JP4096827B2 - Water purification cartridge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water purification cartridge including a hollow fiber membrane cartridge filled with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes and an activated carbon cartridge filled with activated carbon.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of water purification cartridge is used in, for example, a water purifier or an alkali ion water conditioner. And this water purification cartridge is equipped with a hollow fiber membrane cartridge and an activated carbon cartridge. The hollow fiber membrane cartridge removes foreign substances in water by the filtering action of the hollow fiber membrane. Further, the activated carbon cartridge removes chlorine ions and the like in water by the adsorption action of activated carbon. In this way, water can be purified by the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge.
[0003]
In such a water purification cartridge, one cartridge is constituted by joining a hollow fiber membrane cartridge and an activated carbon cartridge. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a method of joining these cartridges will be briefly described. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views of a water purification cartridge according to the prior art.
[0004]
In the case of the water purification cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 7, these cartridges are joined by fixing the end of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 200 and the end of the activated carbon cartridge 300 over the entire circumference. In addition, X part in a figure is an adhering part. Specific examples of the fixing method include adhesion with an adhesive and welding.
[0005]
Here, when the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 200 and the activated carbon cartridge 300 are fixed by an adhesive, the adhesive may leak into the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 200. Therefore, the filtration function by the hollow fiber membrane may be adversely affected. Moreover, there is a problem that the adhesive strength varies due to variations in the bonding conditions themselves. Furthermore, there are many work processes because it is necessary to perform an adhesive application work and an operation for fixing each cartridge until the adhesive is cured. Furthermore, since the adhesive must be left until it hardens, there is a problem that it takes a long time from the start of the work to the end of the work. Further, in the case of welding, in order to fix the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 200 and the activated carbon cartridge 300 by general ultrasonic welding, there is a problem that the cost increases because a dedicated device is required.
[0006]
In the case of the water purification cartridge 100 a shown in FIG. 8, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 200 and the activated carbon cartridge 300 are joined by a screw 401. In addition, a seal ring 402 for preventing water leakage is disposed on the joint surfaces of these cartridges.
[0007]
In the case of this water purification cartridge 100a, since the some screw | thread 401 and the seal ring 402 are required, there exists a malfunction which a number of parts increases. Along with this, there is a problem that the work process increases.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
One of the objects of the present invention is to simplify the production work of the water purification cartridge.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to reduce costs.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
[0011]
That is, the present invention employs a configuration in which the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge are joined by an engaging portion made of a material having flexibility and exhibiting hermeticity at the engaging portion. .
[0012]
According to the structure of this invention, a hollow fiber membrane cartridge and an activated carbon cartridge can be joined only by the operation | work which engages an engaging part. And since an engaging part has a softness | flexibility, an engagement operation | work is easy. Further, since the engaging part exhibits sealing performance at the engaging part, no separate parts for sealing are required. From the above, the production work of the water purification cartridge can be simplified. Further, the number of parts does not increase, the joining process only needs to be engaged, and no dedicated large-scale device is required. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.
[0013]
As a more specific water purification cartridge of the present invention,
A hollow fiber membrane cartridge filled with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes;
An activated carbon cartridge filled with activated carbon;
A joining member that is disposed between the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge, and joins the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge;
A water purification cartridge with a,
The joining member is
A first engagement portion that engages with an end of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge;
A second engaging portion that engages with an end of the activated carbon cartridge,
And a through-hole through which the water purified by the activated carbon cartridge is sent to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge is formed,
Examples of the joining member include a member having flexibility and made of a material that exhibits sealing performance at the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion .
[0014]
According to the configuration of the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane is obtained only by the operation of engaging the first engagement portion provided in the joining member with the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the operation of engaging the second engagement portion with the activated carbon cartridge. The cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge can be joined.
[0020]
In addition, as a suitable example of the material which has the softness | flexibility demonstrated until now and the sealing performance is exhibited in an engaging part, LDPE (low density polyethylene), nylon (trademark), a polyurethane, a vinyl chloride, and general Typical industrial rubber materials (for example, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, EPDM, etc.) can be mentioned.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the water purification cartridge which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the engagement of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the water purification cartridge 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20, an activated carbon cartridge 30, and a joining member 50 that joins the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and the activated carbon cartridge 30. Is provided.
[0024]
The hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 includes a bottomed cylindrical (cylindrical) case 21, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes filled in the case 21, and a U-shaped folded hollow fiber membrane. A potting portion 23 for sealing and fixing the end portion of the bundle 22 so that only the hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane is opened. A fitting member 40 is fitted to one end of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20. The fitting member 40 is provided with a discharge port 41 for discharging the purified water.
[0025]
The activated carbon cartridge 30 includes a bottomed cylindrical (cylindrical) outer case 31 and a bottomed cylindrical (cylindrical) inner case 32 provided concentrically inside the outer case 31. The annular gap between the outer case 31 and the inner case 32 is filled with granular (powder) activated carbon 35. The activated carbon 35 has a function of adsorbing chlorine ions. In addition, the activated carbon 35 has a function of adsorbing, for example, lead and trihalomethane.
[0026]
The cylindrical portion of the outer case 31 is provided with a plurality of openings 31 a that allow water outside the outer case 31 to enter the inner side of the outer case 31. The bottom portion of the outer case 31 is provided with a support portion 31b that supports and positions one end of the inner case 32. The cylindrical portion of the inner case 32 is provided with a plurality of openings 32 a through which water that has passed through the filling portion of the activated carbon 35 enters the inner case 32.
[0027]
Here, one end side of the inner case 32 is supported by a support portion 51 provided on the joining member 50, and the other end is supported by a support portion 31 b of the outer case 31. Thereby, the inner case 32 is positioned with respect to the outer case 31.
[0028]
In addition, a mesh member 33 that allows water to pass while preventing the passage of activated carbon is provided on the inner periphery of the outer case 31. Further, a mesh member 34 that allows passage of water while preventing passage of activated carbon is also provided on the inner periphery of the inner case 32. However, the mesh member 34 may be provided on the outer periphery of the inner case 32. These mesh members 33 and 34 are provided to prevent the activated carbon from flowing out of the outer case 31 and the inner case 32. Specific examples of the mesh members 33 and 34 include non-woven fabric, cloth, mesh (for example, polyester mesh), filter paper, and fiber. Further, the mesh members 33 and 34 can be fixed by providing portions that sandwich the mesh members 33 and 34 at both ends of the outer case 31 and both ends of the inner case 32, respectively.
[0029]
Next, the usage method of the water purification cartridge 10 comprised in this way is demonstrated. First, water to be purified such as tap water is fed into the outer peripheral portion of the activated carbon cartridge 30. Then, water is guided into the outer case 31 from the plurality of openings 31a. Then, the water is further guided to the inside of the inner case 32 from the plurality of openings 32 a provided in the inner case 32 through the filling portion of the activated carbon 35. Then, the water passes through the inside of the inner case 32 and is discharged from the end of the inner case 32. Through the above process, chlorine ions and the like contained in the water are adsorbed by the activated carbon 35. Thereby, the chlorine ion etc. which are contained in water are removed and water is purified.
[0030]
Then, the water discharged from the inner case 32 is sent to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20. The water fed into the case 21 of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 permeates from the outer wall surface side of the hollow fiber membrane into the hollow interior. In this process, foreign substances contained in the water are removed by the filtering action. Thereafter, the purified water is discharged from the end of the hollow fiber membrane, and is further discharged from the discharge port 41 of the fitting member 40.
[0031]
As described above, according to the water purification cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, the activated carbon cartridge 30 removes chlorine ions and lead contained in water, and the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 contains foreign matter contained in water. Can be removed.
[0032]
Next, the joining of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and the activated carbon cartridge 30 will be described in more detail. The joining member 50 for joining them includes a support portion 51 that supports the inner case 32 of the activated carbon cartridge 30, a first hook 52 that is a first engagement portion that engages with the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20, and the activated carbon cartridge. And a second hook 53 that is a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaging portion. In addition, a through hole for feeding water purified by the activated carbon cartridge 30 into the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is formed inside the support portion 51.
[0033]
The joining member 50 is made of a material that has flexibility and exhibits sealing performance at the engaging portion. Suitable examples of this material include LDPE (low density polyethylene), nylon (registered trademark), polyurethane, vinyl chloride and general industrial rubber materials (for example, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, EPDM, etc. ). By making the material of the joining member in this way, the following effects are exhibited.
[0034]
The first hook 52 and the second hook 53 provided on the joining member 50 are flexible. Therefore, it can bend in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. Thereby, when the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is pushed toward the joining member 50, the first hook 52 bends outward. When the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is further pushed in, the first hook 52 returns to the original position. In this way, the first hook 52 engages with the engaged convex portion 21a provided on the case 21 (see FIG. 2B). Similarly, when the activated carbon cartridge 30 is pushed toward the joining member 50, the second hook 53 bends outward. When the activated carbon cartridge 30 is further pushed in, the second hook 53 returns to the original position. In this way, the second hook 53 engages with the engaged convex portion 31c provided on the outer case 31 (see FIG. 2B). As described above, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and the activated carbon cartridge 30 can be joined by a simple operation of pushing the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and the activated carbon cartridge 30 into the joining member 50. In this case, since the first hook 52 and the second hook 53 are flexible, the force required for engagement is small. Therefore, the engagement work is easy.
[0035]
Moreover, the 1st hook 52 and the 2nd hook 53 exhibit a sealing function in an engaging part. Accordingly, no separate parts for sealing are required.
[0036]
As described above, the production work of the water purification cartridge 10 can be simplified. Further, the number of parts does not increase, the joining process only needs to be engaged, and no dedicated large-scale device is required. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.
[0037]
( Reference Example 1 )
A reference example 1 is shown in FIG. In the said 1st Embodiment, the structure which joins these cartridges by the joining member which has the engaging part engaged with a hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the engaging part engaged with an activated carbon cartridge was shown. In this reference example 1 , the structure which joins these cartridges by providing the engaging part engaged with a hollow fiber membrane cartridge in an activated carbon cartridge is shown. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to Reference Example 1 . As shown in FIG. 3, the water purification cartridge 10 according to Reference Example 1 includes a hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and an activated carbon cartridge 30. The hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.
[0039]
The activated carbon cartridge 30 includes a bottomed cylinder (cylindrical) outer case 36 and a bottomed cylinder (cylindrical) inner case 32 provided concentrically inside the outer case 36. The annular gap between the outer case 36 and the inner case 32 is filled with granular (powder) activated carbon 35. Here, in the said 1st Embodiment, the structure which orient | assigns the opening part of the outer case 31 to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 side was employ | adopted. On the other hand, in the first reference example , a configuration in which the opening of the outer case 36 is directed to the opposite side of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is adopted. Note that the openings of the outer cases 31 and 36 are necessary for the filling operation of the activated carbon 35.
[0040]
In the case of the first embodiment, after the activated carbon 35 is filled, the joining member 50 covers the lid. On the other hand, in the first reference example , the opening of the outer case 36 is covered with a dedicated lid 60. A cylindrical portion 61 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lid 60. The cylindrical portion 61 is press-fitted into the inner periphery of the outer case 36, whereby the lid 60 is joined to the outer case 36. Further, the lid 60 is provided with a support portion 62 that supports and positions one end of the inner case 32.
[0041]
In the first reference example , a hook 36 a that is an engaging portion that engages with the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is provided at the end of the outer case 36. In the first reference example , the outer case 36 is made of a material having flexibility and exhibiting hermeticity at the engaging portion. Suitable examples of this material include LDPE (low density polyethylene), nylon (registered trademark), polyurethane, vinyl chloride and general industrial rubber materials (for example, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, EPDM, etc. ). By doing in this way, the effect similar to the said 1st Embodiment can be acquired. In the case of the present reference example , as compared with the first embodiment, the joining member is unnecessary and the engagement work is only required once.
[0042]
(Other reference examples )
With reference to FIG. 4, the modification of the joining structure of the lid | cover and an outer case in the said reference example 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint portion between the outer case and the lid of the activated carbon cartridge.
[0043]
In the reference example 1 , the configuration in which the lid is fixed to the outer case by press fitting has been described. However, the case where the lid is joined to the outer case can be joined by the same method as the case where the activated carbon cartridge is joined to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a hook 36b that is an engaging portion that engages with the lid 60a may be provided at the end of the outer case 36 on the lid 60a side. Thus, the lid 60a can be joined to the outer case 36 by engaging the hook 36b with the lid 60a.
[0044]
With reference to FIG. 5, the modification of the joining structure of a lid | cover and an outer case is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint portion between the outer case and the lid of the activated carbon cartridge. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the configuration in which the outer case 36 is provided with the hook 36 b is shown. However, even if a hook is provided on the lid, the lid can be joined to the outer case. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a hook 65 a serving as an engaging portion that engages with the outer case 36 is provided on the lid 65. The lid 65 is made of a material that has flexibility and exhibits sealing performance at the engaging portion. On the other hand, the outer case 36 is provided with an engaged protrusion 36c to which the hook 65a is engaged. With the above configuration, the lid 65 can be easily joined to the outer case 36 by engaging the hook 65a with the engaged convex portion 36c.
[0045]
A modification of the engagement structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joining member, a hollow fiber membrane cartridge, and an engaging portion of the joining member and the activated carbon cartridge. In the description so far, only the engagement between the members is shown by the hook. However, the engagement structure is not limited to this. An example is shown in FIG.
[0046]
That is, a cylindrical portion 21 b that protrudes to the outer diameter side of the case 21 main body portion is provided in the case 21 of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20. Similarly, the outer case 31 of the activated carbon cartridge 30 is provided with a cylindrical portion 31 d that protrudes to the outer diameter side from the main body portion of the outer case 31. The engagement member 55 is engaged with the first clamping portion 56 that is the first engagement portion that sandwiches and engages the cylindrical portion 21 b of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20, and the cylindrical portion 31 d of the activated carbon cartridge 30. The 2nd clamping part 57 which is the 2nd engaging part to perform is provided.
[0047]
With such a configuration, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 and the activated carbon cartridge 30 can be easily joined by sandwiching the cylindrical portion 21b by the first sandwiching portion 56 and sandwiching the cylindrical portion 31d by the second sandwiching portion 57.
[0048]
The material of the case 21 of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 20 is required to have good compatibility with the potting agent. Suitable examples of such materials include ABS (acrylic / acrylonitrile / styrene resin). On the other hand, the above-mentioned LDPE (low density polyethylene), nylon and the like are not preferable as the material of the case 21.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the production work of the water purification cartridge. In addition, cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a state of engagement between a hollow fiber membrane cartridge and an activated carbon cartridge.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to Reference Example 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint portion between an outer case and a lid of an activated carbon cartridge.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joint portion between an outer case and a lid of the activated carbon cartridge.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a joining member, a hollow fiber membrane cartridge, and an engaging portion of the joining member and the activated carbon cartridge.
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to the prior art.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purification cartridge according to the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water purification cartridge 20 Hollow fiber membrane cartridge 21 Case 21a Engagement convex part 21b Cylindrical part 22 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 23 Potting part 30 Activated carbon cartridge 31, 36 Outer case 31a Opening part 31b Support part 31c Engagement convex part 31d Cylindrical part 32 Inner case 32a Opening 33, 34 Mesh member 35 Activated carbon 36 Outer case 36a Hook 36b Hook 36c Engagement convex part 40 Fitting member 41 Discharge port 50 Joining member 51 Support part 52 First hook 53 Second hook 55 Engagement Joint member 56 1st clamping part 57 2nd clamping part 60 Lid 60a Lid 61 Cylindrical part 62 Support part 65 Lid 65a Hook

Claims (1)

A hollow fiber membrane cartridge filled with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes;
An activated carbon cartridge filled with activated carbon;
A joining member that is disposed between the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge, and joins the hollow fiber membrane cartridge and the activated carbon cartridge;
A water purification cartridge with a,
The joining member is
A first engagement portion that engages with an end of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge;
A second engaging portion that engages with an end of the activated carbon cartridge,
And a through-hole through which the water purified by the activated carbon cartridge is sent to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge is formed,
The water purification cartridge is characterized in that the joining member is made of a material having flexibility and exhibiting hermeticity at the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion .

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