JP7694925B2 - Water purification system - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this application relates to a water purification system that purifies tap water, groundwater, and other water and supplies it as drinking water for general household or commercial use.

Many water purification systems have been proposed that purify household water by connecting to a water pipe. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a water purification device that uses an under-sink water purifier in which a side pipe with a water purifier is provided in the water pipe, and the water pipe and the side pipe each have solenoid valves that open and close the flow of raw water, and the solenoid valves are controlled to switch between raw water and purified water (that has passed through the water purifier in the side pipe) by operating a touch panel.

Patent No. 3776670

For example, when installing a water purification device using the under-sink type water purifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 in an already installed sink, a touch panel for switching between raw water (tap water) and purified water must be installed on the top or side of the sink, requiring additional work, which creates the problem that the water purification device cannot be easily installed.

The technology disclosed in this application aims to provide a water purification system that can be easily installed on an already installed sink by providing a flow sensor upstream of the faucet and enabling switching between raw water and purified water based on the output of the flow sensor in response to the operation of the faucet.

To achieve the above object, the water purification system according to claim 1 is a water purification system that can be switched between a raw water mode in which raw water is discharged from a faucet and a purified water mode in which purified water is discharged from the faucet, and is equipped with a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of raw water or purified water discharged from the faucet, and a control unit that outputs a signal to switch from the raw water mode to the purified water mode based on the output signal output from the flow sensor, and the control unit is capable of outputting a signal to switch from the raw water mode to the purified water mode according to the operator's preference of the faucet, based on the pattern of fluctuation in the output signal output from the flow sensor according to the operation pattern of the faucet.

In the water purification system according to claim 1, the control unit can output a signal to switch from raw water mode to purified water mode according to the operator's preference based on the pattern of fluctuations in the output signal output from the flow sensor, which corresponds to the operation pattern of the faucet. Therefore, since there is no need for a touch panel for operation as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when installing the water purification system under a sink, there is no need to perform additional construction work on the top or side of the sink to install an operating part. Therefore, the water purification system can be easily installed on existing sinks, faucets, etc. Furthermore, the cost of equipment and construction can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a water purification system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the water purification system according to the present invention. 1 is a control flowchart (part 1) of the control unit of the water purification system according to the present invention. 4 is a control flowchart (part 2) of the control unit of the water purification system according to the present invention. 1 is a timing chart (part 1) of the control flow of the control unit of the water purification system according to the present invention. 2 is a timing chart (part 2) of the control flow of the control unit of the water purification system according to the present invention.

First, a water purification system 1, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram explaining the configuration of a water purification system 1 according to the present invention. In the water purification system 1, a cold water pipe 2 and a hot water pipe 3 are provided in parallel. The cold water pipe 2 and the hot water pipe 3 are connected to a mixing valve (not shown) provided inside a faucet (hereinafter referred to as "faucet"). The hot water and cold water that pass through the cold water pipe 2 and the hot water pipe 3 are discharged from the faucet as hot water, cold water, or a mixture of these, by the action of the mixing valve (hereinafter referred to as "faucet operation").

The water pipe 2 for water is composed of an inlet pipe 4 into which tap water (hereinafter referred to as "raw water") flows, a main pipe 5 (through which raw water passes) branched by a diverter 18 connected to the inlet pipe 4, a side pipe 6 with a water purifier 20 (composed of a filter 16 and a check valve 15) interposed therebetween, and a junction pipe 7 in which the main pipe 5 and the side pipe 6 are joined by a junction 19. The main pipe 5 and the side pipe 6 are each provided with a first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) that opens and closes the main pipe 5 and a second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) that opens and closes the side pipe 6. In addition, the main pipe 5 and the side pipe 6 are provided with a check valve 14 and a check valve 13 downstream of the first solenoid valve 10 and the second solenoid valve 11, respectively. In addition, the junction pipe 7 is provided with a flow sensor 17 that measures the flow rate of water. Here, the installation of the check valve is not limited to the above embodiment, and if necessary, an appropriate number of check valves may be provided at appropriate positions. In addition, the hot water pipe 3 is provided with a third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) that opens and closes the hot water pipe 3.

Next, the control unit 30 of the water purification system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control unit 30 of the water purification system 1 according to the present invention. The control unit 30 is provided with a calculation device 31 consisting of a CPU and the like, to which a reset 32 (which inputs a reset signal), a buzzer 33, a vibrator 34, a setting switch 35, a memory 36, a first solenoid valve drive circuit 37, a second solenoid valve drive circuit 38, a third solenoid valve drive circuit 39, and a flow sensor circuit 40 are connected.

The first solenoid valve drive circuit 37, the second solenoid valve drive circuit 38, and the third solenoid valve drive circuit 39 are circuits that drive and control the first solenoid valve 10, the second solenoid valve 11, and the third solenoid valve 12, respectively. In this embodiment, as described below, the output signal of the flow sensor 17 is input to the calculation device 31 via the flow sensor circuit 40, and the first solenoid valve 10, the second solenoid valve 11, and the third solenoid valve 12 are controlled to open and close via the first solenoid valve drive circuit 37, the second solenoid valve drive circuit 38, and the third solenoid valve drive circuit 39 based on the output signal of the flow sensor 17.

Next, the control procedure for switching between raw water and water (that has passed through the side pipe 6) (hereinafter referred to as "purified water") in the water pipe 2 of the water purification system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

Figures 3 and 4 are control flow charts for switching between raw water and purified water by the control unit 30 in the water pipe 2 of the water purification system 1, and Figures 5 and 6 are timing charts of the control flow of the control unit 30 of the water purification system 1.

First, in step S0, the power supply of the water purification system 1 is turned on. Then, in step S1, the water purification system 1 enters an operation standby state. In the operation standby state, the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is controlled to be "open" and the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is controlled to be "closed" by the control unit 30. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is controlled to be "open" after the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is "closed". As a result, in the operation standby state, raw water flows through the main pipe 5. (Hereinafter, this state is referred to as the "raw water mode", and the state in which purified water is discharged from the faucet is referred to as the "purified water mode".) Then, when the water purification system 1 enters the raw water mode, the control unit 30 causes the buzzer 33 to emit a buzzer sound "beep". This allows the operator to recognize that the water purification system 1 is in the raw water mode. Here, by closing the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) and then opening the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1), the inflow of raw water into the water purifier 20 can be prevented. This prevents excessive use of the filter 16 and shortens the life of the filter 16.

In step S2, the purification mode is detected. In this embodiment, the faucet is operated by closing the faucet for T0 seconds and then opening it again. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the output signal of the flow sensor 17 is turned OFF for T0 seconds, and then the output signal is output again (hereinafter, this is called the "purification mode switching signal"). That is, if the purification mode switching signal is detected (Y), the control unit 30 proceeds to step S3 to control the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) and the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) to switch the water purification system 1 from the raw water mode to the purified water mode. If not detected (N), the control unit 30 remains in step S2 and waits for the detection of the purification mode switching signal. In this way, in the water purification system 1 according to the present invention, the raw water mode is switched to the purified water mode by operating the faucet.

In step S3, it is confirmed whether the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When water flows through the water pipe 2, a clock signal is output from the flow sensor 17 as an output signal from the flow sensor 17, as shown in FIG. 5B. The frequency (Hz) of the clock signal increases as the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 increases. Therefore, in step S3, it is determined whether the output signal from the flow sensor 17 is greater than A1 Hz (a threshold value for determining whether the amount of water is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount), and if it is greater (Y), it is determined that the flow rate is appropriate and the process proceeds to step S4. If it is equal to or less than A1 Hz (N), it remains in step S3 and waits until the output signal from the flow sensor 17 exceeds A1 Hz.

In steps S4 and S5, the water purification system 1 is switched from the raw water mode to the purified water mode. As shown in FIG. 5D, first, in step S4, the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is opened, and then in step S5, the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is controlled by the control unit 30 to be closed. Here, if the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is opened after the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is closed, or if the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is closed and the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is opened simultaneously, the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 temporarily decreases, and the control unit 30 may erroneously detect, for example, the closing of a faucet. Therefore, by controlling the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) and the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) in the above procedure, the water purification system 1 can be switched from raw water mode to purified water mode while maintaining the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 at or above a predetermined level.

When the water purification system 1 switches from the raw water mode to the purified water mode, in step S6, the control unit 30 causes the buzzer 33 to emit a "beep" sound. This allows the operator to recognize that the water purification system 1 has switched from the raw water mode to the purified water mode. In other words, the buzzer sound from the buzzer 33 makes it possible to identify whether the water being discharged from the faucet is raw water or purified water.

In steps S7 and S8, if the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 after switching to the purified water mode remains above a predetermined amount ("Y" in step S7) and exceeds T1 seconds ("Y" in step S8), it is determined that the water flowing out of the faucet is drinkable purified water, and in step S9, the control unit 30 causes the buzzer 33 to emit a "beep beep" sound. This allows the operator to recognize that the water being discharged from the faucet is drinkable purified water.

If, in step S7, the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (N), the faucet may be "closed" or there may be a malfunction in the water pipe 2. In this case, proceed to step S12 and return (switch) the water purification system 1 from the purified water mode to the raw water mode.

In step S10, it is checked again whether the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. As in step S7 above, if the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (N), the faucet may be "closed" or there may be a malfunction in the water pipe 2, so proceed to step S12 and return (switch) the water purification system 1 from the purified water mode to the raw water mode.

In step S10, if the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 2 exceeds a predetermined amount, it is determined that purified water is being discharged normally from the faucet.

In step S11, when purified water is continuously discharged from the faucet for more than the predetermined time T2 seconds, as shown in FIG. 6 (F), the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is closed in step S12, and the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is opened in step S13 to switch the water purification system 1 from the purified water mode to the raw water mode, and in step S14, the control unit 30 makes the buzzer 33 emit a beep sound. This allows the operator to recognize that the water purification system 1 is in the raw water mode. When the water purification system 1 switches to the raw water mode, the process returns to step S2 and the purified water mode is detected. In this way, by limiting the continuous discharge time in the purified water mode, excessive use of the purified water mode is prevented, and the life of the filter 16 in the water purifier 20 is prevented from being shortened.

In addition, in step S11, the cumulative usage time in the water purification mode may be determined. By setting T2 seconds as the usable time (life time) of the filter 16, the life of the filter 16 is determined in step S11, and when the filter 16 reaches its life, the buzzer 33 in step S14 emits a different buzzer sound, for example, a "beep beep beep" sound, to notify the operator of the end of the filter 16's life and prompt them to replace the filter 16.

As shown in FIG. 6E, when the faucet is closed to stop discharge in the purified water mode, steps S12 to S14 are carried out as described above to switch the water purification system 1 from the purified water mode to the raw water mode.

As described above, in the water purification system 1 according to the present invention, the raw water mode and purified water mode can be switched by operating the faucet with a simple operation pattern. Therefore, there is no need for an operation touch panel as disclosed in Patent Document 1. As a result, for example, when installing the water purification system under a sink, there is no need to perform additional construction work on the top or side of the sink for the operation part, so the water purification system can be easily installed on an existing sink or faucet. Furthermore, the cost of equipment and construction can be reduced.

Next, the control of the third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) provided in the hot water pipe 3 will be described. As shown in (G) and (H) of FIG. 6, the third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) and the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) are controlled to open and close exclusively. That is, when the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is "open", the third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) is "closed" ((G) of FIG. 6), and when the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is "closed", the third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) is "open" ((H) of FIG. 6). This makes it possible to prevent purified water and hot water from being discharged from the faucet at the same time, and to prevent accidents in which hot water gets mixed into purified water.

Here, the water purification system 1 is an example of a water purification system, the water pipe 2 is an example of a raw water path, the main pipe 5 is an example of a raw water channel, the side pipe 6 is an example of a purified water channel, the flow divider 18 is an example of a branch section, the flow junction 19 is an example of a junction section, the first solenoid valve 10 (SV1) is an example of a first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve 11 (SV2) is an example of a second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve 12 (SV3) is an example of a third solenoid valve, the water purifier 20 is an example of a water purifier, the flow sensor 17 is an example of a flow sensor, the control unit 30 is an example of a control unit, and the buzzer 33 is an example of a buzzer.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples, and the present invention should not be interpreted in any limited manner based on the specific descriptions in the embodiments. It should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in various forms with various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and that all such embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the buzzer sound of the buzzer 33 was used to identify whether the water purification system 1 was in raw water mode or purified water mode, but the identification method is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a vibrator 34 may be provided and identification may be made possible by a vibration signal (vibration pattern). This allows even hearing-impaired persons to identify. Also, both the buzzer sound and the vibration signal may be used in combination. In this case, it is possible to reliably identify even in an environment where it is difficult to hear voices. The identification means is not limited to a buzzer sound or vibration signal, and may be visually identifiable using an LED or the like.

The buzzer sound is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and various patterns of buzzer sounds can be adopted, and appropriate buzzer sounds may be emitted as appropriate according to various conditions other than those shown in the above embodiment. Furthermore, for example, in the water purification mode, the buzzer may be emitted continuously in the form of "beep, beep, beep...". In this case, the water purification mode can be more accurately recognized.

Also, a speaker may be used instead of the buzzer 33. In this case, the melody can be used to identify each state of the water purification system, allowing the user to use the water purification system comfortably and without any discomfort.

Furthermore, the operation pattern of the faucet for switching the water purification system 1 from the raw water mode to the purified water mode shown in the above embodiment is merely an example and is not limited to this. Of course, other operation patterns may be adopted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a solenoid valve is used to open and close the main pipe 5, etc., but this is not limited to this, and for example, a battery valve or the like may be used. This makes it possible to use a battery as the power source, and eliminates the need for electrical work compared to using a commercial power source.

In addition, the water purification system 1 shown in the above embodiment is configured to include a hot water pipe 3, but it may be configured with only a cold water pipe 2.

The technical concept that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described.
(1) A raw water route connected to a water pipe;
A branching section that branches the raw water path into a raw water path and a purified water path through a water purifier;
a first solenoid valve provided in the raw water channel;
A second solenoid valve is provided in the water purification passage between the branching portion and the water purifier;
A junction section that joins the raw water channel and the purified water channel branched by the branch section;
A faucet that connects to the confluence and flows out raw water or purified water,
A flow sensor provided in a path between the junction and the faucet;
A water purification system including a control unit that controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve,
The control unit controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on the output signal output from the flow sensor in response to the operation of the faucet, thereby enabling switching between raw water and purified water.

(2) The water purification system described in technical idea (2) is characterized in that the control unit is equipped with a buzzer, and the buzzer sound makes it possible to identify whether the system has switched to raw water or purified water.

(3) The water purification system according to technical idea (1) or (2) is characterized in that the control unit is provided with a vibrator, and it is possible to identify whether the water has been switched to raw water or purified water by a vibration signal from the vibrator.

(4) A water purification system having a hot water passage connected to the faucet,
The hot water passage is provided with a third solenoid valve,
The water purification system described in any one of technical ideas (1) to (3), characterized in that the control unit exclusively operates the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve.

(5) A water purification system described in any one of technical ideas (1) to (4), characterized in that the faucet operation allows switching between raw water and purified water by opening and closing the faucet at a predetermined time interval.

(6) A raw water route connected to a water pipe;
A branching section that branches the raw water path into a raw water path and a purified water path through a water purifier;
a first solenoid valve provided in the raw water channel;
A second solenoid valve is provided in the water purification passage between the branching portion and the water purifier;
A junction section that joins the raw water channel and the purified water channel branched by the branch section;
A faucet that connects to the confluence and flows out raw water or purified water,
A flow sensor provided in a path between the junction and the faucet;
A water purification system including a control unit that controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve,
The control unit controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on an output signal output from the flow sensor in response to an operation of the faucet, thereby enabling switching between raw water and purified water;
The control of the control unit includes a control to close the first solenoid valve and open the second solenoid valve based on an output signal output from the flow sensor, to switch from raw water to purified water.
A water purification system comprising:

(7) A raw water route connected to a water pipe;
A branching section that branches the raw water path into a raw water path and a purified water path through a water purifier;
a first solenoid valve provided in the raw water channel;
A second solenoid valve is provided in the water purification passage between the branching portion and the water purifier;
A junction section that joins the raw water channel and the purified water channel branched by the branch section;
A faucet connected to the confluence and for discharging raw water or purified water;
a flow sensor provided in a path between the junction and the faucet;
A water purification system including a control unit that controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve,
The control unit controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on an output signal output from the flow sensor in response to an operation of the faucet, thereby enabling switching between raw water and purified water;
The control of the control unit includes control for switching from raw water to purified water by changing the first solenoid valve from an open state to a closed state and changing the second solenoid valve from a closed state to an open state based on an output signal output from the flow sensor,
The water purification system is characterized in that the control unit changes the first solenoid valve from an open state to a closed state, and the second solenoid valve from a closed state to an open state, based on a pattern in which, when raw water flows out of the faucet and an output signal is output from the flow sensor while the first solenoid valve is open and the second solenoid valve is closed, the output signal is interrupted and then output again.

(8) A raw water route connected to a water pipe;
A branching section that branches the raw water path into a raw water path and a purified water path through a water purifier;
A first solenoid valve provided in the raw water channel;
A second solenoid valve provided in the water purification passage between the branching portion and the water purifier;
A junction section that joins the raw water channel and the purified water channel branched by the branch section;
A faucet connected to the confluence and for discharging raw water or purified water;
a flow sensor provided in a path between the junction and the faucet;
A water purification system including a control unit that controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve,
The control unit controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on the pattern of fluctuation in the output signal output from the flow sensor, which corresponds to the operation pattern of the faucet, and is characterized in that the water purification system can be switched from raw water mode to purified water mode at the operator's discretion.

(9) A raw water route connected to a water pipe;
A branching section that branches the raw water path into a raw water path and a purified water path through a water purifier;
A first solenoid valve provided in the raw water channel;
A second solenoid valve provided in the water purification passage between the branching portion and the water purifier;
A junction section that joins the raw water channel and the purified water channel branched by the branch section;
A faucet connected to the confluence and for discharging raw water or purified water;
A control unit used in a water purification system including a flow sensor provided in a path between the junction and the faucet,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve based on a fluctuation pattern of the output signal output from the flow sensor in accordance with the operation pattern of the faucet, and is characterized in that the water purification system can be switched from raw water mode to purified water mode at the operator's discretion.

1. Water purification system 2. Cold water pipe 3. Hot water pipe 4. Inlet pipe 5. Main pipe 6. Side pipe 7. Junction pipe 10. First solenoid valve (SV1)
11. Second solenoid valve (SV2)
12. Third solenoid valve (SV3)
13, 14, 15: Check valve 16: Filter 17: Flow sensor 18: Divider 19: Junction 20: Water purifier 30: Control unit 33: Buzzer

Claims (1)

A water purification system that can be switched between a raw water mode in which raw water is discharged from a faucet and a purified water mode in which purified water is discharged from the faucet, and includes a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of the raw water or purified water discharged from the faucet, and a control unit that outputs a signal for switching from the raw water mode to the purified water mode based on an output signal output from the flow sensor,
The control unit of this water purification system is capable of outputting a signal to switch from raw water mode to purified water mode at the discretion of the operator of the faucet based on the pattern of fluctuation in the output signal output from the flow sensor, which corresponds to the operation pattern of the faucet.

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