Water softener

Abstract

The invention discloses a water softener, and relates to the technical field of water softeners, the water softener comprises a resin tank and a flow adjusting mechanism, the resin tank is provided with a resin cavity, and a water inlet and a water outlet communicated with the resin cavity; the flow adjusting mechanism is arranged at the water outlet to adjust the water outlet flow, and the flow of the flow adjusting mechanism in the regeneration mode is smaller than the flow of the flow adjusting mechanism in the water production mode. According to the technical scheme provided by the invention, the salt solution can have more sufficient time to react with the resin particles, so that the regeneration effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water softeners, and particularly to a water softener. Background Art

[0002] The water softener has a regeneration mode. In the regeneration mode, the brine in the salt tank flows into the resin tank to react with the resin particles, so that the resin particles can be restored to a state with softening ability. In the related art, the reaction between the brine and the resin particles in the resin tank during the regeneration mode is not sufficient, resulting in poor regeneration effect. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main object of the present invention is to provide a water softener, aiming to enable the brine to have more sufficient time to react with the resin particles, thereby improving the regeneration effect.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the water softener proposed by the present invention includes:

[0005] A resin tank, provided with a resin chamber, and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the resin chamber; and

[0006] A flow rate adjusting mechanism, arranged at the outlet to adjust the water outlet flow rate, and the flow rate of the flow rate adjusting mechanism in the regeneration mode is less than that in the water production mode.

[0007] In one embodiment, the pressure of the brine flowing into the outlet in the regeneration mode is P1, and the pressure of the raw water flowing into the outlet in the water production mode is P2, and P1 < P2.

[0008] In one embodiment, the water softener further includes a salt tank communicating with the resin tank, the salt tank is arranged above the resin tank, and the brine in the salt tank flows into the resin tank by gravity.

[0009] In one embodiment, the flow rate adjusting mechanism includes:

[0010] A mounting seat, provided with a main flow channel and a branch flow channel, and the water outlet flow rate of the main flow channel is greater than that of the branch flow channel; and

[0011] A check valve, arranged in the main flow channel, and the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the highest water level of the salt tank is less than the minimum opening pressure of the check valve;

[0012] The check valve blocks the main flow channel in the regeneration mode, the check valve conducts the main flow channel in the water production mode, and the branch flow channel is conducted in both the regeneration mode and the water production mode.

[0013] In one embodiment, there are at least two branch flow channels, and at least two branch flow channels are spaced apart and distributed on the outer periphery of the main flow channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the inner wall surface of the main runner is recessed to form the branch runner.

[0015] In one embodiment, the branch runner extends in the same direction as the main runner, or the branch runner extends along a three-dimensional spiral line on the inner wall surface of the main runner.

[0016] In one embodiment, the check valve includes a valve seat, a valve plug, and an elastic member. The valve seat is sealingly connected to the inner wall surface of the main runner and is provided with a flow cavity communicating with the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the main runner. The valve plug is movably disposed in the flow cavity, and the elastic member connects the valve plug and the valve seat.

[0017] In one embodiment, the check valve further includes a first sealing ring sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat. The outer peripheral surface of the first sealing ring abuts against the inner wall surface of the main runner. The inner wall surface of the main runner is recessed to form the branch runner, and at least a part of the wall surface of the branch runner is spaced apart from the first sealing ring.

[0018] In one embodiment, the valve seat includes a first ring body, a second ring body, and a plurality of connecting ribs connecting the first ring body and the second ring body. The plurality of connecting ribs are circumferentially spaced apart along the first ring body, and a cavity outlet of the flow cavity is formed between two adjacent connecting ribs. The inner cavity of the first ring body is configured as a cavity inlet of the flow cavity, and the valve plug is movably disposed in the first ring body.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mounting seat includes a connected mounting portion and a connection head portion. The check valve is disposed in the mounting portion, and the connection head portion is provided with a threaded structure.

[0020] In one embodiment, the flow rate regulating mechanism is configured as a flow rate regulating valve with adjustable opening degree.

[0021] In one embodiment, the water outlet includes an independent main water outlet and a secondary water outlet. The flow rate regulating mechanism includes a blocking member movably disposed in the resin tank. The blocking member selectively blocks the main water outlet and the secondary water outlet. The flow cross-sectional area of the main water outlet is larger than that of the secondary water outlet, and the main water outlet is blocked by the blocking member in the regeneration mode.

[0022] The technical solution of the present invention is to provide a flow regulating mechanism at the water outlet of the resin tank, which can reduce the flow rate when the water softener enters the regeneration mode. It can be understood that under the condition that the total amount of brine flowing into the resin tank is equal, when the brine outlet flow rate becomes smaller, the residence time of the brine in the resin tank becomes longer, so that the brine has more sufficient time to react with the resin particles, thereby improving the regeneration effect. Secondly, the softened water in the resin tank can still be supplied at a large flow rate in the water production mode, so as to achieve the goal of large flux in the water production mode and high salt efficiency in the regeneration mode, and thus can better meet the usage requirements, and can save the consumption rate of salt blocks and reduce the frequency of users replenishing salt blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the resin tank and the flow regulating mechanism in;

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the flow regulating mechanism in;

[0027] Figure 4 is Figure 3 An exploded view of the flow regulating mechanism shown in;

[0028] Figure 5 is Figure 4 A top view of the valve seat in.

[0029] Description of the reference numerals:

[0030] 10. Resin tank; 101. Resin cavity; 102. Water inlet; 103. Water outlet;

[0031] 20. Flow regulating mechanism; 201. Mounting seat; 202. Check valve; 203. Main flow channel; 204. Branch flow channel; 210. Valve seat; 211. First ring body; 212. Second ring body; 213. Connecting rib; 214. Flow-through cavity; 220. Valve plug; 221. Plug head; 222. Guide rod; 223. Second sealing ring; 230. Elastic member; 240. First sealing ring; 251. Mounting portion; 252. Connection portion; 253. Thread structure;

[0032] 30. Salt box.

[0033] The realization, functional features and advantages of the purpose of the present invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0036] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears throughout the text, its meaning includes three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or a solution that satisfies both A and B at the same time. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present invention.

[0037] The water softener has a water production mode and a regeneration mode. In the water production mode, raw water flows into the resin tank from an external water source (such as tap water), and becomes softened water under the softening action of resin particles. The softened water flows out from the water outlet of the resin tank and is supplied externally. In the regeneration mode, the brine in the salt tank flows into the resin tank to react with the resin particles, so that the resin particles can be restored to a state with softening ability. In the related art, the water outlet flow rate of the resin tank in the regeneration mode is relatively large, resulting in a short residence time of the brine in the resin tank, and the brine flows away without fully reacting with the resin particles in a short time.

[0038] It can be seen that the reaction between the brine and the resin particles in the resin tank in the regeneration mode is not sufficient, resulting in poor regeneration effect.

[0039] In view of this, the present invention provides a water softener, which can solve the problem that the reaction between the brine and the resin particles in the resin tank in the regeneration mode is not sufficient, so as to improve the regeneration effect of the water softener in the regeneration mode.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the water softener includes a resin tank 10 and a flow rate adjusting mechanism 20. Among them, the resin tank 10 is provided with a resin cavity 101, and a water inlet 102 and a water outlet 103 communicating with the resin cavity 101. The flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 is arranged at the water outlet 103 to adjust the water outlet flow rate, and the flow rate of the flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 in the regeneration mode is smaller than that in the water production mode.

[0041] According to the technical solution of the present invention, by arranging the flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 at the water outlet 103 of the resin tank 10, the flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 can reduce the flow rate when the water softener enters the regeneration mode. It can be understood that under the condition that the total amount of brine flowing into the resin tank 10 is equal, when the brine outlet flow rate becomes smaller, the residence time of the brine in the resin tank 10 can be prolonged, so that the brine has more sufficient time to react with the resin particles, thereby improving the regeneration effect. Secondly, the softened water in the resin tank 10 in the water production mode can still be supplied at a large flow rate, so as to achieve the goal of large flux in the water production mode and high salt efficiency in the regeneration mode, and further can better meet the use requirements, and can save the consumption rate of salt blocks and reduce the frequency of users replenishing salt blocks.

[0042] It should be noted that the water softener protected by the present invention includes, but is not limited to, central water softeners and end water softeners. Among them, the end water softener mainly provides softened water for local or individual water-using devices or water outlets, aiming to improve the water quality delivered to these water-using devices or water outlets, reduce the impact of hard water on the device structure, human body or clothing, and enhance the comfort of local water use. Specifically, the water-using devices include, but are not limited to, water heaters, washing machines, humidifiers, etc., and the water outlets include, but are not limited to, shower heads, faucets, etc. For example, when the end water softener is used in a bathroom scenario, it can make the water flowing out of the shower head be softened water, thereby enhancing the user's water use comfort. For the convenience of description, the present invention will take the end water softener applied to the bathroom as an example for explanation.

[0043] It can be understood that the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 in the embodiments of the present invention can either actively regulate its water flow rate or passively regulate its water flow rate.

[0044] For example, in one embodiment, the salt water pressure flowing into the water outlet 103 in the regeneration mode is P1, and the raw water pressure flowing into the water outlet 103 in the water production mode is P2, where P1 < P2. In this embodiment, the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 is configured as a passive regulating structure, and its opening degree will change due to the difference between the salt water pressure and the raw water pressure, thereby causing a change in the water flow rate. Specifically, the raw water pressure in the water production mode is relatively large, so the opening degree of the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 is large and the water flow rate is large; the salt water pressure in the regeneration mode is relatively small, so the opening degree of the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 is small and the water flow rate is small. In this way, the electric control structure and electric control circuit of the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 can be saved, thereby reducing the product cost of the water softener and being beneficial to reducing the electrical failure rate of the water softener.

[0045] It should be noted that the salt water pressure does not specifically refer to that the liquid flowing into the water outlet 103 is only salt water, but refers to that the source of this pressure is the salt water flowing from the salt tank 30 into the resin tank 10. Similarly, the raw water pressure does not specifically refer to that the liquid flowing into the water outlet 103 is raw water. It can be understood that at this time, the water flowing into the water outlet 103 should be softened water that has undergone the softening effect. Here, the raw water pressure also refers to that the source of this pressure is the raw water flowing from the water inlet 102 into the resin tank 10.

[0046] Of course, in other embodiments, the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 can also be configured as an active regulating mechanism. For example, in another embodiment, the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 is configured as a flow regulating valve with adjustable opening degree, which can specifically be an electromagnetic valve, etc. Among them, the flow regulating valve is electrically connected to the control circuit board of the water softener, so that it can be controlled by the electrical signal of the control circuit board. When the water softener switches between the water production mode and the regeneration mode, the control circuit board can timely control the flow regulating valve to adjust the flow rate.

[0047] In yet another embodiment, the water outlet 103 includes an independent main water outlet 103 and a secondary water outlet 103. The flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 includes a plugging member movably disposed in the resin tank 10. The plugging member selectively plugs the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103. The flow cross-sectional area of the main water outlet 103 is larger than that of the secondary water outlet 103. The main water outlet 103 is plugged by the plugging member in the regeneration mode. That is, the main water outlet 103 with a large flow rate corresponds to the opening of the water production mode, and the secondary water outlet 103 with a small flow rate corresponds to the opening of the regeneration mode. In this way, by switching the position of the plugging member, the plugging of the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103 is respectively completed, and the structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0048] Among them, the plugging member can either achieve position switching through electric drive or through manual driving. For example, the flow rate adjusting mechanism 20 further includes a driving member drivingly connected to the plugging member. The driving member includes, but is not limited to, a motor, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. Under the action of the driving member, the plugging member can move and selectively plug the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103. Among them, the displacement trajectory of the plugging member can be set according to the layout of the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103. For example, the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103 are distributed in a straight line direction, and the plugging member can move between the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103 by translating along the straight line direction, and selectively cover the main water outlet 103 and the secondary water outlet 103.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 , in one embodiment, optionally, the water softener further includes a salt tank 30 communicating with the resin tank 10. The salt tank 30 is disposed above the resin tank 10, and the salt solution in the salt tank 30 flows into the resin tank 10 by gravity. In this way, on the one hand, compared with the solution in the related art of using a water pump to pump the salt solution in the salt tank 30 into the resin tank 10, the technical solution of this embodiment can save structures such as the water pump and the pumping water circuit, thereby simplifying the structure of the water softener and reducing its product cost.

[0050] On the other hand, the salt tank 30 is stacked above the resin tank 10, and the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the height difference from the liquid level of the salt solution in the salt tank 30 to the water outlet 103 of the resin tank 10 is basically equal to the salt solution pressure P1 flowing into the water outlet 103 in the regeneration mode. It can be understood that the size and volume of the end water softener are usually small to save the space occupied by the equipment in the home, that is, the total height of the water softener is not very high. And the water inlet 102 of the resin tank 10 is usually connected to an external water source, such as tap water. Therefore, the raw water pressure flowing into the water outlet 103 in the water production mode is approximately equal to the water pressure of tap water, and thus has a relatively large pressure. Therefore, the hydrostatic pressure from the liquid level of the salt solution in the salt tank 30 to the water outlet 103, that is, the salt solution pressure P1, will have a large difference from the raw water pressure P2, which is beneficial to improving the response accuracy of the flow rate adjusting mechanism 20.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 wherein, Figure 3 the arrow of indicates the water outlet direction. In one embodiment, optionally, the flow rate regulating mechanism 20 includes a mounting seat 201 and a check valve 202. The mounting seat 201 is provided with a main flow channel 203 and a branch flow channel 204, and the water outlet flow rate of the main flow channel 203 is greater than that of the branch flow channel 204; the check valve 202 is arranged in the main flow channel 203, wherein the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the highest water level of the salt tank 30 is less than the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202; the check valve 202 blocks the main flow channel 203 in the regeneration mode, the check valve 202 conducts the main flow channel 203 in the water production mode, and the branch flow channel 204 is conducted in both the regeneration mode and the water production mode.

[0052] In this embodiment, the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the highest water level of the salt tank 30 refers to the hydrostatic pressure from the liquid level of the salt solution in the salt tank 30 to the water outlet 103 of the resin tank 10 when the liquid level of the salt solution in the salt tank 30 reaches the highest water level. That is, in the regeneration mode, even if the salt solution in the salt tank 30 reaches the highest water level, it cannot cause the check valve 202 to open, so that the main flow channel 203 where the check valve 202 is located cannot be conducted, and the liquid in the resin tank 10 can only flow out through the branch flow channel 204 with a small flow rate. In the water production mode, due to the large pressure of the raw water flowing into the resin tank 10 from the water inlet 102 and greater than the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202, the raw water pressure P2 is sufficient to cause the check valve 202 to open, so that the softened water prepared in the resin tank 10 can flow out through the main flow channel 203 with a large flow rate and the branch flow channel 204 with a small flow rate at the same time, thereby meeting the demand for supplying softened water with a large flow rate.

[0053] For example, in one embodiment, the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202 can be set to 4 kPa, which roughly corresponds to the hydrostatic pressure of a water column with a height of 40 cm, and the height difference from the highest water level of the salt tank 30 to the water outlet 103 is set to be less than 40 cm, or the overall height of the water softener is directly set to be less than 40 cm. In this way, in the water production mode, the inlet pressure is large, and the liquid in the resin tank 10 can easily push and open the check valve 202, so that the water can flow out through the main flow channel 203 and the branch flow channel 204 at the same time to achieve the purpose of unrestricted soft water output. In the regeneration mode, the salt solution in the salt tank 30 flows into the resin tank 10 by gravity to carry out a regeneration reaction with the resin particles. The liquid in the resin tank 10 is not enough to open the check valve 202. At this time, the check valve 202 is in the closed state, and the waste water after the regeneration reaction can only flow out through the branch flow channel 204 to achieve the purpose of restricting the output of the regeneration waste water.

[0054] Thus, the structure of this embodiment is simple and easy to implement. By cleverly utilizing the relationship between the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202 and the highest water level of the salt tank 30, it can achieve the characteristics that the water outlet flow of softened water is not restricted under high-pressure water inlet during the water production mode operation, and the water outlet flow of wastewater is restricted under gravity water conveyance during the regeneration mode operation, thereby better meeting the requirements of high flux and high salt efficiency of the equipment.

[0055] Of course, in other embodiments, the salt solution in the salt tank may not flow into the resin tank by gravity. For example, a water pump is provided at the salt solution outlet of the salt tank, and the salt solution is pumped into the resin tank through the water pump. At this time, the pumping pressure of the water pump can be set to be less than the raw water pressure, so as to meet the requirement that the salt solution pressure P1 is less than the raw water pressure P2, so that the flow regulating mechanism can passively adjust its water flow according to the water pressure.

[0056] It can be understood that there are various structural forms of the main flow channel 203 and the branch flow channel 204. For example, please refer to Figures 3 to 5 , in an embodiment, optionally, the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203 is recessed to form the branch flow channel 204. That is, the branch flow channel 204 communicates with the peripheral side wall of the main flow channel 203. In this way, the structure of the mounting seat 201 can be made more compact, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the flow regulating mechanism 20, and further beneficial to reducing the size and volume of the water softener.

[0057] Of course, in other embodiments, the branch flow channel 204 and the main flow channel 203 may also be arranged at intervals. For example, the branch flow channel 204 and the main flow channel 203 are formed at intervals on the mounting seat 201, where the branch flow channel 204 and the main flow channel 203 may extend in the same direction or have different extending directions.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in the embodiment where the branch flow channel 204 is formed by the recess of the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203, optionally, the branch flow channel 204 extends in the same direction as the main flow channel 203. For example, when the main flow channel 203 is configured as a through-hole structure with its axis extending vertically, the axis of the branch flow channel 204 also extends vertically. In this way, on the one hand, it can improve the flow smoothness of the liquid in the main flow channel 203 and the branch flow channel 204, avoid the interference between the two streams of liquid flowing through them, and thus improve the water outlet smoothness and stability of the water softener. On the other hand, it is beneficial to simplify the structure of the mounting seat 201 and reduce its manufacturing and forming cost. Of course, in other embodiments, the branch flow channel 204 may also extend along a three-dimensional spiral line on the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 5, in one embodiment, further, there are at least two branch channels 204, and the at least two branch channels 204 are spaced apart and distributed on the outer periphery of the main channel 203. Specifically, optionally, there are two branch channels 204. It can be understood that when the branch channel 204 is formed by the depression of the inner wall surface of the main channel 203, it is equivalent to forming a branch channel 204 by depression at multiple positions along the circumference on the inner wall surface of the main channel 203. Thus, in the regeneration mode, when the liquid in the resin tank 10 flows out through the multiple branch channels 204, the problem that the check valve 202 shakes due to the impact of the water flow in the main channel 203 can be avoided, thereby improving the installation stability and reliability of the check valve 202, and reducing the risk of abnormal noise caused by the structural shaking. Of course, in other embodiments, there can also be only one branch channel 204.

[0060] It can be understood that there are various structural forms of the check valve 202. For example, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in one embodiment, optionally, the check valve 202 includes a valve seat 210, a valve plug 220, and an elastic member 230. The valve seat 210 is sealingly connected to the inner wall surface of the main channel 203 and is provided with a flow cavity 214 that communicates the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the main channel 203. The valve plug 220 is movably disposed in the flow cavity 214, and the elastic member 230 connects the valve plug 220 and the valve seat 210. Specifically, in the water production mode, the pressure of the raw water is sufficient to overcome the elastic force exerted by the elastic member 230 on the valve plug 220, so that the valve plug 220 can move from the position blocking the flow cavity 214 to the position conducting the flow cavity 214, thereby enabling the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the main channel 203 to communicate with each other through the flow cavity 214. In the regeneration mode, the pressure of the salt solution is not sufficient to overcome the elastic force exerted by the elastic member 230 on the valve plug 220, and the valve plug 220 remains in the position blocking the flow cavity 214. Therefore, the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the main channel 203 cannot communicate with each other through the flow cavity 214. In this way, the structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0061] Of course, in other embodiments, the check valve 202 can also be configured in other structural forms as long as it can meet the goals of unlimited flow under high pressure and limited flow under low pressure.

[0062] It can be understood that the elastic force exerted by the elastic member 230 on the valve plug 220 can urge the valve plug 220 to maintain the state of blocking the flow cavity 214. That is, the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202 is related to the structural performance of the elastic member 230. The minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202 can be changed by selecting the existing check valve 202 products on the market or directly replacing and adjusting the elastic member 230 of the existing products, so that the minimum opening pressure of the check valve 202 can be adapted to different water softener products. For example, for water softener products with a relatively large overall height dimension and a relatively high maximum water level of the salt tank 30, a check valve 202 with a relatively large minimum opening pressure needs to be selected; for water softener products with a relatively small overall height dimension and a relatively low maximum water level of the salt tank 30, a check valve 202 with a relatively small minimum opening pressure can be selected.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in an embodiment, optionally, the check valve 202 further includes a first sealing ring 240 sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat 210. The outer peripheral surface of the first sealing ring 240 abuts against the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203. The inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203 is recessed to form a branch flow channel 204, and at least part of the wall surface of the branch flow channel 204 is spaced from the first sealing ring 240. Thus, the sealing cooperation effect between the valve seat 210 and the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203 can be improved through the first sealing ring 240. It can be understood that in the case where the first sealing ring 240 is provided, since the branch flow channel 204 is directly formed on the inner wall surface of the main flow channel 203, it is necessary to prevent the first sealing ring 240 from being completely embedded in the branch flow channel 204 and the structure of the first sealing ring 240 completely blocking the branch flow channel 204, so as to ensure that the flow regulating mechanism 20 still has a certain effective flow cross-sectional area in the regeneration mode. Of course, in other embodiments, the first sealing ring 240 may not be provided.

[0064] In this embodiment, the problem that the first sealing ring 240 is completely embedded in the branch flow channel 204 can be avoided by selecting the first sealing ring 240 and designing the structures of the main flow channel 203 and the branch flow channel 204. For example, an avoidance ring groove is recessed on the wall surface of the branch flow channel 204 corresponding to the first sealing ring 240. The groove width of the avoidance ring groove is greater than the thickness of the first sealing ring 240, and the outer diameter of the avoidance ring groove is 1.1 times to 1.5 times the outer diameter of the first sealing ring 240.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 4, in one embodiment, optionally, the valve seat 210 includes a first annular body 211, a second annular body 212, and a plurality of connecting ribs 213 connecting the first annular body 211 and the second annular body 212. The plurality of connecting ribs 213 are circumferentially spaced apart along the first annular body 211, and a cavity outlet of the flow cavity 214 is formed between two adjacent connecting ribs 213. The inner cavity of the first annular body 211 is configured as the cavity inlet of the flow cavity 214. The valve plug 220 is movably disposed in the first annular body 211.

[0066] Specifically, the first annular body 211 and the second annular body 212 are spaced apart along the extending direction of the connecting ribs 213. The first annular body 211, the second annular body 212, and the connecting ribs 213 jointly define the cavity outlet of the flow cavity 214. When the valve plug 220 is sealingly inserted into the inner cavity of the first annular body 211, the flow cavity 214 is blocked and not conducting; when the valve plug 220 is withdrawn from the first annular body 211, the cavity inlet and the cavity outlet of the flow cavity 214 are conducted, and the flow cavity 214 can conduct the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the main flow channel 203. In this way, the structure is simple and easy to implement. The ends of the plurality of connecting ribs 213 far from the first annular body 211 can be connected into one body through the second annular body 212 to improve the structural stability of the connecting ribs 213.

[0067] Of course, in other embodiments, the valve seat 210 can also be configured in other structural forms. For example, only the first annular body 211 and a plurality of connecting ribs 213 are provided.

[0068] To improve the displacement smoothness and stability of the valve plug 220, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in one embodiment, optionally, the valve plug 220 includes a plug head 221 and a guide rod 222 connected to each other. The guide rod 222 is slidably disposed in the second annular body 212, and the plug head 221 is slidably disposed in the first annular body 211. In this way, in this embodiment, the second annular body 212 also plays a guiding role. The guide rod 222 cooperates with the second annular body 212, and the plug head 221 cooperates with the first annular body 211 to jointly improve the displacement smoothness and stability of the valve plug 220. Of course, in other embodiments, the guide rod 222 may not be provided.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in one embodiment, optionally, the valve plug 220 further includes a second sealing ring 223 sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the plug head 221. The outer peripheral surface of the second sealing ring 223 abuts against the inner cavity surface of the first annular body 211. In this way, the sealing cooperation effect between the plug head 221 and the first annular body 211 can be improved through the second sealing ring 223, and the structure is simple and easy to implement. Of course, in other embodiments, the second sealing ring 223 may not be provided.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4, in one embodiment, optionally, the elastic member 230 is disposed around the outer periphery of the guide rod 222 and is connected between the plug 221 and the second ring body 212. Specifically, during the process of the plug 221 being withdrawn from the first ring body 211, the elastic member 230 is compressed and the amount of deformation increases. After the water inlet side pressure of the plug 221 becomes smaller, the acting force of the elastic member 230 can push the plug 221 to re-insert into the first ring body 211 to achieve the sealing of the flow cavity 214. In this way, the elastic member 230 is disposed around the outer periphery of the guide rod 222, which can improve the smoothness of the displacement of the valve plug 220, and only one elastic member 230 is required to achieve this, with a simple structure and easy implementation. Of course, in other embodiments, multiple elastic members 230 can also be provided, and the multiple elastic members 230 are distributed around the outer periphery of the guide rod 222.

[0071] Optionally in this embodiment, the elastic member 230 is configured as a compression spring. In this way, the structure is mature, reliable and low in cost. Of course, in other embodiments, the elastic member 230 can also be a tension spring, or a rubber body or a silica gel body.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in one embodiment, optionally, the mounting base 201 includes a connected mounting portion 251 and a connection head portion 252. The check valve 202 is disposed in the mounting portion 251, and the connection head portion 252 is provided with a thread structure 253. That is to say, the flow regulating mechanism 20 also serves as a connector, and its connection head portion 252 can be exposed outside the water softener for external structures such as a three-way valve, a faucet or a water pipe to be installed and connected. Among them, the thread structure 253 can be either an external thread or an internal thread. For example, optionally in this embodiment, the thread structure 253 is configured as an external thread disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection head portion 252. Of course, in other embodiments, the connection head portion 252 can also be not provided.

[0073] The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the technical concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water softener, characterized in that, Comprising: A resin tank, provided with a resin cavity, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the resin cavity; And A flow regulating mechanism, arranged at the outlet to regulate the water outlet flow, and the flow of the flow regulating mechanism in the regeneration mode is less than that in the water production mode.

2. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure of the brine flowing into the outlet in the regeneration mode is P1, and the pressure of the raw water flowing into the outlet in the water production mode is P2, and P1 < P2.

3. The water softener according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water softener further includes a salt box communicating with the resin tank, the salt box is arranged above the resin tank, and the salt solution in the salt box flows into the resin tank by gravity.

4. The water softener according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flow regulating mechanism includes: A mounting seat, provided with a main flow channel and a branch flow channel, and the water outlet flow of the main flow channel is greater than that of the branch flow channel; and A check valve, arranged in the main flow channel, and the hydrostatic pressure corresponding to the highest water level of the salt box is less than the minimum opening pressure of the check valve; The check valve blocks the main flow channel in the regeneration mode, the check valve conducts the main flow channel in the water production mode, and the branch flow channel is conducted in both the regeneration mode and the water production mode.

5. The water softener according to claim 4, wherein, There are at least two branch flow channels, and at least two branch flow channels are spaced apart on the outer periphery of the main flow channel.

6. The water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inner wall surface of the main flow channel is recessed to form the branch flow channel.

7. The water softener according to claim 6, characterized in that The branch flow channel extends in the same direction as the main flow channel, or the branch flow channel extends along a three-dimensional spiral line on the inner wall surface of the main flow channel.

8. The water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, The check valve includes a valve seat, a valve plug and an elastic member, the valve seat is hermetically connected to the inner wall surface of the main flow channel, and is provided with a flow cavity communicating with the inlet end and the outlet end of the main flow channel, the valve plug is movably arranged in the flow cavity, and the elastic member connects the valve plug and the valve seat.

9. The water softener according to claim 8, wherein The check valve further includes a first sealing ring sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat, the outer peripheral surface of the first sealing ring abuts against the inner wall surface of the main flow channel, the inner wall surface of the main flow channel is recessed to form the branch flow channel, and at least part of the wall surface of the branch flow channel is spaced apart from the first sealing ring.

10. The water softener according to claim 8, wherein The valve seat includes a first ring body, a second ring body, and a plurality of connecting ribs connecting the first ring body and the second ring body, the plurality of connecting ribs are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first ring body, a cavity outlet of the flow cavity is formed between adjacent two connecting ribs, the inner cavity of the first ring body is configured as a cavity inlet of the flow cavity, and the valve plug is movably arranged in the first ring body.

11. The water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting seat includes a connected mounting portion and a connection head, the check valve is arranged in the mounting portion, and the connection head is provided with a threaded structure.

12. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow regulating mechanism is configured as a flow regulating valve with adjustable opening.

13. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet includes an independent main outlet and a secondary outlet, the flow regulating mechanism includes a blocking member movably arranged in the resin tank, the blocking member alternatively blocks the main outlet and the secondary outlet, the flow cross-sectional area of the main outlet is greater than that of the secondary outlet, and the main outlet is blocked by the blocking member in the regeneration mode.

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