JP3597243B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a water purifier, and more particularly, to a water purifier having a function of electrically indicating a replacement time of a filter in the water purifier.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in household or commercial water purifiers, there has been provided a water purifier for electrically displaying when a filter material inside is replaced. Such a water purifier is provided with an electronic circuit for continuously measuring the integrated value of the amount of purified water in the water purifier and judging the replacement time of the filter medium from the integrated value. For example, electric power from a power line, a dry battery or a button battery is used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a water purifier, in the case of a stationary water purifier installed away from a water tap, wiring from a power line does not hinder so much. It is difficult to supply power from a power line to the water purifier in terms of power wiring to the water purifier and withstand voltage protection, and small batteries are mainly used as a power source. However, when a battery is used as a power source, there is an annoyance that periodic battery replacement is required. In addition, the structure of the water purifier itself becomes difficult in order to facilitate battery replacement and at the same time ensure the water resistance of the battery replacement part.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that does not require external power supply or battery replacement in a water purifier that electrically indicates the replacement time of a filter medium.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following modes.
According to the present invention, the amount of purified water is measured from a flow rate signal generated by using the water flow in the waterway as a power source, and when the integrated value of the purified water amount reaches a predetermined amount, replacement of the filtering material provided in the waterway is performed. A signal processing means for generating an exchange signal indicating a time; a display means for displaying a replacement time of the filter medium based on the exchange signal; and a plurality of power storage means, supplying power to the signal processing means and the display means. A power supply means, a voltage monitoring means for monitoring an output voltage of the power supply means, a power generation means for generating power by using a water flow in the water channel, a charging means for storing the power generated by the power generation means in each power storage means, and a power supply means And a power supply control means for changing a connection form between the power storage means according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the water purifier.
[0005]
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the voltage monitoring means monitors the output voltage of the power supply means using at least two voltage values, and detects a higher one of these voltage values. The connection configuration between the power storage means is changed so as to increase the power storage capacity of the entire power storage means, and when the lower voltage value of these voltage values is detected, the connection is performed so as to reduce the power storage capacity of the entire power storage means. It is preferable to change the form.
[0006]
Further, after the power supply control means changes the connection form between the power storage means to increase the power storage capacity of the power storage means as a whole, when the output voltage of the power supply means reaches a voltage corresponding to the saturation state of the power storage means, It is preferable to suppress the charging operation to the battery.
In the case where a storage means for storing the integrated value is provided in the signal processing means, the power supply control means changes the connection form between the power storage means to reduce the power storage capacity of the whole power storage means, and then outputs the power of the power supply means. It is preferable that when the voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the power supply control means supplies a voltage reduction signal to the signal processing means to supply power to the storage means preferentially.
[0007]
[Action]
According to the above configuration, when the water purifier is used, the signal processing means continuously measures the integrated value of the purified water amount, and generates an exchange signal when the integrated value reaches a predetermined amount. On the other hand, the power generation means generates electric power using the water flow in the water purifier as power, and the electric power is stored in each power storage means through the charging means. Thereby, the electric power generated by the power generation means and the electric power stored in each power storage means are used as the power source of the water purifier. As a result, when the exchange signal is generated, the replacement time of the filter medium can be electrically displayed on the display means by the power supply.
[0008]
Further, the voltage monitoring means monitors the output voltage of the power supply means, and the power supply control means changes the connection form between the power storage means according to the output voltage. , The output voltage from the power supply means is always guaranteed in an appropriate range, and each power storage means can be charged efficiently. For example, by monitoring two output voltage values for each connection mode between power storage means, an appropriate output voltage range and an efficient charging mode can be realized for each connection mode.
[0009]
Further, by monitoring the higher voltage value in the output voltage range, overcharging of the power storage means can be prevented. In addition, a predetermined voltage value is monitored while changing the connection form between the power storage means according to the decrease in the output voltage of the power supply means, and when the predetermined voltage value is reached, a voltage reduction signal is given to the signal processing means to supply the power Is limited, the integrated value generated in the signal processing means is preferentially stored in the storage means for a long time.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water purifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the relationship between the electric circuits in the water purifier 10.
The water purifier 10 monitors an output voltage from the power supply unit 20 and an output voltage from the power supply unit 20 for storing electromotive force generated by motive power of a water flow in the water purifier and supplying power to each unit by storing the electromotive force in the plurality of storage batteries. The power supply control unit 30 that changes the connection form and charging voltage of the storage battery based on the value, continuously measures the amount of purified water that is processed in the water purifier 10, calculates an integrated value, and purifies water based on the integrated value. The apparatus includes a signal processing unit 40 for determining a time for replacing the filter material in the vessel, and a display unit 50 for displaying that the filter material is to be replaced based on a display signal from the signal processing unit 40.
[0011]
Each storage battery 21 provided in the power supply unit 20 is an aggregate of rechargeable secondary batteries such as a nickel-cadmium storage battery, and the connection form between the storage batteries is changed based on a connection switching signal from the power supply control unit 30. You. In order to store electric power in these storage batteries 21, a power supply unit 20 includes a hydraulic power generation unit 22 that generates electric power using a water flow in a water purifier, and a charging unit 23 that charges the storage batteries with a charging voltage corresponding to each connection mode of the storage batteries. Are provided.
[0012]
Further, the charging section 23 is provided with an overcharge prevention circuit 24. For example, when the output voltage of the power supply section 20 reaches a voltage value corresponding to the saturation state of the storage battery, an overcharge prevention signal from the power supply control section 30 is provided. To shut off the charging current to the storage battery. In addition, the power supply control unit 30 provides a voltage reduction signal to the signal processing unit 40 when the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 falls below a predetermined value, and the data such as the integrated value calculated in the signal processing unit 40 is long. The power supply destination is restricted so that the time is saved.
[0013]
Next, the configuration of each of the above components will be described with reference to FIG.
The water purifier 10 is a faucet direct connection type water purifier in which the water intake unit 11 is directly connected to a tap of a tap. When the “raw water / purified water” switching lever 12 is on the “purified water” side, tap water is sent to the filter 13. And provide purified water through the water channel 14.
[0014]
The hydraulic power generator 22 of the power supply unit 20 includes a water turbine 25 provided in the water channel 14, a rotor 26 having a permanent magnet mounted on a rotating shaft of the water turbine 25, an iron core and windings, and the rotor 26 rotates. And a stator 27 that generates an electromotive force.
In this embodiment, the electromotive force generated by the hydroelectric generator 22 is supplied to the charging unit 23 and each unit for power supply on the one hand, and is supplied to the signal processing unit 40 as a purified water flow signal a on the other hand. Although configured as described above, each of the power supply unit 20 and the signal processing unit 40 may include a dedicated water turbine at a different position.
When a water wheel is provided at a position where both raw water and purified water flow as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, the flow signal is generated only at the time of water purification via the switch 15 linked to the “raw water / purified” switching lever 12. The signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 40.
[0015]
The signal processing unit 40 can be realized by a one-chip microcomputer including the power control unit 30. The signal processing unit 40 includes a water purification amount measurement unit 41 that shapes the flow signal a supplied from the hydroelectric generator 22 at an alternating voltage into a rectangular wave and measures the water purification amount by counting edges thereof, An arithmetic control unit 42 for continuously calculating the integrated value of the amount to determine the time to replace the filter medium, and a ROM and a RAM for storing the program executed by the arithmetic control unit 42, its coefficients, and the generated data. A storage unit 43 is provided.
[0016]
The replacement time of the filter medium is compared with the total water amount previously set for the filter medium to be used and the integrated value calculated above, and when the integrated value exceeds the total purified water amount, or the integrated value Is determined when approaches the total purified water amount. When it is determined that it is time to replace the filter material, the arithmetic and control unit 42 generates a display signal b and supplies the display signal b to the display unit 50, and causes the light emitting diode 51 provided on the surface of the water purifier to blink or light.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, the display unit 50 is provided with one light-emitting diode on the outer surface of the water purifier in a water-resistant manner. Alternatively, a liquid crystal display may be provided to always display the current integrated value. . Further, a plurality of light emitting diodes and two switches are provided in the vicinity thereof, so that when one switch is operated, the current integrated value is displayed in a stepwise manner, and when both switches are simultaneously operated, the integrated value is reset. It may be.
[0018]
Furthermore, when the filter material replacement time or the integrated value of the purified water amount is displayed, the use state of the faucet is determined based on the presence of the flow signal a, and when the faucet is used, that is, the flow signal a is generated. When the faucet is used and the flow signal a disappears and the use of the faucet ends, the display operation may be performed for a predetermined time after the flow signal disappears. Accordingly, the display operation can be performed only when it is expected that a person is near the faucet, so that the power of the storage battery 21 can be saved.
[0019]
Next, a configuration for charging the storage battery with the electromotive force generated by the hydroelectric generator 22 of the power supply unit 20 will be described.
In FIG. 2, the electromotive force generated by the hydroelectric generator 22 is supplied to the charging unit 23. The charging unit 23 is configured by a voltage doubler charging circuit including a capacitor, a diode, and the like, and is configured such that a charging voltage and a charging current can be changed according to each connection mode of the storage battery.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the charging unit 23 and the storage battery 21.
The charging circuit 230 of the charging section is composed of a plurality of stages of rectifier circuits. The electromotive force m is supplied from the hydroelectric generator 22 to the input terminals C1 and C2 of the charging circuit 230, thereby generating a voltage between the charging terminals C3 and C4. Provide charging voltages m _1m , m _2m , m _3m ... _{M Nm} that are integral multiples of the power m. Charging resistor R _N on each route to each charging voltage m _Nm, and charging terminals are provided to the charging terminals C3, C4 is corresponding to the topology of the storage battery, the connection from the power control unit 30 This is changed by driving the switch _SN by the switching signal c.
[0021]
On the other hand, the storage battery circuit 210, switch X _N between the storage batteries G _{N, Y N,} is configured through Z _N, the series connection in accordance with the conduction state of each switch, connected in parallel, and of the series-parallel connection It is formed in any form. Similarly to the charging circuit 230, the connection mode of each storage battery is determined by driving the corresponding switch by the connection switching signal c from the power supply control unit 30. For example, if the switches X _N and Z _{N of} the storage battery circuit 210 are all driven to a conductive state and the switches Y _N are all driven to a non-conductive state, the storage batteries are formed in a parallel connection. At the S _N from the switch S ₂ in the charging circuit 230 at the same time is driven all the non-conducting state, the above-described battery voltage twice m _2m of the electromotive force m is applied.
[0022]
The connection mode of the storage battery and the connection switching of the charging voltage are selected in the power supply control unit 30 as follows, for example.
Normally, the power supply control unit 30 continuously monitors the output voltage from the power supply unit 20, and compensates for a decrease in the output voltage when the water purifier 10 is not used for a long time. Can efficiently charge each storage battery and prevent overcharge. For this purpose, the power supply control unit 30 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 31 which defines an appropriate output voltage range using a plurality of thresholds, and when the output voltage is out of the range, the connection form of the storage battery and the charging voltage. Is changed as appropriate.
[0023]
For example, when the water purifier 10 is not used for a while after all the storage batteries are sufficiently charged, the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 gradually decreases due to normal power consumption such as an integrated value display. When the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 reaches the lower value of the output voltage range as time elapses, the power supply control unit 30 outputs the connection switching signal c to the storage battery circuit 210 and the charging circuit 230 collectively. . As a result, the connection form of the storage batteries is changed from parallel connection to series-parallel connection in the storage battery circuit 210, and the charging voltage is increased in the charging circuit 230. As a result, the storage battery capacity of the entire storage battery decreases, but the output voltage from the power supply unit 20 increases.
[0024]
Thereafter, when the non-use state of the water purifier continues further, and the output voltage from the power supply unit 20 decreases again to the lower value of the voltage range, the connection mode of the storage battery is changed to the serial connection by a further connection switching signal c. At the same time, the charging voltage in the charging circuit 230 is changed to a higher value. Then, the non-use state continues thereafter. For example, when the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 falls to a predetermined value within the above-mentioned voltage range or below the voltage range, the power supply control unit 30 sends the voltage drop signal d to the signal processing unit 40. And the power supply unit 20 supplies only the minimum power required for the display of replacement of the filter medium, such as storage of the integrated value of the generated purified water amount.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the storage battery 21 is charged while the water purifier 10 is in use, the power supply control unit 30 generates a connection switching signal each time the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 reaches an upper value of the output voltage range, and the storage battery 21 is charged. Are changed in the order of series connection, series-parallel connection, and parallel connection, and the charging voltage in the charging circuit 230 is changed according to the connection mode. However, when the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 exceeds the upper limit of the above voltage range and becomes a voltage corresponding to the saturation state of the storage battery when the overall storage capacity is in the parallel connection with the maximum capacity, the power supply control is performed. The unit 30 supplies the overvoltage prevention signal e to the switch Se of the charging circuit 230 to suppress the charging current to each storage battery.
[0026]
Note that the above-described conditions and procedures for changing the connection form of the storage battery and the charging voltage and the like are merely examples, and the type and number of storage batteries to be used, and the allowable voltage and power consumption of each unit to which the output voltage is supplied. Is appropriately determined based on For example, when the storage battery circuit 210 is composed of six storage batteries, a plurality of series-parallel connections can be realized in addition to a series connection and a parallel connection, and an optimum voltage range can be set for each connection mode.
[0027]
In addition, in order to further guarantee the storage of the integrated value and each data, a lithium battery is separately provided as a dedicated backup power source in addition to such a plurality of storage batteries in the storage battery circuit 210, and the operation of the signal processing unit 40 becomes impossible. The power supply may be switched to the standby power supply before the operation.
Further, a solar cell may be provided on the surface of the water purifier to store the electromotive force from the solar cell in addition to the electromotive force from the hydroelectric generator 22.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the power generated by using the water flow in the water purifier as power is used as a power source, so that the filter material can be used without requiring external power supply including a replacement battery. An exchange display can be performed, and a compact water purifier that is structurally simple can be realized at low cost.
In addition, since a plurality of storage batteries are provided in the power supply unit in the water purifier and the output voltage of the power supply unit is continuously monitored to change the connection form and charging voltage of each storage battery, stable power supply is long. It guarantees time and can cope with the case where the interval of use of the water purifier is relatively long.
Further, the present water purifier can also provide safety in a situation where the water purifier is installed, because an electric shock accident and a water loss inside the water purifier which are expected at the time of battery replacement or the like are avoided. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a water purifier according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each part of the water purifier shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a charging circuit and a storage battery circuit of FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Water purifier 11 ... Water intake part 12 ... "raw water / purified water" switching lever 13 ... Filter 14 ... Water channel 15 ... Switch 20 ... Power supply part 21 ... Storage battery assembly 22 ... Power generation part 23 ... Charging part 24 ... Overcharge prevention circuit 25 ... water turbine 26 ... rotor 27 ... stator 30 ... power control unit 31 ... voltage monitoring circuit 40 ... signal control unit 41 ... water purification amount measurement unit 42 ... calculation unit 43 ... storage unit 50 ... display unit 51 ... light emitting diode

Claims (6)

The amount of purified water is measured from a flow signal generated by using the water flow in the water channel as a power source, and when the integrated value of the purified water amount reaches a predetermined amount, an exchange signal indicating the time for replacing the filtering material provided in the water channel. Signal processing means for generating
Display means for displaying the replacement time of the filter medium based on the replacement signal,
A power supply unit having a plurality of power storage units and supplying power to the signal processing unit and the display unit;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage from the power supply means,
Power generating means for generating power by using the water flow in the water channel as a power,
Charging means for storing the generated power in each of the power storage means,
Power supply control means for changing the connection form of each power storage means according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the power supply means ,
The voltage monitoring means monitors an output voltage of the power supply means using at least two voltage values, and when detecting a higher voltage value of the voltage values, the storage capacity of the entire power storage means is determined. The connection form of the respective power storage means is changed so as to increase, and when the lower voltage value of the voltage values is detected, the power storage means are connected so as to reduce the power storage capacity of the entire power storage means. A water purifier characterized by changing a connection form . When the output voltage of the power supply unit reaches a voltage value corresponding to a saturation state of the power storage unit after the power supply control unit changes the connection configuration between the power storage units and increases the storage capacity of the entire power storage unit, The water purifier according to claim 1 , wherein a power control unit suppresses a charging operation to each of the power storage units. The signal processing means includes storage means for storing the integrated value, and the power supply control means changes a connection mode between the power storage means to reduce the power storage capacity of the power storage means as a whole. 3. The power supply control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the output voltage of the unit becomes a predetermined voltage value, the power supply control unit supplies a voltage reduction signal to the signal processing unit to supply power to the storage unit preferentially. Water purifier. The amount of purified water is measured from a flow signal generated by using the water flow in the water channel as a power source, and when the integrated value of the purified water amount reaches a predetermined amount, an exchange signal indicating the time for replacing the filtering material provided in the water channel. Signal processing means for generating
Display means for displaying the replacement time of the filter medium based on the replacement signal,
A power supply unit having a plurality of power storage units and supplying power to the signal processing unit and the display unit;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage from the power supply means,
Power generating means for generating power by using the water flow in the water channel as a power,
Charging means for storing the generated power in each of the power storage means,
Power supply control means for changing the connection form of each power storage means according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the power supply means ,
When the output voltage of the power supply unit reaches a voltage value corresponding to a saturation state of the power storage unit after the power supply control unit changes the connection mode between the power storage units to increase the storage capacity of the entire power storage unit, A water purifier, wherein a power control unit suppresses a charging operation to each of the power storage units . The signal processing means includes storage means for storing the integrated value, and the power supply control means changes a connection mode between the power storage means to reduce the power storage capacity of the power storage means as a whole. 5. The water purifier according to claim 4 , wherein when the output voltage of the means has reached a predetermined voltage value, the power control means supplies a voltage reduction signal to the signal processing means to supply power to the storage means preferentially. . A water purification amount is measured from a flow rate signal generated by using the water flow in the water channel as a power, and when the integrated value of the water purification amount becomes a predetermined amount, a replacement signal indicating a replacement time of a filtering material provided in the water channel. Signal processing means for generating
Display means for displaying the replacement time of the filter medium based on the replacement signal,
A power supply unit having a plurality of power storage units and supplying power to the signal processing unit and the display unit;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage from the power supply means,
Power generating means for generating power by using the water flow in the water channel as a power,
Charging means for storing the generated power in each of the power storage means,
Power supply control means for changing the connection mode of each of the power storage means according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the power supply means ,
The signal processing means includes storage means for storing the integrated value, and the power supply control means changes a connection mode between the power storage means to reduce the power storage capacity of the power storage means as a whole. The water purifier, wherein when the output voltage of the means has reached a predetermined voltage value, the power supply control means supplies a voltage reduction signal to the signal processing means to supply power to the storage means preferentially .

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