JP5168764B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier that removes residual chlorine, odor, turbidity, harmful substances, etc. contained in raw water such as tap water, and more particularly to a stationary type used near a sink in a home or an underwater installed under a sink. It relates to a relatively large water purifier such as a sink type.

  Water purifiers produce purified water by removing residual chlorine contained in raw water such as tap water by using various filter media to remove the odor of chlorine, but removing residual chlorine responsible for sterilization of tap water. For this reason, there is a problem that microorganisms such as germs and algae are easily propagated when purified water stays, which makes it unsanitary. For this reason, it is recommended to discard the accumulated water every time it is used, but it is difficult to understand the appropriate amount of accumulated water that needs to be discarded. Was a laborious task. Therefore, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, as a water purifier with a mechanism for discarding stagnant water (discard water mechanism), a device that discharges stagnant water in a water purifier at regular intervals by a timer is proposed. Has been.

  However, since the purified water still stays by these methods, the staying water has to be discharged quite frequently, and not only the purified water is wasted but also the life of the filter medium is shortened. Therefore, as described in Patent Document 4, a bypass water channel connected to the raw water is provided in the flow channel on the purified water side, and the retained water is renewed by flushing the flow channel on the purified water side with the raw water containing residual chlorine to perform disinfection. Or a water purifier provided with a bacteriostatic addition cylinder for adding a bactericidal additive such as a chloric acid compound or an oxygen compound to a bypass path branched from a water purification water path as described in Patent Document 5. Proposed.

  However, even with these methods, the residual chlorine obtained from the chloric acid compound decreases with time and the disinfection decreases, so that flushing must be performed at a certain frequency or more. Residual chlorine used for sterilization is one of the substances that are going to be removed by the water purifier, and if it is mistakenly mixed into the purified water, it causes unpleasant taste and odor.

On the other hand, attempts have been made to suppress the growth of bacteria by using silver-impregnated activated carbon or the like for the filter medium of the water purifier, and using anti-bacterial silver-containing purified water. Since silver was fixed by a physicochemical method, the elution amount of silver at the start of use was large, but the elution amount tended to decrease as water passed. In addition, because the amount of silver attached is limited, especially when used in water purifiers that have a relatively long filter medium life such as a stationary type or an undersink type, the life of adsorption such as activated carbon filter medium remains. However, there is a problem that the elution amount of silver does not show antibacterial properties, that is, there is a problem that the elution amount of the antibacterial agent cannot be kept constant during the use period of the filter medium.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-118187 JP-A-6-182333 JP-A-6-285457 Japanese Patent No. 3398661 JP 2003-257552 A

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, does not bother the user's hand, wastefully uses purified water, and eliminates the taste and odor of purified water by mixing antibacterial agents typified by residual chlorine. It aims at providing the water purifier which can obtain the purified water which suppressed the proliferation of microorganisms by keeping constant the quantity of an antibacterial agent during the period of use of a filter medium, keeping it to the minimum.

  The present invention for solving the above-described problems is characterized by the following (1) to (4).

(1) A water purifier having at least a water purifying cartridge and a water purifying side channel disposed on the secondary side of the water purifying cartridge, and includes metal ions having antibacterial properties every time the water stoppage reaches a set value. A water purifier comprising a replaceable antibacterial unit that discharges water into the water-purifying channel.
(2) The water purifier according to (1), wherein the time setting defined every time the water stop time reaches a set value can be changed or selected.
(3) The water purifier according to (1) or (2), wherein the antibacterial unit is one for eluting metal ions from an electrode by installing an electrode in water and applying a voltage.
(4) The antibacterial unit detects a flow rate of water passing through the antibacterial unit and applies a voltage to an electrode installed in water according to the detected flow rate to elute metal ions. The water purifier according to any one of (1) to (3).

( 5 ) The antibacterial metal ion is at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of silver ion, copper ion, and zinc ion, according to any one of (1) to (4) Water purifier.

( 6 ) The water purifier according to ( 5 ), wherein the metal ions having antibacterial properties are silver ions.

( 7 ) The water purifier according to ( 6 ), characterized by comprising means for controlling the silver ion concentration contained in the water discharged to the purified water flow path to 0.005 to 0.1 mg / L.

  The water purifier of the present invention can discharge water containing metal ions having antibacterial properties to the purified water flow path every time a predetermined time elapses or every time the water stoppage reaches a set value. So, while renewing the stagnant water in the clean water side flow path, it can be antibacterial in the flow path, and the purified water that suppresses the growth of microorganisms while minimizing the taste and smell of purified water due to the mixing of antibacterial agents Can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking an undersink type water purifier placed under a sink in a home kitchen as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water purifier 10 of the present invention includes a water purification cartridge 1, a discharge port 2, an antibacterial unit 6, and the like. By operating the operation switch 3, a valve included in the operation switch (not shown) is opened, tap water is supplied from the raw water side flow path 4, and passes through the water purification cartridge 1 for disinfection contained in tap water. Residual chlorine and the like are removed, and purified water is passed through the discharge port 2 through the antibacterial unit 6 and the purified water flow path 5 disposed on the secondary side of the purified water cartridge 1.

  The purified water flow path 5 is provided with a detection unit 7 that discriminates water flow / stop water and emits a signal corresponding to the flow rate, and a control unit 8 that performs calculation based on a signal from the detection unit 7.

  The detection unit 7 includes a water wheel with a magnet embedded therein, a magnetic switch that opens and closes according to the rotation of the magnet, and a supporting member thereof. The water wheel rotates when purified water flows, and the magnetic switch is activated by a change in the magnetic field accordingly. Then, the signal is transmitted to the control unit 8.

  The control unit 8 is composed of a circuit board provided with a CPU, a holder for housing the circuit board, and a frame for fixing the circuit board. 7 is calculated based on the signal from the stop 7 (referred to as “water stop time”), and when the water stop time reaches a preset time (set value), the operation switch 3 Open the valve. By discharging water containing antibacterial metal ions to the purified water-side flow path 5 at every preset time, external microorganisms flow from the outlet 2 to the purified water side without bothering the user. In addition to preventing the water from entering the water purification cartridge 1 through the path 5, the water staying in the water purification side flow path 5 can be renewed, and the propagation of microorganisms can be suppressed with only the minimum required waste water. In other words, if it does not contain metal ions having antibacterial properties, it is necessary to discharge the accumulated water frequently before the microorganisms that have entered from the outside grow. The frequency can be greatly reduced.

  Alternatively, as described in the column of modification implementation below, instead of discharging water containing metal ions having antibacterial properties every time the water stoppage time reaches a set value, a timer is built in the control unit 8 to purify the water. Regardless of whether water is passed or not, water containing metal ions having antibacterial properties may be discharged every predetermined time. In this case, since it is not necessary to determine whether the purified water is passed or stopped by the detection unit 7, water containing metal ions can be discharged by a simpler mechanism.

  The setting of the time for discharging the water containing metal ions can be changed or selected according to the usage situation of each household. Although not shown in particular, the time for discharging water containing metal ions is a push button type, and the display is integrated with the operation switch unit, so that it is not necessary to confirm the water purification cartridge part under the sink. If it is installed in the vicinity of the water purification cartridge 1 under the sink, it takes time to confirm, but the space on the sink can be widened and the usability of the kitchen is improved. Furthermore, if the life of the water purification cartridge 1 is displayed at the same time, the replacement time is easy to understand and easy to use.

The antibacterial unit 6 is a water channel filled with an antibacterial agent, and can elute metal ions which are antibacterial substances in the purified water. Filling with granular antibacterial agent, installing a permeable membrane kneaded with antibacterial agent, installing an antibacterial fiber assembly such as non-woven fabric attached or kneaded with antibacterial agent, baking resin containing antibacterial agent Various forms are possible, such as installing a tie filter or a metallic net with antibacterial action. To maintain the antimicrobial activity of water, Ru replaceable der as cartridge type. Since the antibacterial unit 6 is not integrated with the water purification cartridge 1 and can be exchanged separately, even if only the antibacterial unit 6 or only the water purification cartridge 1 has reached the end of its life, only one of them needs to be replaced. It eliminates the waste of having to discard it even if it has performance or purification performance.

The antibacterial unit 6 may be one that elutes metal ions from an electrode by installing an electrode in water and applying a voltage. When a voltage is applied using a silver plate as an electrode, a reaction of Ag → Ag ⁺ + e ⁻ occurs at the anode, and silver ions are eluted in water, and the electrode is consumed accordingly. In contrast cathode, regardless of the material of the ^{electrode, H + + e - → 1} / reaction of 2H ₂ occurs, or hydrogen is generated, or ^Na + contained in the ^water, Ca ^{2 +,} Mg 2 + metal ions such as Precipitates on the electrode as a scale. The type of antibacterial agent can be selected by using an electrode made of silver, copper, zinc, or an alloy containing them. If silver is selected, high antibacterial properties can be obtained at a low voltage. Moreover, if copper is selected, mold resistance can be obtained. Since zinc has an antibacterial spectrum different from silver, it has an antibacterial effect on bacteria different from silver, and the antibacterial effect can be enhanced by using it simultaneously with silver.

  Furthermore, it is also preferable that an antibacterial substance is contained in the filling in the water purifier or the water contact surface of the container. For example, by using resin kneaded with silver zeolite in the molded member of the water purification cartridge and the resin hose in the water purification side flow path, it is possible to suppress the growth of bacteria that grow in the water accumulated in the water purifier, and to provide more reliable water purification. Can be obtained.

  Examples of the metal ions having antibacterial properties include silver ions, copper ions, and zinc ions having antibacterial properties while satisfying the standards of drinking water. Unlike antibacterial agents such as chlorine-based acid compounds such as sodium hypochlorite and oxygen-based compounds such as sodium percarbonate, metal ions with antibacterial properties have a different taste and smell in water even if they have the effect of suppressing bacterial growth. If you do not get a high concentration, you can drink with confidence. These metal ions have antibacterial properties when used alone or mixed, but silver ions have antibacterial properties at a relatively low concentration. The antibacterial properties of copper ions are weaker than those of silver ions, but they are excellent in fungicidal properties. Zinc ions have an antibacterial spectrum different from silver ions, and have antibacterial effects on bacteria different from silver.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the water purifier of this invention has a means which can control the silver ion concentration contained in the water discharged to the purified water side flow path 5 in the range of 0.005-0.1 mg / L. By controlling the silver ion concentration to 0.005 mg / L or more, the number of general bacteria can be effectively reduced and 0.1 mg / L or less in accordance with EPA (American Environmental Protection Agency) standards. This is because the influence on the human body can be eliminated. Moreover, since there is a possibility that the silver ion concentration may fluctuate due to adhesion in the piping or fluctuation of the water temperature, 0.01 to 0.08 mg in order to ensure the antibacterial effect and maintain the safety as drinking water. More preferably, it can be controlled within the range of / L. Furthermore, it is preferable to use silver ions as the metal ions having antibacterial properties.

  As a means for bringing silver ions into such a concentration range, a method is provided in which a valve for adjusting the amount of water passing through either the inflow port or the outflow port of the antibacterial unit is provided, and a certain amount of antibacterial agent is added to a constant flow rate. Alternatively, a method of detecting the flow rate and adding an antibacterial agent in an amount proportional to the detected flow rate, or detecting a flow rate and applying a voltage to an electrode placed in water according to the detected flow rate to elute metal ions However, a method of detecting a flow rate and applying a voltage to an electrode installed in water according to the detected flow rate to elute silver ions is preferably employed.

  As described above, by controlling the silver ion concentration to reduce the number of general bacteria, the general bacteria number may be 100 cfu / mL or less based on Ordinance No. 101 of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Ministerial Ordinance on Water Quality Standards). Desirably, and more desirably, 10 cfu / mL or less.

  When using an antibacterial unit 6 with an electrode installed in water and applying a voltage, based on the so-called Faraday's law, the amount of substance produced by electrolysis is the amount of electricity that flows (the intensity of current and the time The amount of elution of metal cations such as silver ions per unit time can be stabilized by adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode so that the current is constant. Can do. In addition, periodically reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode can prevent scales such as calcium in the water from depositing on the electrode, stabilize the elution amount of silver ions, and evenly consume the electrode. Can do. As a means for making the current value constant, a constant current circuit may be incorporated in a circuit portion that controls the operation of the antibacterial unit 6.

  Furthermore, when the polarity of the voltage is periodically reversed, the application time for maintaining each polarity per time is 0.1 seconds to 60 in that metal cations such as silver ions can be stably eluted. Seconds are preferred. This is because if the application time of one time is shorter than 0.1 second, a reverse reaction occurs when the polarity of metal ions such as silver ions that have flowed out is reversed, and the electrode returns to the electrode. On the other hand, if the application time for one time is longer than 60 seconds, the scale is deposited on the electrode while the voltage is applied, and it becomes difficult for the current to flow. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set the total application time to an electrode by the water flow rate and the amount of water stagnating in the purified water flow path.

  The water purification cartridge 1 is preferably a cartridge type cartridge that can be replaced only when the filter medium that has been filled has reached the end of its life. Filled filter media include hollow fiber membranes, activated carbon, metal silicates such as zeolite, calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite, ion exchangers including ion exchange resins, various adsorbents such as chelate resins or their adsorbents. It may be a combination. By using various filter media, fine particles that become turbid components such as iron rust in water, organic substances such as residual chlorine and trihalomethane, or metal ions such as lead can be removed. Furthermore, it may be filled with a material that makes water delicious and releases minerals that are considered to be healthy.

  The water purification cartridge 1 may be a so-called alkaline ion water conditioner that can supply acidic water or alkaline water by electrolysis.

  The present invention can be modified as follows.

  (1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, although only purified water was passed from the discharge port, raw water such as tap water and purified water was selected from a single discharge port, water heaters, etc. It is possible to connect not only raw water and purified water but also hot water.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the raw water is necessarily passed through the purified water cartridge 1 to the purified water flow path. However, as shown in FIG. A bypass water channel 19 may be provided, and water containing metal ions having antibacterial properties may be passed through the purified water channel 15 by the antibacterial unit 16 without passing through the water purification cartridge 11. In the case of sterilizing the purified water flow path 15, the life of the purified water cartridge 11 can be extended by passing only the antibacterial unit 16 without passing through the purified water cartridge 11.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, a so-called type II water purifier is described in which the operation switch 3 is used to switch and shield the flow path and the water purification cartridge 1 is not constantly subjected to tap water pressure. It may be a water purifier. In any case, it is preferable to install a check valve or the like in the flow path as appropriate so that purified water or water containing an antibacterial agent does not flow backward.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the water flow state of the water purification-side flow path 5 is detected directly, but the opening / closing of the operation switch 3 may be detected to transmit a signal to the control unit 8. Costs can be reduced by reducing the number of members that detect the water flow state of the detection unit 7 and integrating it with the operation switch 3. Furthermore, instead of discharging water containing antibacterial metal ions every time the water stoppage time reaches a set value, such a detection unit 7 is not installed, but a timer is built in the control unit 8, and a predetermined time has elapsed. You may discharge the water containing the metal ion which has antibacterial property for every. By adopting such a configuration, as already described, it is possible to discharge antibacterial metal ions with a simpler mechanism.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the detection unit 7 uses a water wheel with a magnet embedded therein and a magnetic switch that opens and closes according to the rotation of the magnet. However, the material and shape of the water wheel and the magnetic switch are not limited. , Valves and magnetic switches with embedded magnets, methods using reduction gear mechanisms and electrical contacts, methods using diaphragms and members that are deformed by water flow, such as diaphragms, photosensors composed of LEDs and phototransistors, etc. Any device that can distinguish between water flow and water stoppage may be used.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the setting time for discharging water containing metal ions can be changed or selected with a push button type switch, but a switching lever type, dial type, touch panel type, or the like may be used. Furthermore, in addition to the visual display of LCD and LED, if a buzzer and a speaker are provided and a dial tone and an audio | voice are emitted simultaneously, it will become easier for a user to understand.

  (7) Although the power supply part used for this water purifier is not specifically limited, AC power supplies, such as a household power supply, may be used, and DC power supplies, such as a battery, may be used. When a household power supply is used, the device will not stop due to battery exhaustion. In addition, when using a battery, it is not necessary to use an outlet, and the place of use is reduced. At this time, if a function for displaying the battery life is provided, it is easy to understand the guide for replacement.

  The invention is explained in more detail using the following examples. In the examples and comparative examples, each measurement result was performed according to the following method.

[Silver ion concentration (mg / L)]
ICP emission spectroscopic analysis was conducted according to the method described in “Water Supply Test Method”, p370 (2001), edited by Japan Water Works Association.

[General bacteria (cfu / mL)]
Standard agar medium method The measurement was performed according to the method described in Japan Water Works Association, “Water Supply Test Method”, p605 (2001).

<Example 1>
As for the water purifier 10 shown in FIG. 1, the water purification cartridge 1 is filled with 550 mL of a polysulfone hollow fiber membrane module and activated carbon Kuraray Coal GW manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd., and the antibacterial unit 6 is made of silver of 99.99% purity of 20 × 50 × 1 mm. A silver ion generator in which two electrodes made of flat plates were built 6 mm apart was used.

  Tap water with a water temperature of 20 ° C. and a pH of 6.9 is continuously passed at 4 L / min for 7 hours or more per day. During the stop time, the antibacterial unit 6 is connected between the electrodes 1 hour after the stop of the water flow by the timer setting of the control unit 8. So that the current flowing in the current was 4 mA, the water containing silver ions was discharged for 10 seconds at 4 L / min for 10 seconds, and then the same discharge was repeated every 4 hours. When the total water flow from the start of the test was 1000 L, 5000 L, and 10000 L, the water flow was temporarily stopped, and water sampled when the antibacterial unit 6 was activated was sampled. The silver concentration was 0.054 mg in order. / L, 0.055 mg / L, and 0.054 mg / L.

  Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus was added to each sample so that it might become 1200 cfu / mL, and after leaving still at 20 degreeC for 24 hours, when the number of general bacteria in a sample was measured, all were 10 cfu / mL or less, and antibacterial Also had sex.

<Comparative Example 1>
Using the same water purifier 10 as in Example 1, the water purification cartridge 1 is filled with 500 mL of polysulfone hollow fiber membrane module and activated carbon Kuraray Coal GW manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd., and 50 mL of antimicrobial activated carbon Kuraray Coal TS manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd. 6 was set to a state in which the electrode was removed and no current was supplied, and the discharge was repeated at the same time interval as in Example 1 during the stop time according to the timer setting of the control unit 8, and water was passed under the same raw water and water flow conditions. Similarly, when 1000 L, 5000 L, and 10000 L were sampled, the silver concentration of 1000 L was 0.034 mg / L, but the silver ion concentration of 5000 L and 10000 L was less than 0.005 mg / L.

  Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus was added to each sample so that it might become 1200 cfu / mL, and after leaving still at 20 degreeC for 24 hours, when the number of general bacteria in a sample was measured, the sample of 1000L was antibacterial at 10 cfu / mL or less. However, the samples of 5000L and 10000L were 1200 cfu / mL or more, and no antibacterial property was observed.

<Example 2>
Using a water purifier 20 and a cartridge in which 100 g of NJ2LE-1 (silver zeolite-containing polyethylene pellets) manufactured by Sinanen Zeomic Co., Ltd. was filled in the antibacterial unit 16, during the stop time under the same water flow conditions as in Example 1. The test was carried out by discharging from the bypass water channel 19 to the antibacterial unit 16 at 4 L / min for 5 seconds. When sampling of 1000 L, 5000 L, and 10000 L was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, the silver concentrations were 0.034 mg / L, 0.014 mg / L, and 0.012 mg / L in this order.

  Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus was added to each sample so that it might become 1200 cfu / mL, and after leaving still at 20 degreeC for 24 hours, when the number of general bacteria in a sample was measured, all were 10 cfu / mL or less, and antibacterial Also had sex.

It is the schematic of the water purifier which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the water purifier which shows other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purification cartridge 2 Discharge port 3 Operation switch 4 Raw water side flow path 5 Purified water side flow path 6 Antibacterial unit 7 Detection part 8 Control part 10 Water purifier 11 Water purification cartridge 12 Discharge port 13 Operation switch 14 Raw water side flow path 15 Purified water side flow path 16 Antibacterial unit 17 Detection unit 18 Control unit 19 Bypass channel 20 Water purifier

Claims (7)

A water purifier having at least a water purifying cartridge and a water purifying side channel disposed on the secondary side of the water purifying cartridge, and water containing antibacterial metal ions each time the water stoppage reaches a set value A water purifier comprising a replaceable antibacterial unit that discharges into a water purification side channel. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the time defined every time the water stop time reaches a set value can be changed or selected. 3. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial unit is configured to elute metal ions from an electrode by installing an electrode in water and applying a voltage. 4. The antibacterial unit detects a flow rate of water passing through the antibacterial unit and applies a voltage to an electrode installed in water according to the detected flow rate to elute metal ions. The water purifier in any one of 1-3. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal ions having antibacterial properties are at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of silver ions, copper ions, and zinc ions.
6. The water purifier according to claim 5 , wherein the metal ions having antibacterial properties are silver ions.
The water purifier according to claim 6 , further comprising means for controlling a silver ion concentration contained in water discharged to the purified water flow path to 0.005 to 0.1 mg / L.

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