JP6679976B2 - Manufacturing method of water purification cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purification cartridge attached to a water purifier.

  In recent years, water purifiers for purifying tap water have been widely used at home. In these water purifiers, water purification cartridges containing various filter media for purifying tap water are used. As filter media, powdered (granular or powdery) activated carbon that removes free residual chlorine, chlorine odor, musty odor, trihalomethane, etc. in tap water, and a hollow fiber membrane that removes turbidity components, bacteria, etc. in tap water And are commonly used. Since the total amount of filtered water that can be processed by these filter media is limited, the user continues to use the water purifier while regularly replacing the water purification cartridge. Therefore, users demand a water purification cartridge that is as compact as possible and has a long life (that is, a high filtration capacity and a large total amount of filtered water that can be processed).

  As such a compact and high-performance water purification cartridge, Patent Document 1 discloses a hollow fiber membrane module in which a hollow fiber membrane is housed in a cylindrical case (hollow fiber membrane case), and an ion exchange capacity arranged on the outer periphery of the body portion. There is disclosed a water purification cartridge having therein a cylindrical fibrous activated carbon molded body carrying an adsorbent having the above. In the water purification cartridge, the raw water passes through the cylindrical fibrous activated carbon molded body from the outside to the inside in the radial direction, then rises in the axial direction, and the opening provided at the upper end of the cylindrical case of the hollow fiber membrane module. It is shown to flow through to the hollow fiber membrane.

JP 2001-232361 A

  However, the water purification cartridge of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the hollow fiber membrane is housed in the cylindrical case and the space of the cylindrical case is not utilized as a space for housing the filter medium. Further, in order to flow the raw water axially upward after passing through the cylindrical fibrous activated carbon molded body, there is provided a gap serving as a flow path between the cylindrical case and the fibrous activated carbon molded body. However, there is a problem that the space is not used as a storage space for the filter medium.

  Further, by using a fibrous activated carbon molded body and flowing raw water in the radial direction, the pressure loss in the fibrous activated carbon molded body is reduced and a predetermined filtration flow rate is secured. However, the fibrous activated carbon molded body uses a binder that is a synthetic resin for molding, so that the ratio of the binder in the mass of the fibrous activated carbon molded body is considerably large, and a sufficiently high filtration capacity is obtained. There is a problem that you can not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water purification cartridge that expands the space for containing a filter medium, is compact, and has a high filtration capacity.

In order to solve the above problems, the water purifier of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
(1) A water purification cartridge having a hollow fiber membrane bundle and a powder filter medium inside a housing having a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, wherein the powder filter medium comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper wall and a lower wall. It is housed in the inner space of a cylindrical container formed by a wall, the cylindrical container has a fitting portion A, and one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is fixed to a sealing case with a sealant, A part of the portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle other than the one end portion forms a protrusion that protrudes from the sealing case, the sealing case has a fitting portion B, and the protrusion is of the inner wall. The water purification cartridge is housed inside, and the fitting portion A and the fitting portion B are fitted in a watertight manner, from the surface of the outer wall on the housing side to the surface of the inner wall on the hollow fiber membrane bundle side. It is a water purification cartridge that can pass water in the radial direction.
(2) The upper wall forms a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall to form a raw water passage communicating with the raw water inlet, and the upper wall closes the upper end of the raw water passage. It is preferably a water purification cartridge.
(3) It is preferable that the water purification cartridge has an elastic member disposed between the powder filter medium and the upper wall.

The present invention can exert the following excellent effects with the above configuration. That is,
With the configuration of the above (1), there is no conventional cylindrical hollow fiber membrane case, and the inner wall portion forming the hollow fiber membrane bundle accommodation space is also utilized for waste of the powder filter medium. In addition, since water can be passed in the radial direction of the water purification cartridge from the surface of the outer wall on the side of the housing to the surface of the inner wall on the side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, the flow of water in the axial direction between the powder filter medium and the hollow fiber membrane bundle can be reduced. Since there is no road, the space for containing the filter medium can be expanded. Furthermore, since a powder filter medium is used, high density packing is possible. Due to these effects, it is possible to provide a compact water purification cartridge having a high filtration capacity.

  Further, according to the above configuration (2), the raw water flowing into the gap does not pass through the powder filter medium portion, passes between the lower surface of the casing cap and the upper surface of the upper wall, and does not enter the inner cylinder.

  Further, according to the above configuration (3), since the elastic member is in close contact with the powder filter medium, no void is formed between the filled powder filter medium and the upper wall, and when the raw water is passed through the cartridge, It is possible to suppress a so-called shortcut that passes through the above-mentioned gap where the powder filter medium does not exist.

It is a front schematic diagram of the water purification cartridge which concerns on a conventional form. It is a schematic external view in which the water purification cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is connected with a flow-path switching device, and is used as a faucet direct connection type water purification device. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module in the water purification cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be modified within the range in which the above-mentioned object of the present invention can be achieved.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic external view in which the water purification cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as a faucet direct connection type water purifier by being connected to a flow path switching device.

  The faucet direct connection type water purifier 1 shown in FIG. 2 mainly includes a flow path switch 2 and a water purification cartridge 3. The flow path switching device 2 is attached to the faucet with a mounting nut 21, and is used with the water purification cartridge 3 attached to the side surface.

  The flow path switching device 2 has a function of switching between a flow path for discharging tap water (raw water) from the faucet as it is and a flow path for passing the purified water cartridge 3 and discharging the purified water.

  The water purification cartridge 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The water purification cartridge 3 has a cylindrical shape and is mainly composed of a casing 32 having an opening and a casing cap 33 for closing the opening of the casing 32, and a powder filter medium portion 34 housed in the casing. , A hollow fiber membrane module 31, a cartridge cap 35 that covers the casing cap 33, and the like. The powder filter medium portion 34 has a cylindrical container 60 formed by an inner wall 71, an outer wall 72, a filter medium cap 58 (upper wall) and a lower wall 73, and a powder filter medium 59 housed in an internal space 61 thereof. . The hollow fiber membrane module 31 has a hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, and one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is sealed and fixed in the sealing case 51 by a sealant, except for one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52. A part of the portion forms a protruding portion 103 protruding from the sealing case 51, and the protruding portion 103 is housed inside the inner wall 71. Further, the cylindrical container 60 of the powder filter medium portion 34 has a fitting portion A75, the sealing case 51 of the hollow fiber membrane module 31 has a fitting portion B54, and the fitting portion A75 and the above The fitting portion B54 is fitted in a watertight manner. When the cylindrical container 60 of the powder filter medium part 34 is attached to the housing, the fitting part A75 is fitted to the fitting part B54, and the space between the powder filter medium part 34 and the hollow fiber membrane module 31 is watertightly sealed. Therefore, the raw water is passed through the space between the sealing case 51 of the hollow fiber membrane module 31 and the powder filter medium portion 34 without passing through the powder filter medium 59 of the powder filter medium portion 34, and the raw water is the hollow fiber of the hollow fiber membrane module 31. It is possible to suppress the leak reaching the film bundle 52.

  As shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the tap water (raw water) sent to the water purification cartridge 3 through the flow path switching unit 2 is introduced into the gap 38 between the casing 32 and the powder filter medium portion 34. After that, the powder filter medium portion 34 in the water purification cartridge 3 passes from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction. At that time, the raw water passes through the powder filter medium 59 in the powder filter medium portion 34 from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction, and reaches the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 of the hollow fiber membrane module 31. That is, in the water purification cartridge of the present invention, raw water can pass in the radial direction of the water purification cartridge from the housing side surface of the outer wall to the hollow fiber membrane bundle side surface of the inner wall. Then, after that, the water passes through the hollow fiber membrane module 31. At that time, water passes through the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 in the hollow fiber membrane module 31 to obtain purified water.

  For comparison with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a water purification cartridge according to a prior art form different from Patent Document 1. The water purification cartridge of FIG. 1 has a hollow fiber membrane module in which a hollow fiber membrane is housed in a cylindrical case 101, and granular activated carbon filled in a cylindrical space between the outer circumference of the body and the inner circumferential surface of the casing. It is a thing. In this conventional water purification cartridge, raw water passes through a cylindrical granular activated carbon portion from bottom to top in the axial direction of the water purification cartridge, and then passes through an opening provided at the upper end of the cylindrical case 101 of the hollow fiber membrane module. And flow into the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.

  Here, in the water purification cartridge 3 of the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane module 31 has a cylindrical hollow fiber membrane case (cylindrical case 101) surrounding the entire hollow fiber membrane bundle as shown in Patent Document 1 and FIG. Most of the hollow fiber membrane bundle that does not exist and contributes to turbidity filtration protrudes from the sealing case 51 to form a protrusion 103. Accordingly, the space for the filter medium (powder filter medium or hollow fiber membrane bundle) can be expanded by the thickness of the conventional hollow fiber membrane case.

  On the other hand, the watertight sealing function between the raw water side and the hollow fiber membrane bundle accommodating portion, which is achieved by the conventional hollow fiber membrane case, has the fitting portion A75 of (the cylindrical container 60 of) the powder filter medium portion 34 and the hollow fiber membrane module 31 ( The sealing case 51) is fitted with the fitting portion B54.

  In addition, such a configuration in which the powder filter medium portion 34 and the hollow fiber membrane module 31 are assembled by fitting in this way has an advantage that the two filter medium portions can be formed as independent components. . Further, since it is possible to pass water in the radial direction of the water purification cartridge from the surface of the outer wall on the side of the housing to the surface of the inner wall on the side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, Patent Document 1 is provided between the powder filter medium 59 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52. The water passage in the axial direction, which the water purification cartridge of No. 1 does not exist, can expand the space for containing the filter medium.

  The casing cap 33 is provided so as to cover the upper opening of the casing 32, and ultrasonic welding is used to fix the casing cap 33 to the casing 32. The fixing method may be a screw structure or adhesion. In addition, it is preferable that the casing cap 33 is transparent because the state inside the water purification cartridge 3 can be confirmed. Although the casing cap 33 is inscribed and connected to the casing 32 in FIG. 3, the casing cap 33 may be circumscribed and connected to the casing 32. By doing so, the corner portion formed by the casing cap 33 and the casing 32 becomes a space that can be effectively utilized, and the casing cap 33 can be arranged immediately below the inner surface of the filter medium cap 58. As a result, the powder filter medium accommodation space is expanded, and more powder filter medium can be accommodated to further improve the filtering ability of the powder filter medium portion.

  The casing cap 33 can be said to have a shape in which a tubular portion hangs from the top surface and the outer peripheral portion of the top surface. However, as shown in another embodiment example of FIG. 5, the length of the tubular portion of the casing cap 33 is There may be an embodiment in which the length of the tubular portion of the casing 32 is shorter than the length of the tubular portion of the casing 32. In this case, the filter medium cap 58 described later is different from FIG. 3 in that the outer peripheral surface of the filter medium cap 58 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion of the casing cap 33 to close the upper end of the gap 38 (raw water flow path). ing.

  The casing 32 has a flow path switching unit connecting portion 55 for connecting water to the flow path switching unit 2 in a radial direction in a releasable and removable manner, and a powder filter medium portion 34 and a hollow fiber membrane on the bottom surface thereof. It is a substantially bottomed cylindrical molded article having a purified water outlet 37 for discharging purified water that has passed through the modules 31 in this order. A bayonet structure is used to connect the flow path switching unit 2 and the flow path switching unit connecting portion 55. Since the raw water inlet 36 and the purified water outlet 37 at the lower end are located on the same lower end side, when the water purifier is configured by connecting to the flow path switching device 2, it is easy to direct the raw water and the purified water discharge port in the same direction. It has a configuration suitable for a water purification cartridge of a faucet direct connection type water purifier that is required to be compact and easy to use because it can be placed in close proximity and compactly.

  Unlike the case shown in FIG. 3, the raw water inlet 36 may be provided at the lower end surface portion so as to open downward at a position eccentric to the purified water outlet 37. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the axial height of the flow path 17 existing in the water purification cartridge 3 of FIG. 3 immediately after passing through the raw water inlet, and to make the water purification cartridge 3 more compact.

  The powder filter medium portion 34 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The powder filter medium portion 34 has a cylindrical shape, and mainly includes a filter medium case 57 having a filter medium case opening 74, a cylindrical container 60 constituted by a filter medium cap 58 (upper wall) closing the filter medium case opening 74, and It is composed of a powder filter medium 59 housed in the cylindrical container 60. The cylindrical container 60 has a fitting portion A75 that fits with a fitting portion B54 of the sealing case 51 of the hollow fiber membrane module 31 described later. The fitting portion A can be provided on the inner wall 71 or the lower wall 73.

  The filter medium case 57 is a cylindrical container having a filter medium case opening 74 formed by an outer wall 72, an inner wall 71 and a lower wall 73, and is preferably formed integrally, but the outer wall 72, the inner wall 71 and the lower wall are preferable. Any one of 73 may be a separate member that is connected so as to be finally integrated. Further, the present invention may also include a configuration in which the lower portion of the outer wall and / or the inner wall extends with a bend to form a portion of the lower wall and to play its role, and there is no portion called an independent lower wall.

  The outer wall 72 of the filter medium case 57 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends open, has a plurality of lattice-shaped outer wall openings 83 on the wall surface, and an outer wall mesh 84 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall 72.

  The outer wall 72 of the filter media case 57 is preferably provided with a draft in the axial direction from the lower wall 73 in the axial direction. Similarly, the casing 32 is also provided with a draft in the axial direction from the casing bottom surface 39 to the upper surface direction, and a gap 38 through which raw water flows can be further secured between the outer wall 72 of the filter medium case 57 and the casing 32, which is preferable. Considering the molding accuracy of the resin, the draft is preferably 1.5 ° or less, and more preferably 1.0 °.

The outer wall mesh 84 attached to the outer periphery of the filter medium case 57 is preferably attached with an adhesive, heat-sealed to the filter medium case 57, or integrally formed at the time of molding. In the present invention, since the raw water flows from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction of the filter medium case 57, if the outer wall mesh 84 is attached to the outer periphery of the filter medium case 57, there is no risk of separation due to the flow of the raw water. Further, as will be described later, the inside of the filter medium case 57 is filled with the powder filter medium 59, which is a preferable aspect from the viewpoint that a large amount of powder filter medium can be filled by the thickness of the filter medium case 57. (Although not shown in FIG. 3, the outer wall opening 83 is also filled with the powder filter medium 59.)
The outer wall mesh 84 is preferably a water-permeable material and has openings that prevent the powder filter medium 59 from flowing out of the powder filter medium portion. It is preferable to use polyethylene terephthalate, or synthetic fibers such as PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene) in consideration of the adhesiveness to the filter medium case 57 molded with resin.

  Further, since the outer wall mesh 84 has a filter function of not leaking the facing powder filter medium 59 and allowing the water to be treated to pass through, the opening of the outer wall mesh 84 is larger than the particle size of the powder filter medium 59. It is smaller. Moreover, in order to reduce the pressure loss during water flow, it is preferable that the opening ratio of the outer wall mesh 84 is as large as the strength allows. Similarly, the opening ratio of the lattice-shaped outer wall openings 83 is preferably as large as the strength allows.

A gap forming member 85 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower wall 73 of the filter medium case 57 to secure a gap 38 between the casing 32 and the raw water. As the gap forming member 85, a plurality of protrusions which are integrally formed with the lower wall 73 of the filter medium case 57 and which are discrete in the circumferential direction, or a plurality of protrusions provided on the ring-shaped outer periphery of a resin or the like are provided to form the gap 38. It can be easily formed. The gap 38 is preferably 0.5 mm or more considering the molding accuracy of the resin, although it depends on the set flow rate of the water purifier in which the water purification cartridge is mounted. If the gap is increased, the raw water will flow more easily, but on the other hand, the storage space for the filter medium will be reduced, so it is preferably 3 mm or less, and more preferably 2 mm or less.
The inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends opened, and a plurality of lattice-shaped inner wall openings 81 are provided on the wall surface, and an inner wall mesh 82 is attached to the inner peripheral surface thereof. Further, the other end of the inner wall 71 is provided with an enlarged fitting portion A75.

  The inner wall mesh 82 is a mesh made of a synthetic fiber such as polyethylene terephthalate or PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene), and has openings at substantially equal intervals. Although the mesh size can be appropriately selected, if the mesh size smaller than the particle size of the particles used for the powder filter medium described later is selected, the powder filter medium 59 will not pass through the inner wall mesh 82, and thus the powder filter medium that has flowed out. However, it is preferable because the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is not damaged.

  As a method of attaching the inner wall mesh 82 to the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57, a method of integrally forming with the mesh when forming the inner wall 71 is preferable because it is firmly attached.

  Further, since the inner wall mesh 82 has a filter function of not leaking the powder filter medium 59 facing it and allowing water to be treated to pass through, the opening of the inner wall mesh 82 is larger than the particle size of the powder filter medium 59. It is smaller. Further, in order to reduce the pressure loss during water flow, it is preferable that the opening ratio of the inner wall mesh 82 is as large as the strength allows. Similarly, the opening ratio of the lattice-shaped inner wall openings 81 is preferably as large as the strength allows.

  By attaching the inner wall mesh 82 to the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57, it is possible to smoothly insert the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, which will be described later, without rubbing through a plurality of openings. . Further, since the powder filter medium 59 is filled in the internal space 61 surrounded by the inner wall 71, the outer wall 72 and the lower wall 73 of the filter medium case 57, the filling amount can be increased by the thickness of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57. . (Although not shown in FIG. 3, the inner wall opening 81 is also filled with the powder filter medium 59.) That is, in the conventional water purification cartridge having the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane case, the hollow fiber membrane is used. The space (thickness) of the case was not utilized as a space for containing the filter medium, but in the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane case does not exist and the thickness portion of the inner wall 71 forming the hollow fiber membrane bundle storage space Is also effectively used as a storage space for filter media.

  What is attached to the outer wall 72 and the inner wall 71 and covers each of the plurality of lattice-shaped openings is not the above-mentioned mesh (the outer wall mesh 84 and the inner wall mesh 82), but the powder filter medium 59 does not leak and is processed. Non-woven fabric of the same material may be used as long as it has a filter function of allowing water to pass therethrough.

  The filter medium cap 58 prevents the powder filter medium 59 filled in the inner space 71 surrounded by the inner wall 71, the outer wall 72 and the lower wall 73 of the filter medium case 57 from leaking to the outside, or water flowing into the inner wall of the filter medium case 57. It is to be installed to prevent mixing with raw water.

  Of course, since the outer wall 72 is inside the casing 32 and is located radially outside of the inner wall 71, the relationship of the diameter of the casing 32> the diameter of the outer wall 72> the diameter of the inner wall 71 is satisfied.

  The shape of the filter medium cap 58 is an annular member whose upper and lower surfaces are substantially plate-like, and the inner peripheral surface of the opening provided in the center is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57, and the inner wall fitting thereof. The attachment portion 65 is in a sealed state with respect to water and the powder filter medium 59. Further, a step portion is formed on the radially outer portion of the lower surface of the filter medium cap 58, and the step portion is fitted to the upper end portion of the outer wall 72, and the outer wall fitting portion 66 is in a sealed state with respect to water and the powder filter medium 59. Has become. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the filter medium cap 58 is larger than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall 72, and is set so as to fit on the inner peripheral surface of the casing 32. Therefore, the filter medium cap 58 includes the inner peripheral surface of the casing 32 and the outer wall. A cylindrical gap 38 forming a raw water flow path communicating with the raw water inlet 36 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 72 and the outer peripheral surface 72, and the upper end of the raw water flow path is closed. As described above, the upper end portion of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57 to which the filter medium cap 58 is fitted, the upper end portion of the outer wall 72 of the filter medium case 57, and the fitting portions of the inner peripheral surface of the casing 32 serve as O sealing members. Although it is possible to ensure the sealing by interposing a ring, it is simpler and preferable to realize the sealing by fixing only by fitting.

  Further, in the manufacturing process, the filter medium cap 58 closes the upper end opening of the inner wall 71 in order to reduce the possibility of dust entering the hollow fiber membrane module 31 and damaging the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52. May be. In this case, the filter medium cap 58 may not be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

  Further, as shown in another embodiment of FIG. 6, an embodiment in which the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the outer wall 72 projects radially outward and is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the casing, and the fitted portion is in a watertight state. Is also preferable. In this case, the filter medium cap 58 may not be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

  Next, the powder filter medium 59 housed in the powder filter medium portion 34 will be described.

  The powder filter medium 59 is filled and housed in a substantially cylindrical internal space 61 formed by the filter medium case 57 and the filter medium cap 58 described above. In the manufacturing process of the water purification cartridge, the filling of the powder filter medium 59 into the internal space 61 of the filter medium case 57 and the mounting of the filter medium cap 58 are performed inside the casing 32 and outside the casing 32. Can be. In the former case, there is an advantage that the work of filling the powder filter medium 59, mounting the filter medium cap 58, and mounting the casing cap 33 can be performed continuously. The latter is the first manufacturing process that is possible with the configuration of the present invention, and is a characteristic that cannot be implemented in the conventional manufacturing process of the water purification cartridge as shown in FIG. That is, the cylindrical container 60 of the powder filter medium portion 34 has the fitting portion A75, the sealing case 51 of the hollow fiber membrane module 31 has the fitting portion B54, and the fitting portion A75 and the above fitting. Since the part B54 and the hollow fiber membrane module 31 can be assembled by fitting, the two filter media parts can be formed as independent components. can do. Therefore, the powder filter medium part 34 can be manufactured as a member separate from the hollow fiber membrane module 31 and the casing 32 as a process different from the water purification cartridge assembly process, and the inner space of the filter medium case 57 of the cylindrical container 60 can be manufactured. There is an unprecedented great merit that the risk of contamination of the inside of the casing 32 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 due to dust generation accompanying the filling of the powder filter medium 59 into the 61 can be reduced. That is, for example, before the assembly process of the water purification cartridge is started, the powder filter medium portion 34 is manufactured in a place separated from the casing 32 or the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, and the powder filter medium portion 34 is used as a cartridge in the assembly process of the water purification cartridge. Incorporation into the inside of the casing 32 or the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 due to the dust of the powder filter medium generated in the manufacturing process of the powder filter medium portion 34 and the like can be prevented from being contaminated by these components. There is a great merit that has never existed.

  As the powder filter medium 59, granular or powdery activated carbon made from coconut shell, wood, coal or the like, or a granular or powdery ion exchanger suitable for removing heavy metals such as lead in raw water, for example, titanium silicic acid. Zeolites such as salts and aluminosilicates can be used by appropriately combining and filling them.

As the powder filter medium 59, one having an average particle size in the range of about 30 to 900 μm can be used,
It is selected and used according to the type, application and performance of the water purification cartridge. Since the surface area increases when the particle size is reduced, the adsorption capacity and ion exchange capacity of the powder filter medium can be enhanced, and the packing density of the powder filter medium also improves. Therefore, it is very preferable to use the powder filter medium 10 having a small average particle size of about 30 to 150 μm, since the filtering ability of the powder filter medium can be significantly increased and the packing density can be further increased. . In the case of activated carbon, the particle size of the powder filter medium may be measured according to the method specified in JIS K 1474: 2014 Activated carbon test method 7.3 Particle size, or may be measured by the laser diffraction / scattering method. In either case, the particle size (50% particle size) in which the integrated value by the particle size distribution of weight or volume accounts for 50% is defined as the average particle size.

  In a conventional filter medium such as activated carbon as shown in Patent Document 1, a mass ratio of a binder for molding occupies about 3 to 20%, and that portion does not contribute to filtration, but a powder filter medium is used. By doing so, the mass occupied by the binder can be filled with activated carbon or an ion exchanger, and the increased filter medium contributes to filtration, so that the filtration capacity can be greatly improved. Particularly in the case of a powder filter medium having a small average particle size of about 30 to 150 μm, the packing density can be increased. For example, when coconut shell activated carbon is used as granular or powdered activated carbon, 0.50 to 0.75 g / Since it can be increased to about mL, it is possible to construct a water purification cartridge with high filtration capacity and compact size.

  On the other hand, generally, when the particle size is reduced, the pressure loss in passing water through the powder filter medium increases, which may make it impossible to secure a predetermined filtration flow rate. However, in the present invention, the overall shape of the above-described substantially cylindrical accommodation space (internal space 61) and the powder filter medium 59 accommodated therein corresponding to the shape of the inner wall 71 of the elongated substantially cylindrical filter medium case 57 is as follows. It has a long axial length, and has a tubular shape longer than its radial length (thickness). Then, since water is passed in the radial direction from the outside to the inside of the cylindrical powder filter medium, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the water is much wider than that in the case of passing water in the axial direction. The flow rate of water flow is reduced, and even if a powder filter medium with a small particle size is densely packed, the pressure loss during water flow can be sufficiently reduced and a predetermined filtration flow rate can be achieved.

  In contrast, in the conventional water purification cartridge as shown in FIG. 1, water is passed through the cylindrical granular activated carbon portion which is long in the axial direction of the water purification cartridge in the axial direction of the water purification cartridge. Therefore, in the conventional water purification cartridge, as compared with the water purification cartridge of the present invention, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the water passage is narrow and the flow velocity of the water passage is large, resulting in a large pressure loss in water passage and a high filtration flow rate. Can't get

  The length in the axial direction / the length in the radial direction of the cylindrical powder filter medium portion is determined by a numerical value exceeding 1, depending on the required pressure loss and the like, but is preferably about 3 or more. In addition, the absolute value of the radial length is at least necessary in order to prevent a shortcut of water flow at the boundary surface between the powder filter medium and the filter medium cap 58 or the lower wall 73, and the principle of filtering the powder filter medium. Although it is determined in consideration of the value and the like, it is usually about 5 mm or more in actual design.

  An elastic member 86 is preferably arranged between the powder filter medium 59 and the filter medium cap 58. By doing so, the elastic member 86 presses the powder filter medium 59 and the filter medium cap 58 and makes close contact with them, so that no space is formed between the filled powder filter medium 59 and the filter medium cap 58, and raw water is passed. At that time, there is no fear of short-cutting the powder filter medium 59. As the elastic member 86, rubber having low hardness such as silicone rubber, sponge of synthetic resin, foam, non-woven fabric, felt or the like can be used.

  The hollow fiber membrane module 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The hollow fiber membrane module 31 has a sealing case 51 and a hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, and one end portion (lower end portion) of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is sealed and fixed to the sealing case 51 by a sealant 70. There is. The portion formed by the sealed and fixed hollow fiber membrane bundle and the sealant is the sealing portion 53. Further, a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 other than the one end portion forms a protruding portion 103 protruding from the sealing case 51. The protrusion 103 is housed inside the inner wall 71. In FIG. 3, the protruding portion 103 occupies most of the portion other than one end portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 to be sealed and fixed.

  The sealing case 51 also plays a role of not mixing the water that has flowed into the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57 with the raw water. Therefore, the shape of the sealing case 51 has a fitting portion B54 that can be fitted into a fitting portion A75 provided at the lower end of the inner wall 71 of the filter medium case 57. In FIG. 3, the sealing case 51 has a tubular shape, a step portion is provided at the upper end portion, and a fitting portion B54 having a reduced diameter is provided. The shapes of the fitting portion A and the fitting portion B may be shapes other than those shown in FIG. 3 as long as the cylindrical container 60 and the sealing case 51 can be fitted in a watertight manner. It is desirable that the surface of the fitting portion after fitting is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall 71 without forming a convex shape with respect to the space in which the protruding portion 103 of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is accommodated. Then, the protrusion 103 can be easily inserted, and the risk that the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 of the protrusion 103 is damaged can be reduced.

  It is possible to ensure water tightness by interposing an O-ring for watertight fixing in the fitting between the fitting portion A75 and the fitting portion B54, but it is better to fix the watertightness by fitting only. Simple and preferred.

  As the material of the sealing case 51, an amorphous resin having a good affinity with the sealing agent is preferable, and ABS resin and polystyrene are preferable in consideration of safety.

  One end of a hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 obtained by bundling the hollow fiber membranes and bending them in an inverted U shape is inserted into the central opening of the sealing case 51, and is sealed and fixed by a sealant 70. The sealing agent 70 is filled between the hollow fiber membranes and between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 and the sealing case 51, and the sealing agent 70 is fixed by solidifying. Before connecting the sealing case 51 and the casing 32, the lower end of the sealant 70 is cut and removed together with the lower end of the sealed hollow fiber membrane bundle, so that the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is attached to the casing 32. It opens toward A part of the inner peripheral surface of the sealing case 51 is embossed, and the sealing and sealing agent 70 and the one end portion (sealing portion 53) of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 are sealed from the sealing case 51. To prevent peeling. When water is passed, a load due to water pressure is applied to the sealing portion 53, but since the sealing agent 70 has irregularities formed along the irregularities of the texture, the irregularities are caught, so that the sealing case 53 seals the sealing case. It does not peel off from 51.

  An O-ring 102 for watertightly fixing the casing 32 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the sealing case 51. The sealing case 51 with the O-ring 102 mounted therein is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical rib 56 provided inside the casing 32. The height of the sealing case 51 is preferably low in order to increase the effective membrane area related to filtration of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, but the sealing case 51 can be inserted and fixed to the cylindrical rib 56 without wobbling. , And ensuring the water pressure resistant strength of the sealing portion 53. A typical value is about 5 to 30 mm.

  As the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, a hydrophilic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane is used. Polysulfone has excellent biological properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc., and is preferable for use in water purifiers. Other than polysulfone, hollow fiber membranes of polyacrylonitrile, polyphenylene sulfone, polyether sulfone, polyethylene, polypropylene may be used. A plurality of types of hollow fiber membranes made of different materials may be combined. If a hollow fiber membrane made of hydrophobic polyethylene or polypropylene is added, the air mixed with water can be efficiently discharged. The pore diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is 0.1 to 0.3 μm, and it is most suitable for capturing suspended matter in tap water. The hollow fiber membrane preferably has an outer diameter of 300 to 500 μm, an inner diameter of 200 to 340 μm, and a film thickness of 50 to 100 μm, and has sufficient strength. It does not break in the process of bending into a U shape in the manufacturing process or the process of pushing it into the sealing case 51.

  The cross-sectional area of only the hollow fiber membranes of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 is preferably 45 to 55% of the cross-sectional area inside the inner wall 71. In this way, it can have a high turbidity filtration capacity and can be used for a long period of time. When it is less than 45%, the membrane area of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 becomes small, and when it exceeds 55%, the suspended matter cannot be completely circulated to the inside of the dense hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, and in any case, the turbidity filtration capability is deteriorated. Often cannot be used for a long time. If the outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is φ300 to 500 μm and is sufficiently thin while having strength, a sufficiently large membrane area can be secured in the small sealing case 51, and higher turbidity filtration performance can be exhibited. it can.

  As the sealing agent 70 (potting agent), a two-liquid mixing type in which a fluid main agent and a curing agent are mixed and cured, and polyurethane, epoxy resin, or the like can be appropriately used. They may be solidified by a centrifugal method or a static method.

  In the above description, it is most effective for compacting the water purification cartridge that all the substantially cylindrical members are substantially cylindrical and that they are coaxially arranged with the same central axis. It is a rational, rational, and preferred form.

  Further, in the above description, when the two members are fitted and the space between the members is sealed (or sealed), it is possible to interpose a sealing member to ensure the sealing (or sealing). However, in order to design a compact water purification cartridge, it is preferable to realize sealing (or sealing) without interposing a sealing member.

  The casing 32, the casing cap 33, the filter medium case 57, the filter medium cap 58, and the cartridge cap 35 are made of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene) resin, PP (polypropylene) resin, or the like. It is preferable to use a resin molded with high dimensional accuracy.

  The flow of water in the water purification cartridge 3 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG.

The raw water that has entered from the raw water inlet 36 is substantially evenly distributed in the circumferential direction in the flow path 17, is guided to the cylindrical gap 38 that is the raw water flow path, and the outer wall 72 (and the outer wall mesh 84), the powder filter medium 59, It passes through the inner wall 71 (and the inner wall mesh 82) in that order in the radial direction, and reaches the inside of the inner wall 71 (that is, the protruding portion 103 of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52). That is, it is possible to pass water in the radial direction of the water purification cartridge from the surface of the outer wall on the housing side to the surface of the inner wall on the hollow fiber membrane bundle side.
Then, the raw water comes into contact with the powder filter medium 59 and passes through it, whereby free residual chlorine, chlorine odor, mold odor, trihalomethane, heavy metal ions such as lead, etc. in the raw water are removed. Next, the water passes through the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52, turbidity components, bacteria, etc. are also removed to become purified water, and is discharged from the purified water outlet 37 through the opening on the lower end surface of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 52.

  Although the compact water purification cartridge used for the faucet direct connection type water purifier has been described as the embodiment, the present invention can also be used as a relatively large water purification cartridge such as an undersink type water purifier or a stationary water purifier. .

1 Faucet Direct Connection Water Purifier 2 Flow Switch 3 Water Purification Cartridge 17 Flow Path 21 Mounting Nut 31 Hollow Fiber Membrane Module 32 Casing 33 Casing Cap 34 Powder Filter Material 35 Cartridge Cap 36 Raw Water Inlet 37 Water Purification Outlet 38 Gap 39 Casing Bottom 51 Sealing case 52 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 53 Sealing portion 54 Fitting portion B
55 flow path changer connection portion 56 cylindrical rib 57 filter medium case 58 filter medium cap 59 powder filter medium 60 cylindrical container 61 inner space 65 inner wall fitting portion 66 outer wall fitting portion 70 sealant 71 inner wall 72 outer wall 73 lower wall 74 filter medium Case opening 75 Fitting A
81 inner wall opening 82 inner wall mesh 83 outer wall opening 84 outer wall mesh 85 gap forming portion 86 elastic member 101 cylindrical case 102 O-ring 103 protruding portion

Claims (3)

A method of manufacturing a water purification cartridge,
The water purification cartridge,
The inner housing having a raw water inlet and clean water outlet, possess a hollow fiber membrane bundle, and the powder filter material, and
The powder filter medium is housed in an internal space of a cylindrical container formed by an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper wall and a lower wall,
The cylindrical container has a fitting portion A,
One end portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is fixed to the sealing case by a sealing agent, a part of the portion other than the end portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is protruded from the sealing case, and a cylinder Form a protrusion that is not surrounded by a case ,
The protrusion is housed inside the inner wall,
The sealing case has a fitting portion B,
The fitting portion A and the fitting portion B are fitted in a watertight manner, and pass from the surface of the outer wall on the housing side to the surface of the inner wall on the hollow fiber membrane bundle side in the radial direction of the water purification cartridge. water possible der is,
After accommodating the powder filter medium in the internal space of the cylindrical container outside the housing, the fitting part A of the cylindrical container and the fitting part B of the sealing case are fitted together.
Manufacturing method of water purification cartridge. With the upper wall, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall to form a raw water flow path communicating with the raw water inlet,
The method for producing a water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the raw water channel is closed by the upper wall. The method for producing a water purification cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is provided between the powder filter medium and the upper wall.

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