JP7188723B1 - Water production equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a water maker that reduces the possibility of a shortage of water that can be supplied. A water producing apparatus (10) includes a cooler (12) for cooling taken-in air, a water producing tank (20) for storing water condensed by a cooling part (12), and a water supply tank (22) for storing water supplied from the outside. A pump unit 30 for sucking and delivering water stored in the water tank 20 or the water supply tank 22, a cold water tank 40 for storing the water delivered by the pump unit 30 as cold water, and adding water delivered by the pump unit 30. A hot water tank 42 for heating and storing hot water is provided, and the water supply tank 22 is detachably provided on the front side of the water maker 10 . [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a water maker.

Patent Literature 1 describes a water intake device that can take in water that can be used as drinking water or the like from the atmosphere. This water intake device comprises an air intake device, and an atmospheric humidity converter having a mechanism for reducing the atmospheric pressure taken in by the air intake device and a built-in cooling unit for cooling the taken air and extracting moisture. , a water intake for taking out water obtained by the atmospheric humidity converter, and a filter device provided upstream from the water intake for removing foreign substances from the water obtained by the atmospheric humidity converter. is characterized by

JP 2014-224399 A

Here, in general, a water producing apparatus that produces water from air containing humidity may run out of water that can be supplied because the amount of water that can be produced decreases when the humidity in the surrounding environment is low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a water maker that reduces the possibility of a shortage of water that can be supplied.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises: a cooling unit for cooling taken-in air; a water making tank for storing water condensed by the cooling unit; a water supply tank for storing water supplied from the outside; a pump section for sucking and delivering water stored in the water supply tank; a tank for storing the water delivered by the pump section; a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water production tank; When a drop is detected, the pump unit is caused to suck in and send out water stored in the water supply tank. and a control unit for sucking and discharging water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the water producing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a discharge pipe for discharging water from the tank and a flow path from the discharge pipe to the water making tank are provided. A depressurization pipe to be formed, a check valve provided between the discharge pipe and the depressurization pipe, and a first solenoid valve for opening and closing a flow path of the depressurization pipe are further provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water producing apparatus according to the second aspect, a circulation pipe forming a flow path from the discharge pipe to the suction side of the pump section, and a second flow path opening and closing the flow path of the circulation pipe. 2 solenoid valves.

The invention according to claim 4 is the water producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the water supply tank includes a container for storing water supplied from the outside, an upper lid covering the container, a water supply nozzle attached to the back side of the top lid for sucking water inside the container.

The invention according to claim 5 is the water producing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the water supply nozzle includes a first pipe portion extending in the vertical direction, a second pipe portion extending in the rear direction, and the first pipe portion extending in the rear direction. a joint that connects the pipe portion and the second pipe portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the water maker according to the fifth aspect, wherein the upper cover is provided with a handle that protrudes on the upper surface side and forms a space for fixing the joint on the lower surface side.

The invention according to claim 7 is the water producing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 , further comprising a connection port to which the second pipe part is connected when the water supply tank is attached, wherein the connection port is , a water receptacle is formed on the upper lid to receive water leaked from the connection port.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided the water producing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the water supply tank is detachably provided on the front side of the water producing apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the water maker of the first aspect, the water supply tank is provided on the front side of the water maker, and is removed by being pulled out to the front side.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water production apparatus with which the possibility that the water which can be supplied becomes short is reduced can be provided.

1 is an external view of a water maker according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is an external view of the water supply tank with which the same water production apparatus is provided. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a water supply tank provided in the same water producing apparatus; Fig. 3 is an external view of a water supply nozzle provided in a water supply tank included in the water producing apparatus; It is a block diagram which shows the operation|movement which discharges cold water of the same water production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the operation|movement which discharges warm water of the same water production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the depressurization operation|movement of the same water production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the circulation operation|movement of the same water production apparatus.

Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings for better understanding of the present invention. In addition, in the drawings, the illustration of parts that are not related to the description may be omitted. For example, in FIGS. 5-8, the two blocks labeled "Depressurize" are connected together, whether explicitly stated or not. In addition, two blocks labeled "circulation" are also connected to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a water producing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling section 12, a water producing tank 20, a water supply tank 22, a pump section 30, a filter section 32, a cold water tank 40, Equipped with a hot water tank 42 and a control unit 50 , water condensed in the cooling unit 12 can be purified by the filter unit 32 and supplied from a common supply port 102 as cold water or hot water.

The cooling section 12 has a fan 122 , a radiator 124 , an evaporator 126 and a hepa filter 128 . The cooling unit 12 can cool the air taken in by the fan 122 through the HEPA filter 128 with the evaporator 126 to cause condensation.

The water making tank 20 can store water condensed by the cooling part 12 .
The water tank 20 is provided with a water level sensor 202 for detecting the water level. The water level sensor 202 can detect a predetermined water level step by step. Specifically, the water level is detected in four steps, for example.

A discharge port for supplying water and a drain port for discharging water are provided at the bottom of the water making tank 20 . A solenoid valve SV20 is connected to the discharge port.
An inlet for introducing condensed water and a connection port to which a depressurization pipe L60 for reducing residual pressure is connected are provided in the upper portion of the water producing tank 20 .

The water supply tank 22 can store water supplied from the outside.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply tank 22 is detachably provided on the front side of the water maker 10, and can be easily removed by being pulled out to the front side.
When the water supply tank 22 is attached to the main body of the water maker 10, as shown in FIG. 2, it is connected to a connection port 222 (see FIG. 5) provided on the main body side. This connection port 222 is connected to the solenoid valve SV22.

The pump unit 30 has a bottom pump 30a, a bottom pump 30b, and a top pump 30c, and can suck water stored in the water making tank 20 or the water supply tank 22 and send it out.
The bottom pump 30a and the bottom pump 30b are arranged in parallel and arranged at a position lower than the water production tank 20, respectively.
The top pump 30 c is a pump provided downstream of the bottom pumps 30 a and 30 b and positioned higher than the water production tank 20 .
In addition, the pump unit 30 does not necessarily have to be composed of a plurality of pumps, and may be a single pump. In other words, the pump unit 30 only needs to be able to suck in and pump out water from the water making tank 20 and the water supply tank 22 .

The filter unit 32 is composed of a plurality of filters, and can remove foreign matter, bacteria, etc. from the water in the water production tank 20 and adjust the components.
The filter unit 32 is provided downstream of the bottom pumps 30a and 30b and upstream of the top pump 30c.

The cold water tank 40 can cool the water delivered by the pump unit 30 to generate and store cold water.
The cold water tank 40 is provided with cooling means (not shown), and the water inside is cooled to 4 to 8° C., for example.

At the bottom of the cold water tank 40, an inlet for introducing water from the pump section 30 and a drain for discharging water are provided.
A discharge port for supplying water to the outside is provided in the upper portion of the cold water tank 40 .

The hot water tank 42 can heat the water sent by the pump unit 30 to generate and store hot water.
The hot water tank 42 is provided with a heating means (not shown), and the water inside is heated to 60 to 90° C., for example.

At the bottom of the hot water tank 42, an inlet for introducing water from the pump section 30 and a drain for discharging water are provided.
A discharge port for supplying hot water to the outside is provided in the upper portion of the hot water tank 42 .

Here, pipes extending from the pump section 30, the cold water tank 40, and the hot water tank 42 will be described.
A pipe connected to the discharge side of the top pump 30c of the pump unit 30 branches midway into a cold water side water supply pipe L401 and a hot water side water supply pipe L421. The hot water side water supply pipe L421 is connected to the inlet of the hot water tank 42.

A cold water discharge pipe L402 connected to the discharge port of the cold water tank 40 is connected to the supply port 102 provided on the front surface of the water maker 10 . A check valve CV40 that prevents backflow of air is provided in the middle of the cold water discharge pipe L402, and a solenoid valve SV40 is provided downstream of the flow path of the check valve CV40.
A circulation pipe L62 extends from the upstream side of the check valve CV40 to the suction side of the pump section 30 (the suction sides of the bottom pumps 30a and 30b). A solenoid valve SV62 is provided in the middle of the circulation pipe L62, and by opening the solenoid valve SV62 (an example of a second solenoid valve), a circulation channel for passing water through the filter section 32 can be formed. . A circulation path will be described later.

A hot water discharge pipe L422 connected to the discharge port of the hot water tank 42 is connected to the supply port 102 provided on the front surface of the water maker 10 . A check valve CV42 that prevents backflow of air is provided in the middle of the hot water discharge pipe L422, and a solenoid valve SV42 is provided downstream of the flow path of the check valve CV42.

The upstream side of the check valve CV40 of the cold water discharge pipe L402 and the upstream side of the check valve CV42 of the hot water discharge pipe L422 are respectively a check valve CV50 (an example of a first check valve) and a check valve CV52 (a first 2) to a depressurization pipe L60 for reducing residual pressure.
The depressurization pipe L60 is connected to a connection port of the fresh water tank 20 via a solenoid valve SV60 (an example of a first solenoid valve).

The control unit 50 can control each unit such as the cooling unit 12, the pump unit 30, and the solenoid valves SV20, SV22, SV40, SV42, SV60, SV62.
In particular, the control unit 50 can control the pump unit 30 to draw in and pump out water stored in either the water making tank 20 or the water supply tank 22 based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 202. . Specifically, when the water level sensor 202 detects the lowest water level, the control unit 50 closes the electromagnetic valve SV20 and opens the electromagnetic valve SV22 so that the pump unit 30 can only supply water stored in the water supply tank 22. can be controlled to draw in and deliver to the cold water tank 40 or the hot water tank 42 .

In the water production device 10 configured in this way, the cold water discharge flow path from the water production tank 20 or the water supply tank 22 to the solenoid valve SV40 is filled with water, so air stays inside and bacteria are removed. are less likely to breed.
In the water producing apparatus 10, the warm water discharge passage from the water producing tank 20 or the water supply tank 22 to the solenoid valve SV42 is also filled with water, so that air stays inside and bacteria propagate. less likely.

Next, the water supply tank 22 will be described in detail.
The water supply tank 22 has a container 224, an upper lid 226 and a water supply nozzle 228, as shown in FIGS.
The container 224 is open at the top and can store water (for example, tap water) supplied from the outside by the user himself/herself.
The outer shape of the container 224 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the material thereof is, for example, stainless steel.
Handles 225 are provided at both left and right ends of the upper portion of the container 224 . The handle 225 is configured to be placed on and supported by a pair of guide members (not shown) spaced apart from each other on the main body side of the water maker 10 .

The upper lid 226 is a lid that covers the upper side of the container 224, and the connection port 222 is arranged above.
The upper lid 226 is provided with a handle 230 that protrudes on the upper surface side and forms a fixing space for fixing the water supply nozzle 228 on the lower surface side (back side).
Also, on the upper surface of the upper lid 226, a water receiver 232 is formed at a position lower than the connection port 222, the edge of which is surrounded. The water receiver 232 can receive water leaked from the connection port 222 when the water supply tank 22 is removed.

A water supply nozzle 228 is attached to the back side of the upper lid 226 and can suck water inside the container 224 .
As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply nozzle 228 includes a first pipe portion 228a extending in the vertical direction and a second pipe portion extending in the rear direction (the direction in which the water supply tank 22 is attached to the main body) and connected to the connection port 222. It has a portion 228b and an elbow (an example of a joint) 228c that connects the first pipe portion 228a and the second pipe portion 228b.
The elbow 228c is fixed in a fixed space formed on the back side of the handle 230 using a fixing hole H228 and a bolt 234 (see FIG. 3), and the second pipe portion 228b extends from the fixed space to the back side. ing.
Since the water supply nozzle 228 is configured so that it can be easily divided into three parts by the first pipe portion 228a, the second pipe portion 228b, and the elbow 228c, parts whose functions have deteriorated can be replaced as necessary.

Thus, the water supply tank 22 can be easily cleaned because the water supply nozzle 228 is removed from the container 224 together with the upper cover 226 .

Next, the operation of the water maker 10 will be described. The water maker 10 operates according to the following procedures S1 to S6. However, if possible, the procedures S1 to S6 may be performed in a different order, in parallel, or partially omitted.

(Step S1)
In this step S1, preparations are made before the water maker 10 is used.
The user removes the water tank 22 from the water maker 10 and inserts the water tank 22 filled with water from the front side of the water maker 10 . The water supply tank 22 is guided by the handle 225 resting on a pair of guide members (not shown), and when pushed to a predetermined position, the second pipe portion 228b of the water supply nozzle 228 is connected to the connection port 222. be.

(Step S2)
This procedure S2 is an operation procedure during standby when no operation is performed by the user.
The control unit 50 operates the cooling unit 12 . By operating the cooling unit 12 , ambient air is taken in, and water condensed in the evaporator 126 is accumulated in the water production tank 20 .
The water level of the fresh water tank 20 is detected by a water level sensor 202 and monitored by the controller 50 .
Note that during standby when the water tank 20 is filled with water, the solenoid valve SV20 is open and the solenoid valve SV22 is closed. Also, the solenoid valve SV60 is in an open state.

(Step S3)
This procedure S3 is an operation procedure for discharging cold water.
When the user presses a cold water button provided on an operation panel (not shown), the control unit 50 closes the electromagnetic valve SV60, drives the pump unit 30, and opens the electromagnetic valve SV40. As a result, a flow path is formed as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5, the water in the water making tank 20 passes through the filter part 32 and enters the cold water tank 40, and the water in the cold water tank 40 is discharged as cold water. It is discharged through tube L402.

After that, the controller 50 closes the solenoid valve SV40 and then opens the solenoid valve SV60 to form a flow path as indicated by the arrow in FIG. As a result, due to the internal pressure of the cold water discharge pipe L402, part of the water is returned to the water production tank 20 through the depressurization pipe L60. That is, the water inside the depressurization pipe L60 is released to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the residual pressure of the cold water discharge pipe L402. By reducing the residual pressure in the cold water discharge pipe L402, it is possible to prevent the next operation of opening the solenoid valve SV40 from being hindered.

(Step S4)
This procedure S4 is an operation procedure for discharging hot water.
When the user presses a hot water button provided on an operation panel (not shown), the control unit 50 closes the electromagnetic valve SV60, drives the pump unit 30, and opens the electromagnetic valve SV42. As a result, the flow path shown by the arrow in FIG. 6 is formed, the water in the water making tank 20 passes through the filter part 32 and enters the hot water tank 42, and the water in the hot water tank 42 is discharged as hot water. It is discharged through tube L422.

After that, the controller 50 closes the solenoid valve SV42 and then opens the solenoid valve SV60 to form a flow path as indicated by the arrow in FIG. As a result, due to the internal pressure of the hot water discharge pipe L422, part of the water is returned to the water production tank 20 through the depressurization pipe L60. That is, the water inside the depressurization pipe L60 is released to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the residual pressure of the hot water discharge pipe L422. By reducing the residual pressure in the hot water discharge pipe L422, it is possible to prevent the next operation of opening the solenoid valve SV42 from being hindered.

(Step S5)
This procedure S5 is an operation procedure when the water remaining in the water production tank 20 is insufficient.
Cold water or hot water is discharged by the user's operation, and when the discharge amount exceeds the amount of water produced by the water production device 10 (the amount of water condensed in the cooling unit 12), the water level in the water production tank 20 rises. declining. When the lowest water level is detected by the water level sensor 202, the controller 50 closes the solenoid valve SV20 and opens the solenoid valve SV22 so that the water supply nozzle 228 of the water supply tank 22 passes through the connection port 222 to the cold water tank 40 and the hot water tank. Form a flow path for supplying water to 42 .
Therefore, since the water supply source is switched from the water tank 20 to the water supply tank 22, as long as the water supply tank 22 is filled with water, the temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature even if the ambient humidity is low. Cooled or hot water is supplied to the user.

(Step S6)
This procedure S<b>6 is an operation procedure for suppressing the propagation of bacteria in the cold water of the cold water tank 40 .
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the aforementioned circulation route is formed as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Note that the predetermined condition is that a preset time has elapsed.
The circulation path is formed by the control unit 50 driving the pump unit 30, opening the solenoid valve SV62, and closing all the solenoid valves other than the solenoid valve SV62.

Water sent by the pump section 30 passes through the filter section 32 by forming a circulation path. The water that has passed through the filter section 32 is purified and introduced into the cold water tank 40 from the cold water side water supply pipe L401.
Cold water from the cold water tank 40 passes through the solenoid valve SV62, enters the circulation pipe L62 extending from the cold water discharge pipe L402, and returns to the suction side of the pump section 30 (the suction sides of the bottom pumps 30a and 30b). , passes through the filter section 32 again.
By circulating the cold water in the cold water tank 40 through the filter portion 32 in this way, the propagation of bacteria in the cold water is suppressed.

As described above, according to the water producing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the water supply tank 22 is provided, the possibility of shortage of water that can be supplied is reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all modifications of conditions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.

10 Water production device 12 Cooling unit 20 Water production tank 22 Water supply tank 30 Pump units 30a, 30b Bottom pump 30c Top pump 32 Filter unit 40 Cold water tank 42 Hot water tank 50 Control unit 102 Supply port 122 Fan 124 Radiator 126 Evaporator 128 Hepa filter 202 Water level sensor 222 Connection port 224 Container 225 Handle 226 Upper lid 228 Water supply nozzle 228a First pipe portion 228b Second pipe portion 228c Elbow 230 Handle 234 Bolt 232 Water receiver CV40, CV42, CV50, CV52 Check valve H228 Hole L401 Cold water Side water supply pipe L402 Cold water discharge pipe L421 Hot water side water supply pipe L422 Hot water discharge pipe L60 Pressure release pipe L62 Circulation pipe SV20, SV22, SV40, SV42, SV60, SV62 Solenoid valve

Claims (9)

a cooling unit that cools the taken air;
a water production tank for storing water condensed by the cooling unit;
a water supply tank for storing water supplied from the outside;
a pump unit for sucking and delivering water stored in the water making tank or the water supply tank;
a tank for storing water delivered by the pump unit;
a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water production tank;
When the water level sensor detects a drop in the water level, the pump unit is caused to suck and discharge water stored in the water supply tank, and when the water level sensor does not detect a drop in the water level, the pump unit , a control unit for sucking and discharging water stored in a water making tank . In the water production device according to claim 1 ,
a discharge pipe for discharging water from the tank ;
a depressurization pipe forming a flow path from the discharge pipe to the water production tank;
a check valve provided between the discharge pipe and the depressurization pipe ;
and a first solenoid valve that opens and closes the flow path of the depressurization pipe. In the water production device according to claim 2 ,
a circulation pipe forming a flow path from the discharge pipe to the suction side of the pump unit;
and a second solenoid valve for opening and closing the flow path of the circulation pipe. In the water production device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
a container in which the water supply tank stores water supplied from the outside;
an upper lid covering the container;
a water supply nozzle attached to the back side of the upper lid for sucking water inside the container. In the water production device according to claim 4 ,
a first pipe portion in which the water supply nozzle extends in the vertical direction;
a second tube portion extending in the rearward direction;
A water maker comprising: a joint that connects the first pipe portion and the second pipe portion. In the water production device according to claim 5 ,
A water maker, wherein the upper cover is provided with a handle that protrudes on the upper surface side and forms a space for fixing the joint on the lower surface side. In the water production device according to claim 5 or 6 ,
further comprising a connection port to which the second pipe is connected when the water supply tank is attached;
The connection port is arranged above the top cover,
A water maker, wherein the upper lid is formed with a water receiver for receiving water leaked from the connection port. In the water production device according to claim 1,
A water maker, wherein the water supply tank is detachably provided on the front side of the water maker. In the water production device according to claim 1,
A water maker in which the water supply tank is provided on the front side of the water maker and is removed by being pulled out to the front side.

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