JP4175059B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water purifier of the present invention relates to a water purification device having a liquid crystal display device, and particularly relates to water purification apparatus which includes a transmissive display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, several faucet direct-coupled water purifiers have been proposed that include a liquid crystal display in order to display the usage state of the water purifier. The content displayed on the liquid crystal display is representative of the cartridge replacement period, preventing the filter medium that has lost its filtering ability from being used after the replacement period has passed, so that the user can always use the water purifier with peace of mind. It is intended to be.
[0003]
A power supply is required to use the liquid crystal display, but in the case of a faucet direct-coupled water purifier, to obtain power from a household 100V power outlet, a power cord is routed from the water purifier at the tip of the faucet. There is a need. If you place the power cord around the faucet, the cord will not only interfere with water work etc., but also water drops will adhere to the cord and water will be transmitted to the outlet part, resulting in a short circuit etc. From the point of view, it is not preferable. Therefore, a battery is generally used as the power source of the faucet direct-coupled water purifier provided with a liquid crystal display.
[0004]
And in the case of a faucet direct connection type water purifier, since the whole water purifier is attached to the front end of the faucet, it is preferable that the size of the water purifier is compact because a large water purifier obstructs water work. For this reason, a small battery such as a coin-type battery or a button-type battery is preferably used as a battery used in a faucet direct-coupled water purifier provided with a liquid crystal.
[0005]
However, since a small battery has a smaller battery capacity than a large battery, when used in a faucet direct-coupled water purifier equipped with a liquid crystal, the battery replacement cycle will be shortened if the current consumption value is not kept low, which is borne by the consumer. Maintenance costs will be high.
[0006]
Therefore, conventionally, a faucet direct-coupled water purifier equipped with a liquid crystal display has a low current consumption value, but it has been difficult to see the liquid crystal display in a dark kitchen. For this reason, the user may miss the display, and signals such as a cartridge replacement guide display are meaningless.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention makes it easy to see the screen even when used in a dark kitchen, and the state of use of the water purifier (total water flow rate / total use time of the purified water, type of cartridge, accumulated time not using the purified water (non-purified water use time) ) Use the amount of waste water (time) calculated from), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of use of purified water), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate) The purpose is to provide a water purifier that is easy to understand.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the above problems is a water purifier comprising a raw water flow path and a water purification flow path, which is used by mounting a battery, the water purifier comprising a transmission type indicator, and the transmission type. A light emitting element provided on the back side of the display, and a water flow detecting means provided in the water purification flow path for detecting the flow of purified water, and the water flow detecting means detects the start of use of the purified water. Then, based on the output of the flowing water detection means, the light emitting element is turned on or blinked for a certain period of time, and the light emitting element is turned off even if the use of clean water is continued after the certain period of time has elapsed. The transmissive display device includes a control means, and displays the use state of the water purifier after the light emitting element is turned on or blinked for a certain period of time by the light emitting element control means until the use of the purified water is stopped. Features a water purifier that is Than is. By providing a light-emitting element on the back side of the transmissive display, the display screen can be easily seen even in a dark place, and the water purifier's usage status (total water flow / total usage time, type of cartridge, water purification used) The amount of discarded water (hours) calculated from the accumulated time (non-purified water usage time), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water usage), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate It is possible to attract the user's attention by turning on and blinking the light emitting element according to any one or more of the above , and the use state of the water purifier ( total water flow rate / total use time, Type, amount of discarded water (hours) calculated from accumulated time not using purified water (non-purified usage time), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water use), battery voltage, amount of water per unit time, water , Pressure, flow rate, cartridge replacement time, the battery replacement time, and water purification and one or more) either is being used can be recognized by the user. In order to prevent density unevenness due to light of the light emitting element such as color unevenness in the transmissive display, it is preferable to provide a light diffusion member between the transmissive display and the light emitting element. The light diffusing member only needs to diffusely reflect light, and an inexpensive member having a plurality of irregularities on the surface is preferable.
[0009]
In any of the above water purifiers, the current consumption of the light emitting element is in the range of 1 to 10 mA in order to reduce power consumption and reduce battery replacement in water purifiers that require downsizing, and current consumption In order to make it easier to see while keeping the voltage low, the light emitting element is preferably a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light at a forward voltage of 3 V or less and has a luminous intensity of 10 mcd or more at a forward voltage of 5 mA.
[0010]
Furthermore, in any one of the water purifiers described above, it is preferable that the predetermined time is within a range of 1 to 15 seconds in order to reduce the current consumed by the LED having the largest current consumption value. By limiting the lighting of the light emitting element to a certain time within the range of 1 to 15 seconds, current saving is achieved while preventing the user from overlooking. If the lighting or blinking is less than 1 second, the user may miss it, and if it exceeds 15 seconds, in many cases it will be longer than the time of using one purified water, so it consumes extra power. It will be.
[0011]
In addition, the water purifier's usage status ( total amount of purified water passed or / total usage time, cartridge type, amount of waste water (hours) calculated from the cumulative time when water is not used (non-purified usage time), and purified water can be used. In order to display the battery voltage, the amount of water per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate (or any one or more) in a user-friendly manner, It is preferable to provide a light emitting element control means for changing the light emission period or the light emission time of the light emitting element according to the above. Similarly, the light-emitting element is a plurality of light-emitting elements having different emission colors or a single light-emitting element capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and the light-emitting element control means for changing the emission color according to the use state of the water purifier It is also preferable to have. Specifically, the light emitting element control means has a function of changing the emission color according to the total amount of purified water or / and the total usage time, or one type is selected from a plurality of types of cartridges. It is possible to have a function of changing the luminescent color according to the type of the mounted cartridge, or it is preferable to have a function of changing the luminescent color according to the non-purified use time.
[0012]
When changing the emission color according to the total amount of purified water passing through and / or the total usage time, the cartridge replacement guide can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner by the user, and one type can be selected and installed from multiple types of cartridges. If the emission color changes according to the type of cartridge installed, the user can always check the type of cartridge from the emission color, and the emission color changes according to the non-purified water usage time. If it is to be used, the user can be informed of the amount and time of waste water according to the non-purified water usage time.
[0013]
Thus, by changing the lighting time and blinking cycle of the light emitting element provided on the back side of the transmissive display, preferably the luminescent color, it is possible to provide a warning that requires the user and a display that requires immediate response. Can be done automatically.
[0014]
In addition to this, by combining the lighting time and blinking cycle of the transmissive display and the light emitting element provided on the back side of the transmissive display, the battery replacement time, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure Indications such as turbidity and chlorine concentration can also be effectively displayed to the user.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a water purifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water purifier showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
A water purifier 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a faucet-directly connected water purifier, and has a cartridge 2 containing a filter medium such as activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane in the water purifier. Is selected, raw water passes through the cartridge 2 and is discharged as purified water.
[0018]
Here, since the water wheel 7 is arranged in the flow path (purified water flow path) of the water that has passed through the cartridge 2, when the purified water is selected by the switching lever 8, the water wheel 7 is rotated by the water flow. As shown in FIG. 2, the water wheel 7 includes a water wheel main body 71, a water wheel cap 72, and a magnet 73, and the magnet 73 is inserted into the water wheel main body 71 and sealed with the water wheel cap 72 in a liquid-tight manner. Yes. The magnet 73 is provided in the turbine body 71 such that the S pole and the N pole face each other with the rotation shaft of the turbine body 71 interposed therebetween.
[0019]
A reed switch 4 is provided in the vicinity of the outside of the flow path in which the water wheel 7 is accommodated. Accordingly, the water wheel 7 and the reed switch 4 function as a running water detection means. When the water wheel 7 is rotated by the water flow, the magnet 73 rotates and the magnetic field around the water wheel 7 changes, and the change of the magnetic field causes the reed switch 4 to turn on / off the pulse signal to the arithmetic unit 32 (light emitting element) of the electronic circuit unit 3. Control means).
[0020]
Moreover, the water purifier 1 includes a button-type alkaline dry battery CR2032 in the battery box 5 as electric power for the electronic circuit unit 3. Further, an identification switch 6 for identifying the type of the cartridge 2 is provided in the insertion portion of the cartridge 2. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 10 is disposed in the flow path switching unit 9 that distributes the raw water into the purified water flow path, the raw water straight flow path, and the raw water shower flow path. Here, a thermistor is used for the temperature sensor 10.
[0021]
Next, FIG. 3 shows details of the electronic circuit unit 3. The electronic circuit unit 3 includes a transmissive LCD 33 (transparent display) and a circuit board 34 provided with a CPU. An LED (light emitting diode) is provided on the back side of the LCD and on the circuit board 34. 35 is also provided. Since the LED 35 is disposed on the back side of the LCD 33, the display screen of the LCD 33 is easy to see even when used in a dark kitchen or the like, and the use condition of the water purifier ( total amount of purified water or / total time of use, cartridge) Type of water, the amount of water discarded (hours) calculated from the accumulated time of not using purified water (non-purified water usage time), when purified water becomes available (at the start of purified water use), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, The LED 35 can be turned on and blinking according to the water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate, etc. to attract the user's attention, and the use state of the water purifier 1 ( total amount of purified water or / The total amount of water used, the type of cartridge, the amount of waste water (hours) calculated from the cumulative time not using purified water (non-purified water usage time), and when purified water becomes available (purified water use Hajimeji), battery voltage, the amount of water per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, flow rate, cartridge replacement time, the battery replacement time, and one of that water purification is in use or more) effectively to the user Can be recognized.
[0022]
As the LED 35, since red is generally used for a warning sign and green is used for a good sign, a red light emitting diode and a green light emitting diode are used. Each of these light emitting diodes is a high luminance type, emits light with a forward voltage of 2.2 V, and has a luminous intensity of 40 mcd when the forward current is 5 mA.
[0023]
A general LED (non-high brightness) has a brightness of about 5 to 10 mcd when energized with a forward voltage of 2.2 V and 5 mA, and obtains brightness equivalent to that of the high brightness LED used in the water purifier 1. Therefore, current consumption of 20 to 40 mA is required, the battery life is about 1/4 to 1/8 that of the water purifier 1, and battery replacement is frequently required. In addition, in a faucet direct-coupled water purifier, from the viewpoint of safety, it is not preferable to obtain power from a household 100 V power outlet because water drops may reach the outlet through the power cord, and a battery is used. It is preferable. On the other hand, in order to have a battery for the same period as the water purifier 1 using a general LED, the size of the battery becomes 4 to 8 times, resulting in a larger water purifier and water work such as cooking. The water purifier gets in the way when you do.
[0024]
In contrast, in the water purifier 1, the current consumption of the light emitting diode 35 provided on the back side of the transmissive LCD 33 is in the range of 1 to 10 mA, so that the water purifier can be reduced in size by reducing the battery capacity. It is not necessary to replace the battery for a long time, and the brightness of the LED can be increased.
[0025]
A light diffusing member 36 is disposed between the LCD 33 and the LED 35. The light diffusing member 36 is a member that uniformly diffuses the light of the LED provided on the back side with respect to the liquid crystal display, and is formed by milky white PP (polypropylene) into a plate shape having a thickness of 1 mm by injection molding. Is used. Further, in order to diffuse light more efficiently, the surface is subjected to graining or the like to form a plurality of irregularities. Such a light diffusing member 36 is capable of diffusing the light of the LED 35 substantially uniformly with respect to the display screen of the LCD 33 while being relatively inexpensive.
[0026]
Using the electronic circuit unit 3 having the above-described configuration, the LCD 33 displays as shown in FIG.
[0027]
That is, in the LCD 33, a cartridge type display element 331 for displaying the type of the cartridge 2 on one display screen, a cartridge replacement guide display element 332 for displaying the replacement time of the cartridge 2, a battery replacement guide display element 333, The display element 334 is arranged collectively while using purified water.
[0028]
The cartridge type display element 331 displays the type of cartridge identified by the identification switch 6.
[0029]
The cartridge replacement indication display element 332 calculates the flow rate from the pulse signal from the reed switch 4 due to the rotation of the water turbine 7, and gradually reduces the segments 3321 that are lit as shown in FIG. Displays the life of the unit. In addition, in order to display the lifetime of a cartridge, you may count and display the integration time (integration time of clean water use) which the water turbine 7 is rotating.
[0030]
The battery replacement indication display element 333 measures the voltage of the battery 51 in the battery box 5, compares the voltage value with a preset comparison value, and lights up when the battery voltage falls below the comparison value. In addition, if the current consumption value of the circuit is measured and calculated in advance and the relationship between the total use time of the purified water and the remaining battery level is obtained, the battery replacement indication display element when the total use time of the purified water exceeds a certain value You may comprise so that 333 may be lighted.
[0031]
Since the circuit board 34 is equipped with a memory for storing calculation results and the like, in the unlikely event that the battery runs out before the cartridge replacement, the accumulated flow rate and accumulated time data up to that point are retained. The correct display can be resumed by replacing the battery.
[0032]
Next, the display element 334 during use of the purified water changes the segments 3341 that emit light during use of the purified water in order as shown in FIG. 6, so that one figure 3342 representing a creature such as a character is in use of the purified water. To make it appear to move (animation display). Here, the display element 334 during use of the purified water does not necessarily need to make a figure such as a character appear to move, but by configuring the figure 3342 such as a character to appear to move, the water purifier can be operated normally. In addition to visually informing the user that the device is operating, the user's attention can be attracted to the LCD 33, and the cartridge replacement display element 334, the battery replacement indication display element 333, etc. provided together on the same LCD 33 can be used. It is possible to prevent the user from overlooking the warning display. Further, one figure 3342 such as a character may be configured such that the operation speed changes according to the water flow speed or the water pressure.
[0033]
Here, each display shown on the LCD 33 is dim because the LED 35 disposed on the back side of the LCD 33 is turned on for a certain period of time after the start of water purification, that is, after the reed switch 4 detects the rotation of the water wheel 7. It is easy to see in the kitchen and can attract the user's attention. The fixed time is preferably at least 5 seconds so that the user can sufficiently recognize the lighting of the LED 35 while suppressing the power consumption of the battery. According to the inventor's knowledge, the user of the water purifier can sufficiently confirm the display for 5 seconds. In addition, by setting the lighting time to a certain time, it is possible to suppress battery consumption in the event that the user leaves the product with purified water. In addition, it is also preferable to extend the lighting time of LED to about 15 seconds and to improve the visibility with respect to a blind person.
[0034]
And LED35 is comprised so that a green light emitting diode may light normally, and when the flow of water with a water temperature of 40 ° C. or more is detected by the temperature sensor 10, a red light emitting diode is lighted. Thereby, when it deviates from the condition of "water temperature 40 degrees C or less" which is one of the use conditions of the water purifier 1, that is notified to a user.
[0035]
Unlike warning signals such as replacement of the cartridge 2 or replacement of the battery 51, warning signals that require an emergency such as water temperature are easier to understand by displaying them with LEDs than with LCDs. However, by simply installing an LED in addition to the LCD, if the water purifier has the same shape, both the LCD and the LED will have to be made small, and the user will recognize it even though it issues an urgent warning signal. It becomes difficult. Therefore, in the water purifier 1, the LED 35 is installed on the back side of the LCD 33 to make the LCD 33 large and easy to see and obtain the effect of the backlight by the LED 35. Make the display immediately noticeable. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from missing an important warning signal.
[0036]
In addition, since the water purifier cannot deny the possibility that bacteria are breeding in the water retained between the filter medium and the purified water outlet while not using the purified water (non-purified water usage time), depending on the non-purified water usage time There are times when you want to throw away water at the beginning. Therefore, in the water purifier 1, the accumulated time that the water wheel is stopped, that is, the non-purified water use time is calculated, and when the amount of discarded water (time) or the purified water becomes available (at the start of use of the purified water) Is notified to the user by the blinking of the LED 33. Since the amount of waste water increases depending on the non-purified water use time, if the non-purified water use time is 12 hours or more and less than 24 hours, it is 10 seconds, if it is 24 hours or more and less than 168 hours, 15 seconds, 168 hours or more In this case, the LED 33 blinks for 30 seconds. Thereby, the user can throw away only the correct amount of water without waste without forgetting to throw away water when the use of purified water is resumed.
[0037]
In the present invention, the above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.
(1) In the water purifier 1, a warning about the operating temperature is displayed in the light emission color of the LED 33, and a display of the amount of discarded water (time) is notified by blinking of the LED 33, but a warning display of the water temperature blinks and the amount of discarded water is displayed May be notified by the emission color.
[0038]
Moreover, you may perform the warning regarding the flow speed at the time of water flow, or a water pressure other than the display regarding water temperature and waste water by changing the luminescent color of LED35, lighting time, and blinking period. When warning about the flow velocity at the time of water flow is performed, the flow velocity at the time of water purification is calculated from the number of rotations of the water turbine 7, and the LED 35 is turned on if water flow is performed at a flow velocity higher than an appropriate use condition. Further, when warning about water pressure is performed, the LED 35 is turned on using a pressure sensor if water is passed at a water pressure deviating from an appropriate use condition. Furthermore, in addition to the conditions at the time of passing water, warnings for water quality such as turbidity and chlorine concentration may be performed using the LED 35. These may be displayed alone or in combination.
(2) In the water purifier 1, a red light emitting diode and a green light emitting diode are used as the LED 35, but only one light emitting diode such as green, yellow, orange, and blue may be used. A plurality of light emitting diodes may be used in combination. A light emitting diode that emits light of a plurality of colors may be used. In general, red is often used for warning display, yellow is used for caution, green is used for good signs, and blue is used for special warnings.
(3) In the water purifier 1, the LCD 33 is provided with a cartridge type display element 331, a cartridge replacement indication display element 332, a battery replacement indication display element 333, and a water purification in-use display element 334. Although the time and the fact that the water is being used are displayed, other indications may be displayed on the LCD 33, and the replacement time of the cartridge may be indicated by the light emission of the LED.
(4) Although the water purifier 1 is equipped with a memory for storing information such as the accumulated water flow amount of the purified water, the water purifier use state ( total water flow amount / total use time, type of cartridge, water purifier) The amount of discarded water (hours) calculated from the cumulative unused time (non-purified water usage time), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water use), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, flow rate In order to manage cartridge replacement time, battery replacement time, and water purification (one or more) , for example, a connector or transmitter / receiver that transmits information to an external device such as a personal computer is installed. Thus, measurement data and the like can be managed by an external device by wired or wireless communication.
(5) In the water purifier 1, a liquid crystal display element that displays a predetermined pattern is used, but a dot matrix liquid crystal display element may be used in order to make the display clearer and easier to understand.
(6) Although the water purifier 1 uses a monochrome liquid crystal display element, a color liquid crystal display element may be used in order to make the display easier to see.
(7) In the water purifier 1, the LED 35 emits light with a constant brightness (current consumption) regardless of the surrounding brightness, but in order to save more power, it is equipped with an optical sensor and depends on the surrounding brightness. The brightness of the LED 35 may be changed.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
According to the water purifier of the present invention, it is a water purifier that is used with a battery, and has a transmissive display and a light emitting element provided on the back side of the transmissive display. In addition to making the display screen easy to see even in dark places, the water purifier's usage status ( total amount of purified water passed or / total usage time, type of cartridge, accumulated time not using purified water (non-purified water usage time) Turn on the light emitting element according to the amount of water (time), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water use), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate. It is possible to attract the user's attention by blinking, etc., and the state of use of the water purifier ( total amount of purified water or / total time of use, cartridge type, cumulative time of not using purified water (non-purified use time) ) Calculated from Water volume (hours), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water use), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, flow rate, cartridge replacement period, battery replacement period, and use of purified water Any one or more of the above can be effectively recognized by the user. In particular, it is possible to change the lighting time of the light emitting element provided on the back side of the transmissive display, the blinking cycle, and preferably the luminescent color. By this method, it is possible to effectively perform a warning that requires urgency to the user and a display that requires a response on the spot.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a faucet-directly connected water purifier showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a water wheel 7 loaded in the water purifier of FIG.
3 is a schematic view of an electronic circuit unit 3 loaded in the water purifier of FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a display element of an LCD 33 provided in the water purifier of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a diagram showing a change in a lighting pattern of a cartridge replacement indication display element 332 of the LCD 33 provided in the water purifier of FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a diagram showing a change in a lighting pattern of a display element 334 during use of purified water of the LCD 33 provided in the water purifier of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purifier 2 Cartridge 3 Electronic circuit part 32 Calculation part 33 LCD (liquid crystal display)
331 Cartridge type display element 332 Cartridge replacement guide display element 333 Battery replacement guide display element 334 Clean water in use display element 3341 Segment 3342 Figure 34 Circuit board 35 LED (light emitting diode)
36 Photochemical member 4 Reed switch 5 Battery box 6 Identification switch 7 Water wheel 71 Water wheel main body 72 Water wheel cap 73 Magnet 8 Switching lever 9 Flow path switch 10 Temperature sensor

Claims (6)

A water purifier having a raw water flow path and a water purification flow path and using a battery, the water purifier comprising a transmissive display and a light emitting device provided on the back side of the transmissive display And a running water detection means for detecting the flow of purified water provided in the purified water flow path, and after the running water detection means detects the start of use of purified water, the output of the running water detection means The light emitting element includes a light emitting element control means for repeatedly turning on or blinking the light emitting element for a certain period of time and turning off the light emitting element even if the use of purified water is continued after the certain period of time has passed. The cartridge replacement period, cartridge type, battery replacement period, and purified water are still in use after the light-emitting element is turned on or blinking for a certain period of time by the light-emitting element control means and turned off until the use of purified water is stopped. Noisy Water purifier, wherein a is for displaying one or more or Re. The light-emitting element is a plurality of light-emitting elements with different colored light or a single light-emitting element capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, and uses the total amount of purified water or / the total usage time, type of cartridge, and purified water. The amount of discarded water (hours) calculated from the accumulated time (non-purified water usage time), when purified water becomes available (at the beginning of purified water usage), battery voltage, water volume per unit time, water temperature, water pressure, and flow rate The water purifier of Claim 1 provided with the light emitting element control means to change luminescent color according to one or more . The water purifier according to claim 2, wherein the function of changing the emission color is red for a warning sign and green for a good sign. The light-emitting element control means is able to use the amount of waste water (hours) calculated from the total amount of purified water flow or / total usage time, cartridge type, accumulated time not using purified water (non-purified usage time), and purified water. It has a function to change the light emission cycle or light emission time of the light emitting element according to any one or more of the battery voltage, the amount of water per unit time, the water temperature, the water pressure, and the flow velocity. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a current consumption of the light emitting element is in a range of 1 to 10 mA. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the fixed time for repeatedly turning on or blinking the light emitting element is within a range of 1 to 15 seconds.

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