JPH067773A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To certainly detect the exhaustion of a battery, in a water purifier using the battery, by setting a solenoid valve to a latching type holding an opening and closing state upon the reception of a drive signal and closing the same when the voltage of the battery becomes a predetermined value or less to prohibit the reception of switch operation input on and after. CONSTITUTION:As a solenoid valve 8, a latching type one receiving an opening or closing drive signal to hold an opening and closing state is used. A battery voltage detection circuit detects the voltage of a battery Ba when a switch SW1 is pressed or at every predetermined time during the emission of purified water thereafter. When the detected voltage becomes predetermined voltage or less, a control circuit 7 closes the solenoid valve 8 to prohibit the reception of an operation signal thereafter to flash a light emitting diode LED1. A pressure sensor 20 and a waterdrop detection sensor 24 are provided on the bottom surface of an arranging stand 5 to detect the deformation of a case lid 2 and the adhesion of a waterdrop and a light emitting diode LED2 is flashed. By this constitution, the exhausion of a battery, deformation abnormality and the adhesion of a waterdrop can be detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier which is operated by using a battery as a power source and which controls opening and closing of a solenoid valve according to a water discharge operation input of a switch to control water discharge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of water purifiers have been provided in which a water purifier main body is housed in a cabinet and the purified water is supplied from the water purifier main body on the cabinet. For example, a cartridge that stores purification media in a cabinet such as a sink is installed directly, and the tap water that has been branched directly flows into the cartridge, or the tap water that has been branched is once installed at the base of a dedicated faucet. Of the type that is stored in the cartridge and is made to flow into the cartridge by operating the lever of the dedicated faucet, and further, tap water is made to flow into the cartridge by the same route as the latter type, and tap water is not directly introduced to the cartridge, First, tap water is allowed to flow into a watertight container that stores the cartridge in a protected form, and then tap water is filtered into the cartridge while the cartridge in the watertight container is immersed in tap water. This type is equipped with a solenoid valve between the water purifier body or cartridge and the tap, and is connected to each other with a connecting hose. There is a type for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve by the operation section provided on the part.

As a type in which the solenoid valve is opened and closed by operating the operation section, a dedicated box consisting of the solenoid valve and the circuit section is provided between the water purifier body or cartridge and the connection hose for supplying tap water. There is one that connects the water purifier body or cartridge through a box. Here, in this type, there are a dedicated box that uses an AC power source as a power source and a dedicated box that uses a battery as a DC power source as a power source. However, in any case, since a dedicated box is required separately from the water purifier body or the cartridge, there is a problem that the space is taken up when installing in the cabinet and the installation becomes troublesome.

Therefore, there is one in which a dedicated box is integrally incorporated into the water purifier main body. This water purifier main body has a drawback that it takes up a lot of space when it is installed in a cabinet and the installation is troublesome. It can be resolved.

[0005]

By the way, in the case of the water purifier in which the dedicated box is integrally incorporated in the water purifier body, there are many battery-driven ones. In the case of this type of battery-driven water purifier, it is necessary to guarantee the open / closed state of the solenoid valve when the battery runs out or is replaced. In other words, if the solenoid valve is not closed when the battery runs out, the purified water will be left out. However, in the conventional water purifier of this type, the open / closed state of such a solenoid valve is not guaranteed.

Further, in this type of water purifier, there is a water purifier body in which a cartridge for filtering tap water is housed inside a cabinet, and a dedicated faucet having an operation section for controlling water discharge is arranged at the upper part of the cabinet. . With such a water purifier, even if water leakage occurs due to deterioration of the water purifier body over time, there is a problem that it is difficult to find deterioration over time because the water purifier body is stored in the cabinet. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a first object thereof is to provide a water purifier in which a closed state of a solenoid valve is guaranteed when a battery runs out. The second object is to provide a water purifier that can detect deterioration of the water purifier body over time in advance.

[0008]

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, as a solenoid valve, a latching type which holds its open / closed state when receiving a drive signal for opening or closing is provided. When the detected battery voltage falls below a predetermined voltage, the control circuit outputs a close signal to the solenoid valve, and the switch operation input after that is provided. Are not accepted.

As described in claim 2, the battery voltage detecting function of the control circuit may be performed only when the switch is turned on or every predetermined time in the water discharge period.
In order to achieve the second object, in the invention of claim 3, the water purifier main body in which the cartridge is stored, the case lid attached to the opening of the lower surface of the water purifier main body, and the water purifier main body are erected. In a water purifier equipped with an installation table installed as a stand, a deformation detection means for detecting deformation of the case lid due to aging between the case lid and the installation stand, and an informing means for informing occurrence of abnormality by the output of the deformation detection means And are provided.

In order to achieve the second object, as described in claim 4, a water drop detecting means for detecting a water drop in the installation stand and an informing means for informing the occurrence of an abnormality by the output of the water drop detecting means. And may be provided.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the solenoid valve is always closed when the battery voltage drops below the predetermined voltage, and the purified water is not discharged when the battery runs out. Will be prevented. According to the invention of claim 3, the life of the water purifier main body is detected from the deformation of the case lid which is subjected to the stress due to the increase of the internal pressure and the repetition of the water stop and the water discharge,
Prevent water leaks in advance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, water leakage caused by breakage of the case lid is detected, the life of the water purifier body is detected, and water leakage is prevented.

[0013]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the water purifier of this embodiment is a so-called undersink type in which a water purifier body A is installed in a cabinet C such as a sink and a dedicated faucet B is installed on the cabinet C.

The water purifier body A, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical main body case 1 made of synthetic resin and opening downward,
It is composed of a case lid 2 which is attached to the bottom of the body case 1 by screwing, a body case 1 and a cartridge 4 which is housed in the case lid 2, and a cover 3 which is attached by screwing the body case 1. The main body A of the water purifier is installed on the installation table 5 in an upright state. Further, instead of the mounting table 5, a mounting member 6 shown in FIG. 5 or 6 may be used to be hooked and fixed on the inner wall portion of the cabinet C.

A joint 9 for connecting a pipe for supplying tap water is provided on the upper portion of the cover 3, and the check valve 1 is provided in the joint 9.
0 is attached. An electromagnetic valve 8 is provided between the joint 9 and the water inlet 50 of the cartridge 4, and the electromagnetic valve 8 controls the introduction of tap water into the inside of the water purifier main body A. In the case of the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 8 is of a latching type that holds the open / closed state when an open / close signal consisting of a pulse signal is input.

The water outlet 51 of the cartridge 4 is the water conduit 15
It is connected to a purified water outlet 21 formed on the upper surface of the cover 3 through a through hole, and a check valve 19 is also provided between the water conduit 15 and the purified water outlet 21. An accommodating portion 22 for accommodating a battery Ba for supplying power to the water purifier is formed on the outer surface of the cover 3. A circuit block 23 for controlling the drive of the solenoid valve 8 is housed inside the cover 3. The circuit block 23 and the dedicated faucet B are connected by a signal line 60 having a waterproof structure.

The cartridge 4 has a cylindrical case 41 whose bottom opening is closed by a bottom cover 42, and the cylindrical case 41.
Cylindrical holder 43 and holder 4 fixed to the upper end of the
3, a hollow fiber membrane 44 as a filter medium for purification, which is loaded in a bundle, and an activated carbon 45 as a filter medium for purification filled in a space between the outer surface of the holder 43 and the inner surface of the tubular case 41. The cartridge 4 can be replaced by removing the case lid 2 from the main body case 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the dedicated faucet B is provided with an operation portion 90 on the upper portion of the body 82. This operation unit 90 is a switch SW for controlling water stop and water discharge.
_1, and a light emitting diode LED ₁ for displaying the water discharge state,
It is composed of a light emitting diode LED ₂ which indicates that the cartridge 4 needs to be replaced. This operation unit 9
From 0, a signal line 94 having a waterproof structure is connected to the signal line 60. Here, the connection with the signal lines 60 and 94 is performed using the connectors 61 and 62, the operation state of the switch SW ₁ is transmitted to the circuit block 23, and the light emitting diode LED ₁ , Lighting control of LED ₂ is performed.

A pipe 81 connected to the purified water outlet 21 of the main body A of the water purifier is hung from the lower part of the body 82, and is provided with a water discharge pipe 85 rotatably mounted around the body 82. It is fixed to the top plate of the cabinet C by using the nut portion 86 formed on the lower portion. Dedicated faucet B
When the switch SW ₁ is pressed once, the solenoid valve 8 is opened, and at the same time, the light emitting diode LED ₁ for displaying the water discharge state is turned on. At this time, tap water is introduced from the joint 9 of the water purifier main body A and guided into the cartridge 4 through the electromagnetic valve 8. In the cartridge 4, tap water has residual chlorine and odor components removed by the activated carbon 45, is subjected to fine filtration of the hollow fiber membrane 44, and is then transmitted from the clean water outlet 21 of the cover 3 to the dedicated faucet B. . In other words, clean water is pipe 81
Is led into the sink through the water discharge pipe 85. And
When the switch SW ₁ of the dedicated water faucet B is pressed once more, the solenoid valve 8 is closed and, at the same time, the light emitting diode LED ₁ is turned off.

The circuit block 23, as shown in FIG.
A control circuit composed of a microcomputer for controlling the drive of the solenoid valve 8 according to the input of various operation switches such as the water discharge control switch SW ₁ and for controlling the light emission of the light emitting diode LED ₁ for displaying the water discharge state. Equipped with 7. In the control circuit 7, when the switch SW ₁ or the like is pressed, a positive pulse (for example, 30 ms ± 10 ms) is input, and this pulse performs operation control such as opening the solenoid valve 8. Here, turning on of the switch SW ₁ and the like is detected from the rise of the input voltage. In this control circuit 7, the quick pressing of the switch SW ₁ is performed by the solenoid valve 8
It will not be accepted until the opening / closing operation of is followed. For example, a dead time of 1 second is provided after the switch SW ₁ is pressed down, and no input from any switch SW ₁ or the like is accepted during this dead time. In addition, switch SW during this dead time
_{When 1} is pressed continuously, it is confirmed that the pressing operation has been temporarily stopped, and the next pressing operation is accepted. Since the operation of the solenoid valve 8 becomes unstable when the power is turned on, the solenoid valve 8 is first closed when the power is turned on.

In this type of water purifier, it is possible to forget to stop the water. Therefore, in the control circuit 7, if the switch SW ₁ for closing the solenoid valve 8 is not operated even after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the solenoid valve 8
Is automatically closed. This will save water. Note that this time is measured by the built-in timer of the control circuit 7.

This water purifier has a function of automatically discharging water by opening the solenoid valve 8 when it is not used for 24 hours. That is, it is for preventing miscellaneous bacteria from propagating when tap water is retained for a long time. The non-use time in this case is measured by using the built-in timer of the control circuit 7. If the timer is used within 24 hours, the timer is reset and a new time counting operation is started. Here, the automatic water discharge function can be disabled by the user's selection. That, is selected by the switching of the switch SW _2, as the switch SW ₂ are using lock type slide switch.

Further, if the cartridge 4 becomes dirty, it will not function as a water purifier. Therefore, in the water purifier of this embodiment, the water discharge time after the power is turned on is integrated, and when the integrated time reaches a predetermined time (for example, 1300 minutes), the replacement display of the cartridge 4 blinks the light emitting diode LED ₂ . Let me do it. Assuming that the average amount of water discharged is 3 liters / minute, if the accumulated time is 1300 minutes, when the total water discharge amount is 4000 liters, the light emitting diode L
This will cause ED ₂ to blink. It should be noted that the standard time for performing the exchange display may be set so that the time can be appropriately selected. Here, the integrated time is measured by using the built-in timer of the control circuit 7, and the integrated time is calculated every 24 hours.
M) Write integrated data in 12. Further, when the integrated time exceeds the set time, the data is written in the external memory 12 even when the control circuit 7 is reset. When the external memory 12 is not connected, the replacement display function of the cartridge 4 does not work.

By the way, when the control circuit 7 reads the data from the external memory 12 and the data is abnormal, the light emitting diode LED ₂ is turned on to notify the abnormality. In this case, the set switch SW ₃ resets the control circuit 7 to cancel the abnormal data.
Here, in this case, zero is written in the external memory 12 and time zero is also written in the internal timer.

In this way, the user is prompted to replace the cartridge 4, and when the cartridge is replaced, the set switch SW ₃ attached to the upper surface side of the cover 3 of the water purifier body A is pushed. As a result, the control circuit 7 is reset. Furthermore, this type of water purifier has a problem that the purified water is left unattended due to battery exhaustion as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the battery voltage detection circuit 11 for detecting the battery voltage is provided in the circuit block 23.

This battery voltage detection circuit 11 has a switch S.
This is performed when W ₁ is pressed or every predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) while the purified water is being discharged. At the time of checking the dead battery, the control circuit 7 detects the battery voltage detection circuit 1
Turn on the transistor Q ₁ of _{No. 1} and the resistance R _{1 at} this time
~ Check the battery voltage from the divided voltage by R ₄ .
In this case, the transistor Q ₁ is turned on for a short period (for example, 30 ms), and the data is taken in when the detected voltage becomes stable. While the voltage check is being performed, the opening / closing signal is not output to the solenoid valve 8 and is performed after the voltage chuck is completed.

In the control circuit 7, the internal reference voltage is set to the resistance R.
It is performed by comparing the input voltage which is the divided voltage of ₁ , R ₂ and the resistors R ₃ , R ₄ , and when the power supply voltage given from the battery Ba is lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, 5.2 V), Since the battery capacity is low, in this case, the light-emitting diode LED ₁ blinks to notify. It should be noted that this blinking display is performed only during a period in which the switch SW ₁ is operated to open the solenoid valve 8 and the purified water is discharged.

When the input voltage further drops below a predetermined voltage below the above predetermined voltage (for example, 4.6 V),
The electromagnetic valve 8 is driven so as to be closed, and thereafter, no input is accepted. At this time, the light emitting diode LED ₁ is blinked to indicate that the battery is dead. At this time, the voltage check operation is also stopped. In this way, when the battery is exhausted, it is possible to prevent the purified water from leaving without leaving by outputting a signal to close the electromagnetic valve 8.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 9 to 11 show another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, water leakage is prevented in advance. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor (or pressure gauge) 20 is installed in the center of the bottom surface of the installation table 5 that holds the water purifier body A in an upright state, and the water drop detection sensor 24 is installed inside the installation table 5. The feature is that it is installed. Here, the water drop detection sensor 24 detects a water drop because a current flows when the water drop adheres.

In this type of water purifier, the molded product is broken from the welded portion of the molding material, the ultrasonic welded portion, etc. due to the stress repeatedly applied due to the life of the water purifier main body A, water pressure and the like.
There was a problem that the inside of the cabinet C was flooded due to water leakage. Here, even when the water purifier body A was designed at the early stage of designing, considering the safety factor, it must occur unless the water purifier main body A is replaced early by discovering the above-mentioned failure through regular inspection and the like. However, in the cabinet C, the water purifier body A
In the case of the type that is set, it is the actual situation that an abnormality can generally be detected only after water leakage occurs.

The cause of water leakage in the water purifier body A having the cartridge 4 therein will be described in more detail. In the above water purifier, since the cartridge 4 filters water, the cartridge 4 becomes clogged when the usage period becomes long, and the internal pressure becomes high. Therefore, the cartridge 4 applies pressure to the case lid 2. This force is repeated by stopping the water and discharging water, and the life of the water purifier body A is determined by the number of times of repetition and the force when pressure is applied. It should be noted that water leakage from the seal portion or the like occurs at the beginning of the life of the water purifier body A, and then the water purifier body A is destroyed.

Here, when the water purifier body A reaches the end of its life in this way, the leaked water first collects in the installation table 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, the life of the water purifier body A is detected by providing the water drop detection sensor 24 in the installation table 5. Further, a portion of the water purifier main body A that is easily broken due to an increase in pressure inside the cartridge 4 and a stress applied by water stopping or water discharging is an ultrasonic welding portion of the bottom lid 42. That is, when the internal pressure becomes high due to the clogging of the cartridge 4 or the tap water pressure becomes high, the central portion of the bottom lid 42 slightly swells. This is because the ribs of the case lid 2 are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the bottom lid 42, so that the central portion is distorted. In the case of ordinary molding materials, the life is almost determined by the number of times and size. If the force applied to the pressure sensor 20 and the number of times are cumulatively stored in the control circuit 7 using this value, the life of the water purifier main body A can be detected in advance.

When it is determined that the life of the water purifier main body A is reached, and when the water drop detection sensor 24 detects a water drop, the light emitting diodes LED ₁ , LED _{2 and the} like are blinked together to cause an abnormality. If the notification is given, the water purifier body A can be promptly replaced before water leakage occurs. It should be noted that a light emitting diode may be separately provided to notify the occurrence of this abnormality.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the battery voltage detection for detecting the battery voltage is used by using the solenoid valve of the latching type which holds the open / closed state when receiving the drive signal for opening or closing. When the detected battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, the control circuit outputs a closing signal to the solenoid valve and prohibits the subsequent operation input of the switch. When the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, the electromagnetic valve is always closed, and it is possible to prevent the purified water from being left unattended due to a battery exhaustion.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a water purifier main body for accommodating the cartridge, a case lid attached to an opening on the lower surface of the water purifier main body, and an installation stand for vertically setting the water purifier main body. In the water purifier, the deformation detection means for detecting the deformation of the case lid due to aging between the case lid and the installation base and the notification means for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality by the output of the deformation detection means are provided. The life of the water purifier main body can be detected from the deformation of the case lid which is subjected to stress due to increase in internal pressure and repeated water stoppage and water discharge, and water leakage can be prevented in advance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the water drop detecting means for detecting water drops and the informing means for informing the occurrence of abnormality by the output of the water drop detecting means are provided in the installation stand, the case lid is damaged. It is possible to detect the life of the water purifier body from water leakage, and prevent water leakage and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a specific circuit diagram of the above.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a main configuration of the above.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the above water purifier body.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an installed state of the water purifier.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the above water purifier body.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another portion of the above water purifier body.

8 (a) and 8 (b) are a cross-sectional view and a plan view of the dedicated faucet of the same.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the water purifier body of one embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an installed state of the above water purifier.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the above water purifier body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Body Case 2 Case Lid 4 Cartridge 7 Control Circuit 8 Solenoid Valve 11 Battery Voltage Detection Circuit 20 Pressure Sensor 24 Water Drop Detection Sensor A Water Purifier Body Ba Battery SW ₁ Switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water purifier that operates by using a battery as a power source, and a control circuit opens and closes an electromagnetic valve according to a water discharge operation input of a switch to control water discharge, and outputs a drive signal for opening or closing as the electromagnetic valve. A latching type that holds the open / closed state when received is provided with a battery voltage detection means for detecting the battery voltage.When the detected battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, the control circuit The water purifier is characterized in that it outputs a closing signal and prohibits the subsequent operation input of the switch. 2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the battery voltage detection function of the control circuit is performed only when the switch is turned on or every predetermined time in the water discharge period. 3. A water purifier comprising a water purifier main body in which a cartridge is housed, a case lid attached to an opening at a lower surface of the water purifier main body, and an installation stand for vertically setting the water purifier main body, A water purifier characterized by comprising deformation detecting means for detecting deformation of the case lid due to aging between the case lid and the installation base, and notifying means for notifying the occurrence of abnormality by the output of the deformation detecting means. . 4. A water purifier comprising: a water purifier main body in which a cartridge is housed; a case lid attached to an opening on the lower surface of the water purifier main body; and an installation stand for vertically installing the water purifier main body. A water purifier characterized in that a water drop detecting means for detecting water drops and an informing means for informing the occurrence of an abnormality by the output of the water drop detecting means are provided in the installation base.