JP4284807B2 - Hollow fiber membrane cartridge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane cartridge applied to, for example, a water purifier or an alkali ion water conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of hollow fiber membrane cartridge, for example, a combination of a hollow fiber membrane and activated carbon is known as in the technique disclosed in JP-A-10-85730.
[0003]
Hereinafter, such a conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional hollow fiber membrane cartridge.
[0004]
As shown in the drawing, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 100 generally prevents an outer case 101, an inner case 102 accommodated in the outer case 101, and leakage of a fluid contained in the outer case 101 during filtration. Cover 103, a hollow fiber membrane 104 disposed in the inner case 102, and activated carbon 105 filled in a gap between the inner case 102 and the outer case 101.
[0005]
The outer case 101 is formed with a support portion 101a for supporting the inner case 102.
[0006]
Furthermore, while supporting the activated carbon 105 in the gap, the support members 101a of the outer case 101 are not mixed with the plate-like members 106a and 106b that allow the fluid to permeate and the fluid before filtering. An isolation member 107 is provided for watertight isolation between the inner case 102 and the outer periphery of the inner case 102.
[0007]
The plate-like members 106a and 106b also have a positioning function for the inner case 102.
[0008]
With the configuration as described above, first, when a fluid to be filtered is introduced from the arrow P in the figure, the fluid passes through the plate member 106a and is formed between the inner case 102 and the outer case 101 filled with activated carbon 105. It passes through the gap between them and flows out from this gap through the plate-like member 106b.
[0009]
Through this process, chlorine and the like contained in the fluid are adsorbed and removed by the activated carbon 105.
[0010]
Then, the fluid from which chlorine or the like has been removed flows into the inner case 102 via the plate-like member 106b, and the fluid that has been filtered by removing foreign matters such as fine particles by the hollow fiber membrane 104 is indicated by the arrow Q in the figure. To be discharged.
[0011]
Thus, not only foreign matters such as fine particles are removed, but also chlorine and the like are adsorbed and removed by the activated carbon 105.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the prior art as described above, the following problems have occurred.
[0013]
In the case of the above-described prior art, the outer case 101 and the inner case 102 have separate structures, so that the inner case 102 is positioned at a predetermined position inside the outer case 101 in order to secure a fluid flow path. In order to do so, it needed a positioning structure.
[0014]
That is, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, as described above, the support portion 101a of the outer case 101 and the plate-like members 106a and 106b are required to position the inner case 102.
[0015]
Further, in order to secure a fluid flow path, a structure is required in which the fluid before filtration is not mixed with the fluid after filtration.
[0016]
That is, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, the isolation member 107 is required as described above.
[0017]
As described above, in order to secure a fluid flow path, a positioning structure or a fluid leakage prevention structure is provided, and thus the number of parts is increased or the structure is complicated.
[0018]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hollow fiber membrane cartridge that reduces the number of components and simplifies the structure.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a bottomed cylindrical inner case part, an outer cylindrical part provided outside the cylinder of the inner case part, the outer cylindrical part, and the inner case part are provided. A case member formed integrally by an outer case portion having a connecting portion to be connected; a hollow fiber membrane housed in the inner case portion; a cylinder of the inner case portion; and an outer cylinder of the outer case portion Activated carbon filled in a gap between the inner case and the inner case, and an inlet that guides a fluid to be filtered into the gap at the connection portion of the outer case portion. And a plurality of circumferentially extending along the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion of the outer case portion , the bottom of the inner case portion from the plurality of inflow ports inlet for guiding the inflowing fluid which has passed through the filled portion of the activated carbon in the inner casing portion is the Along the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical case part provided with a plurality, and the inner casing section and the fluid introduced by the conductor inlet is transmitted by membrane of the hollow fiber membrane filtration A discharge port for discharging the fluid is provided.
[0020]
Therefore, since the inner case portion and the outer case portion are integrally formed via the connection portion, a structure for positioning the inner case portion inside the outer case portion is not necessary.
[0021]
Further, the filtration path of the fluid to be filtered includes, in order, an inlet provided in the outer case portion, a gap between the inner case portion cylinder and the outer case portion outer tube portion, and an inlet port provided in the inner case portion. The inside of the inner case portion is a discharge port provided in the inner case portion, and these paths are all defined by integrally formed case members (inner case portion and outer case portion). There is no risk of leakage into another path, and a fluid flow path is secured.
[0022]
It is preferable to provide a finer fiber material than the activated carbon that closes the inlet.
[0023]
Thereby, in the inflow port, the outflow of the activated carbon can be prevented while allowing the inflow of the fluid.
[0024]
It is preferable to provide a finer fiber material than the activated carbon that closes the introduction port.
[0025]
Thereby, the outflow of activated carbon can be prevented at the introduction port while allowing introduction of fluid.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0027]
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the interior (with a cover removed). FIG.
[0029]
As shown in the figure, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 1 generally prevents a case member 2 having an inner case portion 21 and an outer case portion 22 and leakage of fluid contained in the case member 2 during filtration. Therefore, the cover 3 fitted to the end 22b of the outer case portion 22, the hollow fiber membrane 4 disposed in the inner case portion 21, and the gap between the inner case portion 21 and the outer case portion 22 are filled. And activated carbon 5.
[0030]
Here, the inner case portion 21 and the outer case portion 22 constituting the case member 2 are integrally formed.
[0031]
The inner case portion 21 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a cylindrical portion 21a and a bottom portion 21b, and the bottom portion 21b introduces an inlet 21c for introducing a fluid into the inner case portion 21. Is formed.
[0032]
A plurality (six in the figure) of inlet ports 21c are provided along the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 3 with the cover 3 removed and the inside viewed from above.
[0033]
Further, the mesh inlet 7c is closed by the mesh 7 being inserted into the inlet 21c as a fiber material that is finer than the activated carbon 5 and allows fluid to pass therethrough.
[0034]
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the activated carbon 5 from flowing into the inner case portion 21 while allowing the fluid to pass therethrough.
[0035]
However, since the fiber material only needs to exhibit the above functions, it is not limited to a mesh, and may be a nonwoven fabric, for example. Further, the fixing method is not limited to the insert, but may be fixed by press-fitting or welding.
[0036]
The outer case portion 22 includes an outer cylindrical portion 22a provided outside the cylindrical portion 21a constituting the inner case portion 21, and a connecting portion 22c that integrally connects the outer cylindrical portion 22a and the cylindrical portion 21a. The connection portion 22c has an inlet 22d for guiding the fluid to be filtered to the inside (in the gap between the cylindrical portion 21a of the inner case portion 21 and the outer cylindrical portion 22a of the outer case portion 22). Is formed.
[0037]
A plurality (four in the figure) of inflow ports 22d are provided along the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the bottom surface side of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge.
[0038]
Further, the mesh 6 is inserted into the inflow port 22d as a fiber material that is finer than the activated carbon 5 and allows fluid to pass therethrough, so that the inflow port 22d is blocked by the mesh 6.
[0039]
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the activated carbon 5 from flowing out while allowing the fluid to pass therethrough.
[0040]
However, similar to the above case, the fiber material is not limited to the mesh, as long as it exhibits the above function, and may be a nonwoven fabric, for example. Further, the fixing method is not limited to the insert, but may be fixed by press-fitting or welding.
[0041]
Further, since the filtration structure using the hollow fiber membrane 4 is publicly known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the hollow fiber membranes 4 are bundled in a plurality of bundles and folded in a U shape so that both ends thereof are inside. A sealed end portion (potting portion) 41 is formed in the inner case portion 21 so as to face the opening side of the case portion 21 and is sealed with a sealing agent in the vicinity of the opening portion. This opening serves as a discharge port for discharging the filtered fluid.
[0042]
And in the end surface of this sealing end part 41, only the hollow part of each hollow fiber membrane 4 is open | released outside.
[0043]
Accordingly, the fluid that has flowed into the inner case portion 21 is only the fluid that has been filtered by removing foreign matters such as fine particles by the membrane surface of the hollow fiber membrane 4, enters the hollow portion, and passes through the hollow portion to form a sealed end portion. It is discharged from the end face of 41 to the outside.
[0044]
With the configuration described above, first, when a fluid to be filtered is introduced from the arrow P in the figure, this fluid passes through the mesh 6 from the inlet 22d and is filled with the activated carbon 5 in the cylinder of the inner case portion 21. It passes through the gap between the shape portion 21 a and the outer cylindrical portion 22 a of the outer case portion 22, passes through the introduction port 21 c (mesh 7), and is introduced into the inner case portion 21.
[0045]
Through this process, chlorine and the like contained in the fluid are adsorbed and removed by the activated carbon 5.
[0046]
The fluid introduced from the inner case portion 21 from which chlorine and the like have been removed is filtered in the direction indicated by the arrow Q in FIG.
[0047]
In this manner, not only foreign matters such as fine particles can be removed, but also chlorine and the like can be adsorbed and removed by the activated carbon 5.
[0048]
As described above, in the hollow fiber membrane cartridge, in particular, in a type in which activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane are combined, it is necessary to secure a fluid path. It is formed with wall surfaces.
[0049]
Therefore, the positional relationship between the inner case and the outer case must be fixed. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, since these are integrally configured, the inner case (the inner case portion 21) and the outer case (the outer case) The positional relationship with the case portion 22) is naturally determined.
[0050]
Therefore, a positioning structure for positioning them as in the prior art becomes unnecessary.
[0051]
In addition, since the case is configured integrally, there is no possibility that the fluid leaks to another path, so that it is not necessary to provide an isolation member or the like as in the prior art.
[0052]
Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to provide the positioning structure and the fluid leakage prevention structure, there is no need for a separate member or a complicated shape, so the number of parts is reduced as compared with the prior art. And the structure can be simplified.
[0053]
Along with this, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, so that the manufacturing can be facilitated and the cost can be reduced.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention eliminates the need for a structure for positioning the inner case portion inside the outer case portion, and reduces the number of components because there is no need to provide a separating member or the like. At the same time, the structure can be simplified.
[0055]
If a fiber material finer than activated carbon that closes the inflow port or the introduction port is provided, outflow of activated carbon can be prevented while allowing inflow (introduction) of fluid.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the inside of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional hollow fiber membrane cartridge.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hollow fiber membrane cartridge 2 Case member 21 Inner case part 21a Cylindrical part 21b Bottom part 21c Inlet 22 Outer case part 22a Outer cylindrical part 22b End part 22c Connection part 22d Inlet 3 Cover 4 Hollow fiber membrane 41 Sealing end part 5 Activated carbon 6,7 mesh

Claims (3)

A bottomed cylindrical inner case part, and an outer case part having an outer cylinder part provided outside the cylinder of the inner case part, and a connection part connecting the outer cylinder part and the inner case part are integrated. A case member formed automatically,
A hollow fiber membrane housed in the inner case part;
A hollow fiber membrane cartridge comprising: activated carbon filled in a gap between the inner case tube and the outer case tube;
In the connection part of the outer case part, the inlet for guiding the fluid to be filtered into the gap is along the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the inner case part and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder part of the outer case part, A plurality are provided along the circumferential direction ,
At the bottom of the inner case portion, an introduction port that guides the fluid that has flowed in from the plurality of inlets and passed through the filling portion of the activated carbon into the inner case portion follows the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder of the inner case portion. A plurality of openings are provided along the circumferential direction, and the inner case portion is provided with a discharge port for discharging the filtered fluid by allowing the fluid introduced by the introduction port to pass through the membrane of the hollow fiber membrane. A featured hollow fiber membrane cartridge.   The hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a fiber material finer than activated carbon that closes the inlet.   The hollow fiber membrane cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fiber material finer than activated carbon that closes the introduction port.

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