JPH0783532A - Water treatment apparatus with cooling function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a sufficient cooling effect without using a large cooling apparatus by a method wherein treated water is cooled by an electronic cooling unit and a radiator of the electronic cooling unit is cooled by water from a water source. CONSTITUTION:An electronic cooling unit 100 has a radiator 102 with a number of fins 100 and the radiator 102 is located on an acid water path stretching from an acid water outlet 16. The fines 100 stretching from the electronic cooling unit 100 are inserted into the radiator 102 and acid water from an acid water tank 13 cools the radiator 102 and is discharged from the acid water outlet. Therefore, while alkaline water is produced, i.e., while acid water is discharged, the heat radiation from the fins 100 is stimulated by the running water, leading to an improvement of cooling ability. Even while alkaline water is not produced, acid water stored in the radiator has an effect on the heat radiation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water treatment device having a cooling function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to obtain delicious water, ion water purifiers, water purifiers and the like which are constructed so as to electrolyze tap water or the like to generate and separate alkaline water and acidic water have been used. In the case of an ion water purifier, tap water, etc. is once purified with activated carbon and then sent to the reaction tank, and applied between both electrodes by a diaphragm interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode in the reaction tank. When tap water is electrolyzed by the applied voltage, it is separated into alkaline water and acidic water.
The generated alkaline water and acidic water are led out to the outside through the alkaline water outlet passage and the acidic water outlet passage, respectively, so that they can be used according to their respective uses.

The electrolyzed alkaline ionized water or purified water should be drunk as it is, but it is desirable to cool it to an appropriate temperature in order to drink it more deliciously. For cooling, a method using a compressor, a method using an electronic cooling element such as a Peltier element, etc. can be considered, but when using a compressor, miniaturization is hindered, and it is difficult to adopt due to restrictions such as CFC refrigerant There is.

[0004]

In the case of the Peltier device,
If you increase the heat dissipation effect, the cooling capacity will improve,
There is a limit to forcibly dissipating heat using a fan or the like, and the structure becomes complicated.

[0005]

The present invention focuses on the fact that the water treatment device can take in water other than water suitable for drinking, and as a means for promoting the heat dissipation of the heat dissipation part of the electronic cooling part, for example, an alkali Acidic water or raw water that is generated at the same time as water and is not used for face washing and is used only for face washing is brought into contact with the inside of the heat radiating portion and used as a heat radiating medium.

If the heat radiating section is cooled by the acidic water, the cooling capacity of the alkaline water by the electronic cooling section is increased by the amount of heat absorbed by the heat radiating effect, so that alkaline water that feels delicious can be provided, and the acidic water cools the heat radiating section. The water temperature rises,
This is very convenient because it makes the water more suitable for washing the face. Further, even in a water treatment device such as a water purifier or a mineral water generation device, heat dissipation is automatically promoted when water other than the treated water is being taken in, which is convenient.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an electrolytic water purifier according to the present invention and a water conditioning system including a plurality of flow paths connected thereto.

(Electrolytic Water Conditioner) First, the structure of the electrolytic water conditioner will be described. The electrolytic water conditioner is partitioned by the reaction tank 10, a partition 11 provided in the center thereof, and the partition 11. Alkaline water tank 12 and acidic water tank 13
And the electrodes 8 and 9 arranged in the water tanks 12 and 13, respectively.

Further, an alkaline water outlet 14 is formed in the upper portion of the alkaline water tank 12, and a purified water inlet 15 is formed in the lower portion thereof, and the acidic water outlet 1 is provided in the upper portion of the acidic water tank 13.
6 and a calcium water inlet 17 is formed in the lower part.

A cooling unit 100, which will be described later, is connected to the alkaline water outlet 14 and the acidic water outlet 16. In the electrolytic water purifier configured as described above,
The electrode 8 provided on the alkaline water tank 12 side functions as a cathode made of stainless steel, carbon or the like during normal water conditioning operation, and the electrode 9 on the acidic water tank side serves as an anode made of stainless steel, platinum or titanium oxide. It is configured to work.

A desired forward voltage is applied to each of the electrodes 8 and 9 from a power source 40 based on a control signal from the controller R. Then, by such voltage application, tap water or the like is electrolyzed, and the pH value of water in the alkaline water tank 12 becomes high during normal operation.
Alkaline water is generated in the water tank 12. On the other hand, the pH value of the acidic water tank 13 becomes low, and acidic water is generated in the same water tank 13. Further, when a reverse voltage is applied to the electrodes 8 and 9, the deposits attached to the electrodes 8 and 9 can be dissolved and removed from the electrodes 8 and 9.

(Flow Path Around Electrolytic Water Conditioner) First, the inflow side of the electrolytic water conditioner is connected to a tap water supply unit 1 such as a water faucet, which is a water source, through a raw water supply flow path C. And
It is configured to supply tap water as raw water.

That is, the raw water supply flow path C from the tap water supply section 1 such as a faucet is bifurcated at a branch section S provided in the middle, and one branch flow path 24 is a water purification inlet of an alkaline water tank. 1
5 through the water purifier 2, and the other branch flow path 28 communicates with the calcium water inlet 17 of the acidic tank 13. An additive supply device A is connected in the middle of the branch flow path 28 so that an additive for increasing the pH value and increasing the calcium ion concentration can be supplied.

The additives include minerals and medicinal agents.
Various additives for improving drinking water are considered. The water purifier 2 attached to the branch channel 24 includes activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane,
It has a filtering function, and is configured so that a heater (not shown) or the like can be provided inside for heating or sterilization by heating as necessary. When a heater is attached, the function of regenerating activated carbon is fulfilled.

Further, a flow path switching device 41 is disposed on the upper side of the branch portion S of the raw water supply flow path C from the tap water supply section 1, and the tap water supply section 41 is operated by the flow path switching operation of 41. Raw water supply channel C that connects the water from No. 1 to the electrolyzer
With this, the raw water can be selectively supplied to the direct extraction passage D. Reference numeral 62 is an operation handle of the flow path switching device 41.

The alkaline water discharged from the alkaline water outlet 14 is, for example, an electronic cooling unit 10 using a Peltier element.
It is connected to 0, and it is possible to cool alkaline water.
The electronic cooling unit 100 includes a heat radiating unit 102 having a large number of fins 101, and the heat radiating unit 102 exists on the acidic water flow path from the acidic water outlet 16.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a regenerator material, which is the electronic cooling unit 100.
In order to use the inside efficiently, it is preferable that the alkaline water outlet flow path is formed in a meandering shape or a spiral shape so that it can exist for a long time in the electronic cooling unit 100 filled with the regenerator material.

When a cold storage material is used, it is desirable to use a cold storage material having a freezing point of 0 ° C. or higher so that the accumulated water in the flow path does not freeze. Further, use of such a regenerator material also helps prevent freezing in cold regions. When the freezing point of the regenerator material is below the freezing point, it is desirable to drain the water in the electronic cooling unit in a timely manner. Further, instead of the cold storage material 103, if a ceramic having a large latent heat and a very high thermal conductivity, for example, a ceramic used for a thawing plate is used, in addition to the cold storage effect,
The exchange of heat becomes smooth, and the cooling effect is further improved.

The heat dissipating section 102 includes the electronic cooling section 100.
A fin 101 that integrally extends from is inserted,
The acidic water from the acidic water tank 13 cools the heat radiating section 102 and is discharged from the acidic water outlet. Therefore, the temperature of the acidic water discharged from the acidic water outlet rises, and it becomes even better for cleaning.

With this configuration, when alkaline water is being generated, that is, when acidic water is being discharged, the heat dissipation from the fins 101 is promoted by the flowing water to further improve the cooling capacity, and the alkaline water is removed. Acidic water is stored in the heat dissipation part even when it is not being generated, so it effectively acts on heat dissipation. Of course, although the temperature of the stored water rises, it is drained at the time of the next generation of alkaline water, and the newly generated low temperature acidic water is stored again in the heat radiating portion.

Further, the raw water passes through the raw water direct take-out flow passage D by the switching of the flow passage switching device 41, and passes through the heat radiating section 102 like the acidic water. Therefore, even when the raw water is used, cooling of the heat radiating portion 102 can be promoted, which is extremely convenient.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pressure switch S1 is mounted on the downstream side of the branch channel 24 of the raw water supply channel C. The pressure switch S1 is operated by the supply water pressure when the raw water is supplied from the raw water supply passage C to the electrolysis water purifier through the water purifier 2, and a predetermined voltage is supplied from the power supply 40 to the electrodes 8 and 9 via the controller R. Alkaline water tank 1
In addition to being able to generate alkaline water in 2, acidic water can be generated in the acidic water tank 13.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to separately provide a switch for operating the electrolytic water conditioner, and the control is simplified. Further, a flow meter Q is provided on the upstream side of the water purifier 2, and the flow meter Q flows into the reaction tank 10 through the branch flow passage 24 provided with the water purifier 2 and another branch flow passage 28. It detects the total amount of purified water and raw water.

An operation panel OP and a display unit L are connected to the controller R, and the operation panel OP has a power switch S2, a cooling switch S4, and an electrode cleaning switch S3.
Is installed. Here, the power switch S2 is used for supplying power to the electrolytic water purifier and various switch groups.

Control of the electronic cooling unit 100 is executed by the cooling switch S4. In the ON state of the cooling switch S4, the electronic cooling unit 100 is always kept at a predetermined temperature (for example, 3 ° C.) regardless of the ON signal of the pressure switch S1 described above.
Is working to control.

In addition to electronic control, this is controlled by heat exchange during solidification and melting of the regenerator material. That is,
Usually, the cold storage material is cooled to such an extent that the solidified state can be maintained, and the alkaline water is cooled by melting the cold storage material by the alkaline water that passes when the alkaline water is generated. When the alkaline water is generated, the water in the heat radiating portion is in a running state, so that the cooling capacity can be further improved.

On the other hand, the electrode cleaning switch S3 is used for cleaning the electrodes by applying a predetermined voltage from the power source 40 to the electrodes 8 and 9 through the control unit R to remove the deposits on both electrodes 8.9. Is. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, in the display unit L of the control device R, a power source display lamp L1 showing a state where the power source 40 is turned on, and deposits on the electrodes 8 and 9 need cleaning. An electrode-cleaning display lamp L2 as an electrode-cleaning display section that pays attention to the user and the like, and an electrode-cleaning display lamp L3 indicating that the electrode cleaning work is in progress.
And are installed.

(Structure of Control Circuit R) FIG. 2 conceptually shows a control circuit R for the water leveling work of the water leveling system including the above-described electrolytic water leveler.

As shown, the control circuit R includes an input interface a, a microprocessing unit b,
It has an output interface c, a memory d, and a timer e.

A power switch S2, a pressure switch S1, an electrode cleaning switch S3, a cooling switch S4 and a flow meter Q are connected to the input interface a, and a power source 40 and a power supply 40 are connected to the output interface c. , Calcium supply pump 3b, power source display lamp L1, electrode cleaning display lamp L2, and electrode cleaning display lamp L3
And the electronic cooling unit 100 are connected.

Further, in the present invention, the control circuit R is provided with a timer e, and by the timer e, the control circuit R is
The following operation control is performed. First,
On the basis of the control signal from the control circuit R, when the cumulative time of electrolysis water conditioning performed by applying a forward voltage from the power source 40 to the electrodes 8 and 9 exceeds a set time (for example, 40 minutes), an electrode cleaning indication is required. The lamp L2 is turned on to inform the user that the electrode 8.9 needs cleaning.

When the user presses the electrode cleaning switch S3 when the electrode cleaning indicator lamp L2 is turned on, a reverse voltage is applied from the power source 40 to the electrodes 8 and 9 based on a control signal from the control circuit R. , Set electrode cleaning time (eg 2
Minutes), a forward voltage is again applied from the power supply 40 to the electrodes 8 and 9, and the normal operation of electrolyzed water preparation is restarted.

Immediately after the normal operation is resumed, the cleaning drainage and the electrolyzed water are mixed. Therefore, in order to prevent accidental ingestion of the mixed water, immediately after the restart, for example, for 10 seconds, the electrode cleaning indicator lamp It is desirable to devise such as continuing to display L3. Since the drainage after cleaning the electrodes is not suitable for drinking, it is desirable to stop the driving of the electronic cooling unit 100 during the cleaning of the electrodes. The time for stopping the driving may be the actual cleaning period, but it may be made to correspond to the display period of the electrode cleaning display lamp L3.

Explaining the other structure in FIG. 1, reference numeral 42 is a safety valve provided in the middle of the raw water supply passage C, which is composed of, for example, a switching valve using a shape memory alloy, and water from the tap water supply unit 1 is supplied. In the case of hot water from a water heater, etc., when hot water of a certain temperature or higher is supplied, the function of the shape memory alloy prevents it from flowing in the direction of the electrolytic water conditioner, so that a hot water discharge passage not shown It can be released to the outside through.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment employs a system in which alkaline water is stored in the tank 200 and cooled. The water from the raw water supply unit 201, which is the water source, is opened and closed by a signal from the control unit 203, and if necessary, the alkaline water passes through the water purifier 2 and the reaction tank 10 to reach a predetermined water level in the tank 200. The stored acidic water is discharged to the outside through the heat dissipation unit 204. The tank 200 is provided with a cooling body 206 of an electronic cooling unit 205 such as a Peltier element.

On the other hand, a large number of fins 20 are provided on the heat dissipation portion 204 side.
7 are formed. The cooling body 206 forms a protrusion in the tank 200 to enhance the cooling effect of the alkaline water in the tank 200, and the water level in the tank 200 is always kept at a predetermined water level by the water level detection unit 208.

When the cock 209 is operated, the cooling alkaline water in the tank 200 is discharged and the water level in the tank 200 is lowered. When the water level in the tank 200 is lowered, a signal is sent from the water level detection unit 208 to the control device 211, the original cock 202 is opened, and a voltage is applied to the reaction tank 10. When the former cock 202 is opened, the raw water is alkaline water channel 20.
9 side and acidic water channel 210 side are branched.

The water on the side of the alkaline water channel 209 passes through the water purifier 2 and then the alkaline water is poured into the tank 200 through the alkaline water tank 12. The water on the acidic water channel 210 side is the acidic water tank 13.
After being stored in the heat dissipating portion 204, it is discharged to the outside. When the alkaline water in the tank 200 reaches a predetermined amount, the original cock 202 is closed by the water level detection signal.

The controller 211 controls the water in the tank 200 so that the water is always cooled to a predetermined temperature.
In 04, acid water promotes heat dissipation efficiently. The acidic water in the heat radiating section 204 is replaced with fresh acidic water every time alkaline water is generated.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently produce the cooling alkaline water, but since the electronic cooling mechanism such as the Peltier element can be easily heated by changing the polarity, Needless to say, even when hot water alkaline water is required, the above-described embodiments can be efficiently performed according to the same principle.

Although all of the above-mentioned embodiments have been described with respect to the electrolyzed water conditioner, they are also applied to a water treatment device for cooling water in the water treatment section 300 having a water purification function and a mineral addition function as shown in FIG. it can. In this case, when the treated water is not needed, for example, when the raw water is used for hand washing or dishwashing, the raw water is guided to the heat radiating unit 102.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a water treatment device for treating water from a water source, the treated water is cooled by the electronic cooling section, and the heat radiation section of the electronic cooling section is controlled from the water source. Since it is cooled by water, acid water or raw water that does not require cooling that is inevitable when generating alkaline water or using raw water can be used as a means to enhance the heat dissipation effect, which is the most important in electronic cooling, and large-scale cooling of compressors etc. It is possible to obtain a water treatment device that can be expected to have a sufficient cooling effect without using the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 electronic cooling unit 102 heat dissipation unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water treatment apparatus for treating water from a water source (1), wherein the electronic cooling unit (100) cools the treated water, and the heat dissipation unit (102) of the electronic cooling unit (100) is connected to the water source (1).
A water treatment device with a cooling function, characterized in that it is cooled with water from.