JP5083616B2 - Water softening device and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softening device and a hot water supply system, and more particularly to a device characterized in that an abnormality of a flow path opening / closing means can be determined.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, hot water is supplied using water that has been passed through a water softener in which a cation exchange resin is placed to change tap water or well water into soft water. And since soft water is good for skin and foaming, the demand for using it in a bath is increasing. Therefore, in order to satisfy such a demand, a water softening device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below is provided. The water softening device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 includes a cation exchange resin and is configured to soften hot water by passing water through the cation exchange resin.

  In such a water softening device, when tap water or well water is allowed to pass through and the water softening is continued, the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin gradually decreases, and finally water softening cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the water-softening ability of the cation exchange resin is reduced, the calcium trapped by the cation exchange resin can be obtained by performing a regeneration process for supplying a regeneration solution such as salt water (sodium chloride aqueous solution) to the cation exchange resin. Ions, magnesium ions, etc. are discharged, and tap water is returned to a state where it can be softened.

Therefore, in the water softening device disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, in order to perform the regeneration treatment of the water softener, the water softener is configured to include a regenerated salt water supply device that can supply salt water to the water softener. ing.
JP 2002-39613 A JP-A-7-265720

  Here, in the water softening device of the prior art as described above, a valve for opening and closing the flow path is provided in the flow path system provided for flowing a regenerated liquid such as salt water and water. The valve performance may be deteriorated by long-term use. When a valve deteriorates over time, a minute amount of water leaks from the valve during the initial period.If this minute water leak can be detected, problems such as a decrease in water softening capacity due to a valve failure or leakage of regenerated fluid will occur. Can be minimized. However, the conventional technology cannot detect such minute leaks with high accuracy, and the water softening ability is greatly reduced, or a valve failure is noticed only when the amount of regenerated liquid leakage increases. was there.

  Then, in view of such a problem, the present invention has an object of providing a water softening device that can accurately determine abnormality of a flow path opening / closing valve and a hot water supply system including the water softening device.

  The water softening device of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problem includes a water softener that includes an ion exchange resin and can soften water by passing the ion exchange resin, and the ion exchange resin. A regenerative liquid supply device capable of supplying regenerative liquid, liquid level detection means capable of detecting the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply apparatus, and water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener. A water distribution system capable of supplying water that has passed through the water softener toward an external water supply destination, a regenerative liquid distribution system that connects the water distribution system and the regenerated liquid supply device, and the water distribution system And a flow path opening / closing means that is provided in at least one of the regenerative liquid distribution systems and that is individually opened / closed according to the operation mode, and that supplies water supplied from an external water supply source by opening / closing the flow path opening / closing means. Via water distribution system and regenerative liquid distribution system The regenerative liquid supply device can be supplied to the regenerative liquid supply device, and the regenerative liquid in the regenerative liquid supply device can flow to the water softener via the regenerative liquid distribution system. If the flow channel opening / closing means is in a state where it can normally perform the closing function, it is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device does not change and there is an abnormality in the flow path opening / closing means. When the water passes through the flow path opening / closing means, there is a predetermined operation mode in which water flows into the regenerative liquid supply device and the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device is assumed to rise. And determining means for determining that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal under the condition that the liquid level detection means detects an increase in the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supplier during execution. (Claim 1).

  In the water softening device of the present invention, the channel opening / closing means is provided in at least one of the water circulation system and the regenerative liquid circulation system. Therefore, if the flow path opening / closing means is in a state where it can normally perform the closing function, it is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supplier does not change in the operation mode performed by closing the flow path opening / closing means. On the contrary, if there is an abnormality in the flow path opening / closing means, even if the operation mode is performed by closing the flow path opening / closing means, water passes through the flow path opening / closing means and flows into the regenerative liquid supplier. It is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerated liquid supply device rises. Therefore, as in the present invention, it is a condition that the liquid level rise in the regenerative liquid supplier is detected by the liquid level detecting means during execution of a predetermined operation mode performed by closing the flow path opening / closing means. If it is determined by the determination means that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal, the abnormality of the flow path opening / closing means can be detected accurately.

In the water softening device of the present invention described above, the water distribution system directs water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and the water passing through the water softener is directed to an external water supply destination. And a soft water supply path that can be supplied by the flow path, and the flow path opening / closing means includes a water intake valve provided in the raw water supply path and a water sampling valve provided in the soft water supply path. The water inlet valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation of the flow path opening / closing means, which is one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the water valve and the water sampling valve, can be executed, and the water inlet valve / water sampling valve leak determination is performed. During execution of the operation, one or both of the water inlet valve and the water sampling valve are abnormal by the judging means on condition that the liquid level detecting means detects the rise of the liquid level in the regenerated liquid supply device. It is determined that it exists (claim 1 ).

  In the water softening device of the present invention, the water intake valve and the water sampling valve are closed during the execution of the abnormality diagnosis mode (water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation). Therefore, as in the present invention, if the presence or absence of a liquid level rise in the regenerative liquid supply device is detected during the execution of the abnormality diagnosis mode (water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation), it is provided in the raw water supply path. It is possible to accurately grasp whether or not the water intake valve or the water sampling valve provided in the soft water supply channel is abnormal.

In the water softening device of the present invention described above, the regenerative liquid distribution system includes a regenerative liquid channel that connects the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid feeder, and a channel opening / closing means is provided in the regenerative liquid channel. A regenerative liquid on / off valve provided, and the liquid level detecting means performs the regenerative liquid on / off valve leak determination operation as one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the regenerative liquid on / off valve. on condition that the liquid level rises in the regenerant supply is sensed, may be one wherein the regenerant off valve is determined to be abnormal by the determining means (claim 2).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to accurately grasp whether there is an abnormality in the regenerative liquid on-off valve, and to prevent problems such as the regenerative liquid mixing from the regenerative liquid supply side to the water distribution system side. it can.

The water softening device according to claim 3 includes an ion exchange resin, a water softener capable of softening water by passing the ion exchange resin, and a regenerative liquid can be supplied to the ion exchange resin. A regenerative liquid supply device, a liquid level detection means capable of detecting the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device, water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and water that has passed through the water softener A water distribution system capable of supplying the water supply to an external water supply destination, a regenerative liquid distribution system connecting the water distribution system and the regenerant supply device, and at least of the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid distribution system A flow path opening / closing means that is provided in any one of them and is individually opened / closed according to the operation mode, and water supplied from an external water supply source by opening / closing the flow path opening / closing means. Supply to the regenerant supply device via The regenerating liquid in the regenerating liquid supply device can flow toward the water softener via the regenerating liquid distribution system, and is a predetermined operation mode that is performed by opening and closing each flow path opening and closing means, If the flow path opening / closing means can normally perform the closing function, it is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supplier does not change, and there is an abnormality in the flow path opening / closing means, and water passes through the flow path opening / closing means. Then, there is a predetermined operation mode in which it is assumed that water flows into the regenerative liquid supply device and the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device rises, and the liquid level detection means is provided during execution of the predetermined operation mode. And a determination unit that determines that the flow path opening / closing unit is abnormal on the condition that a rise in the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply unit is detected by the water supply system. A raw water supply channel capable of supplying the water to the water softener, A soft water supply path that can supply water that has passed through the vessel to an external water supply destination, and the regenerated liquid distribution system has a regenerated liquid flow path that connects the water distribution system and the regenerated liquid supply device. The flow path opening / closing means includes a regenerative liquid on / off valve provided in the regenerative liquid flow path, and the regenerative liquid on / off valve leak is one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the regenerative liquid on / off valve. During execution of the determination operation, the determination means determines that the regenerative liquid on-off valve is abnormal on the condition that the liquid level detection means detects an increase in the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device. Is a water softening device.

  In the water softening device of the present invention described above, it is desirable that a predetermined safe operation is performed when it is determined that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal (Claim 4).

  According to such a configuration, a malfunction caused by an abnormality in the flow path opening / closing means such as a decrease in the ability to soften water or a mixture of regenerated liquid on the water distribution system side occurs, or the malfunction further expands. Can be prevented.

  The water softening device of the present invention described above is capable of performing a regenerating liquid preparation operation in which water supplied from an external water supply source is supplied to a regenerating liquid supply device to prepare a regenerating liquid, and the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal. It is even more desirable that the regeneration liquid preparation operation is prohibited when it is determined that there is any.

  In the case where the water softening device is configured as described above, after it is determined that there is an abnormality in the flow path opening / closing means, the regenerating liquid is not prepared in the regenerating liquid supply device. Therefore, in the water softening device of the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the regenerated liquid is mixed into the water supply system from the regenerated liquid supply device after it is determined that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal.

  In the water softening device of the present invention described above, the regenerated liquid supply unit has a regenerated liquid storage container, and the regenerated liquid storage container can prepare a regenerated liquid to be supplied to the ion exchange resin, A receiving portion communicating with the container main body, a regenerative liquid circulation system is connected to the receiving portion, and the liquid level detecting means is capable of detecting the liquid level in the receiving portion; The cross-sectional area by the plane parallel to the liquid surface or the water surface of the regeneration liquid in the section may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the container body by the plane parallel to the liquid surface or the water surface of the regeneration liquid.

  In the water softening device of the present invention, the regenerated liquid storage container constituting the regenerated liquid supply device has a container body and a receiving part, and the regenerating liquid distribution system is connected to the receiving part. Therefore, in the water softening device of the present invention, the water flowing toward the regenerative liquid supplier side due to a failure of the flow path opening / closing means first flows into the receiving portion. In the water softening device of the present invention, the liquid level in the receiving part can be detected by the liquid level detecting means.

  Here, when the sizes of the container main body and the receiving part are compared from the viewpoint of the cross-sectional area parallel to the liquid surface and the water surface of the regenerating liquid, the cross-sectional area of the receiving part is smaller. Therefore, in the regenerated liquid storage container adopted in the present invention, when the regenerated liquid or water enters the receiving portion, the liquid level fluctuates more than when it enters the container body. Therefore, even if a very small amount of water flows into the regenerated liquid storage container due to a failure of the flow path opening / closing means, the change in the liquid level due to this can be detected with high accuracy by the liquid level detection means. Therefore, in the water softening device of the present invention, even if a problem that only a very small amount of water leaks occurs in the flow path opening / closing means, this can be detected with high accuracy.

  The hot water supply system of the present invention includes the above-described water softening device and a hot water supply device, and can supply hot water softened by the water softening device to the hot water supply device (Claim 7). Therefore, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, an abnormality of the flow path opening / closing means can be detected accurately.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water softening apparatus which can determine the abnormality of a flow-path on-off valve accurately, and the hot water supply system provided with the said water softening apparatus can be provided.

  Then, the water softening apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings. In addition, FIGS. 5-9 shows the water flow state in the water softening apparatus 10 employ | adopted by this embodiment, and shows that the part marked with the continuous line is a water-permeable state, and 2 points | pieces The part indicated by the chain line indicates that water cannot pass through.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 has a hot water supply device 2 and a water softening device 10, which are connected by a soft water supply pipe 5. The hot water supply device 2 is the same as a conventionally known one, and performs a heating soft water supply operation for heating and supplying soft water (hot water) supplied from the water softening device 10 via the soft water supply pipe 5. Can be implemented. In addition, a hot water supply pipe 8 is connected to the hot water supply device 2, and soft water (hot water) heated through the hot water supply pipe 8 can be supplied to an external heat load. Specifically, soft water (hot water) supplied from the hot water supply device 2 via the hot water supply pipe 8 can be used for hot water supply to a curan or a shower (not shown) or dropped into a bathtub (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water softening device 10 includes a water softener 11 and a regenerated salt water supplier 12. The water softener 11 can soften hot water supplied from the outside. Specifically, the water softener 11 is composed of a column filled with a cation exchange resin. Therefore, when hot water supplied from the outside is passed through the water softener 11, calcium ions, magnesium ions, and the like contained therein are adsorbed by the cation exchange resin, and the water hardness is lowered, that is, softened. It becomes a state. Moreover, although the cation exchange resin which comprises the water softener 11 has a limit in adsorption | suction of a calcium ion and a magnesium ion, salt water is passed and calcium ion, a magnesium ion, etc. which are adsorb | sucking to the cation exchange resin are removed. Thus, the hot water can be regenerated into a softening state.

  The water softening device 10 has a water distribution system WS including a water supply pipe 20 and a soft water supply pipe 5 connected to the water softener 11. Moreover, the water softening apparatus 10 has the regenerated liquid distribution system RS which consists of the salt water supply piping 29 and the supplementary water piping 35 which are connected with the regenerated salt water supply device 12, and this is connected to the above-mentioned water distribution system WS. The water supply pipe 20 constituting the water distribution system WS can supply hot water from an external water supply source toward the water softener 11. In the middle of the water supply pipe 20, a water inlet valve 23 and a pressure reducing valve 24 are attached. The water intake valve 23 is configured by a flow rate adjustment valve having a closing function, and can adjust the flow rate of hot water supplied to the water softener 11 by adjusting the opening degree. Moreover, it is possible to completely block the water flow toward the water softener 11 by closing the water inlet valve 23. The pressure reducing valve 24 is attached at a position upstream of the water inlet valve 23 in the flow direction of hot water flowing through the water supply pipe 20.

  In addition, one end side of a supplementary water pipe 35 that forms part of the regenerated liquid circulation system RS is connected in the middle of the water supply pipe 20, specifically, between the water inlet valve 23 and the pressure reducing valve 24. The other end of the refill water pipe 35 is connected to the regenerated salt water supplier 12 side. In addition, a water replenishing valve 36 is provided in the middle of the water refilling pipe 35, and the water supplied from the outside through the water supply pipe 20 is supplied to the regenerated salt water supplier 12 by opening the water refilling valve 36. Can do. Accordingly, the supplemental water pipe 35 and the supplemental water valve 36 function as water injection means for the regenerated salt water supply device 12.

  A drain pipe 21 is connected in the middle of the water supply pipe 20 described above, specifically between the water inlet valve 23 and the water softener 11. The drain pipe 21 is a pipe provided for discharging drainage generated during the regeneration operation of the water softener 11 described in detail later. A drain valve 26 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 21.

  The soft water supply pipe 5 forms part of the water distribution system WS, and is provided to supply hot water softened in the water softener 11 toward the hot water supply device 2 side. A water amount sensor 19 and a water sampling valve 25 are provided in the middle of the soft water supply pipe 5. The water sampling valve 25 is composed of a flow rate adjusting valve having a closing function as in the case of the water inlet valve 23 described above, and is softened by the water softener 11 by adjusting the opening, and is supplied with a hot water supply device via the soft water supply pipe 5. The flow rate of the soft water flowing to the 2 side can be adjusted. Further, when the water sampling valve 25 is in a closed state, it is possible to completely block the flow of soft water flowing from the water softener 11 toward the hot water supply device 2 that is the soft water supply destination.

  The regenerated salt water supplier 12 is for producing salt water for regenerating the water softener 11 and supplying it to the water softener 11. Specifically, the salt replenisher 12 is provided with a salt water preparation unit 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the salt water preparation part 28 has the hollow container main body 50, and has the salt basket installation part 51 for setting the salt basket 52 (salt container) in this inside. Therefore, in the state where the salt basket 52 into which the salt has been introduced is installed in the salt basket installation unit 51, by pouring water into the container body 50, the salt prepared in the salt basket 52 is dissolved and the inside of the container body 50 You can prepare salt water.

  The container body 50 has a connection port 54 at a position on the upper end side and a connection port 56 at a position on the lower end side. The replenishment pipe 35 described above is connected to the connection port 54. Further, the connection port 54 is provided at a position away from the salt basket setting portion 51 in the container main body 50. Therefore, the container body 50 can be supplied with the clean water supplied through the water supply pipe 20 from above through the water refilling pipe 35 without directly pouring water into the salt basket 52. The connection port 54 is provided at a position away from the water level electrode 57a and the ground electrode 57b provided for detecting the water level in the container body 50. For this reason, the water flowing in from the connection port 54 does not directly reach the water level electrode 57a and the ground electrode 57b.

  On the other hand, the container body 50 is provided with a receiving portion 59 formed by locally denting a part of the bottom surface 50a. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving portion 59 communicates with the internal space of the container main body 50 through an opening formed in the bottom surface 50 a, and has a shape that is lowered one step below the other portions. . The receiving portion 59 is provided with the connection port 56 described above. Further, in the receiving portion 59, the tip portions of the water level electrode 58a and the ground electrode 57b described above exist. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not water is contained up to a predetermined water level in the receiving portion 59 by confirming the conduction state between the water level electrode 58a and the ground electrode 57b.

  The size of the receiving part 59 is sufficiently smaller than the main part of the container body 50. More specifically, from the viewpoint of the cross-sectional area of the surfaces P1 and P2 parallel to the water surface in a state where water or salt water is stored in the container body 50, the cross-sectional area S1 of the receiving portion 59 is formed above the receiving portion 59. It is sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the main part of the container main body 50. Further, the volume of the receiving part 59 is also sufficiently smaller than the volume of the main part of the container body 50. Therefore, when water flows into the receiving part 59, the liquid level (water surface) rises significantly compared to the case where water flows into the main part of the container body 50 above the receiving part 59.

  One end of the salt water supply pipe 29 is connected to the connection port 56 provided in the receiving portion 59. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the other end side of the salt water supply pipe 29 is connected to the soft water supply pipe 5 that forms a part of the water distribution system WS. More specifically, the other end side of the salt water supply pipe 29 is connected to a position between the water softener 11 and the water sampling valve 25 in the middle of the soft water supply pipe 5. A salt water valve 27 is provided in the middle of the salt water supply pipe 29. The salt water valve 27 employs a flow rate adjusting valve having a closing function, like the water inlet valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25. Therefore, when the salt water valve 27 is closed, salt water and water can be prevented from flowing out from the container body 50. In the present embodiment, the container body 50 is disposed above the water softener 11. Therefore, when the salt water valve 27 is opened in a state where the salt water is accumulated in the container body 50, the salt water can be slowly flowed toward the water softener 11 through the salt water supply pipe 29 due to natural fall due to gravity.

  The salt basket 52 is a bowl-shaped member into which salt used for the regeneration process can be charged. The salt basket 52 is allowed to pass water through the bottom surface 52a. The salt basket 52 has an outer shape smaller than the internal space of the container body 50 and is mounted so as to hang from a salt basket installation portion 51 provided in the container body 50. Therefore, in a state where the salt basket 52 is installed in the container main body 50, the bottom surface 52a of the salt basket 52 is located above the bottom surface 50a where the connection port 56 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bypass pipe 30 is connected between the soft water supply pipe 5 and the water supply pipe 20 described above, whereby a flow path that bypasses the water softener 11 can be formed. . More specifically, one end side of the bypass pipe 30 is in the middle of the water supply pipe 20 and is connected to a position between the water inlet valve 23 and the pressure reducing valve 24. Moreover, the other end side of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to a position in the middle of the soft water supply pipe 5 and downstream of the water amount sensor 19 and the water sampling valve 25 in the flow direction of the soft water (on the hot water supply device 2 side). . In the middle of the bypass pipe 30, a bypass valve 31 and a water amount sensor 32 are provided. Therefore, the water softening device 10 can flow the hot water supplied from the outside through the water supply pipe 20 to the bypass pipe 30 side by opening the bypass valve 31, thereby bypassing the water softener 11.

  The hot water supply system 1 includes a control device 70. As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 70 includes an operation control unit 71 that controls the operation of the hot water supply device 2 and the water softening device 10, a determination unit 72, and a timer 73. The determination means 72 is for performing an internal leak determination operation, which will be described in detail later, and determining the presence or absence of internal leaks in the water inlet valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27. The timer 73 is used for timing when implementing an internal leak determination means that will be described in detail later.

  The water softening device 10 described above can perform a water softening operation and a regeneration operation. First, the water softening operation will be described. In the water softening operation, hot water supplied from an external water supply source is softened via the water supply pipe 20 and supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side via the soft water supply pipe 5. It is a driving method. In the regeneration operation, hot water supplied from an external water supply source is made to flow into the salt water preparation unit 28 via the water supply pipe 20 and the supplementary water pipe 35 to create salt water, and this salt water is supplied to the water softener 11. This is an operation method for regenerating the water softener 11.

  More specifically, when the water softening device 10 performs a water softening operation, the water intake valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25 are opened as shown in FIG. The valve 31 and the water refill valve 36 are closed. In this state, when hot water is supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener 11 through the water supply pipe 20, the hot water is softened by passing through the water softener 11. The softened hot water is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 via the soft water supply pipe 5.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the regeneration operation is performed by repeating a series of regeneration cycles including a water replenishment operation, a medicine feeding operation, an extrusion / washing operation, and a backwashing operation a plurality of times (n times). Specifically, when the water softening device 10 performs the regeneration operation, first, a water replenishment operation is first performed in step R <b> 1, and salt water is prepared in the container body 50. When the water replenishment operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 6, the drain valve 26, the salt water valve 27, and the bypass valve 31 are closed, and the water sampling valve 25 and the water supplement valve 36 are opened. Hot water is supplied from an external water supply source through the water supply pipe 20. Thereby, the hot water supplied from the outside flows into the salt water preparation unit 28 from the water supply pipe 20 through the refill water pipe 35. Thereafter, the salt previously put in the salt basket 52 of the salt water preparation unit 28 is dissolved, and the salt water is prepared.

  During the water replenishment operation, the water intake valve 23 is open. Even in the case of performing the regeneration operation, the water softener 11 does not completely lose the water softening ability. Therefore, in this state, when a faucet (not shown) is opened and hot water is supplied from the outside, a part of hot water supplied from an external water supply source through the water supply pipe 20 passes through the water softener 11. The water is softened and supplied to the hot water supply device 2 through the soft water supply pipe 5.

  When salt water is prepared in the container body 50 as described above, the control flow of the regeneration operation shown in FIG. 11 proceeds to step R2, and a medicine passing operation is performed. Specifically, when the medicine feeding operation is performed, the water inlet valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the water replenishing valve 36 are closed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the drain valve 26, the salt water valve 27, and the bypass valve 31 are opened. Thereby, the salt water prepared in the salt water preparation part 28 of the regenerated salt water supply device 12 is discharged to the outside through the water softener 11 and the drain pipe 21. The salt water prepared in the salt water preparation unit 28 slowly flows toward the water softener 11 by gravity. Along with this, calcium ions and magnesium ions adsorbed on the cation exchange resin constituting the water softener 11 are removed. The medicine passing operation is performed until there is no salt water in the salt water preparation unit 28. During the medicine feeding operation, the water intake valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25 are closed and the bypass valve 31 is opened as shown in FIG. 7, so that hot water is supplied from the outside via the water supply pipe 20. Even if supplied, this hot water bypasses the water softener 11 and is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side. Therefore, hot water supplied from the outside cannot be softened during the medicine passing operation.

  When the medicine operation is completed as described above, the control flow of the regeneration operation shown in FIG. 11 is shifted to step R3, and the extrusion / cleaning operation is performed. The extrusion / cleaning operation is performed by once pouring water into the container main body 50 of the salt water preparation unit 28 in the same procedure as the above-described water replenishment operation, and then opening the salt water valve 27 and the drain valve 26 as shown in FIG. The At this time, the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the water supplement valve 36 are closed. Further, when performing the extrusion / cleaning operation, water is poured into the container main body 50 within a range in which the bottom surface 52a of the salt basket 52 is not immersed in water, that is, a salt water is not newly prepared.

  After the start of the extrusion / cleaning operation, when the container body 50 is in a state where water has accumulated and the salt water valve 27 is opened, the water in the container body 50 is supplied from the salt water preparation unit 28 to the salt water as indicated by arrows in FIG. It is discharged through the supply pipe 29, the water softener 11, and the drain pipe 21. Thereby, the container main body 50, the salt water supply piping 29, the salt water valve 27, the water softener 11, etc. are wash | cleaned.

  During the extrusion / cleaning operation, tap water or the like cannot be softened in the water softener 11 as in the above-described medicine operation. Therefore, during the extruding / cleaning operation, the bypass valve 31 is opened as in the medicine operation, and hot water bypasses the water softener 11 from the outside via the water supply pipe 20 to the hot water supply device 2 side. Supplied.

  When the extrusion / cleaning operation is completed as described above, the control flow shown in FIG. 11 proceeds to step R4, and the backwashing operation is performed. When performing the backwashing operation, the water inlet valve 23, the salt water valve 27, and the water refill valve 36 are closed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the bypass valve 31, the water sampling valve 25, and the drain valve 26 are opened. Thereby, the water supplied from the external water supply source to the water supply pipe 20 flows into the water softener 11 through the bypass pipe 30 and the soft water supply pipe 5. Thereby, the water softener 11 is washed. The water that has passed through the water softener 11 flows into the drain pipe 21 and is discharged to the outside.

  On the other hand, when the hot-water tap (not shown) is opened during the backwashing operation, for example, when water must be supplied to the hot-water supply device 2 side, the above-described medicine passing operation is performed. After passing through the bypass pipe 30 as in the inside, the water is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side without passing through the water softener 11.

  When the backwashing operation is completed as described above, the control flow proceeds to step R5, and a series of regeneration cycles up to steps R1 to R4 has been performed a predetermined number of times (n times) after the start of the regeneration operation. Is confirmed. Here, if the number of executions of the regeneration cycle has not reached n times, the control flow is returned to step R1, and the regeneration cycle is repeated in the above-described procedure. On the other hand, when the number of executions of the regeneration cycle has reached n times, a series of regeneration operations is completed.

  Here, as described above, in the water softening device 10 of the present embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve having a closing function is adopted as the water inlet valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27, and these are in a closed state. Then, the flow of water and salt water can be cut off. However, if the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27 are deteriorated over time due to the long-term use of the water softening device 10, the flow of water or salt water cannot be completely shut off eventually, and a slight leak (hereinafter, internal leak) May also occur). The amount of water and salt water leaked when the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27 are deteriorated over time is very small, and the detection capability of the water amount detection means such as the water amount sensor 19 is far greater. It is less than. More specifically, the water leakage amount of the water and salt water assumed when the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27 deteriorate over time is about 1 cc to 2 cc per minute. The water amount detecting means cannot detect the water flow unless the flow rate is about 1 liter to 2 liters per minute.

  On the other hand, when the water intake valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25 are in a state where the water flow cannot be completely blocked, there is a possibility that a problem due to this may occur. Specifically, the water pressure acting on the water distribution system WS side from the water softener 11 side may be higher than the water distribution system WS side due to the water supply source being cut off. If an internal leak occurs in the water sampling valve 25 or the sampling valve 25, even if the water inlet valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25 is closed during the feeding operation of the regeneration operation or the extrusion / cleaning operation, the salt water is circulated even though the amount is very small. There is a possibility of contamination on the system WS side. In addition, when a water discharge destination such as a karan or the like (not shown) is located lower than the water softening device 10, the water discharge side has a further negative pressure, and thus the above-described leakage amount may further increase. There is also.

  In addition, in the water softening device 10, even when the salt water valve 27 is in a state where the water flow cannot be completely blocked, there is a possibility that a problem due to this may occur. Specifically, as described above, in the water softening operation and the backwashing operation of the regeneration operation, the water circulation system in which the regeneration salt water supply device 12 is connected to the water softener 11 by closing the salt water valve 27. It is performed by cutting the edge from WS. Usually, since the feed water pressure is applied, even if the internal leakage occurs in the salt water valve 27, salt water does not enter the water distribution system WS from the regenerated salt water supplier 12 side. . However, if there is an internal leak in the salt water valve 27, water may flow backward from the water distribution system WS side toward the regenerated salt water supplier 12 side and flow into the container body 50. In addition, if the backflow of water into the container body 50 continues for a long period of time, the salt put into the salt basket 52 will eventually be immersed in water, and there may be a problem that the salt dissolves unnecessarily. There is sex.

  Therefore, in addition to the water softening operation and the regeneration operation, the water softening device 10 performs an internal leak determination operation for determining whether there is an internal leak in the water inlet valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, or the salt water valve 27 at a predetermined timing. ing. The internal leak determination operation will be described in more detail. The water softening device 10 performs the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation for detecting the occurrence of internal leak in the water intake valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25 as the internal leak determination operation. In addition, two types of determination operations are performed: a salt water valve leak determination operation for detecting the occurrence of internal leak in the salt water valve 27.

  The water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation is performed over a predetermined period at a timing before the start of the regeneration operation. More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation is performed at the time when the regeneration operation is necessary (step 1) with the implementation of the water softening operation (step 1) (step 1). 2 (YES in step 2). When performing the water intake / water sampling valve leak determination operation, as shown in FIG. 13, the opening is adjusted so that the water intake valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25, which are targets for determining whether there is an internal leak, are closed. The Moreover, when performing the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation, the bypass valve 31 and the salt water valve 27 are opened. When the opening and closing of each valve is completed in this way, the control flow proceeds to step 4 and the timer 73 provided in the control device 70 starts counting.

  After the timer 73 starts counting in step 4, it is confirmed in step 5 whether or not the water level is detected by the water level electrode 57 a provided in the salt water preparation unit 28 of the water softener 11. Here, when the water level electrode 57a does not detect the water level, the determination means 72 determines that no internal leak has occurred in the water intake valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25. In this case, the control flow proceeds to step 6. When the timer 73 is not in the count-up state in step 6, the control flow is returned to step 5, and the water level detection by the water level electrode 57a is continued. On the other hand, if the timer 73 is in the count-up state in step 6, the control flow proceeds to step 7, and the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation is terminated. Thereafter, the control flow is advanced to step 8, and the regeneration operation is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the regeneration operation is completed in step 8, the water softening operation can be performed, and the control flow is returned to step 1.

  On the other hand, when the water level is detected by the water level electrode 57a in step 5 described above, an internal leak has occurred in the water inlet valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25, and the water leaked from the water inlet valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25 is stored in the container. It is assumed that the gas flows back into the receiving portion 59 formed on the bottom surface 50a side of the main body 50. Therefore, when the water level is detected by the water level electrode 57a in step 5, it is determined by the determination means 72 that an internal leak has occurred in the water intake valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25. Thereafter, the control flow proceeds to step 9, and a predetermined safe operation is performed. More specifically, when the control flow shifts to step 9, a notification that an internal leak has occurred in the water inlet valve 23 or the water sampling valve 25 is made. In step 9, the operation control means 71 of the control device 70 prohibits salt water preparation in the salt water preparation unit 28 of the water softener 11. When the safe operation is performed in this way, a series of control flows are terminated without performing the regeneration operation.

  In the water softening device 10, in addition to the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation described above, a salt water valve leak determination operation is performed. The salt water valve leak determination operation is performed by constantly monitoring the presence or absence of water level detection by the water level electrode 57a by the determination means 72 during the period when the salt water valve 27 should normally be closed. Specifically, the above-described water softening operation and the backwashing operation of the regeneration operation are performed with the salt water valve 27 closed. Therefore, the determination unit 72 monitors whether or not the water level is detected by the water level electrode 57a when the water softening device 10 is in the water softening operation or during the regeneration operation and the backwash operation. To do. As a result, when it is confirmed that the water level is detected by the water level electrode 57a during these periods, the determination unit 72 determines that the salt water valve 27 has an abnormality due to an internal leak. When the determination means 72 determines that there is an abnormality in the saltwater valve 27, the same safety operation as that performed in Step 9 of the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation described above is performed.

  As described above, the water softening device 10 can perform the internal leak determination operation in addition to the water softening operation and the regeneration operation, and thereby the water intake valve 23 provided in the water distribution system WS and the water sampling With respect to the salt water valve 27 provided in the valve 25 and the regenerating liquid distribution system RS, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of an internal leak. Therefore, in the water softening device 10, when it is determined that there is an internal leak in the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, or the salt water valve 27, the above-described safety operation is performed, and a problem associated with the internal leak is notified. , Can prevent the spread of defects.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation is performed at the timing before the regeneration operation is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be performed at an appropriate timing. Is possible. In addition, when performing the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation, the water intake valve 23 and the water sampling valve 25 are closed for a predetermined period as described above, and the water softening operation cannot be performed. It is desirable that the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation is performed while avoiding the timing at which the water softening operation is expected.

  Although the water softening device 10 described above can execute two types of operations as an internal leak determination operation, that is, a water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation and a salt water valve leak determination operation, the present invention is limited to this. It may not be a thing and only one of them can be executed.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which determines the presence or absence of the internal leak in the salt water valve 27 was illustrated in salt water valve leak determination operation | movement, this invention is not limited to this. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the salt water supply pipe 29 forming the regenerative liquid distribution system RS is exemplified by the configuration in which the salt water valve 27 including a flow rate adjusting valve having a closing function is provided. A valve similar to the salt water valve 27 can be employed for the water refill valve 36 provided in the water refill pipe 35 formed. When such a valve is employed as the water refill valve 36, an internal leak may occur due to deterioration over time, like the salt water valve 27. In addition, even when an internal leak occurs in the refill valve 36, it is assumed that the water leaked from the refill valve 36 flows into the container body 50 of the salt water preparation unit 28 and accumulates in the receiving unit 59 although it is very little. Is done. Therefore, when a flow rate adjustment valve having a closing function is adopted as the refill water valve 36, whether or not there is an internal leak in the water refill valve 36 can also be determined by executing a salt water valve leak determination operation.

  In the above embodiment, after determining that there is an internal leak in the water intake valve 23, the water sampling valve 25, and the salt water valve 27, this is notified as a safety operation that is executed, and further, it is determined that there is an internal leak. Although the example which prohibits the preparation of the salt water in was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this. Specifically, as the safety operation, only one of the above-described notification or the prohibition of salt water preparation may be performed, or another safety operation may be performed in addition to these operations. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the container main body 50 of the salt water preparation unit 28 is provided with a receiving part 59 and the receiving part 59 is provided with a drain port 56. Therefore, if there is an internal leak in the salt water valve 27, water will flow into the receiving part 59. In addition, since the receiving portion 59 is a portion where the bottom portion 50a of the container body 50 is locally depressed, the cross-sectional area of the main portion of the container body 50 positioned above the receiving portion 59 is larger. Small enough. Therefore, the water level is more likely to rise than when water enters the main part of the container body 50, and even a slight amount of water inflow due to an internal leak of the salt water valve 27 can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, according to the configuration described above, an internal leak in the salt water valve 27 can be quickly detected.

  In addition, when detecting also the internal leak in the supplementary water valve 36 as mentioned above, also when water flows in from the water inlet 54 to which the supplementary water pipe 35 is connected, it can preferentially flow into the receiving part 59. It is desirable to use a simple configuration. Specifically, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, the water can flow into the receiving part 59 along the wall surface provided with the water inlet 54, or the water inlet 54 is arranged at a position near the receiving part 59. It is desirable to take such measures.

  Moreover, although the example which provides the receiving part 59 and improves the detection precision of the water level change accompanying the internal leak of the salt water valve 27 was illustrated in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this, The receiving part 59 It is good also as a structure which does not provide. In the case of such a configuration, the configuration of the container main body 50 can be simplified to the extent that the receiving portion 59 is not provided.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of an embodiment of the regeneration operation, a configuration in which a series of regeneration cycles from the water replenishment operation (step R1) to the backwash operation (step R4) as shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, a configuration in which the above-described series of reproduction cycles is performed only once without repeating is also possible. Further, for example, an operation corresponding to any one of steps R1 to R4 may be performed a plurality of times. More specifically, for example, only the extrusion / cleaning operation corresponding to step R3 may be repeated a plurality of times. In the case where the extrusion / cleaning operation is repeatedly performed as described above, it is necessary to supply water to the container main body 50 before the extrusion / cleaning operation is performed. However, at this time, salt water is not prepared in the container main body 50. It is desirable that the water level be at a level such that the bottom surface 52a of the salt basket 52 is not soaked in water.

  In the said embodiment, although the water softening apparatus 10 and the hot water supply apparatus 2 were connected by the soft water supply piping 5, the hot water supply system 1 which enabled supply of the hot water softened by the water softening apparatus 10 to the hot water supply apparatus 2 was illustrated. The present invention is not limited to this, and the water softening device 10 may branch not only the hot water supply device 2 but also the soft water supply pipe 5 and supply soft water to other supply destinations. Moreover, the water softening device 10 may be used in combination with other devices instead of being combined with the hot water supply device 2 as in the hot water supply system 1 described above, or may be used alone.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the hot water supply system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is the principle of operation which showed the water softening device used for the hot water supply system shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the reproduction | regeneration salt water supply apparatus employ | adopted with the water softening apparatus shown in FIG. It is the cross-sectional perspective view which expanded the receiving part vicinity of the container main body which comprises a reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device. It is an operation principle figure in case the water softening apparatus of FIG. 2 performs a water softening operation. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening device of FIG. 2 performs a water replenishment operation in a regeneration operation. It is an operation | movement principle diagram in case the water softening apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening device of FIG. 2 performs an extrusion / cleaning operation in a regeneration operation. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening device of FIG. 2 performs a backwash operation in a regeneration operation. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the implementation procedure of reproduction | regeneration driving | operation. It is a flowchart which shows the implementation procedure of a water intake valve and a water sampling valve leak determination operation | movement. It is an operation principle figure in the case of implementing a water intake valve / water sampling valve leak judgment operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water supply system 2 Hot-water supply apparatus 5 Soft water supply piping (soft water supply channel)
11 Water Softener 12 Regenerated Salt Water Supply (Regenerated Liquid Supply)
20 Water supply piping (raw water supply channel)
23 Water inlet valve (channel opening / closing means)
25 Water sampling valve (channel opening / closing means)
27 Salt water valve (flow path opening / closing means, regenerative liquid opening / closing valve)
29 Salt water supply pipe (regeneration liquid flow path)
35 Water replenishment piping 36 Water replenishment valve (channel opening / closing means)
50 Container body 57a Water level electrode (liquid level detection means)
59 Receiving part 72 Determination means WS Water distribution system RS Regeneration liquid distribution system

Claims (7)

A water softener comprising an ion exchange resin and capable of softening water by passing the ion exchange resin;
A regenerating liquid supplier capable of supplying a regenerating liquid to the ion exchange resin;
A liquid level detecting means capable of detecting the liquid level in the regenerated liquid supply unit;
A water distribution system capable of supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and supplying water passed through the water softener toward an external water supply destination;
A regenerating liquid distribution system connecting the water distribution system and the regenerating liquid supply device;
Provided in at least one of the water circulation system and the regenerative liquid circulation system, and having a channel opening and closing means that is individually opened and closed according to an operation mode,
Water supplied from an external water supply source can be supplied to the regenerative liquid supply device via the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid distribution system by opening and closing the flow path opening / closing means, and the regenerated liquid in the regenerative liquid supply device can be supplied. It can flow toward the water softener via the regenerant distribution system,
It is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device does not change if the operation mode is a predetermined operation mode that is performed by opening and closing each flow path opening / closing means and the flow path opening / closing means can normally perform the closing function. In addition, when the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal and water passes through the flow path opening / closing means, water flows into the regenerative liquid supply device and the predetermined operation is assumed to increase the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device. There is a mode
Determining means for determining that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal on condition that the liquid level detecting means detects an increase in liquid level in the regenerative liquid supplier during execution of the predetermined operation mode; equipped and,
The water distribution system includes a raw water supply path capable of supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and a soft water supply path capable of supplying water passing through the water softener toward an external water supply destination. And
The flow path opening / closing means includes a water intake valve provided in the raw water supply path, and a water sampling valve provided in the soft water supply path,
The water intake valve / water intake valve leak determination operation of the flow path opening / closing means that is one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the water intake valve and the water intake valve can be executed,
During the execution of the water intake valve / water sampling valve leak determination operation, the liquid level detection means detects the increase in the liquid level in the regenerated liquid supplier, and the water intake valve and the water sampling valve are determined by the determination means. Any one or both of these are determined to be abnormal . The regenerative liquid distribution system includes a regenerative liquid flow path that connects the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid supplier,
The flow path opening / closing means includes a regenerative liquid on / off valve provided in the regenerative liquid flow path,
During execution of the regeneration liquid on / off valve leak determination operation, which is one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the regeneration liquid on / off valve, an increase in the liquid level in the regeneration liquid supplier is detected by the liquid level detecting means. The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines that the regenerative liquid on-off valve is abnormal. A water softener comprising an ion exchange resin and capable of softening water by passing the ion exchange resin;
A regenerating liquid supplier capable of supplying a regenerating liquid to the ion exchange resin;
A liquid level detecting means capable of detecting the liquid level in the regenerated liquid supply unit;
A water distribution system capable of supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and supplying water passed through the water softener toward an external water supply destination;
A regenerating liquid distribution system connecting the water distribution system and the regenerating liquid supply device;
Provided in at least one of the water circulation system and the regenerative liquid circulation system, and having a channel opening and closing means that is individually opened and closed according to an operation mode,
Water supplied from an external water supply source can be supplied to the regenerative liquid supply device via the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid distribution system by opening and closing the flow path opening / closing means, and the regenerated liquid in the regenerative liquid supply device can be supplied. It can flow toward the water softener via the regenerant distribution system,
It is assumed that the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device does not change if the operation mode is a predetermined operation mode that is performed by opening and closing each flow path opening / closing means and the flow path opening / closing means can normally perform the closing function. In addition, when the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal and water passes through the flow path opening / closing means, water flows into the regenerative liquid supply device and the predetermined operation is assumed to increase the liquid level in the regenerative liquid supply device. There is a mode
Determining means for determining that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal on condition that the liquid level detecting means detects an increase in liquid level in the regenerative liquid supplier during execution of the predetermined operation mode; With
The water distribution system includes a raw water supply path capable of supplying water supplied from an external water supply source to the water softener, and a soft water supply path capable of supplying water passing through the water softener toward an external water supply destination. And
The regenerative liquid distribution system includes a regenerative liquid flow path that connects the water distribution system and the regenerative liquid supplier,
The flow path opening / closing means includes a regenerative liquid on / off valve provided in the regenerative liquid flow path,
During execution of the regeneration liquid on / off valve leak determination operation, which is one of the predetermined operation modes performed by closing the regeneration liquid on / off valve, an increase in the liquid level in the regeneration liquid supplier is detected by the liquid level detecting means. The water softening device is characterized in that the regenerating liquid on-off valve is determined to be abnormal by the determining means on the condition that   The water softening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a predetermined safety operation is performed when it is determined that the flow path opening / closing means is abnormal. It is possible to carry out a regenerating liquid preparation operation in which water supplied from an external water supply source is supplied to a regenerating liquid supply device to prepare a regenerating liquid,
5. The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein when the flow path opening / closing means is determined to be abnormal, the regenerating liquid preparation operation is prohibited. The regenerative liquid supply device has a regenerative liquid storage container,
The regeneration liquid storage container is provided with a container main body capable of preparing a regeneration liquid to be supplied to the ion exchange resin, and a receiving part communicating with the container main body, and the regenerating liquid distribution system is connected to the receiving part. Has been
The liquid level detection means is capable of detecting the liquid level in the receiving part,
6. The cross-sectional area of a plane parallel to the liquid level or the water surface of the regenerating liquid in the receiving part is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the container main body corresponding to a plane parallel to the liquid level or the water surface of the regenerating liquid. The water softening device according to any one of the above. The water softening device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a hot water supply device,
A hot water supply system capable of supplying hot water softened by the water softening device to the hot water supply device.

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