Water Softener

Abstract

The present invention provides a water softener, comprising: a water tank, in which an ion exchange resin is arranged to prepare soft water; a salt tank, in which a mixture of saturated salt water and crystal salt is contained, in which the ion exchange resin is regenerated by the saturated salt water; and a crystal salt amount detection device, which comprises a lifting device arranged in the salt tank and a moving part connected to the lifting device, and the crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: after the moving part is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by the lifting device, the moving part falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, and the operating state of the lifting device during the falling process is detected, so as to determine the salt surface height of the crystal salt by the operating state. The water softener of the present invention can accurately determine the salt surface height by mechanical movement, avoid the interference of the water surface, and effectively reduce the detection error.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of water treatment, in particular to a water softener. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's economy, people's demand for water is increasing. The hardness of tap water (i.e., the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions) is high, and there are problems such as easy scaling and poor face washing and bathing experience. Household water softeners can treat tap water, remove calcium and magnesium ions, obtain soft water, reduce scaling and improve the user's face washing and bathing experience. Household water softeners are equipped with cation exchange resins. When the water softener is running, calcium, magnesium ions, etc. in tap water will be adsorbed by ion exchange resins, thereby reducing the hardness of water. When the ion exchange resin reaches the critical workload, it cannot be softened and needs to be regenerated. Saturated brine is prepared by adding sodium chloride to the salt tank, and the ion exchange resin is rinsed with brine to restore its working capacity. Some existing water softeners rely on estimating the salt adding cycle to add salt, and there is a problem of poor user experience due to untimely salt adding; another part uses infrared sensors or ultrasonic sensors to detect the height of the salt surface to determine whether the amount of salt in the salt tank needs to be replenished. However, the salt surface height is often lower than the water surface height, and water will affect the accuracy of the test results. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a water softener capable of accurately determining the salt level.

[0004] A further object of the present invention is to determine the salt level in the water softener in real time so that the user can replenish the salt in time.

[0005] In particular, the present invention provides a water softener, comprising: a water tank, in which an ion exchange resin is arranged to prepare soft water; a salt box, in which a mixture of saturated brine and crystal salt is contained, so that the ion exchange resin is regenerated by using the saturated brine; and a crystal salt amount detection device, which comprises a lifting device arranged in the salt box and a moving part connected to the lifting device, and the crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: after the moving part is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated brine by the lifting device, the moving part is allowed to fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, and the operating state of the lifting device during the falling process is detected, so as to determine the salt surface height of the crystal salt through the operating state.

[0006] Optionally, the salt box is provided with an openable and closable salt adding cover.

[0007] Optionally, the crystal salt amount detection device also includes: a light sensor, which is arranged in the salt box and is configured to detect the opening and closing status of the salt adding cover.

[0008] Optionally, the crystal salt amount detection device is further configured to: when the brightness value detected by the light sensor is greater than a first preset brightness, confirm that the salt adding cover is opened, and use the lifting device to lift the moving part to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water; when the brightness value detected by the light sensor is less than a second preset brightness, confirm that the salt adding cover is closed, and allow the moving part to fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, wherein the first preset brightness is greater than the second preset brightness.

[0009] Optionally, the lifting device includes a roller rod and a connecting piece, and one end of the connecting piece is connected to the moving piece, and the other end is wrapped around the roller rod.

[0010] Optionally, the salt adding cover and the moving part are respectively connected to the two ends of the lifting device, and the crystal salt amount detection device is configured as follows: when the salt adding cover is opened, the lifting device is driven to lift the moving part to a preset height higher than the saturated brine, and after the salt adding cover is closed, the moving part uses its own gravity to fall to the top of the crystal salt.

[0011] Optionally, the salt adding cover is pivotally opened and closed, and a side of the salt adding cover away from the pivot axis thereof is connected to a lifting device.

[0012] Optionally, the lifting device includes: a coaxial connecting rod, which includes a first shaft, a second shaft and a connecting rod, and the connecting rod is arranged between the first shaft and the second shaft; a first connecting member, one end of which is connected to the moving member and the other end is wrapped around the first shaft; and a second connecting member, one end of which is connected to the salt adding cover and the other end is wrapped around the second shaft, and the radius of the first shaft is greater than the radius of the second shaft.

[0013] Optionally, the density of the moving part is 1.355 to 1.558 g / cm 3 .

[0014] Optionally, the water softener further comprises: a display device configured to display the salt surface height and output a prompt message when the salt surface height is less than a preset value.

[0015] The water softener of the present invention, the crystal salt amount detection device includes a lifting device arranged in the salt box and a moving part connected to the lifting device, and the crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: after the moving part is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by the lifting device, the moving part is made to fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, and the operating state of the lifting device during the falling process is detected, so as to determine the salt surface height of the crystal salt by the operating state. The salt surface height can be accurately determined by mechanical movement, avoiding the interference of the water surface, and effectively reducing the detection error.

[0016] Furthermore, the water softener of the present invention can determine the height of the salt level in the water softener in real time and can display it on a display device to remind the user to replenish the salt in time, effectively ensuring the normal operation of the water softener and improving the user's experience.

[0017] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a first measuring state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a second measuring state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a first measuring state according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a second measuring state according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a first measuring state according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a water softener in a second measuring state according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the medium water softener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention provides a water softener, which can accurately determine the height of the salt surface in a salt box by mechanical movement, avoid the interference of the water surface, and effectively reduce the detection error. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a first measuring state according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a second measurement state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the water softener 100 may generally include: a water tank 110 , a salt tank 120 and a crystal salt amount detection device 130 .

[0027] Among them, the interior of the water tank 110 is provided with an ion exchange resin (not shown in the figure) to prepare soft water. In a preferred embodiment, the ion exchange resin can be a sodium type cation exchange resin. When the hard ions such as calcium and magnesium in the water to be treated (hard water) flow into the water tank 110, they are adsorbed by the ion exchange resin and softened to become soft water. Soft water can effectively reduce scaling and enhance the user's experience of washing face and bathing. However, when all the ion exchange resins are fully adsorbed with ions such as calcium and magnesium, the ion exchange resins are in a saturated adsorption state and can no longer soften hard water. At this time, the ion exchange resins need to be reduced and regenerated. The reduction and regeneration of the ion exchange resin in the water tank 110 of the water softener 100 of this embodiment is completed using saturated salt water.

[0028] The salt box 120 is filled with a mixture of saturated brine and crystal salt to regenerate the ion exchange resin using the saturated brine. Crystal salt is placed in the salt box 120, and at least part of the crystal salt is dissolved in water to form saturated brine, which can flow into the water tank 110 to regenerate the ion exchange resin. Therefore, a certain amount of crystal salt needs to be stored in the salt box 120, that is, a certain salt surface height is guaranteed to ensure that the reduction and regeneration of the ion exchange resin is not affected. The air area, the brine area and the crystal salt area are formed in the salt box 120 from top to bottom. The thickness of the air area, the brine area and the crystal salt area changes continuously with the input or output of the saturated brine in the salt box 120, or the change of the residual salt amount of the crystal salt in the salt box 120. When the saturated brine in the salt box 120 flows to the water tank 110, the air area continues to thicken, while the brine area continues to thin. As the crystal salt in the salt box 120 continues to dissolve, the crystal salt area will continue to thin. When there is too little crystal salt, it will affect the effect of the reduction and regeneration of the ion exchange resin, and then affect the preparation of soft water.

[0029] The crystal salt amount detection device 130 includes a lifting device 131 disposed in the salt box 120 and a moving part 132 connected to the lifting device 131. In addition, the crystal salt amount detection device 130 can be configured to: after the moving part 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by the lifting device 131, the moving part 132 is made to fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, and the operating state of the lifting device 131 during the falling process is detected, so as to determine the salt surface height of the crystal salt by the operating state. The preset height refers to the distance from the moving part 132 to the bottom of the salt box 120.

[0030] in, Figure 1 The figure shows a state where the moving member 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water (ie, the first measurement state); and Figure 2The moving part 132 is shown in a state where it falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity (i.e., the second measurement state). The moving part 132 falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity. Specifically, the density of the moving part 132 may be slightly greater than the density of the saturated salt water, so that the moving part 132 can be immersed in the saturated salt water and fall to the top of the crystal salt. In a preferred embodiment, the density of the moving part 132 is 1.355 to 1.558 g / cm 3 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 The moving part 132 shown is a sphere. In some other embodiments, the moving part 132 can also be other shapes. The height of the moving part 132 when it is at the top of the crystal salt is the salt surface height. The water softener 100 of this embodiment can accurately determine the salt surface height by mechanical movement, avoid interference from the water surface, and effectively reduce detection errors.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the lifting device 131 may include a roller 133 and a connector 134, and one end of the connector 134 is connected to the moving part 132, and the other end is wound around the roller 133. In some other embodiments, the roller 133 can also be replaced by a pulley or other component that can be wound by the connector 134. The connector 134 is a waterproof and salt-resistant wire or rope to avoid being corroded by water and crystal salt in the salt box 120, thereby improving the service life. It should be noted that the crystal salt amount detection device 130 can be configured to: obtain the rotation parameters of the roller 133 during the process of the moving part 132 falling from a preset height to the top of the crystal salt; and determine the salt surface height according to the preset height and the rotation parameters. The crystal salt amount detection device 130 can use a rotation counter or a rotation sensor and other equipment to obtain the rotation parameters of the roller 133.

[0032] Preferably, the rotation parameter is the number of rotations or the rotation distance of the roller 133. The crystal salt amount detection device 130 can also be configured to: directly use the rotation distance as the descent height of the moving part 132, or determine the rotation distance according to the number of rotations and use it as the descent height; and calculate the difference between the preset height and the descent height to obtain the salt surface height. Specifically, the crystal salt amount detection device 130 can also be configured to: use the formula L=2πrn to obtain the rotation distance, where L is the rotation distance, r is the radius of the roller 133, and n is the number of rotations. In other words, whether the rotation distance of the roller 133 is obtained directly or the rotation distance is obtained indirectly through the number of rotations, the rotation distance can be used as the descent height of the moving part 132, and the difference between the preset height and the descent height is calculated to obtain the salt surface height.

[0033] It should be noted that the roller 133 is arranged on the top of the salt box 120 and is parallel to the top cover of the salt box 120 to ensure that the roller 133 is basically horizontal, so that the top height of the connecting member 134 remains consistent during the rotation. The crystal salt detection device 130 may include a driving device to drive the roller 133 to rotate in a specific direction. The roller 133 rotates in a specific direction, so that the connecting member 134 is more and more wrapped around the roller 133, and the moving member 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated brine. Specifically, the driving device can be an electric motor. In the process of the moving member 132 falling to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, the driving device stops working, and the moving member 132 falls by its own gravity, so that the roller 133 rotates in the opposite direction of the specific direction.

[0034] As the ion exchange resin reduction and regeneration process proceeds, the crystal salt gradually dissolves, the salt surface gradually decreases, and the moving part 132 falls accordingly, driving the roller 133 to rotate in the opposite direction of the specific direction. However, the method of determining the salt surface height remains unchanged, that is, the rotation distance of the roller 133 is obtained as the descending height of the moving part 132, and the difference between the preset height and the descending height is calculated to obtain the salt surface height.

[0035] The water softener 100 may also include: a display device (not shown in the figure), which is configured to display the salt surface height and output a prompt message when the salt surface height is less than a preset value. In some other embodiments, the remaining volume of the crystal salt, the remaining water production, and the expected number of days of use and other data can be further calculated according to the salt surface height. In addition, the remaining volume of the crystal salt, the remaining water production, and the expected number of days of use and other data can also be selectively displayed through the display device. The water softener 100 of this embodiment can determine the salt surface height in the water softener 100 in real time, and can display it on the display device, so that the user can understand the salt surface height in real time, remind the user to replenish the salt in time, effectively ensure the normal operation of the water softener 100, and then ensure the quality of water use, meet the user's needs for bathing, cleaning, etc., and enhance the user's experience.

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a first measuring state according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a second measurement state according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the salt box 120 of this embodiment is provided with an openable and closable salt adding cover 121. Specifically, the salt adding cover 121 can be arranged on the top of the salt box 120. The crystal salt amount detection device 130 can also include: a light sensor 133, which is arranged in the salt box and configured to detect the open and closed state of the salt adding cover 121. The photosensitive part of the light sensor 133 can be directly facing the salt adding cover 121, so as to accurately judge the open and closed state of the salt adding cover 121 through the detected brightness value.

[0037] The crystal salt amount detection device 130 can also be configured as follows: when the brightness value detected by the light sensor 133 is greater than the first preset brightness, it is confirmed that the salt adding cover 121 is opened, and the moving part 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by the lifting device 131; when the brightness value detected by the light sensor 133 is less than the second preset brightness, it is confirmed that the salt adding cover 121 is closed, and the moving part 132 falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, wherein the first preset brightness is greater than the second preset brightness. The lifting device 131 in this embodiment can include a roller 133 and a connecting member 134, and one end of the connecting member 134 is connected to the moving part 132, and the other end is wound around the roller 133.

[0038] In addition, the crystal salt amount detection device 130 of this embodiment may include a driving device to drive the roller 133 to rotate in a specific direction. The roller 133 rotates in a specific direction, so that the connecting member 134 is more and more wrapped around the roller 133, and the moving member 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water. Specifically, the driving device may be an electric motor. In the process of the moving member 132 falling to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, the driving device stops working, and the moving member 132 falls by its own gravity, so that the roller 133 rotates in the opposite direction of the specific direction.

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a first measuring state according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water softener 100 in a second measurement state according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the salt box 120 of this embodiment is provided with a salt adding cover 121 that can be opened and closed. Specifically, the salt adding cover 121 can be arranged at the top of the side wall of the salt box 120. The salt adding cover 121 and the moving part 132 are respectively connected to the two ends of the lifting device 131. The salt adding cover 121 can be pivotally opened and closed, and the side of the salt adding cover 121 away from its pivot axis is connected to the lifting device 131. In addition, the crystal salt amount detection device 130 can be configured as follows: when the salt adding cover 121 is opened, the lifting device 131 is driven to lift the moving part 132 to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water, and after the salt adding cover 121 is closed, the moving part 132 falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity.

[0040] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the lifting device 131 may include a coaxial connecting rod 136 , a first connecting member 137 and a second connecting member 138 . Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a medium water softener 100. Specifically, Figure 7The relationship between the coaxial connecting rod 136, the first connecting member 137, the second connecting member 138, the salt adding cover 121, and the moving member 132 is shown. Figure 7 As shown, the coaxial connecting rod 136 may include a first shaft 141, a second shaft 142 and a connecting rod 143, and the connecting rod 143 is arranged between the first shaft 141 and the second shaft 142. One end of the first connecting member 137 is connected to the moving member 132, and the other end is wound around the first shaft 141. One end of the second connecting member 138 is connected to the salt adding cover 121, and the other end is wound around the second shaft 142. Specifically, one end of the second connecting member 138 is connected to a side of the salt adding cover 121 away from its pivot axis. Therefore, when the salt adding cover 121 is opened, the coaxial connecting rod 136 is actually driven to rotate by the second connecting member 138, thereby increasing the portion of the first connecting member 137 wound around the first shaft 141, so that the moving member 132 is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated brine.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the radius of the first shaft 141 is greater than the radius of the second shaft 142. If the coaxial connecting rod 136 rotates one circle, that is, the first shaft 141, the second shaft 142 and the connecting rod 143 all rotate one circle, the moving distance of the salt adding cover 121 is equal to the rotating distance of the second shaft 142, and the rising distance of the moving part 132 is equal to the rotating distance of the first shaft 141, and the rotating distance is proportional to the radius of the first shaft 141 and the second shaft 142, that is, during the process of the coaxial connecting rod 136 rotating one circle, the moving distance of the salt adding cover 121 is less than the rising distance of the moving part 132. Therefore, when the salt adding cover 121 is opened, the moving distance of the salt adding cover 121 is smaller than the rising distance of the moving part 132.

[0042] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that, although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A water softener, comprising: A water tank, in which ion exchange resin is arranged to prepare soft water; a salt box containing a mixture of saturated brine and crystal salt, so as to utilize the saturated brine to regenerate the ion exchange resin; and A crystal salt amount detection device comprises a lifting device arranged in the salt box and a moving part connected to the lifting device, and The crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: after the moving part is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by the lifting device, the moving part is made to fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, and the operating state of the lifting device during the falling process is detected, so as to determine the salt surface height of the crystal salt by the operating state. The lifting device comprises a roller and a connecting piece, wherein one end of the connecting piece is connected to the moving piece, and the other end is wound around the roller. The crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: obtain the rotation parameters of the roller when the moving part falls from the preset height to the top of the crystal salt; and determine the salt surface height according to the preset height and the rotation parameters.

2. The water softener according to claim 1, wherein: The salt box is provided with an openable and closable salt adding cover.

3. The water softener according to claim 2, wherein the crystal salt amount detection device further comprises: The optical sensor is arranged in the salt box and configured to detect the opening and closing status of the salt adding cover.

4. The water softener according to claim 3, wherein the crystal salt amount detection device is further configured to: When the brightness value detected by the light sensor is greater than a first preset brightness, it is confirmed that the salt adding cover is opened, and the moving part is lifted to a preset height higher than the saturated salt water by using the lifting device; When the brightness value detected by the light sensor is less than the second preset brightness, it is confirmed that the salt adding cover is closed, so that the moving part falls to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity, wherein the first preset brightness is greater than the second preset brightness.

5. The water softener according to claim 2, wherein: The salt adding cover and the moving part are respectively connected to the two ends of the lifting device, and The crystal salt amount detection device is configured to: when the salt adding cover is opened, drive the lifting device to lift the moving part to a preset height higher than the saturated brine, and after the salt adding cover is closed, make the moving part fall to the top of the crystal salt by its own gravity.

6. The water softener according to claim 5, wherein: The salt adding cover is pivotally opened and closed, and a side of the salt adding cover away from the pivot axis is connected to the lifting device.

7. The water softener according to any one of claims 2, 5 and 6, wherein the lifting device comprises: A coaxial connecting rod, comprising a first shaft, a second shaft and a connecting rod, wherein the connecting rod is arranged between the first shaft and the second shaft; a first connecting member, one end of which is connected to the moving member and the other end of which is wound around the first shaft; as well as A second connecting member, one end of which is connected to the salt adding cover, and the other end of which is wound around the second shaft, and The radius of the first axis is greater than the radius of the second axis.

8. The water softener according to claim 1, wherein: The density of the moving part is 1.355 to 1.558 g / cm 3 .

9. The water softener according to claim 1, further comprising: The display device is configured to display the salt surface height and output a prompt message when the salt surface height is less than a preset value.

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