Waterway structure and water purifier

Abstract

The water path structure comprises a first filter element, a raw water path, a pure water path and a waste water path, one end of the raw water path is communicated with a raw water opening, the other end of the raw water path is communicated with a water inlet of the first filter element, a water inlet valve and a booster pump are arranged on the raw water path, and the booster pump is located between the water inlet valve and the first filter element; the pure water path is communicated with a pure water outlet of the first filter element; the wastewater path is communicated with a wastewater outlet of the first filter element, and an air inlet valve is arranged on the pure water path, so that external air can enter the pure water path; the water path structure further comprises an emptying water path, the water inlet end of the emptying water path is connected with the pure water path, the water outlet end of the emptying water path is connected with the raw water path, and an emptying valve is arranged on the emptying water path. The waterway structure and the water purifier can effectively prevent the problem of frost crack of the filter shell caused by freezing of water retained in the waterway and the filter element in a low-temperature environment, are reliable in operation, and do not influence the normal work of the whole machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water purifier technology, and in particular to a water circuit structure and a water purifier. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, water purifiers are widely used as water treatment equipment for deep filtration and purification of water.

[0003] During use, after the water purifier completes the water purification process, its water circuit and filter assembly are usually filled with pressurized water. When the ambient temperature drops below the freezing point (0°C), this stagnant water will undergo a phase change and freeze. The volume expansion rate of water when it freezes can reach 9%, and the resulting expansion stress exceeds the withstand limit of the filter housing material. At the same time, the impact resistance of polymer filter housings is significantly reduced in low-temperature environments, which can lead to stress cracking of the filter housing, leakage at pressurized pipeline interfaces, irreversible damage to membrane elements, and complete malfunction of the entire machine.

[0004] Currently available water purifiers have significant room for improvement in antifreeze technology. Existing solutions generally suffer from high implementation complexity, high operating costs, or structural contradictions. Specifically, this manifests in three typical technical approaches:

[0005] 1. Electric heating auxiliary module solution

[0006] While integrating electric heating components to achieve antifreeze functionality, this approach suffers from two technical drawbacks: First, direct contact between the heating element and the filter cartridge can accelerate the aging of polymer materials and pose a risk of electrical leakage. Second, this solution not only increases hardware costs but also raises the daily energy consumption of the equipment due to the continuous heating requirements in low-temperature environments, significantly increasing user operating costs.

[0007] 2. Physical Insulation Enhancement Solution

[0008] While adopting a double-layer / thickened insulation structure can improve antifreeze performance, it introduces new product design contradictions: the filter element volume increases significantly, severely restricting its compatibility with miniaturized and integrated water purification equipment. At the same time, the application of special insulation materials increases the material cost per unit and fails to fundamentally solve the problem of antifreeze failure in extreme low temperature environments (<-20℃).

[0009] 3. Drainage and Freezing Protection Scheme

[0010] An air inlet valve is installed at the water inlet end. In the venting mode, air is introduced through the air inlet valve. However, when the water pressure is insufficient, the air inlet valve will open uncontrollably, causing problems such as water system failure and abnormal noise, which affects the normal operation of the whole machine.

[0011] All three solutions mentioned above face the dilemma of technical and economic imbalance during implementation. They do not conform to the development trend of miniaturization and energy saving of water purification equipment, nor can they meet the reliable and economical winter water demand of users in high-latitude regions. Summary of the Invention

[0012] To address the problems of existing technologies, this utility model aims to propose a water circuit structure and a water purifier that can effectively solve the problem of water freezing in the water circuit and filter element under low temperature conditions, and is reliable in operation without affecting the normal operation of the entire water purifier.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the water circuit structure proposed in this utility model includes: a first filter element, and a raw water circuit, a pure water circuit, and a wastewater circuit. One end of the raw water circuit is connected to the raw water inlet, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the first filter element. An inlet valve and a booster pump are installed on the raw water circuit, with the booster pump located between the inlet valve and the first filter element. The pure water circuit is connected to the pure water outlet of the first filter element. The wastewater circuit is connected to the wastewater outlet of the first filter element. An air inlet valve is installed on the pure water circuit to allow external air to enter the pure water circuit. The water circuit structure also includes a drain circuit, with the inlet end of the drain circuit connected to the pure water circuit and the outlet end of the drain circuit connected to the raw water circuit. A drain valve is installed on the drain circuit.

[0014] In one embodiment, the air inlet valve is located between the pure water outlet of the first filter element and the water inlet of the drain water path.

[0015] In one implementation, the outlet of the drain water path is connected between the inlet valve and the booster pump.

[0016] In one embodiment, a second filter element is provided in the pure water circuit, and the second filter element is located between the air inlet valve and the water inlet end of the drain water circuit.

[0017] In one embodiment, a third filter element is installed in the raw water circuit, and the third filter element is located between the booster pump and the outlet end of the drain water circuit.

[0018] In one implementation, a check valve is installed on the drain water line.

[0019] In one implementation, a wastewater valve / wastewater ratio is provided in the wastewater flow path.

[0020] This utility model also proposes a water purifier, which includes the water circuit structure described above.

[0021] In one embodiment, the water purifier includes a control device that controls the water purifier to enter an emptying mode when the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature.

[0022] In one implementation, in the drain mode, the water inlet valve is closed, and the booster pump and air inlet valve are opened. The third filter element, booster pump, first filter element, air inlet valve, second filter element, drain valve, and check valve form a closed loop to discharge the water retained in the water circuit structure from the wastewater circuit.

[0023] Beneficial effects:

[0024] (1) The water circuit structure of this utility model includes a drain water circuit, which can drain the water retained in the water circuit and filter element in a low temperature environment, thereby avoiding the problem of the filter element freezing and cracking due to the freezing of the retained water at low temperature.

[0025] (2) The water circuit structure of this utility model is equipped with an air inlet valve in the pure water circuit, so that external air can enter the pure water circuit in the venting mode to drive the stagnant water in the water circuit to be discharged quickly. In addition, compared with the prior art, which sets the air inlet valve in the raw water circuit, the technical solution of this utility model can effectively avoid the problem of the air inlet valve opening uncontrollably when the water pressure is insufficient, so the operation is more reliable and does not affect the normal operation of the entire water purifier.

[0026] (3) The water circuit structure of this utility model can also be used for rinsing the second filter element. In the rinsing mode, the inlet valve is opened, and the third filter element, the booster pump, the first filter element, the second filter element, the drain valve, and the check valve form a closed loop. The water flow rinses the excess carbon powder in the second filter element and flows into the third filter element through the drain water circuit, thereby preventing carbon powder from entering the subsequent pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The present invention will be further described and explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the waterway structure of the preferred embodiment of this utility model.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the waterway structure of another embodiment of this utility model.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 1. Raw water circuit; 2. Pure water circuit; 3. Wastewater circuit; 4. Drainage circuit; 10. First filter element; 10a. Inlet; 10b. Pure water outlet; 10c. Wastewater outlet; 11. Inlet valve; 12. Booster pump; 20. Second filter element; 21. Air inlet valve; 30. Third filter element; 31. Wastewater valve / wastewater ratio; 41. Inlet end; 42. Outlet end; 43. Drainage valve; 44. Check valve. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solution of this utility model will be more clearly and completely explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through the description of the preferred embodiments of this utility model.

[0033] like Figure 1 The preferred embodiment shown includes a water circuit structure comprising a first filter element 10, a raw water circuit 1, a pure water circuit 2, and a wastewater circuit 3. Specifically, the first filter element 10 has an inlet 10a, a pure water outlet 10b, and a wastewater outlet 10c. Raw water enters the first filter element 10 through the inlet 10a, and the pure water formed after filtration by the first filter element 10 flows out through the pure water outlet 10b. Wastewater generated during the filtration process is discharged through the wastewater outlet 10c. In this invention, the first filter element 10 is preferably a reverse osmosis filter element.

[0034] One end of the raw water passage 1 is connected to the raw water inlet, and the other end is connected to the inlet 10a of the first filter element 10, allowing raw water to enter the first filter element 10 through the raw water passage 1. The raw water passage 1 is equipped with an inlet valve 11 and a booster pump 12. The booster pump 12 is located between the inlet valve 11 and the first filter element 10 and is used to pressurize the water entering the first filter element 10 to ensure that this part of the water has sufficient pressure to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane for filtration.

[0035] The pure water path 2 is connected to the pure water outlet 10b of the first filter element 10, allowing the pure water produced after filtration by the first filter element 10 to flow out from the pure water path 2. The wastewater path 3 is connected to the wastewater outlet 10c of the first filter element 10, allowing the wastewater generated during the pure water production process of the first filter element 10 to be discharged from the wastewater path 10c. The wastewater path 3 is equipped with a wastewater valve / wastewater ratio 31 to control the wastewater flow rate.

[0036] An air inlet valve 21 is also provided on the pure water circuit 2 to allow outside air to enter the pure water circuit 2, thereby realizing the venting function to be described later. The air inlet valve 21 is preferably a one-way valve or a solenoid valve.

[0037] The water circuit structure of this utility model also includes a drain water circuit 4, which has an inlet end 41 and an outlet end 42. The inlet end 41 is connected to the pure water circuit 2, and the aforementioned air inlet valve 21 is installed between the inlet end 41 and the pure water outlet 10b of the first filter element; the outlet end 42 is connected to the raw water circuit 1. A drain valve 43 is installed on the drain water circuit 4 to control the flow rate. Preferably, a one-way valve 44 is also installed on the drain water circuit 4, ensuring that water can only flow from the inlet end 41 to the outlet end 42 and cannot flow in the opposite direction. The drain water circuit 4 allows water retained in the water circuit and filter element to enter the first filter element 10 through the drain water circuit 4 when the water circuit structure is in drain mode, and is then discharged via the wastewater circuit 3 of the first filter element.

[0038] In the venting mode, the inlet valve 11 is closed, while the booster pump 12 and the air inlet valve 21 are open. At this time, raw water no longer enters the raw water circuit 1. Under the action of the booster pump 12, the water retained in the raw water circuit enters the first filter element 10. The pure water filtered by the first filter element 10 flows into the pure water circuit 2. Since the air inlet valve 21 is open, external air enters the pure water circuit 2. Under the pressure of the external air, the pure water flows into the venting circuit 4, then re-enters the first filter element 10, and is discharged from the wastewater circuit 3. Through this venting mode, the water in the circuit and the water retained in the filter element are discharged through the wastewater circuit 3. In low ambient temperatures, this effectively prevents the retained water from freezing and causing the filter housing to crack. Furthermore, compared to the existing technology that places the air inlet valve in the raw water circuit, the water circuit structure of this invention avoids the problem of the air inlet valve opening uncontrollably when the water pressure in the raw water circuit is insufficient. In existing technologies, the raw water circuit often experiences insufficient water pressure or even negative pressure due to the suction of the booster pump. The air inlet valve is typically a one-way valve, which is prone to automatic opening when water pressure is insufficient. This allows external gas to enter the water circuit during normal water purification, causing water system malfunctions, abnormal noise, and other problems, affecting the normal operation of the entire water purifier. In this invention, the air inlet valve is located in the pure water circuit. Since the pure water circuit does not experience negative pressure, the air inlet valve will not open uncontrollably, thus avoiding the problems existing in the prior art and making the water circuit structure of this invention more reliable.

[0039] like Figure 2 In another embodiment shown, a second filter element 20 is provided on the pure water path 2. The second filter element 20 is located between the air inlet valve 21 and the water inlet end 41 of the drain water path, and is used to further filter the pure water, adsorb off-colors and odors in the pure water, and improve the taste of the pure water. The second filter element 20 is preferably a post-activated carbon filter element.

[0040] A third filter element 30 is installed on the raw water path 1. This third filter element 30 is located upstream of the booster pump 12 and between the outlet end 42 of the drain path and the booster pump 12. It is used for primary filtration of the raw water to remove large particulate impurities. The third filter element 30 is preferably a pre-filter element.

[0041] In this embodiment, the water circuit structure, when combined with the second filter element 20 and the third filter element 30, in the drain mode, the inlet valve 11 is closed, the booster pump 12 and the air inlet valve 21 are open, and the third filter element 30, the booster pump 12, the first filter element 10, the air inlet valve 21, the second filter element 20, the drain valve 43, and the check valve 44 form a closed loop, thereby discharging the water retained in the water circuit and the filter element from the wastewater circuit 3. In this drain mode, opening the inlet valve 11 can also be used to flush the second filter element 20. Pure water enters the drain water path 4 through the second filter element 20 and also flushes the second filter element 20. Especially when the second filter element 20 is newly installed or replaced, there is often some carbon powder in the post-activated carbon filter element of the second filter element 20. Pure water can wash away the carbon powder in the second filter element 20. The carbon powder flows through the drain water path 4 to the third filter element 30 and is blocked and filtered by the third filter element 30, thereby preventing the carbon powder from entering the subsequent pipeline.

[0042] This utility model also proposes a water purifier, which includes the above-mentioned water circuit structure. The water purifier also includes a control device, which acquires the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature, for example, below 0°C, the control device controls the water purifier to enter the above-mentioned evacuation mode, discharging the water retained in the water circuit and filter element through the wastewater circuit, thus preventing the retained water from freezing and causing the filter shell to crack.

[0043] The above-described specific embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Various modifications, substitutions, and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention based on the provided description and drawings, without departing from the design concept and spirit of the present invention, should all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. Waterway structure, including: The first filter element, as well as the raw water circuit, pure water circuit, and wastewater circuit. One end of the raw water path is connected to the raw water inlet, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the first filter element. The raw water path is equipped with an inlet valve and a booster pump, and the booster pump is located between the inlet valve and the first filter element. The pure water circuit is connected to the pure water outlet of the first filter element; The wastewater path is connected to the wastewater outlet of the first filter element. The feature is that an air inlet valve is provided in the pure water circuit so that outside air can enter the pure water circuit; The water circuit structure also includes a drain water circuit, the inlet of which is connected to the pure water circuit, and the outlet of which is connected to the raw water circuit. A drain valve is provided on the drain water circuit.

2. The waterway structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet valve is located between the pure water outlet of the first filter element and the water inlet of the drain water path.

3. The waterway structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The outlet of the drain water path is connected between the inlet valve and the booster pump.

4. The waterway structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A second filter element is installed in the pure water circuit, and the second filter element is located between the air inlet valve and the water inlet end of the drain water circuit.

5. The waterway structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A third filter element is installed in the raw water path, and the third filter element is located between the booster pump and the outlet end of the drain water path.

6. The waterway structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A one-way valve is installed on the drain water line.

7. The waterway structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wastewater pipeline is equipped with a wastewater valve / wastewater ratio.

8. A water purifier, characterized in that, Includes the waterway structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The water purifier as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The water purifier includes a control device that controls the water purifier to enter an emptying mode when the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature.

10. The water purifier as described in claim 9, characterized in that, In the drain mode, the water inlet valve is closed, the booster pump and the air inlet valve are open, and the third filter element, booster pump, first filter element, air inlet valve, second filter element, drain valve and check valve form a closed loop to discharge the water retained in the water circuit structure from the wastewater circuit.

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