JPS63294985A - Connector for cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute a cartridge which can be easily attached and detached to and from a vessel and can be thereby exchanged by providing a fluid introducing port which is communicated with the fluid treating part of the vessel via the fluid inflow port of the vessel mounting part and a fluid discharging port communicated with this treating part via a vessel outflow port to the mounting part of a connector. CONSTITUTION:The cartridge 1 for fluid treatment is moved downward relative to the connector 2 for the cartridge and is then turned to fit and connect the mounting part 21 of the connector 2 integrally to the vessel mounting part 17 of the cartridge 1. A fluid introducing pipe 18 of the vessel mounting part 17 is inserted into the fluid introducing port 22 of the mounting part 21 at this time; in addition, the fluid discharging port 23 of the mounting part 21 is inserted into the annular recess between the projecting part of the pipe 18 and the annular fitting outside pipe part of the mounting part 17, by which the fluid introducing port 22 and fluid discharging port 23 of the connector 2 are communicated with the fluid treating part 14 of the vessel 11. The fluid introducing port 22 and the fluid discharging port 22 are concentrically formed and the mounting part 21 is formed as double pipes.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a fluid treatment section in a container, a mounting section in a part of the container, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in the mounting section. The present invention relates to a cartridge connector suitable for attaching and detaching a specific type of fluid processing cartridge.

[Conventional technology]

A variety of small-sized fluid treatment devices such as water purifiers are used in homes, offices, etc., and these fluid treatment devices use fluid treatment materials such as activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and separation membranes to treat fluids, In particular, treatments such as water deodorization, clarification, sterilization, and water softening are effectively carried out.

The above-mentioned fluid treatment material needs to be replaced periodically in order to maintain its fluid treatment effect, and is usually made into a cartridge. The fluid treatment material thus made into a cartridge is filled in a container-shaped filling part of a fluid treatment device connected to a faucet, etc., and its replacement is usually done by attaching such a container-shaped filling part. It is being done.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the conventional fluid treatment device as described above, the fluid treatment material itself, which is made into a cartridge, is usually not provided with a special attachment part to the container-shaped filling part.
It is necessary to hold the cartridge-shaped fluid processing material in a container-shaped filling part, and in order to replace the cartridge-shaped fluid processing material, it is necessary to take the trouble of attaching and detaching the container-shaped filling part. It was labor intensive and unhygienic.

In addition, in conventional fluid processing devices, the container-shaped filling part is not a disposable type, and its appearance often deteriorates over time, and conventional fluid processing materials in the form of cartridges are not distributed. Contamination and deterioration are common during route and exchange.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a fluid processing device in which a fluid processing section is provided in a container, a mounting section is provided in a part of the container, and the mounting section has a double tubular shape having a convex fluid inlet and a concave fluid outlet. The cartridge connector is used with a cartridge attached thereto, and has a mounting part for mounting the cartridge through the mounting part, and the mounting part is configured to connect the cartridge to the cartridge through the fluid inlet when the cartridge is mounted. Provided is a connector for a cartridge, characterized in that it has a double tubular shape, consisting of a fluid inlet that communicates with the fluid processing section, and a fluid outlet that communicates with the fluid processing section via the fluid outlet when the cartridge is installed. This solves the above problems.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the fluid processing cartridge of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described.

FIG. 1 (al) and (bl) are a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention, and a vertical cross-sectional view showing it in a down position with a fluid processing cartridge attached, respectively; in these drawings, 1 is a fluid processing cartridge, and 2 is a connector for the cartridge.

The fluid processing cartridge 1 is in the form shown in FIG. 2 before its use.

That is, in FIG. 2, 11 is a container provided with an openable portion 12 at one end, 13 is a fluid treatment structure, and this fluid treatment structure 13 includes a fluid treatment section 14, and a fluid treatment section 14.
It has a double tubular mounting portion 17 consisting of a convex fluid inlet 15 and a concave fluid outlet 16 that communicate with each other. The fluid processing cartridge 1 before use is constructed by sealing the fluid processing structure I3 within the container 11 with the mounting portion 17 facing the openable portion 12.

To explain the fluid processing cartridge 1 in more detail, the container 11 is made of metal, for example aluminum, and is shaped like a can as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and has a highly pressure-resistant structure. As shown in FIG. 3, the openable portion 12 is configured so that the entire top surface can be opened by a so-called pull top, but if the entire top surface or a part of the top surface is left open, it is possible to open the top surface. good. or,
There are no restrictions on the opening structure, and for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the container 11 may be opened (opened) along the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the container 11 using an opening tool.

In addition, a fluid inflow pipe 18 is vertically disposed in the container Ill at approximately the center thereof, and its upper end is connected to a retaining ring 19 with a space between it and the top wall of the container 11.
The inner periphery of the container 11 (supported at the upper end of the M wall,
The middle lower part thereof is supported by a retaining ring 110 at the lower part of the inner peripheral side wall of the container 1. The lower part of the fluid inlet via 118 that projects downward from the lower retaining ring 110 forms the convex fluid inlet 15, and its lower end is positioned close to the bottom wall of the container 1. Further, a notch 111 is provided at the lower end of the fluid inlet 15.

The fluid processing section 14 also includes an adsorbent (for example, activated carbon) filled in an annular space surrounded by the fluid inflow pipe l8, the inner peripheral side wall of the container 11, and both retaining rings 19 and 110.
It is composed of a filter material (filter material) such as an ion exchange resin, a separation membrane (for example, a porous membrane, various filters), or mineral-supplemented river stone, and filters 112 are arranged above and below it. Both retaining rings 19 and 110 are provided with fluid passage ports facing the fluid processing section 14.
The lower part of the fluid passage hole in the lower retaining ring 110 has a concave shape than the fluid outlet 16.

The mounting portion 17 also includes an annular fitting outer tube portion 113 fixed to the lower part of the inner peripheral side wall of the container 511 and integrated with the retaining ring 110 below, and a downward protrusion (inner inner portion) of the fluid inflow pipe 18. These annular fitting parts 113 and the downward protruding part of the fluid inflow pipe 18 are fitted with O-rings 114° and 114°, respectively. It is. In the annular fitting outer tube part 113, when the cartridge is installed after the releasable part 12 is opened, the cartridge L is moved downward with respect to the cartridge connector 2 and then rotated to attach the cartridge to the connector 2. A normal locking mechanism is provided for attaching and fixing the first, and a part of it is attached to the second
It is indicated by reference numeral 115 in the figure.

The cartridge connector 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The mounting section 21 includes a fluid inlet 22 that communicates with the fluid processing section 14 via the fluid inlet 15 of the cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 is mounted, and a fluid inlet 22 that communicates with the fluid processing section 14 through the fluid inlet 15 of the cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 is mounted. The fluid discharge port 23 is connected to the fluid processing section 14 through a double tubular shape.

To explain the cartridge connector 2 in more detail, the mounting section 21 is connected to the mounting section 1 of the cartridge 1.
7 so that they can be integrally connected, and as described above, the cartridge 1 can be attached and fixed to the connector 2 by moving the cartridge 1 downward with respect to the connector 2 and then rotating it. None. When the cartridge is installed, as shown in FIG. 1(b),
The fluid inflow pipe 18 of the cartridge 1 is inserted into the fluid introduction port 22, and the mounting portion 1 of the cartridge 1 is inserted into the fluid inlet pipe 18 of the cartridge 1.
In the annular recess between the annular fitting outer tube portion 113 of No. 7 and the protrusion of the fluid inflow pipe 18, the double tubular protrusion (outer tube) of the mounting portion 21 of the connector 2, that is, the fluid outlet 23
By inserting the cartridge 1 into the connector 2, the cartridge 1 is integrally connected to the connector 2. Further, the fluid inlet 22 and the fluid outlet 23 in the double tubular protrusion of the attachment part 21 of the connector 2 communicate with the fluid inlet channel 22' and the fluid outlet channel 23, respectively, so that these fluids can be It is preferable that the introduction flow path 22° and the fluid discharge flow path 23° intersect below the mounting portion 21 and branch in different directions as shown in the figure, and are connected to necessary members respectively, or as appropriate. without forming a clear opening.

Further, in the case of the embodiment, the cartridge connector 2 is configured to allow fluid to be introduced into the cartridge 1 only when the cartridge is attached, and not to allow fluid to be introduced into the cartridge 1 when the cartridge is removed. That is, in the case of the embodiment, a valve seat 25 and a spring 27 that brings the valve ball 26 into close contact with the valve seat 25 are provided in the fluid introduction 022.
In addition, when the cartridge is installed, the fluid inlet 15 of the cartridge L inserted into the fluid inlet 15 releases the valve ball 26 and the valve seat 25 from close contact against the spring 27. With this configuration, when the cartridge is removed, the valve ball 26 is brought into close contact with the valve seat 25 to close the fluid introduction port 22. When the cartridge is installed, the fluid inlet pipe 18 of the cartridge 1 is inserted into the fluid inlet 22 of the attachment part 21 of the connector 2, so that the valve ball 26 is moved 1 mm from the valve seat 25 against the spring 27, and the fluid inlet 22 in the notch 111 of the fluid inlet 15 at the lower part of the fluid inlet pipe 18
There is no communication with the fluid inlet pipe 18 via the fluid inlet pipe 18.

To attach the fluid processing cartridge 1 to the cartridge connector 2 having the above-described structure, after opening the releasable portion 12 (opening the can), the cartridge 1 is inserted through the attachment portion 17. This can be done by fitting and locking the mounting portion 21 of the cartridge connector 2 as shown in No. 11m (bl).

Also, when the cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge connector 2 in this way, the fluid inlet 22 of the connector 2
The fluid introduced into the fluid inflow pipe 18 of the cartridge L rises within the fluid inflow pipe 18, passes through the gap below the top wall of the container 11 of the cartridge 1, and descends within the fluid processing section 14. The liquid is processed here, and is discharged from the fluid outlet 23 of the attachment part 21 of the connector 2 via the fluid outlet 16 of the attachment part 17 of the cartridge l.

In the cartridge connector 2 of the present invention, the fluid introduction channel 22° can be connected to a fluid supply pipe in an appropriate manner, and the connector 2 can be provided with a fluid switching device or the like.

Examples are shown below.

5 and 6, a fluid switching device 3 is integrally provided on the fluid introduction channel 22' side of the cartridge connector 2, and the fluid switching device 3 is connected to the fluid supply pipe 5 via a connector 4 or the like. It shows another embodiment of the connected cartridge connector 2 of the present invention.

The fluid flow path switching device 3 includes a flow path switching structure 33 in which a switching operation section 32 is provided in a part of the flow path switching section 31.
The main body is composed of a main body 36 having a fluid inlet 34 and a fluid outlet 35, and a flow path switching section 31 slidably contacted inside the main body 36 so as to be watertight and rotatable. The main body 36 includes a fluid inlet 34 and a fluid outlet 35.
A fluid inlet flow path 37 and a main fluid outflow flow path 38 are provided which extend from the flow path switching section 31 to sliding contact surfaces with different flow path switching sections 31, respectively. Further, the flow path switching section 31 of the flow path switching structure 33 includes:
At a predetermined rotational position of the flow path switching structure 33 (the imaginary line position in FIG. 6), a communication flow path 39 is provided that communicates the fluid introduction flow path 37 of the main body 36 with the main fluid outflow flow Vs3B. In the illustrated example, both the introduction channel 37 and the main fluid outflow channel 38 reach the sliding surface with the channel switching section 31 at a position eccentric to the center of rotation of the channel switching structure 33. It is set. Furthermore, the fluid introduced into the main body 36 is inserted into the switching operation portion 32 of the flow path switching structure 33 at a rotational position of the flow path switching structure 33 (solid line position in FIG. 6) that is different from the above-mentioned predetermined rotational position. A branch fluid outflow channel 310 communicating with the channel 37 is provided. And in the case of this illustrated example,
The branch fluid outflow channel 310 is communicated with the fluid introduction channel 22°, and the switching operation section 32 of the channel switching structure 33 is integrated with the cartridge connector 2, and the cartridge connector 2 as a fluid processing device and the fluid The switching operation section 32 is equipped with the processing cartridge 1, and the switching operation section 32 is not provided.

Therefore, according to the fluid flow path switching device 3 having the above configuration, by manually operating the cartridge 1 and rotating the cartridge L as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 and in FIG. Branching passage 37 Fluid outflow passage 3
10, the fluid from the fluid supply pipe 5 can be introduced only into the cartridge 1. On the other hand, by rotating the cartridge 1 as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. By communicating with the main fluid outflow channel 38 through the communication channel 39, the fluid from the fluid supply pipe 5 can be directly discharged without being introduced into the cartridge 1.

Note that the water tightness between the main body 36 and the flow path switching section 31 in the fluid flow path switching device 3 is ensured by using an O ring 3 as shown in FIG.
No. 12, etc., as shown.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the connector 4 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the tip of the fluid supply pipe via a cylindrical elastic backing 41 and fixed to the fluid supply pipe 5 with a fastener (screw) 42. A fluid supply pipe fitting body 43, a fluid treatment device coupling body 45 which is pressed into contact with the fluid discharge surface of the fluid supply pipe tip via a ring-shaped backing 44, and a fluid treatment device coupling body 45 and the fluid supply pipe fitting body. 43, and a connecting body clamping body 46 which connects the fluid treatment device connecting body 45 to a biasing turn toward the fluid discharge surface of the tip end of the fluid supply pipe.

The fluid treatment device coupling body 45 is provided with an outer flange portion 47 at its upper end, and its lower portion is screwed into the fluid introduction port 34 of the fluid flow path switching device 3. Furthermore, an inner flange portion 48 that supports an outer flange portion 47 is provided at the lower end of the coupling body clamping body 46, and the coupling body clamping body 46 is screwed onto the fluid supply pipe fitting body 43. It is.

Therefore, according to the Wi fitting 4 configured as described above, although there is no flange part around the tip of the fluid supply pipe 5 unlike a normal faucet, the fluid supply pipe 5 and the fluid processing device In the illustrated example, specifically, the fluid flow path switching device 3 is connected to a cylindrical elastic backing 41 and a ring-shaped backing 44.
etc., it can be connected in a watertight and non-removable manner.

A splitting 49 is provided between the fluid supply pipe fitting 43 and the cylindrical elastic backing 4j in the connector 4, and a splitting 49 is provided in the fluid supply pipe fitting 43 along its circumferential direction. A plurality of the above-mentioned fasteners (screws) 42 are provided, and the cylindrical elastic backing 41 is reliably brought into pressure contact with the outer periphery of the tip of the fluid supply pipe by tightening the fasteners 42.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the cartridge connector 2 of the present invention, which is equipped with another fluid flow path switching device 6 having a structure different from the fluid flow path switching device 3 described above. The fluid flow path switching device 6 in this example is configured to selectively introduce fluid into the fluid processing device and directly discharge the fluid through a rotation operation similar to that of the fluid flow path switching device 3 described above. However, for convenience, FIG. 7 shows a form in which these steps are performed simultaneously. This fluid flow path switching device 6 is
A flow path switching structure 63 in which a switching operation section 62 is provided in a part of the flow path switching section 61 is attached to a main body 66 having a fluid inlet 64 and a fluid outlet 65.
The main body is constituted by fitting the main body in a watertight and rotatable manner in sliding contact with the main body. As is clear from FIGS. 8 and 9, the main body 66 includes main fluid introduction channels that branch from the fluid inlet 64 and reach sliding surfaces with different channel switching sections 61. 67, a branch fluid introduction channel 68, and a fluid discharge channel 69 extending from the fluid outlet 65 to a sliding surface with a different channel switching section 61. Further, the main fluid introduction channel 67 of the main body 66 is connected to the channel switching portion 61 of the channel switching structure 63 at a predetermined rotational position of the channel switching structure 63 (fluid direct discharge position shown in FIG. 8). A communication passage 610 is provided to communicate the main fluid outflow passage 69 with the main fluid outflow passage 69 . Then, the switching operation section 6 of the flow path switching structure 63
2, the branch fluid introduction flow path 68 of the main body 66 is opened at a rotational position of the flow path switching structure 63 that is different from the above-described predetermined rotational position (the fluid introduction position to the fluid treatment device shown in FIG. 9).
A branch fluid outflow channel 611 is provided which communicates with the fluid inlet channel 22' of the cartridge connector 2, and the switching operation section 62 of the channel switching structure 63 is connected to the cartridge connector 2. It is integrated into connector 2.

Incidentally, the fluid discharge passage 23° of the cartridge connector 2 shown in FIG. 7 is provided downward. Also, this connector 2 has a valve seat 25 and a valve ball 2 similar to the one shown in FIG.
6 and a spring 27 can be provided.

FIG. 1O shows yet another embodiment of the cartridge connector 2 of the present invention, which is equipped with yet another fluid switching device. This fluid channel switching device 7 has a channel switching structure in which a main body 74 has a fluid introduction lower 1, a fluid discharge lower 2, and a fluid channel 73 that communicates these, and a channel switching section 75 is provided in the cartridge connector 2. There is a structure in which the body 76 is watertight and movable (in the case of the illustrated example, vertically sliding) in a state where the fluid flow path 73 is closed by the flow path switching portion 75 as shown in FIG. The flow path switching structure 76 is provided with a communication flow path 77 that directly communicates with the fluid flow path 73 of the main body 74 at a predetermined movement position of the flow path switching structure 76 (the position shown in FIG. 11).
Flow path switching structure 76 different from the above predetermined movement position
At the moving position (the position shown in FIG. 10 after sliding upward from the position shown in FIG. 11), one end of the main body 74 faces the fluid flow path 73 on the fluid introduction lower 1 side, and the other end faces the cartridge mounting portion. 27 (substantially the fluid introduction channel 22° in FIG. 1), one end of which faces the fluid introduction channel 73 on the side of the fluid discharge lower 2, and the other end of which faces the cartridge mounting portion 27. A fluid discharge passage 79 (substantially the fluid discharge passage 23° in FIG. 1) facing the front side is provided.

Note that the main body 74 and the flow path switching structure 76 include the main body 74 and the flow path switching structure 76.
A normal locking mechanism is provided to determine the vertical sliding position of the flow path switching structure 76 relative to the flow path switching structure 76. Further, the fluid flow path switching device 7 connects the flow path switching structure 76 to the main body 7 in this way.
For example, instead of switching the fluid flow path by sliding the fluid flow path up and down relative to the fluid introduction flow path 78
By providing the fluid flow path in a direction perpendicular to the fluid discharge flow path 79, the fluid flow path can be switched even if the flow path switching structure 76 is rotated relative to the main body 74.

Further, FIG. 12 shows still another embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention in which a plurality of the cartridge connectors 2 are used together with the cartridge 1. Connector 2 is a connector 8 that allows fluid to flow between adjacent cartridge connectors 2.
They are connected in series to sequentially process different or similar fluids. All of the plurality of cartridge connectors 2 have the same structure, and each of the plurality of cartridge connectors 2 has a connection part 220 to the connector connection connector 8.
(1!) Furthermore, the connection portion of each cartridge connector 2 is configured as a fitting inlet into which the end of the connector 8 for connector connection is fitted and locked, and a fluid is provided at the bottom of each of the fitting inlets. An inlet 221 and a fluid outlet 223 are provided. Also, 91 and 92 are a fluid inlet connector and a fluid outlet connector, respectively.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the cartridge connector of the present invention has a fluid processing section in a container, a mounting section in a part of the container, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in the mounting section. This has the effect of allowing the processing cartridge to be removed and replaced extremely easily, and as in the example, when used, a part of the container is opened (opened) and the opened part is attached to the cartridge. In some cases, it is possible to install such cartridges in a clean state by preventing contamination or deterioration of such cartridges during the distribution route or when replacing cartridges, and to store such cartridges in a one-shot container as they are after opening. It is easy to install, and since the cartridge is a disposable type, the appearance can be improved each time it is replaced, making it extremely useful. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 (al, (bl) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention, and a vertical cross-sectional view showing it with a fluid processing cartridge attached, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 4 FI!J is a perspective view of another fluid processing cartridge before use, and FIG. 5 is another implementation of the cartridge connector of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing an example of the cartridge connector together with its mode of use; FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating the cartridge connector of the present invention together with its mode of use; and FIG. A vertical cross-sectional view, FIGS. 8 and 9 are a plan view showing the flow path switching!@Birch, respectively, and FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention together with its usage mode. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a flow path switching mode, and FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the cartridge connector of the present invention together with its usage mode. 1... Fluid processing cartridge 11...container 14...fluid processing section 15...fluid inlet 16...fluid outlet 17...attachment section 2...cartridge connector 21...attachment section 22 ...Fluid inlet 23...Fluid outlet Patent applicant Ube Industries, Ltd. Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) For fluid processing, in which a fluid processing section is provided in a container, a mounting section is provided in a part of the container, and the mounting section has a double tubular shape with a convex fluid inlet and a concave fluid outlet. A connector for a cartridge that is used with a cartridge attached thereto, the connector having a mounting part for mounting the cartridge through the mounting part, and the mounting part allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid inlet when the cartridge is mounted. A connector for a cartridge, characterized in that it has a double tubular shape, comprising a fluid inlet port communicating with the processing section, and a fluid discharge port communicating with the fluid processing section via the fluid outlet port when the cartridge is installed. (2) A valve seat and a spring that brings the valve ball into close contact with the valve seat are provided in the fluid inlet, and the fluid inlet inserted into the fluid inlet when the cartridge is installed resists the spring. The cartridge connector according to claim 1, wherein the valve ball and the valve seat are released from close contact with each other.