JPH1043748A - Apparatus for producing potable water - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the check of an operating condition, the stop of the operation, etc., on the outside by providing the apparatus with at least one operation condition detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the connection abnormality of a water feed pipe, the condition of the presence or absence of the cut off of water supply, the service life of filter media, etc., and communicating the detected information to the outside by a communication means. SOLUTION: At the time of operating a water cooling and heating device, a flow rate control means 21 is put into an open state by an operation start signal to admit the city water into a cold and hot water tank 16 through a water passage path 11. The flow rate control means 21 is put into a closed state and the water temp. is measured right after all of water level detecting means 24 to 25 are submerged in the water. If the water temp. is >=15 deg.C, a water cooling and heating device control means 32 starts cooling by supplying electric power to an electron cooling means 29 and a discharge means 31. The cold and hot water temp., the cooling side temp. of the electronic cooling means and the heating side temp. of the electronic cooling means are detected during the operation of the water cooling and heating device. In the event of the occurrence of a cooling failure or the like, a maintenance company, etc., are informed of the abnormality information of the water cooling and heating device by a controller installed on the outside of the water cooling and heating device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drinking water production apparatus used in homes and shops for cooling, heating or purifying raw water such as tap water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among conventional drinking water production apparatuses, a water heater is either an electronic type or a refrigerant type, and employs a heat exchange system of either type to cool or heat raw water from a tap in a water storage tank. In general, a storage-type stationary chiller / heater is used to supply water.However, depending on the model, the heat storage cold material is cooled or heated when water is not passed, and when water is passed, the raw water from the tap of the tap is directly used. There is also a one-pass stationary chiller / heater that cools or heats and supplies water using a heat storage cold material or a heat storage cold material and an electronic or cooling medium type heat exchange system in combination.
Among these water heaters and cold water heaters, there are also models having a function of notifying a user of the water temperature of the water heater or the like at the time of drinking by turning on an LED or the like.

[0003] As a water purifier, a small cartridge having activated carbon or a hollow fiber curtain is compactly casing, and a faucet direct connection type water purifier directly attached to a water faucet, and a relatively large water purifier having activated carbon or a hollow fiber curtain are provided. An undersink-type water purifier in which a cartridge is arranged in a kitchen sink, for example, is generally used. These water purifiers include:
Some models have a function of notifying a water purifier user of information such as the life of a cartridge by turning on an LED or the like.

[0004]

However, the conventional drinking water producing apparatus has the following problems. Of the drinking water production apparatuses, stationary type water heaters and dispensers are often obstructive because large ones are arranged on a table or other table. For this reason, most of stationary water heaters and heaters are miniaturized by minimizing the parts of the water heater / cooler tank and the cooling or heating unit as much as possible. It was not equipped with additional functions necessary for the user of the water heater / heater, such as a function to notify the user of the target time. Also, even if the water purifier user can know the water temperature at the time of drinking by turning on the LED, it is necessary to go out after putting in the switch of the water heater and cold water when you want to drink cold or warm water after going home Therefore, in a state where the user is absent, cold and hot water at the time of drinking is left standing in the water heater for many hours, and there is a problem in terms of hygiene and waste of power.

[0005] In a drinking water production device, a water purifier directly connected to a faucet is restricted by a space and a weight at which a water purifier can be attached below the faucet. In many cases, it is difficult to provide useful functions such as supplying a specified amount of purified water. For stationary water purifiers, large ones are placed on the kitchen sink, etc.
It gets in the way of cooking. Therefore, most of the stationary type water purifiers simply increase the water purification capacity per unit time compared to the faucet direct-connection type water purifiers, and can fully demonstrate the water purification capacity of the water purifier. It was not equipped with sufficient additional functions necessary for a water purifier user, such as a function for notifying a user whether or not the water purifier was used.

[0006] Even if the user of the water purifier can know the end of the life of the cartridge by turning on the LED or the like, it is necessary to buy a replacement cartridge.
In particular, in the case of a model with a relatively small number of users, there is no cartridge for replacement at the store even when going for a purchase, and it is often the case that the product is ordered more days. For this reason, the life of the filter medium has been exceeded, and in some cases, the use of the cartridge has been unavoidable, and the water purifier has even been used in a meaningless state.

[0007] Furthermore, due to the home bus system standardized by the Radio Technology Association and related industrial associations, which are currently in widespread use, information communication equipment, home electric appliances, security equipment, etc. in houses which had only a single function so far have been used. Has been systematized, and various information services can be realized in a house by connecting to a commercial information communication network or by signal transmission means using a power line. Although this bath system makes it possible to control the water discharge, water stoppage and heating of the bath from outside via a telephone line, drinking water production equipment such as water heaters and water purifiers are completely compatible. In fact, it was out of date because of the spread of home automation. The present invention has been made under such a background, and does not hinder the cooking operation, and adds a useful function to a person who uses a drinking water production apparatus such as a water heater / cooler or a water purifier. In addition to this, it is possible to provide a system that allows users to obtain necessary replacement parts without having to go to a store. Built-in communication means that can be used to stop the operation of the device from outside using a telephone etc., such as checking the situation, checking the operation status including water temperature, and even if the operation is left unattended It is intended to provide a drinking water production device.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems Claims 1 and 2
The invention described in the drinking water production device is connected to a faucet at one end of the raw water flow path to the drinking water production device,
Equipped with at least one operation status detection means of water supply pipe connection abnormality or water supply interruption, water discharge amount, water temperature or filter media life time, and capable of communicating detected information, bidirectional with external Alternatively, one-way communication means to the outside is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the drinking water production apparatus according to the first and second aspects, the flow rate control means and the two-way communication means externally control the flow rate of the drinking water production apparatus and start operation. Alternatively, it can be stopped. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the drinking water production apparatus according to the first to third aspects, a communication system such as a home bus system standard, a power line carrier system, or a telephone line is used as the communication means. It is characterized in that the connection status and operation status can be notified to the outside or the flow rate can be controlled and the operation can be started or stopped from the outside.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the drinking water producing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein one end of a raw water flow path to the drinking water producing apparatus is connected to a tap of a tap.
Its function is that it is a hot / cold water heater that cools / heats tap water. The invention according to claim 6 is the drinking water production apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, wherein one end of the water passage is connected to a faucet of a tap, and its function is to supply tap water flowing through the water passage. It is a water purifier that purifies water with a replaceable cartridge type filter.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic water heater / warmer according to a first embodiment of a drinking water production device of the present invention. First, the components will be described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a case, which corresponds to the exterior of the water heater. Reference numeral 11 denotes a water passage, which uses a silicon tube, and is used to guide uncooled raw water from the tap water faucet into the cooler / warmer. 12
Is the air vent hole, which raises the water level in the cold / hot water tank
By discharging the air in the tank outside the chiller / heater at the time of descending or by sucking the air outside the chiller / heater into the tank, it is easy to discharge water from a cool / hot water spout 15 described later.

An exhaust port 13 is provided for discharging waste heat from a heating side 28b of the electronic cooling means to be described later to the outside of the water heater. Reference numeral 14 denotes an intake port, which is a heating side 28b of an electronic cooling means described later.
The purpose of this is to take in air for cooling the water from outside the water heater. Reference numeral 15 denotes a cold / hot water spout for discharging water cooled by a cold / hot water dispenser. Note that the cold / hot water spout 15 is
It is preferable to use a resin material that has passed the Food Sanitation Law in consideration of the improvement in cooling efficiency due to the heat insulation of the water heater. 16
Is a cold / hot water tank used to cool and store raw water.
In this embodiment, SUS304 is used. Reference numeral 17 denotes a heat insulating material, which is used to thermally shut off water in the cold / hot water tank 16 from the outside of the hot / cold water heater, and to make maximum use of the cooling capacity of the electronic cooling means described later for the water in the tank. I do.

Numeral 21 is a flow control means a for turning on / off the raw water to be taken into the chiller / heater via the water passage 11. Reference numeral 22 denotes a flow control unit b for turning ON / OFF the water discharge from the cold / hot water discharge port 15. In this embodiment, a two-port solenoid valve is used for both the flow control means a21 and the flow control means b22. 23 is a flow rate detecting means, and the cold and hot water spout 15
It is equipped to detect the accumulated water discharge amount from the tank and inform the tank cleaning time. 24 to 25 are water level detecting means a to b
This is used to detect a change in the water level in the cold / hot water tank 16. In the present embodiment, the presence of water near the sensor is provided by detecting the presence or absence of water in the vicinity of the sensor, and when the water level of the cold / hot water drops during use of the water heater / heater, the flow control means a21 is opened to allow the raw water to flow. Like that. Reference numerals 26 to 28 denote temperature detecting means a to c for detecting the temperature of the cold / hot water, the temperature of the cooling side of the electronic cooling means, and the temperature of the heating side of the electronic cooling means, respectively. In the present embodiment, a thermistor that has been waterproofed with an epoxy resin is provided.

Reference numeral 29 denotes an electronic cooling means. Specifically, the cooling side of the Peltier elements connected in series is connected to the cold / hot water tank 16,
Further, the heating side is disposed and mounted on the exhaust means side described later.
(When heating water is obtained, the function of the Peltier element is used in reverse.) Reference numeral 30 denotes display means for turning on / off the water heater / warmer by turning on / off the green LED and turning on / off the red LED.
Flashing / warning water heater / cooling / hot water tank cleaning timing is notified. The display means 30 and the chiller / heater control means described later allow the life reaching status and connection status at a distance from the chiller / heater to be determined.
In addition to the notification of the operating status, the above status can be checked near the water purifier. Numeral 31 denotes an exhaust unit, which is provided for discharging waste heat from the heating side 29b of the electronic cooling unit to the outside of the water heater. In this embodiment, an axial-flow DC fan is used.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a water heater / heater control means, which includes a sequencer,
It comprises a ROM (Read Only Memory) containing control constants and the like, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used for storing the integrated flow rate, and a signal transmitting / receiving module including an active filter and a modulation / demodulation circuit. The operation includes flow rate detecting means 23, water level detecting means ab 24-2
5, temperature detection means a to c 26 to 28, AC100V electric power line superimposed signal, water / water switch of water heater / cooler based on input from operation / stop switch (not shown), water / water switch.
Outputs operation, control, and display signals including shutoff. The signal output targets are flow control means a21, electronic cooling means 29, exhaust means 31, flow control means b22, display means 30, AC
This is a 100 V power line superimposed signal. Water heater control means 32
Indicates that the corresponding display means 30
Lights up and flashes. As described above, the red LED of the display means 30 notifies the abnormality of the hot / cold water heater / the washing time of the cold / hot water tank by lighting / flashing as described above. Regarding the abnormality, in spite of the failure of the electronic cooling means 29, dew condensation, and the opening of the flow control means a21, in addition to when there is no supply of raw water, the signal communication state via the power line is defective. Lights up when the signal transmission between the water heater and the water heater and the outside is not performed properly.
When the accumulated water discharge amount from the cold / hot water discharge port 15 exceeds a certain value, a notification for encouraging cleaning from the viewpoint of hygiene in the cold / hot water tank is made by flashing a red LED. That is, when any of the above-described various abnormalities occurs in the water heater / heater, and when urging the user of the water heater / heater to perform an inspection, the red LED lights and blinks, respectively. The green LED of the display means 30 is turned on when the water heater / heater is operating.

Further, the water / water heater control means 32 is a communication means conforming to the power line carrier system based on the report by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the Investigation Committee for Power Line Carrier Communications. By providing the module, the same contents as those displayed on the display means 30 for a controller (not shown) provided outside the water heater / heater, that is, the notification of the abnormality of the water heater / heater, the cleaning timing of the water heater / cooler water tank, and the water heater Acl00V
This is transmitted via a power line, and the status of the water heater / warmer can be grasped by the controller. Therefore, the controller
When connected to a water / water heater sales company or a water / water heater maintenance company via a telephone line, the status of the water / water heater received by the controller is sent to the water / water heater sales company or a water / water heater maintenance company via the telephone line. Can be reported to Reference numeral 33 denotes an AC / DC conversion power supply, which steps down and rectifies an AC 100V power supply taken in from the outside, converts it to DC and supplies it to each part of the water heater / cooler. In this embodiment, a switching regulator is used.

The operation of the water heater of the present embodiment is as follows. After connecting the ACCl00V power line, press the run / stop switch (not shown) or AC100V
When the operation start signal is sent by the power line superimposition signal,
After turning on the green LED of the display means 30, the flow control means a 2
1 is opened, and tap water is taken into the cold / hot water tank 16 surrounded by the heat insulating material 17 via the water passage 11. Then, tap water is allowed to flow until all of the water level detecting means a to b24 to 25 are submerged. Water level detecting means a to b 24 to 25
Immediately after any of the above, the flow rate control means a21 is closed and the water temperature is measured. Here, if the water temperature is 15 ° C. or higher, the water heater / cooler controller 32 supplies electric power to the electronic cooling unit 29 and the exhaust unit 31 to start cooling. The water temperature deviation in the cold / hot water tank 16 is maintained at about 1 ° C. by natural convection of water. During operation of the chiller / heater, the temperature detectors a to d 26 to 28 periodically detect the temperature of the chilled / hot water, the temperature of the cooling side of the electronic cooling unit, and the temperature of the heating side of the electronic cooling unit. When an abnormal rise in the temperature on the heating side of the unit occurs, the abnormality is displayed by turning on the red LED of the display unit 30, and at the same time, the information on the abnormality of the water heater and the water is transmitted via the ACl00V power line, and is provided outside the water heater and the water heater. It can be grasped by a controller not shown. When the controller is connected to a water / water heater sales company or a water / water heater maintenance company via a telephone line, the abnormality of the water / water heater received by the controller is transmitted via the telephone line to the water / water heater sales company or Notify the water heater maintenance company.

When the water temperature drops to 10 ° C. or less due to cooling, the water heater / water heater control means 32 stops supplying electric power to the electronic cooling means 29 and then also stops the exhaust means 31. This state is maintained until the water temperature becomes 15 ° C. or higher again. In addition, even when the water heater / heater is operating normally, the operation status is periodically transmitted via the ACCl00V power line, and can be viewed by a controller provided outside the water heater / heater. When connected to a water / water heater sales company or a water / water heater maintenance company via the controller, the operation status of the water / water heater received by the controller is sent to the water / water heater sales company or the water / water heater maintenance company via the telephone line. I can understand. When the water temperature becomes 15 ° C. or more again, the water heater / cooler control unit 32 supplies electric power to the electronic cooling unit 29 and the exhaust unit 31 to restart cooling.

The flow of water / stop is performed by outputting an open / close signal from the water / water heater control means 32 to the flow control means b22 based on an input from a water / water stop switch (not shown). . Further, when the water in the cold / hot water tank 16 is left unused without being used for a long time, a water passing signal is automatically output from the hot / cold water heater control means 32, and the long-term stay water is used for drinking. This can be avoided by setting a switch on the water / water heater control means 32. If the water heater is used for a long period of time, a small amount of sand or the like in the raw water accumulates around the bottom in the water heater tank 16 and there is a concern about sanitation. As a countermeasure, a pre-filter made of sinter (not shown) is provided at the raw water inlet of the water passage 11. However, in order to notify the guide of the clogging of the pre-filter and the guide of encouraging the cleaning of the cold / hot water tank 16, the cold / hot water When the accumulated water discharge amount from the water discharge port 15 exceeds a certain value, the red LED blinks to urge the user to clean the water cooler / heater. Of course, the red LED blink information is AC100
It is transmitted via the V light line and can be viewed by the controller provided outside the water heater / cooler. When the above controller is connected to the water / water heater sales company or the water heater maintenance company via the telephone line, The operation status of the chiller / heater received by the controller can be grasped by a chiller / heater sales company or a chiller / heater maintenance company via a telephone line.

If the user continues to operate the chiller / heater in spite of the fact that the red LED of the display means 30 is lit or blinking, the chiller / heater control means 32 sets the flow rate control means a 21 and the flow rate control means. After b22 is normally closed, the cooling operation is stopped. In this manner, when an abnormality occurs in the water heater / heater or when urging the user of the water heater / heater to perform an inspection, it is possible to prevent the water heater from being used accidentally. Even in this state, the cold / hot water tank 1 is operated by a manual drain valve (not shown).
The structure is such that the water in 6 can be removed. In addition, a branch can be provided in the water passage so that the water that bypasses the cold / hot water tank 16 can be supplied in the event of the above-mentioned abnormality or the need for inspection. After the cleaning of the pre-filter (not shown) and the cold / hot water tank 16 is completed, by pressing a reset switch (not shown), the accumulated water discharge amount data from the cold / hot water discharge port 15 is cleared, and a normal operation is performed. Driving becomes possible. When the operation of the water / water heater is stopped, the green LED of the display means 30 is turned off, and information on the integrated water discharge amount from the water / water outlet 15 is stored in the RAM of the water / water heater control means 32, and the operation is resumed. Prepare for. (For a water heater, the operation of the Peltier element may be reversed.)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be explained by. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water purifier according to the second embodiment. The water purifier includes a cartridge 40 mounted on the case 1, a life detecting unit 41, a flow control unit 42, a display unit 43, a water purifier control unit 44, A
C / DC conversion power supply 45, cartridge presence / absence detection means 46
And an AC 100V power line is used as a power source and a communication means. The water purifier is used by connecting the case 1 to a water tap or a water purification pipe, and a part of the case 1 can be opened and closed for replacing a cartridge 40 described later.

The general operation of the water purifier is as follows. Tap water taken in through the water passage 11 is purified by a cartridge 40 described later, and then discharged from the lower side of the water purifier. The life detecting means 41 is provided in the water passage 11 near the water inlet of the water purifier, and detects the amount of flowing water per unit time flowing through the water passage 11. In the present embodiment, the life detecting means 41 uses an impeller-type integrating flow meter as an example. The flow control means 42 provided downstream of the life detecting means 41 of the water passage 11 is an electromagnetic valve for adjusting the amount of opening and closing of a valve provided therein by a motor, and controls a flow amount of water in the water passage 11. Change. The cartridge 40 includes the water passage 1
1 is provided downstream of the flow control means 42,
It has activated carbon and a hollow fiber membrane, and removes impurities from raw water before purification that passes through the inside of the cartridge 40. The activated carbon and the hollow fiber membrane in the cartridge 40 perform a purifying action by incorporating impurities in water into the microstructure. Therefore, when a certain amount of impurities is taken in, the cartridge 4
0, the impurities become saturated and the cartridge 4
0 means that no more impurities can be taken in and the life is reached. In the present embodiment, when the integrated flowing water amount of the water passage 11 exceeds a predetermined amount (hereinafter, referred to as “lifetime reaching integrated flowing amount”), it is determined that the cartridge 40 has reached the end of its life. The cartridge 40 is replaceable.
Open case 1 and replace it with a new one. The cartridge presence / absence detection means 46 has a built-in mechanical contact switch, and detects whether the cartridge 40 is not mounted or has a mounting failure.

The water purifier control means 44 includes a sequencer, a read only memory (ROM) containing control constants, a RAM (random access memory) used for storing an integrated flow rate, and a signal transmitting / receiving module including an active filter and a modulation / demodulation circuit. It is composed of The display 43 is LE
D equipped with two cartridges when the water purifier
By illuminating each time the water purifier is abnormal, including the life of the water purifier, it is possible to check the status near the water purifier in addition to the notification of the life reaching status, the connection status, and the operation status at a location away from the water purifier. The water purifier control means 44 turns on, blinks or turns off the corresponding display means 43 under the following conditions. The display means 43 right LED indicates that the cartridge 4
0 lights up when the life is approaching, and when the cartridge 40 is not properly mounted in the water passage 11, the signal communication state via the power line is poor, and therefore, the signal transmission between the water purifier and the outside. Flashes when is not done well. That is, when any one of the various abnormalities described above occurs in the water purifier, the lamp is lit and flashed to prompt the user of the water purifier to perform an inspection. The left LED of the display means 43 is turned on when the water purifier is operating normally. It is also used to encourage water purifier users to discard water by turning off the light during normal operation when discarding water is encouraged.

The water purifier control means 44 is a communication means conforming to the power line carrier system based on the report of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on the power line carrier communication investigation committee, and is a signal transmission / reception circuit including an active filter for communication with the outside and a modulation / demodulation circuit. By providing the module, the same contents as those displayed on the display means 43 for the controller (not shown) provided outside the water purifier, that is, when the cartridge 40 reaches the end of its life, and when the cartridge 40 11 when not properly attached, and when the signal communication state via the power line is poor, and therefore the signal transmission between the water purifier and the outside is not performed well, Transmits normal operation information via the ACCl00V power line when the system is operating normally (except when discarding water is encouraged), and indicates the status of the water purifier. It is set to be grasped by a roller. Therefore, when the controller is connected to a water purifier sales company or a water purifier maintenance company via a telephone line, the status of the water purifier received by the controller via the telephone line,
It becomes possible to notify the water purifier sales company or the water purifier maintenance company. Also, an AC / DC conversion power supply 45
Reduces and rectifies AC power taken from outside,
DC power is supplied to each part of the water purifier described above.

Next, the detailed operation of the water purifier having the above configuration will be described. When the water purifier user turns on the power switch of the water purifier (not shown), the power is turned on and the display means 43 is turned on.
The two LEDs start blinking, and the water purifier control means 44 starts an abnormality test of each input means and output means, including a check of whether the cartridge 40 is not mounted or a mounting failure. Here, if there is no abnormality, the blinking is stopped. If there is an abnormality, the right LED of the display means 43 continues blinking to notify the user of the abnormality. Of course, when a controller is provided outside the water purifier, the details of the abnormality are transmitted to the controller, and the details of the abnormality can be displayed on the controller. When the user of the water purifier removes the cause of the abnormality, the display means 4
The blinking of the right LED is stopped, and the water purifier can operate normally. When the cartridge 40 is not mounted or is not properly mounted, the water purifier control unit 44 sends the flow control unit 42
Signal to immediately close the valve. by this,
Since the flow of water in the water passage 11 is stopped, the water purifier case 1 can be prevented from being submerged even when a water purifier user accidentally passes water.

After the initial test of the water purifier is completed without any abnormalities, when water is started to flow into the water purifier, after a lapse of time for discharging the initial flowing water or the retained water in the water purifier, the water purifier control means 44 Indicates that the left LED of the display means 43 is turned on to notify that the water purifier is operating normally. At this time, the raw water is purified by the cartridge 40 and discharged as purified water from the lower discharge port. When the raw water flows through the water channel 11,
The life detecting means 41 detects the amount of flowing water per unit time in the water passage 11. The water purifier control means 44 reads the amount of flowing water per unit time detected by the life detecting means 41, determines whether the value exceeds the processing capacity per unit time of the cartridge 40, and determines whether the amount of flowing water is The opening / closing amount of the valve in the flow rate control means 42 is adjusted so as to fall within the processing capacity.

Further, the water purifier control means 44 adds the flow rate per unit time detected by the life detecting means 41 for each unit time, and calculates an integrated flow rate immediately after the replacement of the cartridge 40. When the integrated flowing water amount calculated by the water purifier control means 44 does not exceed the life reaching cumulative flowing amount, and when the difference between the above-described cumulative flowing water amount and the life reaching cumulative flowing amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount,
The water purifier control means 44 turns on the right LED of the display means 43. Thereby, the user of the water purifier can know that the life of the cartridge 40 is approaching. Despite the fact that the right LED of the display means 43 is lit, the user of the water purifier continues to use the water purifier without replacing the cartridge 40, and when the integrated flow amount exceeds the life end integrated flow amount, the water purification is performed. The container control means 44 closes a valve in the flow rate control means 42. Thus, it is possible to prevent the water purifier from being used by mistake while the life of the cartridge 40 has been reached. Of course, it is also possible to provide a branch in the water passage so that the water that has bypassed the cartridge 40 can be supplied in the event that the integrated flowing water amount exceeds the lifetime reaching flowing water amount.

When the flow of water through the water purifier is stopped, the left LED of the display means 43 is turned off, and the information on the integrated flow rate is stored in the RAM of the water purifier control means 44. At regular intervals (in the present embodiment, every 60 seconds), the water purifier control unit 44 performs a test of whether or not each input unit and output unit has an abnormality, including checking whether the cartridge 40 is not attached or not attached properly, and restarts water flow. Prepare for. As mentioned above, although the drinking water production device of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings for the embodiments of the water heater / cooler and the water purifier, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and the gist of the present invention Even if there is a change in design within a range not departing from the present invention, it is included in the present invention.

For example, the sequencer used for the control means of the water heater / cooler or the water purifier can be replaced by a microcomputer having the same function. Other detection means, display means, and the like can be substituted with a device that satisfies the functions of the present embodiment. Further, even if the user unplugs the power cord of the drinking water production device (not shown) from the outlet due to an erroneous operation or movement of the drinking water production device, the RAM content of the drinking water production device control means can be retained. As described above, a backup battery may be mounted, and by further reversing the power supply polarity of the electronic cooling means 29 of the first embodiment, the chiller / warmer of the first embodiment can be used as a water heater. It is, of course, possible. In addition, the configuration can be changed to a cold water / hot water or cold / hot water type water purifier by mounting a mineral cartridge containing barley stone or the like, or a water purifier in a water purification cartridge case in which a filter medium such as activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane is mounted.

[0030]

As described above, according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, in a drinking water manufacturing apparatus connected to a water tap at one end of a water storage tank or a water passage, It has a two-way communication with the outside and a one-way communication from the drinking water production device to the outside, which can communicate the operating status, so that the user of the drinking water production device wants to make the table as large as possible, such as a table or water tap. Avoid
The water temperature information and connection abnormality information can be checked with a water heater and a water filter, and the filter medium life information and connection error information can be checked with a controller that is separately placed on the wall, etc. can get. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the drinking water producing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the flow rate control means and the two-way communication means externally control the flow rate of the drinking water producing apparatus, stop the operation, and the like. The effect that the information which a user wants to operate with respect to a water purifier can be sent from the said controller is acquired.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
The drinking water production apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication means is connected to a communication system such as a communication system according to a home bus system standard, a power line carrier system, or a telephone line as the communication means, and has communication means via the communication line. The status and operation status can be notified to the outside, and the connection status, the operation status, or the end-of-life signal of the consumable part can be automatically notified to the drinking water production device sales company or the drinking water production device maintenance company. It is possible to automatically receive repair services from a water production equipment sales company or a drinking water production equipment maintenance service company, and to check the power-on status of the drinking water production equipment from a telephone while away from home. Can be

In addition, by providing communication means capable of controlling the flow rate of the water heater / heater and starting or stopping the operation of the water heater from the outside, in addition to the service from the drinking water production equipment sales company or the drinking water production equipment maintenance company, it is possible to use the apparatus from outside. When the operation status of the water heater is checked, the power supply can be cut off by telephone, for example, if the power supply is forgotten to be turned off. The drinking water producing device according to claims 1 to 4 is connected to a tap at one end of a raw water passage of the drinking water producing device, and its function is to cool and heat tap water. Or, it is connected to a faucet at one end of a water passage, and its function is applied to a water purifier or the like that purifies tap water flowing through the water passage with an exchangeable cartridge type filter that can be exchanged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a drinking water production device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drinking water production device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 11 Water passage 12 Air vent 13 Exhaust port 14 Intake port 15 Cold / hot water spout 16 Cold / hot water tank 17 Insulation material 21 Flow rate control means a 22 Flow rate control means b 23 Flow rate detection means 24 Water level detection means a 25 Water level detection means b 26 Temperature detecting means a 27 Temperature detecting means b 28 Temperature detecting means c 29 Electronic cooling means 30 Display means 31 Exhaust means 32 Cooling / heating water control means 33 AC / DC conversion power supply 40 Cartridge 41 Life detecting means 42 Flow control means 43 Display means 44 water purifier control means 45 AC / DC conversion power supply 46 cartridge presence / absence detection means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A drinking water production device connected to a tap at one end of a raw water passage of a drinking water production device, comprising means capable of notifying a connection status and an operation status, and transmitting detected information to an external device. An apparatus for producing drinking water, comprising: a one-way communication means for communicating from the drinking water producing apparatus to the outside. 2. The connection status is a status of a connection abnormality of a water supply pipe or a status of water supply interruption, and the operation status is at least one of a water discharge amount, a water temperature, and a filter medium life time. The drinking water production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The drinking water production device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow control unit and a two-way communication unit, wherein the flow control, operation stop, or operation of the drinking water production unit can be performed from outside. Drinking water production apparatus characterized by having various means. 4. The drinking water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit uses a communication line to notify the connection status and the operation status to the outside, or the beverage from the outside. An apparatus for producing drinking water, comprising means for controlling the flow rate, stopping or operating the water producing apparatus. 5. The drinking water production device according to claim 1, wherein one end of a raw water passage of the drinking water production device is connected to a tap for faucet, and its function is a tap water. A drinking water production device, characterized in that the device is a water heater for cooling or warming water. 6. The drinking water production device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the raw water passage of the drinking water production device is connected to a tap of a tap, and its function is to connect the water passage. An apparatus for producing drinking water, which is a water purifier that purifies flowing tap water with a replaceable cartridge type filter.