JP3240983B2 - 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 purification apparatus 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 because the adsorbing ability of activated carbon deteriorates due to long-term use, and the proportion of impurities and the like mixed in the filtered water increases. However, replacement of the cartridge is very costly, so a water purifier was developed in which the activated carbon was washed and regenerated with hot water and the replacement of the cartridge was unnecessary. Hereinafter, the water purifier will be described.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing a conventional water purifier. 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
To prevent it from leaking outside. 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. The operation of the water purifier configured as described above will be described below.

First, a case where filtered water is generated will be described. 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, trihalomethane, and the like (hereinafter, abbreviated as impurities) in the tap water. Obtainable. Next, the case of cleaning the activated carbon will be described.

[0005] The water discharge pipe 5 is connected to a hot water generator, and 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. Hereinafter, the reason why the activated carbon must be cleaned will be described. Activated carbon adsorbs impurities and the like in tap water as described above, but if used for a long period of time, the adsorbing ability is reduced and impurities and the like in tap water cannot be removed. Therefore, as described above, hot water is passed through the activated carbon to thermally clean the activated carbon, thereby regenerating the adsorption capacity.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the water purifier must be directly connected to the hot water generator or the like every time the activated carbon is washed, and there is a problem that the usability is extremely low. In addition, since the user cleans the activated carbon, the cleaning interval of the activated carbon, the temperature of the hot water, the time for passing the hot water through the activated carbon vary, and the thermal cleaning and regeneration of the activated carbon also varies. In some cases, the thermal cleaning regeneration is incomplete, and there is also a problem that a large amount of impurities are contained in the filtered water.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water purification apparatus in which cleaning and regeneration of activated carbon do not vary, heat cleaning and regeneration can always be sufficiently performed, and filtered water does not contain impurities. The purpose is.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, in a water purification apparatus for heating the inside of a filter medium container by a heating means controlled by a control means, immediately after turning on a power supply,
The mode automatically shifts to the time input mode. After setting the time in the time input mode, the mode shifts to the normal operation.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter medium container for storing a filter medium, heating means for increasing the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe for introducing water into the filter medium container,
A discharge pipe for discharging water from the filter media container, and operating means for inputting a time when a clock that operates on the basis of information input from said operation means, and display means for displaying information,
Control means for controlling the heating means, immediately after the power is turned on, automatically shift to a time input mode, after setting the current time by the operating means in the time input mode
By shifting to the normal operation in which the water purification device operates, the water purifier operates without setting the time, the washing and regenerating operation of the filter medium is not performed, the filter medium becomes dirty, and the water purification capacity of the water purifier decreases, Inconvenience such as discharge of impurities from the discharge port can be suppressed.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a filter medium container for accommodating a filter medium, heating means for raising the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe for introducing water into the filter medium container, and water from the filter medium container a discharge pipe for discharging a an operation means for inputting a time when a clock that operates on the basis of information input from said operation means, and display means for displaying information, and control means for controlling said heating means provided, after the recovery from the power failure, automatically shifts to the time input mode, before at the time input mode
After water purification device that you set the current time by the serial operation means
By moving to a normal operation to operation, it is possible to convey the fact of occurrence of power failure to the user, more reliably perform the resetting of time had returned to the initial state due to a power failure.

Hereinafter, a water purifier will be described as a typical example to which the water purifier of the present invention is applied and applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water purifier 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. A water pipe 1 is provided between the unit 12 and the filter medium container 8.
5 and 16 are provided, and a water pipe 18 is also provided between the horizontal valve 17 and the water pipe 18. 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. Horizontal valve part 17
The valve section 20 is housed in the inside, and is urged by the 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 on the peripheral edge. The hole 22 is connected to the water pipe 18 and
Is connected to the water pipe 15, and the hole 24 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. Balls 30, 31, and 32 are held in grooves 26, 27, and 28, respectively.
Reference numerals 0, 31, and 32 are made of a material which is hard to rust, such as stainless steel or resin. The ball 30 opens and closes the hole 22, the ball 31 opens and closes the hole 23,
The ball 32 opens and closes 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, a mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor 34 to 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 the gear 36, and the rotation of the gear 36 is controlled by a small-diameter gear (not shown) provided coaxially with the gear 36. Through the gear 37. Since the gear 37 is joined to the end face of the switching valve 25 via the shaft,
The switching valve 25 also rotates with the rotation of the gear 37. 3
Reference numeral 8 denotes a cam mounted via a shaft on an end surface of the switching valve 25 opposite to the side on which the gear 37 is mounted.
8 is provided with 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. Reference numeral 42 denotes a control unit in which components such as a microcomputer for controlling the motor 35 and the heater 10 are stored. The control unit 42 is provided below the unit 12 via a heat insulating member 43. 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 purifier configured as described above will be described below. First, the water stop state will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, the holes 22, 23, and 24 provided in the unit 12 are closed by the balls 30, 31, and 32, respectively. Unit part 12
No water flow occurs. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the convex portion of the cam 38 is located in a groove provided in the switch portion 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. 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 flowing into the filter medium container 8 is purified by activated carbon,
The water again flows toward the unit 12 via the water pipe 16 provided at the lower part of the filter medium container 8. At this time, since the packing 33 is provided, the water flowing into the unit 12 from the water pipe 13 and the water flowing from the filter medium container 8 to the unit 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. When ending the water purification state, a predetermined operation is performed to drive the motor 34 and switch the switching valve 25 to the cam 38.
Is rotated in such a way that the convex portion of the switch approaches the switch portion 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 maintained at a predetermined temperature (in the present embodiment, about 65 ° C., but may be any temperature as long as it can remove impurities and the like from activated carbon) for a predetermined time (30 minutes to 30 minutes in the present embodiment). 6
The heating was performed for about 0 minutes, but this must be appropriately selected depending on the capacity of the activated carbon.) After heating, the motor 34 is driven from the water-stop state to switch the switching valve 25 so that the convex portion of the cam 38 approaches the switch portion 40. Rotate in the direction you go. When the convex portion of the cam 38 presses the switch portion 40, the motor 34 stops, and the switching valve 25 stops while the convex portion of the cam 38 presses the switch portion 40. Then Figure 6
The ball 31 moves from above the hole 23 as shown in FIG.
The hole 23 is opened. 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 the horizontal valve portion 17 is removed.
The water is drained from the water pipe 19 through the passage. 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 switch the switching valve 25 to the cam 38.
Is rotated in such a way that the convex portion of the switch approaches the switch portion 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.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a water purifier of the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, 45 is a water purifier main body, 46 is a display section for displaying the time and the fact that heat cleaning is being performed, and 47 is an operation section for operating the main body 45. Details of the operation section 47 are shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the operation unit. 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. Operation button to advance the time to
51 is to manually clean the activated carbon and "time"
An operation button 52 for performing a digit shift such as “minute” or “minute”, and an operation button 52 for setting the activated carbon to be washed at a specific time. When setting the current time, the operation button 48 is pressed to set the current time setting mode, the operation button 49 and the operation button 50 are used to set a predetermined “hour”, and then the operation button 51 is used to shift digits. A predetermined “minute” is set by the operation buttons 49 and 50. When setting the activated carbon washing time further, the operation button 52 is pressed to set the activated carbon washing time setting mode,
A predetermined time is set using the operation buttons 49, 50, and 51 in the same manner as the current time setting. 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), 55 is a tap 56
The connecting member 55 is connected to the other end of the tube 54. The connecting member 55 is provided with a lever 57, and the tap water is sent to the main body 45 by switching the lever 57, or the connecting member 55 is used as raw water.
Can be selected.

Since the user can input the current time, a clock can be provided in the water purifier 45, so that the operation of the control means can be performed according to the clock. Become. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable water purification device that operates accurately and reliably. In addition, since the user can input a specific time at which the filter medium regeneration cleaning is started, the user can set the filter medium regeneration start time arbitrarily according to the user's convenience. Furthermore, once the current time and the filter media cleaning start time are set, the filter media can be periodically and reliably cleaned and regenerated without setting a timer each time the filter media is cleaned and regenerated. A highly reliable water purification device having always excellent filtration ability can be obtained.

By displaying the set current time on the display unit 46, the reproduction start time can be set while referring to the current time when setting the reproduction start time. Can be easily adjusted to the optimal time. Also, by displaying the time being set while the playback start time is being set, you can set the time while checking what time you are going to set, so you can start playback more reliably You can set the time.

A method of controlling 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, 10 is a heater, 1
1 is a temperature detector, 46 is a display unit, 47 is an operation unit, 39,
Reference numerals 40 and 41 denote switch units, which are the same as those shown in FIG. 58 is a microcomputer provided in the control unit 42 (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer).
The microcomputer 58 is provided with an oscillating means 58a for generating a clock signal. 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 reason that the heater drive circuit 60 controls both the microcomputer 58 and the temperature detector 11 is that if the microcomputer 58 runs away while the heater 10 is generating heat, the temperature in the filter medium container 8 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature. It is conceivable that the heating is continued even after the temperature has reached, and the device may be damaged due to the heat. Therefore, the temperature detector 11 also controls the heater driving circuit 60. 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 are defined as one cycle, this is set to one to several cycles (in the case of 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 described in STEP (hereinafter S
This is performed before the start of the operation 1). 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, in step S5, buttons of the operation unit 47 for water stop, water purification, hot washing, hot washing time setting, etc. are scanned to make a determination. Thereafter, in S6, the output of the switch units 39, 40, 41 is scanned for the current position of the switching valve 25. 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 pressed button 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 of 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 the water stop mode is set. If the water stop mode is not set, 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 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 is set in S26, the process proceeds to S29, and if the heater 10 is not energized, the microcomputer 58 controls the heater driving circuit 6
A signal is transmitted to the filter medium 0 and the heater 10 is energized 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 at the water stop position as shown in FIG.
The microcomputer makes a determination based on the outputs of 40 and 41, and if it is at the water stop position, the process proceeds to S32. At 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 S1
Return between and S2. If the position of the switching valve 25 is at the water stop position in S31, the process proceeds to S33. If the motor 34 is driven in S33, 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, S35
Compare the heat retention time set in advance with the heat retention time counted in S34, and if the time is over, the process proceeds to S3.
Go to 6, and if not, return between S1 and S2. S
At 36, the heat retention time is set again, and then at S37, the heat retention mode is switched to the drain mode, and the process returns to between S1 and S2. If it is not set to the warming mode in S30,
Proceeding to S38, the microcomputer 58 determines whether the switching valve 25 is at the drain position as shown in FIG.
Judgment is made based on the outputs from 9, 40 and 41 and switching valve 2
If 5 is not at the drain position, the process proceeds to S39. S39
The microcomputer 58 outputs a signal 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. S
If the motor 34 is being driven at 41, the microcomputer 58 sends a signal to the motor drive circuit 59 to stop driving the motor 34. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S42, where the preset cycle number is compared with the current cycle number, and when the current cycle reaches the preset cycle number, the process proceeds to S43,
Reset the current cycle number to 0. 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. Then, in S46, the drainage time set in S40 is compared with the current drainage time. If the time is not over, the flow returns to between S1 and S2, and if not, the flow 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, in which it is determined whether or not the thermal cleaning mode is set. If the mode is set, the process proceeds to FIG. S5
In step 1, the microcomputer 58 determines whether the switching valve 25 is in the drain position as shown in FIG.
Judgment is made based on 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 the present embodiment, by performing the above-described configuration and control, the activated carbon 9 can be automatically washed, 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 removed. Since it can be reliably removed, no impurities are mixed into the filtered water. Further, if the user does not input the time after turning on the power, the system does not proceed to the next step, so that the water purifier operates without setting the time, and the activated carbon 9 is washed. The regeneration operation is not performed, the activated carbon 9 becomes dirty, the water purification capacity of the water purifier is reduced, or impurities are removed from the water pipe 14.
It is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience such as being discharged from the device. In other words, the activated carbon 9 of the water purifier can be reliably and regularly cleaned, so that the activated carbon 9 is always clean and can maintain an extremely high purification ability, and there is almost no possibility that impurities are mixed into the filtered water. A high water purifier can be realized.

Further, even when the water purifier shifts to the normal operation, the time can be shifted to the time setting mode at any time by the input from the operation unit 47 by the user. When the time displayed in the part 46 is advanced or delayed, or when the time is incorrectly input at the time of the initial setting, the time can be freely adjusted at any time. The clock can always be operated at an accurate time, and the cleaning and regeneration of the activated carbon 9 can be accurately started at the time intended by the user. In addition, since the regeneration start time is set based on the shifted time of the water purifier, the regeneration operation is started during the time period used by the user, for example, and the occurrence of inconvenience such as the user being burned accidentally is suppressed. can do.

Also, when the power is restored, if the user does not input the time, the system will not proceed to the next step, so that the user can be notified of the occurrence of the power failure. The time that has returned to the initial state can be reliably reset. Therefore, due to the power failure, the hot water washing / regeneration operation of the filter medium cannot be performed or the cycle of hot water cleaning / regeneration hardly shifts, and the activated carbon is always clean and has extremely high purification capacity without being greatly affected by the power failure. Can be maintained, and a safe and reliable water purifier can be realized with almost no possibility that impurities are mixed into the filtered water.

In the present 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. In order to improve the heating efficiency of the heater 10, the filter medium container 8 is used.
Is provided at the inner bottom portion, but may be anywhere within 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. In addition, the temperature detector 11
Is provided on the outside of the filter medium container, but may be provided inside.

[0026]

According to the present invention, a heating means is provided in a filter medium container and a control means for controlling the heating means is provided, so that the temperature of hot water at the time of washing and regenerating the filter medium is made substantially constant. By providing an operation unit for inputting a predetermined time and heating the inside of the filter medium container at the predetermined time, the cleaning interval of the activated carbon can be made constant.

If the user does not input the time after turning on the power, the system does not proceed to the next step, so that the water purifier operates without setting the time, and the filter medium is washed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconveniences such as the regeneration operation not being performed, the filter medium being contaminated, the water purification capacity of the water purification device being reduced, and impurities being discharged from the discharge port. In other words, the filter media of the water purifier can be reliably and regularly cleaned, so that the filter media is always clean and can maintain extremely high purification ability, and there is almost no possibility that impurities are mixed in the filtered water. The device can be realized.

Also, when the power is restored, if the user does not input the time, the system will not proceed to the next step, so that the user can be notified of the occurrence of the power failure. The time that has returned to the initial state can be reliably reset. Therefore, due to the occurrence of a power failure, the hot water washing / regeneration operation of the filter medium cannot be performed or the cycle of the hot water cleaning / regeneration hardly shifts, and the filter medium is always clean and has extremely high purification ability without being greatly affected by the power failure. Can be maintained, and a safe and highly reliable water purification apparatus with almost no possibility of impurities being mixed into the filtered water can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing an operation unit of the water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a conventional water purifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Body Case 8 Filter Material Container 9 Activated Carbon 10 Heater 11 Temperature Detector 12 Unit 13 Running 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 Warm 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, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-5-228469 (JP, A) JP-A 64-64 51189 (JP, A) JP-A-62-19129 (JP, A) JP-A-2-64497 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/28

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A filter medium container for storing a filter medium, heating means for raising the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe for introducing water into the filter medium container, and a discharge pipe for discharging water from the filter medium container. comprising an operating means for inputting a time time, a clock that operates on the basis of information input from said operation means, and display means for displaying information, and control means for controlling said heating means, immediately after power-on, The water purifier automatically shifts to a time input mode, and shifts to a normal operation in which the water purifier operates after setting a current time by the operation means in the time input mode. 2. A filter medium container for storing a filter medium, heating means for raising the temperature of the inside of the filter medium container, an inflow pipe for introducing water into the filter medium container, and a discharge pipe for discharging water from the filter medium container. comprising an operating means for inputting a time time, a clock that operates on the basis of information input from said operation means, and display means for displaying information, and control means for controlling said heating means, after recovery from the power failure, the time The water purifier automatically shifts to an input mode, and shifts to a normal operation in which the water purifier operates after the current time is set by the operation means in the time input mode.