JPWO2014196567A1 - Water purifier cartridge and water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The water purifier cartridge of the present invention includes a cylindrical adsorbent, an inlet cap that closes one end of the adsorbent, an outlet cap that has an opening disposed at the other end of the adsorbent, and a hollow bundled in a U-shape. The hollow fiber membrane bundle is sealed and fixed in the opening of the outlet cap, and a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle protruding from the outlet cap is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent. . According to the present invention, even if bacteria enter activated carbon for some reason, bacteria are not mixed into the purified water, and the filter medium can be packed to the maximum without wasting the central space of the cylindrical adsorbent. A water purifier cartridge that can efficiently use the whole and has a small size and a long life is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier cartridge that purifies tap water and a water purifier that incorporates a water purifier cartridge.

  Conventionally, as a water purifier for purifying tap water, there are a faucet directly connected water purifier directly connected to a discharge tap of a tap faucet, and an under sink type installed under a sink. In recent years, there has been an increase in faucet built-in water purifiers in which a water purifier cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) is built in a shower head of a tap faucet. The faucet built-in water purifier is advantageous in appearance because it is not necessary to attach a separate body to the outlet of the faucet, and has an advantage that it can be easily replaced because it is not necessary to go under the sink when replacing the cartridge. The shower head, which is a discharge port, can switch between purified water and raw water. Moreover, there is a thing which can switch clean water and raw | natural water to direct-current water and shower water, respectively.

  As a cartridge of the water purifier with a built-in faucet, for example, there is a cartridge using activated carbon formed in a cylindrical shape as in Patent Document 1. An upstream cap that closes the end is fixed to the upstream side of the cylindrical activated carbon, and a downstream cap having a water purification outlet is fixed to the downstream side.

  However, a cartridge using only activated carbon has a problem in that bacteria and fine particles cannot be removed.

  On the other hand, there exist some which have arrange | positioned the hollow fiber membrane module to the downstream of activated carbon like patent document 2, for example. If a microfiltration membrane having a filtration accuracy of 0.3 μm or less is used as the hollow fiber membrane, bacteria can be captured. However, since the volume of the activated carbon is reduced by providing the hollow fiber membrane module, there is a problem that the adsorption capacity is lowered and the life as a cartridge is shortened. If the cartridge is made larger, the life can be extended. However, there has been a problem that the faucet containing the cartridge becomes larger, making it difficult to use in the kitchen. In order to extend the life as desired by the user, more filter media must be packed within a predetermined dimension that fits within the faucet's interior space, i.e., within a defined cartridge outer dimension. However, in the structure proposed in Patent Document 2, the filter medium is not packed in the central space of the cylindrical activated carbon, which is wasted.

  On the other hand, there exist some which provided the hollow fiber membrane in the space of the center of cylindrical activated carbon like patent document 3, for example. The central space of the cylindrical activated carbon can be used without waste. However, if there is no cylindrical case in which the hollow fiber membrane is inserted, the filter medium can be further increased. That is, in Patent Document 3, it cannot be said that the solution is sufficiently described or suggested for the problem that more filter media must be packed in the outer dimensions of the cartridge.

  Patent Document 3 describes that a plurality of protrusions for holding the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical activated carbon are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case. Since pressure is applied from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical activated carbon, it is common to provide a reinforcing member that is supported from the inner peripheral surface. However, the activated carbon in the vicinity of the contact portion of the ridge is difficult to flow water, and the adsorption ability cannot be exhibited. When the contact area of the protrusions, which are reinforcing members, to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical activated carbon is increased, there is a problem in that the adsorption capacity of the entire activated carbon is reduced and the life of the cartridge is shortened.

  Patent Document 4 also proposes a hollow activated carbon membrane provided in a central space of a cylindrical activated carbon. The hollow fiber membrane case that also serves as a cylindrical activated carbon holding member is described as having a mesh attached to a plurality of openings. The ability cannot be demonstrated as in Patent Document 3. Moreover, the resin-made grid | lattice part is thick, and it cannot be said that the center space of cylindrical activated carbon can be used without waste.

  Patent Document 2 describes that an acrylic fiber tube is provided as a reinforcing member to solve the problem that the entire activated carbon layer cannot be used efficiently. However, a sufficient thickness is required to maintain the strength of the acrylic fiber tube. There was a problem of reducing the space for packing the filter medium.

JP 2001-323528 A JP 2006-15199 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-150043 JP 2008-136933 A

  In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention does not mix bacteria into purified water even if bacteria enter activated carbon for some reason, and maximizes without wasting the central space of the cylindrical adsorbent. An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier cartridge and a water purifier that can pack a filter medium as much as possible, can efficiently use the entire adsorbent, and have a small and long life.

The cartridge for water purifier of the present invention that solves the above problems is as follows.
A cylindrical adsorbent, an inlet cap for closing one end of the adsorbent, an outlet cap having an opening disposed at the other end of the adsorbent, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle bundled in a U shape Have
The hollow fiber membrane bundle is sealed and fixed in the opening of the outlet cap, and a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle protruding from the outlet cap is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent.
Here, a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle disposed in the central space of the adsorbent is a hollow fiber membrane bundle in a range indicated by L2 in FIG. On the other hand, the entire hollow fiber membrane bundle includes a portion sealed and fixed to the opening of the outlet cap, and is a hollow fiber membrane bundle in a range indicated by L1 in FIG.

In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is preferable that 70% or more of the total length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent.
Here, the total length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is the length of L1 in FIG. The length of the hollow nest membrane bundle disposed in the center of the adsorbent is the length of L2 in FIG.

  The water purifier cartridge of the present invention preferably has a reinforcing member in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the adsorbent, and the reinforcing member is preferably a metal.

  In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is also preferable that the reinforcing member is stainless steel.

  In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, the reinforcing member is preferably a coil spring.

  In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, the coil spring preferably has a wire diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

  In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is also preferable that the pitch of the coil spring is not more than one quarter of the total length of the adsorbent.

In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is also preferable that the contact length of the coil spring is not more than a quarter of the total length of the adsorbent.
Here, the contact length of the coil spring is a length of the coil spring when the coil spring is compressed and adjacent coils are in close contact with each other. The total length of the adsorbent is the length of L3 in FIG.

  In the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, it is also preferable that the average distance between the reinforcing member and the adsorbent is 1 mm or less.

  The cartridge for water purifier of the present invention preferably has a plurality of convex portions on the outer periphery of the outlet cap.

  Moreover, the water purifier of this invention is comprised so that the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention can be attached or detached.

  Moreover, the cartridge for water purifiers with a built-in faucet of the present invention is the cartridge for water purifiers of the present invention used by being incorporated in a faucet.

  Moreover, the faucet built-in type water purifier of the present invention is configured such that the faucet built-in water purifier cartridge of the present invention is detachable.

  The water purifier cartridge of the present invention includes a cylindrical adsorbent, an inlet cap that closes one end of the adsorbent, an outlet cap that has an opening disposed at the other end of the adsorbent, and a hollow bundled in a U-shape. The hollow fiber membrane bundle is sealed and fixed in the opening of the outlet cap, and a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle protruding from the outlet cap is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent. Therefore, the filter medium can be packed to the maximum without wasting the central space of the cylindrical adsorbent.

  If 70% or more of the total length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent, the space can be used more efficiently. As shown in FIG. 6, in the hollow fiber membrane bundle, a part of the portion that is not sealed and fixed may be disposed in the central space of the adsorbent. In order to use it without waste, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the whole part not sealed and fixed is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent.

  If a reinforcing member is provided in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the adsorbent, it can be firmly supported from the inner periphery even if pressure is applied from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the cylindrical adsorbent. Moreover, since the reinforcing member is metal, the thickness can be reduced while ensuring the strength of the reinforcing member, and the space in the cartridge is not wasted.

  If the reinforcing member is made of stainless steel, it can be prevented from being rusted by being immersed in water, and since it has sufficient strength, it can be firmly held from the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent.

  In addition, if the reinforcing member is a coil spring, the contact area of the cylindrical activated carbon with the inner peripheral surface can be reduced, the adsorption capacity of the entire activated carbon is not reduced, and the life of the cartridge is not shortened, so that the entire adsorbent is more efficient. Can be used.

  If the coil spring has a wire diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, the effect of efficiently using the entire adsorbent by reducing the contact area to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical activated carbon, The effect of holding firmly from the inner peripheral side of the adsorbent can be exhibited more.

  If the pitch of the coil springs is less than one quarter of the total length of the adsorbent, the number of turns of the coil spring is sufficient with respect to the total length of the adsorbent, and the coil adsorbent is firmly secured from the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent. The effect to hold | maintain can be exhibited more.

  Moreover, if the contact | adherence length of a coil spring is 1/4 or less of the full length of an adsorbent, the effect which utilizes the whole adsorbent efficiently can be exhibited more.

  Further, if the average distance between the reinforcing member and the adsorbent is 1 mm or less, even if pressure is applied from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent and the adsorbent is deformed to the inner peripheral side, the adsorbent The shape of the adsorbent can be maintained by firmly holding from the inner peripheral side.

  Also, if the outlet cap has a plurality of convex portions, the outlet cap is supported and fixed in the step of welding or fitting the connecting member for attaching / detaching the water purifier cartridge to / from the water purifier. be able to.

  In addition, if the above-described cartridge is a faucet built-in water purifier cartridge or a water faucet built-in water purifier that can be attached and detached, the effect of being small and having a long life can be further exhibited.

  Moreover, if it is a water purifier which can attach or detach the said water purifier cartridge, the user can obtain delicious and safe purified water.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a left view which shows an example of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a partially cutaway sectional view showing the state where the cartridge for water purifier of the present invention is built in the faucet. It is sectional drawing of the exit cap vicinity of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows other embodiment of the cartridge for water purifiers of this invention. It is a figure explaining the full length of a hollow fiber membrane bundle, the length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle arrange | positioned in the center space of an adsorbent, and the full length of an adsorbent.

  One embodiment of the cartridge for water purifier of the present invention is described based on a drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a water purifier cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing an example of the water purifier cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing a state in which the water purifier cartridge of the present invention is built in a faucet.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water purifier cartridge 1 is connected from the upstream side in the order of an inlet cap 11, a cylindrical adsorbent 2, an outlet cap 12, and a connection cap 13, and the outlet cap 12 has a hollow fiber membrane. A bundle 51 is sealed and fixed by a casting material 53.

  The adsorbent 2 has a cylindrical shape and is composed of an adsorbent molded body 21 mainly composed of fibrous activated carbon, an inner diameter side nonwoven fabric 22, and an outer diameter side nonwoven fabric 23. The adsorbent molded body 21 is obtained by mixing a plurality of fibrous activated carbons having different specific surface areas and pore diameter distributions at a predetermined ratio, and further adding ion exchange fibers for selectively taking lead ions and heat fusion fibers. is there. These are formed into a sheet and wound up at a constant tension around a shaft on which the inner diameter side nonwoven fabric 22 is wound. When a predetermined outer diameter is reached, heat treatment is performed. The heat-sealing fiber has a core-sheath structure, the core has a high melting point and the sheath has a low melting point, and only the sheath is melted and welded by this heat treatment. By this welding, the outer diameter side nonwoven fabric 23 is wound around what is maintained in a cylindrical shape, and cut to a predetermined length.

  By changing the mixing ratio of multiple fibrous activated carbons with different specific surface areas and pore size distributions, it is possible to balance the filtration capacity of multiple substances to be removed and create an adsorbent molded body with the highest overall filtration capacity. it can. Thus, a cartridge that can be used for a long period of time by the user can be provided. Moreover, if the tension at the time of winding on the shaft is controlled, the density of the adsorbent molded body can be changed. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use cartridge in which the pressure loss is not too large and the filtration capacity is not too low.

  Here, the molded body composed of the fibrous activated carbon, the lead adsorbent, and the heat-fusible fiber may be molded by a wet molding method. Not only fibrous activated carbon but also granular activated carbon and powdered activated carbon may be mixed. Only granular activated carbon or powdered activated carbon can be used. Moreover, you may use the heat-fusion material which is not fibrous.

  If granular or powdery aluminosilicate, titanium silicate, or titanium oxide is used as the lead removing material, lead ions can be efficiently removed.

  It may be an adsorbent molded body that does not include a lead removing material, or an adsorbent molded body that includes an arsenic removing material or an antibacterial material.

  The inlet cap 11 has a disk shape, and a cylindrical rib 31 and a concentric groove 32 are formed on the surface connected to the activated carbon. The rib 31 has a thickness of 0.3 to 1.5 mm and a height of 1 to 4 mm, and plays the role of aligning the cylindrical adsorbent 2 and the central axis.

  Adhesion between the inlet cap 11 and the adsorbent 2 is a one-pack type silicone rubber bonding method that is cured by reacting with moisture in the air, even in a hot melt bonding method in which a thermoplastic resin heated and melted is applied and then cooled and solidified. But you can. The groove 32 has a width of 1 to 2 mm and a depth of 0.5 to 1 mm, and the adhesive 35 sufficiently penetrates and cures. Therefore, the adhesive 35 and the inlet cap 11 have a high adhesive force. The material of the inlet cap 11 is preferably an amorphous resin having good affinity with the adhesive, and ABS resin and polystyrene are preferable in consideration of safety.

  The outlet cap 12 has a disk shape having an opening 43 in the center, and cylindrical ribs 41 and ribs 42 are erected on the surface connected to the adsorbent 2. Like the rib 31, the rib 41 has a thickness of 0.3 to 1.5 mm and a height of 1 to 4 mm, and plays the role of aligning the central axis with the cylindrical activated carbon 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter of the rib 42 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the coil spring 15 described later, and the end of the coil spring 15 is accommodated between the rib 42 and the adsorbent 2. The rib 42 not only aligns the center axes of the coil spring 15 and the adsorbent 2 described later, but also serves to prevent the adhesive 36 from protruding to the inner diameter side of the activated carbon 2 and solidifying.

  A groove 44 is formed on the surface of the outlet cap 12 connected to the adsorbent 2, as in the case of the inlet cap 11. The groove 44 has a width of 1 to 2 mm and a depth of 0.5 to 1 mm, and the adhesive 36 sufficiently penetrates and hardens, so that the adhesive 36 and the outlet cap 12 have a high adhesive force.

  As the material of the outlet cap 12, similarly to the inlet cap 11, an amorphous resin having good affinity with the adhesive is preferable, and ABS resin and polystyrene are preferable in consideration of safety.

  Eight radial ribs (convex portions) 45 at 90 ° intervals are provided on the outer periphery of the outlet cap 12. The outlet cap 12 can be supported and fixed in the process of welding or fitting the connection cap 13 for attaching / detaching the water purifier cartridge to / from the water purifier to the outlet cap. If the adsorbent 2 adhered to the outlet cap 12 is supported, a large compressive force may be applied to the adsorbent 2 when the connection cap 13 is welded or fitted, but the adsorbent 2 may be damaged, but radial ribs (convex portions). If 45 is supported and fixed, such damage can be reliably prevented.

  A hollow fiber membrane bundle 51 obtained by bundling hollow fiber membranes and bending them in an inverted U shape is sealed and fixed to the opening 43 at the center of the outlet cap 12 by a casting material 52. The casting material 52 is filled between the hollow fiber membranes and between the hollow fiber membranes and the outlet cap 12 and solidifies, so that the hollow fiber membranes are sealed with the casting material 52 and sealed. The hollow fiber membrane bundle 51 is fixed to the outlet cap 12 by the casting material 52. Before connecting the outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13, the hollow fiber membrane is opened toward the connection cap 13 by partially cutting and removing the casting material. A part of the inner peripheral surface of the outlet cap 12 is subjected to a graining process to prevent the casting material 52 from being peeled off from the outlet cap 12. At the time of passing water, a load due to water pressure is applied to the casting material 52. However, since the casting material 52 has irregularities formed along the irregularities of the embossing, the irregularities are caught, so that the casting material 52 is peeled off from the outlet cap 12. It will not drop out.

  As the hollow fiber membrane bundle 51, a hydrophilized polysulfone hollow fiber membrane is used. Polysulfone is excellent in biological properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance and the like, and is preferable for water purifier applications. In addition to polysulfone, a hollow fiber membrane of polyacrylonitrile, polyphenylenesulfone, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, or polypropylene may be used. You may combine multiple types of hollow fiber membranes from which materials differ. If a hollow fiber membrane made of hydrophobic polyethylene or polypropylene is inserted, air mixed in water can be discharged efficiently. The hollow fiber membrane has a pore diameter of 0.1 to 0.3 μm and is most suitable for capturing turbidity in tap water. The hollow fiber membrane has an outer diameter of φ300 to 500 μm, an inner diameter of φ200 to 340 μm, and a film thickness of 50 to 100 μm, and has sufficient strength. It does not break in the process of bending into a U-shape in manufacturing or the process of pushing into the outlet cap 12.

  Since the cross-sectional area of only the hollow fiber membrane of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 51 is 45 to 55% of the cross-sectional area of the opening 43 of the outlet cap 12, it has a high turbidity filtration capability and can be used for a long time. . This is because the membrane area of the hollow fiber membrane is in an appropriate range, and the turbidity goes around to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Since the outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is φ300 to 500 μm and sufficiently strong while having strength, a sufficiently large membrane area can be secured in a small casing. This is also a factor that exhibits high turbidity filtration ability.

  The casting material (potting material) 52 is a two-component mixed type in which a main component having fluidity and a curing agent are mixed and cured, and polyurethane, epoxy resin, or the like can be appropriately used. What is necessary is just to solidify them by the centrifugation method or the stationary method.

  On the outer peripheral side of the end portion sealed and fixed by the casting material 52, a step for engaging with the connection cap 13 described later is provided.

  The connection cap 13 has a large tube 61 and a small tube 62, has a first connection portion 63 with the outlet cap 12 on the inner peripheral side of one end of the large tube 61, and is on the outer peripheral side of one end of the small tube 62. It has the 2nd connection part 64 with a faucet. The step provided on the first connection portion 63 is engaged with the step provided on the outlet cap 12 so that there is no rattling. In the engaged state, the outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13 are welded by applying vibration energy while applying pressure by applying a horn of an ultrasonic welder from the connection cap 13 side. As a welding method, any method such as a bad joint method, a step joint method, a shear joint method, and a bead joint method may be used, but there is no particular limitation, but a shear joint method that is excellent in water tightness and air tightness is most suitable.

  The outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13 may be connected not by ultrasonic welding but by fitting. In that case, two annular enlarged diameter portions 65 and 66 are provided on the outer peripheral side of the end portion of the outlet cap 12 sealed and fixed by the casting material 52, as shown in FIG. The annular diameter-enlarged portion 65 on the side far from the tip meshes with the annular diameter-reduced portion 71 of the connection cap 13 so that the connection is not easily disconnected even when pulled in the axial direction. The tip of the annular enlarged diameter portion 65 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection cap 13, thereby preventing water from leaking from the outside. An annular enlarged diameter portion 66 on the side close to the tip is also in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connection cap 13 to supplement prevention of water inflow from the outside. An elastic member such as an O-ring may be interposed between the outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13.

  An O-ring 74 is mounted in the annular groove 67 of the second connection portion 64 of the small cylinder 62. As shown in FIG. 2, since the connection cap 13 is connected to the inside of the faucet via the O-ring 74, purified water and raw water (unpurified tap water) will not be mixed.

  In the space between the outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13, 3 to 15 granular antibacterial materials may be loaded. If the antibacterial material is granular with a diameter of 1 to 6 mm, it can be easily loaded with a non-woven fabric or a mesh cloth while it can be loaded even in a narrow space. Antibacterial materials are never mixed with purified water.

If the antibacterial material is porous calcium phosphate or zeolite with silver supported, a small amount of silver ions can be eluted with good sustainability. When activated carbon decomposes and removes residual chlorine, bacteria easily propagate in the purified water, and bacteria entering from the purified water discharge port may reach the water purifier cartridge 1, but silver ions can prevent bacterial growth. The nonwoven fabric used preferably has a basis weight of 10 to 300 g / m ² and a thickness of 0.05 to 5 mm. As the material, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene and the like are inexpensive and preferable.

  As a material of the connection cap 13, when connecting with the exit cap 12 by ultrasonic welding, the same material as the exit cap is used. ABS resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene having high dimensional accuracy in molding can be used. When connecting with the outlet cap 12 by fitting, relatively soft polyethylene or polypropylene is used. In the case of polyethylene or polypropylene, it is easy to forcibly remove the mold in the undercut portion, and the mold production cost is low. Since it is relatively soft, it is easy to fit in production, and productivity is improved. If the meshing of the annular enlarged diameter portion 65 and the annular reduced diameter portion 71 is adjusted to 0.1 to 0.5 mm, the outlet cap 12 and the connection cap 13 are not easily detached during use or replacement. Moreover, it can be removed by pulling strongly. That is, the connection cap 13 is detachable from the first connection portion 64 of the outlet cap 12, and the user can replace the antibacterial material and the nonwoven fabric with new ones as necessary, and can maintain the effect of preventing bacterial growth.

  A coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is disposed in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the cylindrical adsorbent 2. Since the reinforcing member is a coil spring, the contact area of the cylindrical activated carbon with the inner peripheral surface can be reduced, the adsorption capacity of the entire activated carbon is not reduced, and the life of the cartridge is not shortened. Available. As in the case where meshes are attached to a plurality of openings, water does not easily flow to the activated carbon in the vicinity of the lattice portion other than the openings, so that the adsorption ability cannot be exhibited.

  The wire diameter of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. When the wire diameter of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, the inner circumference of the adsorbent 2 is applied when pressure is applied from the outer circumference side to the inner circumference side of the cylindrical adsorbent 2. It can support firmly from the side and can prevent that the adsorbent 2 sinks. And since it is a small occupied volume, it hardly interferes with packing of many filter media. If the wire diameter is less than 0.3 mm, the strength may be insufficient, and the adsorbent 2 may not be firmly supported from the inner peripheral side. If the wire diameter exceeds 1.5 mm, the occupied volume becomes large, the space in the cartridge is wasted, and the filter medium cannot be packed to the maximum extent.

  The pitch of the coil springs (reinforcing members) 15 is preferably equal to or less than a quarter of the entire length of the adsorbent 2. If the pitch of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is less than or equal to one-fourth of the total length of the adsorbent 2, the pitch is sufficiently small and the number of turns is sufficiently large. When pressure is applied from the side to the inner peripheral side, the adsorbent 2 can be firmly supported from the inner peripheral side to prevent the adsorbent 2 from sinking. If the pitch is ¼ or more of the total length of the adsorbent 2, the number of turns is small, and the adsorbent 2 may not be firmly supported from the inner peripheral side.

  The contact length of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is preferably equal to or less than a quarter of the total length of the adsorbent 2. If the contact length of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 is less than or equal to one-fourth of the total length of the adsorbent 2, the contact area with the inner peripheral surface of the adsorbent 2 is small. The life of the cartridge is not shortened, and the entire adsorbent can be used efficiently.

  The average distance between the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 and the adsorbent 2 is preferably 1 mm or less. If the average distance between the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15 and the adsorbent 2 is 1 mm or less, when pressure is applied from the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent 2 to the inner peripheral side, the adsorbent 2 will Even if it deform | transforms into the side, before the adsorbent 2 sinks, it can hold | maintain firmly from an inner peripheral side, and the shape of the adsorbent 2 can be maintained.

  As a material of the coil spring (reinforcing member) 15, stainless steel, piano wire, hard steel wire, or the like is used. Stainless steel is most preferable because it can be prevented from being rusted by being immersed in water. In addition, since it has sufficient strength than the resin material, it can be firmly held from the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent, and the occupied volume can be reduced, so that many filter media can be packed. Almost no hindrance.

  As the reinforcing member, not a coil spring but a mesh sheet wound in a cylindrical shape may be used. If the wire diameter and pitch of the steel wire constituting the mesh sheet are appropriately selected, when pressure is applied from the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical adsorbent 2 to the inner peripheral side, it is firmly secured from the inner peripheral side of the adsorbent 2 At the same time, the area of contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical activated carbon can be reduced, and it is possible to prevent the adsorption capacity of the entire activated carbon from being lowered and the life of the cartridge from being shortened.

  The water purifier cartridge 1 having the above-described configuration is suitably used as a cartridge built in a faucet built-in water purifier as shown in FIG. A flow path switching valve is incorporated in the head 81 of the water purifier with built-in faucet so that it can be switched between a purified water state for purifying tap water and a raw water state for discharging tap water as it is.

  The water purifier built-in water purifier cartridge has a maximum diameter of 35 mm or less and a total length of 150 mm or less. A large amount of filter medium is packed without wasting space within the determined outer dimensions of the cartridge.

  When the channel selector valve is in a purified state and the faucet is opened, tap water flows into the outer peripheral side of the water purifier cartridge 1. First, the adsorbent 2 is moved to the outer diameter side nonwoven fabric 23, the adsorbent molded body 21, and the inner diameter side nonwoven fabric. Pass in the order of 22. At this time, free residual chlorine in tap water is decomposed, and at the same time, volatile organic substances in tap water are adsorbed and removed. Next, water reaches the hollow fiber membrane bundle 51 inside the adsorbent 2. Water flows from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side of the hollow fiber membrane, and turbidity and bacteria in tap water are captured by the hollow fiber membrane. The purified water that has passed through the hollow fiber membrane passes through the inside of the small cylinder 62 of the connection cap 13, passes through the flow path switching valve of the head 81, and is discharged from the faucet as purified water. The user can obtain delicious and safe purified water.

<Example 1>
As the cylindrical adsorbent, three kinds of fibrous activated carbons having different specific surface areas and pore size distributions were mixed, and further, ion exchange fibers that selectively take in lead ions and heat-sealed fibers were used. These were made into a sheet and wound up at a constant tension around a shaft on which the inner diameter side nonwoven fabric was wound. The inner diameter was 17 mm. Heat treatment was performed after the outer diameter reached 25 mm. The heat-fusible fiber has a core-sheath structure, and only the sheath was melted by heat treatment. The density is 0.28 g / cc. A non-woven fabric on the outer diameter side was wound around what was kept cylindrical by welding and cut to a length of 81 mm.

As the hollow fiber membrane bundle, 434 hydrophilic polysulfone hollow fiber membranes and one hydrophobic polyethylene hollow fiber membrane were used. The outer diameter of the hydrophilized polysulfone hollow fiber membrane was φ360 μm, the inner diameter was φ220 μm, and the film thickness was 70 μm. The total length of the hydrophilized polysulfone hollow fiber membrane was 85 mm. The length disposed in the central space of the adsorbent is 76 mm, which corresponds to 89% of the total length. The film area excluding the portion sealed and fixed with the casting material was secured to 0.07 m ² .

  As the coil spring, wire diameter 0.5 mm, pitch 5 mm, coil average diameter 16.2 mm, coil outer diameter 16.7 mm, total number of turns 17.5, free length 80.5 mm, adhesion length 8.25 mm, material A SUS304 coil spring was used. The pitch is about 1/16 of the total length of the adsorbent, and the contact length is about 1/10 of the total length of the adsorbent. The average distance between the coil spring and the adsorbent was 0.15 mm.

As the outlet cap, an opening cap having a cross-sectional area of 167 mm ² was used. The outlet cap and the connection cap were connected by ultrasonic welding.

  When this water purifier cartridge was installed in a faucet built-in water purifier and tested in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS S 3201 "Household water purifier test method", the free residual chlorine filtration capacity was 800L, 2-MIB ( Moldy odor) The filtration capacity was 820L, and the turbid filtration capacity was 810L.

  When a test was conducted in which water flowed for 1 hour at a dynamic water pressure of 0.75 MPa, the outer diameter of the adsorbent did not change, and the pressure loss did not change before and after water flow. It was not possible to confirm that the adsorbent was depressed or cracked.

<Example 2>
The same cylindrical adsorbent and hollow fiber membrane bundle as in Example 1 were used. No coil spring was placed near the inner periphery of the adsorbent. The outlet cap and the connection cap were connected by ultrasonic welding.

  When this water purifier cartridge was installed in a faucet built-in water purifier and tested in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS S 3201 "Household water purifier test method", the free residual chlorine filtration capacity was 800L, 2-MIB ( Moldy odor) The filtration capacity was 820L, and the turbid filtration capacity was 810L.

  There was no problem with water flow at a dynamic water pressure of 0.1 MPa, but when a test was conducted to pass water at a dynamic water pressure of 0.75 MPa, the filtration flow rate was within the allowable range, but the adsorbent was slightly depressed inside, The filtration flow rate was slightly reduced.

<Comparative Example 1>
A product in which a hollow fiber membrane module is arranged on the downstream side of a conventional cylindrical adsorbent, that is, an adsorbent and a hollow fiber membrane arranged in series was manufactured. As the cylindrical adsorbent, three kinds of fibrous activated carbons having different specific surface areas and pore size distributions were mixed, and further, ion exchange fibers that selectively take in lead ions and heat-sealed fibers were used. These were made into a sheet and wound up at a constant tension around a shaft on which the inner diameter side nonwoven fabric was wound. The inner diameter was 8.3 mm. Heat treatment was performed after the outer diameter reached 25 mm. The heat-fusible fiber has a core-sheath structure, and only the sheath was melted by heat treatment. The outer diameter side non-woven fabric was wound around the cylindrical shape maintained by welding and cut to a length of 39.1 mm.

As the hollow fiber membrane bundle, 864 polysulfone hollow fiber membranes made hydrophilic and one hydrophobic polyethylene hollow fiber membrane were used. The outer diameter of the hydrophilized polysulfone hollow fiber membrane was φ360 μm, the inner diameter was φ220 μm, and the film thickness was 70 μm. Since the adsorbent and the hollow fiber membrane are connected in series, the hollow fiber membrane bundle cannot be made very long. Therefore, the membrane area excluding the portion sealed and fixed with the casting material was only 0.054 m ² .

  The outlet cap and the connection cap were connected by ultrasonic welding.

  When this water purifier cartridge was installed in a faucet built-in water purifier and tested in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS S 3201 “Household water purifier test method”, the free residual chlorine filtration capacity was 500 L, 2-MIB ( Mold odor) The filtration capacity was 510 L, which was about 60% of the capacity of the water purifier cartridge of Examples 1 and 2. Moreover, the turbidity filtration capacity was 660 L, which was about 80% of the capacity of the water purifier cartridge of Examples 1 and 2. It turned out that the form of the comparative example 1 is not suitable for the cartridge for water purifiers which is small and has a long life.

  When a test was conducted in which water was passed for 1 hour at a dynamic water pressure of 0.75 MPa, the outer diameter of the adsorbent did not change, but the pressure loss slightly decreased before and after water flow. Although the sinking of the adsorbent could not be confirmed, the possibility of damage was undeniable from the change in pressure loss.

  The present invention can be applied to general water purifiers such as a faucet direct-coupled water purifier, a stationary water purifier, a pot type water purifier, and an undersink water purifier, but is not limited thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purifier cartridge 2 Activated carbon 11 Inlet cap 12 Outlet cap 13 Connection cap 15 Coil spring 21 Adsorbent molding 22 Inner diameter side nonwoven fabric 23 Outer diameter side nonwoven fabric 31 Rib 32 Groove 35 Adhesive 36 Adhesive 41 Rib 42 Rib 43 Opening 44 Groove 45 Radial rib (convex)
51 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 52 Casting material (potting material)
61 Large cylinder 62 Small cylinder 63 1st connection part 64 2nd connection part 65 Annular diameter expansion part 66 Annular diameter expansion part 67 Annular groove 71 Annular diameter reduction part 73 Water purification outlet 74 O-ring 81 Head L1 Total length L2 of hollow fiber membrane bundle The length L3 of the hollow fiber membrane bundle disposed in the central space of the adsorbent The total length of the adsorbent

Claims (13)

It has a cylindrical adsorbent, an inlet cap that closes one end of the adsorbent, an outlet cap that has an opening disposed at the other end of the adsorbent, and a hollow fiber membrane bundle bundled in a U shape. And
The hollow fiber membrane bundle is sealed and fixed in the opening of the outlet cap, and a part of the hollow fiber membrane bundle protruding from the outlet cap is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent. cartridge. The cartridge for water purifiers according to claim 1, wherein 70% or more of the total length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is disposed in the central space of the adsorbent. The cartridge for water purifiers of Claim 1 or 2 which has a reinforcement member in the inner periphery vicinity of the said adsorbent, and this reinforcement member is a metal. The water purifier cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member is stainless steel. The water purifier cartridge according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the reinforcing member is a coil spring. The water purifier cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the coil spring has a wire diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm. The water purifier cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a pitch of the coil spring is equal to or less than a quarter of a total length of the adsorbent. The cartridge for water purifiers according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein an adhesion length of the coil spring is not more than a quarter of a total length of the adsorbent. The cartridge for water purifiers in any one of Claim 3 to 8 whose average of the distance of the said reinforcement member and the said adsorbent is 1 mm or less. The cartridge for water purifiers in any one of Claim 1 to 9 which has a some convex part in the outer periphery of the said exit cap. A water purifier built-in type water purifier cartridge, wherein the water purifier cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is incorporated in a water faucet. A faucet built-in water purifier, wherein the faucet built-in water purifier cartridge according to claim 11 is detachable. A water purifier, wherein the water purifier cartridge according to claim 1 is configured to be detachable.

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