JP3236640B2 - 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, and more particularly to a water purifier using a reusable filter medium (ceramic filter).
The present invention relates to a water purifier that facilitates replacement of a filter medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been strongly pointed out that tap water has become bad. The causes include chlorine, rust, odor, bacteria, and the like. Furthermore, it has recently been pointed out that there is a carcinogen, trihalomethane. Under these circumstances, household water purifiers that remove harmful substances for the human body are attracting attention. Many of the water purifiers known at present have a type in which activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane filter are used in combination, and rust and bacteria that cannot be completely removed by activated carbon can be removed by the microfiltration action of the hollow fiber membrane. An example is disclosed in JP-A-2-198684.

[0003]

However, the type using the hollow fiber membrane filter as described above includes:
There are the following problems. If the hollow fiber membrane also becomes clogged with time, it must be periodically eliminated to maintain the filter function. In order to remove the clogging, it is conceivable to perform a chemical cleaning or to remove the organic component causing the clogging by incineration. However, since the hollow fiber membrane is a plastic organic membrane and has poor chemical resistance and heat resistance, such a method cannot be adopted at all.

[0004] Therefore, it is conceivable to pass the washing water. In this case, however, a pressure higher than that during the filtration operation is applied, so that such a high pressure is applied to the hollow fiber which is an organic membrane. Doing so results in the pores of the membrane being widened and impairing the filter function. In this regard, the same result can be obtained by employing a method in which the filter is washed by applying a counter pressure to the filter.

After all, although the hollow fiber membrane filter has a high purification function, it cannot be reused when clogged, and must be discarded. In particular, the hollow fiber membrane filter is not always the most suitable filter in consideration of use in general households.

[0006] The present invention has been devised in view of such a background, and the object of the present invention is to make the filter medium reusable, thereby being excellent in economical efficiency and making it easy to replace the filter medium. It is to provide a purified water purifier.

[0007]

According to a configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object, a water stop valve is provided in each of the hose joints, and the water stop valve on the introduction hose side is opened in the port body. A push-up piece and a push-up piece that opens the water stop valve on the discharge hose side are provided respectively, and when the port body is removed from the hose joint, both stops are opened from the push-up piece and closed. A water valve is provided,
In addition, the filter medium is divided into a first filter medium and a second filter medium composed of a ceramic filter and accommodated by a filter cartridge that partitions the inside of the casing into an outside and an inside.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when it is time to replace the filter, the port body is removed from the hose joint. When the port body is removed from the hose joint, the two water stop valves provided in the hose joint are respectively opened from the push-up pieces and closed. This prevents the raw water from the introduction hose from leaking out of the hose joint. Further, the purified water stored in the discharge hose is prevented from flowing backward and leaking from the hose joint. The filter medium is divided into a first filter medium and a second filter medium by a filter cartridge that partitions the inside of the casing into an outer side and an inner side. Then, when the filter medium is replaced, if the filter cartridge is taken out of the casing, the first filter medium and the second filter medium can be taken out.
Then, the filter taken out of the casing is washed. In this case, chemical cleaning is performed using the chemical resistance and heat resistance characteristics of the ceramic, or the clogging component is incinerated. Therefore, if the washed ceramic filter is incorporated in the casing, the regular filtration function is performed again.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a water stop valve is provided in each of the hose joints, and a push-up piece for opening the water stop valve on the introduction hose side and a water stop valve on the discharge hose side are provided in the port body. There are push-up pieces to open,
When the port body is removed from the hose joint, both water stop valves that are opened from the push-up pieces and closed are provided, so even if the port body is removed from the hose joint when replacing the filter media In addition, the respective water stop valves are closed to prevent the floor and the like from being stained with water, and the work of replacing the filter medium can be easily performed. In particular, the second filter medium made of a ceramic filter is used for chemical resistance of ceramic,
The regular filtration function is performed again by cleaning the chemical using the heat resistant property or incinerating the clogged component.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The water purifier C of this embodiment is attached below the kitchen sink S, as shown in FIG.
It is applied to a so-called undersink type, and a hose H is provided between a water stopcock M and a water purification faucet W.
1 and H2.

The water purifier C of this embodiment comprises a water purification section J for containing a filter medium and a port section P for introducing and discharging raw water and purified water.

The water purification section J has a metal casing 1 and a filter cartridge 2 incorporated therein.
Thus, the first filter medium 3 (see FIG. 2) is stored outside the filter cartridge 2 and the second filter medium 4 is stored inside the filter cartridge 2. In this embodiment, the first filter medium 3 is a mixture of activated carbon and coral sand powder at a predetermined ratio. The first filter medium 3 plays a role of removing chlorine, chlorine, and trihalomethane in the raw water, and eluting a mineral component by a coral sand. As will be described in further detail later, two ceramic filters formed in a round bar shape are used as the second filter medium 4 and serve to remove rust and bacteria. Then, as described below, the port portion P plays a role of guiding the raw water to the first filter medium 3 and then discharging the purified water obtained by passing through the second filter medium 4.

A hose H for introducing raw water is provided at the port P side.
1 and a metal hose joint 5 to which the purified water discharge hose H2 is connected. The hose joint 5 has a circular flange piece 6, and the flange piece 6 has a pair of cylindrical portions 7 a and 7 b protruding on both front and back surfaces.
Are erected at symmetrical positions. And, both cylinder parts 7a, 7
Water shutoff valves 8a and 8b are fitted in the inside of b to prevent water from leaking out when the filter medium is taken out.

The water stop valves 8a and 8b are connected to the valve housing 9
And the valve housing 9 is locked through the packing 11 in the cylindrical portions 7a and 7b. The valve housing 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape that opens in both the upper and lower directions, one of which serves as an inlet I for raw water and the other serves as an outlet O for purified water. Also, both valve housings 9 are shown in FIG.
As shown in the figures, a guide shaft 13 supported by three connection pieces 12 in the upper opening side extends inward along the central axis to a predetermined depth. The valve body 14 incorporated in the valve housing 9 has its shaft portion slidably protruded from the lower end side of the guide shaft 13, and the valve body 14 is attached downward by a spring 15 wound around the guide shaft 13. It is being rushed. Further, the tip of the valve body 14 is formed in a cross shape, and an O-ring 16 is fitted in a boundary portion between the cross-formed portion and the shaft portion so that the lower surface opening of the valve housing 9 can be sealed. However, the valve element 14 has two push-up pieces 18a, b of the port body 17 which is a component of the port portion P.
As a result, the lower opening of the valve housing 9 is open when the water purifier is assembled.

The port body 17 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and is fitted to the opening edge of the casing 1 via a packing 57. An outer cylinder 20 opening upward is provided on the upper surface side of the circular flange 19 of the port body 17.
The mounting edge 21 is formed along the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface near the opening edge to lock the flange piece 6 of the hose joint 5. As shown in the figure, a pair of inner cylinders 23a and 23b formed lower than the outer cylinder 20 are erected at symmetrical positions inside the outer cylinder 20. The lower parts are each fitted. However, both cylinder parts 7a, 7b
The seal between the two is achieved by the O-ring 24 fitted to the. Upper water passages 25a, 25b are respectively opened at the center portions of the inner cylinders 23a, 23b, and downward U-shaped push-up pieces 18a, 18b are provided so as to straddle the water passages 25a, 25b. Are formed.

On the other hand, near the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the circular flange 19, an insertion edge 26 for the casing 1 is formed so as to hang down in the circumferential direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the symmetrical position (the left and right sides in FIG. 1) is cut out over a predetermined angle range to form a locking window 27. The locking window 27 is an upper lid constituting the port portion P. 28 are closely fitted to each other so that positioning between them can be performed, but since the cut depth is lower than the height of the insertion edge 26, the port body 17
When the upper lid 28 and the upper lid 28 are fitted to each other, a predetermined distance is maintained between the lower surface of the circular flange 19 and the upper surface of the upper lid 28. This gap serves as a branch space 29 for distributing and guiding raw water to both of the first filter media 3 arranged with the second filter media 4 interposed therebetween.

From the upper water passages 25a and 25b, holes are formed obliquely toward the lower surface of the circular flange 19, and as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, lower water passages 30a and 30b, respectively.
It is open as. Of these, the lower water passage 30a on the side through which raw water passes is opened near the locking window 27 on the left side in the figure. On the other hand, the lower water inlet 30 through which purified water passes
b is opened at a position slightly eccentric to the right from the center of the circular flange 19. In addition, this lower water inlet 30b
Is formed concentrically with the upper lid 28 side.

The upper lid 28 is for closing the upper surface side of the filter cartridge 2, and its upper surface is formed in a substantially oval shape corresponding to the side surface shape of the cartridge 2 (see FIG. 7). An insertion portion 32 is formed on the lower surface, and is inserted into the filter cartridge 2 with the packing 33 interposed therebetween. Further, the upper lid 28 has a disc-shaped convex portion 34 formed at the center of the upper surface thereof so as to protrude therefrom, and a protruding edge 35 is integrally formed upright at the periphery of the upper surface of the convex portion 34 over the entire periphery. , And is inserted into the insertion groove portion 31 with a packing 36 interposed therebetween.

On the other hand, a pair of circular receiving portions 37 are formed on the lower surface of the insertion portion 32, and the upper end portion of the second filter medium 4 is fitted to the receiving portion 37 with a cup packing 38 interposed therebetween. A water purification passage 39 is perforated in a slit shape at a portion of the insertion portion 32 sandwiched between the receiving portions 37, and is opened on the upper surface of the projection 34 so as to communicate with the lower water passage 30 b.

However, in this embodiment, both receiving portions 37 are used.
Both have smaller diameters, but have a through hole 40 penetrating the upper lid 28. However, as described above, the raw water does not flow into the second filter medium 4 because the through holes 40 are sealed by the cup packings 38, respectively.

Next, the water purifying section J will be described. The casing 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom opening upward, and the upper opening edge has a screw portion 41 over a predetermined height range.
Is formed, and the port portion P side is tightened and fixed to the casing 1 by tightening the tightening cap 42. As described above, the filter cartridge 2 housed in the casing 1 is formed to have a substantially oval cross section, and the arc-shaped portions of the oval shape are both in close contact with the inner wall of the casing 1 but are flat. The portion forms an outer storage chamber 43 for storing the first filter medium 3 with the inner wall of the casing 1. The first filter medium 3 is a mixture of activated carbon and fine powder of coral sand as described above. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of removal, those packed in a water-permeable bag are used. ing. Then, the first filter medium 3 is stored in the outer storage chamber 43 with cloth filters 45a and 45b made of a nonwoven fabric disposed vertically.

An air vent 58 is provided at a position in the upper part of the casing 1 which communicates with the outer storage chamber 43, and is normally closed by a plug 59.

On the other hand, the inside of the casing 1 is
In this case, two ceramic filters each having a round rod shape are stored as the second filter medium 4. Both of these ceramic filters are Al2O
Contains 95% or more of 3 components and has heat resistance (1200 ° C
Excellent in chemical resistance to the following) and acidic cleaning solutions and alkaline cleaning solutions. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of water passage holes 46 penetrate each in the axial direction. Further, although not shown in detail, the membrane structure is an asymmetric structure in which a fine-grain layer is coated on a support layer, and the average pore diameter of the membrane is, for example, 0.5 μm. With such an asymmetric membrane structure, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss as compared with the single-layer structure, and to capture the filtration particles on the surface of the fine-grain layer, so that the backwash regenerating property is good. It has become something.

On the bottom surface of the filter cartridge 2, a circular bottom plate 47 which is fitted in close contact with the casing 1 is formed so as to extend integrally therewith. In a portion of the bottom plate 47 corresponding to the inside of the inner storage chamber 44, a pair of circular holes 48 through which the second filter medium 4 is fitted via a packing 61 are formed to penetrate therethrough. Further, the outer storage chamber 4 of the bottom plate 47 is provided.
3 small holes in each of the flange portions facing 3
6 are arranged in parallel. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the one arranged at the center is formed to have a larger diameter than those on both sides.

On the other hand, a mounting frame 50 for a receiving plate 49 described below is formed on the lower surface side of the bottom plate 47 so as to protrude (refer mainly to FIG. 8). The mounting frame 50 has a substantially oval shape like the filter cartridge 2. One side of the short side in this oval shape is open for inserting the receiving plate 49, and the other side is closed to form a stopper edge 51. is there. The opposing edges on both long sides of the oval shape are tapered edges 52 facing inward as shown in FIG. 2 so that the receiving plate 49 does not come off. Further, two tapered edges 52 are cut out at two locations on the side in contact with the two circular holes 48 over a predetermined width, and open as communication windows 53 connecting the two storage chambers 43 and 44.

The receiving plate 49 is formed of a synthetic resin material and abuts against the bottom of the casing 1. The filter cartridge 2 is formed in a substantially oval shape corresponding to the filter cartridge 2, and a pair of bottom passages formed on the upper surface thereof are substantially coaxial with the two circular holes 48 and each have a slightly smaller diameter than each of the second filter media 4. The water port 54 penetrates. On the other hand, on the lower surface of the receiving plate 49, tapered surfaces 60 are formed on both side edges thereof so as to fit the corresponding tapered edges 52 on the bottom plate 47 side, and the whole is inserted from the opening side of the mounting frame 50 of the bottom plate 47, It is integrated with the filter cartridge 2. Also,
As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of concave grooves 55 are formed on the lower surface of the receiving plate 49 so as to pass in the vertical direction in the drawing (the direction connecting both outer storage chambers 43) and the center of both bottom water passages 54. The communication windows 53 are formed so as to be aligned with each other.

Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described. The water purifier C of this example is incorporated in a water supply pipe via an introduction hose H1 and a discharge hose H2. Then, when the faucet W of the tap is opened with the water stopcock M opened, the raw water flows into the check valve 8a from the inflow port 0. At this time, both the valve element 14 and the push-up pieces 18a, 1
8b, and the lower opening of the valve housing 9 is open, so that the raw water passes through the upper opening 25a of the port main body 17 to pass through it.
And flows out from the corresponding lower water inlet 30a. The raw water flowing out from the lower water passage 30a is supplied to a branch space 29 between the circular flange 19 and the upper lid 28.
However, it does not flow into the inner storage chambers 44 sealed together by the cup packing 38.

When the raw water flows into the first filter medium 3, first, organic substances are removed by the cloth filter 45a. Under this condition, while the raw water passes through the first filter medium 3, the activated carbon in the filter medium 3 removes chlorine, calcium, or trihalomethane, and at the same time, minerals are eluted from the coral sand.

The water filtered by the first filter medium 3 passes through the small holes 56 of the bottom plate 47 of the filter cartridge 2 through the cloth filter 45b, and then descends through the communication window 53 and the groove 55. It flows below the receiving plate 49. Then, through the bottom water passage 54 and the circular hole 48, the flow rises in the inside of each water passage 46 in both the second filter media 4 along the axial direction. While the water seeps from the outer wall surface of the second filter medium 4, the water undergoes a microfiltration action by the ceramic filter. The water from which bacteria, rust, and the like have been removed flows into the lower water passage 30b on one side through the water purification passage 39 of the upper lid 28, flows into the check valve 8b from the upper water passage 25b, and flows through the outlet O as purified water. Is discharged.

The water purifier J of this embodiment performs the water purifying action as described above. However, since the filtering function deteriorates with time, the first filter medium 3 is periodically disposed of and exchanged. Of the filter medium 4 is performed.

In this case, first, with the water stopcock M closed, the tightening cap 42 is loosened, and the casing 1 side and the port body 17 are separated from the hose joint 5 side. As a result, the two valve bodies 14 close the lower surface opening of the housing 9 by the spring 15, so that the two water stop valves 8a, 8
Both b are in a closed state, and when the water purifier C is disassembled, water leakage from the water supply pipe side is avoided.

Next, when the filter cartridge 2 is taken out from the separated casing 1 side, the first filter medium 3 is placed on the bottom plate 47 of the filter cartridge 2. Removed at the same time and discarded. With respect to the first filter medium 3, it is easy to take out if it is packed as in this example, but it is not always necessary to pack it, and a mixture of activated carbon and coral sand powder as in this example. Alternatively, the raw water may be separated into a layer of activated carbon and a layer of coral sand, and the raw water may be passed in either order.

On the other hand, as described above in this embodiment, the second filter medium 4 has two circular holes 48 of the filter cartridge 2 formed with a larger diameter than these. Remains in the casing 1 and is taken out again. The first and second filter media 3 and 4 thus taken out are each newly replaced, and are installed in the water purifier C in the reverse order.

By the way, regarding the first filter medium 3, the second
Since the cost is lower than that of the filter medium 4, the filter medium is thrown away, but the second filter medium 4 is separately collected. And
After being collected, the second filter medium 4 is washed with a chemical (alkaline or acid washing, or a combination thereof). As a result, an organic substance elutes or an Fe component elutes. In some cases, an incineration step may be performed prior to cleaning. 300 ° C. to 1200 ° C. for the second filter medium 4
The organic matter is decomposed in advance by heating at a temperature in the range described above for a certain period of time. Such a method such as chemical cleaning or incineration is made possible by the excellent chemical resistance and heat resistance of the ceramic. As a result, the second filter medium 4 can be used again, so that it can be used at home. The economics of water purifiers can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a water purifier.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a water purifier.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connection state of a water purifier.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a check valve.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the port body.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the port body.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the upper lid.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the filter cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the bottom plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Casing 3 ... 1st filter medium 4 ... 2nd filter medium (ceramic filter) C ... Water purifier I ... Inlet O ... Outlet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/28 C02F 1/44

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A casing that contains a filter medium and has an inlet for introducing raw water to the filter medium, an outlet for discharging purified water filtered by the filter medium, and respective lower portions communicating with the inlet or the outlet of the casing. A port body having a water inlet formed therein, and a hose joint detachably attached to the port body and connected to an introduction hose for introducing raw water and a discharge hose for discharging purified water, Each is provided with a water shutoff valve,
Further, a push-up piece for opening the water stop valve on the introduction hose side and a push-up piece for opening the water stop valve on the discharge hose side are provided in the port body, respectively. When removed from the hose joint,
Each of the water stop valves that is opened from the push-up piece and closed is provided, and the filter medium includes a first filter medium and a ceramic filter formed by a filter cartridge that partitions the inside of the casing into an outside and an inside. 2. A water purifier characterized in that the water purifier is partitioned and accommodated in a second filter medium.