment, a filtration membrane (hollow fiber membrane) is used, but the hollow fiber membrane may be omitted. That is, only the adsorbent may be used.

In the present invention, biomass plastic may be used for at least one part of the cartridge container.

A pitcher-type water purifier for self-weight filtration, which does not require a connection to a water supply device and can be used easily, is known. A water purifier for self-weight filtration needs to be filtered only by its own weight pressure. In order to secure a sufficient filtration flow rate, it is necessary to control the air in the cartridge so as not to interfere with the filtration.

Normally, an air vent hole for discharging air in the cartridge is arranged at the upper end of the cartridge, but there is a problem that the filter material inside the cartridge easily leaks from the air vent hole.

However, those skilled in the art think that it is not possible to secure a sufficient filtration flow rate unless there is a hole through which air can escape. ), A sufficient filtration flow rate can be secured, and leakage of the filter medium in the water purification cartridge can be suppressed.

The air pool portion S is a space in which the air that has entered the inside of the briquette 6 in the water purification cartridge stays after moving. Inside the briquette 6 of the present application, the air reservoir S seals air vertically above the window hole 15 during use. That is, the air reservoir S is arranged at a position inside the briquette 6 and above the window hole 15 in the vertical direction during use. Since the water purification cartridge is provided with the air reservoir S inside the cartridge, the air that has entered the space inside the briquette 6 of the water purification cartridge can escape to the air reservoir S. Therefore, even if the upper part of the air pool portion S is covered with the inner lid 20 as in the present embodiment, a sufficient filtration flow rate can be secured.

The air pool portion S may be any one that seals the air inside the briquette 6 and above the position on the uppermost side in the vertical direction among the open portions of the window hole 15. The air pool portion S seals air on the upper side in the vertical direction during use, and is not sealed on the lower side in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction in which the hollow fiber membrane 8 is located, so that air can move. ing.

The volume of the air reservoir S is 50% by volume or more with respect to the volume of the hollow fiber membrane 8 from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of ensuring a sufficient filtration flow rate. Here, the volume of the hollow fiber membrane 8 is the volume of the space in the holding cylinder 10 from the lower end to the upper end of the hollow fiber membrane.

1 Water purification cartridge 2 Main body case 2a Small diameter part 2b Large diameter part 2c Shoulder part 3 Outer lid 4 Water inlet 5 Outlet outlet 6 Molded charcoal 7 Hollow fiber membrane unit 8 Hollow fiber membrane 9 Potting part 10 Holding cylinder 13 Flange part 20 Inner lid 21 Cylindrical part 22 Top surface part 23 Protruding part 30, 40 Packing 32, 42 Convex part

Claims (15)

In a water purification cartridge with an adsorbent
A ridge portion is provided on the seal portion in contact with the adsorbent, and a ridge portion is provided.
Moreover, the water purification cartridge is characterized in that the ridge portion is provided so as to be pressure-bonded to the adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is packing. The water purification cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the packing has a flat packing portion having a flat ring shape and a ridge portion provided on at least one surface of the flat packing portion. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the seal portion is provided integrally with the member in contact with the adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adsorbent is tubular, and the seal portion is in contact with the first end surface of the tubular adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the filter material is arranged inside the tubular adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the filter medium has a hollow fiber membrane. The water purification cartridge according to claim 7, wherein a potting material is provided on one end side of the hollow fiber membrane, and the potting material is arranged inside one end side of a holding cylinder. The adsorbent is arranged in a main body case that forms a part of the outer shell of the water purification cartridge.
The main body case has a large diameter portion, a small diameter portion, and a shoulder portion between them.
The water purification cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the one end side of the holding cylinder is arranged in the small diameter portion. The holding cylinder has a first flange portion that overlaps the shoulder portion.
The water purification cartridge according to claim 9, wherein a first packing having a ridge portion is interposed between the first flange portion and the first end surface of the adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to any one of claims 5 to 10, further comprising an inner lid for pressing the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the inner lid has a second flange portion facing the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 12, wherein a second packing having a convex portion is interposed between the second flange portion and the second end surface of the tubular adsorbent. The water purification cartridge according to claim 11 to 13, which has an outer lid for pressing the inner lid. A water purifier including the water purification cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images