JP3611635B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an improved water purification equipment for cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane for purifying raw water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there existed what was shown in FIG. 6 as a washing | cleaning method of this kind of water purifier. FIG. 7 shows a general water purifier used in the cleaning method shown in FIG.
The general water purification device is connected to a tap such as tap water or a raw water tank, and switches between supplying the raw water discharged from the tap directly to the outside (non-purified water side) and supplying to the subsequent stage (purified water side). A primary water switching valve 1, a primary filter 2 that is disposed on the downstream side of the raw water switching valve 1, removes impurities of raw water supplied from the raw water switching valve 1 to the downstream side, and generates primary purified water, and the primary filter 2. The secondary filter 3 is disposed on the rear side of the filter 2 and adsorbs and removes the odor and fine impurities generated in the primary water, and the secondary filter 3 is disposed on the rear side of the secondary filter 3. Further, the generated secondary purified water is further purified to generate water close to pure water (hereinafter referred to as clean water) by reverse osmosis action and supplied from the pure water supply port 41, and the residual after the reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis membrane that discharges raw water from the residual raw water outlet 42 A configuration and a Reverse Osmosis) filter 4; lower RO membrane.
[0003]
The primary filter 2 is formed of, for example, a precipitation filter or the like, and is configured to remove impurities mainly having a size of 10 μm or more such as impurities contained in the raw water. Between the primary filter 2 and the raw water switching valve 1, a constant flow valve 11 that regulates the flow rate of the raw water to a constant value, a safety valve 12 that blocks inflow of hot water, and the like, and a control device (not shown) are controlled. The primary solenoid valve 5 to be driven is connected in series.
[0004]
The secondary filter 3 is formed of, for example, a carbon filter, a hollow fiber membrane, a microfilter, or the like, and removes impurities having a size of up to 0.01 μm from impurities contained in raw water. A pressure sensor 6 for detecting the supply of raw water is disposed at the subsequent stage of the purified water supply port 31 of the secondary filter 3, and the second electromagnetic valve 7 is disposed at the purified water nozzle 31 a branched at the subsequent stage of the pressure sensor 6. In addition, the third electromagnetic valve 8 is disposed in the purified water transfer pipe 31b branched at the subsequent stage of the pressure sensor 6. The second electromagnetic valve 7 and the third electromagnetic valve 8 are driven and controlled by a control device (not shown).
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the water purifier cleaning method based on the above-described configuration is operated by the control device from the fourth electromagnetic valve 9 to the third electromagnetic valve 8 by pressing a cleaning button (not shown). The RO membrane of the RO membrane filter 4 is opened by sequentially opening the solenoid valves 5 and starting the pump P on condition that the pressure sensor 6 detects the supply of raw water (directly supply of purified water). The surface is flushed with a high-speed water flow.
[0006]
Further, when the water purifier is in a cleaning mode in which only purified water is supplied, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), when the water purifier button (not shown) is pressed, the control device starts from the second electromagnetic valve 7. The first electromagnetic valve 5 is sequentially opened in order, and the purified water generated by the primary filter 2 and the secondary filter 3 is supplied from the purified water nozzle 31a. Further, when the water purifier is in the RO water mode for generating fresh water, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), when the fresh water button (not shown) is pressed, the control device starts from the third solenoid valve 8. The primary solenoid valve 5 is opened in order, and the pump P is activated on condition that the pressure sensor 6 has detected the purified water generated by the primary filter 2 and the secondary filter 3. When the pump P is activated, purified water is supplied to the RO membrane filter 4 at a predetermined pressure. The RO membrane filter 4 generates fresh water and stores it in the fresh water tank 400.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional water purification apparatus cleaning method, the cleaning operation may not be performed for a long period of time because the cleaning operation is not performed unless the operator presses the cleaning button separately as described above. In this case, there is a problem that the RO membrane filter is deteriorated. In particular, when a filter such as a hollow fiber membrane (corresponding to the secondary filter 3 or the primary filter 2 shown in FIG. 7) is disposed in front of the RO membrane filter 4, the RO membrane filter is removed from this filter. Since it is clean water between 4 and 4, if it is not used for medium and long periods, germs and the like will propagate, and these germs and the like will deteriorate the RO membrane filter 4.
[0008]
In addition, when the cleaning operation is automatically executed at predetermined intervals or when RO membrane deterioration is detected, an accumulator that integrates the usage time, the number of times of use, etc., and a detector that detects deterioration are separately provided. It has a problem that the apparatus configuration is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.
[0009]
Further, in the conventional cleaning method, since the cleaning operation is performed at predetermined intervals or by detecting the deterioration, when the cleaning operation is executed when generating fresh water in the RO water mode or during the generation, a preset cleaning is performed. The operator has to wait for the operation time, and the problem is that the usability is remarkably deteriorated.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, to provide a water purification equipment that can prevent deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane improves the arbitrarily used by performing a washing operation without inhibiting the production operation Shimizu With the goal.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The water purifier according to the present invention includes a pressurizing pump disposed upstream of a reverse osmosis membrane filter, a flow control valve and a solenoid valve disposed in parallel downstream, and water passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter by closing the solenoid valve. In the water purifier that maintains the water pressure at a predetermined value, the fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis action, and the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed by the flushing action by opening the solenoid valve. The reverse osmosis membrane filter is automatically washed by a flushing action, and is provided in the previous stage of the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and includes one or a plurality of previous stage filters for removing purified water to produce purified water, front filter, which has to perform the cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane filter before having means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the reverse osmosis membrane, executing the means That.
[0011]
In addition, the water purifier according to the present invention is provided with a pressurizing pump in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and a flow rate control valve and a solenoid valve in parallel in the subsequent stage, if necessary, and the reverse osmosis by closing the solenoid valve. In the water purifier that maintains the water pressure of the water passing through the membrane filter at a predetermined value, thereby generating fresh water by reverse osmosis, and cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane filter by flushing by opening the solenoid valve. The reverse osmosis membrane filter is automatically washed by the flushing action every time the fresh water is generated, and is disposed in the front stage of the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and removes impurities of raw water to generate purified water. comprising a front filter, the front filter has a means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the reverse osmosis membrane, rows cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane filter before performing the said means It is obtained by way.
[0012]
In addition, the water purifier according to the present invention is provided with a pressurizing pump in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and a flow rate control valve and a solenoid valve in parallel in the subsequent stage, if necessary, and the reverse osmosis by closing the solenoid valve. In the water purifier that maintains the water pressure of the water passing through the membrane filter at a predetermined value, thereby generating fresh water by reverse osmosis, and cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane filter by flushing by opening the solenoid valve. One or a plurality of washing the reverse osmosis membrane filter by the flushing action automatically every time before the production of the fresh water, and disposed in the front stage of the reverse osmosis membrane filter to remove the impurities of the raw water to produce purified water comprises a front filter, the front filter has a means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the reverse osmosis membrane, the cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane filter before performing the said means It is obtained by way Nau.
[0014]
Moreover, as for the water purifier which concerns on this invention, the washing | cleaning of a reverse osmosis membrane filter is performed by the purified water produced | generated by the front | former stage filter as needed .
[0015]
[Action]
In the present invention, the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed by the flushing action before generating fresh water with the reverse osmosis membrane filter, so that contaminated water, for example, stagnant water is used as flushing supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter. Therefore , it is possible to avoid use for producing fresh water , preventing the reverse osmosis membrane filter from being deteriorated and improving usability.
[0016]
In the present invention, the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed by flushing every time fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis membrane filter. The cleaning time per round can be shortened as much as possible, preventing deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and improving usability.
[0017]
Further, in the present invention, since fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis membrane filter and every time it is generated, washing by flushing is performed, so that the deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane filter can be further controlled and the user can use it easily. Further improvements can be made.
In particular , in the present invention, the purified water is generated by one or a plurality of upstream filters before the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed before supplying the purified water to the outside. Opportunities for cleaning the osmosis membrane filter are increased, and further, the deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane filter is prevented and the usability is improved .
[0018]
Further, in the present invention, when the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed with the purified water generated by the pre-filter, it is avoided in advance that it is supplied as drinking purified water even if the initially supplied water is contaminated. can do.
[0019]
【Example】
(One embodiment of the present invention)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a timing chart of a cleaning method for a water purifier according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for executing the cleaning method shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram of the operation display unit in FIG.
[0020]
In each of the drawings, the cleaning method of the water purifier according to the present embodiment is the same as the conventional cleaning method, and the cleaning device shown in FIG. 7 is controlled, and this fresh water generation is performed when the RO membrane filter 4 generates fresh water. In this configuration, the RO membrane of the RO membrane filter 4 is flushed and washed for a predetermined time T1 (for example, 20 seconds). The production of fresh water by the RO membrane filter 4 is performed by the reverse osmosis action of the RO membrane filter 4 while maintaining the water pressure from the pump P at a predetermined value by the flow rate control valve 43 disposed in the subsequent stage. Further, the flushing cleaning removes dirt and the like adhering to the surface of the RO membrane filter 4 by the water pressure urged by the pump P by opening the fourth electromagnetic valve 9 arranged in parallel with the flow control valve 43. To do so.
[0021]
The washing operation will be described separately for a purified water supply operation mode and a fresh water supply operation RO membrane mode.
First, when the power is turned on, the operation display unit 110 enters a stop mode (A1) in which the power lamp 111 is lit as shown in FIG. In the figure, white circles are turned off, black circles are turned on, and half-black circles indicate blinking. When the water purification button 112 of the operation unit 120 is pressed in the stop mode, the control device 100 instructs the operation display unit 110 to turn on the water purification lamp 113 (see FIG. 3C), and Similarly to the conventional method described in FIG. 6B, the second electromagnetic valve 7 to the first electromagnetic valve 5 are opened in this order. The raw water supplied by opening the electromagnetic valves 5 and 7 is purified by the primary filter 2 and the secondary filter 3, and the purified water is supplied from the purified water nozzle 31a.
[0022]
When stopping the supply of the purified water, when the purified water button 122 is pressed again, the control device 100 is closed in the order of the primary electromagnetic valve 5 to the second electromagnetic valve 7 and the water purification operation is finished. Along with the end of the purified water supply operation, the control device 100 changes the operation display unit 110 to the display state of the stop mode (A1) shown in FIG.
[0023]
Next, when the RO fresh water button 112 of the operation unit 120 is pressed in the stop mode (A1), the control device 100 instructs the operation display unit 110 to display, and first, as shown in FIG. The mode is shifted to the membrane cleaning mode, the RO fresh water lamp 112 is flashed and the cleaning lamp 114 is flashed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 100 sequentially opens the fourth electromagnetic valve 9 to the third electromagnetic valve 8 and then the first electromagnetic valve 5 in the order. When the pressure sensor 6 in which purified water is generated by the primary filter 3 and the secondary filter 4 detects the supply of purified water by opening the electromagnetic valves 5, 8, and 9, the control device 100 controls the pump P based on the detection signal. Command to start.
[0024]
When the pump P is started, flushing cleaning of the RO membrane of the RO membrane filter 4 is started. After a predetermined time T1 from the start of the flushing cleaning, the control device 100 closes the fourth electromagnetic valve 7 to end the cleaning operation. Upon completion of this cleaning operation, the operation display unit 110 changes the display to the RO water mode shown in FIG. 3D and causes the RO fresh water lamp 112 to blink.
[0025]
In this RO membrane mode, the purified water pressurized by the pump P generates fresh water supplied to the RO membrane filter 4 at a predetermined pressure and stores it in the tank 400. When the storage of fresh water in the tank 400 reaches a predetermined water level, the limit switch 410 is activated and outputs a detection signal to the control device 100. The control device 100 closes the first electromagnetic valve 5, and the pressure sensor 6 Based on the detection signal, the pump P is stopped, the third solenoid valve 31 is closed, and the fresh water supply operation is terminated. Upon completion of this fresh water supply operation, the control device 100 shifts the operation display unit 110 to the full water mode (B3) shown in FIG. 3 (G) and lights up the RO membrane fresh water lamp 112.
[0026]
When the water purification button 122 is pressed in either the RO cleaning mode (B1), the RO water mode or (B2) or the full water mode (B3), the control device 100 stops the operation of each mode. Then, the operation display unit 110 is changed to the display of the purified water mode in FIG.
[0027]
When the cleaning button 123 of the operation unit 120 is pressed and a forced cleaning operation is input to the control device 100, the control device 100 performs the fourth electromagnetic operation in the same manner as the conventional method shown in FIG. The valve 2 to the third electromagnetic valve 8 and then the first electromagnetic valve 5 are sequentially opened in order, and the pump 6 is started based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 6 to forcibly execute the flushing cleaning. The flushing cleaning time in this case is a time T2 (for example, 3 minutes) in which the RO cleaning mode executed prior to the RO water mode shown in FIG. 1 is longer than the cleaning time T1 (for example, 20 seconds). T2> T1) is set.
[0028]
In addition, the detection signal of the pressure sensor 6 is not output during each operation in any of the RO cleaning mode (B1), the RO water mode (B2), the water purification mode (C1), and the cleaning mode (D1). The control device 100 shifts to the water stop mode (E1). This water stop mode (E1) is an abnormal situation such as a stop of raw water supply or erroneous faucet closing operation as a specific example, so that RO fresh water lamp 112, water purification lamp 113, washing lamp 114, primary / secondary An abnormal situation is notified by blinking all of the filter lamp 115 and the RO membrane filter lamp 116. If measures such as opening the faucet or resuming the supply of raw water are taken in this water stop mode (E1), the operation returns to the RO cleaning mode (B1), the water purification mode (C1) or the cleaning mode (D1) again. Executed. Moreover, when these treatments are not taken for 20 seconds or more, the process shifts to the stop mode (A1).
[0029]
(Another embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 4A shows an operation timing chart of the method of another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the cleaning method for the water purifier according to the present embodiment generates purified water by the primary filter 2 and the secondary filter 3 and supplies the purified water from the purified water nozzle 31a to the outside for a predetermined time at the beginning of the purified water mode (C1). In this configuration, the RO cleaning mode for cleaning the RO membrane filter 4 of T1 is executed.
[0030]
Next, the operation of this embodiment based on the above configuration will be described. First, when the power is turned on, the stop mode (A1) is entered as in the embodiment shown in FIG. When the water purification button 122 of the operation unit 120 is pressed in this state, the control device 100 instructs the operation display unit 110 to display, and the water purification lamp 113 and the washing lamp are set as the RO washing mode (C2) shown in FIG. 114 is displayed blinking. Further, the control device 100 sequentially opens the fourth electromagnetic valve 9 to the third electromagnetic valve 8 and then the first electromagnetic valve 5 in the order as shown in FIG. When the electromagnetic valves 5, 8, and 9 are opened, purified water is generated by the primary filter 3 and the secondary filter 4, and when the pressure sensor 6 detects supply of purified water, the control device 100 controls the pump P based on this detection signal. Command to start.
[0031]
When the pump P is started, flushing cleaning of the RO membrane of the RO membrane filter 4 is started. When the flushing cleaning operation is executed for a predetermined time T1, the control device 100 stops the pump P, opens the second electromagnetic valve 7, and ends the cleaning operation. After the second electromagnetic valve 7 is opened, the third and fourth electromagnetic valves 8 and 9 are closed to supply purified water from the purified water nozzle 31a. Moreover, the control apparatus 100 displays the operation | movement display part 110 by turning on the water purification lamp 113 as the water purification mode (C1) shown to FIG. 4 (B).
[0032]
When stopping the supply of purified water, when the purified water button 122 is pressed again, the control device 100 closes in the order of the first electromagnetic valve 5 to the second electromagnetic valve 7 and ends the purified water supply operation. At the end of this cleaning supply operation, the control device 100 changes the operation display unit 110 to the display state of the stop mode (A1) shown in FIG.
In addition, in each said Example, it can also be set as the external appearance structure of a water purifier as shown in FIG.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the raw water is drained and the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed before the fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis membrane filter. As a result, it is possible to avoid the use of the water as the supply water, thereby preventing the reverse osmosis membrane filter from being deteriorated and improving the usability.
In addition, in the present invention, since the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed as raw water and waste water every time fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis membrane filter, the contamination level of the supplied raw water is reduced by increasing the number of washings. The cleaning time per one time can be shortened as much as possible, and the reverse osmosis membrane filter is prevented from being deteriorated and the usability is improved.
Further, in the present invention, since the water purification operation is performed before and every time the fresh water is generated by the reverse osmosis membrane filter, the deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane filter can be further suppressed, and the use is further improved. It has the effect that it can be improved.
Further, in the present invention, the purified water is generated by one or a plurality of upstream filters before the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed before supplying the purified water to the outside. Opportunities for cleaning the osmosis membrane filter are increased, and further, the deterioration of the reverse osmosis membrane filter is prevented and the usability is improved .
Further, in the present invention, the reverse osmosis membrane filter is washed with the purified water generated by the pre-stage filter, so that the reverse osmosis membrane filter is further prevented from deteriorating, improving the ease of use, and suitable for drinking. Has the effect of always supplying. In particular, when the purified water is supplied to the outside, it is possible to avoid supplying the purified water as drinking water even if the original water is contaminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a timing chart of a cleaning method for a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a control system that executes the cleaning method shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram of an operation display unit in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4A is an operation timing chart of a cleaning method of a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
(B) It is a state transition diagram of the operation | movement display part of the washing | cleaning method of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention.
FIG. 5 is an external view of the cleaning device shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart of a cleaning method of a conventional cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general cleaning apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water switching valve 2 Primary filter 3 Secondary filter 4 RO membrane filter 5 1st solenoid valve 6 Pressure sensor 7 2nd solenoid valve 8 3rd solenoid valve 9 4th solenoid valve 11 Constant flow valve 12 Safety valve 31a Purified water nozzle 100 Controller 110 Operation display section 111 Power lamp 112 Fresh water lamp 113 Clean water lamp 114 Wash lamp 115 Primary / secondary filter lamp 116 RO membrane filter lamp 120 Operation section 122 Clean water button 123 Wash button 400 Tank 410 Limit switch P Pump

Claims (3)

A pressurizing pump is disposed in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and a flow control valve and a solenoid valve are disposed in parallel in the subsequent stage, and the water pressure passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is maintained at a predetermined value by closing the solenoid valve. In a water purifier that performs clean water generation by reverse osmosis and cleans the reverse osmosis membrane filter by flushing by opening a solenoid valve, the reverse of the flushing action is automatically performed before the above-mentioned fresh water generation. The osmosis membrane filter includes one or a plurality of upstream filters that are disposed upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and remove impurities of raw water to generate purified water, and the upstream filter includes the reverse osmosis membrane. A water purifier having a means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the filter, and washing the reverse osmosis membrane filter before executing the means . A pressurizing pump is disposed in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and a flow control valve and a solenoid valve are disposed in parallel in the subsequent stage, and the water pressure passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is maintained at a predetermined value by closing the solenoid valve. In a water purifier that performs clean water generation by reverse osmosis action and cleans the reverse osmosis membrane filter by flushing action by opening a solenoid valve, it automatically reverses by flushing action every time the fresh water is generated. The osmosis membrane filter includes one or a plurality of upstream filters that are disposed upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and remove impurities of raw water to generate purified water, and the upstream filter includes the reverse osmosis membrane. A water purifier having a means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the filter, and washing the reverse osmosis membrane filter before executing the means . A pressurizing pump is disposed in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter, and a flow control valve and a solenoid valve are disposed in parallel in the subsequent stage, and the water pressure passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter is maintained at a predetermined value by closing the solenoid valve. In a water purifier that performs clean water generation by reverse osmosis and cleans the reverse osmosis membrane filter by flushing by opening a solenoid valve, before the above fresh water generation, The reverse osmosis membrane filter is provided with one or a plurality of pre-stage filters that are disposed in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter and remove impurities of raw water to generate purified water, and the pre-stage filter includes the reverse osmosis filter. A water purifier having a means for supplying purified water to the outside without passing through the membrane, and washing the reverse osmosis membrane filter before executing the means .

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