Waterway assembly and water softener
By opening the end of the water channel of the water channel component and using a sealing plug and clamp structure, the problems of high cost and low reliability caused by the complex structure of the water channel component are solved, and the effects of simplified processing and improved molding efficiency and quality are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-24
AI Technical Summary
The existing water system components have complex structures, resulting in high manufacturing costs and low reliability, which affects the processing efficiency and quality of water softeners.
An opening is made at the end of the flow channel of the water channel component, and a sealing plug and clamp structure are used to seal and connect the flow channel through interference fit and insertion method, which simplifies the processing process and improves molding efficiency and quality.
By creating openings and using sealing plugs and clamp structures, the processing of water channel components is simplified, molding efficiency and quality are improved, manufacturing costs are reduced, and the sealing and stability of the flow channel are enhanced.
Smart Images

Figure CN118145748B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of water treatment equipment, and more particularly to a water circuit component and a water softener. Background Technology
[0002] A water softener is a device used for water treatment. It softens hard water by removing calcium and magnesium ions, thus reducing the hardness of drinking water. During the softening process, the water passes through a resin tank where it exchanges calcium and magnesium ions with the resin in the water, achieving the softening effect.
[0003] In related technologies, the complex flow channel structure of the water circuit component connected to the resin tank increases the difficulty of its preparation, increases the manufacturing cost, and reduces the reliability of the water circuit component. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides a water system component to address the shortcomings of existing water system components, such as complex structure, high manufacturing cost, and low reliability.
[0005] This invention provides a water system assembly for use with a resin tank, comprising:
[0006] The main body has a first flow channel and a second flow channel. At least one end of the first flow channel and at least one end of the second flow channel in the extending direction are provided with openings. The first flow channel is used to communicate with the resin filling part of the resin tank, and the second flow channel is used to communicate with the central tube of the resin tank.
[0007] A sealing plug is fixedly disposed at the end where the opening is provided, and is sealed to the side wall of the first flow channel and the side wall of the second flow channel respectively, thereby sealing the opening.
[0008] According to the waterway assembly provided by the present invention, the sealing plug is inserted into the opening.
[0009] According to the water system assembly provided by the present invention, the overlapping positions of the end and the sealing plug are respectively provided with corresponding end limiting holes and plug limiting cavities, and the water system assembly further includes:
[0010] The clamp has a snap-fit structure, which is inserted into the end limiting hole and the plug limiting cavity, and the dimension of the snap-fit structure in the axial direction of the sealing plug matches the dimension of the end limiting hole in the axial direction of the sealing plug.
[0011] According to the water system assembly provided by the present invention, the snap-fit structure includes a first main post and a second main post spaced apart, the end limiting hole includes a first end limiting hole and a second end limiting hole, the plug limiting cavity includes a first plug limiting cavity and a second plug limiting cavity, the first end limiting hole and the second end limiting hole are respectively located on both sides of the plane containing the diameter of the opening, the first main post is inserted into the first end limiting hole and the first plug limiting cavity, and the second main post is inserted into the second end limiting hole and the second plug limiting cavity.
[0012] According to the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention, the plug limiting cavity includes an annular limiting groove, the first plug limiting cavity includes a first annular portion of the annular limiting groove, and the second plug limiting cavity includes a second annular portion of the annular limiting groove.
[0013] According to the waterway assembly provided by the present invention, the clamp further has a locking part, the locking part has a protrusion, the end limiting hole further includes a third end limiting hole, the third end limiting hole has a groove, the locking part is inserted into the third end limiting hole, and the protrusion engages with the groove.
[0014] According to the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention, the sealing plug includes a sealing end, which is interference-fitted with the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
[0015] According to the water channel assembly provided by the present invention, at least one sealing groove is provided circumferentially along the sealing end, and a sealing ring is provided in each sealing groove, wherein the sealing ring is in sealing engagement with the inner wall surface of the first flow channel and the inner wall surface of the second flow channel.
[0016] According to the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention, the sealing plug further includes a limiting flange, the limiting flange being coincident with the axis of the sealing end and fixed to one end of the sealing end, and the outer diameter of the limiting flange being larger than the diameter of the sealing end.
[0017] According to the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention, the sealing plug is further provided with a hollow hole, the hollow hole is a blind hole, the opening of the hollow hole is located on the outer end face of the sealing plug, and the extension direction of the hollow hole is the same as the extension direction of the sealing plug.
[0018] The water circuit assembly provided by the present invention further includes a mounting head having at least one mounting port for connecting to a resin tank, wherein a first flow channel is connected to the resin filling portion of the resin tank through the mounting port, and a second flow channel is connected to the central tube of the resin tank through the mounting port.
[0019] According to the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention, a first connection port is provided on the first flow channel, and a second connection port is provided on the second flow channel. The first connection port is connected to the resin filling part of the resin tank through the first flow channel, and the second connection port is connected to the central tube of the resin tank through the second flow channel.
[0020] According to the waterway assembly provided by the present invention, the mounting head is integrally formed with the main body.
[0021] The present invention also provides a water softener, comprising:
[0022] Resin bucket;
[0023] The water channel assembly as described in any of the above embodiments is located on one side of the resin tank in the axial direction;
[0024] The water channel connecting component is integrally formed with the resin tank;
[0025] Alternatively, the water channel connection component is fixedly connected to the resin tank.
[0026] Through any of the above embodiments, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0027] The present invention provides a water channel component, which has an opening at at least one end of the flow channel. The opening facilitates processing, especially for integrally molded parts. The opening facilitates processing, cooling and filling of material particles during integral molding, thereby improving the overall processing efficiency and quality of the finished product. Attached Figure Description
[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0029] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a waterway component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a waterway component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 3 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in section 2 of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 4 This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a waterway component provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a waterway component provided in another embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing plug in the water circuit assembly provided by the present invention;
[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the clamp structure in the waterway assembly provided by the present invention.
[0036] Figure label:
[0037] 100. Main body; 110. First flow channel; 1101. First connecting port; 1102. First connecting port; 120. Second flow channel; 1201. Second connecting port; 1202. Second connecting port; 130. Opening; 140. End limiting hole; 1401. First end limiting hole; 1402. Second end limiting hole; 1403. Third end limiting hole;
[0038] 200. Resin bucket;
[0039] 300, Sealing plug; 310, Limiting flange; 320, Sealing end; 330, Annular limiting groove; 3301, Plug limiting cavity; 340, Sealing groove; 350, Hole;
[0040] 400. Clamp; 410. Snap-fit structure; 4101. First main post; 4102. Second main post; 420. Locking part; 4201. First locking post; 4202. Second locking post; 4203. Protrusion;
[0041] 500, mounting head; 510, mounting port. Detailed Implementation
[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0043] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0044] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0045] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0046] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0047] Hard water has several negative impacts on daily life and household appliances. First, washing performance suffers because calcium and magnesium ions in hard water react with detergent to form soap scum, causing clothes to yellow, attract dust, and feel rough after washing. Second, hard water causes limescale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and other equipment, reducing water flow and pressure, and damaging equipment performance and lifespan. Furthermore, the minerals in hard water can irritate skin and hair, potentially causing dryness, itching, and hair problems. Limescale also creates thermal conductivity barriers on heating equipment, reducing energy efficiency and increasing energy consumption and costs. Finally, the high mineral content in hard water may be detrimental to the health of some individuals and poses a potential risk of excessive metal ion levels. Therefore, people often use water softeners to treat water quality in their daily lives. Water softeners effectively remove minerals from hard water, improving water quality and enhancing the quality of life. Typically, water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the water, thus transforming hard water into soft water.
[0048] Typically, water softeners use resin for treatment. This resin is a polymer with a special structure and a positively charged surface. When hard water passes through an ion exchange resin column, the calcium and magnesium ions in the resin are adsorbed onto the positively charged surface, replacing the original sodium ions. Water softening equipment requires multiple water channels for softening the water and regenerating the resin particles. Furthermore, it needs to introduce brine and distribute water during regeneration.
[0049] In related technologies, to achieve the multiple water circuit functions of a water softener, it is usually achieved through the connection of water circuit components and resin tanks. Specifically, multiple closed flow channels are constructed within the water circuit components to meet the product's requirements. However, the construction of multiple closed flow channels in the water circuit components makes the overall structure complex, and the sealed flow channels increase the complexity of the flow channel construction, which is not conducive to the molding and processing of the product, reduces the product yield, and increases the manufacturing cost.
[0050] For issues related to the technology, see [link / reference]. Figures 1-3As shown, the present invention provides a water channel assembly for use with a resin tank 200. The water channel assembly specifically includes a main body 100 and a sealing plug 300. The main body has a first flow channel 110 and a second flow channel 120. At least one end of the first flow channel 110 and at least one end of the second flow channel 120 in the extending direction are provided with an opening 130. The first flow channel 110 is used to communicate with the resin filling part of the resin tank 200, and the second flow channel 120 is used to communicate with the central tube (not shown in the figure) of the resin tank 200. The sealing plug 300 is fixedly disposed at the end with the opening 130 and is sealed to the side wall of the first flow channel 110 and the side wall of the second flow channel 120 respectively, sealing the opening 130. In water channel components, the flow channel is typically formed using an integrated mold. This involves creating a closed flow channel through a complex mold structure. During molding, the material is melted and then passed through the mold. For a closed flow channel, the material input requires a separate opening, which is detrimental to temperature stability within the flow channel. In this embodiment, the opening 130 facilitates flow channel cooling. During molding, the molten plastic within the flow channel is transferred to the mold to form the product. Therefore, the flow channel temperature affects the quality and efficiency of the entire injection molding process. By opening 130 at one end of the flow channel, cooling medium can easily flow into the flow channel, accelerating cooling and improving the efficiency and quality of the injection molding process.
[0051] Secondly, the opening 130 facilitates plastic filling. During the plastic injection process into the runner, blockages or other problems can lead to uneven or insufficient filling, resulting in product defects. By creating an opening 130 at one end of the runner, plastic can enter the runner more smoothly, reducing the risk of uneven or insufficient filling and thus improving product quality.
[0052] When setting up the specific configuration, refer to... Figure 1 As shown, an opening 130 can be formed at one end of the first flow channel 110 and the second flow channel 120, and the other end of the first flow channel 110 and the second flow channel 120 is an integrally closed structure. Alternatively, an opening 130 can be formed at both ends of the first flow channel 110 and the second flow channel 120. During connection, the channels are sealed by placing sealing plugs 300 inside the openings 130 at both ends. See [reference needed]. Figure 5 As shown.
[0053] It is understood that in this embodiment, the opening 130 is located at the end of the flow channel. The end of the flow channel can monitor the entire flow channel forming process, thereby simplifying the forming complexity and improving the forming quality and efficiency.
[0054] In practical applications, the sealing plug 300 can be connected in various ways, such as threaded connection or welding.
[0055] For specific settings, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the sealing plug 300 is inserted into the opening 130. The sealing plug 300 needs to seal the flow channel and, as an assembly component, enable rapid assembly and disassembly, which is beneficial for mass production. In this embodiment, the sealing plug 300 is inserted into the opening 130. This not only seals the flow channel and allows for rapid assembly and disassembly, facilitating subsequent product maintenance, but also avoids further processing at the opening 130, reducing workload and cost, and does not affect the normal operation of the piping system.
[0056] It is understood that the water circuit assembly of the present invention is used for water softening treatment. This assembly requires prolonged water transport, especially during the brine backwashing process where fluids containing calcium and magnesium ions need to be transported. This makes it easy for deposits to accumulate on the inner wall of the flow channel over extended periods, leading to decreased water transport performance or even blockage. In this embodiment, the plug insertion design facilitates disassembly and reduces the difficulty of subsequent maintenance.
[0057] In a specific configuration, the sealing plug 300 can be respectively positioned at the opening 130 of the first flow channel 110 and the opening 130 of the second flow channel 120 using an interference fit. In this embodiment, the interference fit enables a tight connection between the sealing plug 300 and the flow channel, resulting in good fastening force for the sealing plug 300 and good overall connection stability. In addition, the interference fit simplifies the number of connecting parts.
[0058] It is understandable that the sealing plug 300 can achieve an interference fit with the flow channel through its own structural design, or by setting other components on the sealing plug 300. Furthermore, the stability of the sealing plug 300 can be controlled by adjusting the amount of interference. For example, when an external structure is not required to lock the sealing plug 300, the interference can be appropriately increased to achieve a tighter connection.
[0059] For specific settings, please refer to Figure 4As shown, the sealing plug 300 also has a perforated hole 350. The perforated hole 350 is a blind hole, and the opening 130 of the perforated hole 350 is located on the outer end face of the sealing plug 300. The extending direction of the perforated hole 350 is the same as the extending direction of the sealing plug 300. The sealing plug 300 is usually manufactured by injection molding or casting. In this embodiment, the perforated hole 350 on the sealing plug 300 facilitates molding and allows for heat dissipation during the molding process.
[0060] It is understandable that the perforated hole 350 in this embodiment can also save materials, thereby reducing the production cost of the sealing plug 300. Furthermore, the perforated hole 350 can also be used as a functional hole. For example, when the interference fit between the sealing plug 300 and the flow channel is large, disassembly using ordinary methods may be difficult. In this case, a tool can be used in conjunction with the perforated hole 350 to disassemble the sealing plug 300. In a specific example, threads can be machined into the perforated hole 350 to allow for the connection of external tools, thereby enabling better application of axial force for disassembly.
[0061] In specific applications, the perforated hole 350 is a round hole, and the perforated hole 350 is concentric with the sealing plug 300. This makes the wall thickness of the sealing plug 300 uniform, which can reduce shrinkage and improve the manufacturing tolerance accuracy during molding.
[0062] According to an embodiment provided by the present invention, see Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, corresponding end limiting holes 140 and plug limiting cavities 3301 are respectively provided at the overlapping positions of the end and the sealing plug 300. The water circuit assembly also includes a clamp 400, which has a snap-fit structure 410. The snap-fit structure 410 is inserted into the end limiting hole 140 and the plug limiting cavity 3301, and the dimension of the snap-fit structure 410 in the axial direction of the sealing plug 300 matches the dimension of the end limiting hole 140 in the axial direction of the sealing plug 300. The water circuit assembly is used for the input or output of water circuits. The water circuits connected to usually have a certain water pressure, which requires the flow channel to have stable sealing performance. The sealing performance in the flow channel directly affects the quality of the product. In this embodiment, the axial displacement of the sealing plug 300 is limited by the clamp 400, thereby making the connection of the sealing plug 300 more stable and improving the stability of the flow channel seal.
[0063] It is understood that in this embodiment, the end refers to the end of the flow channel with the opening 130. The snap-fit structure 410 on the clamp 400 can be inserted through the end limiting hole 140. After insertion, the snap-fit structure 410 can cooperate with the plug limiting cavity 3301 formed by the limiting plug and the inner wall of the flow channel to restrict the axial degree of freedom of the sealing plug 300, thereby achieving a stable connection of the sealing plug 300. In this embodiment, the clamp 400 achieves the limiting of the sealing plug 300 through a plug-in method, which is conducive to the assembly and disassembly of the sealing plug 300.
[0064] In specific configurations, the end limiting hole 140 can penetrate the entire flow channel, which is beneficial to the stability of the clamp 400 connection. Alternatively, it can penetrate one side of the inner wall of the flow channel, with a blind hole on the other side. Or it can only penetrate one side of the inner wall of the flow channel, allowing a portion of the clamp 400 to extend into the plug limiting cavity 3301, thereby limiting the sealing plug 300.
[0065] In a specific configuration, the snap-fit structure 410 includes a first main post 4101 and a second main post 4102 spaced apart, an end limiting hole 140 includes a first end limiting hole 1401 and a second end limiting hole 1402, and a plug limiting cavity 3301 includes a first plug limiting cavity 3301 and a second plug limiting cavity 3301. The first end limiting hole 1401 and the second end limiting hole 1402 are located on both sides of the plane containing the diameter of the opening 130. The first main post 4101 is inserted into the first end limiting hole 1401 and the first plug limiting cavity 3301, and the second main post 4102 is inserted into the second end limiting hole 1402 and the second plug limiting cavity 3301. The sealing plug 300 is generally cylindrical in shape. When limiting the axial movement of the sealing plug 300, it is necessary to achieve stable limiting of the sealing plug 300 in order to improve the stability of the seal. In this embodiment, the sealing plug 300 is limited by two separate plug limiting cavities 3301, which improves the stability of the limiting and thus meets the requirements of sealing stability.
[0066] It is understandable that the sealing plug 300 is roughly cylindrical. Therefore, if axial positioning is only applied to the middle or one side of the sealing plug 300, the pressure-bearing capacity of the side without the positioning structure will be lower than that of the side with the positioning structure. This will result in poor sealing stability of the sealing plug 300, leading to a short service life and a high failure rate. In this embodiment, the sealing plug 300 forms a plug positioning cavity 3301 through the construction of its outer wall and the inner wall of the flow channel. The plug has a first plug positioning cavity 3301 and a second plug positioning cavity 3301. By placing the two sealing cavities on two opposite sides of the sealing plug 300, stable positioning of the sealing plug 300 can be achieved, avoiding product failures due to differences in pressure-bearing capacity. Because when the first plug limiting cavity 3301 and the second plug limiting cavity 3301 are arranged on both sides of the radial direction of the sealing plug 300, the first main body column 4101 can be inserted into the first plug limiting cavity 3301 to limit one side of the radial direction of the sealing plug 300. At this time, the second main body column 4102 limits the radially symmetrical side of the sealing plug 300. At this time, the overall pressure bearing capacity of the sealing plug 300 is balanced, avoiding the defect of high failure rate caused by force difference.
[0067] In practical applications, the first plug limiting cavity 3301 and the second plug limiting cavity 3301 can be on the same radial plane of the sealing plug 300. In this case, the first plug limiting cavity 3301 and the second plug limiting cavity 3301 are in an up-down position, for example, the first plug limiting cavity 3301 is located directly above the second plug limiting cavity 3301. Of course, the first plug limiting cavity 3301 and the second plug limiting cavity 3301 can also have a certain distance between them in the axial direction of the sealing plug 300.
[0068] In specific settings, such as Figure 6 As shown, the plug limiting cavity 3301 includes an annular limiting groove 330. The first plug limiting cavity 3301 includes a first annular portion of the annular limiting groove 330, and the second plug limiting cavity 3301 includes a second annular portion of the annular limiting groove 330. The plug limiting cavity 3301 is formed between the annular limiting groove and the interior of the flow channel. The first annular portion and the second annular portion are located in different parts of the annular limiting groove 330, which facilitates the opening of the annular limiting groove 330 and the insertion of the first main body post 4101 and the second main body post 4102.
[0069] In a specific application, the first main body post 4101 extends into the first annular portion, the second main body post 4102 extends into the second annular portion, and the first annular portion and the second annular portion are respectively located on the radial sides of the sealing plug 300.
[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one sealing groove 340 is provided circumferentially along the sealing end 320, and a sealing ring is provided in each sealing groove 340. The sealing ring is in sealing engagement with the inner wall surface of the first flow channel 110 and the inner wall surface of the second flow channel 120. If the interference fit is too large during the installation and removal of the sealing plug 300, it will be detrimental to installation and removal. In this embodiment, the use of a sealing ring can improve the convenience of installation and removal, and also improve the sealing effect.
[0071] Understandably, the sealing groove 340 is closer to the sealing end 320 than the limiting groove. After the sealing ring is inserted into the flow channel, it is squeezed to achieve a seal.
[0072] In practical applications, see Figure 6 As shown, the sealing end 320 has two sealing grooves 340, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the sealing plug 300. A sealing ring is connected in each sealing groove 340 to improve the sealing effect and enhance the stability of the seal.
[0073] In specific configurations, the sealing plug 300 can be made of rigid plastic, which is integrally molded by injection molding. Alternatively, it can be made of metal, integrally molded by casting. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the material of the sealing plug 300 is the same as the material forming the flow channel; in other embodiments, the material of the sealing plug 300 is different from the material forming the flow channel.
[0074] According to an embodiment provided by the present invention, see Figure 3 , Figure 7 As shown, the clamp 400 also has a locking part 420, which has a protrusion 4203. The end limiting hole 140 further includes a third end limiting hole 1403, which has a groove. The locking part 420 is inserted into the third end limiting hole 1403, and the protrusion 4203 engages with the groove. After the clamp 400 is inserted into the end limiting hole 140, it needs to remain stable under normal conditions to improve overall stability. In this embodiment, by setting the locking part 420 and achieving engagement through the engagement of its protrusion 4203 with the groove, the clamp 400 can be stably maintained in a limited state after insertion, thus improving overall stability.
[0075] When setting up the specific configuration, please refer to [the relevant documentation]. Figure 3 , Figure 7As shown, the locking part 420 includes a first locking post 4201 and a second locking post 4202 spaced apart. The end of the first locking post 4201 has a first protrusion, and the end of the second locking post 4202 has a second protrusion. The corresponding third end limiting hole 1403 has two slots that correspond to each other, so that the first protrusion engages with one of the slots and the other protrusion engages with the remaining slot.
[0076] It is understandable that in this embodiment, the two locking pins, which are spaced apart, extend a certain distance from each other, allowing them to close together under the action of external force, thus facilitating installation.
[0077] In a specific configuration, the protrusion 4203 includes a protruding body that protrudes from one side of the locking post, and the protruding body and the locking post are connected by an inclined surface. That is, the surface where the protrusion 4203 intersects with the locking post is an inclined surface, which facilitates the disassembly of the clamp 400.
[0078] In a specific example, refer to Figure 3 As shown, the third end limiting hole 1403 is an elongated hole with slots at both ends along its length. During assembly, the first locking pin 4201 and the second locking pin 4202 are brought together and inserted. When inserted to the predetermined position, the first and second protrusions engage with the slots to achieve a locking action. This method, on the one hand, enhances stability through the locking action of the two protrusions; even if one protrusion 4203 becomes loose, the other can still function normally. On the other hand, it provides a confirmation of proper assembly, as the clamp 400 can only be fully inserted when properly assembled, often accompanied by a "click" sound indicating that it has reached the correct position.
[0079] According to one embodiment provided by the present invention, such as Figure 7 As shown, the sealing plug 300 also includes a limiting flange 310, which coincides with the axis of the sealing end 320 and is fixed to one end of the sealing end 320. The outer diameter of the limiting flange 310 is larger than the diameter of the sealing end 320. During assembly, the sealing plug 300 needs to be positioned appropriately so that the clamp 400 can be engaged for limiting. In this embodiment, the limiting flange 310 ensures that after the sealing plug 300 extends into the opening 130, the plug limiting cavity 3301 on the sealing plug 300 is precisely located radially on the end limiting hole 140. This eliminates the need for positioning during assembly; the limiting flange 310 directly abuts against the end face of the opening 130 to complete the assembly.
[0080] Understandably, the distance design between the limiting flange 310 and the annular limiting groove 330 ensures that after the sealing plug 300 is inserted, its annular limiting groove 330 and the end limiting hole 140 are on the same radial plane, which facilitates quick assembly.
[0081] According to an embodiment provided by the present invention, see Figure 5 As shown, it also includes a mounting head 500, which has at least one mounting port 510 for connecting to the resin tank 200. A first flow channel 110 is connected to the resin filling part of the resin tank 200 through the mounting port 510, and a second flow channel 120 is connected to the central tube of the resin tank 200 through the mounting port 510. It is understandable that the resin tank 200 is used for water treatment, and the resin tank 200 has a resin filling part filled with resin particles, which gives the resin tank 200 a certain mass. This requires the resin tank 200 to have a relatively stable connection structure. In this embodiment, an installation head 500 is provided on the lower end face of the channel, so that the installation head 500 is located at the lower end of the channel. An installation port 510 is provided on the installation head 500, and the resin tank 200 is connected through the installation port 510, which can improve the stability of the connection of the resin tank 200. The top of the resin tank 200 is provided with an opening 130, so that when the resin tank 200 is connected to the installation port 510, the installation port 510 and the resin tank 200 are connected, thereby allowing the water entering the installation port 510 to enter the resin tank 200.
[0082] In practical applications, the resin tank 200 and the mounting port 510 can be connected by either a snap-fit or a threaded connection. For example, when connected by a thread, an external thread is provided on the outer periphery of the opening of the resin tank 200, and an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the mounting port 510. The two are connected and sealed by the thread. At this time, the opening of the resin tank 200 is located below the two flow channels, and the two flow channels have a first connecting port 1102 and a second connecting port 1202, respectively. The fluid can communicate with the resin filling part and the central tube inside the resin tank 200 through the first connecting port 1102 and the second connecting port 1202, respectively.
[0083] In specific applications, the mounting head 500 can be made of engineering plastics, rigid plastics, or, in some other applications, metal. The mounting port 510 and the mounting head 500 can be manufactured as a single piece.
[0084] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first connection port 1101 for fluid input or fluid output is provided on a first flow channel 110, and a second connection port 1201 for fluid input or fluid output is provided on a second flow channel 120. The first connection port 1101 is connected to the resin filling part of the resin tank 200 through the first flow channel 110, and the second connection port 1201 is connected to the central tube of the resin tank 200 through the second flow channel 120.
[0085] In the above embodiments, when there are multiple resin tubes, multiple resin tanks 200 are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the extension direction of the first flow channel 110 or the extension direction of the second flow channel 120. The resin tanks 200 are used to fill resin, and the amount of resin filled directly affects the water treatment effect. In related technologies, due to assembly methods, a single resin tank 200 is typically used. However, a single resin tank 200 needs a larger volume to hold more resin particles, resulting in a large space occupied in the width direction of the entire component, making the overall structure complex and difficult to install. In this embodiment, since the flow channel and the resin tank 200 are integrally molded, multiple resin tanks 200 can be used. Multiple resin tanks 200 allow for a narrower width direction while maintaining the same volume, facilitating component assembly.
[0086] For specific applications, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, there are two resin tanks 200, arranged side by side. When determining the number of resin tanks 200, the water treatment capacity requirements of the entire water system and the overall structural space requirements are usually considered. Therefore, in some specific designs, three, four, or more resin tanks 200 can be selected. It is understood that with the addition of resin tanks 200, the flow channel will be arranged accordingly along its length to achieve communication between the resin tanks 200 and the flow channel, forming a water system. The accompanying drawings of this application's embodiments illustrate only an example with two resin tanks 200.
[0087] Understandably, the control valve section needs to accommodate both the softening water path and the regeneration path for the resin particles within the resin tank 200. For example, during softening, raw water enters the first flow channel 110 through the first connection port 1101 and is softened by the resin particles in the resin tank 200. The treated water rises through the central pipe and exits through the second flow channel 120 and the second connection port 1201. In this case, the first connection port 1101 is used for fluid input, and the second connection port 1201 is used for fluid output. During regeneration, brine enters the second flow channel 120 through the second connection port 1201 and flows through the central pipe to the bottom of the resin tank 200. The brine at the bottom rises along the outer periphery of the resin pipe to clean the resin particles, then enters the first flow channel 110 and exits through the first connection port 1101 within the first flow channel 110. In this case, the first connection port 1101 is used for fluid output, and the second connection port 1201 is used for fluid input.
[0088] In a specific example, the first connection port 1101 is located between two first connecting ports 1102, and the second connecting port 1202 is located between two second connecting ports 1202. It can be understood that connecting the two first connecting ports 1102 to the first connection port 1101 allows for better distribution of the incoming water fluid, enabling the water fluid to flow from the first connection port 1101 to the cut-off ports and achieve water distribution. Similarly, during backwashing and regeneration of the water softener, the water fluid in the resin tank 200 can converge from the cut-off ports on both sides towards the first connection port 1101 and be output from the first connection port 1101, achieving water collection. Likewise, the second connection port 1201 can also achieve water dispersion and collection.
[0089] According to an embodiment provided by the present invention, see Figure 1 , Figure 5 As shown, the mounting head 500 and the main body 100 are integrally formed. When the mounting head 500 and the main body 100 are integrally formed, they form a single, integrated structure. This integral forming method reduces the complexity of assembly and improves the overall strength.
[0090] The present invention also provides a water softener, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a resin tank 200 and a water channel assembly as provided in any of the above embodiments, the water channel assembly being located on one side of the resin tank 200 in the axial direction; wherein the water channel connecting component is integrally formed with the resin tank 200.
[0091] The present invention also provides a water softener, such as Figure 6As shown, it includes a resin tank 200 and a water channel assembly as provided in any of the above embodiments, the water channel assembly being located on one side of the resin tank 200 in the axial direction; wherein the water channel connecting component is fixedly connected to the resin tank 200.
[0092] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that each embodiment provides an opening 130 at at least one end of the flow channel. The opening 130 facilitates processing, especially for integrally molded parts. The opening 130 facilitates processing during integral molding, as well as cooling and filling of material particles during integral molding, thereby improving the overall processing efficiency and quality of the finished product.
[0093] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A waterway assembly comprising: For use with a resin tank and integrally molded with the resin tank, including: The main body has a first flow channel and a second flow channel. At least one end of the first flow channel and at least one end of the second flow channel in the extending direction are provided with openings. The first flow channel is used to communicate with the resin filling part of the resin tank, and the second flow channel is used to communicate with the central tube of the resin tank. A sealing plug is fixedly disposed at the end where the opening is provided, and is sealed to the side wall of the first flow channel and the side wall of the second flow channel respectively, sealing the opening; the overlapping position of the end and the sealing plug is provided with corresponding end limiting holes and plug limiting cavities; The clamp has a snap-fit structure, which is inserted into the end limiting hole and the plug limiting cavity, and the dimension of the snap-fit structure in the axial direction of the sealing plug matches the dimension of the end limiting hole in the axial direction of the sealing plug.
2. The waterway assembly of claim 1, wherein, The sealing plug is inserted into the opening.
3. The waterway assembly of claim 1, wherein, The snap-fit structure includes a first main post and a second main post spaced apart. The end limiting hole includes a first end limiting hole and a second end limiting hole. The plug limiting cavity includes a first plug limiting cavity and a second plug limiting cavity. The first end limiting hole and the second end limiting hole are respectively located on both sides of the plane containing the diameter of the opening. The first main post is inserted into the first end limiting hole and the first plug limiting cavity, and the second main post is inserted into the second end limiting hole and the second plug limiting cavity.
4. The waterway assembly of claim 3, wherein, The plug limiting cavity includes an annular limiting groove, the first plug limiting cavity includes a first annular portion of the annular limiting groove, and the second plug limiting cavity includes a second annular portion of the annular limiting groove.
5. The waterway assembly of claim 3, wherein, The clamp also has a locking part with a protrusion. The end limiting hole also includes a third end limiting hole with a groove. The locking part is inserted into the third end limiting hole, and the protrusion engages with the groove.
6. The waterway assembly of claim 1, wherein, The sealing plug includes a sealing end, which is interference-fitted with the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
7. The waterway assembly of claim 6, wherein, At least one sealing groove is provided circumferentially along the sealing end, and a sealing ring is provided in each sealing groove. The sealing ring is in sealing fit with the inner wall surface of the first flow channel and the inner wall surface of the second flow channel.
8. The waterway assembly of claim 6, wherein, The sealing plug also includes a limiting flange, which coincides with the axis of the sealing end and is fixed to one end of the sealing end, and the outer diameter of the limiting flange is larger than the outer diameter of the sealing end.
9. The waterway assembly of any of claims 1-8, wherein, The sealing plug also has a perforated hole, which is a blind hole. The opening of the perforated hole is located on the outer end face of the sealing plug, and the extension direction of the perforated hole is the same as the extension direction of the sealing plug.
10. The waterway assembly of any of claims 1-8, wherein, It also includes a mounting head, which has at least one mounting port for connecting to a resin tank. The first flow channel has a first communication port that communicates with the resin filling part, and the second flow channel has a second communication port that communicates with the central tube. Both the first communication port and the second communication port are located inside the mounting port.
11. The water system component according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first flow channel is provided with a first connection port for fluid input or fluid output, and the second flow channel is provided with a second connection port for fluid input or fluid output. The first connection port is connected to the resin filling part of the resin tank through the first flow channel, and the second connection port is connected to the central tube of the resin tank through the second flow channel.
12. The water system component according to claim 10, characterized in that, The mounting head is integrally formed with the main body.
13. A water softener, characterized in that, include: Resin bucket; The water channel assembly as described in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the water channel assembly is located on one side of the resin tank in the axial direction.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Water softener
CN219156597U
Plastic valve body and faucet
CN220227970U