JP2009148662A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water purifier having a structure capable of confirming the life of a cartridge even when water is not passed.
A water purifier 1 according to the present invention includes a water flow detection means, a filtration cartridge 4, a flow path switching means 8 for switching a raw water flow path between a filtration flow path and a non-filtration flow path, and raw water. A flow path detection means for detecting a flow path, a measurement means for measuring the amount of water passing through the filtration cartridge, an integration means for calculating and storing an integrated value of water filtered by the filtration cartridge based on the measurement result, a power supply means, And a display means 10 that requires a power supply means for displaying the operating state of the water purifier including at least one of the flow path of the raw water and the integrated value based on the integrated value, and the display means is configured to be able to display even when water is not flowing. It is characterized by.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier, and more particularly, to a water purifier provided with display means for displaying an operating state of the water purifier.

  A water purifier using a replaceable filter cartridge using a hollow fiber membrane or the like is known. In this type of water purifier, it is necessary to replace the filter cartridge when a certain amount of water is filtered. Therefore, the amount of filtered water is integrated, and the life expectancy of the filter cartridge is calculated based on the integrated value. The user is notified by display means such as a device.

  In addition, either the “fresh water mode” in which the water purifier filters the supplied tap water (raw water) with a filter cartridge and discharges it, or the “raw water mode” in which the supplied raw water is discharged directly without filtering. Is also displayed on this display device.

  Furthermore, the means for calculating the life expectancy of the filter cartridge, the life expectancy of a battery used for the power source of the liquid crystal display device, and the like are also displayed on the liquid crystal display device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-39062 A

  However, since the conventional water purifier described above is configured so that the liquid crystal display device does not display when water is not supplied to the water purifier, the user cannot check the life of the cartridge when water is not passed. There was a problem that the cartridge replacement timing was lost.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water purifier having a structure capable of confirming the life of a cartridge even when water does not flow.

According to the present invention,
A water purifier that filters and discharges the supplied raw water,
Water flow detection means for detecting whether or not raw water is supplied to the water purifier,
A filtration cartridge for filtering the supplied raw water;
A flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the supplied raw water between a filtration flow path passing through the filtration cartridge and a non-filtration flow path not passing through the filtration cartridge;
A flow path detecting means for detecting the flow path of the raw water;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of water flowing through the filtration cartridge;
Integrating means for calculating and storing an integrated value of water filtered by the filtration cartridge based on the measurement result of the flow meter;
Power supply means to be a power source of the water purifier,
Display means that requires electric power from the power supply means for displaying the operating state of the water purifier including at least one of the flow path of the raw water and the cartridge life based on the integrated value,
The display means is configured to be able to display even when the water purifier is not supplied with raw water.
The water purifier characterized by this is provided.

  According to such a configuration, since it is possible to display the cartridge usage status and the like without passing through the water purifier, it is possible to reliably provide necessary information to the user. In particular, button batteries and the like are effective because they are often unaware of consumption due to standby power and spontaneous discharge.

According to the other preferable aspect of this invention, the display switch which makes the said display means perform the said display at the time of non-water passage is further provided.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to display on the display means by operating the changeover switch even in the non-water-passing state, so that the state of the cartridge and the like can be confirmed in addition to the water-passing state, The filter can be reliably replaced at an appropriate time.

  According to another preferable aspect of the present invention, the display means is configured to display a screen different from that at the time of water passage when not passing water, and the display switching for switching the different screen to a screen indicating the state of the water purifier. A switch is further provided.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the switching means includes a human body sensor, and the display means displays the display in response to the presence or absence of a signal output from the human body sensor to the display means. Switching is performed automatically.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the switching means includes a human body sensor, and the display means automatically displays the display according to the presence or absence of a signal output from the human body sensor to the display means. Is what you do.
According to such a structure, since a display means operate | moves only when a user exists in the vicinity of a water purifier, and other than that does not operate | move, electric power can be saved.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the display means includes at least one of a liquid crystal device, an LED, and an organic EL element.
According to such a configuration, the display contents can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

According to the other preferable aspect of this invention, the said display means also performs the display as at least 1 of a timepiece, a calendar, and a kitchen timer at the time of the said non-water-flowing.
According to such a structure, the convenient function can be provided to a water purifier in the kitchen where a water purifier is mainly used.

According to another preferable aspect of the present invention, a voice generation device is provided, and a part of the display content of the display device is also notified by voice.
According to such an aspect, replacement of the cartridge or the like can be reliably transmitted.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water purifier of the structure which can confirm the lifetime of a cartridge, etc., when not passing water is provided.

  Hereinafter, with reference to an accompanying drawing, composition of water purifier 1 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water purifier 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

The water purifier 1 is a so-called faucet-direct water purifier connected to a faucet or the like of a water supply, and includes a main body casing 2 and a filtration cartridge 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The filter cartridge 4 contains one or more kinds of filter media such as a hollow fiber membrane, activated carbon, zeolite, ion exchange fiber, filter, and strainer for filtering water flowing into the main casing 2. It is configured to be detachable, that is, replaceable.
These filter media may be configured to be detachable, that is, replaceable, even if they are fixed with respect to the main body casing, but if they are detachable, they should be replaced according to the sign of a “water drop mark” described later. This is preferable because the casing can be reused without being wasted.

The main casing 2 is provided with a raw water inlet 6, a switching lever 8, a liquid crystal display unit 10, and the like.
The raw water port 6 is connected to a water tap through an annular fixture 12 and is an opening for introducing tap water into the main casing 2.

The switching lever 8 switches the flow path of the raw water into the water purifier 1 and changes the discharge mode from the water purifier 1 to the tap water flowing into the raw water inlet 6 through the filter cartridge 4 to discharge the “fresh water mode”. And switching means for switching between the “raw water mode” in which the tap water flowing into the raw water inlet 6 is discharged without filtering and the “shower mode” in which the raw water is discharged in a shower form.
In the present embodiment, the “fresh water mode”, “raw water mode”, and “shower mode” are switched by turning around a shaft (not shown) that extends horizontally in the width direction in the main body casing 2. It is configured.

The liquid crystal display unit 10 is a display device that displays information related to the amount of water filtered by the filtration cartridge 4 (that is, the usage state of the cartridge), the battery consumption state, and the like. The display unit 10 is attached with a fresh water sign display unit 10a that displays a fresh water sign indicating a state in which the cartridge can perform proper filtration, and a remaining battery level display unit 10b that displays the life of the battery that operates the control device. The filtration cartridge 4 includes a filterable water amount display portion 10c indicating the amount of water that can be filtered from now on.
In this embodiment, at least one of screens such as a clock, a calendar, and a kitchen timer can be displayed on the filterable water amount display unit 10c as a standby screen. The standby screen is not limited to these screens. If the display is such that the screen consumes less power compared to the screen displayed when water flows (for example, the above-mentioned clock, kitchen timer, etc.), the battery is exhausted. Is preferable.

  Further, in the “raw water mode” and “shower mode”, the filterable water amount display unit 10c displays “raw water” and “shower” and the currently selected discharge mode, respectively, instead of the filterable water amount. Is done.

  In the water purifier 1 of the present embodiment, the button type battery B is used as a power source for operating a liquid crystal display device, a flow rate sensor described later, and the like. This button type battery is provided on the side surface of the main casing 2 and is accommodated in a battery accommodating portion 16 closed by a lid 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the downstream side of the raw water inlet 6 in the main casing 2, it is detected whether or not the raw water is flowing into the water purifier 1 (flowing water), and the inflow A water flow (flow rate) sensor 18 for detecting the flow rate of the raw water is also provided.
In this embodiment, the water flow sensor 18 also serves as an impeller-type flow meter, and can also detect the flow rate.

However, in this embodiment, the type of the water flow sensor is not limited, and a sensor that cannot measure the flow rate, such as a pressure detection type, may be employed, but in that case, for measuring the flow rate of the filtration path It is necessary to install a flow meter separately. Such a flow meter is preferably provided downstream of the flow path switching unit.
When the water flow sensor or the flow rate sensor is provided upstream of the filter cartridge, it is preferable to provide a strainer such as a wire mesh in order to prevent a decrease in accuracy due to foreign matter.

The water purifier 1 includes a rotor 20 disposed in a flow path of tap water supplied to the raw water inlet 6. The rotor 20 is connected to the switching lever 8 and interlocks with the movement of the switching lever 8 to avoid the tap water flow path in the flow path and the flow path (filtration flow path) toward the filter cartridge 4 and the filter cartridge 4. It is comprised so that it may switch between the flow paths (non-filtration flow path) to do.
The rotor pressing plate 22 connected to the rotor 20 is provided with a switching detection sensor 24 that detects the switching state of the flow path.

  The water purifier 1 of this embodiment includes a filter cartridge type detection sensor (not shown) that detects the type of a new filter cartridge when the filter cartridge is replaced with a new filter cartridge.

  The water purifier 1 further includes a control device (not shown). The control device is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and receives and processes various information such as output signals from the water flow (flow rate) sensor 18, the switching detection sensor 24 and the type detection sensor, and the voltage of the button-type battery. It has a function of controlling the display content of the display device based on the processing result.

  When tap water is introduced into the water purifier 1, the water flow (flow rate) sensor 18 detects this and sends a signal (water flow signal) to the controller that the tap water is being supplied to the water purifier 1. At the same time, the flow rate of the supplied tap water is measured and transmitted sequentially from the control device. When receiving this signal, the control device sends a signal to the switching detection sensor 24 to check the switching state of the flow path.

  On the other hand, the control device detects how many liters of water the newly installed filter cartridge 4 can filter based on the signal from the type detection sensor (for example, 1000 liters).

  When the integrated value stored in the controller is replaced with a new filter cartridge, the user resets it by operating the reset switch, and the integration of the amount of water filtered by the new filter cartridge 4 is started.

Next, the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 10 of the water purifier 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In the water purifier of the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 10 is configured to always display some information, regardless of whether water is passed or not, under the control of the control device.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a standby screen displayed when water is not supplied to the water purifier 1 of this embodiment.
In the standby screen shown in FIG. 3 when the water is not flowing, a “water droplet mark” indicating that the cartridge has not filtered tap water of a predetermined amount or more (that is, the lifetime has not expired) is a clear water sign display portion. In “10a”, a “battery mark” indicating the remaining battery capacity is displayed on the remaining battery capacity display section 10b, and a calendar and a clock are displayed on the filterable water volume display section 10c.
The clock and calendar are set using buttons (not shown) such as a reset button, a mode switching button, and a start / stop button.

  When the cartridge is filtering a certain amount or more of tap water and needs to be replaced, a water drop mark with a cross is displayed on the fresh water sign display portion 10a. Further, the battery mark of the battery remaining amount display portion 10b displays a number of bars corresponding to the battery remaining amount, and flashes when the battery voltage is lowered and needs to be replaced.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen displayed when water is supplied to the water purifier 1 of the present embodiment. At the time of water flow, the display content is changed according to the selected discharge mode.

First, in the “fresh water mode” in which the supplied tap water is filtered by a cartridge, the integrated value (for example, 250 liters) of the flow rate received from the water flow (flow rate) sensor 18 in a state where the flow channel is a filtration flow channel, that is, A filterable water amount that is a value obtained by subtracting the integrated value of the amount of water filtered by the filter cartridge 4 (for example, 750 liters) is displayed on the filterable water amount display unit 10c.
In the “raw water mode” or “shower mode”, the selected discharge mode name such as “raw water” or “shower” is displayed on the filterable water amount display unit 10c in place of the filterable water amount.

  Instead of displaying the word “raw water”, a figure showing the raw water, a figure reminiscent of the raw water (for example, a vase), or the like may be displayed. A configuration that displays a figure reminiscent of a shower (for example, dishwashing) may also be used.

  In addition, when the filter cartridge has reached the end of its life, that is, when it is set to “fresh water mode” with the filterable water amount being zero, the filterable water amount display unit 10c displays the filterable water amount “0”, A “water droplet” marked with a “x” is displayed on the fresh water sign display portion 10a to notify the user that the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.

  When the filter cartridge has reached the end of its life, i.e., when the amount of water that can be filtered is zero, and is set to "shower mode" or "raw water mode", the amount of water that can be filtered "0" is displayed on the filterable water amount display portion 10c. “Discharge” is selected instead of “Shower” or “Raw Water”, and “Water Drop” marked with “X” is displayed on the fresh water sign display portion 10a, and the filter cartridge needs to be replaced. Is notified to the user.

  Therefore, when the amount of water that can be filtered by the filter cartridge is zero, regardless of the water flow state or the discharge mode, “water droplets” marked with a “×” are always displayed and the filter cartridge needs to be replaced. Is notified to the user.

  Furthermore, when the voltage of the button-type battery decreases and needs to be replaced, the battery mark always flashes regardless of the water flow state and the discharge mode, and the user is notified that the battery needs to be replaced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 10 is configured to display the use state of the cartridge such as the fresh water sign, the battery consumption state, and the filterable water amount, but may be configured to display at least one of these.

  In the above embodiment, the standby screen is always displayed when the water stops, but a manual switch (display switch) operated by the user is provided, and only when the switch is operated when the water is stopped is described above. It may be configured to display a standby screen of the content.

  In the configuration in which the manual switch is provided, it is preferable that the display automatically disappears after a certain time, for example, 1 to 20 seconds after the manual switch is operated. The position of the manual switch is not particularly limited, but is preferably near the liquid crystal display unit 10. The manual switch may also be used as an operation switch for the functions attached to the water purifier.

  In addition, when the standby screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, it is possible to switch to a display screen that displays the state of the water purifier (the amount of water that can be filtered, the selected mode, etc.), and a manual for switching to such a display screen. A switch (display changeover switch) may be provided. The manual switch in this case is a push button type or pressure sensitive type, and only when the manual switch is turned on, a mechanism that switches to a display screen that displays the operation of the water purifier is used in terms of extending the battery life. preferable.

  Furthermore, instead of the manual switch, a human body sensor that can detect whether or not there is a person nearby is provided, and when this sensor detects the user at the time of water stoppage, it automatically switches to and displays the above-mentioned standby screen. The structure to do may be sufficient.

  The attachment position of the human body sensor is preferably the front of the water purifier 1 or the front of the liquid crystal display unit 10. The type of human body sensor is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a spatial sensor used in a general crime prevention system.

  Such a spatial sensor has a structure that detects infrared rays generated from the human body and turns on a relay when detecting an infrared ray amount above a certain level.

The infrared detection range is preferably about 5 to 30 °. If the infrared detection range is less than 5 °, the infrared range is too narrow, and even if you try to operate in a place slightly deviated from the water purifier, the human body sensor may not operate and display, and the infrared detection range is 30 ° or more This is because malfunctions such as reaction to a heat source not related to the human body increase.
The detection distance is preferably within 2 m. If the detection distance is 2 m or more, malfunctions increase, such as reaction to a heat source not related to the human body.

  Also in this configuration, a configuration in which the display automatically disappears after a lapse of a certain time, for example, 1 to 20 seconds is preferable. Since the human body sensor may malfunction due to environmental factors such as temperature and pets, a human body sensor switch may be provided.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a kitchen timer function may be attached as an attached function when not passing water. In such a configuration, the kitchen timer is preferably operated by a mode switch, a start / stop switch, etc. (not shown).

  In addition, the water purifier 1 may be provided with a sound generation device so that a part or all of the display contents can be notified by voice. The notification contents are not particularly limited, for example, notification regarding the life of the cartridge or the battery When the kitchen timer is an attached function, notification of the elapse of a predetermined time can be given.

Furthermore, as a display when cartridge replacement is necessary, characters such as “cartridge replacement” may be displayed in place of the clear water mark with a cross.
In addition, regarding battery replacement, instead of displaying the battery mark blinking, a battery mark with an X mark, “battery replacement”, or the like may be displayed.

It is a perspective view of water purifier 1 of a preferred embodiment of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the II-II line of FIG. It is drawing which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal display part at the time of non-water passage. It is drawing which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal display part at the time of water flow. It is drawing which shows the modification of the display of the liquid crystal display part at the time of non-water passage.

Explanation of symbols

1: Water purifier 2: Body casing 4: Filter cartridge 6: Raw water inlet 8: Switching lever 10: Liquid crystal display

Claims (7)

A water purifier that filters and discharges the supplied raw water,
Water flow detection means for detecting whether or not raw water is supplied to the water purifier,
A filtration cartridge for filtering the supplied raw water;
A flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the supplied raw water between a filtration flow path passing through the filtration cartridge and a non-filtration flow path not passing through the filtration cartridge;
A flow path detecting means for detecting the flow path of the raw water;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of water flowing through the filtration cartridge;
Integrating means for calculating and storing an integrated value of water filtered by the filtration cartridge based on the measurement result of the flow meter;
Power supply means to be a power source of the water purifier,
Display means that requires electric power from the power supply means for displaying the operating state of the water purifier including at least one of the flow path of the raw water and the cartridge life based on the integrated value,
The display means is configured to be able to display even when the water purifier is not supplied with raw water.
A water purifier characterized by that. A display switch for causing the display means to perform the display when water is not flowing;
The water purifier according to claim 1. The display means is configured to display a screen different from that at the time of passing water when not passing water,
Further comprising a display changeover switch for switching the different screen to a screen showing the state of the water purifier,
The water purifier according to claim 1. The switching means includes a human body sensor,
The display means automatically performs the display according to the presence or absence of a signal output to the display means from the human body sensor.
The water purifier according to claim 1 or 2. The display means includes at least one of a liquid crystal device, an LED, and an organic EL element.
The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4. At the time of non-water passage, the display means also performs display as at least one of a clock, a calendar, and a kitchen timer.
The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Equipped with a sound generator,
A part of the display content of the display device is also notified by voice.
The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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