JP3227789B2 - Water purifier - 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 regenerating and cleaning a filter medium such as activated carbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional water purifier.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body case, and 2 denotes a filter medium container provided in the main body case and made of a heat-resistant and pressure-resistant material. The filter medium container 2 contains an activated carbon 3. The activated carbon 3 is covered with a water-permeable member (for example, a fine wire mesh or the like) as in the related art. Reference numeral 4 denotes a heater provided at the inner bottom of the filter medium container 2 for heating the filter medium container 2, 5 a temperature detector having a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the filter medium container 2, and a temperature detector 5 disposed outside the filter medium container 2. Parts are in contact. Reference numeral 6 denotes a unit having a switching valve. The unit 6 has a flowing water pipe 7 for guiding external water into the apparatus.
And a water pipe 8 for discharging the filtered water. Water pipes 9 and 10 are provided between the unit 6 and the filter medium container 2, and a water pipe 12 is provided between the unit 6 and the horizontal valve 11. The horizontal valve portion 11 has a cylindrical shape,
The center of the side surface is connected to the upper surface of the filter medium container 2. In addition, a drain pipe 13 for discharging hot water after washing the activated carbon 3 to the outside is connected to an end face of the horizontal valve portion 11 opposite to the side to which the water pipe 12 is connected. In the horizontal valve section 11, there is a valve section 1
4 are housed and urged toward the water pipe 12 by a spring 15. Reference numerals 16, 17, and 18 denote holes provided inside the unit portion 6 and having a protruding portion on the peripheral edge, respectively.
6 is connected to the water pipe 12, the hole 17 is connected to the water pipe 9, and the hole 18 is connected to the water pipe 8. Reference numeral 19 denotes a switching valve rotatably held inside the unit portion 6. The switching valve 19 has grooves 20, 21, 22 formed in the side surface portion along the circumferential direction. Groove 2
The formation positions of 0 and 22 are formed at the same position along the circumferential direction, but only the groove 21 is formed at a different position. Reference numeral 23 denotes a groove provided on the entire side surface of the switching valve 19. 24, 25, and 26 are grooves 20, 21, 22, respectively.
The balls 24, 25 and 26 are each made of a material which is hard to rust, such as stainless steel or resin. The ball 24 opens and closes the hole 16, the ball 25 opens and closes the hole 17, and the ball 26 opens and closes the hole 18. Reference numeral 27 denotes an annular packing attached to the groove 23.
The space is divided into a space provided with 6, 17 and a space provided with the hole 18. At this time, the above-mentioned water pipe 7 has holes 16 and 17.
Is connected to the space provided. 28 is a motor for rotating the switching valve 19. The following motor 28
The mechanism by which the rotation of the rotation is transmitted to the switching valve 19 will be described. A worm gear 29 is provided on the rotation shaft of the motor 28. The rotation of the worm gear 29 is transmitted to the gear 30, and the rotation of the gear 30 is controlled by a small-diameter gear (not shown) provided coaxially with the gear 30. Through gear 31
Conveyed to. Since the gear 31 is joined to the end face of the switching valve 19 via the shaft, the switching valve 19 also rotates as the gear 31 rotates. Reference numeral 32 denotes a cam mounted via an axis on the end face of the switching valve 19 opposite to the side on which the gear 31 is mounted. The cam 32 has a convex portion. Reference numeral 33 denotes a switch unit composed of a photo interrupter, and reference numerals 34 and 35 denote switch units each composed of a microswitch. Reference numeral 36 denotes a control unit in which components such as a microcomputer for controlling the motor 28 and the heater 4 are stored. The control unit 36 is provided below the unit 6 via a heat insulating member 37. Reference numeral 38 denotes a power supply unit provided in the control unit 36.

The flow of water in the water purifier constructed as described above will be described below when purifying water and when cleaning the activated carbon 3.

First, the water stop state will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, holes 16, 17, 18 provided in the unit 6
Are closed by the balls 24, 25 and 26, respectively.
No water flow occurs. Also, as shown in FIG. 7B, the convex portion of the cam 32 is located in a groove provided in the switch portion 33.

Next, the purified water state is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (a) and 9 (b).
This will be described with reference to FIG. From the water stop state, the motor 28 is driven to rotate the switching valve 19 such that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 35. When the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 35, the motor 28 stops, and the switching valve 19 stops while the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 35. Then, as shown in FIG.
The balls 24 and 26 move from above the hole 6 and the hole 18, respectively, and open the hole 16 and the hole 18, respectively. As described above, the pressurized water reaches the unit section 6 via the flowing water pipe 7, so that when the hole 16 is opened, the water flows from the hole 16 to the water pipe 12 and further flows into the horizontal valve section 11. . The water flowing into the horizontal valve portion 11 causes the valve portion 14 to
To move horizontally against the elastic force of As described above, since the water pipe connected to the upper surface of the filter medium container 2 is provided near the center of the side of the horizontal valve section 11, when the water flowing into the horizontal valve section 11 moves the valve section 14 by a predetermined amount. The water flows into the filter medium container 2. The water flowing into the filter medium container 2 is purified by activated carbon, and flows again toward the unit 6 via a water pipe 10 provided at a lower portion of the filter medium container 2. At this time, since the packing 27 is provided, the water flowing from the water pipe 7 to the unit 6 and the water flowing from the filter medium container 2 to the unit 6 do not mix. The purified water flowing into the unit 6 is discharged to the outside through the hole 18 and the water pipe 8. When ending the water purification state,
By performing a predetermined operation, the motor 28 is driven, and the switching valve 19 is rotated so that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 33. Then, when the convex portion of the cam 32 acts on the switch portion 33, the motor 28 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. 10 and 11 (a) and 11 (b). First, in the water stop state, the heater 4 is energized to heat the inside of the filter medium container 2 to remove impurities and the like adsorbed on the activated carbon. Then, the inside of the filter medium container 2 is maintained at a predetermined temperature (about 65 ° C. in this embodiment, but may be any temperature as long as it can remove impurities and the like from the activated carbon) for a predetermined time (30 minutes to 60 hours in this embodiment).
After heating, the motor 28 is driven from the water-stop state to switch the switching valve 19 so that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 34. Rotate in each direction. When the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 34, the motor 2
8 stops, and the switching valve 19 stops in a state where the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 34. Then Figure 11
The ball 25 moves from above the hole 17 as shown in FIG. Since the pressurized water reaches the unit 6 via the flowing water pipe 7, the water flows into the filter medium container 2 from the hole 26 through the water pipe 9 by opening the hole 17. 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 2 by the water flowing from the water pipe 9 and drained from the water pipe 12 through the horizontal valve portion 11. . From the water pipe 9 for a predetermined time,
After the water is poured into the motor 2,
8, the switching valve 19 is rotated so that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 33. And cam 3
When the second convex portion acts on the switch portion 33, the motor 28 stops rotating, and the water stops as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a conventional water purifier. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 39 denotes a main body of the water purifier, 40 denotes a display unit for displaying the time and the fact that heat cleaning is being performed, and 41 denotes an operation unit for operating the main unit 39. Details of the operation unit 41 are shown in FIG. . FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the operation unit. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 42 denotes an operation button for setting the current time, reference numeral 43 denotes an operation button for bringing the main body 39 into a water-stopped state and advancing the time when setting the time, and reference numeral 44 denotes an operation button for setting the main body 39 to a purified water state and setting the time. An operation button 45 for moving the time forward, an operation button 45 for manually cleaning the activated carbon and shifting digits such as "hour" and "minute", and an operation button 46 for setting the activated carbon to be washed at a specific time. is there. To set the current time, press operation button 4
2 to enter the current time setting mode,
Then, after setting a predetermined "hour" by the operation button 44, digit shift is performed by the operation button 45, and further, setting to a predetermined "minute" is performed by the operation buttons 43 and 44. When setting the time for activated carbon cleaning,
The operation button 45 is pressed to set the activated carbon cleaning time setting mode, and the operation buttons 43, 44, and 45 are set in the same manner as the current time setting.
Is used to set a predetermined time. 47 is a plug connected to the power supply in the main body 39, 48 is a tube having one end connected to the above-mentioned water pipe (not shown), 49 is a tap 5
The other end of the tube 48 is connected to the connecting member 49 with the connecting member attached to the connecting member 49. The connecting member 49 is provided with a lever 51, and the tap water is sent to the main body 39 by switching the lever 51, or the connecting member 4 is used as raw water.
9 can be selected.

A method for controlling the water purifier configured as described above will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a conventional water purifier.

In FIG. 14, 4 is a heater, 5 is a temperature detector, 40 is a display unit, 41 is an operation unit, and 33, 3
Reference numerals 4 and 35 denote switch units, which are the same as those described in FIG. Reference numeral 52 denotes a microcomputer provided in the control unit 36.
Is provided with an oscillating means 52a for generating a clock signal. 53 is a motor drive circuit which drives the motor 28 and is controlled by the microcomputer 52;
Drives the heating heater 4 and the microcomputer 52
And a heater drive circuit controlled by the temperature detector 5. The reason why the heater drive circuit 54 is controlled by both the microcomputer 52 and the temperature detector 5 is as follows.
If the microcomputer 52 runs away while the heating heater 4 is generating heat, it is conceivable that the heating of the filter medium container 2 may be continued even if the temperature in the filter medium container 2 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature. Therefore, the heater detector 54 also controls the heater drive circuit 54. That is, when the temperature detector 5 detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heater drive circuit 54 is stopped separately from the microcomputer 52, thereby preventing abnormal heating of the filter medium container 2.

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 device, the microcomputer 52 first switches the switching valve 1.
9 is determined based on the outputs from the switch units 33, 34, and 35. After that, the device enters the power recovery mode, and the time portion of the display unit 40 starts to light. Then, the user presses the button of the operation unit 41 to set the current time as described above. When the setting is completed, if the switching valve 19 is not in the water stop state, the microcomputer 52 operates the motor drive circuit 5.
3 to drive the motor 28 to rotate the switching valve 19 to the water-stop position as shown in FIG.
Further, when the heating of the filter medium container 2 and the drainage of the hot water in the filter medium container are defined as one cycle, this is set to one to several cycles (in this embodiment, N times). At this time, the heat retention time of the filter medium container 2 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, first, in S2, the operation unit 4
A key scan of the button 1 is performed. In S2, processing as shown in FIG. 16 is performed. First, in S3, the motor 28
N / OFF is controlled, and the display unit 40 is controlled in S4.
Next, in step S5, the output of the buttons of the operation unit 41 such as water stoppage, water purification, thermal cleaning, and thermal cleaning time setting is scanned to make a determination. Thereafter, in S6, the outputs of the switch units 33, 34, 35 are scanned. When the key scan processing in S2 is completed as described above, the mode is switched in S7. Mode switching is performed as shown in FIG. First, at S8, the operation unit 4
It is determined whether button 1 has been pressed. That is, S
In step 5, it is determined whether or not any button was pressed when the button of the operation unit 41 was scanned. When any button is pressed, it is determined in S9 whether the pressed button is the water stop operation button 43. If the pressed button is the water stop operation button 43, the water stop mode is set in S10, and the process returns to S7. If the pressed button is not the water stop operation button, the process proceeds to S11, and it is determined whether the pressed button is the water purification operation button 44. If the button pressed here is the water purification operation button 44, 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 44, the process proceeds to S13, and it is determined whether the pressed button is the operation button 45 for manual thermal cleaning. If the button pressed here is the operation button 45 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 45, the process proceeds to S15, and it is determined whether or not the pressed button is the thermal cleaning time setting operation button 46. If the button pressed here is the operation button 46 for setting the thermal cleaning time, the process proceeds to S16, and it is determined whether or not the current mode is the thermal 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 46 for setting the thermal cleaning time, S7
Return to If the button of the operation unit 41 has not been pressed in S8, the process proceeds to S19, and it is determined whether or not the set time of the thermal cleaning has been reached. When the thermal cleaning set time comes, 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 water stopping mode is set. If the water stopping mode is not set, the process proceeds to 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. If the heating heater 4 is in the heating state, the microcomputer 52 sends a signal to the heater driving circuit 54. To terminate the energization of the heater 4. Next, the process proceeds to S23 to determine whether or not the switching valve 19 is at the water purification position (that is, whether or not the switching valve 19 is located at the position as shown in FIG. 8) from the switches 33, 34, and 35. The microcomputer 52 makes a judgment by watching. At this time, if the switching valve 19 has not reached the water purification position, the process proceeds to S24, where the microcomputer 52 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 53, drives the motor 28, and moves the switching valve 19 to the water purification position. Then, it returns between S1 and S2. Also S2
If the switching valve 19 is at the water purification position in S3, S
At 25, the microcomputer 52 controls the motor drive circuit 5
3 to stop driving the motor 28 and thereafter return to 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.
Proceed to 27. 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 41 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 flow proceeds to S29, and if the heater 4 has not been energized, the microcomputer 52 sends a signal to the heater drive circuit 54 to energize the heater 4 to allow the heater 4 to be energized. Heat. 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 19 is in the water stop position as shown in FIG.
The microcomputer makes a judgment based on the outputs of 3, 34 and 35, and if it is at the water stop position, the process proceeds to S32. S32
Then, the microcomputer 52 is a motor drive circuit 53
To the motor 28 to drive the motor 28, the switching valve 1
Rotate 9 Then, it returns between S1 and S2. S3
If the switching valve 19 is at the water stop position in step S1,
Go to 33, if the motor 28 is driving in S33,
The microcomputer 52 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 53 to stop driving the motor 28. Thereafter, in S34, the energizing time of the heater 4, that is, the heat retention time of the filter medium container 2 is counted. Next, the heat retention time set in advance in S35 is compared with the heat retention time counted in S34, and if the time is over, the process proceeds to S36, and if not, the process returns between S1 and S2. In S36, the heat retention time is set again, and thereafter, in S37, the heat retention mode is switched to the drain mode, and the process returns to between S1 and S2. S30
If the mode is not set to the warming mode, the process proceeds to S38, and the microcomputer 52 determines whether or not the switching valve 19 is at the drain position as shown in FIG. 10 based on the outputs from the switch sections 33, 34, 35. If it is determined that the switching valve 19 is not at the drain position, the process proceeds to S39. S
At 39, a signal is output from the microcomputer 52 to the motor drive circuit 53 to drive the motor 28 and move the switching valve 19 to the drain position. Next, proceeding to S40, the time for draining the water in the filter medium container 2, 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 19 is at the drain position in S38, the process proceeds to S41. If the motor 28 is being driven in S41, the microcomputer 52
3 to stop driving the motor 28. 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 S44, the thermal cleaning mode is switched to the water stop mode, and the cleaning interruption mode is set. Thereafter, the flow returns to between S1 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. In step S46, the drainage time set in step S40 is compared with the current drainage time.
The process returns to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to step 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. S49
If the heater 4 is energized, the microcomputer 52 outputs a signal to the heater drive circuit 54 to stop the energization of the heater 4. Then, the process proceeds to S50, in which it is determined whether or not the thermal cleaning mode is set. If the mode is set, the process proceeds to FIG. In S51, the microcomputer 52 determines whether or not the switching valve 19 is at the drain position as shown in FIG.
Judgment is made based on the outputs from 4, 4 and if the switching valve 19 is not at the drain position, the process proceeds to S52. In S52, the microcomputer 52 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 53 to drive the motor 28 to rotate the switching valve 19, and thereafter returns to between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 19 is at the drain position in S51, the process proceeds to S53,
If the motor 28 is operating, the microcomputer 5
2 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 53 to
8 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 returns between S1 and S2, and returns to S55. If the time is not over, return between S1 and S2. S50
If not in step S57, the flow proceeds to step S57 to judge whether or not the switching valve 19 is at the water stop position. If not, the flow proceeds to step S58 and if the motor 28 is not driven, the microcomputer 52 starts the motor. Drive circuit 5
3 to drive the motor 28, move the switching valve 19 to the water stop position shown in FIG. 6, and return between S1 and S2. If the switching valve 19 is in the water stop position in S57, the process proceeds to S59, and if the motor 28 is driven, the microcomputer 52 outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 53 to stop driving the motor 28, and thereafter, S1 and S
Return between two.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the user takes clean water and forgets to press the stop button, the switching valve 19 remains in a clean water state. As a result, there is a problem that filtered water is continuously discharged from the water pipe 8.

[0013] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a water purifier capable of preventing continuous discharge of filtered water even when a user takes purified water and forgets to press a stop button. The purpose is to:

[0014]

In order to achieve this object, at least a driving means is driven and a valve is supplied when a set time is reached by counting a time from the start of water purification by a counting means for counting a water purification time. Position the tube so that water does not flow into the filter media container.

[0015]

According to the present invention, water does not flow into the filter medium container after a lapse of a predetermined time even if purified water is used.

[0016]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an operation unit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram.

In FIG. 1, the external appearance and the internal configuration are the same as those in FIG. 6 shown in the conventional example. In FIG.
46 are the same as in the conventional example shown in FIG. Reference numeral 56 denotes an operation button for setting a water purification end time. The method for setting the water purification end time is the same as the method for setting the current time in the conventional example. That is, the operation button 56 is pressed to set the water purification end time setting mode, and the operation button 43 and the operation button 4
4 and the operation button 4
The digit is shifted by 5 and further set to a predetermined "minute" by the operation buttons 43 and 44.

In FIG. 3, the configuration is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. In the timer section 57, 58 is an oscillator for oscillating the basic time, 5
Reference numeral 9 denotes a random access memory for counting (hereinafter abbreviated as RAM) which is counted up for each clock output from the oscillator 58; 60, a RAM for storing a set time for storing a count set time; 61, a RAM for counting; A timer control circuit that controls the RAM for use and interfaces with the microcomputer 52.

The operation of the timer section 57 having the above configuration will be described. The timer operation is started and stopped by a signal output from the microcomputer 52 by a timer count flag inside the timer control circuit 61. If the timer count flag is ON, the counting operation is performed, and if it is OFF, the counting operation is stopped.
The count operation is performed by adding 1 to the count RAM 59 for each clock output from the oscillator 58, and comparing with the value of the set time storage RAM 60, when the count is equal to or more than that value, the count control is inside the timer control circuit 61. Turn on the time-over flag. The time-over flag is a signal output from the timer control circuit 61 to the microcomputer 52, and is cleared to OFF when the timer count flag is turned OFF.

The operation concept of this embodiment in the control system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9B.

First, the water purification operation will be described. Water purification button 4
When the button 4 is pressed, the microcomputer 52 drives the motor 28 from the water stop state to switch the switching valve 19 to the cam 32.
Is rotated in such a way that the convex portion of the switch approaches the switch portion 35. When the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 35, the motor 28 stops, and the switching valve 19 stops while the convex portion of the cam 32 presses the switch portion 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the balls 24 and 26 move from above the holes 16 and 18, respectively, and open the holes 16 and 18, respectively. As described above, the pressurized water reaches the unit section 6 via the inflow pipe 7, so that when the hole 16 is opened, the water flows from the hole 16 to the water pipe 12 and further flows into the horizontal valve section 11. . The water flowing into the horizontal valve 11 moves the valve 14 horizontally against the elastic force of the spring 15. As in the conventional example, a water pipe connected to the upper surface of the filter medium container 2 is provided near the center of the side of the horizontal valve portion 11, so that water flowing into the horizontal valve portion 11 is
When the water 4 is moved by a predetermined amount, the water flows into the filter medium container 2. The water flowing into the filter medium container 2 is purified by activated carbon, and flows again toward the unit 6 via a water pipe 10 provided at a lower portion of the filter medium container 2. At this time, since the packing 27 is provided, the water flowing from the water pipe 7 to the unit 6 and the water flowing from the filter medium container 2 to the unit 6 do not mix. The purified water flowing into the unit 6 is discharged to the outside through the hole 18 and the water pipe 8. Further, the microcomputer 52 sends a signal to the timer section 57 to turn on the timer count flag. The timer unit 57 starts counting. Next, the water stopping operation will be described. When the user takes the clean water and presses the stop button, the microcomputer 52 drives the motor 28 to rotate the switching valve 19 in such a manner that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 33. Then, when the convex portion of the cam 32 acts on the switch portion 33, the motor 28 stops rotating, and the water stops as shown in FIG. Then, a signal for turning off the timer count flag is output to the timer unit 57 to stop the timer operation, and the counting RAM 59 is initialized. If the user forgets to press the water stop button 43, the timer unit 57 outputs a signal for turning on the timeout flag to the microcomputer 52 after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the microcomputer 52 detects this and turns the motor 28 on. Then, the switching valve 19 is rotated so that the convex portion of the cam 32 approaches the switch portion 33. Then, when the convex portion of the cam 32 acts on the switch portion 33, the motor 28 stops rotating, and the water stops as shown in FIG. And timer part 5
7, a signal for turning off the timer count flag is output to stop the timer operation, and the counting RAM 59 is initialized.

Next, the main processing operation in this embodiment will be described. Here, the rough operation is shown in FIG.
21 are the same as those of FIG.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts of the main processing. In FIG. 3, the processing up to the start of S60 is almost the same as the processing up to the start of S1 in the conventional example shown in FIG. 15, but the microcomputer 52 stops the timer counting operation of the timer unit 57. (Turn off the timer count flag),
The count RAM 59 is initialized (cleared to 0). Then, the operation buttons 43, 44, 45, 56 of the operation unit 55
Press to set the water purification operation end time. The set time is stored in the set time storage RAM 60. S60
When the operation starts, the key scan of the button of the operation unit 55 is performed in S2. In S2, the processes S3 to S6 of the conventional example shown in FIG. 16 are performed. When the key scan processing in S2 is completed, the mode is switched in S7. In S7, the processes of S8 to S19 of the conventional example shown in FIG. 17 are performed. 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. In FIG. 5, it is determined in S21 whether the mode is set to the water purification mode. If the mode is set to the water purification mode, the process proceeds to S22. Steps S22 to S25 are the same as those in the conventional example shown in FIG. 18, but after the processing of S25 is completed, the timer counting operation of the timer section 57 is started in S61 (the timer count flag is turned on). Next, S62
To determine whether the time-over flag is ON. If it is OFF, it returns between S1 and S2. If it is ON, the process proceeds to S63, where the timer counting operation of the timer unit 57 is stopped, and the counting RAM 59 is initialized. Further, in S64, the water purification mode is released, and S
Proceeding to 65, after setting the mode to the water stop mode, returns to between S1 and S2. If the mode is set to the water stop mode in S20, the processing of S49 to S59 is the same as the conventional example shown in FIG. 15, but after the processing of S49 is completed, the processing of S66 is completed.
Then, the timer counting operation of the timer section 57 is stopped, and the counting RAM 59 is initialized. Then S
The processes after 50 are performed, and the process returns between S1 and S2.

By performing the above-described control, the water-stop mode is set after a set time from the start of water purification, and the valve is positioned so that water does not flow from the inflow pipe into the filter medium container. Even if the user forgets to press the water stop button, water can be saved without continuously discharging the filtered water.

In this embodiment, the timer unit 57
Is provided and the time from the start of water purification is counted, but a timer means and an oscillating means 52 a built in the microcomputer 52 may be used instead of the timer unit 57.
Even in this case, the operation can be performed by changing the program as shown in the control flow.

[0027]

According to the present invention, when the set time elapses after counting the time from the start of water purification by the counting means for counting the water purification time, at least the driving means is driven, and the valve is moved from the inflow pipe to the water into the filter medium container. Since it is located in a state where it does not flow, even if the user takes clean water and forgets to press the stop button, it is possible to prevent continuous discharge of filtered water and save water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an operation unit of the water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged sectional view of a conventional water purifier. FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged view of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional water purifier.

9A is a partially enlarged sectional view of a conventional water purifier. FIG. 9B is a partially enlarged view of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional water purifier.

11A is a partially enlarged sectional view of a conventional water purifier. FIG. 11B is a partially enlarged view of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing an operation unit in a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional water purifier.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional water purifier.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional water purifier.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional water purifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Filter medium container 3 Activated carbon 4 Heater 5 Temperature detector 6 Unit part 7 Running water pipe 8 Water pipe 10 Water pipe 11 Horizontal valve part 12 Water pipe 14 Valve part 15 Spring 16 hole 19 Switching valve 20 Groove 21 Groove 22 Groove 24 Ball 25 Ball 26 ball 27 packing 28 motor 29 worm gear 30 gear 31 gear 32 cam 33 switch part 34 switch part 35 switch part 37 heat insulating member 36 control part 38 power supply part 39 main body 40 display part 41 operation part 42 operation button 43 operation button 43 operation button 45 operation button 46 operation button 48 tube 49 connecting member 51 lever 52 microcomputer 53 motor drive circuit 54 heater drive circuit 57 timer section

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A filter medium, a filter medium container for storing the filter medium,
Heating means for heating the inside of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe into which water flows into the filter medium vessel, a water pipe from which water flows out from the filter medium vessel, and a valve means for controlling water flowing from the inflow pipe, Driving means for driving the valve means,
Counting means for counting the water purification time, and control means, the control means Once reached a predetermined time and outputs a signal to the heating means, the inside of the filter medium vessel was heated predetermined time
When the filter medium is purified and the counting means counts for a predetermined time during use of the purified water, the control means drives the driving means, and the valve means is positioned so that water does not flow into the filter medium container from the inflow pipe. Water purifier characterized by making it.