JPH10323660A - Water treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water treatment device of a simple construction without using a temperature sensor and provided with a mechanism to report that hot water is flowing in. SOLUTION: An water introducing passage 19 for introducing raw water is provided in a case body part 12 of a faucet side device 10 and a heat-sensitive identifying member 28 to report that hot water having a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is flowing in by changing color thereof is provided in the passage 19. When the water introduced has a temperature equal to or higher than 50 deg.C, the member reacts with the hot water so that the color thereof turns from blue to red. Thus a user can find out promptly that hot water is flowing in.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus for discharging raw water to the outside as purified water or ionic water after passing it through a treatment tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a water treatment apparatus provided with a purification tank for purifying water by passing through activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane filter, or an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing water into ionized water.

[0003] In such a water treatment apparatus, if the temperature of the water flowing into the water purification tank is too high, if the constituent material of the case of the water purification tank is made of resin, for example, ABS resin, it may be deformed by heat. Since the hollow fiber membrane itself is vulnerable to heat, the usable period may be shortened, or the substance adsorbed on the activated carbon may be desorbed. Also, if the temperature of the water flowing into the electrolytic cell is too high, the case is deformed, as in the case of the water purification tank, and the conductivity of the water increases as the temperature increases, so that the electrolysis proceeds too much and the pH value becomes too high. There is a fear.

[0004] In order to solve such problems, a water treatment apparatus having a hot water guard mechanism made of a shape memory alloy or the like has been developed. That is, when the hot water flows into the water treatment device, the temperature is sensed, and the hot water that flows in is discharged to the outside without being sent to the treatment tank (a water purification tank or an electrolytic tank), thereby causing the above-described problem. It is to prevent that. In addition, a method has been developed which includes a temperature sensor for detecting that hot water has flowed in, and notifies a buzzer or an LED or the like when hot water has flowed in.

On the other hand, if the flow rate of the water flowing into the water purification tank is too large, it may cause clogging or adversely affect the hollow fiber membrane itself. If the flow rate of the water is too low, activated carbon or hollow fiber may be used. It may not be able to pass through the membrane filter at an appropriate speed. Also, if the flow rate of the water flowing into the electrolytic cell is too large, the electric resistance is increased and the pH value may be too low. If the flow rate of the water is too small, the electric resistance is lowered and the pH value is increased. Sometimes too much. In order to solve such a problem, a water treatment device provided with a flow rate indicator has been developed. That is, the user adjusts the opening of the faucet cock so as to obtain an appropriate flow rate while watching the flow rate indicator.

[0006]

However, when a hot water guard mechanism made of a shape memory alloy or the like is provided, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases.
In addition, a method of notifying by providing a temperature sensor also requires a control device. In particular, in the case of a faucet direct connection type, that is, a type in which a water purification tank or an electrolytic tank is built in a device attached to the faucet, waterproofing, etc. Safety measures are required.

On the other hand, when the flow rate indicator and the hot water guard mechanism are composed of independent components, there is a problem that the number of components is large and the cost is increased. Also,
Since a space for separately installing the flow rate indicator and the hot water guard mechanism is required, there is also a problem that the apparatus becomes large. In particular, in the case of a faucet direct connection type, that is, a type in which a water purification tank or an electrolytic tank is built in a device side attached to the faucet, there is a strong demand for compactness, and the space problem is serious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has a simple structure without using a temperature sensor and having a mechanism for notifying that hot water has flowed in. It is intended to provide a device.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a water treatment apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention discharges raw water to the outside as purified water or ionic water after passing the raw water through a treatment tank. For the target, an introduction channel for introducing the raw water into the treatment tank, and a heat-sensitive color-specific member that is disposed in the introduction channel and notifies that the water having a predetermined temperature or more has flowed into the introduction channel by a change in color. It is provided.

According to the water treatment apparatus of the first aspect, when water of a predetermined temperature or more flows into the introduction water channel, the heat-sensitive color-specific member notifies the outside that the hot water has flowed, The user quickly notices the inflow of hot water,
For example, measures such as closing a faucet cock can be taken promptly.

[0011] The water treatment apparatus according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
The water treatment apparatus according to the above, provided in the introduction water passage movably provided according to the flow rate of water flowing therethrough, provided with a flow rate indicator that notifies the flow rate of water to the outside based on the movement amount The heat-sensitive color-specific member is provided on the flow indicator. Therefore, the cost is not increased as compared with the case where the flow rate indicator and the heat-sensitive color-specific member are separately provided, and the apparatus can be made more compact. In particular, in the case of a faucet direct connection type (a treatment tank provided on the faucet side), such a configuration is particularly effective because the housing is small.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of use of the ionized water generator of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ionized water generator partially cut away, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connection and the connection of the water channel, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the flow rate indicator when water is supplied to the device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ionic water generator 1 of this embodiment includes a faucet-side device 10 and a control device 30.

The faucet-side device 10 includes a case attachment portion 11 attached to the tip of the water discharge pipe 91, and the case attachment portion 1
1 and a case body 12 formed integrally with the back of the case 1. The case body 12 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

The case mounting portion 11 is fixed to the water discharge pipe 91 via a fastening ring 14. The case mounting portion 11 has a raw water position,
Switching lever 15 that can be positioned at any of the water treatment positions
And a flow path switching valve 16 interlocked with the switching lever 15. When the switching lever 15 is positioned at the raw water position, the flow path switching valve 16 causes the raw water flowing from the water inflow path 17 to flow toward the raw water discharging path 18, and when the switching lever 15 is positioned at the water treatment position, the flow path The switching valve 16 allows the raw water flowing from the water inflow passage 17 to flow to the introduction water passage 19 side. The introduction water channel 19 is a water channel for introducing raw water that has passed through the flow path switching valve 16 into a water purification tank that is a treatment tank, and an indicator installation unit 20 is provided in the middle of the water channel. As shown in FIG. 2, a partition wall 22 provided with a communication hole 22a for allowing water to pass therethrough is provided downstream of the indicator installation section 20.

The flow indicator 25 is disposed in the indicator installation section 20, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a flow pipe 26 (corresponding to a flow indicator of the present invention), a flow spring 27, and a heat-sensitive color. It is composed of a separate member 28.

The flow pipe 26 is a hollow pipe,
As shown in FIG. 4, one of the semi-cylindrical portions of the cylindrical outer periphery (FIG.
Is colored yellow, blue and orange in order from the downstream side, and the other semi-cylindrical part (lower part in FIG. 4) changes color (for example, from blue to red) when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A heat-sensitive color-specific member 28 in which a reversible ink is sealed in a sheet or a transparent resin is provided, and any one of the yellow, blue, and orange colors and the color of the heat-sensitive color-specific member 28 are simultaneously set in the case. It is configured to be visible from outside through a window 39 provided in the mounting portion 11. A cylindrical step 26 a for supporting the flow spring 27 is provided downstream of the flow pipe 26.

The flow spring 27 is, as shown in FIG.
The partition wall 22 is inserted through a step 26 a provided on the downstream side of the flow pipe 26, and the end face 26 on the downstream side of the flow pipe 26.
b. The flow spring 27 urges the flow pipe 26 in the upstream direction (right side in FIG. 4).

The case body 12 is, as shown in FIG.
A water purification tank 31 and an electrolytic tank 33 are incorporated. The water purifying tank 31 includes an activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane filter, and is arranged so that water flowing through the indicator installation unit 20 can pass therethrough. On the other hand, the electrolytic cell 33 includes a pair of electrodes 3.
An electrolytic cell (not shown) is provided between the electrodes 3a and 33b and the electrodes 33a and 33b, and the electrolytic cell 33 is partitioned into two chambers by the diaphragm. The electrolytic cell 33 is arranged so that water (purified water) flowing through the water purifying tank 31 can pass therethrough. The case body 12 is provided with an alkaline ionized water discharge port 34 and an acidic ionized water discharge port 35 communicating with each room partitioned by the electrodes 33a and 33b of the electrolytic cell 33 and the diaphragm.

Next, the operation of the ionized water generator 1 of this embodiment will be described.

When the switching lever 15 is previously positioned at the raw water position and tap water is supplied from the water discharge pipe 91, the tap water is discharged from the water inlet 17 of the faucet-side device 10 through the flow path switching valve 16 to discharge the raw water. It passes through the road 18 and is discharged from the raw water discharge port 36 as it is.

On the other hand, when the switching lever 15 is positioned at the water treatment position and tap water is supplied from the water discharge pipe 91, the tap water flows from the water inflow passage 17 of the faucet side device 10 through the flow passage switching valve 16. It circulates to the introduction waterway 19, and the water purification tank 31
Through the electrolytic cell 33. The water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 33, and the alkaline ionized water is discharged into the alkaline ionized water discharge port 34.
Therefore, the acidic ionized water is discharged from the acidic ionized water discharge port 35, respectively.

The operation of the flow indicator 25 when the switching lever 15 is positioned at the water treatment position and the tap water at room temperature is supplied from the water discharge pipe 91 will be described below.

When the flow rate is small, the flow pipe 26 of the flow rate indicator 25 is urged in the upstream direction by the flow spring 27, but is slightly pushed in the downstream direction by the force of tap water flowing from upstream to downstream. As a result, the yellow part of the flow pipe 26 can be seen from the window 39 provided in the case attachment part 11. That is, when the flow rate indicator 25 indicates yellow, it indicates that the flow rate is insufficient.

When the flow rate is appropriate, the flow pipe 26 of the flow rate indicator 25 is urged in the upstream direction by the flow spring 27, but is slightly pushed in the downstream direction by the force of tap water flowing from upstream to downstream. As a result, the blue part of the flow pipe 26 can be seen from the window 39 provided in the case attachment part 11. That is, when the flow rate indicator 25 indicates blue, it indicates that the flow rate is appropriate. It should be noted that whether or not the flow rate is appropriate is determined by the water purification tank 3 when the flow rate is variously changed by the ionic water generator 1.
1 and the pH strength of the alkaline ionized water generated by the electrolytic cell 33 are determined in advance by trial. When the flow rate is too high, the flow pipe 26 of the flow rate indicator 25 is urged in the upstream direction by the flow spring 27, but is pushed considerably downstream by the force of tap water flowing from upstream to downstream. As a result, the case mounting portion 11
From the window 39 provided in, the orange portion of the flow pipe 26 can be seen. That is, when the flow rate indicator 25 indicates orange, it indicates that the flow rate is too large.

As described above, the flow pipe 26 of the flow rate indicator 25 moves in accordance with the flow rate of the water flowing through the introduction water channel 19, and notifies the flow rate of the water to the outside based on the movement amount.

Subsequently, the switching lever 15 is positioned at the water treatment position, and is supplied from the water discharge pipe 91 to a predetermined temperature or higher (for example, 50 ° C., the highest temperature at which the hollow fiber membrane can be protected).
The operation of the flow rate indicator 25 when tap water (hereinafter, referred to as “hot water”) having a temperature exceeding the above-described temperature is supplied will be described.

In this case, the operation of the flow indicator 25 is the same as that in the case where tap water at room temperature is supplied, and the flow pipe 26 of the flow indicator 25 moves in accordance with the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the introduction channel 19, , And the reversible thermosensitive color-specific member 28 disposed in the flow pipe 26 reacts with hot water of 50 ° C. or more to change from blue to red. As a result, a red portion can be seen from the window 39 provided in the case mounting portion 11 at the lower stage of the flow pipe 26. That is, when the lower part of the flow rate indicator 25 indicates red, it indicates that the temperature of the tap water is too high. In addition, the user changes the temperature of the heat-sensitive color-dependent member 28 by turning on the faucet cock and flowing normal tap water again when the user notices the inflow of the hot water and turns the tap water on again. Also returns to the original color (blue).

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment at all, and it goes without saying that various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the water purifying tank 31 and the electrolytic cell 33 are built in the case main body 12, but only the water purifying tank 31 may be built in. In the above-described embodiment, the faucet direct connection type has been described. However, a type in which the water purification tank 31 and the electrolytic tank 33 are built in the control device 30 may be used.

The temperature of the hot water at which the color of the heat-sensitive color-dependent member 28 changes ranges from 35 ° C., which is the normal maximum temperature, to 5 ° C.
The temperature may be arbitrarily set in the range of 0 ° C.

[0033]

As is clear from the above description, according to the water treatment apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, in particular, the introduction water passage for introducing raw water into the treatment tank and the introduction water passage are arranged in the introduction water passage. Since it is provided with a heat-sensitive color-separating member for notifying by a change in color that water of a predetermined temperature or more has flowed into the inlet channel, when the water having a predetermined temperature or more flows into the inlet channel, the heat-sensitive color The fact that the hot water has flowed in can be notified to the outside by the member, and the user can immediately notice the flow of the hot water and take quick measures such as closing the faucet cock.

Further, according to the water treatment apparatus of the second aspect, the water treatment apparatus is provided so as to be movable in accordance with the flow rate of the water flowing in the introduction channel, and notifies the flow rate of the water to the outside based on the movement amount. A flow indicator is provided, and the heat-sensitive color-specific member is
Since the flow indicator is provided on the flow indicator, the cost is not increased as compared with the case where the flow indicator and the heat-sensitive color-specific member are separately provided, and the apparatus can be made more compact. In particular, in the case of a faucet direct connection type (a treatment tank provided on the faucet side), such a configuration is particularly effective because the housing is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state of use of an ionized water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical connection and a connection of a water channel of the ionized water generator of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of the ionized water generator of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of a flow rate indicator of the ionized water generator of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ionized water generator 10 Faucet side device 11 Case attachment part 12 Case main body 15 Switching lever 16 Flow path switching valve 17 Water inflow path 19 Introductory water path 25 Flow rate indicator 26 Flow pipe 28 Thermal color member 39 Window

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water treatment apparatus for discharging raw water through a treatment tank and then discharging the raw water to the outside as purified water or ionic water, comprising: an introduction water passage for introducing the raw water into the treatment tank; A water treatment apparatus comprising: a heat-sensitive color-specific member that notifies, by a change in color, that water having a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature has flowed into an inlet channel. 2. A flow indicator which is movably provided in the introduction water passage in accordance with a flow rate of water flowing therethrough, and which notifies a flow rate of water to the outside based on the movement amount, and The water treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a member is provided on the flow rate indicator.