JPH0415289Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a water filtration device for an aquarium for viewing animals and plants such as tropical fish, plants such as aquatic plants, or both.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, there are typically three types of water filtration devices for this type of aquarium, as described below.

Top-mounted type filtration device This device is used by being placed in the opening at the top of the aquarium, and the filter material is placed inside the box placed in the opening.
The aquarium water pumped up by a pump is poured into the filter medium from above directly or through a suitable water guide member, and the filtered water that has passed through the filter medium is returned to the aquarium from the bottom of the box (for example, Utility Model Publication No. 60-28482). (Refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 129119/1983).

Also, Publication No. 44-26794 and JP-A-63-
As Publication No. 143910 teaches, pour water from top to bottom,
Alternatively, some filters are made to flow from bottom to top and pass laterally through multiple filter media one after another.

Furthermore, as taught in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-67514, there is also a system in which filter cartridges are arranged vertically in a filtration tank with an opening at the top end, and water is passed through these cartridges.

Submersible type filtration device A cylindrical filter medium is fitted around a water-permeable central cylinder, a filter medium such as activated carbon is placed in the central cylinder as necessary, and the whole is submerged in water in an aquarium. The water in the central cylinder is pumped out by a pump and returned to the aquarium, while the water in the aquarium is guided into the central cylinder through the outer cylindrical filter medium and filtered.

External type filtration device A cylindrical case placed under an aquarium is loaded with filter media in several stages, and the aquarium water falls to the bottom of the case and rises through the filter media, and the rising water that has passed through the filter media is sent to a pump. and return it to the aquarium.

[The problem that the idea attempts to solve]

In these filtration devices, the filter medium generally becomes clogged with the filtered material over time. As shown in Figure 2, in the case where the water to be filtered is poured from above the filter medium and passed down, the entire surface layer of the filter medium that comes into contact with the water to be filtered first is most likely to become clogged, and if this part becomes clogged, , even when the lower layer of the filter medium still has a filtering capacity, water no longer passes through it.

Also, Publication No. 44-26794 and JP-A-63-
As taught in Publication No. 143910, even when the water to be filtered is passed through multiple filter media sequentially from top to bottom or from bottom to top, and passed in the horizontal direction as a whole, it is necessary to Since the water to be filtered only flows from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top through the entire surface of the filter medium, clogging is most likely to occur on the entire top surface or the entire bottom surface of each filter medium where water first comes into contact with the filter medium. There are similar problems with filtration devices.

Similarly, for the submersible type filtration device and the external type filtration device, if the surface layer of the filter medium that comes into contact with water first becomes clogged, the device may fail even when other parts of the filter medium still have filtration ability. There is a problem that the overall filtration capacity decreases, making it unusable.

In this respect, among top-mounted devices,
Publication No. 67514 discloses that filter media cartridges are arranged vertically in a filtration tank to allow water to pass through only horizontally, so that the filter media in each cartridge is uniformly clogged over its entire surface layer. It is thought that it does not occur, but that it occurs gradually from the bottom to the top. Also, depending on the amount of water, each cartridge may not come into contact with the water to be filtered over its entire surface, and at first It is also conceivable that only the lower part of the cartridge is in contact with the cartridge, and the water level rises as the cartridge becomes clogged. Therefore, by rotating the cartridge at 90°C, 180°C, etc. and reloading it as appropriate, the entire filter medium can be used effectively.

However, in this filtration device, the upper end of the filtration tank is opened for the purpose of injecting air bubbles, etc., and if the cartridge becomes severely clogged, water may overflow out of the filtration tank.

Therefore, with this invention, the filter media can be used uniformly throughout the entire body, saving the trouble of replacing the filter media and reducing running costs.Also, there is no risk of water leaking outside, and the structure is simple and can be manufactured. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple filtering device for aquarium water for viewing animals and plants.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problem, the present inventor first discovered that there is no risk of water leakage by using a cylindrical body surrounded by walls as a filtration tank and a lid body that closes the openings on both sides of the cylindrical body, and that there is no risk of water leakage in the cylindrical body. We focused on the fact that it was only necessary to insert a filter media cartridge. In this case, the cartridge can be easily inserted and removed from the cylinder, and the cartridge can be inserted into the cylinder in case of filter media clogging.
In order to be able to change the position by turning the cylinder 90°, 180°, etc., it is inconvenient to install a cartridge positioning member inside the cylinder. Preventing the cartridge from moving or moving is necessary to prevent the filtered material from peeling off from the filter medium, and also prevent the cartridge from moving and causing its end surface to approach or come into contact with the inner surface of the lid. In order to solve this problem, the lid body is provided with a cartridge positioning member, and the lid body is arranged so that a water flow space is interposed between the end face of the cartridge in the cylinder and the cartridge positioning member is placed in the lid body. We focused on the fact that the cylindrical opening should be closed.

That is, the present invention has the following features: a cylindrical body with openings at both ends; a filter medium cartridge that can be inserted into and removed from the cylindrical body through the openings; a lid that closes each side opening of the cylindrical body; and a support portion at the upper end of the water tank for supporting the water tank substantially horizontally, and each of the lids has a water flow opening on the periphery and has a positioning member for the filter medium cartridge loaded in the cylindrical body inside. The present invention provides an aquarium water filtration device for admiring animals and plants, which is attachable to and detachable from the end of the cylindrical body, with a space interposed between the ends of the cartridge and the water flow port located on the lower side. .

Each of the cylindrical body and the filter medium cartridge loaded in the cylindrical body is at least partially made of a transparent material, a translucent material, or a combination thereof so that the water level in the cartridge can be visually observed from the outside of the cylindrical body. You can.

A magnetic pump is connected to the water flow port of one of the lids, and the pump is connected to a driving side magnet rotated by an electric motor, a driven side magnet driven by the driving side magnet, and the driven side magnet. It may also include a pumping impeller interlocked with the side magnet.

[Effect]

According to the filtration device of the present invention, aquarium water is pumped up by a suitable water conveying means, guided to the water flow port (water inlet) of one lid of the cylinder, passed through the filter medium cartridge in the cylinder, and then transferred to the other lid. It flows to the body's water outlet (water outlet), and from there it falls into the aquarium.

The water may be allowed to flow so as to fill or substantially fill the cylinder, but may initially be allowed to flow in an amount that does not flow into at least the upper part of the cylinder.

In any case, since the cylinder is arranged horizontally or approximately horizontally, and the water flow opening of the lid is arranged in the lower position, the water travels at least along the bottom of the cylinder, and the water flows into the cartridge. Filter media tend to clog primarily from the bottom.

If the cartridge filter medium becomes clogged, change its position by rotating the cylinder around its center line, or by removing the cylinder and rotating the internal cartridge, so that the entire cartridge filter medium can be thoroughly cleaned. Can be used. Even if the filter medium becomes very dirty, the water will not leak outside because it flows inside the cylinder. Furthermore, when the filter medium becomes extremely dirty, the lid can be removed and the cartridge can be easily taken out and washed from the cylinder.

During the water filtration operation, the cartridge within the cylinder is positioned by the cartridge positioning members on both lids, so it does not vibrate greatly or move in the direction of the center line of the cylinder.

Furthermore, since the lid is attached to the end face of the cartridge with a space in between, water flows smoothly into the cartridge, and the water level can be initially set low and then raised as the filter medium becomes clogged. This rise in water level can be visually observed from outside the cylinder if at least a portion of each of the cylinder and the cartridge is made of a transparent material, a translucent material, or a combination thereof.

When the above-mentioned magnetic pump is used as the water conveyance means, even if the water flow deteriorates due to filter medium clogging, the pump impeller can be stopped while the pump motor continues to rotate.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an aquarium 20 for viewing animals and plants equipped with a filtration device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows a part of the filtration device in cross section and the whole viewed from above. 2 shows a cross section taken along line XX in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along line YY in FIG. 1.

The aquarium 20 has four transparent glass plates 202 to 205 set up from the periphery of a rectangular bottom plate 201.
An upper frame 206 is fitted to the upper end of the glass plate.

Pillars (not shown) are erected at the joints between adjacent glass plates, and are water-sealed with a water-resistant adhesive such as silicone rubber.

The upper frame 206 has an opening 2 extending left and right and front and back.
07, and a filter device support portion 208 is provided on the rear side of the opening portion 207.

The filtration device 10 includes an outer cylindrical body 1 and three cartridges 2 that can be freely inserted into and removed from the outer cylindrical body 1. A water conveying means 3 for circulating aquarium water is connected to the outer cylinder 1.

The outer cylindrical body 1 is made up of a cylindrical body 11 made of transparent synthetic resin, which is shown in detail in FIG. 4, and which is open at both ends, and a lid body 2, which is shown in detail in FIG. 5. The lid 2 is detachably attached to both ends of the cylindrical body 11 so that the cartridge 2 can be taken in and out of the cylindrical body 11.

Both ends 111 of the cylindrical body 11 are formed to have a slightly smaller diameter than the central portion. One end 111
represents the protruding portion 112, and the other end portion 111 represents the protruding portion 11.
2' respectively.

Each of the protrusions 112, 112' extends along the surface of the end portion 111 in a threaded manner (so that the thickness in the axial direction of the cylinder gradually changes to form a slope).

The lids 12 are provided at both ends of the cylinder 11, and each lid 12 has a water inlet 1 at one location around its periphery.
21 (or a water outlet 121') and a member 122 erected on the inner back wall. Member 12
2 is a member with a Y-shaped cross section extending in the axial direction of the cylinder;
It is used for positioning the cartridge 2 inserted into the cylindrical body 11.

Further, each lid body 12 is provided with a pair of symmetrical protrusions 123 on its inner circumferential wall. Note that only one protrusion appears in FIG.

When the lid 12 is fitted onto the end 111 of the cylindrical body 11 and turned to the right, this protrusion 123 engages with the protrusion 112 (or 112') on the end of the cylindrical body, and the lid 12
This is to securely fix it to the cylindrical body 11. In this state, the water inlet 121 (or water outlet 121') is located at a lower position and faces downward.

Note that when the lid 12 is turned to the left, the protrusion 123 comes off from the protrusion 112 (or 112'), and the lid 2
can be removed from the cylindrical body 11.

In addition, the inner step part 124 of the lid body 2 and the cylindrical body end part 11
An elastic water seal ring 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is inserted into the end face of the water seal 1.

This outer cylinder 1 has water inlet portions 121 at both ends thereof,
The water outlet section 121' can be horizontally attached to the filter device support section 208 of the aquarium upper frame by being fitted into the cylindrical holes 208A and 208B of the support section.

The details of each cartridge 2 are as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

That is, the cartridge 2 is made of a cylindrical body 21 made of transparent synthetic resin and open at both ends, with lids 22 fitted at both ends. A low protrusion 211 is provided around each end of the cylindrical body 21 . In addition, the lid body 22 has a large number of water flow holes 221, and grooves 2 on the inner peripheral surface.
There are 22 surrounding areas. Further, a substantially triangular elastic seal ring 223 is provided around the outer peripheral surface. This seal ring is integrally molded with the other parts of the lid. This lid body is a cylindrical body 2
A concave groove 222 on the inner circumferential surface is removably tightly fitted into the protrusion 211 at the end of the cylindrical body so that the filter material can be taken in and out of the cylindrical body. Note that the water seal ring may be of a type that can be fitted into the cylindrical body 21 later, for example, in the form of an O-ring.

When this cartridge 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body portion 11 of the outer cylinder 1, the seal ring 223 comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 11, and the gap between the cartridge 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 11 is closed. to prevent water from flowing.

When the cartridge 2 is loaded into the cylindrical body 11 and the opening at the side end of the cylindrical body is closed with the lid 12 as described above,
The cartridges 2 at both ends are positioning members 12 for the lid body.
2, and the entire cartridge is positioned. In addition, the outer end surface of the cartridge at both ends and the lid 1
A water circulation space is formed between the two inner surfaces.

The water conveying means 3 includes a magnetic pump 31 supported by a suitable means such as a suction cup 311 on the aquarium glass 204, and the discharge part of the pump is connected to the water inlet 121 of the outer cylindrical lid 12. ing. A pipe 33 extending into the water of the aquarium is attached to the water suction portion of the pump. This pump is of a type in which the driven side magnet, which is linked to the rotating shaft of the pumping impeller, is rotated by the driving side magnet, which is rotated by an electric motor, and the casing of the motor part can be used underwater. Designed to be watertight for safety.

In addition, in the above-mentioned aquarium, if necessary, a third
A lighting device 30 as shown by the broken line in the figure is attached to the aquarium upper frame 2.
It may be placed on 06. This device 30 is equipped with a lid 301 that can be opened and closed and can be used for feeding, etc.

In the embodiment described above, caps 209 and 210 are arranged on both sides of the outer cylindrical body 1, and these are removably attached to the filter device support part 208 of the upper frame. A cooling fan or the like for cooling the water in the aquarium can be installed in this cap if necessary.

In the filtration device 10, for example, one cartridge is loaded with the filter medium A, and the other cartridges are loaded with the filter media B and C, respectively, and these cartridges are arranged in series as shown in the figure and placed inside the outer cylindrical body 1. Load. Next, the entire outer cylindrical body 1 is mounted on the filter device mounting portion 208 of the upper frame of the aquarium, and the pipe 32 of the water conveying means 3 can be connected to the water inlet 121 for use.

When the pump 31 is started in this state, water in the aquarium enters the outer cylinder 1 from the water inlet 121, and the lid body 12 enters the outer cylinder 1.
The filter medium A in the cartridge smoothly passes through the inner space.
The water passes through B and C sequentially, and in a filtered state passes smoothly through the space inside the other lid body 12 to the outlet 12.
1' and falls into the water tank. During this filtration, the cartridge is subjected to water pressure, but since it is positioned within the cylinder 11 as described above, it does not vibrate greatly or
It never moves.

In the case of the example, filter media A, B, and C were selected for the animals and plants to be placed in the aquarium 20. Further, the filter medium B is a synthetic resin ball with protrusions to which bacteria for water filtration adhere.

According to the embodiment, the water inlet 12 is located inside the outer cylindrical body 1.
1 to the water outlet 121' travels at least along the bottom of the outer cylinder. Therefore, each filter medium tends to gradually become clogged starting from a portion near the bottom of the outer cylinder. If the water flow rate is adjusted so that the initial water level inside the outer cylinder 1 is lower than the ceiling of the cylinder, if clogging occurs, water will flow inside the outer cylinder 1, or more precisely, inside the cartridge 2. Since the water level gradually rises, clogging of the filter medium can be easily determined by visually observing this from outside the outer cylinder.

As a guide for determining this clogging, if necessary, scales 113 may be provided at one or several locations on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 11, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Further, such a scale may be provided on the cartridge 2 or on both the cylindrical body 11 and the cartridge 2. Note that water may be allowed to flow completely or approximately completely into the cylinder 11 from the beginning.

In any case, if the filter material becomes clogged,
By removing the outer cylindrical body 1 from the support part 208, removing the lid 12 from the cylindrical body 11, and turning the cartridge 2 inside at an appropriate angle, the cylindrical body 11 of the other part of the filter medium can be removed.
Can be placed at the bottom.

In this manner, by rotating the cartridge at an arbitrary angle to change the attitude of the filter medium, the entire filter medium can be used uniformly without wasting it.

In the embodiment described above, it is possible that the flow of water inside the outer cylindrical body 1 is deteriorated due to clogging of the filter medium, but since the water flows inside the cylindrical body 11, it is safe and does not leak outside. Since the pump 31 in the water conveying means is a magnetic pump, the pump impeller can be stopped while the drive motor of the pump continues to rotate, so the pump will not break down immediately.

Further, according to the embodiment, each filter medium is stored in the cartridge 2, and the cartridge can be inserted into and removed from the outer cylinder 1, so that the loading and unloading of the filter medium,
It is extremely easy to replace, change posture, etc.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various other ways.

For example, although three cartridges are used in the filtration device, in some cases, some cartridges may be omitted and the filter medium (for example, filter medium B) of that portion may be placed directly on the cylindrical body 11. Also,
One long cartridge may be used.

Furthermore, although the cylindrical body 11 is not rotatable in the filtration device, the cylindrical body is made rotatable relative to the lid body 12, so that the attitude of the internal filter medium can be changed by rotating the cylindrical body. Good too. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, O-rings 114 are fitted to both ends of the cylindrical body 11, and the lid body 12' is attached thereto so as to be removable and to be able to fit relative to the cylindrical body 11. It can be realized by

Further, in the above-mentioned filtering device, the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cartridge 2 each have a circular cross section, but they may also be formed into a quadrangular, triangular, etc. shape.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the outer cylinder 1 is attached to the filter device support part 208 of the aquarium upper frame, but such a support part may be formed separately from the aquarium upper frame. When the support part that supports the outer cylindrical body 1 is formed independently in this way, it can also be placed on an already provided aquarium upper frame.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to the present invention, the filter medium can be used uniformly throughout the entire body, which reduces the trouble of replacing the filter medium, reduces running costs, and eliminates the risk of water leaking outside. Moreover, it is possible to provide an aquarium water filtration device for ornamental animals and plants that has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

When the cylinder body and cartridge in the filtration device are at least partially made of transparent material, translucent material, or a combination thereof so that the water level therein can be visually observed from the outside, the degree of contamination of the filter medium can be easily determined visually. can.

When the water conveyance means is equipped with a magnetic pump that guides the water to be filtered to the water inlet of the cylindrical opposing body, the water conveyance means will immediately fail even if the filter medium becomes clogged and the water flow deteriorates. Never.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 7 show one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partially sectional plan view shown together with a water tank, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the Y-Y line in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a front view, left side view, and right side view of the cylindrical part of the outer cylinder, Fig. 4 is a front view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lid of the outer cylinder, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cartridge, FIG. 7 is a side view of the cartridge, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of the outer cylinder in another embodiment. . 10...Filtering device, 1...Outer cylinder, 11...Cylindrical body, 12, 12'...Lid, 121...Water inlet,
121'...Water outlet, 2...Cartridge, 21
... Cylinder body, 22 ... Lid body, 221 ... Water flow hole of cartridge, 3 ... Water conveyance means, 31 ... Magnetic pump, A, B, C ... Filter medium, 20 ... Water tank, 208 ... ...filtration device support part.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A cylindrical body with openings at both ends, a filter cartridge that can be inserted into and removed from the cylindrical body through the openings, and a lid that closes openings at each side of the cylindrical body; and a support part at the upper end of the water tank for horizontally or substantially horizontally supporting the cylinder, each of the lids having a water flow opening on the periphery and the filter medium loaded into the cylinder inside. A filtration device for water in an aquarium for ornamental animals and plants, which has a positioning member for a cartridge, has a space interposed in the end face of the cartridge, and is detachable from the end of the cylindrical body with the water flow port positioned on the lower side. . (2) Each of the cylindrical body and the filter medium cartridge loaded in the cylindrical body is at least partially made of a transparent material, a translucent material, or a combination thereof so that the water level in the cartridge can be visually observed from the outside of the cylindrical body. Claim 1 consisting of
The filtration device described. (3) A magnetic pump is connected to the water flow port of one of the two lids, and the pump has a driving side magnet rotated by an electric motor and a driven side magnet driven by the driving side magnet. The filtration device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pumping impeller interlocked with the driven magnet.