JP5291603B2 - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water purifier which can reduce a visual oppressive feeling, hardly obstructs work around a faucet, enabled easy and sure cartridge exchange, and can reduce manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: An engaging block 21 is projected on the outer surface of a cartridge. The water purifier body 12 is provided with guide walls 20A, 20B for horizontally guiding the engaging block 21. One end of each of the guide walls is provided with an insertion portion 22 allowing insertion and disengagement of the engaging block 21 from the front, and the other end thereof is provided with a restricting pawl 23 for restricting coming off of the engaging block 21. It is set so that an inflow port of the cartridge and a lead-out port 18 of the water purifier body 12 are fitted to each other when the engaging block 21 is displaced to the other end side. The water purifier body 12 is provided with a ring-shaped cover wall 28 which covers the peripheral areas of the guide walls 20A, 20B and whose edge is close to and faces the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier, and particularly relates to a water purifier of the type attached to a faucet of a faucet.

  Conventionally, a water purifier of a type that is directly attached to a faucet of a faucet, a so-called faucet direct connection type water purifier is known. As a faucet direct connection type water purifier, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a water purifier in which a water purifier main body attached to a faucet and a cartridge containing a filter medium in a case are connected by a bayonet mechanism is known. Yes.

  In recent years, a faucet-directly connected water purifier has been required to have a shape that does not visually squeeze and that does not hinder work around the faucet. In addition, the faucet direct connection type water purifier is required to be able to replace the cartridge more easily and reliably.

Japanese Patent No. 3381395 Japanese Patent No. 3303499

  However, in the water purifiers of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the cartridge is connected to the water purifier main body with its longitudinal direction vertical, there is not only a visual feeling of pressure, but also when operating the faucet, etc. In some cases, the hand easily touches the cartridge, which hinders work around the faucet.

  Moreover, in the water purifier of patent document 1, 2, when connecting a cartridge and a water purifier main body, it not only takes time to adjust the inclination of a cartridge with respect to a water purifier main body, but also makes a mistake in the rotation direction of a cartridge. The cartridge cannot be securely attached and detached, and a space for rotating the cartridge is required around the water purifier main body, which often takes time to replace the cartridge. Furthermore, in the water purifiers of Patent Literatures 1 and 2, there is a problem that the structure of the connection portion is complicated due to the connection by the bayonet mechanism, the number of parts tends to increase, and the production cost of the water purifier is likely to be increased.

  Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a water purifier that can reduce the visual feeling of pressure, hardly disturb the work around the faucet, can easily and reliably replace the cartridge, and can further reduce the manufacturing cost. To do.

The invention according to claim 1, which solves the above problem, includes a faucet connection portion attached to a faucet of a faucet, a flow path switching mechanism that switches a flow path of raw water taken from the faucet, and the flow path switching mechanism. A water purifier main body having a outlet for deriving the raw water when switched to the water purification mode, and a substantially cylindrical case containing a filter medium, the raw water inlet being provided, the inlet being the outlet A cartridge that is detachably attached to the water purifier main body so as to match with the water purifier, and an engagement block protrudes from the outer surface of the cartridge, and the engagement block is slid on the water purifier main body. A guide wall that can displace the cartridge horizontally in the longitudinal direction by being movably guided is provided, and the engagement block from the front is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the guide wall. An insertion portion that allows insertion / removal is provided, and a locking claw that restricts the engagement block from being pulled out to the front side is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The cartridge inlet and the water purifier main body are set to coincide with each other when positioned on the other end side of the direction, and the water purifier main body includes a peripheral region of the guide wall. An annular cover wall is provided in which the front end of the cartridge faces and faces the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge.
Thereby, a cartridge comes to be attached with respect to a water purifier main body horizontally. When the cartridge is attached to the water purifier main body, first, the engaging block of the cartridge is inserted into the cover wall from the front, and the engaging block is further inserted into the insertion portion on one end side of the guide wall. Next, from this state, the cartridge is horizontally displaced along the guide wall, and the engagement block is moved to the engagement claw portion on the other end side of the guide wall. Thus, when the engagement block moves to the locking claw portion, the locking claw restricts the cartridge from coming out in the front direction, and the cartridge inlet matches the outlet of the water purifier main body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the water purifier according to the first aspect, an outlet port of the water purifier main body and an inlet port of the cartridge are provided between the engagement block of the cartridge and the water purifier main body. A locking projection and an engagement hole that are fitted to each other are provided at the matching position, and the locking projection is biased in the protruding direction by a biasing means.
Accordingly, when the cartridge is displaced along the guide wall in the horizontal direction at the time of mounting the cartridge, the engaging protrusion urged by the urging means is fitted into the engagement hole, and as a result, the cartridge Is locked to the water purifier main body, and the result of the locking is grasped by the operator with a sense of moderation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water purifier according to the second aspect, the locking protrusion is provided in the water purifier main body, and the engagement hole is provided in an engagement block of the cartridge. The engagement block is provided with a tapered surface that gradually pushes down the locking projection during the mounting operation guided by the guide wall.
As a result, when the cartridge is moved along the guide wall in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is mounted, the locking projection comes into contact with the tapered surface and is gradually pushed down against the force of the biasing means. When facing the mating hole, the mating hole is vigorously fitted. As a result, a smooth slide displacement of the cartridge and a more certain sense of moderation can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, since the cartridge is arranged with the axial direction oriented horizontally, it is possible to reduce the visual feeling of pressure and to prevent the work around the faucet from being hindered, and to slide the cartridge in the horizontal direction. Since the cartridge can be detached and attached by the displacement, the cartridge can be exchanged easily and reliably without occupying a space. Furthermore, since the structure of the connecting portion is simple, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, in this invention, the peripheral area of the connecting portion between the cartridge and the water purifier main body is covered with an annular cover wall provided on the water purifier main body side, and the tip of the cover wall is close to the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge. Therefore, one water purifier main body can be easily adapted to cartridges having different case sizes and specifications while maintaining the sealing property around the connecting portion and improving the appearance by the cover wall.

  In addition, between the engagement block of the cartridge and the water purifier main body, there are provided a locking projection and an engagement hole that are fitted to each other at a position where the outlet of the water purifier main body and the inlet of the cartridge match. When the stop protrusion is urged in the protruding direction by the urging means, smooth sliding displacement of the cartridge and more reliable moderation can be obtained.

It is a perspective view of the water purifier of one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the water purifier main body of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial section side view of a water purifier main part of a water purifier of one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the water purifier main body of the water purifier of one embodiment of the present invention (left side view in the attached state). It is a front view (right side view in the attachment state) of the cartridge of the water purifier of one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cartridge of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which expanded a part of cartridge of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 2 of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the BB cross section of FIG. 2 of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the cartridge of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the attachment state of the cartridge of the water purifier of one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Drawing 1 shows the whole water purifier 1 composition concerning this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the water purifier 1 includes a faucet connection portion 11 attached to the faucet 2 of the faucet and a flow path switching mechanism (not shown) for switching the flow path of raw water (tap water) taken from the faucet 2. And a substantially cylindrical cartridge 13 that contains a filter medium such as activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane and is detachably connected to the water purifier main body 12. In addition, the arrow F in the same figure shall point the front (direction where a user is located) of the installation part of a faucet (faucet 2). In the case of this embodiment, the cartridge 13 is disposed on the left side of the water purifier main body 12.

  2 to 4 show a single body of the water purifier body 12. As shown in these drawings, the water purifier main body 12 is provided with a faucet connection portion 11 on the upper surface side of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body block 14 that accommodates a flow path switching mechanism, and a raw water discharge portion 15 on the lower surface side. A rotary operation lever 16 for operating the flow path switching mechanism is provided at the right end of the main body block 14. In the case of the water purifier 1 of this embodiment, the flow path switching mechanism includes a raw water introduction flow path on the faucet connection portion 11 side, a straight flow path and a shower flow path through the raw water discharge section 15, and purified water through the cartridge 13. Selectively switch to one of the flow paths. A cartridge 13 is attached to the end of the main body block 14 opposite to the installation portion of the operation lever 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as “end of the main body block 14”) so that the longitudinal direction is horizontal. A mechanism is provided.

  A flat base surface 17 is provided at the end of the main body block 14, and a discharge port 18 through which the raw water is led out to the cartridge 13 side when the flow path switching mechanism is switched to the water purification mode is provided on the base surface 17. Is provided. An annular packing 19 made of a rubber elastic member is attached to the outlet 18.

  The base surface 17 is formed in a horizontally long and substantially rectangular shape, and a pair of guide walls 20A and 20B that are parallel to each other project from the top and bottom of the base surface 17. These guide walls 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B are provided to be horizontal when the water purifier body 12 is attached to the faucet 2. And the area | region (the area | region of the right side in FIG. 2) of the longitudinal direction of both guide walls 20A and 20B is formed in the surface which mutually faces flatly, from the front side of the engagement block 21 of the cartridge 13 mentioned later. It is set as the insertion part 22 which accept | permits insertion and removal. On the other hand, in the region on the other end side (left side in FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of each guide wall 20A, 20B, there is a locking claw 23 that protrudes inward (in the direction facing each other) from the edge on the front end side. It is extended. The outlet 18 described above is provided at a position biased to the other end side in the longitudinal direction on the base surface 17.

  Further, a guide groove 24 having a substantially U-shaped cross section extending from one end side in the longitudinal direction to the vicinity of the outlet 18 is provided at a substantially center in the vertical direction of the base surface 17. A through hole 25 is provided in the bottom surface of the guide groove 24 on the side close to the outlet 18, and a locking pin 26 (locking protrusion) is provided in the through hole 25 so as to be able to advance and retract. As shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 9, the locking pin 26 is formed with a hemispherical curved surface at its distal end, and its proximal end is urged in a protruding direction by a coil spring 27 (biasing means). ing.

  Further, a cover wall 28 is extended at the end of the main body block 14 so as to surround the base surface 17 and the upper and lower guide walls 20A, 20B in an annular shape. An arcuate surface 28 a along the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge 13 is provided at the tip of the pair of wall portions along the vertical direction of the cover wall 28. And the front-end | tip part of the cover wall 28 opposes and adjoins to the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge 13, when the cartridge 13 is attached to the water purifier main body 12 (main body block 14). The cover wall 28 functions as a sealing means for preventing dust and foreign matter from entering the peripheral area of the connection portion between the outlet 18 and the inlet 31, and covers the coupling portion between the cartridge 13 and the water purifier main body 12 from the outside. This improves the appearance quality and design of the water purifier 1.

5 to 7 show a single cartridge 13, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state where the cartridge 13 is attached to the water purifier main body 12.
As shown in these drawings, the cartridge 13 has a rectangular plate-like engagement block 21 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of a substantially cylindrical case 29 that accommodates a filter medium, and a water purifier main body on the front surface of the engagement block 21. An inflow port 31 is provided that is connected in pressure contact via the 12 side outlet 18 and the packing 19. The inlet 31 introduces raw water discharged from the outlet 18 through the flow path switching mechanism of the water purifier main body 12 into the filter medium in the case 29. On the other hand, a cylindrical purified water discharge portion 32 that opens downward is provided at one end of the case 29 in the longitudinal direction. The purified water discharge unit 32 discharges purified water that has passed through the filter medium in the case 29 to the outside. In addition, the upper and lower surfaces of the engagement block 21 are formed substantially in parallel, and these surfaces are slidably guided by the guide walls 20A and 20B on the water purifier main body 12 side. Note that the engagement block 21 is set so that the cartridge 13 is held in a horizontal position when the upper and lower surfaces are engaged with the guide walls 20A and 20B in a contact state. In the drawing, an arrow S indicates a sliding direction of the cartridge 13 when the cartridge 13 is attached to the water purifier main body 12.

  In addition, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7, a guide protrusion 33 protrudes from the front surface of the engagement block 21 in a region closer to the purified water discharge portion 32 than the inlet 31. The guide protrusion 33 is arranged at the approximate center in the vertical direction of the engagement block 21 and can be inserted into the guide groove 24 on the base surface 17 of the water purifier body 12. The guide projection 33 is provided with a hemispherical engagement hole 34 into which the distal end of the locking pin 26 can be inserted and engaged at the center of the front surface thereof, and an engagement block at the end on the inlet 31 side. The taper surface 35 which inclines toward the front surface general surface of 21 is provided. The tapered surface 35 has a guide projection 33 inserted into the guide groove 24, and when the engagement block 21 is guided by the guide walls 20A and 20B and moved in the sliding direction S in this state, the tip of the locking pin 26 is provided. It works to push down the part gradually. When the movement of the engagement block 21 further proceeds, the locking pin 26 is fitted into the engagement hole 34 by the urging force of the coil spring 27, thereby restricting the horizontal displacement of the cartridge 13. At this time, the inflow port 31 and the outlet 18 of the water purifier main body 12 are set so that the mutual axial centers coincide with each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the engagement block 21 is connected to the case 29 of the cartridge 13 by a leg portion 36 whose body portion is narrower than the body portion. Thereby, the edge part which the latching claw 23 of guide wall 20A, 20B wraps around and contact | abuts on the back side (case 29 side) of the main-body part of the engagement block 21 is ensured up and down. The upper and lower edges of the engagement block 21 are locked by the locking claws 23 when the engagement block 21 moves a predetermined amount or more in the slide direction S, thereby moving the engagement block 21 in the front direction. Omission is regulated.
Note that a part 36 a of the leg portion 36 extends so as to extend to the lower end of the engagement block 21. The portion protruding to the lower end abuts against the locking claw 23 of the guide wall 20B when an attempt is made to slide the cartridge 13 beyond the specified amount with an excessive force, so that the slide displacement in the mounting direction of the cartridge 13 is reduced. Functions as a restricting stopper.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, attachment of the cartridge 13 to the water purifier main body 12 will be described.
When the cartridge 13 is attached, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A, first, the engaging block 21 of the cartridge 13 is placed in the water purifier so that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 13 is horizontal. It is made to oppose the insertion part 22 of guide wall 20A, 20B of the main body 12. FIG. From this state, as shown by an arrow I in FIGS. 10A and 11A, the cartridge 13 is brought close to the water purifier body 12 from the front, the engaging block 21 is inserted inside the cover wall 28, and the guide wall is further inserted. It inserts in the insertion part 22 of 20A, 20B. At this time, the front-end | tip part of the cover wall 28 of the water purifier main body 12 opposes the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge 13 in the proximity | contact state (refer FIG. 10 (B) and FIG. 11 (B)).

  Next, from this state, the cartridge 13 is slid in the horizontal direction as indicated by an arrow S in FIGS. 10 (B) and 11 (B). At this time, the engagement block 21 of the cartridge 13 is guided by the guide walls 20A and 20B on the water purifier main body 12 side, and the guide protrusion 33 of the engagement block 21 slides in the guide groove 24 on the water purifier main body 12 side. To do. Thus, when the engagement block 21 moves in the direction of the other end of the guide walls 20A and 20B, the upper and lower edges of the engagement block 21 are gradually engaged with the locking claws 23, and at the same time, the tapered surface of the guide projection 33 35 gradually pushes the locking pin 26.

  Thus, when the cartridge 13 is slid to a predetermined position, the locking pin 26 is fitted into the engaging hole 34 on the guide protrusion 33, and the inlet 31 of the cartridge 13 and the outlet 18 of the water purifier main body 12 are connected. Are matched and are connected to each other. At this time, the cartridge 13 is restrained from being displaced in the horizontal direction by the engagement of the engagement pin 21 and the engagement hole 34 at the same time as the engagement block 21 is restricted from being pulled out by the engagement claw 23. As a result, the water purifier main body 12 is locked (see FIGS. 10C and 11C).

  When removing the cartridge 13 from the water purifier main body 12, the cartridge 13 is first slid by a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the arrow S, and then the cartridge 13 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow I. Pull and remove from the water purifier body 12.

  As described above, in this water purifier 1, because of the simple connection mechanism in which the engagement block 21 of the cartridge 13 is inserted into the cover wall 28 of the water purifier main body 12 and the cartridge 13 is slid in that state, Molding is easy, and there are few components required for the connection of the water purifier body 12 and the cartridge 13. Therefore, in this water purifier 1, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this water purifier 1, since the water purifier main body 12 and the cartridge 13 can be attached and detached by easy operation of sliding the cartridge 13 horizontally with respect to the water purifier main body 12, it takes time to replace the cartridge 13. Therefore, the cartridge can be replaced easily and reliably.

  Furthermore, since this water purifier 1 is integrally coupled with the water purifier body 12 and the cartridge 13 so that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 13 is horizontal, compared to a conventional water purifier in which the cartridge 13 is arranged vertically, Visual pressure can be reduced, and work around the faucet is not hindered.

  Moreover, in this water purifier 1, the surrounding area of the connection part (engagement block 21, guide wall 20A, 20B, the latching claw 23, the latching pin 26, the engagement hole 34, etc.) of the cartridge 13 and the water purifier main body 12 is shown. However, since it is covered with the annular cover wall 28 extended to the water purifier main body 12, the cover pieces are extended from the cartridge 13 side and the water purifier main body 12 side, respectively, and finally the connection part is formed by both cover pieces. Unlike the case where the surroundings are covered, as long as the size and shape of the engagement block 21 are made common, one water purifier main body 12 can be easily adapted to the cartridge 13 having a different size and specification of the case 29.

  Moreover, in this water purifier 1, a pair of parallel guide walls 20A and 20B extending in the horizontal direction is provided on the water purifier main body 12, and the upper and lower surfaces of the engagement block 21 on the cartridge 13 side are the guide walls 20A. 20B, the sliding operation for detaching the cartridge 13 with respect to the water purifier main body 12 can be performed easily and reliably.

  Further, in the case of this water purifier 1, the outlet 18 of the water purifier main body 12 and the inlet 31 of the cartridge 13 match the engaging block 21 of the cartridge 13 and the bottom of the guide groove 24 on the water purifier main body 12 side. Since the engaging pin 26 and the engaging hole 34 that are engaged with each other are provided at the position, when the cartridge 13 is slid with respect to the water purifier main body 12 by a predetermined amount when the cartridge 13 is mounted, The movement of the cartridge 13 in the sliding direction can be restricted by the engagement of the stop pin 26 and the engagement hole 34, and the locking block 21 is securely fixed to the main body block 14 inside the cover wall 28. The operator can be informed with a sense of moderation.

Further, in the water purifier 1, a guide protrusion 33 is provided on the engagement block 21, an engagement hole 34 is provided on the front surface of the guide protrusion 33, and the end of the guide protrusion 33 is attached to the end of the guide protrusion 33 when the cartridge 13 is mounted. When the engagement block 21 is slid, a taper surface 35 is provided that gradually pushes the locking pin 26 against the force of the coil spring 27. Therefore, the locking is performed only by sliding the engagement block 21. The pin 26 can be pushed down smoothly, and when the leading end of the locking pin 26 matches the position of the engaging hole 34, the leading end of the locking pin 26 abuts against the inner surface of the engaging hole 34. And a sufficient moderation feeling can be given during the mounting operation.
In the case of this embodiment, when the cartridge 13 is attached, before the locking pin 26 is pushed down by the tapered surface 35 of the guide protrusion 33, the locking claw 23 starts to restrict the engagement block 21 from coming off in the front direction. It has become so. For this reason, the operator does not need to push the cartridge 13 from the front against the force of the coil spring 27, and simply applies a force in the sliding direction.

  In this embodiment, a part 36 a of the leg portion 36 that connects the case 29 of the cartridge 13 and the engagement block 21 extends to the lower end of the engagement block 21, and a part of the extended leg portion 36 is provided. Since 36a abuts on the locking claw 23 of the guide wall 20B and functions as a stopper in the sliding direction, the slide displacement of the cartridge 13 more than necessary can be reliably prevented by this stopper function. In particular, in this case, since the end portion of the locking claw 23 is used as the restricting portion, it is possible to simplify the structure and facilitate manufacturing.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various design change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water purifier 2 ... Faucet 11 ... Faucet connection part 12 ... Water purifier main body 13 ... Cartridge 18 ... Outlet 20A, 20B ... Guide wall 21 ... Engagement block 22 ... Insertion part 23 ... Locking claw 26 ... Locking pin ( Locking protrusion)
27 ... Coil spring (biasing means)
28 ... Cover wall 29 ... Case 31 ... Inlet 34 ... Engagement hole 35 ... Tapered surface

Claims (3)

A faucet connection portion attached to the faucet of the faucet, a flow path switching mechanism for switching the flow path of the raw water taken from the faucet, and an outlet for deriving the raw water when the flow path switching mechanism is switched to the purified water mode A water purifier body having,
A cartridge that is removably attached to the water purifier main body so that the raw water inflow port is provided in a substantially cylindrical case containing a filter medium, and the inflow port matches the outlet.
In the water purifier with
An engagement block protrudes from the outer surface of the cartridge,
The water purifier body is provided with a guide wall capable of displacing the cartridge with its longitudinal direction horizontal by guiding the engagement block slidably,
One end of the guide wall in the longitudinal direction is provided with an insertion portion that allows insertion and removal of the engagement block from the front, and the other end in the longitudinal direction is pulled out to the front of the engagement block. When the engaging block is positioned on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the guide wall, the inlet of the cartridge and the inlet of the water purifier main body match each other. Is set to
Furthermore, the water purifier main body is provided with an annular cover wall that covers the peripheral area of the guide wall and whose front end faces the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge.   Between the engagement block of the cartridge and the water purifier main body, a locking projection and an engagement hole that are fitted to each other at a position where the outlet of the water purifier main body and the inlet of the cartridge match. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the locking protrusion is urged in a protruding direction by an urging means.   The locking protrusion is provided in the water purifier main body, and the engagement hole is provided in the engagement block of the cartridge, and the engagement block is guided by the guide wall during the mounting operation. The water purifier according to claim 2, further comprising a tapered surface that gradually pushes down the locking projection.

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