KR100539477B1 - Water softener having multi-column - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water softener having a multi-column, comprising a water softener having an inlet pipe for providing a path of raw water and an outlet pipe for providing a path of soft water, each having an inlet and an outlet at one side and the other side thereof, and entering through the inlet. At least two columns in which ion exchange resin is filled to generate soft water from the raw water and discharge it to the outlet; And column selection means for allowing only one of the columns to be in communication with the inlet and outlet pipes, wherein the column selection means is any one of the remaining columns when the lifetime of the column in communication with the inlet and outlet pipes ends. It characterized in that the communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

Description

Water softener having multi-column

The present invention relates to a water softener for making raw water soft water through an ion exchange resin filled therein, and more particularly, to a water softener having a multi-column.

In general, a water softener is a device that makes raw water into soft water such as hot spring water by reacting raw water such as tap water and ground water with an ion exchange resin to remove calcium or magnesium ions, which are hardness causing substances, from the raw water.

Although the structure of a conventional water softener is not shown, it is schematically composed of a column having an inlet and an outlet, and an ion exchange resin filled in the column.

The operation of the water softener, raw water is introduced from the inlet of the column, the raw water is passed through the ion exchange resin filled in the column, the hardness components such as calcium ions and magnesium ions are the chemical functional groups and ions of the ion exchange resin It is exchanged and removed and converted into soft water, and the soft water thus produced is discharged through the column outlet and provided to users.

However, when the water softener is used for a long time, the reactor of the ion exchange resin is replaced with all the hardness components, and thus no further ion exchange function can be performed, and thus the soft water cannot be continuously generated.

Therefore, after using a certain amount of water softener, the ion exchange resin must be periodically regenerated.

Here, the regeneration process of the water softener is filled with special sodium chloride for regeneration on one side of the ion exchange resin, dissolving sodium chloride while introducing raw water into the housing, and generating salt water, and passing the generated salt water through the ion exchange resin. It is the process of restoring the hardness removal performance of the ion exchange resin by re-exchanging the sodium (Na) ion and the hardness component in dissolved salt water.

However, the conventional water softener was not easy to replace when broken because of only one column, and the column itself was made of stainless material, which was difficult to handle because of heavy weight, and the price was relatively expensive.

In addition, the column of the conventional water softener is difficult to cope with the hydraulic pressure due to the large volume, there was a problem that takes a considerable time to produce the soft water for the first time by receiving the raw water in the bulky column.

In addition, there is an inconvenience in that a separate regenerant such as sodium chloride should be provided when the ion exchange resin of the column reaches the end of its life, and if the user does not regenerate for a long time, it is necessary to continuously carry out poor water quality. There was a problem to use.

Invented to solve the above problems of the present invention, it is provided with a plurality of columns, easy to replace, low price, shorten the generation time of the soft water, convenient regeneration work and good quality training continuously The object is to provide a water softener with a multi-column that can be used.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a water softener having an inlet pipe for providing a path of raw water and a water outlet pipe for providing a path of training, having a water inlet and an outlet on one side and the other side, respectively, At least two columns in which an ion exchange resin is filled to generate soft water as raw water introduced therethrough and to be discharged to the outlet; And column selection means for allowing only one of the columns to be in communication with the inlet and outlet pipes, wherein the column selection means is any one of the remaining columns when the lifetime of the column in communication with the inlet and outlet pipes ends. It provides a water softener having a multi-column characterized in that the communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.

In addition, the column selecting means is provided on one side and the other side of the columns respectively to fix the columns in parallel with each other, and a column fixing part having pipes connected to the inlet and outlet of the respective columns therein, and among the columns Only one of the column selection valve for controlling communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe through the pipe of the column fixing portion, and the signal is periodically introduced in accordance with the input column life so that the column selection valve is rotated by a predetermined radius And a power supply connected to the column selection valve through the control unit and supplying current to the column selection valve.

The column selection valve may include a first disk having a plurality of pores so as to communicate with a pipe of the column fixing unit, and a hole having a small hole so as to be in close contact with the first disk and communicate with any one of the inlets of the first disk. A case including two discs, the first disc and the second disc integrally, temporarily receiving the raw water introduced through the inlet pipe, and supplying the raw water to the pores of the second disc; And a shaft fixed to the second disk integrally and provided at the end of the shaft to rotate the second disk in a predetermined radius according to a signal of the controller to communicate with the small holes of the second disk of the small holes of the first disk. It characterized in that it comprises a step motor for controlling to supply the raw water to any one of the columns through one.

The column selection valve is characterized in that the first disk and the second disk is made of a ceramic material.

In addition, the control unit is characterized in that it is electrically connected to the sensor for measuring the water pressure or the flow rate on the water supply pipe.

The controller may control the column selection valve to receive current from a power supply only when water pressure or a flow rate is sensed on the inlet pipe by the sensor.

The power source is characterized in that the battery.

Regeneration agent used for the regeneration of the column is stored, characterized in that it further comprises a regeneration agent tank connected to the pipes of the column fixing portion through a predetermined pipe.

The pipe is characterized in that the opening and closing valve is provided so that the regeneration agent stored in the regeneration agent tank is introduced into or blocked through the columns of the column fixing.

The pretreatment filter is further provided on the water supply pipe.

The outer circumferential surface of the columns is characterized in that made of a plastic material.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of a water softener having a multi-column according to the present invention.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall structure of a water softener having a multi-column according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view schematically showing a column fixing and column selection valve in the structure of a water softener having a multi-column according to the present invention. Top view.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the water softener 10 having a multi-column in accordance with the present invention comprises an inlet pipe 80, the outlet pipe 90, the columns 20 and column selection means, Among them, the column selecting means is such that any one of the columns 20 is in communication with the inlet pipe 80 and the outlet pipe 90, the column fixing part (30, 40), column selection valve 50, the control unit 60, the power supply 70, and the like.

First, the inlet pipe 80 is directly connected to the water cock or other ground water pipe for providing raw water and the column selection valve 50 of the column selection means. The pretreatment filter 120 and the sensor 110 are provided on the water supply pipe 80.

Here, the pretreatment filter 120 primarily filters impurities having a relatively large particle size from raw water so that the water softening operation of the columns 20 proceeds relatively smoothly.

And the sensor 110 is provided with a water pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor, and serves to inform the control unit 60 of the column selection means that the water softener 10 is operated by sensing the water pressure or flow rate on the water supply pipe (80). .

The water outlet pipe 90 is connected to the cylindrical pipe 100 of one side of the column fixing portion 40, the other side is directly connected to the soft water discharge means such as a shower.

That is, the outlet pipe 90 draws soft water from the cylindrical pipe 100 of the column fixing part 40 and serves as a communication path for providing soft water to the user directly through the shower.

On the other hand, the column 20 is composed of at least two.

The columns 20 have inlets 21 and outlets 22 on one side and the other side, respectively, to generate soft water as raw water introduced through the inlet 21 and discharge them to the outlet 22. The exchange resin is filled.

In an embodiment, the columns 20 consist of about seven in total, each of which is filled with a large amount of ion exchange resin, although not shown inside.

The outer circumferential surface of the columns 20 is made of a plastic material, not a metallic material, unlike the conventional columns 20, and the weight thereof is lighter than that of the prior art, and thus is much easier to handle.

In addition, since the material of the outer circumferential surface of the columns 20 is made of plastic, the manufacturing cost is low, and in case of a failure, the user's burden is small so that replacement is possible immediately.

The column fixing parts 30 and 40 of the column selecting means are respectively provided on one side and the other side of the columns 20 to fix the columns 20 side by side, and the inlets of the respective columns 20 therein. And the conduits 31 and 41 connected to the outlet 21 and the outlet 22, respectively.

In detail, the column fixing parts 30 and 40 are formed of the first column fixing part 30 and the second column fixing part 40.

The first column fixing part 30 is divided into a total of seven conduits 31 radially based on the column selection valve 50 connected to the inlet pipe 80. In addition, the second column fixing part 40 is divided into a total of seven pipes 41 radially based on the cylindrical pipe 100 connected to the water outlet pipe 90.

A plurality of grooves 32 and 42 are formed at the ends of the conduits 31 and 41 forming the column fixing parts 30 and 40 so that the inlets 21 and the outlets 22 of the columns 20 are fitted. Is formed.

The column selector valve 50 may include only one of the plurality of columns 20 through the inlet pipe 80 and the outlet pipe 90 through the conduits 31 and 41 of the column fixing parts 30 and 40. Control to communicate.

In this embodiment, the column selector valve 50 is provided between the inlet pipe 80 and the first column fixing unit 30, but the column selector valve 50 is the inlet pipe 80 and the first column fixing unit ( 30) and at the same time between the water discharge pipe 90 and the second column fixing portion 40, or may be provided only in the water discharge pipe 90 and the second column fixing portion (40).

As shown in FIG. 3, the column selection valve 50 includes a first disk 51, a second disk 53, a case 55, a shaft 57, a step motor 58, and the like.

First, the first disk 51 has a plurality of small holes 52 so as to communicate with the conduit 31 of the column fixing portion 30, respectively.

In the embodiment, the first disk 51 is cylindrical and made of ceramic material.

In addition, a total of about seven small holes 52 are formed in the direction parallel to the columns 20 so that the first disk 51 matches the number of the conduits 32 of the first column fixing part 30.

The small holes 52 of the first disk 51 are arranged radially with respect to the center portion.

In addition, the second disk 53 is in close contact with the first disk 51 and has a small hole 54 so as to communicate with any one of the small holes 52 of the first disk 51.

That is, the second disk 53 is made of the same width and material as the first disk 51 and has one small hole 54 so as to be in close contact with the first disk 51.

The small holes 54 of the second disk 53 are formed in a direction parallel to the small holes of the first disk 51 to communicate with any one of the seven small holes 52 of the first disk 51.

In addition, at least two small holes 54 of the second disk 53 may be formed as necessary to communicate with at least two small holes of the small holes 52 of the first disk 51. For this reason, raw water may be supplied to at least two columns 20 instead of one column 20.

The case 55 includes the first disk 51 and the second disk 53 integrally, and temporarily receives the raw water introduced through the water inlet pipe 80 and stores the raw water in the second disk 53. ) Is supplied to the small holes 54.

In an embodiment, the case 55 has a cylindrical shape that is relatively larger than the width of the first disk 51 and the second disk 53 to integrally accommodate the first disk 51 and the second disk 53. .

One side of the case 55 is formed with an inlet hole 56 through which water is introduced from the inlet pipe 80.

The case 55 is made of a ceramic material or other plastic material having good waterproofness.

Meanwhile, the shaft 57 penetrates the case 55 and is integrally fixed to the second disk 53.

The shaft 57 has a rod shape, is secured to the upper surface of the second disk 53 by penetrating the upper surface of the case 55, and is fixed to the portion fixed to the second disk 53 on the shaft 57. On the opposite side, the step motor 58 is integrally provided.

In addition, the surface of the case 55 through which the shaft 57 penetrates is sealed in the state where the shaft 57 is easily rotated to prevent leakage.

The step motor 58 is provided at the end of the shaft 57 and rotates the second disk 53 by a predetermined radius in response to a signal from the controller 60 so that the step motor 58 of the small holes 52 of the first disk 51 is rotated. The raw water is controlled to be supplied to any one of the columns 20 through any one communicated with the small holes 54 of the two discs 53.

In the column selecting means, the control unit 60 periodically inputs a signal according to the life of the input column 20 so that the column selecting valve 50 rotates at a predetermined radius.

Specifically, the control unit 60 is electrically connected to the step motor 58 of the column selector valve 50 to control the step motor 58 to rotate periodically according to the life of the input column 20. The shaft 57 connected to the motor 58 and the second disk 53 are rotated integrally.

In addition, the controller 60 is also electrically connected to the power source 70.

The power supply 70 is connected to the column selection valve 50 through the control unit 60, and supplies a current required for the operation of the column selection valve 50.

In an embodiment, the power source 70 is preferably a battery.

However, the power source 70 may use other household power sources in addition to the battery.

Here, the controller 60 is electrically connected to the sensor 110 for measuring the water pressure or the flow rate on the water supply pipe (80).

The controller 60 is electrically connected to a sensor 110 such as the water pressure sensor or the flow rate sensor provided on the water supply pipe 80.

The controller 60 controls the column selection valve 50 to receive current from the power supply 70 only when water pressure or a flow rate is sensed on the inlet pipe 80 by the sensor 110.

Specifically, the control unit 60 controls the power supply 70 to electrically communicate with the step motor 58 of the column selection valve 50 only when the water pressure or the flow rate is sensed.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the regeneration agent tank 130 is further provided at the upper end of the first column fixing part (30).

The regenerant tank 130 stores the regenerant used for the regeneration of the columns 20 and is connected to the pipelines 31 of the first column fixing part 30 through a predetermined pipe 140. .

Here, the regenerant tank 130 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped or cylindrical shape, and the inside of the regenerant tank 130 is hollow to accommodate a regenerant such as sodium chloride.

In addition, the pipe 140 has an opening / closing valve 150 such that the regenerant stored in the regenerant tank 130 is introduced into or blocked by the columns 20 through the conduits 31 of the first column fixing part 30. It is further provided.

In detail, the pipe 140 is connected to any one of the conduits 32 of the first column fixing part 30, but is connected to communicate with each of the conduits 32.

Here, the shut-off valve 150 is electrically connected to the control unit 60, it is automatically opened and closed according to the life of the entire column 20 previously input to the control unit 60.

That is, by opening and closing the valve 150 according to the life of each of the provided columns 20 and the total life of the column calculated by the number of columns 20, the regenerant contained in the regenerant tank 130 is each column Flow into the inside of the field 20 can be regeneration.

However, when the regeneration of the columns 20 is finished, the on-off valve 150 is automatically closed.

The soft water production operation of the water softener 10 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2, first, the raw water is a column selection valve along the inlet pipe 80 connected to the water cock or ground water (not shown) ( 50) is drawn into the interior.

At this time, the sensor 110, such as a water pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor provided on the inlet pipe 80 provides the controller 60 as a signal of the water pressure or flow rate of the raw water, and receives the signal ( 60 again controls the current from the power supply 70 to be provided to the step motor 58 of the column selector valve 50.

In addition, the pretreatment filter 120 provided on the inlet pipe 80 primarily removes impurities contained in the raw water before entering the columns 20.

On the other hand, the raw water introduced into the column selection valve 50 is introduced into the small hole 54 of the second disk 53, and the raw water introduced into the small hole 54 of the second disk 53 is again the second disk. It enters into the small hole 52 of the first disk 51 in communication with the small hole 54 of 53.

The raw water introduced into any one of the small holes 52 of the first disk 51 flows into the inlet 21 of the column 20 along the conduit 31 communicating with the small holes 51.

The raw water introduced into the inlet 21 of the column 20 is converted into soft water by the ion exchange resin inside the column 20, and the soft water is discharged to the outlet 22 of the column 20 again.

The soft water discharged to the outlet 22 of the column 20 is again introduced into the cylindrical pipe 100 along the pipeline 41 of the second column fixing part 40, and the soft water introduced into the cylindrical pipe 100. Is discharged to the outside through the shower (not shown) along the water discharge pipe 90 is finally provided to the user.

On the other hand, the specific operation of the column selection valve 50 during the operation of the water softener 10 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, that the raw water is first supplied to the water supply pipe (80) or pressure sensing sensor When the control unit 60 detects the signal of the sensor 110 such as a flow sensor, the control unit 60 controls to provide the current of the power supply 70 to the step motor 58 of the column selection valve 50. do.

Since the control unit 60 inputs the lifespan of each column 20 in advance, the control unit 60 automatically controls the step motor 58 to rotate by a predetermined radius when the lifespan of the column 20 is used.

Thereafter, the shaft 57 and the second disk 53 rotate together with the rotation of the step motor 58, and at this time, the small holes 54 of the second disk 53 communicate with the first disk 51. In the small hole 52a of the first hole 51a and newly communicated with the small hole 52b of the other first disk 51.

When the raw water flows in through the small holes 52b of the first disk 51 newly communicated with the small holes 54 of the second disk 53, the pipeline 31a of the first column fixing part 30 which was originally communicated. Not in communication with the new conduit 31b, and with this, raw water is introduced into the new column 20b instead of the column 20a that originally generated the soft water, thereby continuously producing high quality soft water.

Regeneration of the column 20 during the operation of the water softener 10 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, first, when the life of each of the provided columns 20, the control unit 60 is a regeneration agent The opening and closing valve 150 provided on the pipe 140 connecting the tank 130 and the conduits 31 of the first column fixing part 30 sends a signal to open.

After the open / close valve 150 is opened, sodium chloride received in the regeneration agent tank 130 flows into the first column fixing part 30 along the pipe 140 and flows into the first column fixing part 30. Sodium chloride is introduced into the column 20 through the inlet 21 of each column 20.

An approximate regeneration of each of the columns 20 is performed by first filling a special sodium chloride for regeneration into the ion exchange resin contained therein through the inlet 21 of the columns 20, and then feeding the raw water into the columns 20. Sodium chloride is dissolved while entering the inside of the housing) to produce salt water, and the salt water is passed through the ion exchange resin to exchange sodium (Na) ions and the hardness components in the dissolved salt water to remove the hardness of the ion exchange resin. It has a process of restoring performance.

The present invention relates to a water softener having a multi-column, and since it is automatically replaced with another column when the life of the column expires, there is an effect of providing the user with excellent quality soft water at all times.

In addition, since at least two columns are provided, there is no problem in generating soft water even if one column is damaged, and since the column itself is made of plastic, the load is light and it is easy to handle and inexpensive. have.

In addition, since the volume of each column is small, the burden on the water pressure is less, and compared with the conventional, the time for generating soft water for the first time is significantly reduced.

In addition, since the regeneration of the column is periodically performed in the water softener itself after a predetermined time, the columns have the advantage of always producing excellent soft water.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall structure of a water softener having a multi-column according to the present invention,

2 is a plan view schematically showing the column fixing part and the column selection valve in the structure of the water softener having a multi column according to the present invention;

3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a column selection valve in a water softener having a multi-column according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

10; Water softener 20; column

21; Inlet 22 of the column; The outlet of the column

30; First column 31; Pipeline of the First Column

32; Home 40 of the First Column Government; Second Column

41; Pipeline 42 of the Second Column Government; Home of the Second Column

50; Column selector valve 51; First disc

52; Pore 53 of first disk; 2nd disc

54; Pore 55 of second disc; case

56; Hole 57 in the case; shaft

58; Step motor 60; Control

70; Power supply 80; Intake Piping

90; Outlet piping 100; Cylindrical piping

110; Sensor 120; Pretreatment filter

130; Regeneration tank 140; pipe

150; Valve

Claims (11)

A water softener having an inlet pipe providing a path of raw water and a water outlet pipe providing a path of training, At least two columns each having an inlet and an outlet on one side and an outlet, and filled with ion exchange resin to generate soft water from the inlet and discharge to the outlet; And A column selection means for allowing only one of the columns to communicate with the inlet and outlet pipes, The column selecting means is a water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that any one of the remaining columns to communicate with the inlet and outlet pipes when the lifetime of the column communicated with the inlet and outlet pipes. The method of claim 1, The column selection means, A column fixing part provided at one side and the other side of the columns to fix the columns in parallel with each other, and having internal conduits connected to inlets and outlets of the respective columns; A column selection valve for controlling only one of the columns to communicate with the inlet and outlet pipes through a pipe of the column fixing unit; A controller for periodically introducing a signal according to a column life inputted so that the column selection valve rotates at a predetermined radius; And a power source connected to the column selection valve through the control unit to supply current to the column selection valve. The method of claim 2, The column selection valve, A first disk having a plurality of pores so as to be in communication with each of the column fixing sections; A second disk in close contact with the first disk and having a small hole so as to communicate with any one of the inlets of the first disk; A case including the first disc and the second disc integrally, temporarily accommodating the raw water introduced through the water inlet pipe, and supplying the raw water to the pores of the second disc; A shaft integrally fixed to the second disk through the case; It is provided at the end of the shaft to rotate the second disk in a predetermined radius in response to the signal of the controller to feed the raw water to any one of the columns through any one of the small holes of the first disk communicated with the small holes of the second disk. Water softener having a multi-column comprising a step motor for controlling to supply. The method of claim 3, wherein The column selection valve, Water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that the first disk and the second disk is made of a ceramic material. The method of claim 2, The control unit, Water softener having a multi-column characterized in that it is electrically connected to the sensor for measuring the water pressure or the flow rate on the water supply pipe. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The control unit, The water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that the column selection valve is controlled to receive a current from the power supply only when the water pressure or the flow rate is sensed on the inlet pipe by the sensor. The method of claim 2, The power supply is a water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that the battery. The method of claim 2, And a regenerant tank for storing a regenerant for use in the regeneration of the columns and connected to the column fixing pipes through a predetermined pipe. The method of claim 8, In the pipe, The water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that the opening and closing valve is provided so that the regeneration agent stored in the regeneration agent tank is introduced into or blocked through the columns of the column fixing section. The method of claim 1, The water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that the pre-processing filter is further provided on the water supply pipe. The method of claim 1, The outer circumferential surface of the columns is a water softener having a multi-column, characterized in that made of a plastic material.