JP5169177B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier that removes residual chlorine, odor, turbidity, and the like contained in raw water such as tap water. More specifically, an ion exchanger capable of adsorbing heavy metals in tap water, and a water purifier cartridge containing an antibacterial adsorbent carrying an antibacterial agent having antibacterial performance in order to prevent bacterial contamination in the purified water flow path and the cartridge It is related with the water purifier using.

  In recent years, interest in the safety of tap water has rapidly increased, and the demand for water purifiers has also been advanced. In addition to removing foreign matter such as residual chlorine odors and turbid components derived from water pipes, attention is also focused on the ability to remove heavy metals such as lead dissolved in tap water and trace amounts of organic substances.

  As a cartridge for a water purifier capable of adsorbing and removing such various kinds of substances, an aluminosilicate is used as a lead adsorbent, and the cartridge is filled with a laminated adsorbent in which this aluminosilicate and activated carbon are stacked (for example, a patent) Reference 1), and in particular, as a filter for a water purifier, an adsorbent in which child particles (such as aluminosilicate) having adsorption performance are immobilized on the surface of mother particles made of a thermoplastic resin (for example, Patent Document 2) Reference).

  On the other hand, in the water purifier, since residual chlorine responsible for the sterilizing action in tap water is removed, there is a problem that microorganisms such as bacteria are likely to propagate in the portion where the purified water stays, which makes it unsanitary. Thus, attempts have been made to suppress the growth of bacteria by using silver-impregnated activated carbon for the filter medium of the water purifier and using purified water containing silver exhibiting antibacterial properties.

  In order to be able to adsorb and remove many types of substances and prevent microbial growth in the water-purifying portion, an antibacterial ion elution member is housed in the water purifier cartridge along with the adsorbent. In order to maintain it, it was necessary to devise the arrangement in the cartridge. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses an antibacterial ion adsorption that is two or more types of antibacterial adsorbents on the downstream side of an adsorbent layer formed of a molded body including activated carbon that is a non-antibacterial adsorbent and a heavy metal adsorbent (such as zeolite). There are two types of water purifier cartridges with antibacterial ion eluting members made of members, and antibacterial ions are adsorbed to non-antibacterial adsorbents by disposing the antibacterial adsorbent downstream, and the amount of elution does not decrease. It has been proposed to use the above antibacterial adsorbent to control the amount of elution of antibacterial ions and to maintain the antibacterial ions for a long time. Further, in Patent Document 4, in order of the water flow direction, by arranging a lead adsorbent-added activated carbon layer having the same action as the ion exchanger, a mixed activated carbon layer containing an antibacterial adsorbent, and a non-antibacterial adsorbent layer, It has been proposed that the antibacterial ions eluted from the antibacterial agent are adsorbed with a non-antibacterial adsorbent so that the amount of the antibacterial ions eluted does not become too high and the antibacterial ions are eluted in a stable amount for a long time.

However, in these conventional techniques, in order to maintain removal performance and antibacterial properties, it is necessary to divide a plurality of filter media into a plurality of layers and arrange and fill the cartridge in a predetermined arrangement. Complicated and inconvenient in manufacturing cost.
JP 2003-200153 A JP 2005-125199 A JP 2006-231147 A JP 2006-231148 A

  In view of the problems of the prior art as described above, the object of the present invention is to maintain adsorption removal performance of heavy metals and the like for a long period of time and to maintain antibacterial performance, and to adsorb in the cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier cartridge capable of simplifying agent filling operation and cartridge assembly operation.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a cartridge for a water purifier in which at least a filter medium and a hollow fiber membrane are used as a filtration membrane, and a filtration membrane module disposed on the downstream side of the filter medium is housed therein, The adsorbent capable of adsorbing organic substances in the raw water and the ion exchanger capable of adsorbing heavy metals in the raw water, and the adsorbent contains silver alone and / or a silver compound as an antibacterial agent having antibacterial performance. The antibacterial adsorbent supported at a ratio of 0.1 to 5% by weight and a non-antibacterial adsorbent not supporting the antibacterial agent, and the ion exchanger contains titanosilicate or aluminosilicate, It is a granulated granulated ion exchanger with a binder, the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent and the ion exchanger are mixed and stored, and the antibacterial adsorbent, The mixing ratio of the antibacterial adsorbent and the ion exchanger is 20 to 35% by weight / 60 to 75% by weight / 2 to 6% by weight, and is further fixed downstream by the potting agent in the filtration membrane module. An antibacterial portion filled with an antibacterial ion elution member is disposed opposite the open end surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and purified water flowing out from the end surface of the hollow fiber membrane of the filtration membrane module is passed through the antibacterial ion elution member. It is characterized by using the cartridge for water purifiers in which the passage water passage for letting it pass through is arranged .

  The water purifier cartridge of the present invention contains, as a filter medium, an adsorbent that can adsorb organic substances and an ion exchanger that can adsorb heavy metals, and an antibacterial adsorbent and a non-antibacterial adsorbent are used as the adsorbent. As a result, heavy metals can be adsorbed together with organic substances in raw water such as tap water, and delicious water can be produced in which bacterial growth is prevented. In addition, since the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the ion exchanger are stored in a mixed state, the filter medium can be filled at a time, and the efficiency of the filter medium filling operation can be improved. The efficiency of the assembly process can be increased.

  Furthermore, since the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the ion exchanger are mixed at a ratio of 20 to 35/60 to 75/2 to 6% by weight, they are stored in a mixed state. However, the desired adsorption removal function and antibacterial function can be sufficiently exhibited. Further, since the ion exchanger only needs to be mixed in a relatively small proportion, the size of the entire cartridge can be made compact.

  When the ion exchanger contains titanosilicate or aluminosilicate, the adsorption performance of heavy metals such as lead is excellent, and in particular, the ion exchanger has a granular shape obtained by granulating a powdered ion exchanger with a binder. Thus, the strength of the ion exchanger and the handleability during production are excellent. In addition, the antibacterial adsorbent exhibits antibacterial performance when the antibacterial agent is supported at a ratio of 0.1 to 5% by weight and can elute antibacterial ions in a safe concentration range as drinking water. Further, when the antibacterial agent carried on the antibacterial adsorbent is a single silver and / or a silver compound, the antibacterial performance is excellent even at a low concentration. And the water purifier provided with these water purifier cartridges can produce delicious water with reduced organic matter and heavy metals in the raw water, and also suppressed bacterial growth.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be anything that can achieve the object of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a water purifier in which a water purifier cartridge of the present invention can be disposed. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water purifier main body as viewed from diagonally forward in order to explain the structure of the water purifier shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing one embodiment of the cartridge disposed in the water purifier shown in FIG. 1, and this cartridge corresponds to the water purifier cartridge according to the present invention.

  1 and 2, the water purifier 10 includes a switching operation unit 100 attached to a water tap 20, a main body unit 300, and a connection hose 200 that connects the switching operation unit 100 and the main body unit 300. Yes.

  Here, the water purifier 10 includes a cartridge mounting base 500 on which a cartridge 600 containing a filter medium is mounted, and a gantry 400 on which the cartridge mounting base 500 is loaded, and a display unit provided on the cartridge mounting base 500. 530 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the gantry 400.

  In FIG. 1, the cartridge 600 is covered with a cartridge cover 700. Reference numeral 810 denotes a water discharge pipe, and reference numeral 800 denotes a water discharge unit that discharges the purified water. Reference numeral 510 denotes a raw water inlet, and 511 denotes a connection nut.

  In the switching operation unit 100, the faucet 20 and the switching operation unit 100 are fixed using a mounting nut and a faucet fixing ring of the faucet connection unit. And it can switch to each of raw | natural water straight, raw | natural water shower, and purified water by switching operation of the switching lever 120 provided in the main body right side surface of the switching operation part 100. FIG.

  Here, on the cartridge mounting base 500, the display unit 530 is rotatable with respect to the gantry 400, that is, the display unit 530 is rotated with respect to the gantry 400 to change the relative position. It is attached so that it can.

  The cover fixing portion 560 fixes the cartridge cover 700 and allows the cartridge 600 to be attached. A support frame for fixing and supporting the display unit 530, the battery case, and the like is attached below the cover fixing portion 560, and a claw is provided on the outer periphery of the support frame. The support frame is inserted and fixed from below the gantry 400 so that the claw is locked to the opening of the gantry 400 so that the water purification channel 430 communicating with the purified water inlet 522 can rotate about the central axis. It has become. At this time, if the cartridge mounting base 500 is fixed to the cover fixing portion 560 or the support frame, the cartridge mounting base 500 is rotated. If the cartridge mounting base 500 is fixed to the gantry 400, the cover is fixed. Only the fixed portion 560 and the support frame can be rotated. In the latter case, the cartridge mounting base 500 is preferably provided with a slit (notch) or the like within a range in which the display unit 530 or the raw water inlet 510 can rotate.

  As a means for determining the rotation angle of the support frame, a notch is provided in a part of the support frame, and a rotation range is defined by contacting a protrusion (not shown) provided on the gantry 400. In addition, a method of restricting the rotation range by providing a protrusion on a part of the claw and bringing it into contact with a screwing portion or the like of the gantry 400 is preferable.

  The main body 300 of the water purifier 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used in the vicinity of the sink periphery near the sink faucet. If the angle at which the display unit 530 can be rotated is regulated to be approximately bilaterally symmetric with respect to the axis from the center of the cartridge mounting base 400 toward the water discharger 800, the display unit 530 is visually recognized regardless of whether it is installed on the left or right side of the sink. It is possible to rotate substantially the same angle within an easy range.

  When the water discharger 800 is provided on the gantry 400, the water discharger 800 can discharge purified water to a place closer to the sink. In this water purifier, since the water discharger 800 is provided at the distal end of the gantry 400, the display unit 530 does not feel the inconvenience that the water does not reach the sink, and the water discharge pipe 810 is operated. In addition, since the purified water is hardly scattered, it is possible to prevent the leakage of electricity due to contact with water. The water discharge pipe 810 can be used by the user such as a water discharge pipe 810 having a fixed orientation at the tip of the water discharge pipe 810 or a bellows type water discharge pipe whose direction and length can be freely adjusted so that purified water can be discharged obliquely downward. It can be appropriately selected depending on the case.

  The cartridge mounting base 500 is provided with a raw water inlet 510, a cartridge connection portion 520, a display unit 530 for displaying the cartridge life, a battery case, and operation switches for setting and resetting various displays. A check valve 512 is provided inside the raw water inlet 510 and is connected to the raw water flow path 420 of the gantry 400 on the downstream side of the check valve 512.

  The water discharger 800 includes a water discharge pipe 810 and a water discharge pipe connection part 820. Inside the water discharge pipe connection part 820, a purified water flow path connected to the purified water flow path 430 of the gantry 400 and having a flow meter 830 in the pipeline is provided. 821 is a water discharge pipe base, 822 is a water discharge pipe fixing ring, and 823 is a cap. In this water purifier, for example, the remaining total flow rate that can be used is calculated by measuring the flow rate (cumulative flow rate and / or instantaneous flow rate) and displayed as the water purifier life.

  Next, the internal structure of the cartridge 600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of the cartridge cartridge 600 disposed in the water purifier shown in FIG.

  A filtration membrane module 620 is provided in the center of the inside of the cartridge main body case 660, and a space between the inner wall surface of the main body case 660 and the filtration membrane module 620 is filled with the filter medium 610. The filter medium 610 is prevented from leaking outside by the primary filter 630 and the secondary filter 640. The raw water inlet 670 and the purified water discharge port 680 are both provided at the bottom of the main body case 660 so that they can be connected to the raw water outlet 521 and the purified water inlet 522 of the cartridge connection part 520 provided in the cartridge mounting base 500, respectively. It has become. Reference numeral 650 denotes a cap.

  Next, the flow of water will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When raw water such as tap water supplied from the faucet 20 flows into the switching operation unit 100 and then selects “purified water” with the switching lever 120, the raw water passes through the connection hose 200 from the switching operation unit 100 to the main body. It flows into the inside of the main body 300 from the raw water inlet 510 provided in 300. The check valve 512 inside the raw water inlet 510 is sufficiently opened by tap water pressure. The raw water passes through the raw water flow path 420 of the gantry 400 and travels toward the raw water outlet 521 of the cartridge connection 520.

  The raw water flowing in from the raw water receiving port 670 of the cartridge 600 comes into contact with the filter medium 610 to decompose residual chlorine in tap water, adsorb organic substances, or adsorb heavy metal ions, and then filter bacteria in the filtration membrane module 620. And impurities such as dust are removed.

  The raw water processed by the cartridge 600 becomes purified water and is discharged from the purified water discharge port 680. The purified water passes through the purified water flow path 430 in the gantry 400, passes through the flow meter 830 provided in the water discharger 800, and is discharged from the water discharge pipe 810.

  Here, the filter medium 610 includes an ion exchanger capable of adsorbing heavy metal ions, an adsorbent capable of adsorbing organic matter, and the like. The adsorbent includes an antibacterial adsorbent carrying an antibacterial agent having antibacterial performance; It is comprised from the non-antibacterial adsorbent which does not carry | support an agent, and the said antibacterial adsorbent, the said non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the said ion exchanger are accommodated in the mixed state.

  In the filtration membrane module 620, 621 is a potting agent, 622 is a filtration membrane, and 623 is a filtration membrane case. The filtration membrane module 620 is, for example, a bundle of filtration membranes 622 that are a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, bent into a straight shape or a U shape, and fixed in a filtration membrane case 623 with a potting agent (sealing agent) 621. It is.

  The filter medium 610 in the cartridge of the present invention is stored in a state in which an antibacterial adsorbent, a non-antibacterial adsorbent, and an ion exchanger are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio. Thus, when the cartridge is assembled, it is sufficient to fill and store the mixed filter medium 610 at a time, without requiring a plurality of filling operations as in the case of the prior art in which a plurality of filter media are stacked, and simple. The cartridge can be assembled and produced efficiently in the manufacturing process.

  As a manufacturing process of this filter medium, it is only necessary that the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the ion exchanger are mixed and filled after measurement. Weigh antibacterial adsorbent, non-antibacterial adsorbent and ion exchanger for a certain number of cartridges, fill a large container, stir, and then fill one cartridge at a time, according to the delivery unit of adsorbent and ion exchanger, It is possible to manage production at a certain ratio. Alternatively, if the antibacterial adsorbent, non-antibacterial adsorbent, and ion exchanger for one cartridge are weighed, filled into a small container, stirred, and then filled into the cartridge, the adsorbent per cartridge varies depending on the mixing state. The ratio of the ion exchanger varies and the possibility that the elution concentration of the antibacterial agent varies is reduced. Any method may be selected according to the production amount and efficiency, but if the specific gravity of the adsorbent and the ion exchanger is different, the mixing state may vary in the filling step, so mixing in as little as possible, It is better to stir and fill.

  The mixing method of the filter medium may be any known method such as physical agitation with blades or screws, vibration for each container, rotation, etc., but a method in which the surface is crushed due to contact between the filter media and the particle size range is not easily changed. Should be selected. Of course, this mixing may be performed manually, but by automating the measurement, mixing, and filling of the filter medium, the mixing state can be made uniform and the elution concentration of the antibacterial agent can be made constant, and production can be performed. Cost can also be reduced.

  As an adsorbent capable of adsorbing organic substances, activated carbon capable of decomposing residual chlorine in addition to adsorbing organic substances is generally preferably used. Here, organic substances refer to harmful or unpleasant organic substances contained in tap water such as trihalomethane and musty odors, heavy metals refer to heavy metals such as lead eluted from the water supply plumbing, and residual chlorine refers to water used for sterilization. Free residual chlorine and combined residual chlorine contained in water.

The mixing ratio of the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the ion exchanger 611 in the filter medium housed in the water purifier cartridge is 20 to 35 wt% / 60 to 75 wt% / 2 to 6 wt%. By mixing at such a ratio, the adsorption removal performance of heavy metals and the like can be maintained for a long time and the antibacterial performance can be maintained. If the mixing ratio is satisfied, another adsorbent may be further mixed or laminated. For example, if the mixing ratio is satisfied with the total antibacterial adsorbent, the type and content of the antibacterial agent, A plurality of antibacterial adsorbents having different compositions may be mixed to form an antibacterial adsorbent. The same applies to non-antibacterial adsorbents and ion exchangers.

  Moreover, as an ion exchanger capable of adsorbing heavy metals, zeolites such as titanosilicate and aluminosilicate having high adsorption performance of lead contained in tap water, and inorganic metal salts such as calcium phosphate such as titanium oxide and hydroxyapatite are preferable. However, an ion exchange resin, a chelate resin, or the like can be selected as appropriate. Among these, titanosilicate and aluminosilicate have a large amount of lead adsorption per unit volume, and by including these, the amount of the filter medium of the cartridge can be reduced and the cartridge can be made compact.

  The antibacterial adsorbent, non-antibacterial adsorbent, and ion exchanger may have any shape such as granular, powder, or molded product such as granular material, but can maintain adsorption performance and pass water. A shape with less resistance may be selected. In the case of a granular form, it is preferable that the particle diameter falls within a range of about 0.1 to 0.85 mm. When the particle diameter is larger than 0.85 mm, the water flow resistance is small, but the surface area of the filter medium that affects the adsorption performance is small. On the other hand, if the particle diameter is too small, less than 0.1 mm, the water resistance may increase. That the particle diameter is in the above range means that usually 80% or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more of the entire filter medium falls within the above range.

  In particular, the ion exchanger is preferably in the form of granules obtained by granulating a powdered ion exchanger with a binder. In general, adsorbents such as synthetic zeolite are synthesized with microcrystals of several tens of μm or less, and when used as they are, the resistance to water flow increases. Can be used. As a granulation method, a method is known in which fine particles are bonded together using a binder to increase the particle size. As the binder, thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl acetate, bentonite, and silica are used. , Alumina, celluloses and the like are used.

  Among them, as disclosed in JP-A-2005-125199 and International Publication No. 2004-39494, an ion exchanger such as titanosilicate and aluminosilicate is granulated using a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene as a binder. According to the method, an ion exchanger excellent in strength and long-term adsorption performance can be obtained without increasing water flow resistance when packed as a filter medium.

  As an adsorbent, activated carbon is widely used especially for water treatment applications such as water purifiers, and is not only used for adsorbing organic substances such as trihalomethane and 2-MIB (methylisoborneol), which is a causative substance of mold odor, but also in tap water. It is preferably used in order to decompose and remove residual chlorine that causes the contained odor. The type of the activated carbon is not particularly limited, and any known raw materials such as natural activated carbon such as coconut shell and charcoal, minerals such as pitch and petroleum coke, synthetic materials such as phenol and acrylic resin, etc. may be used. good. Further, a production method such as an activation method may be selected as appropriate, but water vapor activated coconut shell activated carbon is preferably used because it has a high adsorption performance for trihalomethane and the like and is relatively inexpensive.

  The antibacterial adsorbent is obtained by attaching an antibacterial agent to the adsorbent described above. As antibacterial agents, there are various substances such as organic antibacterial agents and inorganic antibacterial agents, but from the standpoint of safety as drinking water, metals such as silver, copper, and zinc, which are inorganic antibacterial agents, have an antibacterial property. And / or a metal compound. The metal simple substance and / or metal compound exhibits an antibacterial effect, and a compound that elutes within an acceptable concentration range (for example, silver is 0.1 mg / L or less based on drinking water standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency EPA) is used as an adsorbent. A method of carrying (attaching) is preferable. The proportion of the antibacterial agent is 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.3 to 3% by weight with respect to the adsorbent. When the adhering amount is less than 0.1% by weight, the antibacterial agent hardly elutes, or the antibacterial agent may elute from the adsorbent while the total water flow rate is small. On the other hand, if the adhering amount exceeds 5%, an antibacterial agent exceeding the allowable concentration of drinking water may be continuously eluted, which is not preferable.

  Examples of the antibacterial metal include silver, copper, and zinc. These metals can have antibacterial properties even when they are dissolved or in a mixed ionic state.

  By supporting silver alone and / or a silver compound on an adsorbent as an antibacterial agent, it can have antibacterial properties even at a relatively low concentration, and is most preferably used. Examples of the form of the metal compound include halides, sulfates, nitrates, phosphates, lead sulfides and oxide salts. The silver ion elution amount as a whole cartridge is most preferably in the range of 0.005 to 0.1 mg / L, and more preferably in the range of 0.005 to 0.08 mg / L. By controlling the silver ion concentration to 0.005 mg / L or more, the number of general bacteria can be effectively reduced.

  By purifying the raw water through the water purifier using the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is possible to produce tasty purified water that reduces organic matter and heavy metals in the raw water and suppresses bacterial growth.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the cartridge for water purifier of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the cartridge is installed in the kitchen, and FIG. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view which shows the antibacterial part of a cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the water purifier cartridge 600 of the present invention has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and is antibacterial disposed on the cartridge body case 660, the filter medium 610, the filtration membrane module 620, and the downstream side thereof. The antibacterial part 900 is filled with a material containing metal ions. As shown in FIG. 5 (installation perspective view), this water purifier cartridge is usually installed with a connection hose 201 on the raw water side and a connection hose 202 on the purified water side connected to the raw water receiving port 670 and the purified water discharge port 680, respectively. A water discharge pipe 810 for discharging the purified water is connected to the tip of the connection hose on the purified water side, and the purified water discharge is opened and closed by opening and closing the water purifier valve 130.

  Here, the cartridge 600 is provided with a raw water receiving port 670 to which the raw water side connection hose 201 is connected, and a purified water discharge port 680 to which the purified water side connection hose 202 is connected. It should be noted that a check valve 693 is preferably installed at the raw water receiving port 670 in order to prevent a back flow of the packing material 610.

  The configuration of the cartridge 600 will be described. The cartridge 600 includes a main body case 660 having a raw water receiving port 670 and a purified water discharge port 680 on the upper side, and a cap 650 fitted under the main body case via a seal member such as an O-ring 691. The The lower part of the cap 650 is structured such that the cartridge can be placed on a flat surface.

  In this cartridge, the filter medium 610 is located on the primary side (the most upstream side) in the cartridge, and carries an ion exchanger that adsorbs heavy metal ions and an adsorbent that adsorbs organic matter and has antibacterial performance. The antibacterial adsorbent and a non-antibacterial adsorbent that does not carry the antibacterial agent are contained and stored in a mixed state at a predetermined ratio. The composition of the filter medium 610 is the same as in the case of FIG. 3 described above.

  Filters (primary filter 630 and secondary filter 640) are respectively arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the portion filled with the filter medium 610 so that water can pass through the inside filled with the filter medium 610.

  The filtration membrane module 620 disposed on the downstream side of the filter medium 610 mainly includes a filtration membrane 622 made of a hollow fiber membrane bundle, a potting agent 621 for fixing an end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle. The filter membrane case 623 and the like for securing a water passage portion around the rim. Inside the filtration membrane case 623 is stored a filtration membrane 622 (schematically shown in FIG. 4) in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are bundled and bent into a U shape, and both ends of the filtration membrane 622 are At the upper part of the filtration membrane case 623, it is sealed and fixed (potted) with a curable resin (sealing agent) filled between the filtration membranes and between the filtration membrane and the filtration membrane case 623 (potting agent 621). ). The filtration membrane case 623 of the filtration membrane module 620 is fitted and erected in the main body case 660 via a seal member such as an O-ring 692.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the antibacterial part 900 disposed on the downstream side of the filtration membrane module 620 is provided with a passage water channel 901 at the center of a substantially annular cylindrical (outside is substantially cylindrical) antibacterial unit 903. It has been. As shown in FIG. 4, the antibacterial part 900 is disposed at a position close to the downstream side of the filtration membrane module 620, that is, located just above the portion where the end surface of the hollow fiber membrane is open, and is attached to the main body case 660. It is attached detachably. An antibacterial ion eluting member 902 in which a silver and / or copper compound eluting an antibacterial metal ion such as silver or copper is attached to a base material is filled in the substantially annular cylindrical antibacterial unit 903, and the upstream side thereof The partition wall (lower side in FIG. 4) near the opening portion of the hollow fiber membrane end face is composed of a filter material (antibacterial unit filter 904) that does not allow the material containing antibacterial metal ions to pass therethrough and allows water to pass. Although it is not essential to install this antibacterial part 900, since a curable resin that easily propagates bacteria is generally used as a potting agent for the end surface (cut surface) of the hollow fiber membrane, this part (potting agent 621) Bacteria grow easily in the vicinity. Therefore, by providing the antibacterial part 900 at a position close to (on the downstream side) directly above the end surface of the hollow fiber membrane, the possibility of bacterial growth can be further reduced, and more sanitary purified water can be obtained. .

  The antibacterial metal ion eluting member 902 is obtained by attaching an antibacterial metal simple substance and / or metal compound such as silver, copper, and zinc to a base material, and can be used as it is or as a molded body using a binder. You may do it.

  When the water purifier valve 130 is opened, raw water (tap water) flows through the connection hose 201 on the raw water side and flows into the cartridge 600 from the raw water receiving port 670 via the check valve 693. The raw water first flows in the axial direction of the cartridge 600 (downward in the figure), then flows through the primary filter 630, the filter medium 610, and the secondary filter 640 in order, and then flows inward to the filtration membrane module 620. Water (purified water) purified by passing through the hollow fiber membrane in the filtration membrane module 620 passes through the water purification passage above the potting agent 621 from the upper end of the hollow fiber membrane, and then passes through the central water passage of the antibacterial unit 900. Then, it flows to the purified water discharge port 680. The flow of water is illustrated with white arrows.

  While passing through the cartridge, disinfecting residual chlorine and organic matter contained in the raw water are removed by the filter medium 610. Next, iron rust, bacteria, and the like are removed by the filtration membrane module 620. Thereafter, it flows through the central water passage 901 of the antibacterial part 900 (in this case, the water is not substantially passed between the antibacterial ion elution members 902) as purified water from the purified water discharge port 680 through the purified water side connection hose 202, It is discharged from the water discharge pipe 680.

  The primary filter 630, the secondary filter 640, and the antibacterial unit filter 904 have a function of fixing the filter medium 610 and the antibacterial ion elution member 902 so as not to leak to the outside and allowing water to pass therethrough.

The present invention can be modified as follows.
(1) In the water purifier of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the structure having a structure in which only purified water is discharged from the water discharge pipe 810 is described. However, raw water such as tap water and purified water are selected from a single outlet and passed through. It is good also as a thing of the structure which connects with the structure of watering, or a hot water heater etc., and selects not only raw water and purified water but hot water.
(2) In the embodiment cartridge shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge 600 is installed vertically, but it may be installed by a method such as installing it horizontally on the wall. Further, when the filled filter medium 610 reaches the end of its life, a partial cartridge type that can replace only the part that has reached the end of its life may be used.
(3) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a type (so-called type II water purifier) in which the flow path is switched and blocked by the water purifier valve 130 and the tap water pressure is not constantly applied to the cartridge 600 has been described. It may be an I-shaped water purifier to be added. In any case, it is preferable to appropriately install a check valve or the like in the flow path so that the purified water does not flow backward.
(4) Although not specifically described in the illustrated embodiment, the flow state of the flow path on the water purification side is detected, the flow amount and the flow time are accumulated and stored, and the use start time of the cartridge is stored. The cartridge life may be displayed or warned based on the data. By having such a function, more reliable purified water can be used.

The invention is explained in more detail using the following examples. In the examples and comparative examples, each measurement result was performed according to the following method.
[Silver ion concentration (mg / L)]
The silver ion concentration in clean water at the time of passing water or stagnant was measured by the following method.

  A water purifier cartridge filled with a predetermined material such as antibacterial particles containing antibacterial metal ions is passed through water at a predetermined temperature at which free chlorine is decomposed at a flow rate of 4 L / min for a predetermined time (or a predetermined flow rate). Water and sample the water in water. 50 mL of sample water at the time of water flow was collected, 1% of the volume of nitric acid was added to completely ionize silver, and then the silver ion concentration in water was measured with an ICP (inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer).

[Example 1]
The water purifier cartridge having the structure shown in FIG. 3 was used, and tap water was used as raw water. Add coconut shell granular activated carbon (commercially available) with a particle size of 0.25 to 0.1 mm as non-antibacterial adsorbent in the filter medium packed in the cartridge, and 1% by weight silver as antibacterial adsorbent on the same activated carbon as non-antibacterial adsorbent Activated charcoal was used. Further, as the ion exchanger, a titanosilicate lead adsorbent ATS manufactured by Engelhard Inc. was granulated with polyethylene to have a particle size of 0.25 to 0.1 mm. The total amount of filter media was 270 g. For the filter medium, antibacterial adsorbent, non-antibacterial adsorbent, and ion exchanger are weighed one cartridge at a weight ratio shown in Table 1, filled into small containers (polyethylene wide-mouth bottles), and each of them in the vertical and horizontal directions. What was stirred and mixed manually for 30 seconds was used.

  Tap water at 40 ° C. was continuously passed through the cartridge at a flow rate of 3 L / min, and the silver ion concentration of the sample water during passage after 6 L of water was measured. In addition, 20 ° C. tap water was continuously passed through another cartridge prepared by the same method, and the silver ion concentration of the sample water at the time of 8000 L water passage was measured. The results are shown in Table 2. The silver ion concentration is in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L both when warm water is flowing at 40 ° C and when 8000L is flowing at 20 ° C. Could be eluted.

[Example 2]
Except that a filter medium mixed at a weight ratio shown in Table 1 was used as the filter medium, water was passed under the same conditions as in Example 1 to analyze the silver ion concentration. The analysis results are shown in Table 2. Also in this case, the silver ion concentration is in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, and the silver ion is continued even when 6 L of warm water at 40 ° C is passed or when 8000 L is passed through at 20 ° C. Elution was possible in a stable amount.

[Comparative Example 1]
Except that a filter medium mixed at a weight ratio shown in Table 1 was used as the filter medium, water was passed under the same conditions as in Example 1 to analyze the silver ion concentration. The analysis results are shown in Table 2. When water of 8000 L at 20 ° C. was passed, the silver ion concentration was 0.01 mg / L or less, which was lower than the silver concentration showing antibacterial performance.

[Comparative Example 2]
The filter medium having the weight ratio shown in Table 1 was used. However, 79.6 g of a mixture of antibacterial adsorbent and ion exchanger (mixing ratio 95 wt% / 5 wt%) is placed on the downstream side of the cartridge, and a mixture of non-antibacterial adsorbent and ion exchanger (mixing ratio 95 wt. % / 5% by weight) 190.4 g was laminated and placed upstream of the cartridge. Except this, water was passed under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the silver ion concentration was analyzed. The analysis results are shown in Table 2. When passing 6 L of warm water at 40 ° C., the silver ion concentration was 0.1 mg / L or more, which exceeded the drinking water standard of US EPA.

[Comparative Example 3]
Except that a filter medium mixed at a weight ratio shown in Table 1 was used as the filter medium, water was passed under the same conditions as in Example 1 to analyze the silver ion concentration. The analysis results are shown in Table 2. When passing 6 L of warm water at 40 ° C., the silver ion concentration was 0.1 mg / L or more, which exceeded the drinking water standard of US EPA.

It is the schematic perspective view which showed typically one Example of the water purifier which can arrange | position the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. In order to demonstrate the structure of the water purifier shown in FIG. 1, it is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the water purifier main body from front diagonally upward. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one embodiment of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows other one Embodiment of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which illustrates the state which installed the cartridge for water purifiers shown in FIG. 4 in the kitchen. It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the antibacterial part of the cartridge for water purifiers shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Water purifier 20: Faucet 100: Switching operation part 120: Switching lever 130: Water purifier valve 200: Connection hose 201: Raw water side connection hose 202: Purified water side connection hose 300: Main part 400: Base part 420: Original Water flow path 430: Clean water flow path 500: Cartridge mounting base 510: Raw water inlet 511: Connection nut 512: Check valve 520: Cartridge connection 521: Raw water outlet 522: Purified water inlet 530: Display unit 560: Cover fixing part 600: Cartridge 610: Filter medium 620: Filtration membrane module 621: Potting agent 622: Filtration membrane 623: Filtration membrane case 630: Primary filter 640: Secondary filter 650: Cap 660: Cartridge main body case 661: Screw locking portion 670: Raw water receiving port 680: Purified water discharging port 691: O-ring 692 : O-ring 693: Check valve 700: Cartridge cover 800: Water discharge part 810: Water discharge pipe 820: Water discharge pipe connection part 821: Water discharge pipe base 822: Water discharge pipe fixing ring 823: Cap 830: Flow meter 900: Antibacterial part 901: Passage channel 902: antibacterial ion elution member 903: antibacterial unit 904: antibacterial unit filter 905: air vent

Claims (1)

A water purifier cartridge containing at least a filter medium and a hollow fiber membrane as a filtration membrane and housing a filtration membrane module disposed downstream of the filter medium, wherein the filter medium is an adsorbent capable of adsorbing organic matter in raw water And an ion exchanger capable of adsorbing heavy metals in raw water, and the adsorbent carries silver and / or a silver compound as an antibacterial agent having antibacterial performance in a proportion of 0.1 to 5% by weight. Antibacterial adsorbent and non-antibacterial adsorbent that does not carry the antibacterial agent, and the ion exchanger contains titanosilicate or aluminosilicate, and a powdered ion exchanger is granulated with a binder. The antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent and the ion exchanger are mixed and stored, and the antibacterial adsorbent, the non-antibacterial adsorbent, and the ion exchanger The mixing ratio is 20 to 35% by weight / 60 to 75% by weight / 2 to 6% by weight, and is further opposed to the end surface of the hollow fiber membrane that is fixed with a potting agent and opens downstream in the filtration membrane module. In addition, an antibacterial part filled with an antibacterial ion eluting member is disposed, and a water passage for allowing purified water flowing out from the end surface of the hollow fiber membrane of the filtration membrane module to pass through without passing through the antibacterial ion eluting member. comprising is disposed, water purifier, characterized by using a water purifier cartridge.

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