JPH08206642A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier that electrically indicates the replacement of a filter medium, without requiring external power supply or periodic battery replacement. [Structure] The purified water amount is measured from a flow rate signal generated by using the water flow in the water channel as a power source, and when the integrated value of the purified water amount reaches a predetermined amount, it indicates the replacement time of the filter medium provided in the water channel. A signal processing means 40 for generating a replacement signal, and a display means 5 for displaying the replacement time of the filter material based on the replacement signal.
0, a plurality of power storage means 21, and a power supply means 20 for supplying electric power to the signal processing means and the display means, a voltage monitoring means 31 for monitoring the output voltage of the power supply means, and a water flow in the water channel for power generation. The water purifier is provided with: a power generation unit 22 for charging, a charging unit 23 for storing the electric power generated by the power generation unit in each power storage unit, and a power supply control unit 30 for changing the connection form of the power storage units according to the output voltage of the power supply unit. Make up.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier, and more particularly to a water purifier having a function of electrically indicating when to replace a filter medium in the water purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a water purifier for domestic use or for business use, there is provided a water purifier that electrically indicates when an internal filter medium is to be replaced. Such a water purifier is equipped with an electronic circuit to continuously measure the integrated value of the amount of purified water in the water purifier and to judge the replacement time of the filtering material from the integrated value. Electric power from electric power lines, dry batteries, or button batteries are used for this.

[0003]

In such a water purifier, in the case of a stationary type water purifier installed away from the tap of the water supply, the wiring from the electric power line does not hinder so much. In the case of a water purifier that is directly attached to a faucet, it is difficult to supply power from a power line to the water purifier in terms of power wiring and withstand voltage protection, and a small battery is mainly used as a power source. However, when a battery is used as the power source, there is the trouble that the battery needs to be replaced regularly. Also,
The structure of the water purifier itself becomes difficult in order to facilitate battery replacement and at the same time ensure the water resistance of the battery replacement part. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that electrically indicates the replacement time of the filter medium, which does not require external power supply or battery replacement.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following modes. According to the present invention, the purified water amount is measured from the flow rate signal generated by using the water flow in the water channel as a power source, and when the integrated value of the purified water amount reaches a predetermined amount, the replacement of the filter medium provided in the water channel is performed. It has a signal processing means for generating a replacement signal indicating the time, a display means for displaying the replacement time of the filtering material based on the replacement signal, and a plurality of power storage means, and supplies electric power to the signal processing means and the display means. Power source means, voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage of the power source means, power generating means for generating power by using the water flow in the water channel as power, charging means for storing the power generated by the power generating means in each power storage means, and power source means And a power supply control means for changing the connection form of the power storage means according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the water purifier.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voltage monitoring means monitors the output voltage of the power supply means by using at least two voltage values and detects the higher one of these voltage values. In this case, the connection form of the power storage means is changed so as to increase the power storage capacity of the entire power storage means, and when the lower one of these voltage values is detected, the power storage capacity of the entire power storage means is reduced. It is preferable to change the connection form as described above.

Further, when the power supply control means changes the connection form of the respective power storage means to increase the storage capacity of the entire power storage means and then the output voltage of the power supply means becomes a voltage equivalent to the saturation state of the power storage means. It is preferable to suppress the charging operation for each power storage unit. When the storage means for storing the integrated value is provided in the signal processing means, the power supply control means changes the connection form of the power storage means to reduce the storage capacity of the entire power storage means, and then the output of the power supply means. It is preferable that when the voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the power supply control means supplies a voltage drop signal to the signal processing means to preferentially supply power to the storage means.

[0007]

According to the above construction, when the water purifier is used, the signal processing means continuously measures the integrated value of the purified water amount, and the exchange signal is generated when the integrated value reaches the predetermined amount. On the other hand, the power generation means generates electric power by using the water flow in the water purifier as power, and the electric power is stored in each power storage means through the charging means. Thereby, the electric power generated by the power generation means and the electric power stored in each power storage means are used as the power source of the water purifier. As a result, when the replacement signal is generated, the power supply can electrically indicate the replacement time of the filter medium on the display means.

Further, since the voltage monitoring means monitors the output voltage of the power supply means and the power supply control means changes the connection form of the power storage means according to the output voltage, the output of the power supply means by charging / discharging each power storage means. Even if the voltage fluctuates, the output voltage from the power supply means is always guaranteed in an appropriate range, and
Each storage means can be efficiently charged. For example, by monitoring two output voltage values for each connection form of the power storage means, it is possible to realize an appropriate output voltage range and an efficient charge form for each connection form.

Further, by monitoring the higher voltage value within the output voltage range, it is possible to prevent overcharging of the storage means. Further, a predetermined voltage value is monitored while changing the connection form of the power storage means according to the decrease of the output voltage of the power supply means, and when the predetermined voltage value is reached, a voltage drop signal is given to the signal processing means to supply the power Is limited, the integrated value generated in the signal processing means is preferentially stored in the storage means for a long time.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the water purifier according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the relationship between the electric circuit parts in the water purifier 10. This water purifier 10 monitors the output voltage from the power supply unit 20 and the power supply unit 20 that stores electromotive force generated by using the water flow in the water purifier as a power source in a plurality of storage batteries to supply power to each unit, and outputs the voltage. A power supply control unit 30 that changes the connection form and charging voltage of the storage battery based on the value,
A signal processing unit 40 that continuously measures the amount of purified water processed in the water purifier 10 to calculate an integrated value, and determines the replacement time of the filter medium in the water purifier based on the integrated value, and a signal processing unit A display unit (50) for displaying that it is time to replace the filter material based on a display signal from the display unit (40).

Each storage battery 21 provided in the power supply unit 20 is
It is an assembly of rechargeable secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium storage batteries, and the connection form of the storage batteries is changed based on a connection switching signal from the power supply control unit 30. In order to store electric power in these storage batteries 21, the power supply unit 20 has a hydraulic power generation unit 22 that generates power by using the water flow in the water purifier, and a charging unit 23 that charges the storage batteries with a charging voltage according to each connection form of the storage batteries. And are provided.

Further, the charging section 23 is provided with an overcharge prevention circuit 24. When the output voltage of the power source section 20 reaches a voltage value corresponding to the saturation state of the storage battery, for example, an overcharge prevention circuit from the power source control section 30 is used. The charge current to the storage battery is cut off in response to the charge prevention signal. The power supply control unit 30 also outputs a voltage drop signal to the signal processing unit when the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 drops below a predetermined value.
The power supply destination is restricted so that data such as the integrated value calculated in the signal processing unit 40 is stored for a long time.

Next, the configuration of each of the above parts will be described with reference to FIG. This water purifier 10 is a water purifier of the faucet type in which the water intake part 11 is directly connected to the tap, and when the "raw water / purified water" switching lever 12 is on the "purified water" side, tap water is sent to the filter 13. And provide purified water through the waterway 14.

The hydroelectric generator 22 of the power supply unit 20 is composed of a water turbine 25 provided in the water channel 14, a rotor 26 having a permanent magnet attached to the rotation shaft of the water turbine 25, an iron core and windings, and a rotor. 26
Is provided with a stator 27 that generates an electromotive force. In this embodiment, the electromotive force generated by the hydroelectric generator 22 is supplied to the charging unit 23 and each unit for power supply on the one hand, and the signal processing unit as the purified water flow rate signal a on the other hand.
The power supply unit 20 and the signal processing unit 40 may be provided with dedicated water turbines at different positions. In addition, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, when a water turbine is provided at a position where both raw water and purified water flow, a switch 15 interlocked with the “raw water / purified water” switching lever 12
A flow rate signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 40 only through water purification via.

The signal processing unit 40 including the power supply control unit 30 can be realized by a one-chip microcomputer. The signal processing unit 40 shapes the flow rate signal a supplied from the hydroelectric generator 22 with an alternating voltage into a rectangular wave, and measures the amount of purified water by counting the edges thereof.
And an arithmetic control unit 42 for continuously calculating the integrated value of the purified water amount to determine the replacement time of the filter medium, a program executed by the arithmetic control unit 42 and its coefficient, and a ROM for storing the generated data, A storage unit 43 having a RAM is provided.

The time to replace the filter medium is determined by comparing the total purified water amount preset for the filter medium to be used with the integrated value calculated above, and when the integrated value exceeds the total purified water amount,
Alternatively, it is determined when the integrated value approaches the total amount of purified water. When it is determined that it is time to replace the filter medium, the arithmetic control unit 42
Generates a display signal b and supplies it to the display unit 50 to blink or turn on the light emitting diode 51 provided on the surface of the water purifier.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 50 is provided with one light emitting diode on the outer surface of the water purifier so as to protect it from water, but in addition, a liquid crystal display is provided so that the present integrated value is always displayed. May be. Further, a plurality of light emitting diodes and two switches in the vicinity thereof are provided so that the current integrated value is displayed stepwise when one switch is operated, and the integrated value is reset when both switches are simultaneously operated. You may

Further, when the time for replacing the filter medium or the integrated value of the purified water amount is displayed, the usage state of the faucet is determined based on the existence of the flow rate signal a, and when the faucet is used, that is, the flow rate signal a is The display operation may be performed when the flow rate signal a is generated, and when the use of the faucet is finished and the use of the faucet is finished, the display operation may be performed for a predetermined time after the flow rate signal disappears. As a result, the display operation can be performed only when it is expected that there is a person near the faucet, so that the power of the storage battery 21 can be saved.

Next, the structure for charging the storage battery with the electromotive force generated by the hydraulic power generator 22 of the power supply unit 20 will be described. The electromotive force generated by the hydroelectric generator 22 in FIG. 2 is
It is supplied to the charging unit 23. The charging unit 23 is configured by a voltage doubler charging circuit including a capacitor, a diode, and the like, and is configured such that the charging voltage and the charging current can be changed according to each connection form of the storage battery.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the charging section 23 and the storage battery 21. The charging circuit 230 of the charging section is composed of a plurality of stages of rectification circuits. When the electromotive force m is supplied from the hydroelectric generator 22 to the input terminals C1 and C2 of the charging circuit, the charging circuit 230 is generated between the charging terminals C3 and C4. Charging voltage m _1m , which is an integral multiple of electric power m
m _2m , m _3m ... m _Nm are provided. Charging terminals C3, C4
The charging voltage m _Nm provided to the charging resistor and the charging resistor R _N on each path to the charging terminal correspond to each connection form of the storage battery, and the switch S is switched by the connection switching signal c from the power supply control unit 30. It is changed by driving _N.

Meanwhile, the storage battery circuit 210, switch X _N between the storage batteries G _N, Y _N, is configured through Z _N, the series connection in accordance with the conduction state of each switch, connected in parallel, and series-parallel It is formed in any one of the connections. Similar to the charging circuit 230, the connection form of each storage battery is determined by driving the corresponding switch by the connection switching signal c from the power supply control unit 30. For example, the switch X _N of the storage battery circuit 210
And Z _N are all driven into conduction and switch Y _N
When all are driven in a non-conducting state, the storage batteries are formed in parallel connection. At the same time, in the charging circuit 230, all the switches S ₂ to S _N are driven in a non-conductive state, and a voltage m _{2m that} is twice the electromotive force m is applied to each of the storage batteries.

The connection form of the storage battery and the connection switching of the charging voltage are selected in the power control unit 30 as follows, for example. The power supply control unit 30 normally continuously monitors the output voltage from the power supply unit 20, compensates for the decrease in the output voltage when the water purifier 10 is not used for a long time, and conversely during use of the water purifier 10. Effectively charges each storage battery and prevents overcharging. Therefore, the power supply control unit 30 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 31, which defines an appropriate output voltage range by using a plurality of thresholds, and when the output voltage is out of the range, the connection form of the storage battery and the charging voltage. Are changed as appropriate.

For example, when the water purifier 10 is not used for a while after all the storage batteries have been sufficiently charged, the output voltage of the power source section 20 gradually decreases due to normal power consumption such as displaying an integrated value. When the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 reaches the lower value of the output voltage range with the passage of time,
The power supply control unit 30 collectively outputs the connection switching signal c to the storage battery circuit 210 and the charging circuit 230. As a result, in the storage battery circuit 210, the connection form of the storage batteries is changed from parallel connection to serial-parallel connection, and the charging circuit 230 raises the charging voltage. As a result, the storage battery capacity of the entire storage battery decreases, but the output voltage from the power supply unit 20 increases.

After that, the non-use state of the water purifier continues further,
When the output voltage from the power supply unit 20 again decreases to the lower value of the above voltage range, the connection mode of the storage battery is changed to the serial connection by the further connection switching signal c, and at the same time, the charging circuit.
Change the charging voltage in 230 to a higher value. When the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 drops to a predetermined value within the voltage range or below the voltage range, the power supply control unit 30 outputs the voltage drop signal d to the signal processing unit.
The power supply unit 20 supplies each unit with only the minimum electric power necessary for displaying the replacement of the filter medium, such as storing the accumulated value of the generated purified water.

On the other hand, when the storage battery 21 is charged while the water purifier 10 is in use, the power supply control unit 30 generates a connection switching signal every time the output voltage of the power supply unit 20 reaches the upper value of the output voltage range. Then, the connection form of the storage batteries is changed in the order of serial connection, serial-parallel connection, and parallel connection, and the charging voltage in the charging circuit 230 is changed according to the connection form. But when in parallel connection the overall storage battery capacity is maximum
When the output voltage of 20 exceeds the upper value of the above voltage range and reaches the voltage equivalent to the saturation state of the storage battery, the power supply control unit
30 supplies an overvoltage protection signal e to the switch Se of the charging circuit 230 to suppress the charging current to each storage battery.

The above-mentioned conditions and procedures for changing the connection form of the storage battery and the charging voltage are merely examples, and the types and the number of storage batteries to be used, the allowable voltage of each unit to which the output voltage is supplied, and the like. It is appropriately determined based on power consumption and the like. For example, when the storage battery circuit 210 is composed of six storage batteries, a plurality of series-parallel connections can be realized in addition to series connection and parallel connection, and an optimum voltage range can be set for each connection form.

Further, in order to further guarantee the storage of the integrated value and each data, a lithium battery is separately provided in the storage battery circuit 210 as a dedicated auxiliary power source in addition to the plurality of storage batteries, and the operation of the signal processing unit 40 is performed. You may make it switch to a standby power supply before it becomes impossible. Further, a solar cell may be provided on the surface of the water purifier, and in addition to the electromotive force from the hydroelectric generator 22, the electromotive force from the solar cell may be stored at the same time.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the electric power generated by using the water flow in the water purifier as a power source is used as the power source, so that it is necessary to supply the electric power from the outside including the replacement battery. You can display the replacement of the filter material without
A compact water purifier that is structurally simple can be realized at low cost. Moreover, since a plurality of storage batteries are provided in the power supply unit in the water purifier and the output voltage of the power supply unit is continuously monitored to change the connection form and charging voltage of each storage battery, stable power supply is long. It is time-guaranteed and can be used even when the water purifier is used at relatively long intervals.
Furthermore, this water purifier avoids the electric shock accident and the water damage to the inside of the water purifier that may occur when the battery is replaced, so it can also provide safety in the situation where the water purifier is installed. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a water purifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each part of the water purifier shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a charging circuit and a storage battery circuit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Water purifier 11 ... Water intake part 12 ... "Raw water / purified water" switching lever 13 ... Filter 14 ... Water channel 15 ... Switch 20 ... Power supply part 21 ... Storage battery assembly 22 ... Power generation part 23 ... Charging part 24 ... Overcharge prevention circuit 25 Water wheel 26 ... Rotor 27 ... Stator 30 ... Power supply control unit 31 ... Voltage monitoring circuit 40 ... Signal control unit 41 ... Water purification amount measurement unit 42 ... Calculation unit 43 ... Storage unit 50 ... Display unit 51 ... Light emitting diode

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for measuring the amount of purified water from a flow rate signal generated by using a water flow in a water channel as a power source, and when the integrated value of the amount of purified water reaches a predetermined amount, replacement of a filter medium provided in the water channel. A signal processing unit that generates a replacement signal indicating a time, a display unit that displays a replacement time of the filter medium based on the replacement signal, and a plurality of power storage units, and power is supplied to the signal processing unit and the display unit. Power supply means for supplying, voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage from the power supply means, power generation means for generating power by using the water flow in the water channel as power, and charging means for storing the generated power in each of the power storage means. A power control unit that changes the connection form of each of the power storage units according to the magnitude of the output voltage of the power supply unit. 2. The power storage means when the voltage monitoring means monitors the output voltage of the power supply means using at least two voltage values and detects the higher one of the voltage values. When the connection form of the respective storage means is changed so as to increase the total storage capacity, and when the lower one of the voltage values is detected, the storage capacity of the entire storage means is reduced. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the connection form of the power storage means is changed to. 3. The output voltage of the power source means becomes a voltage value corresponding to the saturated state of the power storage means after the power supply control means changes the connection form of the power storage means to increase the storage capacity of the entire power storage means. The water purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when reaching, the power supply control means suppresses a charging operation to each of the power storage means. 4. The signal processing means includes storage means for storing the integrated value, and the power supply control means changes the connection form of the power storage means to reduce the storage capacity of the entire power storage means. After that, when the output voltage of the power supply means reaches a predetermined voltage value, the power supply control means supplies a voltage drop signal to the signal processing means to preferentially supply power to the storage means. The water purifier according to any one of 1 to 3.