JPH0431755B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing drinking water such as mineral water, which has a function of indicating when to replace a purifying section made of a superagent or the like.

(Prior art) As a conventional manufacturing device of this type, for example, the Jikosho
As proposed in Publication No. 57-40152, it has a purification unit consisting of a raw water supply container, a superagent, etc., a pump, and a drinking water storage container, and the pump collects raw water such as tap water from the raw water supply container. It is known that drinking water is purified by passing through the purification section and stored in a drinking water storage container. In this device,
When the raw water passes through the purification section, impurities such as dirt and gas contained in the raw water are adsorbed and removed using a filter agent such as activated carbon, and the purified drinking water is stored. As the purification section deteriorates due to the adsorption of impurities, such as a decrease in purification ability,
Usually, the purifying section is provided to be replaceable.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) As described above, it is necessary to replace the purifying unit when it deteriorates, and for example, the device should have a sign that urges periodic replacement, such as "Please replace once a year." However, it is rare to memorize the initial period of use and replace it regularly once a year, and it is often used as is even after the replacement period has passed. Furthermore, the amount of impurities contained in the raw water varies depending on the raw water used, and the rate of deterioration of the purification section changes. Therefore, the appropriate replacement time varies depending on the raw water, and it is difficult to set a general replacement time. In this way, the appropriate replacement period is unclear, so even if the replacement period has passed and the purification ability has decreased, it is often continued to be used, making it impossible to fully draw out the original purification ability, and removing adsorbed impurities. There was a problem that this caused sanitary problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drinking water production device that can detect a decrease in the performance of a purification unit and clearly notify an appropriate time for replacement.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving Problems) As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention detects that a preset amount of drinking water 18 is stored in the drinking water storage container 7. a sensor 66; a timer 78 for measuring the time required for the predetermined amount of drinking water to be stored based on the detection output of the sensor 66; It is constituted by a comparison means 83 that compares the time with the time measured by the time measurement means 78, and a replacement time notification means 75 for the purification section 5 that is notified when the time measurement reaches a predetermined time.

(Function) In the present invention, the time elapsed from the start of water flow until a preset amount of drinking water 18 is stored in the drinking water storage container 7 is outputted by the timing means 78 based on the detection output of the sensor 66, When this measured time reaches a predetermined time set in advance based on the degree of deterioration of the purification section 5, the passage ability (purification ability) of the purification section 5 has decreased and it is assumed that it is time to replace it, and the replacement time notification means 75 is activated. Make announcements.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 to 8 show a mineral water manufacturing device, 1 is a machine body, which is composed of a base 2,
A machine frame 3 is provided from the center of the upper part of this base 2 to one side, and a machine frame 3 is provided on the upper part of this machine frame 3.
At the center of the machine body 1, an extraction cartridge 5 having a purifying section is removably provided, and is located in the machine frame 3. A raw water supply container 6 is provided within the frame 3, and a mineral water storage container 7 made of a light-transmitting material is provided on the other side of the machine body 1, located outside the machine frame 3. Reference numeral 8 denotes a water tray provided on one side of the base 2. A push-up rod 9 is formed upright on this water tray 8, and a float switch 1 is installed in the water tray 8.
0 is set. On the other hand, the raw water supply container 6
There is a cap 1 in the water supply port 11 formed at the lower end of the
2 is removably screwed on, and its cap 1
2 is provided with a water supply valve 13 corresponding to the push-up rod 9. Then, open the cover 4 and insert the raw water supply container 6 into the water tray 8 from the upper opening of the machine frame 3.
When set upward, the water supply valve 13 is pushed up by the push-up rod 9 to open the water supply valve 13, and the raw water 14 in the raw water supply container 6 is supplied into the water tray 8 and maintained at a predetermined water level according to Torrichieri's principle. Ru. The float switch 10 also controls the raw water 1 in the water tray 8.
4 is lower than a set water level, it is detected that the raw water 14 in the raw water supply container 6 has run out, and the pump described later is stopped.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a pedestal for the extraction cartridge 5, which is located at the center of the base 2 and installed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine body 1. On the center side of this pedestal 15, there is a pedestal for feeding the raw water 14. A fitting receiving part 17 having a pipe connecting part 16 is provided, and on one side of the receiving pedestal 15 there is a pipe connecting part 19 for draining mineral water 18, which is the drinking water extracted after passing through the extraction cartridge 5.
A fitting receiving portion 20 is provided, and a receiving tray 22 for a mineral extract liquid 21 is provided on the other side of the receiving stand 15. Further, the receiving tray 22 is provided with a pipe connecting portion 23 for sending out the mineral extract liquid 21 and a push-up rod 24, and the receiving tray 15 is provided with a detection switch 25 for the extraction cartridge 5. On the other hand, the extraction cartridge 5 has three chambers 26, 2.
6A, 26B, the central chamber 26 has a water supply port 27 with a gasket 27A fitted into the fitting receiving portion 17 protruding from the lower end thereof, and a purifying portion inside the chamber 26. An activated carbon layer 28 is disposed at the bottom, an ion exchange resin layer 29 is disposed at the center, and a ceramic layer 30 is disposed at the top. Further, in the chamber 26A on one side, a drain port 31 with a packing 31A that is fitted into the fitting receiving part 20 is formed protruding from the lower end, and a mineral-containing stone layer (for example, Maifan stone, etc.) is formed in the chamber 26A. Calcite (trade name)
A fiber layer 32 having a purifying function (for example, Diapore (trade name)) 33 is disposed at the center and at the bottom, respectively, and a communication port 34 is formed at the upper end of the chamber 26 and the chamber 26A. Further, in the chamber 26B on the other side, a mineral extract liquid supply container 35 is provided.
A valve body 37 is provided at the extract supply port 36 at the lower end of the mineral extract liquid supply container 35 in correspondence with the push-up rod 24 .
Then, when the cover 4A is opened and the extraction cartridge 5 is set on the pedestal 15 from the top opening of the machine frame 3, the water supply port 27 is fitted into the fitting receiving part 17, and the drain port 31 is fitted. While being fitted into the joint receiving part 20, the valve body 37 is pushed up by the push-up rod 24 to open the valve body 37, and the mineral extract liquid 21 in the mineral extract liquid supply container 35 is supplied into the saucer 22, and the The liquid level is maintained at a predetermined level according to the principle. Further, the detection switch 25 prevents the pump, which will be described later, from being driven when the extraction cartridge 5 is not set. In this case, the fitting receiving part 20 having the drainage pipe connecting part 19 is fitted into the receiving hole 38 of the pedestal 15 so as to be able to slide laterally, and when the extraction cartridge 5 is set, the fitting receiving part 20 allows for movement. Further, the upper end portion of the pipe connection portion 23 provided on the saucer 22 faces the inside of the extract supply port 36.

39 is a pump for feeding the raw water 14 located inside the machine frame 3 and provided on the base 2; a suction port 40 of this pump 39 and a pipe connection provided at the bottom of the water tray 8; 41 and a water suction pipe 42, and a discharge port 43 of the pump 39 and the pipe connection part 16 of the pedestal 15 are connected by a water discharge pipe 44. On the other hand, one end of a mineral water outlet pipe 45 is connected to a drainage pipe connection part 19 provided on the pedestal 15, and an outlet 46 at the other end of this mineral water outlet pipe 45 is connected to the upper part of the machine frame 3. It is positioned above the mineral water storage container 7 and faces a protrusion 47 formed to protrude on the other side.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a pump for feeding the mineral extract liquid 21 located inside the machine frame 3 and provided on the pedestal 15, and a suction port 49 of this pump 48 and a pipe connection portion provided on the pedestal 22 are connected. 23 and liquid suction pipe 5
0, and the discharge port 51 of the pump 48
An outlet port 53 of a mineral extract liquid outlet pipe 52 connected to the mineral extract liquid outlet pipe 52 faces into the raw water 14 supplied into the water tray 8. The pump 48 is the tenth pump.
As shown in the figure, every time the pump 39 for the raw water 14 is driven for a predetermined period of time, the pump 39 for the raw water 14 is driven intermittently for a very short time, for example, when the raw water 14 is 1000 c.c.
I try to add about 1.5cc of 1.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a curved protrusion formed in a curved manner over the entire vertical width at the spout side edge of the mineral water storage container 7;
A curved recess 55 corresponding to 4 is formed over the entire vertical width of the center portion of the other side of the machine frame 3, and when the mineral water storage container 7 is set on the other side of the upper part of the base 2, the mineral water storage container 7
A curved protrusion 54 is fitted into a curved recess 55 of the machine frame 3. Further, within the curved protrusion 54, a partition wall 57 having a water passage hole 56 is located at a storage height corresponding to half of the minimum extraction amount specified by an extraction amount specifying means to be described later.
are provided horizontally, and partition walls 59 having vertical water holes 58 from the lower end to the height of the partition wall 57 are provided on both sides of the curved protrusion 54 . Float chamber 60 at the bottom of
is formed. Further, a support rod 61 is formed upright at the bottom of the float chamber 60, and this support rod 6
A float 62 made of a light-shielding material is provided on top of the float 62 so as to be movable up and down to a height at which it is stopped by the partition wall 57 . On the other hand, a pair of left and right window holes 63 and 64 are formed facing each other in the curved recess 55 of the machine frame 3, corresponding to the position of the float 62 placed on the support rod 61. A light emitting element 65 is provided on the side, and a light receiving element 65A is provided on the inner surface side of the other window hole 64, and the light emitting element 65 and the hole receiving element 65A constitute a sensor 66. 6
7 is a printed circuit board to which the light emitting element 65 and the light receiving element 65A are electrically connected.

When the float 62 is placed on the support rod 61 in the extraction state after the mineral water storage container 7 is set, the light from the light emitting element 65 is blocked by the float 62, and the mineral water storage container 7 When the float 62 floats due to the mineral water 18 stored inside, the light from the light emitting element 65 is received by the light receiving element 65A, and a preset amount of mineral water 18 is
A signal is output to detect that the image has been extracted. On the other hand, in the state before extraction, if the mineral water storage container 7 is not set, the light from the light emitting element 65 or disturbance light is not blocked by the float 62 and is received by the light receiving element 65A, so that the mineral water storage container 7 A signal is output to detect an unset state, and an alarm lamp 68 is lit to notify that preparation is not completed. Also mineral water storage container 7
is provided with a lid 69, and this lid 69 is provided with an extraction hole 69A corresponding to the outlet 46 of the mineral water outlet pipe 45.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation panel provided on the machine frame 3, and this operation panel 70 is provided with a start button 71 and one designation operation button 72A constituting extraction amount designation means 72. In addition, the operation panel 7
0 is provided with five display lamps 73, 73A, 73B, 73C, and 73D that display the specified extraction amount in stages depending on the number of times the specified operation button 72A is pressed. The extraction amount, that is, 1, which is twice the set extraction amount, for example, 0.5, is specified, the display lamp 73 lights up, and 2
By pressing the button twice, the extraction amount of 1.5 is specified and the display lamp 73A lights up, and by pressing the button three times, the extraction amount is 2.
In this way, by pressing the button 5 times, the extraction amount of 3 is specified and the display lamp 73D lights up, and by pressing the button 6 times, the extraction amount of 1 is turned on. The display is configured to be displayed in a cyclical manner so that the display lamp 73 lights up when designated. In addition, this display lamp 73,
The indicator lamps 73A, 73B, 73C, and 73D corresponding to the specified extraction amount are configured to be lit continuously at the specified time, blink during extraction, and continuously lit after extraction. The operation panel 70 also includes an alarm lamp 74 that detects when the raw water supply container 6 has run out of raw water using the float switch 10 and displays an alarm, and a replacement lamp 74 that serves as a notification means to notify when it is time to replace the extraction cartridge 5. A time display lamp 75 is provided. In this case, the pumps 39 and 48 are configured to be stopped when the float switch 10 detects that the raw water 14 has run out.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram showing the electrical configuration,
76 is a control unit consisting of a microcomputer, which includes a CPU 77, a clock means 78, and a memory 7.
9. It has an input circuit 80, an output circuit 81, an arithmetic processing means 82, a comparison means 83, etc., and this control section 76 has a plurality of types of programs, and according to the control program it has, it controls the amount of extraction specified. Accordingly, the drive control of the pumps 39, 48, etc. are carried out, and the display indicates that the raw water is out of 14, and the passage capacity of the extraction cartridge 5 is detected, the degree of deterioration is determined, and the time for replacement is displayed. Further, the input circuit 80 is connected to a start button 71, a sensor 66 for detecting that a set amount (0.5) has been extracted, an extraction amount specifying means 72, and a flow switch 10. Further, a drive circuit 84 is connected to the output circuit 81, and a pump 39 for the raw water 14 and a pump 48 for the mineral extract liquid 21 are connected to the drive circuit 84. Further, the output circuit 81
Display lamp 7 displays the specified extraction amount.
3, 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D and raw water 14
An alarm lamp 74 for indicating a burnout, a replacement time display lamp 75 for indicating the time to replace the extraction cartridge 5, and an alarm lamp 68 for indicating that preparation is not completed are connected. In addition, the memory 7
9, a preset amount (0.5) is set as the extraction amount detected by the sensor 66, and a time period until the preset amount of mineral water 18 is extracted in order to determine when to replace the extraction cartridge 5. Set predetermined time T ₁
is memorized.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when a desired extraction amount, for example 3, is specified by pushing the specification operation button 72A of the extraction amount designation means 72, the control unit 76 displays a display corresponding to the specified extraction amount. lamp 7
Turn on 3D. Next, when the start button 71 is turned on, the control unit 76 drives the pump 39 via the drive circuit 84 and starts the time measurement operation by the time measurement means 78. By driving this pump, the raw water 14 in the raw water supply container 6 is pumped through the water suction pipe 42 and the water discharge pipe 44 to the chambers 26 and 2 of the extraction cartridge 5.
Activated carbon layer 28, ion exchange resin layer 29 in 6A,
The water passes through the ceramic layer 30, the mineral-containing stone layer 32, and the fiber layer 33, and is stored as mineral water 18 in the mineral water storage container 7 via the mineral water outlet pipe 45. When 0.5 of the set amount of mineral water 18 is stored in the mineral water storage container 7 in this way, the float 62 floats and the sensor 66 outputs a detection signal to the control section 76, which extracts the set amount. The measured time T ₀ until the end is stored in the memory 79. Further, the control unit 76 drives the pump 48 for a preset time T ₂ to add the mineral extract liquid 21 in the mineral extract liquid supply container 35 to the raw water 14 via the mineral extract liquid outlet pipe 52. In addition, the control unit 76 uses the arithmetic processing means 82 to calculate the time T required to extract the designated extraction amount 3 based on the set amount 0.5 and the extraction speed obtained from the clocked time T ₀ = 3/0.5×T. Calculate with ₀ . Then, during the time T obtained by the calculation, the time
After repeating the addition of the mineral extract liquid 21 for a time T ₂ to the raw water 14 pumped at T ₀ , the pump 39 is stopped to complete the extraction.

Furthermore, the control unit 76 causes the comparison means 83 to compare the time T ₀ required for extracting the set amount with the predetermined time T ₁ , and when the time T ₀ reaches the predetermined time T ₁ , the extraction cartridge 5 is The replacement time display lamp 75 lights up or flashes to indicate that the passing ability has decreased and it is time for replacement.

Next, the operation of the control section 76 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, turn on the power switch (not shown).
As shown in step _S1 , the output of the sensor 66 is "0", that is, the light from the light emitting element 65 reaches the float 62.
If the output of the sensor 66 is "1", it is assumed that the mineral water storage container 7 has not been set or other preparations have been completed, and the process proceeds to step _S2 . The alarm lamp 68 lights up as shown, and step S ₁
Return to On the other hand, if the output of the sensor 66 is "0", it is assumed that the preparation has been completed, and as shown in step _S3 , it is determined whether or not the designated operation button 72A is on, and if it is on, the process proceeds to step _S4 . For example, display lamp 3 corresponds to the specified extraction amount as shown in
Display lamp 73D when the extraction amount is specified
lights up. Next, as shown in step _S5 , it is determined whether or not the start button 71 is turned on. If it is turned on, a time count (parameter Tx) is started in step _S6 , and the pump ₃ is turned on in step S7.
9 is driven. As a result, the raw water 14 supplied from the raw water supply container 6 into the water tray 8 is transferred to the pipe connection part 41.
The raw water 14 is sucked into the pump 39 through the water suction pipe 42 and discharged from the pump 39 via the pipe connection part 16 from the water supply port part 27 to the extraction cartridge 5.
The activated carbon layer 28, the ion exchange resin layer 29, and the ceramic layer 30 are sequentially passed through the activated carbon layer 28, ion exchange resin layer 29, and ceramic layer 30.
Then, it is sent into the chamber 26A from the communication port 34, passes through the mineral-containing stone layer 32 and the fiber layer 33, and the activated carbon layer 28, the fiber layer 33, etc. removes dirt and gases such as chlorine, methane, and captan contained in the raw water 14. ion exchange resin layer 29, ceramic layer 3.
0. The minerals contained in the mineral-containing stone layer 32 etc. are dissolved and extracted as mineral water 18, passed through the mineral water outlet pipe 45 via the pipe connection part 19, and discharged from the outlet 46 and extracted through the extraction hole 69.
It is stored in the mineral water storage container 7 via A. In this way, as shown in step _S8 , the output of the sensor 66 is "1", that is, the set amount (0.5) of mineral water 18 is stored in the mineral water storage container 7, and the float 62 floats, causing light to be emitted. It continues to be determined whether the light from the element 65 is received by the light receiving element 65A. When the set amount of mineral water 18 of 0.5 is stored in the mineral water storage container 7, the output of the sensor 66 becomes "1" and goes to step _S9.
As shown in the figure, the measured time Tx at the time when the output of the sensor 66 becomes "1" is stored in the memory 79 as _T0 . Next, in step _S10 , it is determined whether _T0 is greater than or equal to a preset allowable time _T1 , and if _T0 ≧ _T1 , it is determined that it is time to replace the extraction cartridge 5, and step S10 is performed. At _{step 11} , the replacement time display lamp 75 is turned on, and then the process moves to step _S12 . On the other hand, if T ₀ <T ₁ , the process directly moves to step _S12 . Also, step S ₁₂
As shown in FIG.
is calculated as 3/0.5×T ₀ and this calculation time T is stored in the memory 79. Next, in step _S13 , time counting (parameter Ty) is started, and in step _S14 , time counting (parameter Ty) is started.
Tz). Furthermore, the pump 48 is driven in step _S15 . As a result, the mineral extract liquid 21 supplied from the mineral extract liquid supply container 35 into the saucer 22 passes through the mineral extract liquid outlet pipe 52 and is added to the raw water 14 in the water tray 8 from the outlet 53, and time is measured in step _S16 . It is determined whether the time Ty has reached the preset addition time _T2 of the mineral extract liquid 21, and the time Ty has reached _T2.
When reaching this point, the pump 48 stops at step _S17 .
Addition of mineral extract liquid 21 is stopped. Next, as shown in step _S18 , it is determined whether or not the measured time Tz has reached _T0 , and if the measured time Tz has reached _T0 , the extracted amount specified by the measured time Tx is determined in step _S19 . A judgment is made as to whether or not the time T for Tx to be stored has been reached, and if Tx has not reached T, the process moves to a routine that follows "NO" in step _S19 , returns to step _S13 , and continues from steps _S13 to S13. By repeating the process of step _S19 and adding the mineral extract liquid 21 at time _T2 to the amount of raw water 14 fed at time _T0 , highly pure mineral water 18 to which the mineral extract liquid 21 has been added is continuously extracted. When the measured time Tx reaches T in this manner, the pump 39 is stopped in step _S20 , and the designated extraction amount of the mineral water 18 is stored in the mineral water storage container 7, and the extraction is completed.

In this way, in the above embodiment, a sensor 66 is provided to detect that a preset amount of mineral water 18 has been extracted, and from the start of extraction, the sensor 66 detects that extraction of the preset amount has been completed. The time T ₀ until the extraction cartridge 5 is replaced is measured by the timing means 78, and the comparison means 83 compares this measured time T ₀ with a predetermined time T ₁ set in advance depending on the degree of deterioration at which the extraction cartridge 5 is desired to be replaced. The measured time T ₀ is the predetermined time
When _T1 is reached, a replacement time indicator lamp 75 is turned on to inform the user that it is time to replace the extraction cartridge 5.

That is, by passing the raw water 14, the activated carbon layer 28 and the fiber layer 3 of the extraction cartridge 5 are
3, impurities such as rubber, gas, and lime contained in the raw water 14 are adsorbed, and as the amount of raw water 14 passing through increases, the passing capacity (purification capacity) increases from the initial 100% as shown in Figure 12. gradually decreases,
Therefore, extraction takes time, and when this time becomes longer, the life of the extraction cartridge 5 has come to an end. For this reason, for example, if you want to replace it when the passing capacity reaches 50%, if the time required to extract the set amount is t when the passing capacity is 100%, then set the predetermined time T ₁ to 2t and change the measured time T ₀ is this time
By lighting up the replacement time display lamp 75 when the weight reaches 2t, it is possible to obtain an appropriate replacement time corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the extractor cartridge 5, and this display also ensures that the user is informed of the replacement time. can encourage replacement. Therefore, the extraction cartridge 5 is prevented from being used as it is even after the proper replacement time has passed, and the purification ability of the extraction cartridge 5 can be sufficiently obtained by proper replacement. In addition, the replacement timing of the extraction cartridge 5 varies depending on the water quality, and instead of periodic replacement, the actual passage capacity is detected in this way, so it is possible to detect the actual decrease in capacity and correct it. This device can be used. Note that even if the replacement time comes, the pump 39 will not be unable to be used immediately, so even if the replacement time display lamp 75 lights up, the pump 39 will not be stopped and can be used as is. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, although the case where mineral water is stored as drinking water is shown, it can also be applied to the production of purified water or drinking water such as coffee. Also, a predetermined time corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the extraction cartridge.
T ₁ and the set extraction amount detected by the sensor can be selected as appropriate. Furthermore, the notification of replacement time is not limited to the display using the display lamp, but may be provided by an alarm such as a buzzer.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention compares the measured time required for storing a preset amount of drinking water with a predetermined time set in advance corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the purification section, and calculates the measured time. By activating the replacement time notification means when a predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to provide a drinking water production apparatus that can detect a decrease in the performance of the purification unit and clearly notify an appropriate replacement time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 12 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams, FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the device, FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the sensor section, FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the extraction cartridge section, and FIG. 9 is an electrical configuration. 10 is a time chart, FIG. 11 is a flow chart, and FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram of the extraction cartridge. 5... Extraction cartridge (purification section), 7... Mineral water storage container (drinking water storage container), 14
...raw water, 18...mineral water (drinking water),
39...Pump, 66...Sensor, 75...Replacement time display lamp (replacement time notification means), 78...Time measurement means,
83...Comparison means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A drinking water production device that has a purification unit replaceable with a raw water supply container, a pump, and a drinking water storage container, and uses the pump to cause raw water from the raw water supply container to pass through the purification unit and store it in the drinking water storage container. a sensor for detecting that a preset amount of drinking water is stored in the drinking water storage container; and a sensor for detecting that a preset amount of drinking water is stored in the drinking water storage container; a timer for measuring time, a comparison means for comparing the measured time with a predetermined time set in advance based on the degree of deterioration of the purification section, and a comparison means that is activated when the measured time reaches the predetermined time. 1. A drinking water production device, comprising: means for notifying when a purification section is to be replaced.