JPH05200385A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform backwash at every use even when a user is unconscious of backwash. CONSTITUTION:A water purifier is equipped with a first changeover part, a backwash means C, a second changeover part D and a drainage part E respectively described below. The first changeover part changes over a waterway into a clear water side, a backwash side and a raw water side. The backwash means C has a reservoir part 50 of clear water in the outlet side of a water purifying part and allows clear water of the reservoir part 50 to reversely flow to the water purifying part. The second changeover part D is interlocked with the first changeover part and changes over a water purifying means for supplying raw water to the water purifying part into raw water. The drainage part E is interlocked with the second changeover part D and selectively drains the raw water used for backwash and clear water used for backwash.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier having a backwash function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a filter provided with fine pores such as a hollow fiber membrane as a filter material can remove fine dust and bacteria in the raw water, so that a water purifier using this filter has recently attracted attention. There is. However, on the other hand, it is possible to remove even such fine particles, but on the other hand, clogging is likely to occur due to the adhesion of fine organic and inorganic substances collected on the filter surface, and the filtration flow rate can be reduced in a short period of time. It has the drawback of decreasing. In addition, even if a filter made of activated carbon or the like is used, the substance attached to the filter surface deteriorates the performance of the filter. For this reason, there are provided various products that can be backwashed by flowing water once purified with a filter in the opposite direction.

[0003]

However, in the conventional water purifier having the backwashing function, the user must perform the operation for backwashing each time, which is troublesome. There is. Also, the more frequent backwashing is, the more effective it is, and the filter can be used for a long time, but sometimes it is forgotten because the operation for backwashing is required each time. However, there was a problem that the effect of backwashing was low.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier in which backwashing is performed each time the user uses it, without being aware of backwashing.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention comprises a first switching unit for switching a water channel between a water purification side at a water purification position, a backwash side at a water stop position, and a raw water side at a raw water position. There is a purified water reservoir on the outlet side, and backwashing means for backwashing the purified water in the purified water reservoir to the purified water portion and water purification means for supplying raw water to the purified water portion are linked with the first switching portion to switch the raw water. A second switching unit,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a raw water used for backwashing and a drainage section for selectively draining the purified water used for backwashing in conjunction with the second switching section.

[0006]

[Operation] After the purified water is discharged, the first switching portion is returned to the stop position, and the second switching portion automatically backwashes the purified water portion with the purified water stored in the purified water reservoir portion. Be seen. Further, since the backwashing is performed by returning the first switching portion to the water stop position, the user does not need to be aware of performing the backwashing. After that, backwashing is performed by backwashing means, and the life of the filter medium can be reliably extended.

[0007]

The present invention will be described below in detail based on the illustrated embodiments. The water purifier is mainly composed of a flowing water channel switching body 1 as shown in FIG. 2 and a water purifier body 2 as shown in FIG. 3, and the flowing water channel switching body 1 and the water purifier are separate bodies. A water supply hose 3 is connected to the main body 2.

The flow channel switching body 1 is configured as a first switching section A for switching the flow of water, and the channel is operated by the switching lever 4 to switch the water channel between the water purification side at the water purification position and the backwashing side at the water stop position. It is possible to switch to the raw water side at the raw water position. As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 15, the flow channel switching body 1 engages with a mounting aid 6 used according to the shape of the faucet 5 and is attached to the main body housing 7 by a mounting nut 8 which is screwed into the faucet. 5, a valve chamber 10 containing a rotary type switching valve 9 is provided inside, and a shower cap 11 is attached to the lower end portion. Reference numeral 12 in the figure denotes a water blocking packing which is in contact with the tip of the faucet 5 and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the switching valve 9.

The shower cap 11 has a water discharge port 14 having a wire mesh 13 for rectification attached at the center and a large number of small holes 15 for shower-like water sprinkling at the peripheral part. 14 and the lower end opening of the valve chamber 10 communicate with each other through a cylindrical partition 17 having a radial rib 16 for rectification on the inner peripheral surface. The valve chamber 10 having a circular cross section has an upper opening communicating with the faucet 5 and a water discharge port 1
It is equipped with a lower opening connected to No. 4, an opening connected to the outer peripheral space of the partition 17, an opening connected to a backwash flow channel, and an opening connected to a clean water flow channel. The switching valve 9 is provided with four types of communication holes 18, 19, 20, 21 for selectively communicating the upper opening of the valve chamber 10 with the other four openings. In the figure, 22 is a holding frame for holding the switching valve 9, 4 is a switching lever attached to one end of the switching valve 9, 23 is a biasing force of a spring 24, and engages with a click hole formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ring. A ball that gives clicks at a plurality of positions with respect to the rotation of the switching valve 9. Further, 24 is a ball that closes an emergency drain port formed in a flow path connecting the faucet 5 and a water purification unit 27 to be described later in a state of being biased by a spring 26, and the water pressure in the purified water discharge is extremely high. When it comes to water, let the water escape. One end of each of the springs 24 and 26 is the partition 17
Have been received by.

Then, when the switching valve 9 is rotated by the switching lever 4 and the display ring 28 is adjusted to the raw water shower, shower-like water is sprayed from the small holes 15 around the shower cap 11. This state is shown in FIG. Further, when the switching valve 9 is rotated by the switching lever 4 and the display ring 28 is aligned with the raw water straight, straight water is discharged from the water discharge port 14 at the center of the shower cap 11. This state is shown in FIG.

The water supply hose 3 led out from the flowing water channel switching body 1 has a connecting nozzle 2 projecting from a main body housing 7 of the flowing water channel switching body 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.
9, the ends are connected to each other, and the hose fixing cap 31 is connected to the screw portion 3 of the main body housing 7 via the hose fixing tool 30.
It is attached by screwing on 2. here,
The hose insert 30a of the hose fixture 30 has a slope 33 on the center side so that the hose can be easily inserted, so that the user can easily and surely attach / detach the water supply hose 3. Is becoming An indicator 34 indicating the mounting side of the water supply hose 3 is provided at the base of the connection nozzle 29 to which the end of the water supply hose 3 is connected.

The water supply hose 3 is formed of a double pressure resistant hose or the like, one of which is for sending raw water to the water purifying means, and the other of which is for sending raw water to the backwashing means. It is intended for you. Each hose constituting this water supply hose 3 has an inner pipe 3a colored in a different color. For example, the inner pipe 3a of the hose for sending raw water to the water purification means is colored gray, and the raw water is used as a backwash means. The inner tube 3a of the hose for feeding is colored white. When each hose is connected to a predetermined connection nozzle 29 or a hose joint, the clean water side and the backwash side can be clearly distinguished, and they are not connected in reverse.

In the water purifier body 2 as shown in FIG. 3, a water purification cartridge 36 as a water purification section 27 is housed and arranged at one end side in the body case 35, and the water purification means B is provided at the other end side.
It comprises a backwash means C, a second switching section D, and a drainage section E. As shown in FIG. 11, the water purification cartridge 36 housed in the cartridge housing case 37 has a case 40 in which an inflow port 38 and a discharge port 39 are provided on one end surface.
The filter material composed of the hollow fiber membrane 41, the filter material composed of the activated carbon 42, and the filter material composed of the non-woven fabric filter 100 are housed and arranged in the inside thereof. The activated carbon 42 layer partitioned by the non-woven fabric filter 100 and the hollow fiber membrane 41 are used for purification and discharged from the discharge port 39. Where inlet 3
8 and the discharge port 39 are connected to the upper portions of the hose joints 43 and 44, which are bayonet-coupled to the case 40, through an O-ring 45. Reference numeral 46 denotes a cartridge exchange lid that is detachable from the cartridge storage case 37. One end of a connection hose 47 is connected to the hose joint 44 connected to the discharge port 39 of the water purification cartridge 36, and the other end of the connection hose 47 is connected to the upper part of the backwash cylinder 48.

A second switching section D having a switching piston 49 built-in is disposed below the backwash cylinder 48, and the purified water pool 5 is provided above the backwash cylinder 48.
0 is provided. The backwash cylinder lid 51 attached to the lower part of the backwash cylinder 48 is attached to the backwash cylinder 48 in a state of being sealed with an O-ring 52, and is made of two metal pads for the purpose of preventing deterioration and destruction due to water pressure. It is sandwiched by plates 53, and spring washers are fixed by tightening small screws. In addition, the backwash cylinder lid 51 is fixed to the main body case 35 with a tapping screw so as to fix the backwash cylinder lid 51.

A backwashing piston 54, which is vertically movable, is accommodated in the backwashing cylinder 48, and the backwashing piston 54 is located at the lowered position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 12. At some times, the purified water reservoir 50 is formed. A vertically movable water purifying valve 56 is housed in a space provided above the backwash cylinder 48 by a partition plate 55 through which water can pass.
The up-and-down movement of the opening and closing means opens and closes the flowing water channel leading to the purified water discharge nozzle 57. The nozzle mounting lid 58 is fixed by engaging the engaging claws 59 projecting downwards with the engaging claws 60 of the main body case 35, and the center part is fitted to the upper end part of the backwash cylinder 48. , O-ring 61 is sealed and rotatable. Clean water discharge nozzle 5
7 is attached to the nozzle mounting lid 58 in a state of being sealed by an O-ring 62, and is detachable.

The second switching portion D is constructed by accommodating and arranging a switching piston 49 inside the case 63, and the switching piston 49 is slidable in both directions inside the case 63. The hose joint 64 provided at one end of the case 63 has a flowing water passage switching body 1
The water supply hose 3 on the purified water side that is derived further is connected, and the water supply hose 3 on the backwash side is connected to the hose joint 65 provided at the other end of the case 63. A pair of connection nozzles 66, 67 are provided so as to project from the lower end of the substantially central portion of the case 63, and one of the connection nozzles 66 has a water supply connection hose 6
8 is connected, and the water supply connection hose 68 is a hose joint 44 provided at the inflow port 38 of the water purification cartridge 36.
It is connected to the. Further, a drain hose 69 is connected to the other hose joint 65, and this drain hose 69 is led out of the water purifier main body 2 and is attached to a hose fixing sucker 70 attached to the front end as shown in FIG. It is designed to be fixed to the inner wall of a sink.

The switching piston 49 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end open, and is housed in the case 63 by abutting the seal packing 71 protruding from the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends against the inner surface of the case 63. Cage, seal packing 71
A gap 72 is formed between the inside of the case and the inner surface of the case 65, and when the switching piston 49 moves to the hose joint 65 side provided at the other end of the case 63 as shown in FIG. The clearance 72 allows the inside of the backwash cylinder 48 to communicate with the connection nozzle 67 to which the drain hose 69 is connected. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the switching piston 49 has one hose joint 6
When moving to the 4 side, the drain hose 6 is formed by the gap 72.
The connection nozzle 67 to which 9 is connected and the connection nozzle 66 to which the water supply connection hose 68 is connected communicate with each other, whereby the raw water used for backwashing is interlocked with the second switching unit D. A drainage section E for selectively draining the purified water used for backwashing is formed. Further, the switching piston 49 moves to switch the flowing water passage, thereby switching between the backwashing means C for backwashing the purified water in the purified water reservoir 50 to the water purification portion 27 and the water purification means B for supplying the raw water to the water purification portion 27. It is like this. Here, the switching of the flowing water channel by the switching piston 49 is performed by connecting the connecting nozzle 66 as a water outlet to the water purification unit 27 and the connecting nozzle 6 as a drain outlet to which the drain hose 69 is connected as shown in FIG.
The structure is such that the water inlet 73 to the backwash cylinder 48 is opened after 7 is in the communication state, and by performing the switching from the water purification section inlet to the drainage section E in this way before the backwash operation, The backwash water is reliably drained so that the backwash effect can be obtained normally at all times.

A flow rate checker 74 for checking the amount of purified water flowing from the purified water discharge nozzle 57 is arranged at the purified water discharge nozzle 57 to which the purified water is discharged. As shown in FIG. 19, this flow rate checker 74 is detachably attached to the tip of the purified water discharge nozzle 57 via a seal rubber 75, and when the amount of purified water discharged from the purified water discharge nozzle 57 drops below a certain amount. The change is displayed in a color through a transparent display window 76 provided on the side surface of the casing 77, thereby informing the user of the clogging state of the water purification unit 27. As its structure, a casing 77 is provided with a fixed quantity display ring 78 for receiving the water pressure of the purified water and a coil spring 79 which is expanded and contracted by the water pressure of the purified water, and the side surface of the coil spring 79 is moved along with the movement of the fixed quantity display ring 78. A colored display plate 80 that moves back and forth is arranged. In this colored display plate 80, the front half of the flow rate checker 74 is colored red and the other half is colored blue.
Reference numeral 81 is a mesh plate-shaped straightening plate for straightening the purified water to be discharged and then discharging the water.

When the flow rate of the purified water discharged from the purified water discharge nozzle 57 is a certain amount or more, as shown in FIG. 19 (a), the quantitative display ring 78 is pressed toward the outlet side by the water pressure, and the coil spring is pressed. Stop 79 in a compressed state. At that time, the blue portion of the colored display plate 80 of the quantitative display ring 78 is located inside the display window 76 to inform the user that there is a constant flow rate.

When the flow rate falls below a certain level, the water pressure of the purified water becomes low, and the quantitative display ring 78 is pushed back by the coil spring 79 as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display window 76 in a mixed state, and the user is informed that the water purification unit 27 is clogged and the flow rate of the water purification is reduced.

When there is no flow rate, the quantitative display ring 78 is returned to its original position by the coil spring 79 as shown in FIG. 19C, and the red portion of the colored display plate 80 is displayed through the display window 76. As shown in FIG. 20, suction cups 82 are arranged at the four corners and the central portion on the bottom surface of the base of the water purifier body 2, and the water purifier body 2 is prevented from falling by adsorbing each suction cup 82 on the installation surface. It is designed to be installed. Here, by arranging the suction cups 82 at the four corners and the central portion of the bottom surface, even if the space for installing the water purifier body 2 is narrower than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the water purifier body 2, the three suction cups 82 are illustrated. By adsorbing in a triangular shape within the size of the middle arrow (a), the water purifier body 2 can be installed without tipping over. In particular, when the water supply passage switching body 1 and the water purifier body 2 are separately connected by the water supply hose 3, the water supply hose 3 may shake sideways due to water pressure.
When it is adsorbed on the installation surface, the water purifier body 2 can be prevented from tipping over.

FIGS. 1 and 10 to 12 show a state in which the switching valve 9 is set to the water purification position by the operation of the switching lever 4, and the raw water supplied from the first switching unit A is the second switching unit. Water is passed through D, and the switching piston 49 is pressed by the water pressure and moves in the opposite direction (the right side of the drawing in FIG. 1). By the movement of the switching piston 49, the connection nozzle 66 as a water outlet to the water purification unit 27 is brought into the “open” state, and the raw water enters the water purification cartridge 36 through the water supply connection hose 68. Then, the raw water purified by a filter material such as 42 layers of activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane filter 41 is treated as purified water by the water purification cartridge 36.
Water is introduced into the backwash cylinder 48 via the connection hose 47. At this time, the water purification valve 56 is biased by the coil spring and is in the “closed” state. The backwash piston 54 is pressed downward by the purified water flowing into the purified water reservoir 50,
The water purification valve 56, which is connected to the backwash piston 54 via the coil spring, is in the "open" state, the purified water passes through the purified water discharge nozzle 57, enters the flow rate checker 74 at the tip of the purified water discharge nozzle 57, and is pressurized by the water pressure. By moving the quantitative display ring 78 urged by the coil spring 79, it is displayed from the transparent display window 76 that the flow rate exceeds a certain level. Further, the purified water is rectified by the rectifying plate 81 and then discharged from the tip of the flow rate checker 74.

Here, when the switching piston 49 moves, the connection nozzle 66 as a water outlet to the water purification section 27 opens the drainage of the raw water for backwashing, and the water inlet to the backwash cylinder 48. 73 and the connection nozzle 67 as a drainage port are in communication with each other, and the water is drained from the drainage hose 69 by the backwash piston 54 pressed downward by purified water.

By the way, the tap water may be cut off when the purified water is discharged, and if the inside of the case 63 becomes negative pressure, the purified water in the cartridge may flow backward. In such a case, a coil spring 83 as an urging means is set in the switching piston 49 in order to prevent the backwashed purified water from being mixed with the raw water. Is pressed in the direction of entering the purified water on the purified water side (on the left side of the paper in FIG. 1), that is, the connection nozzle 66 as a water outlet to the water purification unit 27 and the connection nozzle 67 as a drain outlet are always
Are urged to communicate with each other, and even if the purified water in the cartridge flows backward due to water interruption in the purified water state as shown in FIG. The connection nozzle 66 and the connection nozzle 67 are moved to each other in the direction and communicate with each other, so that the raw water is drained from the drainage section E without invading the running water channel.

When the discharge of purified water is completed and the switching valve 9 is returned to the water stop position as shown in FIG. 14, the backwash is automatically performed as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. That is, the raw water supplied from the first switching unit A is passed to the second switching unit D, the switching piston 49 is pressed by the water pressure, and moves in the opposite direction. The backwash cylinder 4 is moved by moving the switching piston 49.
The water inlet 73 of 8 is in the “open” state, and the raw water enters the backwash cylinder 48. The water pressure pushes the backwashing piston 54 upward, and the water purification valve 56 connected to the backwashing piston 54 via the coil spring is in the “closed” state. The purified water accumulated in the backwash cylinder 48 flows back into the purified water cartridge 36 via the water supply connection hose 68 to clean the clogging of the hollow fiber membrane filter 41. When the switching piston 49 moves, the cleaning water opens the water inlet 73 to the backwash cylinder 48, and the connection nozzle 66 as the water outlet to the water purification unit 27 and the connection nozzle 67 as the water outlet communicate with each other. Then, the water is drained from the connection nozzle 67 through the drain hose 69. Here, switching of the running water channel by the switching piston 49 is performed by the backwash cylinder after the connection nozzle 66 as a water outlet to the water purification unit 27 and the connection nozzle 67 as a drain port to which the drain hose 69 is connected are in a communication state. Four
8 has a structure in which the valve of the water inlet 73 is opened, and thus the backwash water is surely drained by switching from the water purification section inlet to the drainage section E before the backwash operation. It has become.

After repeatedly using purified water, the purified water cartridge 36 is automatically cleaned with purified water when the first switching portion A is set to the water stop (backwash) position.

[0027]

As described above, in the present invention, if the first switching portion is returned to the water stop position after the purified water is discharged, the water is automatically stored in the purified water reservoir portion by the second switching portion. Since the back-washing of the water purification part is performed with the purified water, the user does not need to be aware of the back-washing, and the life of the filter medium can be reliably extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a flow channel switching body that constitutes the above water purifier.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a water purifier body forming the above water purifier.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a connected state of the water supply hose of the above.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the above water supply hose.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing a connected state of the water supply hose of the above.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the first switching unit of the above when water is showered from raw water.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the first switching unit of the above when straight water is discharged from raw water.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the first switching unit of the above when water is discharged from purified water.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the first switching unit of the above when water is discharged from purified water.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the water purification unit of the above.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same when purified water is discharged.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the above biasing means.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the first switching unit of the above when water is stopped (backwashing).

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the first switching unit of the above when water is stopped (backwashing).

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the same as above when water is stopped (backwashing).

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view when water is stopped (backwashing).

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view when water is stopped (backwashing).

19 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operating state of the flow rate checker.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view showing the arrangement of suction cups.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A 1st switching part B Water purification means C Backwashing means D 2nd switching part E Drainage part 27 Water purification part 50 Water purification pool part

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 2, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The shower cap 11 has a water discharge port 14 having a wire mesh 13 for rectification attached at the center and a large number of small holes 15 for shower-like water sprinkling at the peripheral part. 14 and the lower end opening of the valve chamber 10 communicate with each other through a cylindrical partition 17 having a radial rib 16 for rectification on the inner peripheral surface. The valve chamber 10 having a circular cross section has an upper opening communicating with the faucet 5 and a water discharge port 1
It is equipped with a lower opening connected to No. 4, an opening connected to the outer peripheral space of the partition 17, an opening connected to a backwash flow channel, and an opening connected to a clean water flow channel. The switching valve 9 is provided with four types of communication holes 18, 19, 20, 21 for selectively communicating the upper opening of the valve chamber 10 with the other four openings. In the figure, 22 is a holding frame for holding the switching valve 9, 4 is a switching lever attached to one end of the switching valve 9, 23 is a biasing force of a spring 24, and engages with a click hole formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ring. A ball that gives clicks at a plurality of positions with respect to the rotation of the switching valve 9. Further, 25 is a ball that closes an emergency drainage port formed in a flow path connecting the faucet 5 and a water purification unit 27 described later in a state of being biased by a spring 26, and the water pressure in the purified water discharge is abnormally high. When it comes to water, let the water escape. One end of each of the springs 24 and 26 is the partition 17
Have been received by.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first switching unit for switching a water channel between a water purification side at a water purification position, a backwash side at a water stop position, and a raw water side at a raw water position, and a water purification reservoir section at an outlet side of the water purification unit, A second switching unit that switches backwashing means for backflowing the purified water of the purified water reservoir to the water purification section and water purification means for supplying the raw water to the water purification section with the raw water in conjunction with the first switching section. A water purifier characterized by being equipped with a raw water used for backwashing and a drainage section for selectively draining the purified water used for backwashing in conjunction with the switching section of. 2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the second switching unit is configured to perform drainage from the drainage unit before the backwashing operation of the backwashing means. 3. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the second switching portion is always biased by the biasing means so that the raw water inlet and the drainage portion are in communication with each other. 4. The purified water according to claim 1, further comprising a purified water discharge nozzle for discharging purified water purified by the purification unit, and a flow rate checker for checking the amount of flowing water is arranged at the purified water discharge nozzle. vessel. 5. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein suction cups are arranged at the four corners and the center of the bottom surface of the water purifier.