Description WATER PURIFIER

Technical Field

[0001]

The present invention relates to a water purifier including a purification unit that purifies raw water to produce purified water.

Background Art [0002]

There is known a disinfection device that circulates, inside of a disinfection chamber, ozone gas generated by an ozone generator by use of a pump, mainly used as a medical (for example, dental) instrument (refer to PTL 1). The conventional disinfection device is particularly provided with a humidifier for humidifying ozone gas on a side of a disinfection unit to efficiently exhibit disinfection effects by the ozone gas.

[0003]

In recent years, a water purifier including a purification unit for purifying raw water such as tap water to produce purified water, are commonly provided with the ozone generator for generating ozone gas described above, so as to keep the inside of the water purifier in a hygienic state.

Citation List
Patent Literature

[0004]

[PTL1] JPH01-011553A

Summary of Invention

[0005]

However, in the case of using the conventional disinfection device simply in the water purifier, an additional device such as a humidifier is required for the disinfection device in order to efficiently exhibit disinfection effects by ozone gas, which increases energy consumption of the water purifier.

[0006]

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier capable of keeping the inside thereof in a hygienic state while decreasing energy consumption.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention includes the following features. A water purifier according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a purification unit for purifying raw water to produce purified water; a fluid generator for generating fluid containing a germicidal component; a fluid circulator for circulating the fluid; a purified water holding unit provided in a secondary passage located downstream of the purification unit to store the purified water; and a circulation passage branching off from the purified water holding unit or from a passage located downstream of the purified water holding unit, the circulation passage extending upstream from the branching part. The fluid circulator allows the fluid generated by the fluid generator to pass through the purified water holding unit and then flow into the circulation passage.

[0008]

The purified water holding unit may include a tank that stores the purified water.

[0009]

The purified water holding unit may be provided with an inflow section into which the purified water flows and provided with an outflow section through which the purified water flows out, and the inflow section may be located above the outflow section.

[0010]

The purified water holding unit may be provided with an outflow section through which the purified water flows out, and the outflow section may be connected to a discharge port from which the purified water is discharged.

[0011]

The purified water holding unit may be provided with an area increasing mechanism that increases a surface area of the purified water stored in the purified water holding unit.

[0012]

The purified water holding unit may be provided with a purified water condition detector for detecting a condition of the purified water stored in the purified water holding unit.

[0013]

The circulation passage may branch off into a primary reflux passage communicating with a primary passage located upstream of the purification unit and into a secondary reflux passage communicating with the secondary passage.

[0014]

In this case, it is preferable to further include a passage switch mechanism by which the fluid can branch off either to the primary reflux passage or the secondary reflux passage.

[0015]

The water purifier according to the first aspect of the present invention can keep the inside thereof in a hygienic state while reducing energy consumption.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016]

[FIG 1] FIG 1 is a schematic diagram explaining a water purifier according to a first embodiment.

[FIG. 2] FIG 2 is a block diagram of the water purifier according to the first embodiment.

[FIG 3] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the area where a purified water holding unit of thewater purifier according to the first embodiment is provided.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the area where a purified water holding unit according to a modification 1 of the water purifier of the first embodiment is provided (No. 1).

[FIG 5] FIG 5 is a view illustrating the area where the purified water holding unit according to the modification 1 of the water purifier of the first embodiment is provided (No. 2).

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the area where a purified water holding unit according to a modification 2 of the water purifier of the first embodiment is provided (No. 1).

[FIG 7] FIG 7 is a view illustrating the area where the purified water holding unit of according to the modification 2 of the water purifier of the first embodiment is provided (No. 2).

[FIG. 8] FIG 8 is a schematic diagram explaining a water purifier according to a second
embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0017]

Hereinafter, water purifiers according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In particular, (1) First Embodiment, (2) Second Embodiment, and (3) Other Embodiments will be explained below.

[0018]

Note that the same or similar elements in the following explanations of the drawings are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals; however, the drawings are schematically and dimensional ratios in the drawings are different from actual ratios.

[0019]

Therefore, specific dimensional ratios should be considered by taking into consideration of the following explanations. The respective drawings may differ in dimension and ratio from each other.

[0020]
(1) First Embodiment
(1-1) Configuration of Water Purifier 1
A water purifier 1 according to a first embodiment is explained below with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0021]

The water purifier 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 purifies raw water such as tap water. In particular, the water purifier 1 includes a purification unit 10 that purifies raw water to produce purified water. The purification unit 10 consists of a separation membrane (cartridge) employing such as RO (reverse osmosis), NF, UF (ultrafiltration), and MF (microfiltration). The purification unit 10 need not consist of the separation membrane.

For example, the purification unit 10 may employ an adsorbent such as activated carbon, sand filtration, or ion exchange resin.

[0022]

A primary passage 11 through which raw water flows is located upstream of the purification unit 10. A secondary passage 12 through which purified water produced by the purification unit 10 flows is located downstream of the purification unit 10.

[0023]
A raw water supply unit 20 that supplies raw water is provided in the primary passage 11. The raw water supply unit 20 is provided with a raw water port 21 into which raw water flows, and a first solenoid valve 22 that closes the raw water port 21.

[0024]
The secondary passage 12 is provided with a water cock 30, a purified water holding
unit 40, a circulation passage 50, an ozone generator 60 (a fluid generator), an ozone
circulator 70 (a fluid circulator) and a discharge unit 80.
[0025]
The water cock 30 is provided with a discharge port 31 from which the purified water is
discharged, a switch valve 32 that closes the discharge port 31 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3),
and an operation unit 33 that operates the switch valve 32 (what is called a faucet).
The purified water holding unit 40 is located upstream of the water cock 30.
[0026]
The purified water holding unit 40 is provided between the purification unit 10 and the
water cock 30 to store the purified water. The purified water holding unit 40 is
explained in more detail later.
[0027]
The circulation passage 50 branches off from the purified water holding unit 40 or from
a passage located downstream of the purified water holding unit 40, and extends
upstream from the branching part. In the water purifier 1 according to the first
embodiment, the circulation passage 50 branches off from the purified water holding
unit 40 and communicates with the outlet side of the purification unit 10. One end 51a
of the circulation passage 50 (the end portion on the purified water holding unit 40 side)
is provided with a second solenoid valve 51 that closes one end 51a. The other end

52a of the circulation passage 50 (the end portion on the purification unit 10 side) is
provided with a third solenoid valve 52 that closes the other end 52a. The ozone
generator 60 and the ozone circulator 70 are located in the middle of the circulation
passage 50.
[0028]
The ozone generator 60 generates ozone gas (fluid) containing disinfection components
inside of the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage 50. For example, the
ozone generator 60 generator the ozone gas by electrolysis treatment such as diamond
electrode treatment or ozone-ultraviolet light treatment.
[0029]
The ozone circulator 70 is provided between the third solenoid valve 52 and the ozone
generator 60 to circulate the ozone gas through the secondary passage 12 and the
circulation passage 50. In particular, the ozone circulator 70 allows the ozone gas
generated by the ozone generator 60 to pass through the purified water holding unit 40
and then flow into the circulation passage 50. Namely, the ozone circulator 70
circulates the ozone gas from one end 51a to the other end 52a of the circulation passage
50. The ozone circulator 70 consists of, for example, a pump.
[0030]
The discharge unit 80 discharges the purified water in the secondary passage 12. The
discharge unit 80 branches off from the secondary passage 12. The discharge unit 80
is provided with a discharge port 81 and a fourth solenoid valve 82 that closes the
discharge port 81.
[0031]
The water purifier 1 further includes a controller 90 that controls installed components
and makes calculations. The controller 90 is a computer including, for example, a
CPU, a memory, and a clock. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 90 is connected to
each of the first solenoid valve 22, the switch valve 32, the second solenoid valve 51,
the third solenoid valve 52, the fourth solenoid valve 82, the ozone generator 60, and
the ozone circulator 70. The controller 90 switches between a normal mode and a
disinfection mode, the normal mode representing a state where the purified water

produced by the purification unit 10 is discharged from the water cock 30 (the discharge
port 31), and the disinfection mode representing a state where the ozone gas is
circulated through the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage 50.
[0032]
(1-2) Configuration of Purified Water Holding Unit 40
The configuration of the purified water holding unit 40 is explained below with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0033]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the purified water holding unit 40 includes a box-shaped tank
41 that stores the purified water. The upper surface on the downstream side of the
purified water holding unit 40 communicates with one end 51a of the circulation
passage 50. The purified water holding unit 40 is provided with an inflow section 40a
into which the purified water flows, and an outflow section 40b through which the
purified water flows out. The inflow section 40a is located above the outflow section
40b. The outflow section 40b is connected to the discharge port 31.
[0034]
The purified water holding unit 40 is located below the secondary passage 12.
Particularly, the purified water holding unit 40 is preferably located below the first
solenoid valve 22, the third solenoid valve 52, and the fourth solenoid valve 82.
[0035]
(1-3) Operation of Water Purifier 1
(1-3-1) Normal Mode
In the normal mode, the first solenoid valve 22 and the switch valve 32 are opened,
while the second solenoid valve 51 and the third solenoid valve 52 are closed. In this
state, the raw water flowing into the raw water port 21 passes through the purification
unit 10 via the primary passage 11. The purified water produced through the
purification unit 10 passes through the secondary passage 12 to be discharged to the
outside of the discharge port 31.
[0036]
(1-3-2) Disinfection Mode

In the disinfection mode, the first solenoid valve 22 and the switch valve 32 are closed,
while the second solenoid valve 51 and the third solenoid valve 52 are opened. At this
point, when the secondary passage 12 is filled with the purified water, the fourth
solenoid valve 82 is opened to discharge the purified water and is then closed. As a
result, the inside of each of the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage 50 is
in a humidified state.
[0037]
The ozone generator 60 and the ozone circulator 70 then start operating to circulate the
ozone gas through the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage 50.
Accordingly, the inside of each of the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage
50 is disinfected, and the purified water remaining in the secondary passage 12 and the
purified water holding unit 40 is allowed to contain the ozone gas.
[0038]
The purified water containing the ozone gas is discharged to the outside of the discharge
port 31 when the switch valve 32 is opened at the point of switching from the
disinfection mode to the normal mode. As a result, the water cock 30 (the discharge
port 31) is disinfected.
[0039]
(1-4) Effects
As described above, the water purifier 1 according to the first embodiment includes the
purification unit 10, the purified water holding unit 40, the circulation passage 50, the
ozone generator 60, and the ozone circulator 70. This configuration allows the ozone
gas generated by the ozone generator 60 to circulate through the secondary passage 12
and the circulation passage 50. As a result, the secondary passage 12 can be
disinfected reliably, which contributes to keeping the inside of the water purifier 1 in a
hygienic state.
[0040]
The ozone gas generated by the ozone generator 60 passes through the purified water
holding unit 40 without exception when circulating through the secondary passage 12
and the circulation passage 50. Therefore, the ozone gas is humidified due to the

purified water stored in the purified water holding unit 40, so as to efficiently exhibit the
disinfection effect by the ozone gas. This eliminates the provision of any humidifier,
which is required for conventional water purifiers. Accordingly, energy consumption
of the water purifier 1 can be reduced.
[0041]
In the water purifier 1 according to the first embodiment, the purified water holding unit
40 includes the tank 41. Therefore, the purified water passing through the secondary
passage 12 can surely be stored in the tank 41. This contributes to easy humidification
of the ozone gas without the provision of any humidifier.
[0042]
In the water purifier 1 according to the first embodiment, the inflow section 40a
communicating with the secondary passage 12 is located above the outflow section 40b.
Namely, the purified water holding unit 40 is located below the secondary passage 12.
Accordingly, the secondary passage 12 is not filled with the purified water, which
allows the ozone gas to easily pass through the secondary passage 12, thereby
disinfecting the secondary passage 12 more reliably. In addition, a predetermined
amount of the purified water can be stored in the purified water holding unit 40 even if
the purified water in the secondary passage 12 is discharged from the discharge unit 80,
which contributes to easy humidification of the ozone gas.
[0043]
In the water purifier 1 according to the first embodiment, the discharge port 31 is
connected to the outflow section 40b. Accordingly, the ozone gas is humidified by the
purified water when passing through the purified water holding unit 40, which allows
the purified water in the purified water holding unit 40 to contain the ozone gas. In
addition, the purified water containing the ozone component is discharged from the
discharge port 31 so that the discharge port 31 is also disinfected.
[0044]
(1-5) Modifications
Purified water holding units according to modifications of the water purifier of the first
embodiment are explained below with reference to the drawings. Note that elements

in the modifications common to the purified water holding unit 40 of the water purifier
1 according to the first embodiment are indicated by common reference numerals, and
only different explanations will be made below.
[0045]
(1-5-1) Modification 1
A purified water holding unit 40A according to a modification 1 of the water purifier 1
of the first embodiment is explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0046]
The purified water holding unit 40A of the water purifier 1 according to the
modification 1 of the first embodiment further includes the following configuration, in
addition to the configuration of the purified water holding unit 40 of the water purifier 1
according to the first embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG 4, the purified water
holding unit 40A includes the box-shaped tank 41 that stores purified water, and a
rotation mechanism 42 (an area increasing mechanism) that increases a surface area of
the purified water stored in the tank 41.
[0047]
The rotation mechanism 42 includes a plurality of blades that are rotatable about a shaft.
The rotation mechanism 42 rotates due to the flow of the purified water through the
secondary passage 12 and the purified water holding unit 40A, or the circulation of the
ozone gas through the secondary passage 12 and the circulation passage 50. Note that
the rotation mechanism 42 may rotate the blades by way of a drive force of a motor (not
illustrated) connected to the shaft.
[0048]
According to the modification 1 of the water purifier 1 of the first embodiment, the tank
41 and the rotation mechanism 42 of the purified water holding unit 40 A can ruffle the
purified water in the tank 41. This increases the surface area of the purified water in
the tank, thereby humidifying the ozone gas more easily.
[0049]
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the purified water holding unit 40A may include a purified
water sensor 43 (a purified water condition detector) that detects the condition of the

purified water stored in the tank 41 (for example, water level, water content, water
quality). Note that the condition of the purified water represents general properties
such as chemical components and physical and electrical properties of the purified water,
and the purified water sensor 43 is only required to detect at least one of these properties
so as to determine the condition of the purified water. Accordingly, the amount of the
purified water (the discharge amount) in the tank 41 can be figured out so that the
timing of disinfection of the water purifier 1 can be controlled appropriately.
[0050]
(1-5-2) modification 2
A purified water holding unit 40B according to a modification 2 of the water purifier 1
of the first embodiment is explained below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0051]
In the purified water holding unit 40A of the water purifier 1 according to the
modification 1 of the first embodiment, the tank 41 is formed into a box shape. In the
purified water holding unit 40B according to the modification 2 of the water purifier 1
of the first embodiment, in contrast, a tank 4IB is formed into a cylindrical shape as
illustrated in FIG. 6. In particular, the tank 4IB is provided with an inflow section 41a
into which purified water flows, and an outflow section 41b through which the purified
water flows out. The inflow section 41a is located above the outflow section 41b.
[0052]
A rotation mechanism 42 includes a plurality of blades and rotates by use of the purified
water and the ozone gas, as in the case of the water purifier according to the
modification 1 of the first embodiment. Note that the rotation mechanism 42 may
rotate the blades by way of a drive force of a motor (not illustrated) connected to the
shaft.
[0053]
The purified water holding unit 40B according to the modification 2 of the water
purifier 1 of the first embodiment can also exhibit effects similar to the purified water
holding unit 40A according to the modification 1 of the water purifier 1 of the first
embodiment. In addition, the cylindrical shape of the tank 41B contributes to easily

storing the purified water in the tank 4IB and thereby humidifying the ozone gas more
reliably.
[0054]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the purified water holding unit 40B may include a purified
water sensor 44 (a purified water condition detector) that detects the condition of the
purified water stored in the tank 4IB (for example, water level, water content, water
quality). Accordingly, the amount of the purified water (the discharge amount) in the
tank 41B can be figured out so that the timing of disinfection of the water purifier 1 can
be controlled appropriately.
[0055]
The tank 41B is not necessarily formed into a cylindrical shape and may have any size
and shape as long as the rotation mechanism 42 can rotate inside of the tank 4IB.
Further, the rotation mechanism 42 need not rotate as long as the mechanism is capable
of ruffling (bubbling) of the purified water in the tank 41B, for example, causing
ultrasonic vibrations.
[0056]
(2) Second embodiment
A water purifier 2 according to a second embodiment is explained below with reference
to FIG. 8. Note that elements in the second embodiment common to the water purifier
1 according to the first embodiment are indicated by common reference numerals, and
only different explanations will be made below.

[0057]

In the water purifier 1 according to the first embodiment, the circulation passage 50 branches off from the purified water holding unit 40 and communicates with the outlet side of the purification unit 10. In the water purifier 2 according to the second embodiment, in contrast, the circulation passage branches into two; one on the inlet side and the other on the outlet side of the purification unit 10.

[0058]

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the circulation passage 50 branches into a primary reflux passage 510 communicating with the primary passage 11 and a secondary reflux passage 520 communicating with the secondary passage 12.

[0059]

The primary reflux passage 510 is provided with a fifth solenoid valve 511 that closes the primary reflux passage 510. The secondary reflux passage 520 is provided with a third solenoid valve 521 that closes the secondary reflux passage 520.

[0060]
A junction of the primary reflux passage 510 and the secondary reflux passage 520 is provided with a three-way valve 530 (a passage switch mechanism) by which fluid can branch off either to the primary reflux passage 510 or the secondary reflux passage 520.

[0061]

As described above, since the water purifier 2 according to the second embodiment is provided with the three-way valve 530 at the junction of the primary reflux passage 510 and the secondary reflux passage 520, the ozone gas can pass through both the primary passage 11 and the secondary passage 12. Accordingly, the primary passage 11 and the secondary passage 12 can be disinfected accurately, which contributes to keeping the inside of the water purifier 2 in a hygienic state more reliably.

[0062]
The ozone gas passes through the purification unit 10 via the primary reflux passage 510 and the primary passage 11. As a result, impurities adhered to the purification unit 10 can be resolved, thereby extending the length of life of the purification unit 10. For example, when the purification unit 10 includes an adsorbent such as activated carbon, the ozone gas is reformed in a non-toxic state after passing through the purification unit 10. In view of this, it is preferable to circulate the ozone gas through the secondary passage 12 via the secondary reflux passage 520 first, followed by the primary passage
11 via the primary reflux passage 510. Accordingly, the secondary passage 12 is disinfected first, and the primary passage 11 is then disinfected before the ozone gas is reformed in a non-toxic state through the purification unit 10. This contributes to keeping the inside of the water purifier 1 in a hygienic state more reliably.

[0063]
(4) Other embodiments

Although the present invention has been described above by reference to the water purifiers according to the respective embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the descriptions and the drawings composing part of the disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternative embodiments, examples and implementations can be made.

[0064]

or example, the water purifiers according to the respective embodiments may be modified as follows. For example, although the water purifier 1 includes the discharge unit 80, the water purifier 1 need not include the discharge unit 80.

[0065]

The purified water holding unit 40 includes the tank 41; however, the purified water holding unit 40 is not limited to this, and may employ such as cotton, cloth, sponge, porous materials, or synthetic resin fiber (for example, polymer).

[0066]

The present invention can, of course, include various embodiments not described in this specification. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appropriate features according to the claims in view of the explanations made above.

Industrial Applicability

[0067]

According to the present invention, the water purifier capable of keeping the inside thereof in a hygienic state while reducing energy consumption, can be provided.

Claims

1. A water purifier, comprising:

a purification unit for purifying raw water to produce purified water;

a fluid generator for generating fluid containing a germicidal component;

a fluid circulator for circulating the fluid;

a purified water holding unit provided in a secondary passage located downstream of the purification unit to store the purified water; and

a circulation passage branching off from the purified water holding unit or from a passage located downstream of the purified water holding unit, the circulation passage extending upstream from a branching part, wherein

the fluid circulator allows the fluid generated by the fluid generator to pass through the purified water holding unit and then flow into the circulation passage.

2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein
the purified water holding unit includes a tank that stores the purified water.

3. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein

the purified water holding unit is provided with:

an inflow section into which the purified water flows; and

an outflow section through which the purified water flows out, and

the inflow section is located above the outflow section.

4. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein
the purified water holding unit is provided with an outflow section through which the purified water flows out, and

the outflow section is connected to a discharge port from which the purified water is discharged.

5. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein

the purified water holding unit is provided with an area increasing mechanism that increases a surface area of the purified water stored in the purified water holding unit.

6. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein

the purified water holding unit is provided with a purified water condition detector for detecting a condition of the purified water stored in the purified water holding unit.

7. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein

the circulation passage branches off into:

a primary reflux passage communicating with a primary passage located upstream of the purification unit; and

a secondary reflux passage communicating with the secondary passage.

8. The water purifier according to claim 7, further comprising

a passage switch mechanism by which the fluid branches off either to the primary reflux passage or the secondary reflux passage.