JP2817659B2 - Water purification equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier capable of recycling a filter medium such as activated carbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a water purifier has been used for a certain period of time, a cartridge containing activated carbon or the like has been replaced. this is,
This is because the adsorbability of activated carbon deteriorates due to long-term use, and the proportion of impurities and the like mixed into the filtered water increases. However, replacement of the cartridge is very costly, and thus a water purification apparatus has been developed in which activated carbon is washed and regenerated with hot water and replacement of the cartridge is unnecessary. Hereinafter, the water purification device will be described.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing a conventional water purification apparatus. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, in which an activated carbon 2 is housed. Activated carbon 2 is a permeable member 3,
4 prevents it from flowing out. Reference numeral 5 denotes a water discharge pipe provided at an upper part of the main body 1, and reference numeral 6 denotes an inflow pipe provided at a lower part of the main body 1.

[0004] The operation of the water purification apparatus configured as described above will be described below. First, a case where filtered water is generated will be described.

[0005] First, the inflow pipe 6 is connected to a faucet of a tap, and the tap water is passed through the activated carbon 2 to remove impurities and trihalomethane (hereinafter abbreviated as impurities) in the tap water. Filtered water can be obtained.

Next, the case of cleaning activated carbon will be described. The water discharge pipe 5 is connected to a hot water generator, the hot water is passed through the activated carbon 2 to remove impurities and the like from the activated carbon 2, and the hot water containing the impurities is discharged from the inflow pipe 6.

The reason why the activated carbon 2 must be cleaned will be described below. As described above, the activated carbon 2 adsorbs impurities and the like in tap water. However, if used for a long period of time, the adsorption capacity is reduced, and it becomes impossible to remove impurities and the like in tap water. Therefore, as described above, hot water is passed through the activated carbon 2 to thermally clean the activated carbon 2, thereby regenerating the adsorption capacity.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, the treated water after the cleaning of the activated carbon and the purified water purified by the filter medium such as the activated carbon are discharged from the same discharge port. For this reason, there is a problem that a user may accidentally drink the treated water or burn with the treated water discharged as hot water.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safe water purification apparatus free from the risk of accidental ingestion and misuse.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a clock which operates based on data input from time input means is provided, and when a predetermined time is reached based on the clock, the control unit is heated. Mode, and using the heating means,
In water purification device for heating the filter medium container, or to discharge the water from the filtration material containers from water purification port, a switching means for performing one of switching to discharge, a motor for driving the switching means is provided from the water outlet, the control means motor To drive the switching means.

[0011]

A heating means for raising the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, a time input means for inputting a time, and a control means for controlling the heating means, are controlled when a predetermined time is reached based on the input time. The means shifts to the heating mode, and the filter medium container is heated using the heating means, so that the operation of the water purification device can be performed based on a clock provided therein. In addition, since the heating start time can be input from the time input means, the heating start time of the filter medium can be arbitrarily set according to the convenience of the user. Furthermore, once the current time and the heating start time of the filter medium are set, the filter medium can be periodically and reliably cleaned and regenerated without setting a timer each time the filter medium is regenerated. A highly reliable water purification device having always excellent filtration ability can be obtained . Further do to discharge the water from the filter medium container from the clean water outlet,
A switching means for switching whether to discharge from the drain port and a motor for driving the switching means are provided, and the control means controls the motor, so that the control means selects a discharge pipe according to the operation situation and purifies water or drains. Can be discharged. Also, by using a motor as the driving means, the switching means can be switched more reliably without a time difference than when a heat sensing valve or the like is used.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a main body case, and 8 denotes a filter medium container provided in the main body case 7 and made of a heat-resistant and pressure-resistant material. In the filter medium container 8, an activated carbon 9 is stored. . The activated carbon 9 is covered with a water-permeable member (for example, a fine wire mesh) as in the conventional case. Reference numeral 10 denotes a heater provided at the inner bottom of the filter medium container 8 for heating the filter medium container 8, reference numeral 11 denotes a temperature detector having a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the filter medium container 8, and a temperature detector 11 corresponds to the filter medium container 8.
Is in contact with the outside of the Reference numeral 12 denotes a unit having a switching valve. The unit 12 is connected to a flowing water pipe 13 for guiding external water into the apparatus and a water pipe 14 for discharging filtered water. Further, water pipes 15 and 16 are provided between the unit section 12 and the filter medium container 8, and a water pipe 18 is provided between the unit section 12 and the horizontal valve section 17. The horizontal valve portion 17 has a cylindrical shape, and the center of the side surface is connected to the upper surface of the filter medium container 8. Further, a drain pipe 19 for discharging hot water obtained by washing the activated carbon 9 to the outside is connected to an end face of the horizontal valve portion 17 opposite to the side to which the water pipe 18 is connected. A valve portion 20 is housed in the horizontal valve portion 17, and is urged by a spring 21 toward the water pipe 18. Reference numerals 22, 23, and 24 denote holes provided inside the unit portion 12 and having a protruding portion at the peripheral edge. The hole 22 is connected to the water pipe 18, the hole 23 is connected to the water pipe 15, and the holes 24 are connected to the water pipe 15. Is connected to the water pipe 14. Reference numeral 25 denotes a switching valve rotatably held inside the unit portion 12. The switching valve 25 has grooves 26, 27, and 28 formed in a side surface portion along a circumferential direction, respectively. The grooves 26 and 28 are formed at the same positions along the circumferential direction, but only the grooves 27 are formed at different positions. Reference numeral 29 denotes a groove provided on the entire side surface of the switching valve 25. The balls 30, 31, and 32 are balls held in the grooves 26, 27, and 28, respectively, and the balls 30, 31, and 32 are each made of a rust-resistant material such as stainless steel or resin. Ball 30
Performs opening and closing of the hole 22, the ball 31 performs opening and closing of the hole 23, and the ball 32 performs opening and closing of the hole 24. Reference numeral 33 denotes an annular packing attached to the groove 29. The packing 33 divides the internal space of the unit 12 into a space provided with the holes 22 and 23 and a space provided with the hole 24. At this time, the aforementioned water pipe 13 is connected to the space in which the holes 22 and 23 are provided. 34 is a motor for rotating the switching valve 25. Hereinafter, the rotation of the motor 34 is switched by the switching valve 25.
Will be described. A worm gear 35 is provided on the rotation shaft of the motor 34, and the rotation of the worm gear 35 is transmitted to a gear 36,
Is transmitted to the gear 37 via a small-diameter gear (not shown) provided coaxially with the gear 36. Gear 37
Is connected to the end face of the switching valve 25 via the shaft, so that the switching valve 25 rotates with the rotation of the gear 37. Reference numeral 38 denotes a cam mounted via a shaft on an end face of the switching valve 25 opposite to the side on which the gear 37 is mounted.
The cam 38 has a convex portion. Reference numeral 39 denotes a switch unit composed of a photo interrupter, and reference numerals 40 and 41 denote switch units each composed of a microswitch. 4
Reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit in which components such as a microcomputer for controlling the motor 34 and the heater 10 are stored. The control unit 42 controls the unit 12 through a heat insulating member 43.
It is provided under. Reference numeral 44 denotes a power supply unit provided in the control unit 42.

The flow of water during the water purification and the cleaning of the activated carbon 9 in the water purification apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

First, the water stop state will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, holes 22, 23, and 2 provided in the unit 12 are provided.
4 is closed by the balls 30, 31, 32, respectively, so that even if the pressurized water reaches the unit section 12 from the flowing water pipe 13, no water flow occurs. FIG. 2
As shown in (b), the convex part of the cam 38 is located in a groove provided in the switch part 39.

Next, the purified water state is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) and (b).
This will be described with reference to FIG. From the water stop state, the motor 34 is driven to rotate the switching valve 25 so that the convex portion of the cam 38 approaches the switch portion 41. When the convex portion of the cam 38 presses the switch portion 41, the motor 34 stops, and the switching valve 25 stops while the convex portion of the cam 38 presses the switch portion 41. Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the balls 30, 32 move from above the holes 22 and 24, respectively, and open the holes 22 and 24, respectively. As described above, the pressurized water reaches the unit section 12 via the flowing water pipe 13 as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, when the hole 22 is opened, the water flows from the hole 22 to the water pipe 18, Further, it flows into the horizontal valve portion 17. The water flowing into the horizontal valve portion 17 moves the valve portion 20 horizontally against the elastic force of the spring 21. As described above, a water pipe connected to the upper surface of the filter medium container 8 is provided near the center of the side of the horizontal valve section 20, so that the water flowing into the horizontal valve section 17 moves the valve section 20 by a predetermined amount. The water flows into the filter medium container 8. The water that has flowed into the filter medium container 8 is purified by the activated carbon 9, and flows again toward the unit section 12 via the water pipe 16 provided at the lower part of the filter medium container 8. At this time packing 3
3 is provided, the unit section 1
2 The water flowing in and the water flowing from the filter medium container 8 into the unit section 12 do not mix. The purified water flowing into the unit 12 is discharged to the outside through the hole 24 and the water pipe 14. To end the water purification state, a predetermined operation is performed to drive the motor 34 and switch the switching valve 25 to the cam 3.
The projection 8 is rotated so that the projection approaches the switch 39. Then, when the convex portion of the cam 38 acts on the switch portion 39, the motor 34 stops rotating, and the water stops as shown in FIG.

Next, the purified state of the activated carbon will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 (a) and 6 (b). First, in the water stopped state, the heater 10 is energized to heat the inside of the filter medium container 8 to remove impurities and the like adsorbed on the activated carbon. Then, the inside of the filter medium container 8 is carried out at a predetermined temperature (about 65 ° C. in the present embodiment, however, the temperature may be any temperature at which impurities and the like can be removed from the activated carbon).
After heating for a predetermined period of time (about 30 minutes to 60 minutes in the present embodiment, this must be appropriately selected depending on the capacity of activated carbon, etc.), the motor 3
4 is driven to rotate the switching valve 25 so that the convex portion of the cam 38 approaches the switch portion 40. And cam 3
When the projection 8 presses the switch section 40, the motor 34 stops, and the switching valve 25 stops while the projection of the cam 38 presses the switch section 40. Then, the ball 31 moves from above the hole 23 as shown in FIG. Since the pressurized water reaches the unit 12 via the flowing water pipe 13, the water flows into the filter medium container 8 from the hole 23 through the water pipe 15 by opening the hole 23. Then, the hot water (water containing impurities and the like) after washing the activated carbon is driven to the upper surface of the filter medium container 8 by the water flowing from the water pipe 15, and is discharged through the horizontal valve portion 17.
Drained from the water pipe 19 . After water is poured into the filter medium container 8 from the water pipe 15 for a predetermined time, a predetermined operation is performed to drive the motor 34 and rotate the switching valve 25 so that the convex portion of the cam 38 approaches the switch portion 39. When the convex portion of the cam 38 acts on the switch portion 39, the motor 3
Reference numeral 4 stops the rotation, and the water stops as shown in FIG. As described above, after heating the inside of the filter medium container 8 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, by driving the motor 34 to operate the switching valve 25, for example, the switching valve 25 is erroneously switched during heating. The possibility of occurrence can be greatly reduced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of inconveniences, such as hot water or steam containing activated carbon scum or impurities, spouting from places other than the predetermined outlet, and contaminating the surroundings or flooding the surroundings. Thus, a sanitary and safe water purification device can be provided. Further, after heating the inside of the filter medium container 8 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, water is passed through the filter medium container 8 to drain the water inside the filter medium container 8, and then the motor 34 is driven to operate the switching valve 25. By doing so, in addition to the above-described effects, the wastewater used for the regeneration and cleaning in the filter medium container 8 can be reliably discharged, and the risk that the wastewater is mixed into the purified water can be minimized. . Also, water flows from the water pipe 15 to the filter medium container 8 for a predetermined time.
To remove water containing impurities and the like in the filter medium container 8.
By draining from the drain pipe 19, the filter medium container 8
Water containing impurities etc. can be reliably discharged,
To minimize the possibility of contamination of the clean water
it can.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a water purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 45 denotes a main body of the water purification apparatus, reference numeral 46 denotes a display unit for displaying the time, the fact that heat cleaning is being performed, and the like, and reference numeral 47 denotes an operation unit for operating the main body 45. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the operation unit of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 48 denotes an operation button for setting the current time, reference numeral 49 denotes an operation button for bringing the main body 45 into a water-stop state and moving up the time when setting the time, and reference numeral 50 denotes an operation button for setting the main body 45 to a clean water state and setting the time. An operation button for moving the time forward by 51, an operation button 51 for manually cleaning the activated carbon 9 and shifting digits such as "hour" and "minute", and an operation 52 for setting the activated carbon 9 to be washed at a specific time Button. When setting the current time, the operation button 48 is pressed to set the current time setting mode, and the operation button 4
After setting the predetermined "hour" by the 9 and the operation button 50, the digit is shifted by the operation button 51, and further, the predetermined "minute" is set by the operation button 49 and the operation button 50. Further, when setting the activated carbon cleaning time, the operation button 52 is pressed to set the activated carbon cleaning time setting mode, and the operation buttons 49, 50,
A predetermined time is set using 51. 53 is a plug connected to a power supply in the main body 45, 54 is a tube having one end connected to the above-mentioned water pipe (not shown), and 55 is a connecting member attached to a water tap 56. Is connected to the other end of the tube 54. The connecting member 55 is provided with a lever 57. By switching the lever 57, it is possible to select whether tap water is sent to the main body 45 or discharged from the connecting member 55 as raw water.

Thus, the user can input the current time.
With such a configuration, a clock is provided in the water purifier 45.
The operation of the control means follows this clock.
Can be performed. Therefore the operation is accurate
Thus, a reliable and highly reliable water purification apparatus can be obtained. Ma
The user also enters the specific time to start the regeneration of the filter media
The start time of filter media regeneration
Can be set arbitrarily according to the user's convenience.
Become like In addition, once the current time and when
When the time is set, each time the filter media is washed and regenerated,
Regularly and reliably filter media without the need to set
It has excellent filtration performance because it can be washed and regenerated.
A highly reliable water purification device having power can be obtained.
Displaying the set current time on the display unit 46
Refers to the current time when setting the playback start time
The start time can be set while heating
Can be easily adjusted to the optimal time for the user.
You. The set time is also displayed while setting the playback start time.
So that you can set what time
Make sure to set the time while confirming
So you can set the playback start time more reliably
be able to. A control method of the water purifier configured as described above will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the water purifier of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 10 denotes a heater, 11
Is a temperature detector, 46 is a display unit, 47 is an operation unit, 39, 4
Reference numerals 0 and 41 denote switch units, which are the same as those described in FIG. Reference numeral 58 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) provided in the control unit 42. The microcomputer 58 includes an oscillating unit 58a for generating a clock signal.
Is provided. Reference numeral 59 denotes a motor drive circuit that drives the motor 34 and is controlled by the microcomputer 58. Reference numeral 60 denotes a heater drive circuit that drives the heater 10 and is controlled by the microcomputer 58 and the temperature detector 11. The heater drive circuit 60 includes the microcomputer 58 and the temperature detector 11
If the microcomputer 58 runs away while the heater 10 is generating heat, it is considered that the heating is continued even if the temperature in the filter medium container 8 exceeds a predetermined temperature. Since the device may be damaged due to heat, the heater driving circuit 6 may be operated by the temperature detector 11.
0 control is performed. That is, when the temperature detector 11 detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heater drive circuit 60 is stopped separately from the microcomputer 58, thereby preventing abnormal heating in the filter medium container 8.

The operation of the control system configured as follows will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the power is turned on to the apparatus, first, the microcomputer 58 determines the current position of the switching valve 25 based on the outputs from the switches 39, 40, and 41.
After that, the device enters the power recovery mode, and the time portion of the display unit 46 starts to light. Then, the user presses the button of the operation unit 47 to set the current time as described above. When the setting is completed, if the switching valve 25 is not in the water stopped state, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34, and the switching valve 25 is set in the water stopped state as shown in FIG. Rotate to position. Further, when the heating of the filter medium container 8 and the drainage of the hot water in the filter medium container 8 are taken as one cycle, this is set to one to several cycles (in this embodiment, N times). In addition, the heat retention time of the filter medium container 8 at this time is also set in advance. Such processing is performed before the operation of STEP (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 starts. When the operation starts in S1, a key scan of the buttons of the operation unit 47 is performed in S2. In S2, processing as shown in FIG. 11 is performed. First, ON / OFF of the motor 34 is controlled in S3, and control of the display unit 46 is performed in S4. Next, stop water in S5
Buttons on the operation unit 47 for water purification, hot washing, hot washing time setting, etc. are scanned to make a determination. Then, at S6, the switching valve 2
The output of the switch units 39, 40 and 41 is scanned for the current position of No. 5. When the key scan processing in S2 is completed as described above, the mode is switched in S7. The mode switching is performed as shown in FIG. First, in S8, it is determined whether or not the button of the operation unit 47 has been pressed. That is, it is determined whether or not any button has been pressed when the button of the operation unit 47 has been scanned in S5. When any button is pressed, it is determined in S9 whether the pressed button is the water stop operation button 49. If the pressed button is the water stop operation button 49, the water stop mode is set in S10, and the process returns to S7. If the pressed button is not the stop water operation button, the process proceeds to S11, and it is determined whether the pressed button is the clean water operation button 50. If the button pressed here is the water purification operation button 50, the flow proceeds to S12, sets the water purification mode, and returns to S7. If the pressed button is not the clean water operation button 50, the process proceeds to S13, and it is determined whether the pressed button is the operation button 51 for manual thermal cleaning. If the button pressed here is the operation button 51 for manual thermal cleaning, the process proceeds to S14, where the thermal cleaning mode and the heat retention mode are set, and the process returns to S7. If the pressed button is not the manual thermal cleaning operation button 51, the process proceeds to S15, and it is determined whether or not the pressed button is the thermal cleaning time setting operation button 52. If the pressed button is the operation button 52 for setting the heat cleaning time, the process proceeds to S16, and it is determined whether or not the current mode is the heat cleaning mode. If the mode is the thermal cleaning mode, the process proceeds to S17, the water stop mode is set, and the process returns to S7. If the mode is not the thermal cleaning mode in S16, the process proceeds to S18, sets the thermal cleaning time setting mode, and returns to S7. If the button pressed in S15 is not the operation button 52 for setting the thermal cleaning time, S7
Return to If the button of the operation unit 47 has not been pressed in S8, the process proceeds to S19, and it is determined whether or not the heat cleaning set time has come.

When the set time for the thermal cleaning is reached, the thermal cleaning mode of S14 is set, and the process returns to S7. If the set time of the thermal cleaning has not come in S19, the process returns to S7. When the process in S7 is completed, the process proceeds to S20, in which it is determined whether or not the mode is set to the water stop mode. If the mode is not set to the water stop mode, the process proceeds to the process in FIG. In S21, it is determined whether or not the mode is set to the water purification mode. If the mode is set to the water purification mode, the process proceeds to S22.
A signal is sent to 0 to terminate the energization of the heater 10. Next, the process proceeds to S23, where it is determined whether or not the switching valve 25 is at the water purification position (that is, whether or not the switching valve 25 is located at the position as shown in FIG. 3).
The microcomputer 58 makes a determination by looking at the outputs from 0 and 41. At this time, if the switching valve 25 has not reached the water purification position,
Proceeding to S24, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34, move the switching valve 25 to the water purification position, and thereafter return to between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 25 is at the water purification position in S23, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 in S25 to stop driving the motor 34, and thereafter returns to the position between S1 and S2. If the mode is not set to the water purification mode in S21, the process proceeds to the process in FIG. In S26, it is determined whether or not the mode is set to the thermal cleaning mode. If the mode is not set to the thermal cleaning mode, the process proceeds to S27. In S27, it is determined whether or not the mode is set to the thermal cleaning time setting mode. If the mode is set to the thermal cleaning time setting mode, the process proceeds to S28, and the time for performing thermal cleaning with the operation button of the operation unit 47 is set as described above. Set. Thereafter, the process returns between S1 and S2. If the mode is not set to the thermal cleaning time setting mode in S27, the process returns to between S1 and S2. If the thermal cleaning mode has been set in S26, the process proceeds to S29, where the heater 10
If the power is not supplied to the heater 58, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the heater drive circuit 60 to supply electricity to the heater 10 to heat the inside of the filter medium container 8. Next, in S30, it is determined whether or not the heat retention mode is set, and if it is set, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. In S31, it is determined whether the switching valve 25 is in the water stop position as shown in FIG.
The microcomputer 58 makes a judgment based on the outputs of 9, 40 and 41,
If it is not at the water stop position, the process proceeds to S32. In S32, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34 and rotate the switching valve 25.
Then, it returns between S1 and S2. Switching valve 2 in S31
If the position of No. 5 is the water stop position, the process proceeds to S33, and S3
If the motor 34 is being driven in step 3, the microcomputer 58 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to stop driving the motor 34. Thereafter, in S34, the energization time of the heater 10, that is, the heat retention time of the filter medium container 8 is counted. Next, the heat retention time set in advance in S35 and S34
Comparing the heat retention times counted in the above, if the time is over, proceed to S36, otherwise, S1 and S2
Return between. In S36, the heat retention time is set again, and then in S37, the heat retention mode is switched to the drainage mode,
Return between 1 and S2. If the warming mode has not been set in S30, the process proceeds to S38, and the microcomputer 58 determines whether or not the switching valve 25 is at the drain position as shown in FIG.
Judge based on the outputs from the switches 39, 40 and 41, and if the switching valve 25 is not at the drain position, S3
Go to 9. In S39, a signal is output from the microcomputer 58 to the motor drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34 and move the switching valve 25 to the drain position. Next, proceeding to S40, the time for draining the water in the filter medium container 8, that is, the drainage time is set to a predetermined time, and then the flow returns to between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 25 is at the drain position in S38, the process proceeds to S41. If the motor 34 is being driven in S41, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to stop driving the motor 34. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S42, in which the preset cycle number is compared with the current cycle number. When the current cycle reaches the preset cycle number, the process proceeds to S43, and the current cycle number is reset to zero. Then, in step S44, the thermal cleaning mode is switched to the water stop mode, and the cleaning suspension mode is set.
Return between 1 and S2. If the current cycle number is smaller than the preset cycle number in S42, the process proceeds to S45 and the current drainage time is counted. And S40 at S46
Compare the drainage time set in the above with the current drainage time. If the time is not over, return between S1 and S2,
If so, the process proceeds to S47. At S47, the drainage mode is switched to the heat retention mode, and at S48, the cycle number is incremented by 1, and the process returns to between S1 and S2.

If the water stop mode is set in S20, the process proceeds to S49. In S49, if the heater 10 is energized, the microcomputer 58 outputs a signal to the heater drive circuit 60 to stop the energization of the heater 10. Then, the process proceeds to S50, where it is determined whether or not the cleaning suspension mode is set. If the mode is set, the process proceeds to the process in FIG. S
At 51, the microcomputer 58 determines whether or not the switching valve 25 is at the drain position as shown in FIG.
Judgment is made based on the outputs from 0 and 41. If the switching valve 25 is not at the drain position, the process proceeds to S52. In S52, the microcomputer 58 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34 to rotate the switching valve 25, and thereafter returns to between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 25 is at the drain position in S51, the process proceeds to S53, where the motor 34
If the microcomputer 58 is being driven, the microcomputer 58
And the driving of the motor 34 is stopped. Next, the drainage time is counted in S54, and the drainage time set in S55 is compared with the current drainage time. If the time is over, the flow advances to S56 to release the cleaning suspension mode, and S1 and S
Return between 2 and S if the time is not over in S55
Return between 1 and S2. If not in S50, the flow proceeds to S57 to determine whether or not the switching valve 25 is at the water stop position. If not, the flow proceeds to S58, and if the motor 34 is not driven, the microcomputer 58 turns on the motor. A signal is output to the drive circuit 59 to drive the motor 34, move the switching valve 25 to the water stop position shown in FIG. 1, and return between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 25 is in the water stop position in S57, the process proceeds to S59, and if the motor 34 is driven, the microcomputer 58 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to stop driving the motor 34, and then S1
Return between and S2.

In this embodiment, by performing the above-described configuration and control, the activated carbon 9 can be automatically cleaned, and the activated carbon 9 can be reliably washed, that is, impurities and the like adhering to the surface and pores of the activated carbon can be surely removed. No impurities are mixed into the filtered water.

In this embodiment, activated carbon is used as a filter medium. However, any filter medium can be used as long as impurities can be removed with hot water. For example, an ion exchange resin is also applicable. Further, the heater 10 is provided at the inner bottom of the filter medium container 8 in order to improve the heating efficiency, but may be anywhere inside the filter medium container 8. Further, the heater 10 may be brought into contact with the outside of the filter medium container 8 or provided at a position away from the filter medium container 8 to heat the filter medium container 8. Although the temperature detector 11 is provided outside the filter medium container 8, it may be provided inside.

[0026]

According to the present invention, there are provided heating means for increasing the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, time input means for inputting a time and a heating start time, and control means for controlling the heating means.
Based on the input time, when the heating start time comes, the control means shifts to the heating mode, and by using the heating means to heat the filter medium container, the operation of the water purification device is provided therein. Since the operation can be performed based on the clock, the operation for shifting to the heating mode and the like can be performed accurately, reliably, and highly reliable. In addition, since the heating start time can be input from the time input means, the regeneration start time of the filter medium can be arbitrarily set according to the convenience of the user. Furthermore, once the current time and the filter medium washing start time are set, even if the timer is not set each time when the filter medium is washed and regenerated,
Since the washing and regeneration of the filter medium can be performed regularly and reliably, a highly reliable water purification apparatus having always excellent filtration ability can be obtained. Further, switching means for switching between discharging the water from the filter medium container from the water purification port and discharging from the drain port, and driving means for driving the switching means are provided, and the control means controls the driving means, Since the control means can select the discharge pipe according to the operation condition and discharge the purified water or drainage, it is possible to minimize the misuse of the user, for example, drainage flows out from the water purification port and accidentally drinks it. Since it can be suppressed to a minimum, a safe water purification device can be obtained. Also, by using a motor as the driving means, the switching means can be switched more reliably without a time difference than when a heat sensing valve or the like is used, so that a large amount of wastewater may be mixed into the discharge pipe for discharging purified water. Can be reduced. Also, from the water tube to the filter medium container for a predetermined time,
Pour water and add water containing impurities etc. in the filter media container.
To drain the water from the drain pipe,
Water containing impurities, etc.
It is possible to almost eliminate the possibility of impurities being mixed in water.
it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a water purification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged sectional view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a water purification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing an operation unit of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a water purification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purification device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing a conventional water purification device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Body Case 8 Filter Material Container 9 Activated Carbon 10 Heater 11 Temperature Detector 12 Unit 13 Flowing Water Pipe 14 Water Pipe 15 Water Pipe 16 Water Pipe 17 Horizontal Valve 18 Water Pipe 19 Drain Pipe 20 Valve 21 Spring 22 Hole 23 Hole 24 Hole 25 Switching Valve 26 groove 27 groove 28 groove 29 groove 30 ball 31 ball 32 ball 33 packing 34 motor 35 worm gear 36 gear 37 gear 38 cam 39 switch section 40 switch section 41 switch section 42 control section 43 heat insulating member 44 power supply section 58 microcomputer 59 motor drive Circuit 60 Heater drive circuit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yu Nishikawa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A 1-269284 (JP, A) JP-A 64-64 51189 (JP, A) JP-A-3-186 (JP, A) JP-A-63-62591 (JP, A) JP-A-2-133492 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) C02F 1/00-1/78

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A filter medium container for storing a filter medium, heating means for raising the temperature of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe for introducing water into the filter medium container, and discharging water from the filter medium container. and the outflow pipe, a time input means when you type the time, and washed with a clock that operates based on the input data from the time input unit, a water purification port for discharging purified water, the filter medium of water
And a water outlet for discharging water from the filter medium container.
Whether to discharge from the mouth or discharge from the drain
Switching means for performing switching, and a motor for driving the switching means
And outputting a signal to the heating means to control the heating means.
And outputs a signal to the motor to
And a control unit for controlling the stage , based on the clock, when the predetermined time, the control unit shifts to the heating mode,
A water purification apparatus, wherein the filter medium container is heated using the heating means. 2. The switching means operates after the operation of the heating means is completed.
The water purification device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. After the operation of the heating means is completed, water is supplied into the filter medium container.
When passing water, drain the water in the filter media container from the drain port for a predetermined time.
Draining, and thereafter, the switching means operates.
The water purification device according to claim 1, wherein 4. A filter medium container for storing a filter medium, and the filter medium container
Heating means for raising the temperature of the one stored in
A storage member for storing a material container and the heating means;
A water purification pipe for discharging purified water guided from a material container;
It is provided separately from the water purification pipe and is guided from the filter medium container.
Water purifier equipped with a drain pipe that discharges wastewater, etc.
After completion of the hot water regeneration washing of the filter medium,
When passing water through the container, only a predetermined time
A water purifier characterized by discharging sewage from the drain pipe.
Place.