JP3700355B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water purifier having a function of removing chalk and trihalomethane and recovering its removal ability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to recover the ability to remove activated carbon, a method of heating the activated carbon using a heating element such as a sheathed heater has been used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the activated carbon is heated by the above conventional method, the heat transfer of the activated carbon is poor, and the temperature of the part facing the heat source becomes too high, and it takes a very long time to heat the whole. was there.
[0004]
The present invention provides a water purifier for solving the above-mentioned problems, and heats activated carbon using a heating element that has a large heat generation area per unit volume for heating activated carbon and can be uniformly heated. Thus, an object is to provide a water purifier capable of heating activated carbon uniformly and at high speed.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problems, the present invention provides activated carbon, a heating element for heating the activated carbon, a container for storing the activated carbon and the heating element, and induction heating the heating element from the outside of the container. A heating coil; a high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil; an activated carbon temperature measuring means for detecting the temperature of the activated carbon; and a process control means for controlling operations of the high-frequency power supply means and the activated carbon temperature measuring means. The heating element is a water purifier having a metal plate formed so that at least a part of the heating element is electrically closed circuit, and the heating area per unit volume for heating the activated carbon is wide and uniform. By heating the activated carbon using a heating element that can be heated, a water purifier that can heat the activated carbon uniformly and at high speed can be provided.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is an activated carbon, a heating element for heating the activated carbon, a container for storing the activated carbon and the heating element, and a heating coil for induction heating the heating element from the outside of the container. A high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil; an activated carbon temperature measuring means for detecting the temperature of the activated carbon; and a process control means for controlling operations of the high-frequency power supply means and the activated carbon temperature measuring means. The heating element is a water purifier having a metal plate formed so that at least a part thereof is electrically closed. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the heating element has a structure in which a metal plate is formed in a spiral shape and the winding start and winding end are electrically connected.
[0007]
Thus, when the removal capability is restored, the activated carbon is heated by applying high frequency power from the high frequency power supply means to the heating coil and heating the heating element according to the principle of induction heating.
By making the heating element at this time into a spiral shape in which the beginning and end of the winding are electrically connected, the heating area per unit volume used for heating the activated carbon can be widened and heated uniformly. Can be heated uniformly and at high speed.
[0008]
Further, the invention described in claim 3 is a water purifier having a structure in which a metal plate is formed as a heating element so that eddy currents flowing in adjacent surfaces flow in the opposite direction, and the uniform heating property is improved. Therefore, there is no local high temperature part, the activated carbon heating temperature can be set high, and the removal ability recovery time can be further shortened.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 4 is a water purifier having a structure in which a plurality of non-magnetic metal rings are arranged concentrically as a heating element, and has a heat generation area per unit volume in a shape that is easy to manufacture. Therefore, it is possible to provide a water purifier having a removal capability recovery function at a low cost.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 5 is a water purifier having a structure in which a magnetic metal plate is bent into a star shape as a heating element, and is easy to manufacture and easy to perform induction heating. Since the heat generation area per unit volume can be increased with the metal plate, a water purifier capable of recovering the removal capability can be manufactured more inexpensively and easily.
[0011]
Moreover, invention of Claim 6 is made into the water purifier which has a time measuring means, By using a time measuring means, removal capability recovery | restoration can be performed at the time which the user set, and water purifier use is possible. It is possible to provide a water purifier that can recover the removal capacity without hindering.
[0012]
Further, the invention according to claim 7 is a water purifier having a flow rate integrating means, and by using the flow rate integrating means, the removal capability can be recovered according to the amount of the purified water that has been removed. It is possible to provide a water purifier that can save energy required for capacity recovery.
[0013]
The invention described in claim 8 is a water purifier having a discharge water temperature measuring means, and can provide a water purifier capable of adjusting the high frequency power by the discharge temperature measuring means and discharging hot water.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 9 is a water purifier provided with a closed magnetic circuit so as to include a heating element and a heating coil inside, and by providing the closed magnetic circuit, the magnetism of the heating coil and the heat exchange element is provided. It is possible to improve the effective bonding and facilitate the heating when the removal ability is recovered.
[0015]
【Example】
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, Example 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, 101 is activated carbon for removing chalk and trihalomethane, 102 is a heating element for restoring the removal capability, 103 is a container for storing the activated carbon 101 and the heating element 102, and 104 is for guiding the heating element 102. A heating coil for heating, 105 is a high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil, 106 is an activated carbon temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the activated carbon 101, 107 is a high-frequency power supply means 105 and an activated carbon temperature measuring means. A process control unit for controlling the operation of 106.
[0016]
This configuration can be easily realized by using a stainless steel plate for the heating element 102, an inverter circuit for the high frequency power supply means 105, a thermistor for the activated carbon temperature measuring means 106, and a microcomputer for the process control unit 107.
[0017]
Usually, the user passes water through the container 103 and uses the water from which the charcoal and trihalomethane have been removed by the activated carbon 101 for drinking.
[0018]
When the removal capability recovery is started by the user's instruction, the process control unit 107 operates the high-frequency power supply unit 105 and supplies power to the heating element 102 by the heating coil 104. At this time, the magnetic flux generated by the high-frequency current flowing through the heating coil passes through the stainless steel plate of the heating element 102, and eddy current is generated. Therefore, Joule heat is generated in the heating element 102, and the activated carbon 101 is heated by the heated stainless steel plate. The process control unit 107 heats the activated carbon 101 by switching on and off the operation of the high-frequency power supply unit 105 while monitoring the activated carbon temperature by the activated carbon temperature measuring unit 106 so that the activated carbon temperature does not excessively increase (for example, 200 ° C.). Min) After heating, finish heating.
[0019]
The removal of trihalomethane is performed by the adsorption action of the activated carbon 101, but the adsorbed low boiling point organic matter can be released by raising the temperature of the activated carbon 101 to near the boiling point of water. At this time, the released trihalomethane is discharged out of the activated carbon 101 together with the steamed water. Therefore, the trihalomethane removal capability can be recovered by raising the temperature of the activated carbon 101 by the heating element 102 as described above. Further, although the chalk is removed by the reaction, the reaction area for removing the chalk can be recovered by removing the trihalomethane, which leads to the recovery of the chalk removing ability.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows the structure of the heating element 102. Here, 201 indicated by a solid line is a spiral structure of a stainless steel plate, and the start and end of winding are electrically connected by a connection structure 202. Since the stainless steel plate 201 forms an electrical closed loop by the connection structure 202, a uniform eddy current flows through the stainless steel plate 201. Therefore, since the Joule heat becomes uniform, a uniform heat source having a large heat exchange area per unit volume can be realized by narrowing the space between the spiral structures. By making an electrical closed loop using the connection structure 202 in this way, a large eddy current can flow even in nonmagnetic stainless steel.
[0021]
In addition, a portion through which water in the void portion of this structure passes is filled with activated carbon 101 and functions as a portion for removing chalk and trihalomethane.
[0022]
Here, the heat exchange area of the heating element 102 is A, the amount of heat of the electric power supplied from the heating element 102 is Q, the heat transfer rate to the activated carbon 101 is h, the temperature difference between the temperature of the heating element 102 and the heat transfer surface of the activated carbon 101. Where ΔT is ΔT, these relationships can be expressed as ΔT = Q / (A · h). As ΔT is smaller, the temperature of the heat transfer surface of the activated carbon 101 can be lowered. Therefore, by increasing the number of turns of the spiral structure and increasing the heat generation area, ΔT is reduced, and the amount of heat Q is increased to provide uniform and high speed. The activated carbon 101 can be heated.
[0023]
By the operation as described above, the activated carbon 101 is heated uniformly using the heating element 102 which has a wide heating area per unit volume for heating the activated carbon and can be heated uniformly, thereby making the activated carbon 101 uniform and high speed. A water purifier that can be heated can be provided.
[0024]
In this embodiment, stainless steel is used as the metal plate of the heating element 102, but it goes without saying that any metal plate that generates eddy currents may be used.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the heating element 102 is used for recovery of the removal capability, but it can be sterilized by heating.
[0026]
(Example 2)
Hereinafter, Example 2 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a heating element 301 according to the second embodiment. In this figure, the heating element 301 shown by a solid line is made of a stainless steel plate, and performs the same function as that of the first embodiment except for the part described in a dare manner. Therefore, the overall configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0027]
In addition, a portion through which water in the void portion of this structure passes is filled with activated carbon 101 and functions as a portion for removing chalk and trihalomethane.
[0028]
When the heating element is formed in a spiral shape and the space between the spiral structures is reduced, the magnetic flux generated by the eddy current flowing in the adjacent metal plates cancels out as shown in FIG. Although the current decreases and becomes non-uniform, by configuring the heat exchange element as shown in FIG. 3, the adjacent magnetic fluxes are strengthened as shown in FIG. A uniform eddy current will flow. Therefore, the distance between adjacent metal plates can be reduced, and the heat exchange area per unit volume can be increased. Therefore, from the relationship ΔT = Q / (A · h), the temperature of the heating element 102 and the activated carbon 101 ΔT, which is the temperature difference between the heat transfer surfaces, can be further reduced.
[0029]
By the operation as described above, a water purifier that can further shorten the removal capability recovery time can be provided by configuring the heating element 102 with higher uniform heating property and heating the activated carbon 101.
[0030]
(Example 3)
Hereinafter, Example 3 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the heating element 501 of the third embodiment. The heating element 501 indicated by the solid line in this figure is made of a nonmagnetic stainless steel plate, and functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment except for the part that is deliberately described. Therefore, the overall configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0031]
In addition, a portion through which water in the void portion of this structure passes is filled with activated carbon 101 and functions as a portion for removing chalk and trihalomethane.
[0032]
When the length of the heating coil 104 is sufficiently longer than the diameter and is close to the ideal coil, the magnetic flux in the coil becomes uniform. In this case, since the magnetic permeability of nonmagnetic stainless steel is 1, if the nonmagnetic stainless steel plate is formed concentrically as shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic flux passing through the nonmagnetic stainless steel plate becomes uniform. Therefore, a uniform eddy current flows for each circumference, and a uniform heat source can be realized. Since the heating element 501 is configured as shown in FIG. 5 and the number of concentric circles is increased, the heat exchange area can be increased. Therefore, from the relationship of ΔT = Q / (A · h), the temperature of the heating element 102 and the activated carbon ΔT, which is the temperature difference of the heat transfer surface 101, can be further reduced.
[0033]
By operating as described above, it is possible to provide a removal capability recovery function at low cost by configuring multiple non-magnetic metal ring heating elements with a shape that is easier to manufacture and a large heat exchange area per unit volume. it can.
[0034]
Needless to say, when the uniformity of heat generation is not so important, it is not necessary to make the shape of the heating coil 102 close to the ideal coil.
[0035]
(Example 4)
Hereinafter, Example 4 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a heating element 601 according to the fourth embodiment. The heating element 601 indicated by the solid line in this figure is made of a magnetic stainless steel plate, and functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment except for the part that is described. Therefore, the overall configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0036]
In addition, a portion through which water in the void portion of this structure passes is filled with activated carbon 101 and functions as a portion for removing chalk and trihalomethane.
[0037]
Eddy currents that flow during induction heating are concentrated on the surface of the metal plate through which eddy currents flow due to a phenomenon called skin effect. The skin thickness δ, which indicates the thickness through which this eddy current flows, is δ = (2ρ / (ω ・ μ)) ^ (1/2) where ρ is the volume resistivity, ω is the angular frequency, and μ is the magnetic permeability. It is represented by Therefore, the magnetic stainless steel having a high magnetic permeability μ is much thinner than the nonmagnetic stainless steel. For example, the skin thickness of SUS430, which is magnetic stainless steel, is about 0.28 [mm] at 20 [kHz], and the skin thickness of SUS304, which is nonmagnetic stainless steel, is about 3.02 [mm] at 20 [kHz]. . The skin thickness is about the same even if the steel type changes. Since the thickness of stainless steel that is generally available is about 0.3 [mm], when magnetic stainless steel is used, eddy current flows only about one thin stainless steel plate. Therefore, when a uniform heating element is formed using magnetic stainless steel, which is a general metal plate, the surface needs to be formed of a single plate. Therefore, since the heat generating element 601 is configured as shown in FIG. 6 and the heat exchange area can be increased by increasing the number of ridges, the temperature of the heat generating element 102 can be determined from the relationship ΔT = Q / (A · h). ΔT, which is the temperature difference between the heat transfer surfaces of the activated carbon 101 and the activated carbon 101, can be reduced.
[0038]
By the operation as described above, it is easy to perform induction heating, use a metal with a thickness that is easy to obtain, and form a heating element with a large heat exchange area per unit volume with a shape that is easy to manufacture, and can be removed A capability recovery function can be provided at a lower cost.
[0039]
(Example 5)
Hereinafter, Example 5 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, except for the part which dares to mention, when performing the same function as Example 1, it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a time measuring means for recovering the removal ability at the time set by the user. This configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer as the time measuring means 701.
[0040]
The time measuring means 701 has a clock function and a removal capability recovery start time storage function. The user operates the time measuring means 701 to set a time (for example, at night) for the water purifier to recover the removal capability. The stroke control unit 107 monitors the clock function of the time measuring means 701 and executes the above-described removal capability recovery process at the time set by the user.
[0041]
By the operation as described above, by using the time measuring means, it is possible to recover the removal ability at the time set by the user, and the water purifier that can perform the removal ability recovery without disturbing the use of the water purifier. Can be provided.
[0042]
(Example 6)
Hereinafter, Example 6 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, except for the part which dares to mention, when performing the same function as Example 1, it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a flow rate integrating means for measuring the amount of purified water. The flow rate integrating means 801 has a configuration in which an impeller embedded with a Hall element is attached to a water channel, rotated by the flow of water, and the amount of water obtained by observing the movement of the Hall element is accumulated and stored by a microcomputer. By doing so, this configuration can be easily realized.
[0043]
When the user uses the water purifier, the flow rate integrating means 801 calculates and integrates the amount of water used from the rotational speed and time. When a predetermined amount of water is used, the process control unit 107 prompts the user to perform a removal ability recovery process, and executes the above-described removal ability recovery process according to a user instruction.
[0044]
By the operation as described above, by using the flow rate integrating means, it is possible to recover the removal capacity according to the amount of purified water, and it is possible to save energy necessary for recovery of the removal capacity. Can provide water purifier.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the amount of water used for the removal capability recovery step is fixed, but it may be increased or decreased depending on the environment used.
[0046]
(Example 7)
Hereinafter, Example 7 is demonstrated based on an accompanying drawing. In addition, except for the part which dares to mention, when performing the same function as Example 1, it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.
In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a discharge temperature measuring means for measuring the water temperature after passing through the activated carbon 101, and reference numeral 902 denotes a discharge temperature setting means. This configuration can be easily realized by using a thermistor for the discharge temperature measuring means 901 and a switch for the discharge temperature setting means 902.
[0047]
When the user sets the temperature with the discharge temperature setting means 902 and instructs a temperature higher than the water temperature, the process control unit 107 controls the operation of the high-frequency power supply means 105 while monitoring the discharge temperature measuring means 901, Discharge the temperature indicated by. Thereby, the user can obtain hot water for cooking by using hot water for washing dishes or by discharging the hot water immediately after the removal ability is recovered.
[0048]
By the operation as described above, it is possible to provide a water purifier capable of adjusting the high frequency power by the discharge temperature measuring means and discharging hot water.
[0049]
(Example 8)
Hereinafter, Example 8 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, except for the part which dares to mention, when performing the same function as Example 1, it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a closed magnetic circuit configured to include the heating element 102 and the heating coil 104. In addition, this structure is easily realizable by using a ferrite or a silicon steel plate for the closed magnetic circuit 1001. FIG.
[0050]
When the closed magnetic circuit 1001 is used as shown in FIG. 10, the heating element 102 and the heating coil 104 are shaped like a transformer wound around the same core, and the coupling is not performed within the range where the magnetic flux in the closed magnetic circuit 1001 is not saturated. Become very strong. Accordingly, since the leakage magnetic flux is almost eliminated, the power supplied from the high frequency power supply means 103 through the heating coil 102 is transmitted very efficiently.
[0051]
By the operation described above, by providing a closed magnetic path so as to include the heating element and the heating coil, the magnetic coupling between the heating element and the heating coil is improved, and heating at the recovery of the removal capability is facilitated. Can provide water purifier.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second aspects of the invention, when the removal capability is recovered, the activated carbon is heated by applying high frequency power from the high frequency power supply means to the heating coil and heating the heating element according to the principle of induction heating. By making the heating element at this time into a spiral shape in which the beginning and end of the winding are electrically connected, the heating area per unit volume used for heating the activated carbon can be widened and heated uniformly. Can be heated uniformly and at high speed.
[0053]
Moreover, according to invention of Claim 3, as a heat generating body, it is set as the water purifier which has the structure which formed the metal plate so that the eddy current which flows into an adjacent surface may flow in the opposite direction, and improves uniform heating property. Therefore, there is no local high temperature part, the activated carbon heating temperature can be set high, and the removal ability recovery time can be further shortened.
[0054]
In addition, according to the invention described in claim 4, a heat purifier having a structure in which a plurality of non-magnetic metal rings are concentrically arranged as a heating element has a shape that is easy to manufacture and generates heat per unit volume. Since the area can be increased, a water purifier having a recovery capability recovery function can be provided at low cost.
[0055]
According to the invention described in claim 5, by using a water purifier having a structure formed by bending a magnetic metal plate into a star shape as a heating element, it is possible to perform induction heating in a shape that is easy to manufacture. Since the heat generating area per unit volume can be increased with an easy metal plate, a water purifier capable of recovering the removal capability can be manufactured more inexpensively and easily.
[0056]
Moreover, according to invention of Claim 6, by using a time measuring means, removal capability recovery | restoration can be performed in the time which the user set, and removal capability recovery | restoration can be performed without disturbing use of a water purifier. Can provide water purifier.
[0057]
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, by using the flow rate integrating means, it is possible to recover the removal capacity according to the amount of purified water, and save energy required for recovery of the removal capacity. be able to.
[0058]
Moreover, according to invention of Claim 8, the water purifier which can adjust high frequency electric power by a discharge temperature measurement means and can discharge hot water can be provided.
[0059]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by providing a closed magnetic path so as to include the heating element and the heating coil, the magnetic coupling between the heating element and the heating coil is improved, and heating at the time of recovery of the removal capability is performed. It is possible to provide a water purifier that is easy to perform.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water purifier showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heating element of the water purifier. FIG. 3 (a) shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Top view of heating element of water purifier (b) Side view of heating element of water purifier [FIG. 4] (a) The heating element of the water purifier showing the second embodiment of the present invention is configured in a spiral shape, Fig. 5 (b) State diagram when the heat generating element of the water purifier is configured as a heat exchange element. Fig. 5 (a) Purified water according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a top view of the heating element of the water purifier. FIG. 6A is a top view of the heating element of the water purifier showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Side view of heating element of water purifier FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a water purifier showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a water purifier showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Water purifier showing the seventh embodiment of the present invention Diagram of water purifier of an eighth embodiment of the block diagram Figure 10] This invention describes the code]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Activated carbon 102,301,501,601 Heating body 103 Container 104 Heating coil 105 High frequency electric power supply means 106 Activated carbon temperature measuring means 107 Process control part 201 Spiral structure 202 by stainless steel plate Connection structure 701 Time measuring means 801 Flow rate integrating means 901 Discharge temperature measurement Means 902 Discharge temperature setting means 1001 Closed magnetic circuit

Claims (9)

Activated carbon, a heating element for heating the activated carbon, a container for storing the activated carbon and the heating element, a heating coil for induction heating the heating element from the outside of the container, and high frequency power to the heating coil A high-frequency power supply means for supplying; an activated carbon temperature measuring means for detecting the temperature of the activated carbon; and a process control means for controlling operations of the high-frequency power supply means and the activated carbon temperature measuring means. The water purifier which has the metal plate formed so that a part may become an electrically closed circuit. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the heating element has a structure in which a metal plate is formed in a spiral shape and a winding start and a winding end are electrically connected. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the heating element has a structure in which eddy currents flowing in adjacent surfaces flow in opposite directions. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the heating element has a structure in which a plurality of nonmagnetic metal rings are concentrically arranged. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the heating element has a structure in which a magnetic metal plate is bent in a star shape. The water purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a time measuring means for setting the removal capacity recovery time. The water purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate integrating means for measuring a total water flow rate. The water purifier of Claim 1 which has a discharge water temperature measurement means. The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a closed magnetic path is provided so as to include the heating element and the heating coil inside.

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