JPH1190416A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water purifier which was made to be able to inform the replacement time of a water purifying container surely by a flow meter. SOLUTION: A pipe part 51 having a through hole 51a (channel), a flow meter 50 for regulating the flow rate of raw water, which is connected with water supply pipes 71, 72, a moving body 52 which is formed from a bottom wall 52b having a communication hole 52c which communicates with the through hole 51a and a ring-shaped wall 52d, consists of a bottomed cylindrical shape 52a having a receiving chamber 55 inside, and installed in the through hole 51a in which a prescribed mark is formed on the periphery, a movable body 53 which is installed in the chamber 55 and openes/closes the hole 52c, a coil spring 58 (movable body biasing means) which is installed in the chamber 55 and biases the movable body 52 upstream against the pushing pressure of raw water, a coil spring 59 (moving body biasing means) which is installed in the pipe part l and biases the moving body against the pushing pressure of the raw water are constituents. The hole 52c is closed by the movable body 53 with the increase in the flow rate of the raw water, the moving boy 52 is operated surely, and a replacement time is informed by the mark.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier for purifying tap water or well water by a water purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, tap water or well water (hereinafter referred to as "purified water") is passed through a water purification container containing a hollow fiber membrane and activated carbon to remove turbidity of purified water or an odor such as chlorine. 2. Description of the Related Art Water purifiers that purify and take out so-called purified water are widely used in ordinary households. Also,
Many of these types of water purifiers have a function of generating alkaline ionized water (hereinafter referred to as alkaline water).

[0003] In these water purifiers, in order to obtain a predetermined water purifying effect or to generate alkaline water having a predetermined PH value (even when alkaline water is generated, the alkaline water is passed through the water purification container). It is desirable to maintain the flow rate of the purified water passing through a predetermined amount, and one of the methods for maintaining the flow rate of the purified water at a predetermined amount is to maintain the flow rate using a flow meter.

Here, the configuration of a conventional water purifier using a flow meter will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, a water purifier 100 is provided on a water purifier body (not shown), a flow meter 110, a calcium addition vessel 102 connected downstream of the flow meter 110 via a pipe 110a, A water purification vessel 103 provided downstream of the addition vessel 102 via a pipe 102a, and a pipe 10 is provided downstream of the water purification vessel 103.
3a, an electrolytic cell 104 provided through the tube 3a, and the tube 1 located between the calcium-added container 102 and the water purification container 103.
It is composed of a super-hydraulic valve 105 provided at a portion 02a.

In the electrolytic cell 104, although not shown, a diaphragm and a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are disposed with the diaphragm interposed therebetween are arranged, and these electrodes are provided with an electrolysis controller as shown in FIG. DC power is supplied from 107,
The purified water flowing into the electrolytic cell 104 is electrolyzed to produce alkaline water on the negative electrode side and acidic ionic water (hereinafter referred to as acidic water) on the positive electrode side, and the alkaline water flows out of the discharge port 104a. The acidic water is drained from the waste water outlet 104b.

The flow meter 110 is connected to a water tap 120 through a hose 121.

Next, the configuration of the flow meter 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

The flow meter 110 has a pipe 112 having a flow path 111 therein, and a flow path 11 of the pipe 112.
1. A moving body 113 provided in the inside 1 so as to be movable in the axial direction and having a through hole 113a formed therein. Fluid friction and water pressure (hereinafter referred to as fluid friction and The upstream direction (see FIG. 8) against the force caused by the water pressure
(In the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3), a coil spring 114 for urging the movable body 113, and markers 115a to 115c provided on the outer peripheral portion of the movable body 113.

The through-hole 113a formed inside the moving body 113 has a large cross-sectional area on the upstream side and a large cross-sectional area on the downstream side and a small cross-sectional area on the downstream side. In addition, the marker 115a is a moving object 1 whose upstream side has a large diameter.
13 and also includes markers 115b and 11
5c is formed by fitting a ring-shaped member to a portion having a smaller diameter on the downstream side. In addition, the marker 115
a is red, the sign 115b is blue, and the sign 115
c is each colored yellow.

A transparent window 116 is provided at an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the tube portion 112. Markers 115a and 115b provided on the moving body 113 through the transparent window 116 are display windows provided on a water purifier body (not shown). It can be seen from.

When the water to be purified flows in the direction of the arrow, the flow meter 110 flows downstream through the large and small holes of the through hole 113a. And
The moving body 113 moves to the downstream side due to the pressing force of the clean water that increases as the flow rate increases. Then, the moving body 113 is substantially stationary at a position where the urging force of the coil spring 114 and the pressing force are balanced.
Further, the flow rate of the water to be purified is determined by the tap 120a of the faucet 120.
It is made by adjusting the degree of opening.

The predetermined flow rate for purifying the water to be purified is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the tap 120a of the faucet 120 so that the blue marker 115b provided on the moving body 113 is stationary on the transparent window 116. The flow rate in the state corresponding to the above is set to the predetermined flow rate.

Therefore, when operating the water purifier 100 to purify the water to be purified to obtain purified water, the blue marker 115b of the movable body 113 is stopped at the transparent window 116 from a window (not shown). Further, the opening degree of the stopper 120a of the faucet 120 is adjusted.

By the way, as described above, the water purification container 1
Since the purification in 03 is performed by the hollow fiber membrane and the activated carbon, the hollow fiber membrane is clogged as the use continues, and as a result, the flow rate of the purified water passing through the water purification container 103 decreases. Become. That is, the flow rate of the purified water flowing in the flow meter 110 decreases, the pressing force applied to the moving body 113 of the flow meter 110 decreases, and the moving body 103 moves upstream by the urging force of the coil spring 114. Then, the blue marker 115b corresponding to the transparent window 116 moves to the upstream side, and the yellow marker 115c corresponds to the transparent window 116, so that the user can see the yellow marker 115c. become. Therefore, the user opens and adjusts the tap 120a of the faucet 120 so that the blue marker 115b corresponds to the transparent window 116 from the window (not shown). That is, the moving body 113 is moved downstream against the urging force of the coil spring 114 by increasing the flow rate of the water to be purified more than before.

The flow meter 110 adjusts the flow rate of the clean water to balance the pressing force of the incoming clean water with the urging force of the coil spring 114 so that the blue marker 115b of the moving body 113 is transparent. Since the flow rate of the water to be purified is maintained at a predetermined flow rate by corresponding to the window 116 and the flow of the water to be purified is not prevented from flowing into the water purification container 103, the hollow fiber membrane is clogged. As the flow rate of the water to be purified can be adjusted so as to increase steadily as the flow proceeds, if the flow rate of the water to be purified is increased in a state where the hollow fiber membrane is clogged, the flow rate in the water supply system including the water purification vessel 103, that is, the flow meter 110 The water pressure in the flow path of the water to be purified from the water to the water purification container 103 increases, and in some cases, water leakage or the like may occur from a connection portion or the like in the water supply system.

Even if the hollow fiber membrane is clogged until the replacement time is reached, the blue marker 115b of the moving body 113 is displayed on the transparent window 116 by increasing the flow rate of the clean water.
Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to recognize an accurate replacement time. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, since the super-hydraulic pressure valve 105 is provided on the downstream side of the flow meter 110, even if the use is maintained at the increased flow rate and the purified water can be purified, Since the water pressure in the water purification container 103 is increased by the increased flow rate, the overpressure valve 105 is operated in some cases, and a part of the water to be purified flows out from the overpressure valve 105. Therefore, despite the flow rate that does not hinder the actual use, that is, the state in which the use of the hollow fiber membrane can be continued, the super-hydraulic pressure valve 105 operates and a part of the purified water flows out. The hollow fiber membrane may be clogged and erroneously recognized as having reached the time for replacement.

[0017]

As described above, the flow meter in the conventional water purifier is not configured to block the flow of the purified water into the container to be purified. Since the flow rate can be increased as much as possible, the water pressure inside the water purifier body increases even though the overpressure valve is provided, and in some cases, the connection in the water supply system up to the water purification container There is a problem that water leakage or the like will occur due to such factors.

Even if the hollow fiber membrane is clogged until the replacement time is reached, the blue marker 115b of the moving body 113 is displayed on the transparent window 116 by increasing the flow rate of the water to be purified.
Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to recognize an accurate replacement time. In addition, since the hydraulic pressure valve 105 is provided on the downstream side of the flow meter 110, even though the use of the hollow fiber membrane can be continued when the water pressure in the water purification container increases, the hydraulic pressure valve 105 is Since a part of the water to be purified flows out due to the operation, there is a problem that the user may erroneously recognize that the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and it is time to replace the hollow fiber membrane.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an intake for taking in purified water;
A water purification section for purifying the water to be purified, a water pipe for supplying the purified water taken from the water inlet to the water purification section, a flow meter having a plurality of signs and connected to the water pipe, and the flow meter of the flow meter. A display window for visually observing the sign, wherein a predetermined sign of the flow meter is positioned on the display window to purify the water to be purified to be sent to the water purification unit at a predetermined flow rate. A pipe portion having a flow path connected to the water supply pipe, a bottom wall having a communication hole communicating with the flow path, and an annular wall formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, having a storage chamber therein and the flow path A movable body disposed movably in the movable body, a lid having a lid closing the communication hole in a central portion, and a flow path formed therein, the movable body being provided movably in the axial direction in the storage chamber; Arrangement Movable body urging means for urging the movable body toward the upstream side against the pressing force of the water to be purified, and the moving body provided in the pipe portion and moving the moving body upstream against the pressing force of the water to be purified. The water purifier is constituted by a moving body urging means for energizing and provided with a super-hydraulic valve upstream of the flow meter.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow meter is provided with a bottom having a pipe portion having a flow path connected to a water supply pipe, a bottom wall having a communication hole communicating with the flow path, and an annular wall. A moving body having a cylindrical shape and having a storage chamber therein and movably disposed in the flow path, a lid having a lid closing the communication hole in a central portion, and a flow path formed therein, and the storage chamber is formed as a shaft. Movable body provided movably in the direction, movable body biasing means disposed in the storage chamber and biasing the movable body toward the upstream side against the pressing force of the water to be purified, provided in the pipe portion. And a moving body biasing means for biasing the moving body to the upstream side against the pressing force of the water to be purified and flowing through the pipe portion because a super-hydraulic valve is provided upstream of the flow meter. The flow rate of the clean water increases, the pressing force increases, and the urging of the movable body urging means When the pressure exceeds the limit, the movable body moves downstream in the storage chamber and closes the communication hole of the movable body to block the flow of the purified water downstream from the flow meter, so the pressing force applied to the movable body increases. The moving body moves to the downstream side against the urging force of the moving body urging means, and a mark indicating the replacement time is positioned in the display window, and the water purifying container is replaced at the replacement time due to clogging of the hollow fiber membrane or the like. It has the effect of notifying that it has been reached.

Further, at the same time as the movable body closes the communication hole, the pressure of the water to be purified on the upstream side of the movable body is applied to the overpressure valve, and the overpressure valve is operated to have the function of discharging the purified water to the outside. is there.

Therefore, if the flow rate of the water to be purified to the water purifying container is increased so as to be maintained at a predetermined flow rate in a state where the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purifying container has reached the replacement time, the pressure accompanying the increase is increased. The communication hole of the moving body is closed by the moving body that moves downstream due to the pressure, and the moving body moves to position a predetermined sign, that is, a sign indicating the replacement time, in the display window, and the overpressure valve operates. Is performed at substantially the same time, so that the notification that the water purification container has reached the replacement time and the flow of the water to be cleaned that flows into the upstream side of the flow meter to the outside are performed almost at the same time. Or the outflow of the water to be purified to the outside by the operation of the overpressure valve, it is possible to accurately know the replacement time of the water purification container.

When the moving body moves so that the sign indicating the replacement time is located in the display window, the communicating hole of the moving body is closed by the moving body, and the flow of the clean water to the downstream side of the flow meter is stopped. This prevents the water pressure of the water purification container or the like located downstream of the flow meter from increasing, thereby preventing water leakage or the like.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole of the water purifier 1. The water purifier 1 includes a housing 10 as a main body, and the housing 1.
0, a water purification container 20 and an electrolytic tank 30, a calcium addition container 40, and a flow meter 50, which will be described in detail later.
And so on.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical portion 11 having a hollow inside, and is formed in a substantially flat shape on the front side of the cylindrical portion 11, that is, on the left front side in FIG. The cylindrical portion 11 is open on one side, and this opening is closed by a removable lid 11a.

The inside of the cylindrical portion 11 is partitioned by a cylindrical partition wall 2, and the inside of the partition wall 2 is a storage chamber 3. The water purification container 20 in which activated carbon is stored is stored. Further, the water purification container 20 is formed into a so-called cartridge and can be inserted into and removed from the storage chamber 3 through the opening of the tubular portion 11, and a new one is formed when the hollow fiber membrane is clogged or the like. Can be replaced.

An electrolytic cell 30 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the partition wall 2 of the cylindrical portion 11.
A first tank and a second tank are partitioned by a not-shown diaphragm, and a negative electrode is provided in the first tank, and a positive electrode is provided in the second tank. The two electrodes are supplied with DC power from the electrolysis control unit 31 shown in FIG. 2, and the amount of power supplied by the electrolysis control unit 31 is adjusted to adjust the PH value of the alkaline water. It is designed to adjust.

An inflow port (not shown) is provided on one side of the water purification container 20, ie, on the left side in FIG. 1, and an outflow port (not shown) is provided on the other end side. The purified water that has flowed into the tank is purified by removing the turbidity and the like by the internal hollow fiber membrane and the odor is removed by the activated carbon, and then flows out of the outlet and flows into the electrolytic cell 30 through the water supply pipe (not shown) as indicated by an arrow B. , And is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 30 to produce alkaline water in the first tank and acidic water in the second tank. The alkaline water is supplied to a water supply pipe 78 (see FIG. 2). )
The acid water is taken out from a discharge port 14a described later for drinking, and the acidic water is drained from a waste water port 14b (see FIG. 2) through a water supply pipe 79 (see FIG. 2).

The water supply pipe 75 connected to the outlet of the water purification container 20 is provided with a switching valve 81 (see FIG. 2). By switching this switching valve 81, the water transmission pipe 78 (see FIG. 2) is connected. As shown by the arrow A in FIG.
The ink is directly sent to the discharge port 14a without being sent to 0. Therefore, when it is simply desired to obtain purified water, the purified water may be directly sent to the discharge port 14a by operating the switching valve 81.

Further, the eave portion 12 is provided with a water intake 13 for taking in water to be purified, and a female screw 13a is formed on the outer periphery of the water intake 13 so that the water intake 13 is formed.
The water purifier 1 is attached to the faucet 60 by being attached to the tip of the faucet 60 (see FIG. 2) using an attachment such as an attachment ring, an attachment screw and the like (not shown).

The calcium addition container 40 is mounted inside the eave portion 12. The calcium addition container 40 is provided with an opening (not shown), and this opening is closed by a removable lid 41. ing. And
The calcium-added container 40 contains a calcium glycerophosphate preparation.
The calcium content is added to the purified water flowing into the water. The reason why calcium is added to the water to be purified is to promote electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 30.

Further, when the calcium glycerophosphate preparation is consumed, the lid 41 is detached and can be replenished through the opening (not shown).

On the lower surface inside the eaves portion 12,
The discharge port 14a for taking out the alkaline water, the waste water port 14b (not shown in FIG. 1) for discharging the acidic water, and the discharge port 15 for the purified water that allows the purified water from the faucet 60 to flow out are provided. Inside the switch lever 16a
A water channel switch 16 which is switched by the water channel switch 16 is provided. The water inlet of the water channel switch 16 is connected to the water inlet 13, and one of the two outlets is connected to the water pipe 73. Is connected to the treated water discharge port 15 through
The other outlet is connected to the other end of the water pipe 71 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, by operating the switching lever 16a to switch the water channel switching device 16, it is possible to selectively connect the water intake port 13 to the discharge port 15 for purified water or the water pipe 71. It is something that has become.

The eave portion 12 is provided with a water supply pipe 72 (see FIG. 2), one end of which is connected to the calcium addition container 40. The other end of the water supply pipe 72 and the other of the water supply pipe 71 are provided. Both ends are connected to the end and the water purification container 2
The flow meter 50 for confirming that the flow rate of the clean water flowing into, that is, sending to, the water at 0 is maintained at a predetermined flow rate is provided in the eave portion 12. In addition, a display window 17 is formed at a position of the eave portion 12 where the flow meter 50 is provided. In addition, the water pipe 71 is located upstream of the flow meter 50 and has a
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the super-hydraulic valve 80 has a housing 80k having a through hole 80b, a bottom wall 80a, and a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end opened. A coil spring 80c provided with one end supported by a support provided on the opening side inside the cylindrical portion, a support plate 80d urged movably toward the bottom wall 80a by the coil spring 80c, The spherical valve 80 is pressed by the support plate 80d so that the through hole 80b is always closed.
e. Then, when the water pressure of the water supply pipe 71 exceeds a predetermined value, the spherical valve 80e is pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 80c to open the through-hole 80b, and the purified water flows out from the opening to the outside. Has become.

Here, the connection relationship among the above-mentioned super-hydraulic valve 80, flow meter 50, calcium addition container 40, and electrolytic cell 30 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a water channel switch 16 is connected to the downstream side of the water inlet 13, and one outlet of the water channel switch 16 is connected to the discharge port 1 for purified water through a water supply pipe 73.
5, and the other outlet is connected to one end of a water pipe 71, and the other end of the water pipe 71 is connected to one end of the flow meter 50, that is, to the upstream side. On the other end side, that is, on the downstream side, the water pipe 72
Are connected at one end. Further, a water pressure valve 80 is attached to the water supply pipe 71.

The other end of the water supply pipe 72 is connected to an inflow port (not shown) of the calcium addition vessel 40, and one end of a water supply pipe 75 is connected to an outflow port (not shown) of the calcium addition vessel 40. A switching valve 81 is connected to the other end of the water pipe 75, and one outlet of the connection valve 81 is connected to the electrolytic cell 30 via a water pipe 76. The second tank of the electrolytic cell 30 is connected to the waste water port 14b via a water pipe 79, and the other outlet of the switching valve 81 is connected to the discharge port 14a via a water pipe 77. . The water intake 13 is connected to the faucet 60 via a hose 90.

Next, the flow meter 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. This flow meter 50
As shown in FIG. 3, is composed of a tube 51, a movable body 52 movably disposed in the tube 51, a movable body 53 movably disposed in the movable body 52, and the like. I have.

The tube portion 51 is formed of a tube member having a circular cross section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and has a through hole 51a formed therein as a flow passage having a circular cross section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The downstream side of the through hole 51a is
A through hole 51b is formed as a flow path having a diameter smaller than that of the through hole 51a, and the boundary between the through holes 51a and 51b is a stepped portion 51c.
It has become. Further, a transparent window 51d formed of a transparent member is provided in the tube portion 51 at a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction. Further, both ends of the pipe portion 51 are connected to the water pipe 71 and the water pipe 72, respectively.

Next, the moving body 52 provided in the through-hole 51a of the pipe portion 51 will be described.

The moving body 52 is provided with a through hole 51
a bottom wall 52b having a communication hole 52c communicating with the bottom wall 52a, and an annular wall 52d extending upstream toward the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 52b to form a storage chamber 55 therein.
2a, the moving body 52 extends downstream from the bottom wall 52b and is formed integrally with the bottom wall 52b. The communication hole 52c is formed inside the moving body 52 through the through hole 5 of the pipe portion 51.
A small-diameter cylindrical portion 52g provided with a through hole 52f communicating with 1a is provided. The outer diameter of the annular wall 52d is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the through hole 51a, so that the moving body 52 can move in the through hole 51a of the tube portion 51 along the axial direction. The space between the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 52d and the inner peripheral surface of the tube portion 51 is substantially in a liquid-tight state.

An annular rib 52k is formed at the edge of the communication hole 52c of the bottom wall 52b so that one end of a coil spring 58 as a movable body urging means to be described later is fitted to the annular rib 52k. Has become.

On the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 52d on the bottom wall 52b side, a red-colored band-like surface having a predetermined width, that is, a width slightly larger than the width of the transparent window 51d is formed over the entire circumference. This band-shaped surface constitutes a red marker 57a. When the red marker 57a corresponds to the transparent window 51d, the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purification container 20 is replaced. It functions to show that

Rings 56a and 56b having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the annular wall 52d are integrally attached to the outer peripheral portion of the small diameter cylindrical portion 52g by press fitting or the like. And the width of 56b is the same as the width of the red marker 57a. Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of the rings 56a and 56b are marked with blue and yellow markers 57b and 57, respectively, which are colored blue and yellow, respectively.
c.

The flow rate of tap water, that is, purified water, is adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening of the stopper 61 of the faucet 60. When the blue marker 57b corresponds to the transparent window 51d, the flow rate is substantially constant, that is, a predetermined value. It is maintained at the flow rate. The state where the yellow marker 57c corresponds to the transparent window 51d indicates that the flow rate of the water to be purified is smaller than a predetermined flow rate. That is, the blue marker 57b corresponding to the transparent window 51d indicates that the flow rate of the purified water is a predetermined flow rate, and the yellow marker 57c corresponding to the transparent window 51d is the flow rate of the purified water. Indicates that the predetermined flow rate has not been reached.

Next, the movable member 53 provided in the storage chamber 55 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the movable body 53 is inserted into and removed from a disc-shaped lid 53a at the center and a communication hole 52c formed in the lid 53a and formed in a bottom wall 52b of the storage chamber 55. A plug 53b formed by a columnar projection that opens and closes the communication hole 52c, and a pair of guide projections 53c formed integrally with the outer periphery of the lid 53a through which a center line passing through the center of the lid 53a passes. The outer peripheral surfaces of the guide protrusions 53c are set so as to be slidable on the inner peripheral wall of the storage chamber 55, that is, the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall 52d. It is movable in the axial direction. In addition, a concave portion formed by the outer peripheral surface of the lid 53a and the side end surface of the guide projection 53c forms a flow path through which the water to be purified passes. In addition, this flow path is formed by forming the outer peripheral surface of the lid 32a into the annular wall 52.
The diameter may be made slightly smaller than the inner diameter of d, a through-hole may be formed in the lid 32a, and the through-hole may form a flow path.

An annular fitting portion 53d is formed at the base of the circular projection 53b. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable body 53
The one end side of the coil spring 58 as the movable body urging means is disposed on the annular rib 52k, and is disposed in the storage chamber 55 toward the bottom wall 52b side. , The other end side is fitted to the fitting portion 53d, respectively.
It is disposed between the bottom wall 52b and the movable body 53. The movable body 53 housed in the housing chamber 55 in this manner is movable while being urged by the coil spring 58 in the direction away from the upstream side, that is, the bottom wall 52b, against the pressing force of the clean water. Is what it is.

The urging force of the coil spring 58 is applied to the storage chamber 55, the flow path of the movable body 53, and the communication hole 52 of the bottom wall 52b.
c, The flow rate of the water to be purified flowing through the through-hole 52f is compensated for by adjusting the stopper 61 of the faucet 60 when the flow rate of the purified water flowing through the water purification container 20 decreases due to the clogging of the hollow fiber membrane. The movable body 53 is gradually compressed as the movable body 53 moves to the downstream side by the pressing force that increases as the flow rate is increased to a predetermined flow rate, and the clogging of the hollow fiber membrane further proceeds, and the water purification container 20 reaches the replacement time. In this state, when the flow rate of the purified water is further increased to a predetermined flow rate, the pressing force at this time causes the movable body 53 to move to the most downstream side, and the plug 53b closes the communication hole 52c. The size is set to close.

A coil spring 59 as a moving body urging means is disposed on the step 51c of the tube 51 and the end face of the ring 56b. The coil spring 59 covers the moving body 52. The moving body 51 is urged to the upstream side against the pressing force of the purified water. The magnitude of the urging force of the coil spring 59 is determined by the fact that the movable body 53 When the communication hole 52c of the bottom wall 52b is closed by the stopper 53b against the urging force of the spring 58 and the stopper 53b closes the communication hole 52c, The size of the red marker 56a is set to be compressed so as to correspond to the transparent window 51d.

The coil spring 59 is positioned and attached by being fitted to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 52g projecting from the ring 56b.

Next, the operation of the water purifier 1 will be described.

First, a case where purified water is purified to obtain purified water will be described. In this case, the operation lever 16a is operated to connect the outlet of the channel selector 16 to one of the outlets, that is, to connect the water inlet 13 to the water pipe 71 and to the water pipe 75. The switching valve 81 is switched so as to communicate with the water pipe 77.
The tap 61 is opened to supply tap water, that is, purified water, through the water inlet 13. Then, the water to be purified is the water channel switch 80, the flow meter 50, the calcium addition container 40, the water purifier 2
0, and flows out from the discharge port 14a through the switching valve 75 and the water supply pipe 77. This flow is indicated by arrow A in FIG.

When obtaining purified water, the flow rate of the water to be purified is set to a predetermined flow rate. The predetermined flow rate is maintained by the transparent window of the flow meter 50 corresponding to the display window 17. While visually checking the sign of the moving body 52 from 51d, the blue sign 56b of the moving body 52 is
The opening degree of the plug 61 is adjusted so as to be located at the position d, and the state where the blue marker 56b can be seen through the display window 17, that is, the state where only the blue marker 56b corresponds to the transparent window 51d is maintained. At that time, the flow rate of the water to be purified is maintained at a predetermined flow rate. That is, as the flow rate of the water to be purified increases, the moving body 52 receives a pressing force in the downstream direction by the water to be purified, and the pressing force compresses the coil spring 59 to increase the urging force. The moving body 5 is positioned at a position where the urging force of the coil spring 59 and the pressing force of the clean water are balanced.
2 is maintained in a substantially stopped state, and when the flow rate of the blue marker 56b of the moving body 52 in the stopped state corresponds to the transparent window 51d, the water to be purified when the water purifier 1 is used. It is a predetermined flow rate.

The purified water flowing in the flow meter 50 is
It flows into the storage chamber 55 of the moving body 52 from the upstream side of the pipe section 51, and then passes through the flow path of the lid 53a of the movable body 53, that is, the gap formed between the concave portion on the outer periphery of the lid 53a and the annular wall 52d. Then, the water flows through the communication hole 52c formed in the bottom wall 52b, through the through hole 52f of the small diameter cylindrical portion 52g, and through the through holes 51a and 51b of the pipe portion 51 to the water supply pipe 72.

Then, the purified water that has passed through the flow meter 50 passes through the calcium addition container 40, and when passing through, the calcium content is added to the purified water. Water purification container 20
When passing through the water purification container 20, the hollow fiber membrane removes turbidity and the like, and the activated carbon removes odors such as chlorine, that is, is purified and flows out from the discharge port 14a as purified water. And this purified water is provided for drinking and the like.

As the hollow fiber membrane continues to be used, the clogging of the hollow fiber membrane progresses, and as the clogging of the hollow fiber membrane progresses, the flow path resistance in the water purification vessel 20 increases, and the inside of the water purification vessel 20 increases. Since the flow rate per unit time flowing decreases, the flow rate of the purified water flowing from the intake port 13 becomes smaller than the predetermined flow rate. The pressure decreases. As the pressing force decreases, the balance with the urging force of the coil spring 59 is lost, that is, the coil spring 5
The moving body 51 is moved to the upstream side by the urging force of 9, and the moving body 52 is maintained in a stopped state in a state where the reduced pressing force by the purified water and the urging force of the coil spring 59 are rebalanced. When the moving body 52 moves upstream, the blue marker 56b also moves upstream, so that not only the blue marker 56b but also at least a part of the yellow marker 56c corresponds to the transparent window 51d. As a result, at least the yellow marker 5
6c will also be visible.

The user can recognize that the flow rate of the water to be purified is smaller than the predetermined flow rate by visually observing the yellow marker 56c from the display window 17, and the user can check that the flow rate of the water to be cleaned is lower than the predetermined flow rate. When it is recognized that the flow rate is smaller than the flow rate, the flow rate of the clean water is increased by visually increasing the opening degree of the stopper 61 while visually checking the sign through the display window 17. With the increase in the flow rate, the pressing force of the water to be purified against the moving body 52 increases again, and the moving body moves downstream against the urging force of the coil spring 59, and the blue marker 56b also moves with this movement. Since the user moves downstream, only the blue sign 56b is displayed on the transparent window 51.
When it is visually confirmed that the position corresponds to d, that is, the position, the stopper 61 is opened. Thereby, the water purifier 1 can be set to the predetermined flow rate again.

Then, the hollow fiber membrane continues to be used and clogging of the hollow fiber membrane further progresses, and it is time to replace the water purifying container 20. If the hollow fiber membrane is clogged until the replacement time is reached, Since the flow rate of the water to be purified is further reduced, and the pressing force of the moving body 52 on the downstream side is further reduced, the moving body 52 moves to the upstream side by the urging force of the coil spring 59, and the moving amount is (In this case, the blue marker 56b hardly corresponds to the transparent window 51d.)

Accordingly, the user further opens the stopper 61 so as to make only the blue marker 56b correspond to the transparent window 51d through the display window 17 to increase the flow rate in the same manner as described above. However, when the hollow fiber membrane is clogged up to a state where the water purifying container 20 must be replaced, the flow rate of the water to be purified flowing from the faucet 60 must be considerably large, and as a result, the increase The pressing force of the purified water due to the flow rate becomes large, and this pressing force is applied to the movable body 53, and the movable body 53 moves downstream against the urging force of the coil spring 58, and the stopper 53b
Enters the communication hole 52c provided in the bottom wall 52b and closes the communication hole 52c. When the communication hole 52c is closed, the flow of the water to be purified into the water purification container 20 is immediately cut off or prevented, so that the water pressure in the water supply pipe 71 rapidly increases, and as a result, the overpressure valve 80 operates. Then, the purified water flowing in from the water intake 13 flows out through the overpressure valve 80 to the outside. Also, when the communication hole 52c of the bottom wall 52b is closed by the opening / closing projection 53b, the moving body 52 moves to the downstream side almost instantaneously, and the red marker 56a of the moving body 52 similarly almost instantaneously corresponds to the transparent window 51d. To the display window 1
By visually checking the red marker 56a through 7, it is possible to recognize that the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purification container 20 must be replaced.

As described above, when the hollow fiber membrane is clogged up to the time when the water purification container 20 is to be replaced, the inflow amount from the inlet 13 is controlled so that the flow rate of the water to be purified is maintained at a predetermined flow rate. When it is increased, the communication hole 52c is closed by the movable body 53, the inflow of the water to be purified into the water purification container 20 is prevented, and the water channel system downstream of the flow meter 50, that is, the inside of the water purification container 20, the water supply pipe 74, the calcium addition, Since it is possible to prevent the water pressure in the container 40 from increasing, it is possible to prevent water leakage from each connection portion in the waterway system,
At the same time when the communication hole 52c is closed, the flow meter 50 is closed.
The water pressure on the upstream side of the water passage system, i.e., the water supply pipe 71, the hose 90, and the like becomes high. At this time, the overpressure valve 80 operates and the water to be purified flows out through the overpressure valve 80. Since it is possible to prevent the water pressure in the water channel system on the upstream side of 50 from increasing, it is possible to prevent water leakage from the connection portion between the water intake 13 of the hose 90 and the faucet 60.

Further, by closing the communication hole 52c, the moving body 52 is surely attached to the transparent window 51 by the red marker 56a.
By moving to the position corresponding to d, the user can see the red marker 56a through the display window 17, and the operation of the overpressure valve 80 allows the water to flow out of the water to be purified, thereby setting the replacement time of the water purification container 20. It can be surely recognized.

Next, when producing alkaline water, the switching valve 81 is operated to connect the water supply pipe 75 and the water supply pipe 76. That is,
After the water to be purified is purified in the water purification container 20, the water supply pipe 75
The alkaline water generated in the first tank (not shown) by being electrolyzed in the electrolytic tank 30 through the water supply pipe 78 is supplied to the electrolytic cell 30 via the water supply pipe 76.
The acid water flowing out of the second tank a and discharged in the second tank is drained to the outside through the waste water port 14b. The alkaline water is used for drinking and the like.

When the alkaline water is generated, the water to be purified is supplied to the water purifying vessel 2 before being sent to the electrolytic cell 30.
The flow from the water inlet 13 to the purification by the water purification container 20 is the same as in the case of obtaining the purified water, and the flow meter 50 is used when the hollow fiber membrane is clogged. The operation is the same, and the description is omitted.

Next, when it is desired to use the tap water without purifying the water to be purified,
By operating 6 a to make the water intake 13 and the water supply pipe 73 communicate with each other by the water channel switch 16, the water to be purified from the faucet 60 flows out from the water discharge port 15 through the water channel switch 16 and the water pipe 73. In this way, tap water can be used as it is.

As described above, since the water purifier 1 uses the flow meter 50 configured as described above, when the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purifying container 20 has reached the replacement time, the water purifying container 1 Since the flow resistance in the passage 20 increases and the flow rate of the purified water decreases, the flow rate of the purified water from the faucet 60 is increased to maintain a predetermined flow rate to compensate for this decrease. Is the coil spring 5
8, the movable body 53 moves to the downstream side in the storage chamber 55, closes the communication hole 52c of the movable body 52, and prevents the inflow of the water to be purified into the water purification container 20. As a result, all of the pressing force is applied to the moving body 52, and the moving body 52 substantially at the same time that the communication hole 52c is closed, the red marker 56a corresponds to the transparent window 51d against the urging force of the coil spring 59. It moves to the position and notifies that the water purification container 20 has reached the replacement time. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the red marker 56a through the display window 17 and reliably recognize the time of replacement of the water purification container 20.

When the flow rate of the water to be purified is increased to a predetermined flow rate in a state in which the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purification container 20 has reached the replacement time, the movable body 53 causes the storage chamber 55 to be used. Since the communication passage 52c is closed, the inflow of the water to be purified into the water purification container 20 is prevented, so that the inside of the water purification container 20, the water supply pipe 74,
Since the water pressure in the calcium addition container 40 can be prevented from increasing, water leakage from each connection portion or the like can be prevented.

At the same time as the communication passage 52c is closed, the water pressure in the water supply pipe 71 increases.
Operates and the purified water flows out through the overpressure valve 80, so that the flow meter 50, the water supply pipe 71, the hose 90
Can be prevented from increasing, and water leakage or the like can be prevented from the connection between the hose 90 and the water inlet 13 and the faucet 60.

In the above embodiment, the moving body 52 of the flow meter 50 has a configuration in which a small-diameter cylindrical portion 52g is provided on the downstream side of the bottomed cylindrical shape 52a, as shown in FIG. The moving body 152 is provided without providing a small-diameter cylindrical portion.
The annular wall 152d of the bottomed tubular shape 152a extends in the axial direction and is formed long, and the yellow marker 57c, the blue marker 57b, and the red marker 57a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall 152d in this order from the downstream side. It is good. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the above embodiment, the stopper 53b is provided on the cover 53a on the movable body 53,
This is achieved by extending the annular rib 52k formed at the edge of the communication hole 52c of the bottom wall 52b in the axial direction so as to extend long.
An annular groove formed between 2k and the annular wall 52d is formed deeply, and when the movable body 53 moves by the water pressure of the purified water and the lid 53a comes into contact with the hole edge end surface of the communication hole 52c,
When the compressed coil spring 58 is configured to enter the annular groove so as not to hinder the contact of the lid 53a with the end surface of the communication hole 52c, the opening / closing projection 53b may be omitted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is provided in which the function of generating alkaline water is provided, but this may be omitted if only purified water is to be obtained.

[0074]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow meter includes a pipe portion having a flow path connected to a water supply pipe, a bottom wall having a communication hole communicating with the flow path, and an annular wall. A moving body which is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom and has a storage chamber inside and is movably disposed in the flow path, a lid portion closing the communication hole in a central portion and a flow path is formed and the storage A movable body provided so as to be movable in the chamber in the axial direction; a movable body biasing means disposed in the storage chamber and biasing the movable body toward the upstream side against the pressing force of the water to be purified. And a moving body biasing means provided in the pipe portion and biasing the moving body upstream against the pressing force of the water to be purified, and a super-hydraulic valve is provided upstream of the flow meter. , The flow rate of the clean water flowing through the pipe increases, the pressing force increases, and the movable body is biased. When the biasing force of the step is exceeded, the movable body moves downstream in the storage chamber, closes the communication hole of the movable body, and blocks the flow of the clean water downstream from the flow meter. When the pressure increases, the moving body moves downstream against the urging force of the moving body urging means, and a sign indicating the replacement time is positioned in the display window, and the water purifying container is clogged due to clogging of the hollow fiber membrane or the like. Can notify that the time for replacement has been reached, and at the same time the movable body closes the communication hole, the pressure of the water to be purified on the upstream side of the movable body is applied to the overpressure valve, and the overpressure valve operates and the overpressure valve operates. It purifies purified water to the outside.

Therefore, if the flow rate of the water to be purified to the water purifying container is increased to a predetermined flow rate in a state where the hollow fiber membrane is clogged and the water purifying container has reached the replacement time, the pressure accompanying the increase is increased. The communication hole of the moving body is closed by the moving body that moves downstream due to the pressure, and the moving body moves to position a predetermined sign, that is, a sign indicating the replacement time, in the display window, and the overpressure valve operates. Is performed at substantially the same time, so that the notification that the water purification container has reached the replacement time and the flow of the water to be cleaned that flows into the upstream side of the flow meter to the outside are performed almost at the same time. Notification or the operation of the over-pressure valve to the outside of the water to be purified allows the exact time of replacement of the water purification container to be known, and a sign indicating the replacement time is displayed on the display window. When the movable body moves so as to be placed, the movable body closes the communication hole of the movable body and prevents the flow of the water to be purified to the downstream side of the flow meter. It is possible to prevent the water pressure from increasing and to prevent water leakage and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between components of the water purifier.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a flow meter used in the water purifier.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable body of the flow meter.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a super-hydraulic valve of the water purifier.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the moving body in the flow meter.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between components of the conventional water purifier.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a flow meter used in the conventional water purifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purifier 71-79 Water supply pipe 20 Water purifier 50 Flow meter 51 Pipe part 51a Through-hole (flow path) 52 Moving body 52b Bottom wall 52c of communication body 53 Communication hole 53 Movable body 53a Cover part of movable body 55 Storage room 58 Coil spring 58 (moving body urging means) 59 Coil spring 59 (moving body urging means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI C02F 1/68 540 C02F 1/68 540E 540D // C02F 1/44 1/44 B

Claims (1)

[Claims] An intake port for taking in the water to be purified, a water purification section for purifying the water to be purified, a water supply pipe for supplying the water to be purified taken from the intake port to the water purification section, and a plurality of signs and the water supply pipe. A flow meter connected to the, and a display window for viewing the sign of the flow meter,
In a water purifier for purifying while maintaining a predetermined flow rate of the purified water to be supplied to the water purification unit by positioning a predetermined sign of the flow meter on a display window, the flow meter is connected to the flow pipe connected to the water supply pipe. A pipe having a passage, a bottom wall having a communication hole communicating with the flow path, and an annular wall formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and having a storage chamber therein and movably disposed in the flow path; A movable body having a lid at the center thereof for closing the communication hole and having a flow path formed therein and capable of moving in the axial direction in the storage chamber; and a movable body disposed in the storage chamber to withstand the pressing force of the water to be purified. Moving body urging means for urging the movable body toward the upstream side, and moving body urging means provided in the pipe portion and urging the moving body upstream against the pressing force of the water to be purified. And upstream of this flow meter Water purifier, characterized in that a over-pressure valve.