JPH0459091A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an electrical double layers from being formed on the surface of a water passing detection means and to accurately detect water passing for a long time even when water passing is repeated by forming the water passing detection means of carbon material which has been treated by ozone. CONSTITUTION:In a water purifier 1, when water passing is performed by operating a faucet, the inside of a filter part 2 is filled with water and the water level shown in an arrow M is obtained. Then a detection electrode 32 becomes a conducting state via water for a negative electrode 31. Thereby water passing is detected. Therefor voltage of a cell 4B is interrupted which has been impressed between a filter 22 contg. a positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31. On the other hand, at this time, it is discriminated whether the voltage of the cell 4B is at least prescribed voltage. When the same is at least prescribed voltage, a light emission diode 3a is lighted. It is indicated that the cell 4B has still sufficient service life.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a water purifier.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in water purifiers equipped with a purification filter for removing fine inorganic matter, organic matter, residual chlorine, etc. in a water purification waterway, a filtration filter is used to suppress the growth of microorganisms in the filtration filter. It is known that one electrode is made of a conductive material, and another electrode paired with this electrode is installed in the water purifier waterway, and a battery is used to constantly apply voltage between these electrodes. .

Problem to be solved by the invention] However, the present inventors conducted extensive research into the state of growth of microorganisms in the filtration filter, and found that the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria occurs only when water stagnates in the filtration filter. I found out what is likely to happen. In other words, the growth of microorganisms in the filtration filter is likely to occur when water stagnates in the filtration filter, and less likely to occur when water passes through the water purifier.

On the other hand, in conventional water purifiers, an electric voltage is constantly applied between the electrodes, which causes the electricity to be consumed quickly, resulting in a problem that the water purifier cannot be used for a long period of time.

Therefore, the present inventors provided a water flow detection means for detecting whether or not water is passing through the waterway, and applied a voltage between the electrodes only when the water flow detection means did not detect the passage of water. However, this water flow detection means is limited to carbon etc. due to the solutes in the material components, but as shown in Figure 8, the water flow detection means increases as the water flow time elapses. The problem is that the level electrode current decreases and it becomes impossible to detect whether or not water is passing through the waterway.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of detecting water passing through a waterway over a long period of time in a water purifier that applies voltage between electrodes using a battery. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that does not require battery replacement and can suppress the growth of microorganisms.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes: a waterway in which water is stored at least when water supply is stopped; a first electrode provided in the waterway and made of a conductive filtration filter; and within the waterway. a second electrode provided on the surface and electrically insulated from the first electrode; a battery for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a surface in contact with the water. A water flow detection means, which is made of a carbon material partially subjected to ozone treatment, for detecting that the water is passing through the waterway, and when the water flow detection means does not detect the passage of the water. The battery is configured to include voltage applying means for applying the voltage of the battery between the first electrode and the second electrode only.

[Effect]

In the present invention configured as described above, when water is passing through the water channel, the voltage of the battery is not applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and on the other hand, the water flow detection means Only when it is detected that water is passing through the waterway, the battery voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to suppress the growth of microorganisms. Even if water passes through the waterway and time passes, the water passage detection means is made of a carbon material whose surface that comes into contact with the water has been subjected to ozone treatment. , and the level electrode current of the water flow detection means does not decrease.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a water purifier showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the water purifier 1, a filter part 2, a control board 3, two batteries 4A and 4B, an outer cover 5, and a battery cover 6 are shown. Consisting of
It is fixed to a faucet of water supply or the like by an adapter 7. Filter part 2 is a cylindrical main case 2 with one side open.
A filtration filter 22 is arranged inside the main case 21, an inner lid 23 is provided to cover the open part of the main case 21 to form a filter case, and an outer lid 24 is further provided to cover the inner lid 23. There is. On the inside of the upper wall 21a of the main case 21, six filter support parts 21b are provided radially in a convex shape downward in the figure.
The nuclear filter supporting parts 21b support the filtration filter 22, and between the nuclear filter supporting parts 21b, an outflow path 21C as a space for draining water from the filtration filter 22 is formed radially by the nuclear filter supporting parts 21b. . At the lower end in the figure of each outflow path 21c facing the filtration filter 22, a mesh 21d made of chemical fiber that covers the outflow path 2],c is provided and fixed to the nuclear filter support portion 21b when the main case 21 is molded. ing. The filtration filter 22 is an activated carbon fiber layer formed to allow water to easily pass through, and the density of the activated carbon fiber layer is, for example, 0.17 g/cIII. Upper wall 2
1a has funnel-shaped electrode insertion ports 25a, 25b, 25c.
are formed, and a positive electrode 3o, a negative electrode 31, and a sensing electrode 32 each made of, for example, a carbon rod each having a lead wire are inserted into each electrode insertion opening, and each is fixed with an epoxy adhesive 26.

The positive electrode 30 is inserted into the filtration filter 22 through the filter support portion 21b and electrically contacts the filtration filter 22, thereby making the filtration filter 22 a part of the positive electrode 30.

An insulating cylinder 21e that passes through the filtration filter 22 and is fitted with the inner lid 23 is integrally formed on the upper wall 21a at the inner part of the electrode insertion opening 25b to which the negative electrode 31 is fixed.
The negative electrode 31 penetrates the insulating cylinder 21e and the inner lid 23, projects from the inner lid 23, and comes into contact with the outer lid 24.

The detection electrode 32 as a water flow detection means is for detecting whether water is filled in the outflow path 21c formed between the filter support parts 21b, and is lower than the height of the filter support part 21b. It is provided so as to slightly protrude from the inner surface of the upper wall 21a. In addition, this sensing electrode 32
is made of carbon material (carbon), and its surface is
Concentration is 7000±11000pp, temperature is 80°C±3
Ozone treatment was performed under conditions of 1 hour and 2 hours at °C.

A cylindrical member 27 provided with six legs 27a is adhesively fixed downward to the inner center of the upper wall 21a, and the cylindrical member 27 connects to the outflow path between each leg 27a. 2
], communicates with c. The foot portion 27a has an inclined portion 27b to allow water to flow easily, and an R-shaped curved portion 27c is provided below the inclined portion 27b to prevent water from remaining. Due to the inclined portion 27b and the curved portion 27c, water accumulates in these portions due to surface tension and comes into contact with the sensing electrode 32, and as a result, water may be passing through the passage even though it is not. It is possible to prevent wrong decisions.

The inner lid 23 has a substantially disk shape corresponding to the main case 21, supports the filtration filter 22 from below, and
A plurality of inflow ports 23a are formed as spaces for allowing water to flow into the filtration filter 22, corresponding to the outflow path 21C in the main case 21.

A mesh 23b made of chemical fiber is fixed to each inlet 23a on the upper side facing the filter 22 so as to cover the inlet 23a when the inner lid 23 is molded.

In the center of the inner lid 23, there is a boss 23c that fits into the cylindrical member 27, and on the opposite side of the hub 23c, the inner lid 23 has a cylindrical part 23d that is connected to the cylindrical member 27 and forms a discharge pipe.
are integrated.

The outer lid 24 encloses the inner lid 23 and is fitted into the outer cylindrical portion 21f of the main case 21, forming an inflow passage 24A with the inner lid 23 that communicates with the inflow I column 23a.

An inflow pipe 24a is provided on the outside of the outer lid 24 and is formed by enclosing the cylindrical portion 23d of the inner lid 23.
is in communication with the inflow path 24A.

A check valve 28 fixed to the cylindrical portion 23d is provided in the inflow path 24A, and when water stops flowing from the inflow pipe 24a, the inflow path 24. A. Preventing backflow of water in the inlet 23a and the filtration filter 22.

In addition, the filtration filter 22 includes two insulating cylinders 21e.
, the cylindrical member 27, and the positive electrode 3o are formed with holes for penetrating or inserting them, respectively. Also, in the figure, 7a, 7
b is a zero link for maintaining airtightness between the outer cylinder part 21f and the cylinder part 23d and the adapter 7 having a double pipe structure.

In the water purifier 1 having the above configuration, the inflow pipe 24. When water is supplied from a, the inflow channel 2
Open the check valve 28 in 4A, pass through the inlet 23a and mesh 23b, and filter] ○ Filter by the filter 22, and further pass through the mesh 21d, the outlet path 21c, the cylinder member 27, and the cylinder part 23d. It flows out via the adapter 7.

At this time, the inside of the filter part 2 is filled with the supplied water, and the positive electrode 30, negative electrode 31, and detection electrode 32 are electrically connected to each other through the water.

On the other hand, when the supply of water is stopped, the check valve 28 is closed, and the water in the filter 22, inlet 23a, and inflow path 24A is stopped and remains in the filter case. At this time, water in the cylindrical member 27 and the cylindrical portion 23d serving as an outflow pipe and the outflow path 2Ic naturally falls and is discharged from the filter case.

As a result, the positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31 continue to be in a conductive state due to water, but the sensing electrode 32 is electrically isolated from both the positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31, and the conductive state is released. Ru.

The filter part 2 having the above configuration has each electrode 30, 3 on a control board 3 disposed between the main case 21 and the outer cover 5.
1.32 are connected to each other to perform a predetermined operation, and to display a predetermined display through a see-through window 5a provided in the outer cover 5 using a light emitting diode 3a.

The greatest feature of this embodiment is that the surface of the sensing electrode 32 is subjected to ozone treatment. If this ozone treatment is not performed, the level electrode current of the detection electrode 32 will decrease as the water flow time passes, as shown in FIG. 8, and as a result, water flow detection will become impossible. Dots appear. A possible reason for this is that the sensing electrode 32 is made of carbon, and the surface of this carbon is mostly composed of -H groups, so it is non-hydrophilic, and when it comes into contact with water, negative ion electrons are transferred to the sensing electrode 32. It is thought that this negative ion, which is difficult to flow in, forms an electric double layer, resulting in an increase in electrical resistance, and as a result, the level electrode current decreases with the passage of water flow time, as shown in FIG.

However, in this embodiment, since the surface of the sensing electrode 32 was subjected to ozone treatment as described above, OHL-C○
○Functional groups such as H exist, and therefore water is
When in contact with water molecules, these functional groups and water molecules form hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the electrons of the negative ions forming the electric double layer can flow into the sensing electrode 32 side via this hydrogen bond.
An electric double layer is not formed on the surface of the sensing electrode 32, and when ozone treatment is performed as shown in FIG. 6, the level electrode current of the sensing electrode 32 decreases even after the water flow time has elapsed. Never. In addition, the fact that a plurality of conventional data are shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 means that there are variations in the experimental results.

In this embodiment, the surface of the curved portion 27c is also subjected to ozone treatment to make it hydrophilic, so that it is possible to further prevent water from stagnation in this portion.

Next, the control board 3 of this embodiment will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the electric circuit on the control board 3.
0.31.32 respectively indicate the above-mentioned positive electrode, negative electrode, and sensing electrode, and 4A and 4B indicate the battery.

The transistor TRI is a means for determining whether or not water is supplied into the filter section 2 based on whether or not the detection electrode 32 and the negative electrode 31 are in a conductive state.
2 and the negative electrode 31 are in a conductive state, the current feedback bias provided by the resistors R1 and R2 turns on.

The transistors TR2 and TR3 are 1- for lighting the light emitting diode 3a when the transistor TRI is on.
Power is supplied to Runcistor TR4.

The transistor TR5 has a predetermined voltage that is sufficient for the voltage of the battery 4B to suppress the growth of microorganisms in the filtration filter 22;
0. 7 F'V] or more, and the determination is performed based on the power supplied via the transistor TR4 when power is supplied to the transistor TR4, and the determination result is Transistor TR4 is driven accordingly.

Here, the I transistor 1'R5 is turned ON by the current feedback bias provided by the resistor R3 and the resistor R4 when the voltage of the battery 4B is higher than a predetermined voltage, and at this time, the transistor TR4 is driven and the light emitting diode 3
Turn on a.

On the other hand, the transistor TR6 is for controlling the transistor TR7 for applying the voltage of the battery 4B to the positive electrode 30, and when the transistor TRI is on, the transistor TR6 is turned on and grounds the base of the transistor TR7. This turns off the transistor TR7, and conversely, when the transistor TRI is off, the transistor TR6 turns off, and a bias voltage is applied to the base of the transistor TR7 via the resistor R6 to turn it on.

In FIG. 1, 3A indicates a connector terminal for connecting the control board 3 and each electrode or battery 4A, 4B.

In the water purifier 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, when water is passed by operating a not-shown switch, the inside of the filter section 2 is filled with water to reach the water level shown by the arrow M in FIG. 3.

Then, the detection electrode 32 becomes electrically conductive to the negative electrode 31 via the water, thereby detecting water passage.

Therefore, the voltage of the battery 4B applied between the filtration filter 22 including the positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31 is cut off. On the other hand, at this time, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the battery 4B is higher than a predetermined voltage. If the voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage, the light emitting diode 3a lights up, and the battery 4B still has sufficient life. is displayed.

Conversely, if the voltage of battery 4B is less than the predetermined voltage,
Since the light emitting diode 3a does not light up, this indicates that the voltage required to suppress the growth of microorganisms is not maintained in the battery 4B.

Therefore, the user can easily determine that the battery needs to be replaced.

When the water supply is stopped by operating the switch, check valve 2
8 is closed and water remains in the filter section 2.

At this time, the outflow path 21c, the cylinder member 27 and the cylinder part 23d
Since the water inside is discharged, the water level reaches the level indicated by the arrow N in FIG. 3, and the sensing electrode 32 and the negative electrode 31 are no longer electrically connected.

As a result, a voltage is applied by the battery 4B between the filter 22 including the positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31, thereby suppressing the growth of microorganisms.

The above relationship is simply shown in FIG. In the figure, ON in water flow detection indicates the conduction state between the detection electrode 32 and the negative electrode 31, and ON in voltage application indicates the voltage of the battery 4B between the positive electrode 30 including the filtration filter 22 and the negative electrode 31. is applied.

As described above, in the present invention, a voltage sufficient to suppress the growth of microorganisms is applied between each electrode only when water is cut off, so that battery consumption is reduced. Therefore, it can be used for a long period of time.

In addition, when water is passed through, it is determined whether the battery voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage required to suppress the growth of microorganisms and the result is displayed, so whether or not the battery needs to be replaced is determined. It is easy to determine whether

Further, in this case, since the voltage determination and display are performed only during the water flow time, which is much shorter than the water stop time, the power consumed for this purpose is small.

Therefore, these things do not shorten the life of the battery. Can be used for a long time.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the application of the voltage between the electrodes and the determination and display of the battery voltage are performed reversibly. Since no voltage is applied, the voltage of the battery can be determined correctly, and the light emitting diode, which requires a large amount of power compared to the application of voltage between electrodes, can be reliably turned on.

In addition, in this embodiment, the inclined part 27b and the curved part 27c are provided in the water channel, and the vicinity of the curved part 27c is treated with ozone to make it submersible, so water does not accumulate in this vicinity due to surface tension. be effective.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the water flow detection means is formed of an ozone-treated carbon material, an electric double layer is not formed on the surface of the water flow detection means, even after repeated water flow. This has the excellent effect of providing a water purifier that can accurately detect water flow over a long period of time, does not require battery replacement for a long period of time, and can suppress microbial growth.

This is a graph.

■...Water purifier, 2...Filter part (water channel), 4A4
B...Battery, 22...Filtration filter (first electrode)
31... Negative electrode (second electrode), 32... Detection electrode (water flow detection means), TR7... Transistor (voltage application means).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit of the control board in the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a water purifier showing the second embodiment, and Fig. 3 is each electrode and filter in the above embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the water purifier according to the above embodiment. FIG. Fig. 6 is a comparison diagram comparing the performance of the water purifier of the above embodiment and a conventional water purifier, and Fig. 7 shows that an electric double layer is not formed in the water flow detection means in the above embodiment. The schematic diagram, Figure 8, shows the relationship between the level electrode current of the water flow detection means of a conventional water purifier and the continuous time. Minutes) Fig. Fig. Fig.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A waterway in which water is stored at least when the water supply is stopped; a first electrode provided in the waterway and made of a conductive filtration filter; a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode; a battery for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a surface portion that contacts the water is subjected to ozone treatment. a water flow detection means for detecting that the water is passing through the water channel; and a water flow detection means made of a carbon material made of
A water purifier comprising a voltage applying means for applying the voltage of the battery between the electrode and the second electrode.