JP6911565B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water purifier for purifying tap water, and more particularly to an undersink type water purifier installed in a space beside or below a sink.

Conventionally, as a water purifier for purifying tap water, a faucet direct connection type water purifier directly connected to the outlet of a tap water faucet, a stationary water purifier used by placing it on the kitchen, and an undersink used by placing it inside the kitchen. Type (or built-in type) water purifiers are known. In both cases, the total amount of filtered water that can be processed by the filter medium filled in the filter cartridge for the water purifier is limited, so the user continues to use the water purifier while regularly replacing the filter cartridge for the water purifier.

The undersink type water purifier is larger than the faucet direct connection type water purifier and the stationary water purifier, and the total amount of filtered water that can be treated is also large, so that it can be used for a long period of time. No water purifier is placed near the faucet or sink in the kitchen, so it does not get in the way of work.

As an undersink type water purifier, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a hose having a raw water inlet and a water purification outlet and having a one-touch joint attached to the tip is connected and used. The user places the water purifier cartridge on the bottom of the space under the sink, and connects the hose for supplying raw water and the hose for discharging purified water. Purified water can be easily obtained by operating the faucet in the kitchen.

However, this type of water purifier is usually installed in the back of the sink storage, and in order to take out the water purifier, it is necessary to take out the items stored in the foreground, which causes a problem that it takes time to replace. there were. In addition, when the watch-touch joint is removed from the cartridge at the time of cartridge replacement and attached to a new cartridge, there is a problem that the one-touch joint is mistakenly attached at the raw water inlet and the purified water outlet.

On the other hand, for example, as in Patent Document 2, the holder is composed of a holder having a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, and a filtration cartridge having a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet that are detachably attached to the holder. Is provided with a rotatable filtration cartridge fixing means, the raw water introduction pipe is connected to the raw water introduction port, and the purified water outlet pipe is connected to the purified water outlet. Since it is directly connected to the cartridge from the holder, there is no need for a water pipe such as a hose, and there is no need to connect a hose when replacing the cartridge.

Further, in the water purifier of Patent Document 1, since the adsorbent portion is arranged on the radial outside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, the outer diameter of the cartridge becomes large as a result, and there is a problem that the storage space under the kitchen cannot be secured. there were.

On the other hand, as in Patent Document 3, for example, there is a cartridge for a water purifier in which molded activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane are arranged coaxially in this order from the downstream side. With this structure, the outer diameter of the cartridge can be reduced while securing the volume of the filter medium for ensuring the required filtration capacity.

JP-A-2007-275814 International Publication No. 1999/00645 International Publication No. 2015/199161

[First issue]
However, in the holder proposed in Patent Document 2, when the other end of the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe is connected to the water purifier faucet, the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are twisted, and the twist is the water purification. It is transmitted to the dexterity faucet side, and there is a risk of water leakage from the connection part with the water purifier faucet. In addition, water leakage may occur when a high water pressure is applied to the connection portion between the raw water introduction pipe and the raw water introduction port, and the purified water outlet pipe and the purified water outlet.

Therefore, in the present invention, by making the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe rotatable, the twist generated when connecting the water purifier faucet and the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe is released, and the connection with the water purifier faucet is released. Water purification can be prevented even when high water pressure is applied by preventing water leakage from the part and pressing and fixing the mouthpiece and hose body composed of the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe with the fastening member. Provide a vessel.

[Second issue]
Further, in the molded activated carbon used in the cartridge proposed in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to add a binder other than the activated carbon when molding the activated carbon, and the amount of the activated carbon is reduced in order to mold the activated carbon into a predetermined volume. It ends up. By using a powder filter medium instead of the molded activated carbon, the filter medium occupied by the binder contributes to the filtration, so that the filtration capacity can be improved. The pressure loss in water becomes large, and the predetermined filtration flow rate cannot be secured.

Therefore, the present invention provides a filter cartridge for a water purifier, which can secure the required filtration capacity in a compact shape without reducing the storage space under the kitchen sink when installed in the storage space under the kitchen sink. ..

[Means for solving the first problem]
(1-1) The water purifier of the present invention that solves the first problem has a filter cartridge containing a filter medium and a filter head for a water purifier to which the filter cartridge can be attached and detached.
The filter head for the water purifier
Filter head connection for connecting the filter cartridge,
A raw water introduction pipe arranged at the filter head connection portion for introducing raw water into the filter cartridge.
And has a purified water outlet pipe, which is arranged at the filter head connection portion and is used to derive purified water purified by the filter cartridge.
The raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are each
A mouthpiece, which is composed of a cylindrical head and a cylindrical nipple portion extending from the head, and a flow path penetrating the head and the nipple portion is formed in the center portion.
The hose body inserted into the nipple
And a fastening member that is attached to the outer periphery of the hose body and presses and fixes the hose body to the nipple portion.
The head of the mouthpiece of the raw water introduction pipe and the head of the mouthpiece of the water purification outlet pipe are respectively arranged in the two circular insertion recesses formed in the filter head connection portion, and from the insertion recess by fixing means. By being fixed so as not to come off, the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are rotatably fixed to the filter head, respectively.

(1-2) Further, in the water purifier of the present invention, the outer diameter of the head of the mouthpiece of the raw water introduction pipe and the mouthpiece of the water purification outlet pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the nipple portion, respectively.
The fixing means includes a fixing plate having one or two openings having a size that the head does not penetrate and the nipple portion penetrates, and a fixing member that fixes the fixing plate to the filter head connection portion. Consists of
The filter head is in a state where the fixing plate penetrates the opening of the fixing plate through a portion other than the head of each of the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe, and the head is arranged in the insertion recess. It is preferable that the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are rotatably fixed to the filter head by being fixed to the connecting portion by a fixing member.

[Means to solve the second problem]
(2-1) The filter cartridge for a water purifier of the present invention that solves the second problem includes a tubular filter body provided with a raw water inlet and a water purifier discharge port, and a tubular filter body.
A tubular powder filter medium module containing a powder filter medium and a tubular hollow fiber membrane module containing a hollow fiber membrane, which are coaxially housed in the filter body, are provided.
A filter cartridge for a water purifier having a structure in which water entering from the raw water receiving port passes through the inside of the powder filter medium module and the inside of the hollow fiber membrane module in this order and exits from the water purification discharge port.
The powder filter medium module
An outer cylinder that allows water to pass through without passing through the powder filter medium,
An inner cylinder that is arranged inside the outer cylinder and allows water to pass through without passing through the powder filter medium.
An opening that is liquidtightly connected to one end of the outer cylinder and one end of the inner cylinder, closes the space between one end of the outer cylinder and one end of the inner cylinder, and communicates with the space on the inner diameter side of the inner cylinder. With the formed upper inner lid,
A bottom lid that is liquidtightly connected to the other end of the outer cylinder and the other end of the inner cylinder and closes the space between one end of the outer cylinder and one end of the inner cylinder and the space on the inner diameter side of the inner cylinder. ,
The powder filter medium contained in a space surrounded by the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, the upper inner lid, and the bottom lid is provided.
One end of the hollow fiber membrane module is liquid-tightly connected to the water purification discharge port, and the other end is liquid-tightly connected to the upper inner lid of the powder filter medium module directly or via another member. ,
Particles having a particle size D90 where the integrated number is 90% when the powder filter media are arranged in order of particle size, a particle size D10 where the integrated number is 10%, and particles where the integrated number is 50%. The diameter D50 satisfies 0.5 ≦ (D90-D10) / D50 ≦ 0.9.

(2-2) Further, in the filter cartridge for a water purifier of the present invention, the raw water inlet and the water purification outlet are provided at one end of the filter body.
The gap between the filter main body and the outer cylinder of the powder filter medium module, the gap between the filter main body and the upper inner lid of the powder filter medium module, and the gap between the filter main body and the hollow fiber membrane module are connected. , It is preferable that a water passage that communicates with the raw water receiving port is formed.

(2-3) Further, in the filter cartridge for a water purifier of the present invention, the bottom lid of the powder filter medium module is on the side opposite to one end of the filter body provided with the raw water receiving port and the water purification discharge port. It is preferable that it also serves as a lid for closing the end.

According to the water purifier of the present invention, the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are rotatably fixed to release the twist generated when the water purifier faucet is connected to the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe. , Water leakage from the connection part with the water purifier faucet can be prevented.

Further, according to the water purifier of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, water is applied even when a high water pressure is applied by pressing and fixing the mouthpiece and the hose body formed of the raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe with the fastening member. Leakage can be prevented.

Further, according to the water purifier of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the fixing plate and the filter head connection portion are firmly fixed by the fixing member, the fixing plate cannot be removed unless a tool or the like is used. Can be prevented from being accidentally disassembled.

According to the filter cartridge for a water purifier of the present invention, water is passed in the radial direction from the outside to the inside of the tubular powder filter medium portion, so that the pressure loss in water passage is reduced and the average particle size is further increased. Since the width of the particle size distribution is below a certain level, the pressure loss during water flow can be reduced.

Further, according to the cartridge for a water purifier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by providing both the raw water receiving port and the purified water discharge port at one end of the filter main body, a pipe connecting the raw water receiving port and the purified water discharge port can be provided at one place. Since it is collected, the space under the sink can be secured.

Further, according to the cartridge for a water purifier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the bottom lid of the powder filter medium module also serves as a lid for closing the filter main body, the number of members can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the filter cartridge used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the filter head for a water purifier used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the filter head for a water purifier used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the filter head connection part used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the raw water introduction pipe and the purification water outlet pipe used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the filter head fixing plate used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the filter head for a water purifier used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a left side view which shows an example of the filter head for a water purifier used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the movable shaft used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the filter cartridge used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the filter cartridge used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing (FIG. A) and perspective view (FIG. B) which show an example of the ring case used for the water purifier in this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the rectifying plate used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing (FIG. A) and perspective view (FIG. B) which show an example of the upper inner lid used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing (FIG. A) and perspective view (FIG. B) which show an example of the bottom lid used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the hollow fiber membrane module used for the water purifier in this invention. It is sectional drawing (FIG. A) and perspective view (FIG. B) which show an example of the connection cap used for the water purifier in this invention.

An embodiment of the water purifier in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water purifier 1 includes a filter cartridge 2 containing a filter medium, a raw water introduction pipe 7 and a water purification outlet pipe 8, and is composed of a water purifier filter head 3 to which the filter cartridge 2 can be attached and detached. ing.

Next, each member constituting the water purifier filter head 3 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. Consists of a flange 6 arranged in.

Next, each member constituting the raw water introduction pipe 7 and the purified water outlet pipe 8 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the raw water introduction pipe 7 is composed of a mouthpiece 11, a fastening member 15, and a hose body 16. The mouthpiece 11 is composed of a cylindrical head 14 and a cylindrical nipple portion 13 extending from the head 14, and a flow path penetrating the head 14 and the nipple portion 13 is formed in the central portion. There is. Then, the hose body 16 is inserted into the nipple portion 13, and the fastening member 15 attached to the outer periphery of the hose body 16 is pressed and fixed, whereby the hose body 16 is fixed between the nipple portion 13 and the fastening member 15. ..

The fastening member 15 that presses and fixes the hose body 16 may be any as long as the hose does not leak or the hose does not come off due to water pressure when the hose for piping is connected and water is passed. Examples of such a fastening member include a crimping sleeve for crimping and fixing, a hose clamp, and a binding band.

The material of the fastening member 15 may be an inexpensive resin such as polypropylene, polyacetal, polyethylene, nylon or polycarbonate, but from the viewpoint of strength, metals such as stainless steel, brass and bronze are preferable.

Further, the purified water outlet pipe 8 is composed of a mouthpiece 11, a crimping sleeve 15, and a hose body 16 like the raw water introduction pipe 7. The mouthpiece 11 is composed of a cylindrical head 14 and a cylindrical nipple portion 13 extending from the head 14, and a flow path penetrating the head 14 and the nipple portion 13 is formed in the central portion. There is. Then, the hose body 16 is inserted into the nipple portion 13, and the crimping sleeve 15 attached to the outer periphery of the hose body 16 is crimped, so that the hose body 16 is fixed between the nipple portion 13 and the crimping sleeve 15. NS. That is, it is preferable that the raw water introduction pipe 7 and the purified water outlet pipe 8 are firmly fixed even when a high water pressure or an external force is applied.

From the viewpoint of strength, the mouthpiece 11 is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel, brass, or bronze.

The filter head connecting portion 5 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6 has a bottomed / double cylindrical shape having a first cylindrical portion 233 and a second cylindrical portion 234, and the space of the first cylindrical portion 233 is raw water. The space of the second cylindrical portion 234 communicates with the water purification outlet pipe 8 in the introduction pipe 7. A pair of partially enlarged diameter portions 235 and 236, which are a part of the bayonet mechanism described later, are provided on the inner peripheral side of the first circumferential portion 233, and the outer side of the first cylindrical portion 233 is for improving the strength. A large number of ribs 237 are provided.

The bottomed cylindrical portion 226 on the raw water introduction pipe 7 side of the filter head connecting portion 5 has a built-in check valve 213 that opens the flow path when the filter cartridge 2 is mounted.
Further, a check valve 214 for preventing backflow of water is built in the bottomed cylindrical portion 226 on the water purification outlet pipe 8 side of the filter head connecting portion 5.

When the filter cartridge 2 is removed from the filter head 3 for the water purifier, the check valve 213 and the check valve 214 attached to the raw water introduction pipe 7 and the water purification outlet pipe 8 of the water purifier filter head 3 close the flow path. It is possible to prevent water from flowing back or leaking.

The filter head fixing plate 4 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 is provided with openings 17 and 18 through which the straight pipe portion 222 of the mouthpiece 11 is passed.

In the raw water introduction pipe 7, the mouthpiece 11 is arranged in the insertion recess 220 of the filter head connecting portion 5, and the straight pipe portion 222 of the mouthpiece 11 passes through the opening 17 of the filter head fixing plate 4. Similarly, in the purified water outlet pipe 8, the mouthpiece 11 is arranged in the insertion recess 220 of the filter head connecting portion 5, and the straight pipe portion 222 of the mouthpiece 11 passes through the opening 18 of the filter head fixing plate 4.

The filter head fixing plate 4 is fixed to the filter head connecting portion 5 by a plurality of fixing members 227 while pressing the head end surface 223 of the head 14 of the mouthpiece 11. As a result, the filter head fixing plate 4 fixes the mouthpiece 11 in the insertion recess 220 of the filter head connection portion 5 in the axial direction to prevent the mouthpiece 11 from falling off, and at the same time, rotates the mouthpiece 11. It enables movement.

The fixing member 227 that fixes the filter head fixing plate 4 to the filter head connecting portion 5 is a push rivet, a snap rivet, a snap lock, or a snap lock that does not require a tool, in addition to the tapping screw used for plastic or wood board. You may. Further, a fixing member 227 is arranged as a claw on either the filter head fixing plate 4 or the filter head connecting portion 5, an opening is formed on the other, and the claw is inserted into the opening to fix the claw. May be good.
The material of the fixing member 227 may be an inexpensive resin such as polypropylene, polyacetal, polyethylene, nylon, or polycarbonate, but from the viewpoint of strength, metals such as stainless steel, brass, and bronze are preferable.

As a matter of course, the straight pipe portion 222 of the mouthpiece 11 is located inside the openings 17 and 18 of the filter head fixing plate 4 and is located inside the outer peripheral surface of the head portion 14 of the mouthpiece 11, so that the opening 17 Reference numeral 18 denotes a size that the head portion 14 does not penetrate and the straight pipe portion 222 penetrates. If the openings 17 and 18 are circular, the relationship is that the outer diameter of the head 14> the diameter of the openings 17 and 18> the outer diameter of the straight pipe portion 222.

In the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the mouthpiece 11 has a straight pipe portion 222 having an outer diameter larger than that of the nipple portion 13 and smaller than that of the head portion 14 between the nipple portion 13 and the head portion 14. However, there may be a form in which the straight pipe portion 222 is not provided. In this case, when fixing the raw water introduction pipe 7 and the purified water outlet pipe 8 to the filter head connecting portion 5, it is sufficient that the nipple portion 13 passes through the openings 17 and 18 of the filter head fixing plate 4, so that the opening 17 and 18 may have a size that the head portion 14 does not penetrate and the nipple portion 13 penetrates. If the openings 17 and 18 are circular, the outer diameter of the head 14> the diameter of the openings 17 and 18> the outer diameter of the nipple portion 13 may be satisfied.

The opening 17 (18) may have a circular shape, a square shape, or an oval shape as long as the portion other than the head portion 14 of the mouthpiece 11 penetrates and the head end surface 223 of the head portion 14 is pressed. , U-shaped and other various shapes can be formed. Above all, if the circular shape is the same as that of the head end face 223, the opening can be minimized to secure the contact area with the head end face 223, which is preferable from the viewpoint of strength. Two openings 17 and 18 are formed in one filter head fixing plate 4, but two filter head fixing plates 4 in which only one opening 17 (18) is formed are used, and raw water is used for each. The introduction pipe 7 and the purified water outlet pipe 8 may be fixed individually.

The filter head fixing plate 4 may be made of a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene or polypropylene, but is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel, brass or bronze from the viewpoint of strength.

It is advantageous that the thickness of the filter head fixing plate 4 is large in order to secure the pressure resistance. However, since the cost naturally increases when the plate thickness is increased, the plate thickness is set to 0 in consideration of the balance between the pressure resistance and the cost. 5 to 3.0 mm is preferable.

When the head 14 of the mouthpiece 11 is attached to the filter head connecting portion 5, the O-ring 228 is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion recess 220 of the filter head connecting portion 5 and the outer peripheral surface of the head 14. As a result, the metal fitting 11 and the filter head connecting portion 5 are liquid-tightly coupled to ensure liquid-tightness.

The filter head connection portion 5 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but it is the appearance and appearance that ABS resin or polypropylene having a good appearance is manufactured by injection molding. There is a merit in terms of manufacturing cost.

With the above structure, the raw water introduction pipe 7 and the purified water outlet pipe 8 can be made rotatable. As a result, it is possible to release the twist generated when the water purifier faucet, the raw water introduction pipe 7, and the water purification outlet pipe 8 are connected, and prevent water leakage from the connection portion with the water purifier faucet.

Since the filter head fixing plate 4 and the filter head connecting portion 5 are firmly fixed by the tapping screw 227, water leakage can be prevented even when a high water pressure is applied to the water purifier 1. Further, since the tappin screw 227 cannot be removed unless a tool or the like is used, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally disassembling the screw.

The flange 6 shown in FIG. 5 has a ring shape and is fixed to the filter head connecting portion 5 with a plurality of tapping screws 227. Partial diameter-expanded portions 230 and 231 that are part of the bayonet mechanism described later are provided on the inner peripheral side of the ring shape so that the pair of convex portions 91 and 92 provided on the filter cartridge 2 described later can pass through. It has become.

The material of the flange 6 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polypropylene, but the appearance and manufacture of ABS resin or polypropylene having a good appearance by injection molding is used. There is a merit in terms of cost.

The filter cartridge 2 shown in FIGS. 2, 12 and 13 is rotated by a bayonet mechanism and is detachably attached to and connected to the filter head 3 for a water purifier to form the water purifier 1. More specifically, at least two convex portions 91 and 92 are provided on the outer periphery of the filter main body 82 of the filter cartridge 2, and pass through the partially enlarged diameter portions 230 and 231 of the flange 6 to engage and rotate. As a result, the coupling is made by the bayonet mechanism. When removing the filter cartridge 2, it is done by rotating it in the direction opposite to that at the time of coupling.

As described above, since the filter cartridge 2 is attached to and detached from the water purifier filter head 3 by the bayonet mechanism, the operation of attachment and detachment is simple and easy.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 9, 10 and 11, in the closed space 232 between the inner surface of the filter head connecting portion 5 and the flange 6, a movable shaft 215 is provided between the inner surface of the filter head connecting portion 5 and the flange 6. A spring 216 is provided between the filter head connecting portion 5 and the movable shaft 215. As the filter cartridge 2 rotates for mounting on the water purifier filter head 3, the convex portion 217 of the filter body 82 of the filter cartridge 2 comes into contact with the inclined portion 218 of the movable shaft 215 and is movable at the completion stage. The shaft 215 moves upward, gets over the convex portion 217, and is arranged so that the movable shaft 215 and the convex portion 217 engage with each other. By overcoming (engaging), the feeling of wearing the filter cartridge 2 by the bayonet mechanism can be obtained.

From the feeling of wearing, the user can surely know the completion of wearing, and can definitely wear it (so as not to leak water). Further, when the convex portion 217 is located on the lower outer periphery of the water purifier filter head 3, the user can visually recognize it, so that the wearing feeling and the wearing completion can be visually confirmed more reliably.

When removing the filter cartridge 2 from the water purifier filter head 3, remove it in the reverse order of attachment. After moving the protruding portion 219 of the movable shaft 215 upward, the user rotates the filter cartridge 2 in the direction opposite to that at the time of coupling to complete the removal. Since the spring 216 is arranged, the filter cartridge 2 cannot be removed unless the user is aware of the removal operation, so that it is possible to prevent the filter cartridge 2 from being unintentionally removed or dropped by the user.

The material of the movable shaft 215 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polypropylene, but polyacetal or polyamide suitable for sliding is manufactured by injection molding. There are advantages in terms of quality and manufacturing cost.

The filter cartridge 2 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 12, and 13 has a raw water receiving port 86 and a purified water discharge port 88 on the upper end side, and closes the filter main body 82 having an open lower end and the opening at the lower end of the filter main body 82. A storage space is formed by the bottom lid 201. A hollow fiber membrane module 38 containing a hollow fiber membrane bundle 105, a ring case 208 containing an ion exchanger 203, and a powder filter medium module 249 containing a powder filter medium 102 are housed in this storage space. From the side, the powder filter medium module 249, the ring case 208, and the hollow fiber membrane module 38 are arranged coaxially in this order and are liquidtightly connected. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the filter cartridge 2 is directly connected to the filter head 3 for the water purifier, receives the raw water supplied from the water purifier faucet (not shown) by the raw water introduction pipe 7, and is one of the water purifier 1. As a part, it can be used to purify raw water and discharge it as purified water.

It is preferable to provide both the raw water receiving port 86 and the purified water discharge port 88 on the upper end side of the filter main body 82 because the filter cartridge 2 can be made compact. However, if the size of the filter cartridge 2 is not a concern, the raw water receiving port 86 may be provided on the lower end side of the filter cartridge 2 and the purified water discharge port 88 may be provided on the upper end side of the filter cartridge 2.

The hollow fiber membrane module 38 is composed of a hollow fiber membrane case 103, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 105, and a casting material 106. The hollow fiber membrane bundle 105 is sealed and fixed to the downstream side of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 with a casting material 106 and housed in the hollow fiber membrane case 103.

The ion exchanger 203 is housed in a ring case 208 containing the ion exchanger 203. The rectifying plate 202 that produces a rectifying effect on the ion exchanger 203 is attached to the upper inner lid 207, which will be described later, and is arranged on the upstream side of the ion exchanger 203.

The powder filter medium module 249 is composed of a powder filter medium 102, an inner cylinder 206, an outer cylinder 205, an upper inner lid 207, and a bottom lid 201. The powder filter medium 102 is housed in a substantially tubular storage space surrounded by an inner cylinder 206, an outer cylinder 205, an upper inner lid 207, and a bottom lid 201. As shown in FIG. 12, the raw water entering from the raw water receiving port 86 has a tubular gap formed between the inner wall surface 239 of the filter main body 82 and the outer peripheral surface of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 or the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 205. After being guided to 238, the outer cylinder 205, the powder filter medium 102, and the inner cylinder 206 pass in this order in the radial direction, and the rectifying plate 202 and the ion exchanger 203 arranged on the downstream side of the inner cylinder 206. It is filtered by the hollow fiber membrane 105 and discharged as purified water from the purified water discharge port 88.

It is the most effective, rational, and preferable form that the raw water receiving port 86 is arranged on the coaxial outer side of the purified water discharge port 88 in order to make the filter cartridge 2 compact.

Arranging the hollow fiber membrane module 38, the ring case 208, and the powder filter medium module 249 coaxially is the most effective, rational, and preferable form for making the filter cartridge 2 compact. If the ion exchange action is not required, the ring case 208 may be omitted, and the hollow fiber membrane module 38 and the powder filter medium module 249 may be arranged coaxially and connected in a liquid-tight manner.

Next, each member constituting the filter cartridge 2 will be described.
The outer cylinder 205 is made of a synthetic resin support frame 34 and a filter material 36. A plurality of lattice-shaped openings 35 are provided on the peripheral surface of the support frame 34 of the outer cylinder 205, and polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or the like is provided on the peripheral surface of the support frame so as to cover the openings of the openings 35. A filter material 36 made of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and nylon is fixed.

Since the filter material 36 has a filter function in which the facing powder filter medium 102 does not leak and the water to be treated passes through, the opening of the filter material 36 is smaller than the particle size of the powder filter material 102. It has become a thing. Further, in order to reduce the pressure loss in water flow, the opening ratio of the filter material 36 is preferably as large as the strength allows. Similarly, the aperture ratio of the opening 35 of the support frame 34 is preferably as large as the strength allows.

As described above, the outer cylinder 205 is composed of a cylindrical support frame 34 having a plurality of openings 35 on its wall surface and a filter material 36 fixed to the support frame 34 and covering the openings 35. The strength of the outer cylinder 205 is improved, the outer cylinder 205 is deformed by the water pressure generated in the water purification process, and the layer thickness of the powder filter medium 102 (adsorbent layer) is reduced, so that the adsorbent through which the raw water passes in the water purification process. It is possible to prevent the filtration performance of the water purification cartridge from deteriorating due to the reduction in the distance between the layers and the insufficient adsorption treatment in the adsorbent layer of the raw water.

Further, in order to make effective use of the entire powder filter medium 102 housed in the substantially tubular storage space, the region where the opening 35 exists substantially coincides with the region where the facing powder filter medium 102 exists. It is preferable to let it. The filter material 36 covering the opening of the opening 35 may be in the form of a thin sheet such as a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric such as a mesh, and the powder filter medium 102 may have a filter function for passing water to be treated without leaking. ..

As a method of fixing the filter material 36 to the support frame 34 of the outer cylinder 205, a method of integrally molding with the filter material 36 at the time of molding the outer cylinder 205 is preferable because it is firmly attached.

When the filter material 36 is integrally molded, when the filter material 36 is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the support frame 34, the powder filter medium 102 filled and accommodated inside the outer cylinder 205 in the radial direction is equal to the thickness of the support frame 34. Only the filling amount can be increased. Further, by providing ribs and protrusions on the outside of the support frame 34 to sandwich the filter material 36, the strength can be improved so that the filter material 36 does not peel off from the support frame 34 due to water pressure. Further, if it is a rib, it can contribute to improving the strength of the support frame 34, which is preferable.

Further, as a fixing method, it is also possible to attach it with an adhesive, heat-weld it, ultrasonically weld it, or crimp it. With these methods, the mesh size and basis weight of the filter material can be changed according to the particle size of the powder filter medium 102 to be used, and it becomes possible to create a plurality of types of outer cylinders with one type of support frame. Since the mold shape of the support frame is also simple, the cost of the product can be reduced, which is preferable. In the case of these fixing methods, the filter material 36 can be easily fixed by locating it on the outer peripheral surface of the support frame 34, and the water pressure can be dispersed and held by both the filter material 36 and the support frame 34, so that peeling or the like occurs. It is less likely to cause problems and is preferable in terms of strength.

Among these fixing methods, heat welding or ultrasonic welding is preferable in order to maintain the fixing strength with the support frame 34. Ultrasonic welding is preferably used because the amount of energy to be applied can be adjusted according to the material of the selected filter material 36 and can be fixed to the support frame 34 with a certain strength or higher.

Specifically, a sheet-shaped polyolefin-based non-woven fabric as the filter material 36 is wound so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the support frame (of the outer cylinder), and the entire circumference of both ends in the axial direction of the tubular-shaped non-woven fabric is (outer). A fixed form that is ultrasonically welded to the outer peripheral surface of the support frame (of the cylinder) and is also ultrasonically welded to the axial joint portion of the non-woven fabric wound in a tubular shape so that the powder filter medium 102 can be sealed. preferable. Although this fixed form has a simple structure in which the ultrasonic welding location is the minimum region, it exerts a certain effect that the powder filter medium 102 does not leak.

As a matter of course, since the outer cylinder 205 is inside the filter main body 82 and is located outside in the radial direction of the inner cylinder 206, there is a relationship of filter main body 82 diameter> outer cylinder 205 diameter> inner cylinder 206 diameter.
An O-ring 229 is mounted in the annular groove of the lower end opening 212 of the outer cylinder 205. Since it is connected to the bottom lid 201 via the outer cylinder 205, purified water and raw water (unpurified tap water) do not mix.

The inner cylinder 206 has a cylindrical shape, and the opening is adjusted so that the powder filter medium 102 does not pass through and water passes through. Those having an opening of 20 to 50 μm can be preferably used. A non-woven fabric made of a polyolefin-based heat-sealing fiber non-woven fabric, which is wound around a heated shaft a plurality of times to form a cylindrical shape, and cut to a predetermined length may be inexpensive. However, it is not limited to that. An olefin-based material such as polypropylene may be melted and blow-molded into a cylindrical shape. A non-woven fabric or mesh cloth may be welded or adhered to a cylindrical resin molded body having an opening on the outer peripheral surface, and when molding the cylindrical resin molded body having an opening, the non-woven fabric or mesh cloth is inserted. May be good. The inner cylinder 206 is preferably a non-woven fabric. Since the inner cylinder is a non-woven fabric, the thickness of the inner cylinder is thinner than that in the case where the mesh member is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the inner case having the side opening, and the size of the cartridge for the water purifier. More powder filter media 102 can be filled even if they are the same.

The thickness of the inner cylinder 206 molded from the non-woven fabric is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. If the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, there will be a problem of sinking due to water flow resistance and pressure loss of the powder filter medium 102 during water flow. If the thickness exceeds 2 mm, it will protrude toward the outer diameter side, and the filling amount of the powder filter medium 102 will be reduced. If the thickness is 0.5 to 2 mm, it will not sink and the filling amount of the powder filter medium 102 will not be inappropriately reduced.

The downstream end (one end) of the inner cylinder 206 is fixed to the inner rib 240 of the upper inner lid 207, which will be described later, by fitting. The powder filter medium 102 does not leak, and the fitting is such that the shaft alignment work described later can be performed.

The upstream end (one end) of the inner cylinder 206 is fixed to the inner rib 209 of the bottom lid 201 by fitting. The powder filter medium 102 does not leak, and the fitting is such that the shaft alignment work described later can be performed.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the upper inner lid 207 has a disk shape having an opening 32 in the center, and the portion connected to the outer cylinder 205 has the outer rib 33 and the portion connected to the inner cylinder 206. The inner rib 240 is erected. The outer rib 33 has a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 mm and a height of 1 to 4 mm, and serves to align the central axes of the outer cylinder 205 and the upper inner lid 207. The inner diameter of the outer rib 33 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 205, and also plays a role of preventing the powder filter medium 102 from protruding to the outside and leaking.

An opening 32 is arranged on the inner diameter side of the inner rib 240. The inner diameter of the inner rib 240 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 206, and the inner cylinder 206 is fixed to the inner rib 240 by fitting. The powder filter medium 102 does not leak, and the fitting is such that the shaft alignment work described later can be performed. As a result, the inner diameter side flow path 22 of the inner cylinder 206 and the opening 32 communicate with each other. That is, the flow path from the powder filter medium 102 to the straightening vane 202 is secured.

It is preferable that the upper inner lid 207 is transparent because the internal condition of the upper inner lid 207 can be confirmed, such as whether or not there is any abnormality during assembly.

A plurality of protrusions 243 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the outer rib 33. Since the central axis of the upper inner lid 207 and the central axis of the filter main body 82 can be easily aligned, it is preferable in terms of improving assembly workability.

The material of the upper inner lid 207 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but it is quality and quality to manufacture ABS resin with high molding accuracy by injection molding. There is a merit in terms of manufacturing cost.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the bottom lid 201 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and after the outer cylinder 205 and the inner cylinder 206 are inserted, the filter body 82 is fastened using screws and an O-ring. NS. The fixing of the filter body 82 may be welding. In the case of welding, a sealing member such as an O-ring is unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Ultrasonic welding, rotary welding, vibration welding and the like are not particularly limited, but rotary welding is preferable because the welding area can be widened and the pressure resistance of the filter cartridge is increased.

A large number of ribs 245 for improving the strength are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom lid 201.

The material of the bottom lid 201 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but ABS resin or polypropylene having a good appearance is manufactured by injection molding. There is a merit in terms of manufacturing cost.

Next, the powder filter medium 102 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the powder filter medium 102 is housed in a substantially tubular storage space formed by the above-mentioned inner cylinder 206, outer cylinder 205, upper inner lid 207, and bottom lid 201. In the manufacturing process, the powder filter medium 102 is filled from the portion between the upper part of the inner cylinder 206 and the upper part of the outer cylinder 205 before the upper inner lid 207 is fitted to the inner cylinder 206 and the outer cylinder 205. After the filling is completed, the upper inner lid 207 is fitted to the upper outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 206 and the upper outer wall surface of the outer cylinder 205 so as to seal the powder filter medium 102. Further, at the time of filling, it is a preferable method to increase the filling density of the powder filter medium by vibrating, inhaling, and exhausting the powder filter medium 102 in order to increase the filtration capacity of the water purification cartridge.

The powder filter medium 102 includes granular or powdered activated carbon made from coconut shells, wood, coal, etc., and granular or powdery ion exchangers suitable for removing heavy metals such as lead in raw water, for example, titanium silicate. An aluminosilicate such as salt or zeolite, an ion exchange resin, or the like can be appropriately combined and used.

Further, since the bottom lid 201 also serves as a lid for closing one end of the powder filter medium 102 and the filter main body 82, the powder filter medium 102 can be filled up to the surface of the bottom lid 201, and further, the inner cylinder 206 and the outer cylinder 205 can be filled. It is preferable because it does not require a separate member for closing one end.

As the powder filter medium 102, one having an average particle size in the range of about 30 to 900 μm can be used, and the powder filter medium 102 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 increased, and the packing density of the powder filter medium is also improved. The particle size of the powder filter medium is measured using a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring device (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, model SALD-3100), and the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution occupies 50% (50% particle size). Diameter) is the average particle size.

In a filter medium such as activated carbon of a conventional molded body, the volume ratio of the binder for molding occupies about 30 to 20%, and that part does not contribute to filtration, but by using the powder filter medium, the binder occupies. The existing volume 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 significantly improved.

In general, if the particle size is reduced, the pressure loss in passing water through the powder filter medium becomes large, and it may not be possible to secure a predetermined filtration flow rate. However, in the present invention, the overall shape of the substantially tubular accommodation space and the powder filter medium 102 accommodated therein (in the powder filter medium portion) corresponds to the elongated substantially tubular inner cylinder 206 shape as described above. The shape) is a tubular shape having a long axial length and a longer radial length (thickness). Since water is passed in the radial direction from the outside to the inside of the tubular powder filter medium portion, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of water is much wider than that in the case of passing water in the axial direction. The flow velocity of water flow is reduced, and even if a powder filter medium having a small particle size is packed at high density, the pressure loss in water flow can be sufficiently reduced and a predetermined filtration flow rate can be achieved.

The axial length / radial length of the tubular powder filter medium portion is determined by a numerical value exceeding 1 according to the required pressure loss or the like, but is preferably 2 or more. In addition, the absolute value of the radial length is the minimum required from the viewpoint of preventing the shortcut of water flow at the interface between the powder filter medium and the upper end of the storage space or the lower end of the storage space, and the filtration principle of 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 practical use.

As described above, in the present invention, even if the powder filter medium portion is densely filled with a powder filter medium having a small particle size, the pressure loss in water flow can be sufficiently reduced, but the width of the particle size distribution with respect to the average particle size is increased. When it is below a certain level, the pressure loss can be further reduced. When the width of the particle size distribution is wide, the particle size difference between the powder filter medium particles having a small particle size and the powder filter medium particles having a large particle size becomes large. In that case, the powder filter medium particles having a small particle size enter between the powder filter medium particles having a larger particle size, increase the density of the powder filter medium as a whole, clog the powder filter medium portion, and cause the raw water. It is presumed that it obstructs the flow of particles and is a major factor in the increase in pressure loss. By setting the width of the particle size distribution to a certain level or less with respect to the average particle size, powder filter medium particles having a small particle size are removed, and it is presumed that the effect of reducing the pressure loss is produced. Therefore, the particle size D90 where the integrated volume is 90% when the powder filter media are arranged in order of particle size, the particle size D10 where the integrated volume is 10%, and the integrated volume is 50%. It is preferable that the particle size D50 satisfies 0.5 ≦ (D90-D10) / D50 ≦ 0.9. More preferably, it is 0.6 ≦ (D90-D10) / D50 ≦ 0.8.

If (D90-D10) / D50 is less than 0.5, an additional step such as sieving is required at the time of manufacturing the powder filter medium, and the proportion of the powder filter medium not used by sieving increases, resulting in an increase in cost. Further, when (D90-D10) / D50 exceeds 0.9, the chances that the powder filter medium particles having a small particle size enter between the powder filter medium particles having a larger particle size increase, and the particles are passed through. Increased pressure loss during water.

As shown in FIG. 13, it is preferable that the elastic member 210 is arranged between the powder filter medium 102 and the upper inner lid 207. In this way, the elastic member 210 presses the powder filter medium 102 and the upper inner lid 207 and comes into close contact with them, so that no gap is formed between the filled powder filter medium 102 and the upper inner lid 207, and raw water is allowed to pass therethrough. There is no risk of short-cutting the powder filter medium 102 when water is applied. As the elastic member, rubber such as silicone rubber having low hardness, synthetic resin sponge, foam, non-woven fabric, felt and the like can be used.

In the above description, it is the most effective, rational, and preferable form that the substantially tubular members have the same central axis and are arranged coaxially in order to make the filter cartridge compact. ..

Next, the ring case 208 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B will be described. Since the ion exchanger 203 is built in the ring case 208 on the downstream side of the powder filter medium 102, the raw water is rectified by the powder filter medium 102 and can uniformly contact the entire ion exchanger 203. , Specific ions in raw water (heavy metal ions such as soluble lead) are ion-exchanged and removed.

The ring case 208 has a substantially cylindrical shape composed of an open bottom surface 24 on the upstream side, an upper surface 25 having an opening 23, an inner cylinder 26, and an outer cylinder 27. The ring case 208 is preferably a molded product of synthetic resin in order to be inexpensive to manufacture, to be able to compress and insert and assemble the ion exchanger 203 in a slippery manner, and to have rigidity that does not deform the shape even if the ring case 208 is compressed and inserted. .. As the synthetic resin material, polypropylene, ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin), polyacetal, polystyrene, AS resin (acrylonitrile styrene resin), polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polyethylene, and the like can be used.

Further, the ratio (L / d) of the powder filter medium 102 to the axial length (L) of the body portion outer diameter (d) of the filter main body 82 is 1.0 to 4.0, that is, the filter cartridge 2 It is preferable to make it compact and to achieve a sufficient filtration capacity. If L / d is smaller than 1.0, the outer diameter of the body of the filter cartridge 2 becomes large, and the filter cartridge 2 does not become compact. Further, when L / d is larger than 4.0, the thickness of the powder filter medium 102 in the water flow direction becomes small as the outer diameter (d) of the body of the filter cartridge 2 decreases, and sufficient filtration capacity cannot be obtained.

The shape of the open portion is preferably a ring shape similar to the shape of the ion exchanger so that the ion exchanger 203 can be inserted from the open portion of the bottom surface 24 of the ring case 208. It is desirable that the opening 23 of the upper surface 25 of the ring case 208 has an opening area as large as possible within the allowable range of the strength of the ring case 208 in order to secure the water flow area in the ion exchanger 203. The shape of the opening 23 is preferably a plurality of fan-shaped shapes in which the ring-shaped upper surface 25 is evenly divided so that water can flow uniformly, but other shapes such as a large number of circular or square openings and an oval shape. But it may be.

The lower outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 27 of the ring case 208 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer rib 33 of the upper inner lid 207 according to the present embodiment are substantially the same, and the outer rib 33 is fixed to the ring case 208 by fitting. ing. As a result, purified water and raw water (unpurified tap water) do not mix.

Further, the upper outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 27 of the ring case 208 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer rib 211 of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 described later are substantially the same, and the outer rib 211 is fixed to the ring case 208 by fitting. There is. As a result, purified water and raw water (unpurified tap water) do not mix.

Further, a brim portion 28 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 27. It is preferable in that it can be positioned when assembling the ring case 208 and the upper inner lid 207, and the ring case 208 and the hollow fiber membrane case 103.

The material of the ring case 208 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but it is quality and manufacture to manufacture ABS resin with high dimensional accuracy by injection molding. There is a merit in terms of cost.
The ion exchanger 203 preferably has a ring shape in which long filter media having an ion exchange ability are wound and laminated in layers. In particular, when the ion exchanger 203 is a ring-shaped product obtained by winding and laminating a sheet-shaped long filter medium and slicing it with a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction to a predetermined axial thickness. It is even more preferable because it can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, for example, a ring shape in which filter media having a relatively short ion exchange ability such as a strip shape instead of a long strip are connected and wound and laminated in a layered shape may be used. Further, a fibrous filter medium having an ion exchange ability may be simply compression-molded into a ring-shaped predetermined shape.

Furthermore, ion exchangers 203, easily fabricated wound laminated ring in layers, to facilitate maintaining the shape as the ion exchanger to the outside diameter d _o of the ion exchanger 203 in the ring casing 208 203 ratio _t a / d _o radial thickness _{t a} of is preferably such as to satisfy the relation of 0.1 to 0.35.

The long filter medium having an ion exchange ability is preferably a sheet of ion exchange fibers, but a non-woven fabric, felt or the like carrying an adsorbent having an ion exchange ability may be used. The ion exchange fiber is a fiber in which a predetermined functional group is bonded to a styrene-based, acrylic-based, methacrylic acid-based, or phenol-based polymer base. In order to obtain higher performance, it is preferable to use an acrylic or methacrylic acid-based base. Predetermined functional groups include sulfonic acids, carboxylic acids, trimethylammonium, dimethylethanolammonium, dimethylamine, polyamines, iminodiacetic acids, aminocarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids and the like. In order to obtain higher performance, it is preferable to use sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid. As the adsorbent having an ion exchange ability, it is preferable to use an inorganic adsorbent such as aluminosilicate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and titanosilicate, or an organic adsorbent such as an ion exchange resin and a chelate resin. In order to obtain higher performance, it is preferable to use titanosilicate or aluminosilicate. As the long filter medium, a plurality of filter media may be mixed and used. For example, by using a molded product obtained by mixing ion-exchange fibers and fibrous activated carbon into a sheet, it is possible to obtain a cartridge having excellent heavy metal removal performance and improved removal performance of trihalomethane, musty odor, and the like.

The straightening vane 202 shown in FIG. 15 will be described. After passing through the inner cylinder 206, the purified water purified by the powder filter medium 102 comes into contact with the inner cylinder flat surface 248 of the ring case 208, flows in the radial direction, passes through the bottom surface 24 of the upper inner lid 207, and reaches the ion exchanger 203. To reach. Here, the straightening vane 202 can flow more uniformly until it reaches the ion exchanger 203 by giving an appropriate pressure loss to the inflowing purified water through a plurality of opening holes 247 arranged in the upper surface 246, and ion exchange can be performed. The filtration capacity of the body 203 can be improved.

The opening hole 247 preferably has a hole diameter of Φ0.5 to Φ3.0 and an opening ratio of 15 to 25% with respect to the upper surface 246 in consideration of the balance between the uniform flow of the flowing purified water and the pressure loss.

The material of the rectifying plate 202 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but it is quality to manufacture ABS resin with high dimensional accuracy by injection molding. And there are advantages in terms of manufacturing costs.
The filter main body 82 shown in FIGS. A pair of convex portions 91 and 92 are provided.

The expanded diameter side of the filter body 82 is open, the inside is a double cylinder, and the connection cap 104 described later is inserted into the inner cylinder 93. The inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 93 communicates with the purified water discharge port 88, and the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 93 communicates with the raw water receiving port 86.

The material of the filter body 82 may be a metal such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or a resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, etc., but it is the appearance and production of ABS resin or polypropylene having a good appearance by injection molding. There is a merit in terms of manufacturing cost.

In the central opening 125 of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 shown in FIGS. 13 and 18, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 105 obtained by bundling hollow fiber membranes and bending them in an inverted U shape is sealed and fixed by a casting material 106. The casting material 106 is filled between each hollow fiber membrane and between the hollow fiber membrane and the hollow fiber membrane case 103, and is fixed by solidifying. The hollow fiber membrane 105 is opened toward the connection cap 104 by partially cutting and removing the casting material 106 before connecting the hollow fiber membrane case 103 and the connection cap 104 described later. It is preferable that a part of the inner peripheral surface of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 is textured. The casting material 106 is prevented from peeling off from the hollow fiber membrane case 103, and a load due to water pressure is applied to the casting material 106 when water is passed. The casting material 106 does not peel off or fall off from the hollow fiber membrane case 103.

As the material of the hollow fiber membrane case 103, an amorphous resin having a good affinity with an adhesive is preferable, and ABS resin or polystyrene is preferable in consideration of safety.

As the hollow fiber membrane bundle 105, a hydrophilic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane is used. Polysulfone is excellent in biological properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc., and is preferable for water purifier applications. In addition to polysulfone, hollow fiber membranes of polyacrylic nitrile, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyethylene, and polypropylene may be used. A plurality of types of hollow fiber membranes made of different materials may be combined. By inserting a hollow fiber membrane of hydrophobic polyethylene or polypropylene, the air mixed in the water can be efficiently discharged. The pore size of the hollow fiber membrane is 0.1 to 0.3 μm, which is most suitable for capturing turbidity in tap water. The outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is φ300 to 600 μm, the inner diameter is φ180 to 340 μm, and the film thickness is 50 to 150 μm, and the hollow fiber membrane has sufficient strength. It does not break in the process of bending it into a U shape in manufacturing or the process of pushing it into the hollow fiber membrane case 103.

Since the cross-sectional area of only the hollow fiber membrane of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 105 is 45 to 55% of the cross-sectional area of the opening 125 of the hollow fiber membrane case 103, it has a high turbidity filtration capacity and can be used for a long period of time. Can be done. If it is less than 45%, the membrane area of the hollow fiber membrane becomes small, and if it exceeds 55%, the turbidity does not go around to the inside of the dense hollow fiber membrane bundle, and in either case, the turbidity filtration capacity is lowered and the filtration capacity is reduced for a long period of time. It becomes unusable. Since the outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is φ300 to 600 μm, which is sufficiently thin while having strength, a sufficiently large film area can be secured in a small casing. This is also a factor that demonstrates high turbidity filtration capacity.

The casting material (potting material) 106 is a two-component mixed type in which a main agent having fluidity 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.

A collar portion that engages with the connection cap 104 described later is provided on the outer peripheral side of the end portion of the hollow fiber membrane case 103 that is sealed and fixed by the casting material 106.

The connection cap 104 shown in FIGS. 13, 19 (A) and 19 (B) has a large cylinder 131 and a small cylinder 132, and a first connection portion with a hollow fiber membrane case 103 is provided on the inner peripheral side of one end of the large cylinder 131. It has 135, and has a second connection portion 134 with the inner cylinder 93 of the filter main body 82 on the outer peripheral side of one end of the small cylinder 132. The inner circumference of the first connecting portion 135 is adapted to engage with the outer circumference of the flange portion provided on the hollow fiber membrane case 103 so as not to rattle. In the engaged state, the connection cap 104 and the hollow fiber membrane case 103 are welded by applying vibration energy while applying pressure to the horn of the ultrasonic welding machine from the connection cap 104 side. The welding method may be any method such as a bad joint method, a step joint method, a share joint method, and a bead joint method, and is not particularly limited. The connection cap 104 and the hollow fiber membrane case 103 may be connected by fitting instead of ultrasonic welding. An elastic member such as an O-ring may be interposed between the connection cap 104 and the hollow fiber membrane case 103.

An O-ring 136 is mounted in the annular groove of the second connecting portion 134 of the small cylinder 132. Since the connection cap 104 is connected to the filter main body 82 via the O-ring 136, purified water and raw water (unpurified tap water) do not mix.

As the material of the connection cap 104, the same material as the hollow fiber membrane case 103 is used when connecting to the hollow fiber membrane case 103 by ultrasonic welding. ABS resin, AS resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate, and polystyrene, which have high dimensional accuracy in molding, can be used. When connecting to the hollow fiber membrane case 103 by fitting, relatively soft polyethylene or polypropylene is used. With polyethylene or polypropylene, it is easy to forcibly remove the mold from the undercut portion, and the mold manufacturing cost is low. Since it is relatively soft, it is easy to fit in manufacturing and productivity is improved.

Further, protrusions 244 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the large cylinder 131. Since the central axis of the connection cap 104 and the central axis of the filter main body 82 can be easily aligned, it is preferable in terms of improving assembly workability.

When connecting the connection cap 104 to the hollow fiber membrane case 103 by ultrasonic welding, the same material as the hollow fiber membrane case 103 is used. ABS resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate, and polystyrene, which have high dimensional accuracy in molding, can be used. When connecting to the hollow fiber membrane case 103 by fitting, relatively soft polyethylene or polypropylene is used. With polyethylene or polypropylene, it is easy to forcibly remove the mold from the undercut portion, and the mold manufacturing cost is low. Since it is relatively soft, it is easy to fit in manufacturing and productivity is improved.

Next, the installation of the water purifier 1 will be described. The installation location of the water purifier 1 of the present invention is not particularly limited, but if it is used as an undersink type water purifier installed and used under a kitchen sink, it is effective because it can solve the conventional problems.

The raw water introduction pipe 7 of the water purifier filter head 3 and the water purification outlet pipe 8 are connected to a water purifier faucet (not shown) in the kitchen. When the water purifier faucet is opened by turning the lever or the like, tap water is supplied to the raw water introduction pipe 7 from the valve mechanism built in the water purifier faucet. The purified water purified by the water purifier 1 returns from the water purification outlet pipe 8 to the water purifier faucet, and is discharged as it is from the discharge port of the water purifier faucet without passing through the valve mechanism. That is, the water purifier 1 is provided on the downstream side of the valve mechanism built in the water purifier faucet so that the water pressure is not applied to the water purifier 1 when the water is stopped. It is a so-called type II water purifier. However, the water purifier 1 of the present invention is not limited to the type II. It may be used as a so-called I-type water purifier in which water pressure is applied to the water purifier 1 when the water is stopped.

Next, purification of tap water by the water purifier 1 will be described. In the water purifier of the present invention, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 3 and 12, when the water purifier faucet (not shown) is opened, the raw water flows into the raw water introduction pipe 7 of the water purifier filter head 3, and the filter cartridge. It is introduced into the raw water receiving port 86 of the filter main body 82 of 2. Here, when the filter cartridge 2 is not attached to the filter head 3 for the water purifier, the check valve 213 and the check valve 214 close the flow path, so that tap water is blown out due to improper installation of the filter cartridge 2. Can be prevented.

When the tap water is opened by turning the lever of the water purifier faucet (not shown), tap water flows through the raw water flow path 224 of the filter head connection portion 5 of the water purifier filter head 3 and the raw water receiving port of the filter cartridge 2. It flows into 86. The cylindrical powder filter medium 102 flows uniformly from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side, decomposes free residual chlorine in tap water, and at the same time adsorbs and removes volatile organic compounds in tap water. Next, the water reaches the inner cylinder 206 inside the cylindrical powder filter medium 102, the water flows upward, passes through the straightening vane 202, and reaches the ion exchanger 203. Water flows from the lower side to the upper side of the ion exchanger 203, and the lead component is removed. Next, water flows from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side of the hollow fiber membrane 105, and turbid substances and bacteria in the water are captured by the hollow fiber membrane. The purified water that has passed through the hollow fiber membrane 105 is discharged from the water purification discharge port 88 of the filter cartridge 2, and is discharged as it is from the discharge port of the water purifier faucet via the water purification flow path 225 of the filter head connection portion 5. The user can obtain delicious and safe purified water.

Finally, replacement of the filter cartridge 2 of the water purifier 1 will be described. When the filter cartridge 2 is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise, the filter cartridge 2 is easily removed from the water purifier filter head 3 by the bayonet mechanism.

Next, the unused filter cartridge 2 is attached to the water purifier filter head 3. When the tip of the unused filter cartridge 2 is inserted into the water purifier filter head 3, the central shaft 242 of the filter cartridge 2 naturally aligns with the central shaft 241 of the water purifier filter head 3. When the unused filter cartridge 2 is turned 90 degrees clockwise after getting the feeling of reaching the water purifier filter head 3, the unused filter cartridge 2 can be securely attached to the filter cartridge connection portion 3.

The particle size shown in the examples was measured by using a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring device (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, model [SALD-3100]) in a part of a mixture in which a small amount of a sample was put in pure water and stirred. The particle size distribution was measured after constant stirring was performed in the sample tank of the apparatus and ultrasonic treatment was performed for 1 minute while circulating between the sample tank and the cell.

(Example 1)
Palm shell activated carbon was used as the powder filter medium. The particle size D50 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 50% is 197 μm, the particle size D90 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 90% is 295 μm, and the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 10%. The particle size D10 was 141 μm. This activated carbon was filled in a filter cartridge having the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the pressure loss value (1) when water was passed at an indicated flow rate of 3.5 L / min was measured. After that, the pressure loss value (2) of the filter cartridge excluding the powder filter medium was measured, and the pressure loss (2) was subtracted from the pressure loss (1) to calculate the pressure loss value (3) of the powder filter medium portion. .. The result was that the pressure loss in the powder filter medium was very small.

(Example 2)
As a powder filter medium, the particle size D50 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 50% is 211 μm, and the particle size D90 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 90% is 319 μm, depending on the volume particle size distribution. The pressure loss was measured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coconut shell activated charcoal having a particle size D10 of 143 μm was used where the integrated value was 10%. The pressure loss was higher than that in Example 1, but there was no problem in practical use.

(Reference example 1)
As a powder filter medium, the particle size D50 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 50% is 199 μm, and the particle size D90 where the integrated value based on the volume particle size distribution is 90% is 319 μm, depending on the volume particle size distribution. The pressure loss was measured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coconut shell activated charcoal having a particle size D10 of 116 μm was used where the integrated value was 10%. The pressure loss was more than 0.018 MPa.

The conditions of the powder filter media of Examples 1 and 2 and Reference Example 1 are summarized in Table 1, and the pressure loss values are summarized in Table 2. If the pressure loss value (3) of the powder filter medium portion at 3.5 L / min water flow is 0.018 MPa or less, there is no practical problem.

The present invention relates to a water purifier that purifies tap water, and more particularly to an undersink type water purifier that is installed in the space next to or below the sink. It can be applied to all. It is not limited to the undersink type water purifier.

1 Water purifier 2 Filter cartridge 3 Water purifier filter head 4 Filter head fixing plate 5 Filter head connection part 6 Flange 7 Raw water introduction pipe 8 Water purification outlet pipe 11 Mouth fitting 13 Nipple part 14 Head 15 Fastening member (tightening sleeve)
16 Hose body 17 Opening 18 Opening 22 Inner diameter side flow path 23 Opening 24 Bottom surface 25 Top surface 26 Inner cylinder 27 Outer cylinder 28 Brim 32 Opening 33 Outer rib 34 Support frame 35 Opening 36 Filter material 38 Hollow fiber membrane module 82 Filter body 86 Raw water inlet 87 Small diameter O-ring 88 Purified water discharge port 89 Large diameter O-ring 91 Convex part 92 Convex part 93 Inner cylinder 102 Powder filter medium 103 Hollow fiber membrane case 104 Connection cap 105 Hollow fiber membrane 106 Casting material 125 Opening 131 Large cylinder 132 Small cylinder 134 Second connection part 135 First connection part 136 O-ring 201 Bottom lid 202 Straightening plate 203 Ion exchanger 204 Inner inner wall 205 Outer cylinder 206 Inner cylinder 207 Upper inner lid 208 Ring case 209 Inner rib 210 Elastic member 211 Outer rib 212 Lower end opening 213 Check valve 214 Check valve 215 Movable shaft 216 Spring 217 Convex part 218 Inclined part 219 Protruding part 220 Insertion recess 221 Flow path 222 Straight pipe part 223 Head end face 224 Raw water flow path 225 Purified water flow path 226 Bottomed cylindrical part 227 Fixing member (tapping screw)
228 O-ring 229 O-ring 230 Partial diameter expansion part 231 Partial diameter expansion part 232 Closed space 233 First cylindrical part 234 Second cylindrical part 235 Partial diameter expansion part 236 Partial diameter expansion part 237 Rib 238 Gap 239 Inner wall surface 240 Inner rib 241 Central axis 242 Central axis 243 Projection 244 Projection 245 Outer rib 246 Top surface 247 O-ring hole 248 Inner cylinder flat surface 249 Powder filter medium module

Claims (2)

It has a filter cartridge containing a filter medium and a filter head for a water purifier to which this filter cartridge can be attached and detached.
The filter head for the water purifier
Filter head connection for connecting the filter cartridge,
A raw water introduction pipe arranged at the filter head connection portion for introducing raw water into the filter cartridge.
And has a purified water outlet pipe, which is arranged at the filter head connection portion and is used to derive purified water purified by the filter cartridge.
The raw water introduction pipe and the purified water outlet pipe are each
A mouthpiece, which is composed of a cylindrical head and a cylindrical nipple portion extending from the head, and a flow path penetrating the head and the nipple portion is formed in the center portion.
The hose body inserted into the nipple
And a fastening member that is attached to the outer periphery of the hose body and presses and fixes the hose body to the nipple portion.
The head of the mouthpiece of the raw water introduction pipe and the head of the mouthpiece of the water purification outlet pipe are respectively arranged in the two circular insertion recesses formed in the filter head connection portion, and from the insertion recess by fixing means. A water purifier in which the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe are rotatably fixed to the filter head by being fixed so as not to come off. The outer diameter of the head of the metal fitting of the raw water introduction pipe and the metal fitting of the water purification outlet pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the nipple portion, respectively.
The fixing means includes a fixing plate having one or two openings having a size that the head does not penetrate and the nipple portion penetrates, and a fixing member that fixes the fixing plate to the filter head connection portion. Consists of
The filter head is in a state where the fixing plate penetrates the opening of the fixing plate through a portion other than the head of each of the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe, and the head is arranged in the insertion recess. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the raw water introduction pipe and the water purification outlet pipe are rotatably fixed to the filter head by being fixed to the connecting portion by a fixing member.

Images