JPH08103763A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To inform the inflow of hot water to a water purifier to a user (especially, weak-sighted user) by a sounding means. CONSTITUTION: A main body part 1 having the mounting part 5 attached to a cock of raw water in a freely detachable manner is equipped with a cock part changing over a raw water straight mode allowing raw water to directly flow to the lower part of the main body part 1 and a water purifying mode allowing raw water to pass through water purifying materials 23, 24, 33 to purify the same and the lever 7 driving the cock part. A temp.-sensitive element 74 sensing temp. is provided on the way of the water passage in the water purifying mode and, when hot water with a specific temp. or higher flows in the water passage, a sounding part 73 is driven by the signal of the temp.- sensitive element.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier equipped with a water purifying material such as activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane and using raw water as purified water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, hot and cold water mixing taps have become widespread at home, and the number of cases where a water purifier is attached to this faucet is increasing. However, a water purifier equipped with a water purification material such as activated carbon has an antibacterial material such as silver coated on the surface of the activated carbon to prevent the growth of various bacteria, and when hot water is continuously sent from the faucet, the antibacterial agent coated on the activated carbon is coated. There is a risk that the material will elute. Also, when a filter material such as a hollow fiber membrane is used, the case that houses the filter material may be thermally deformed, and a gap may be created between the filter material and the case, resulting in a loss of the filter effect. Of course, if hot water continues to flow near these water purification materials, the same adverse effect will occur.

[0003] Therefore, there is disclosed a device in which a temperature-sensitive label is attached to the surface of the water passage in order to display when a heat temperature of a predetermined temperature or more flows into the water passage of the water purifier. (Actual Kaihei No. 2-83095)

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned water purifier has the following problems to be solved. That is, since the water purifier described above is a display means (temperature-sensitive label) for visually deciding hot water and hot water, a user with low eyesight or a visually impaired user can use hot water only by changing the color. However, if hot water is kept flowing in the vicinity of the water purification material without being recognized, the water purification material and the water passage will be adversely affected. In addition, even in a busy kitchen even for a user with normal eyesight, he / she turns away without paying attention to only one point of the temperature-sensitive label.
Since it cannot be recognized that it is hot water, it will also adversely affect the water purification material and the water passage.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the present invention, the main body portion 1, 61 having the mounting portions 5, 63 which are detachably mounted on the raw water faucets 4, 58 is configured so that the raw water is directly attached to the main body portion 1, 61. Raw water straight mode flowing down and raw water Purification material 2
Cock portion 10, 54 for switching to a water purification mode in which water is purified by passing through 3, 24, 33;
A temperature-sensitive element 74 having levers 7 and 62 for driving 54 and sensing temperature in the middle of the water passage in the water purification mode.
Is provided, and when the hot water having a predetermined temperature or higher flows into the water passage, the sounding section 73 is driven by the signal from the temperature sensing element.

[0006]

With this configuration, when hot water flows into the water passage in the water purification mode, a sound can be generated and made to be recognized by the user (especially, a person with weak eyesight).

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water faucet direct connection type water purifier. This water purifier includes a main body 1 and two cylindrical water purification cartridges 2 and 3. A mounting portion 5 that is detachably mounted on the tap 4 of the water supply is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 1, and a drain portion 6 is provided on the lower surface thereof. Further, a rotary lever 7 for mode switching is attached to the side surface thereof. In addition, the two cartridges 2 and 3
It is detachably attached to the back surface of the main body 1 horizontally and parallel to each other. Reference numeral 8 is a water tap. Reference numeral 73 is a buzzer as a sounding unit.

2 and 3 are sectional views of the water purifier.
In the figure, reference numeral 9 is a fitting ring provided inside the mounting portion 5, and is fitted to the enlarged bottom end of the faucet 4. Reference numeral 15 is a packing provided below it, which is brought into contact with the lower surface of the faucet 4 and prevents the raw water flowing out of the faucet 4 from leaking to the outside. The mounting portion 5 is ring-shaped and has a threaded portion on the inner surface. By manually rotating the mounting portion 5, the main body portion 1 is detachably mounted on the lower end portion of the faucet 4.

In FIG. 3, a cock portion 10 is provided inside the main body portion 1. The cock portion 10 is configured by accommodating a cock body 12 which is rotated by the operation of the lever 7 to switch a flow path inside a cock tube 11. Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote water passages and water passages formed in the cock body 12 by notches, and in FIG. 2, reference numeral 17 denotes a water passage communicating with the water passages 13. The drain portion 6 is the cock portion 10
It is provided directly below. Reference numeral 16 is a drainage pipe attached to the drainage section 6.

In FIG. 4, a tube body 21 is built in the center of one cartridge 2 in the lengthwise direction thereof,
Further, the inside thereof is partitioned by a filter plate 22.
A space S1 around the pipe body 21 stores activated carbon 23 having a large particle size, and a space S2 partitioned by the filter plate 22 stores activated carbon 24 having a small particle size. In this way, the water purification capacity can be improved by incorporating different types of activated carbons 23 and 24 having different impurity adsorption capacities into the cartridge 2.

In FIG. 4, a valve mechanism 25 is provided in the water passage that leads from the water pipe 17 to the cartridge 2. This valve model 25 includes a first valve piece 26 and a second valve piece 26.
Valve piece 27, a spring member 28 that elastically repels the first valve piece 26, and a second coil spring 29 made of a shape memory alloy that is interposed between the pieces 26 and 27 and is deformed by water temperature.
And a third spring member 30 that elastically repels the second valve piece 27. Further, on the side of the valve piece 26, an opening portion 31 is formed as a bypass portion communicating with the drain portion 32 (see FIG. 5). Normally, the low temperature raw water sent from the faucet 4 flows to the cartridge 2 through the water pipe 17 and the valve mechanism 25. As will be described later, when hot water flows, a coil spring 29 made of a shape memory alloy is used.
The valve mechanism 25 is actuated by the deformation of the
1 is bypassed and drained from the drain part 32.
74 is a thermistor attached to the water passage.

A hollow fiber membrane filter 33 is housed in the other cartridge 3, and a water passage portion 38 is provided along the inner wall surface. The inlets 34 and 35 of the cartridges 2 and 3 are connected by a pipe 36. In addition, this cartridge 3 is
It communicates with the cock portion 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, both cartridges 2, 3
Are mounted on the main body 1 in parallel with each other. The mounting portion 5 is on the bisector N of the cartridges 2 and 3. By arranging the main body 1 and the cartridges 2 and 3 in this way, the overall shape can be made compact, and the balance of the center of gravity becomes good when the mounting portion 5 is mounted on the faucet 4. Both cartridges 2 and 3 may contain the same water purifying material, but if different kinds of water purifying materials having different water purifying capacities such as activated carbon and hollow fiber membrane filters are stored as in this embodiment, the water purifying effect is further enhanced. Can be raised.

In FIG. 2, the drain pipe 16 has a drain port 1
6a is partially opened. Further, a water stop body 18 is provided above the drain pipe 16, and an opening 18 a is opened in this water stop body 18. A plurality of small holes 6a are formed on the lower surface of the drainage section 6. Reference numeral 19 denotes an operation lever, and when the lever 19 is operated to rotate, the drainage pipe 16 rotates. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the lever 19 is operated to align the drain port 16a with the opening 18a, water is drained from the drain pipe 16. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the drain port 16a is closed by the water blocking body 18, water is ejected from the small hole 6a in a shower shape.

This water purifier is operated by operating the lever 7 so as to stop water, raw water, a raw water shower, clean water, and backwash.
It is possible to switch to one of the modes, and each mode will be described next.

FIG. 8 shows the water stop mode. The cock body 12 of the cock portion 10 closes the faucet 4 side, so that even if the stopper 8 is opened, raw water does not flow into the water purifier. FIG. 9 shows the raw water mode. The cock body 12 is
It is pressed against the left surface of the cock pipe 11, and in this state, the water passage 14 of the cock body 12 directly passes through the drain pipe 16, and the raw water sent from the faucet 4 flows down as shown by an arrow A1.
Further, as shown by an arrow A2 in FIG. 3, the water is directly drained from the drain pipe 16.

FIG. 10 shows the raw water shower mode. Water passage Port communicates with the internal space 20 of the drainage unit 6 shown in FIG. 3, and the raw water has small holes 6a as shown by arrows B1 and B2.
Gush out like a shower from.

Next, the water purification mode will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, arrow C indicates a water passage route during water purification, and a to e indicate passage points of the water passage route. 2 and 3, the raw water flowing from the faucet 4 enters the inside of one of the cartridges 2 through the water pipe 17 (passing point a) and further through the valve mechanism 25 (passing point b), and the activated carbon 23 , 24, and then enters tube 21 (passing point c). In this way, when passing through the activated carbons 23 and 24, the chlorine in the raw water is adsorbed and removed.

Next, the raw water passes from the pipe body 21 through the pipe 36 and enters the other cartridge 3 (passing point d). Then, the impurities in the raw water are adsorbed and removed by the hollow fiber membrane filter 33. The purified water from which impurities have been removed in this way passes from the water passage 38 through the communication pipe 37 (passing point e) and is discharged from the drain pipe 16 as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 conceptually shows this flow.

Next, the backwash mode will be described. In the figure, an arrow D indicates a water flow route, and a to h indicate passing points. In this case, the cock portion 10 is in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the raw water that has flowed in from the water passage portion 13 passes through the communication pipe 37 (passing point B) in FIG. 4, flows into the water passage portion 38 of the cartridge 3, and then the tip end side of the hollow fiber membrane filter 33. Enters the inside of the hollow fiber membrane filter 33 (passing point B), flows from the inlet portion 35 through the pipe 36, and flows into the tubular body 21 of the other cartridge 2 (passing point C). That is, in the backwash, raw water flows in the opposite direction to the case of the above-mentioned purified water, and impurities attached to the hollow fiber membrane filter 33 are removed.

Next, the activated carbon 23, 24 of the cartridge 2
The water that has passed through passes through the valve mechanism 25 (passing point D) and is drained from the small hole 6a (passing point E). In this way,
The life of the hollow fiber membrane filter 33 can be extended by occasionally performing backwashing to remove impurities in the hollow fiber membrane filter 33.

Activated carbons 23, 24 and hollow fiber membrane filter 3
Since dirt adheres to 3 and the water purifying ability decreases, the cartridges 2 and 3 must be removed from the main body 1 and replaced as appropriate. In this case, this one is
Since each of the cartridges 2 and 3 is independently mounted in the main body 1, the cartridge 2 or 3 of which the replacement time has come can be individually removed and replaced.

By the way, it is known that an antibacterial material such as silver is coated on the surfaces of the activated carbons 23 and 24 to prevent the propagation of various bacteria. Hot water may be supplied from the faucet 4. However, when hot water is sent to the cartridge 2, the antibacterial material coated on the activated carbons 23 and 24 elutes, and drinking hot water containing the antibacterial material causes health problems. Therefore, the coil spring 2 made of shape memory alloy
By configuring the valve mechanism 25 in which 9 is interposed, such an inconvenience is avoided. That is, when the hot water flows into the valve mechanism 25, the coil spring 29 is heated and extends, the valve piece 26 is pushed up, and the valve piece 27 is pushed down. Then, the water passage to the cartridge 2 is closed, and the hot water is discharged from the drain portion 32 through the opening portion 31 which is a bypass portion. Therefore, boiling water is activated carbon 2
The antibacterial material does not elute after flowing through 3,24. The deformable member such as the coil spring 29 is not limited to a shape memory alloy, but may be a bimetal or the like as long as it deforms due to temperature change. When the hot water is switched to the cold water, the coil spring 29 returns to its original shape and returns to the normal purified water state.
In particular, the valve piece 26 that opens and closes the bypass side is provided with a coil spring 29 whose spring constant changes with temperature and an ordinary spring material 2.
8, the spring force of the spring member 28 is larger than the spring force of the coil spring 29 when the temperature is low, thus closing the bypass side, and when the temperature is high, the spring force of the coil spring 29 becomes larger than the spring force of the spring member 28. Therefore, the bypass side is opened. Therefore, there is an advantage that the expansion and contraction of the spring member 29, that is, the switching of the water passage can be performed quickly and sensitively according to the change of the water temperature. Further, according to the valve mechanism 25, when the cartridge 2 is clogged and the internal water pressure on the cartridge side becomes high, the valve piece 26 is pushed up by the internal pressure, and the water is discharged from the opening portion 31 and the drain portion 32. Has the advantage that it can be drained. Further, if the spring force of the spring material 28 is made stronger than the spring force of the coil spring 29 when it is extended, the spring material 28 is not compressed by the extension force of the coil spring 29 at high temperature, and the pressure due to the inflow of hot water becomes a predetermined pressure. It is possible to completely stop the hot water without draining the hot water from the drain section 32. (Refer to the solid line state in FIG. 4) 42 in FIG.
Is a heat radiation fin that enhances the heat radiation effect of the coil spring 29
Is sensitive to temperature changes.

As described above, the valve mechanism 25 prevents the hot water from flowing into the cartridge 2 by discharging or stopping the water from the drain portion 32 by the coil spring 29, but the hot water is switched to the purified water. The state in which water continues to flow is harmful to the water purifier and is not preferable. In particular, if the structure is such that the hot water is not drained from anywhere, the user will notice an error and the hot water will continue to flow through the valve mechanism 2 even if the user switches to cold water flow.
Since it stays in No. 5, it does not return to the normal state for a while, and the user cannot use it at all even though the cold water is flowing, and cannot be distinguished from the failure.

Therefore, in the water purifier of the present invention, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 12, as a display means for recognition, a power generator 72 capable of supplying electric power by the water flow from the faucet, a power source 72 such as a button battery, a solar battery, The switching circuit 71 is driven by a temperature sensitive element 74 such as a thermistor which sends out a signal in response to a temperature change, and a sounding part such as a speaker or a buzzer is driven by the signal to display. If the light emitting members such as LEDs are turned on at the same time, the warning effect is enhanced by sound and light.

With this display, the user can take measures such as stopping the supply of hot water and switching the hot water flow path to the raw water inflow side.

In the above description, the faucet direct connection type water purifier of the type capable of discharging hot water from the drain part 32 and the water purifier of the type in which hot water is completely discharged without being discharged to the outside of the water purifier. Particularly, in the case of completely stopping the water, the hot water stays in the valve mechanism 25, the water pipe 17 and the like even if the low temperature room temperature water immediately flows in, so that the spring material 2
9 keeps the extended state, does not flow into the cartridge 2 immediately, and the user does not know the cause and thinks that it is a failure of the water purifier and feels uneasy. The display means is very effective. In addition, for a water purifier without a hot water inflow prevention mechanism, there is a high possibility that the hot water will flow into the cartridge due to the user's carelessness.Therefore, if the display means for recognizing hot and cold water functions, the user will immediately see the hot water inflow. It can be stopped and the adverse effects of hot water in the cartridge can be minimized.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is a stationary water purifier 45. 55 is a stand 48
The water purifier main body 49 including the water purification cartridge 46 and the purified water discharge portion 47 is connected to the switching hose 50 via the extension hose 50. Reference numeral 63 is a detachable mounting portion for fixing the switching portion 55 and the faucet 58. The switching part 55 is provided with a rotary cock part 54 and a lever 62 for operating the cock part 54. Further, there is also a temperature-sensitive deformable member 51 such as a shape memory alloy, and a valve mechanism 53 having a substantially hemispherical valve piece 52 fitted with the deformable member 51 and protruding in a direction opposite to the water inflow direction. It is decorated. When the hot water flows in, the valve piece 52 directly contacts the switching valve due to the expansion of the deformable member 51 and prevents the inflow. The cock 54 has a clean water passage 5
6. A raw water channel 57 is formed. The cock portion 54 of FIG. 11 is in a water-flowing state for water purification (water purification mode). The water purifier body 49 accommodates a thermistor, which is a temperature sensitive element, and a buzzer (not shown) that emits sound according to the signal from the thermistor.

Further, the outer casing 61 of the switching portion 55 is formed with a recognition window portion 60 through which the valve mechanism 53 can be visually observed. Further, since the casing 59 of the valve mechanism 53 is formed of a transparent member, the movements of the deformable member 51 and the valve piece 52 interposed in the casing 59 can be visually checked. Therefore, the hot water flows into the valve mechanism 53 from the faucet 58, and the valve piece 52 is in contact with the cock portion 54, so that the user can recognize that the hot water has stopped flowing, and the hot water can be recognized. The reason why the water does not flow to the water purifier main body 49 side even when the temperature is switched from low temperature to normal temperature water is not because of the failure of the water purifier, but because the valve mechanism 53 has a high temperature due to hot water retention or the like. It is possible to judge that it does not flow into, and the anxiety is resolved. The display means is the deformation member 51 of the valve mechanism 53 and the valve piece 52. Like this, sound (hearing)
In addition to this, if the hot water is displayed visually, the warning effect will be further enhanced.

The valve mechanism 53 and the cock portion 54 are not limited to those provided at positions separated from the water purifier body 49 via the extension hose 50 as shown in FIG. It may be.

Further, in the case where the valve mechanism 53 and the switching portion 54 are provided on the water purifier main body 49 side, when the hot water flows in, the hot water stays in the extension hose 50 and the faucet 5
Even if cold water flows in from 8, the valve mechanism 53 maintains the hot water prevention state for a while. For this reason, a temperature-sensitive color changing element may be attached or applied to the extension hose 50, and the state of the temperature can be recognized, which is convenient.

Of course, the valve mechanism 5 for preventing hot water inflow
Even if there is no type 3, since the user can recognize the hot water inflow and immediately stop the hot water inflow by providing a sounding means for recognizing hot and cold water, the adverse effect of hot water can be minimized. You can

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the main body portion 1,61 having the mounting portions 5,63 which are detachably mounted on the raw water faucets 4,58 is such that the raw water is directly fed to the main body portion 1,61. Raw water straight mode flowing under the water and raw water 2
Cock portion 10, 54 for switching to a water purification mode in which water is purified by passing through 3, 24, 33;
A temperature-sensitive element 74 having levers 7 and 62 for driving 54 and sensing temperature in the middle of the water passage in the water purification mode.
When the hot water having a predetermined temperature or higher flows into the water passage, the sounding unit 73 is driven by the signal of the temperature sensing element, so that the user with weak eyesight or the visually impaired will not have hot water. It can be recognized, and the adverse effects on the water purification material and the water passage can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a water purifier according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,61 Main body part 4,58 Faucet 5,63 Mounting part 7,62 Lever 10,54 Cock part 23,24,33 Water purification material 73 Sounding part 74 Thermosensitive element

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keisuke Miyazaki 4680 Ikata, Katsura-machi, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture Kyushu Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A raw water straight mode and a raw water straight mode in which raw water flows down directly below the main body portions 1, 61 having mounting portions 5, 63 which are detachably attached to the raw water faucets 4, 58. To switch to a water purification mode in which water is passed through the water purification materials 23, 24, 33 to produce water purification
And levers 7 and 62 for driving the cocks 10 and 54
And a temperature-sensing element 74 for sensing the temperature is provided in the middle of the water passage in the water purification mode, and when hot water having a predetermined temperature or higher flows into the water passage, the sounding section 73 is driven by the signal from the temperature-sensing element. A water purifier that is characterized by