water softener

Abstract

This utility model provides a water softener, including a brine tank, a water softening device, and a control valve. The brine tank has a storage chamber and a brine tank inlet communicating with the storage chamber. The water softening device has a water softening chamber. The control valve is located in the water softening device and has a water supply port and a switching flow path. The control valve controls the water supply port, the switching flow path, the water softening chamber, and the brine tank inlet to sequentially connect to form a water replenishment flow path, or controls the brine tank inlet, the switching flow path, and the water softening chamber to sequentially connect to form a salt absorption flow path, thereby realizing the replenishment of brine to the brine tank or the absorption of brine to the water softening device. By providing a flow regulating component between the brine tank inlet and the switching flow path, the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the salt absorption flow path is adjusted to ensure that the amount of water replenished to the brine tank or the water softening device is consistent each time, thus avoiding increased salt consumption or poor softening effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of water softening technology, and more particularly to a water softener. Background Technology

[0002] A water softener is a device used for water treatment. Its main working principle is that when water flows through the resin particles in the resin tank of the water softener, the resin particles adsorb hardness ions in the water and release an equal amount of sodium ions, thereby softening the water.

[0003] Over time, the resin particles in the resin tank gradually become saturated, thus requiring regeneration. During regeneration, brine is added to the resin tank of the water softener through the brine tank. The resin particles then wash away the adsorbed hardness ions, restoring the resin to a usable state.

[0004] However, in actual use, the inconsistent amount of brine added to the salt tank each time, or the inconsistent amount of brine added from the salt tank to the resin tank, can lead to high salt consumption or affect the softening effect. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a water softener that addresses the problem of inconsistent water replenishment.

[0006] This utility model provides a water softener, including a brine tank, a water softening device, and a control valve;

[0007] The salt tank has a storage chamber for storing brine and a salt tank inlet communicating with the storage chamber; the water softening device has a water softening chamber for softening the water.

[0008] The control valve is located in the water softening device and has a water supply port and a switching flow path. The control valve is used to control the water supply port, the switching flow path, the water softening chamber and the salt tank inlet to be connected in sequence to form a water replenishment flow path, or to control the salt tank inlet, the switching flow path and the water softening chamber to be connected in sequence to form a salt absorption flow path.

[0009] A flow regulating component is provided between the salt tank inlet and the switching flow path to regulate the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the salt absorption flow path.

[0010] In some embodiments, a connecting pipe is provided between the salt tank inlet and the switching flow path, and the flow regulating component is disposed within the connecting pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, the flow regulating component is located near the salt tank inlet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flow regulating assembly includes a flow regulating valve disposed within the connecting pipe for regulating the flow rate of brine flowing through the connecting pipe.

[0013] In some embodiments, the flow regulating assembly further includes a flow sensor and a controller. The controller is electrically connected to the flow sensor and the flow regulating valve, respectively. The flow sensor is disposed inside the connecting pipe and is used to detect and acquire the flow information of the brine flowing through the connecting pipe. The controller controls the operating state of the flow regulating valve according to the flow information.

[0014] In some embodiments, the water softener further includes a display structure electrically connected to the controller for displaying the flow information and / or the operating status information of the flow regulating valve.

[0015] In some embodiments, the flow regulating component is a pressure regulating valve.

[0016] In some embodiments, a water inlet pipe is provided at the water supply port;

[0017] And / or, the control valve further includes an outlet connected to the switching flow path, and an outlet pipe is provided at the outlet.

[0018] In some embodiments, the salt tank includes a salt tank housing and a salt well valve. The inner cavity of the salt tank housing forms the storage cavity. The salt well valve is disposed in the storage cavity and has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the inlet. The inlet communicates with the salt tank inlet, and the outlet communicates with the storage cavity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the outlet is located at the bottom of the salt well valve along the height direction of the salt tank;

[0020] And / or, the inlet is located on the side wall of the salt well valve and near the top of the salt well valve;

[0021] And / or, the inlet is flush with the salt tank inlet;

[0022] And / or, the inlet is connected to the salt tank inlet by a pipeline.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0024] This utility model provides a water softener, which includes a brine tank, a water softening device, and a control valve. The brine tank has a storage chamber for storing brine and a brine tank inlet communicating with the storage chamber. The water softening device has a water softening chamber for softening the water. The control valve is located in the water softening device and has a water supply port and a switching flow path. The control valve controls the sequential connection of the water supply port, the switching flow path, the water softening chamber, and the brine tank inlet to form a water replenishment flow path, or controls the sequential connection of the brine tank inlet, the switching flow path, and the water softening chamber to form a salt absorption flow path, thereby realizing the replenishment of brine to the brine tank or the absorption of brine to the water softening device. A flow regulating component is installed between the brine tank inlet and the switching flow path to regulate the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the brine suction flow path. This ensures that the amount of water replenished into the brine tank or the water softening device is consistent each time, thus avoiding problems such as increased salt consumption due to excessive water replenishment or poor water softening effect due to insufficient water replenishment. Attached image description:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water softener shown in the embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit control of a water softener as shown in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] 100. Brine tank; 110. Storage chamber; 120. Brine tank inlet; 130. Brine tank shell; 140. Brine well valve; 141. Inlet; 142. Outlet; 200. Soft water treatment device; 210. Soft water treatment chamber; 300. Control valve; 310. Water supply port; 320. Inlet pipe; 330. Outlet; 340. Outlet pipe; 400. Flow regulation component; 500. Connecting pipe; 600. Controller; 700. Display structure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "fifth," and "sixth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "fifth," and "sixth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0030] In embodiments of this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a water softener, including a brine tank 100, a water softening device 200, and a control valve 300.

[0032] The salt tank 100 has a storage chamber 110 for storing brine and a salt tank inlet 120 communicating with the storage chamber 110. The water softening device 200 has a water softening chamber 210 for softening water.

[0033] The control valve 300 is located in the water softening device 200 and has a water supply port 310 and a switching flow path. The control valve 300 is used to control the water supply port 310, the switching flow path, the water softening chamber 210 and the brine tank inlet 120 to be connected in sequence to form a water replenishment flow path, or to control the brine tank inlet 120, the switching flow path and the water softening chamber 210 to be connected in sequence to form a brine suction flow path.

[0034] A flow regulating component 400 is provided between the salt tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path to regulate the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the brine suction flow path.

[0035] In practice, the brine tank 100 is used to store brine, which can be supplied to the water softening chamber 210 of the water softening device 200 when the water softening material in the water softening device 200 needs to be regenerated. Specifically, the brine tank 100 and the water softening device 200 are set up independently, with the brine tank 100 located outside the water softening device 200.

[0036] The control valve 300 can be specifically installed on the top of the water softening device 200, and it has a water supply port 310 and a switching flow path. When it is necessary to store brine in the brine tank 100, the water supply port 310, the switching flow path, the water softening chamber 210, the brine tank inlet 120, and the brine tank 100 can be connected to form a water replenishment flow path, so that external brine can be stored in the brine tank 100 through the water replenishment flow path. The specific water replenishment flow path for replenishing water into the brine tank 100 can be referred to... Figure 2The flow path is shown. When it is necessary to absorb salt to regenerate the water softening material in the water softening device 200, the storage chamber 110, the salt tank inlet 120, the switching flow path and the water softening chamber 210 can be connected to form a salt absorption flow path, so that the brine in the salt tank 100 can enter the water softening chamber 210 through the salt absorption flow path.

[0037] In practice, when supplying brine to the brine tank 100 or the water softening device 200, the brine flow rate is affected by the inlet water pressure; that is, the higher the inlet water pressure, the greater the flow rate. Therefore, during the brine supply process, it is easy for the supply volume of brine to vary depending on the inlet water pressure. If the supply volume exceeds a preset value, it will lead to increased salt consumption; if the supply volume is less than the preset value, it will result in poor regeneration of the water softening device, affecting the softening effect. Therefore, in this embodiment, by switching the flow path at the brine tank inlet 120... A flow regulating component 400 is provided to regulate the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment path or the brine absorption path, so that the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment path or the brine absorption path is constant. This ensures that the amount of water replenished into the brine tank 100 or the water softening device 200 is consistent each time, thus avoiding the problem of increased salt consumption due to excessive water replenishment or poor water softening effect of the water softening device 200 due to insufficient water replenishment.

[0038] For example, when supplying brine to the brine tank 100, i.e., replenishing water to the brine tank 100 through the water replenishment path, if the brine flow rate is low, the flow rate of the brine in the water replenishment path can be increased by the flow regulating component 400. If the brine flow rate is high, the flow rate of the brine in the water replenishment path can be decreased by the flow regulating component 400 to adjust the brine flow rate to a preset flow rate value. This ensures good consistency in the amount of water supplied to the brine tank 100 each time, avoiding problems such as increased salt consumption due to excessive water replenishment or salt absorption, or poor water softening effect of the water softening device 200 due to insufficient water replenishment or salt absorption.

[0039] For example, when supplying brine to the water softening device 200, that is, supplying water to the water softening device 200 through the brine suction flow path, if the brine flow rate is low, the flow rate of the brine in the brine suction flow path can be increased by the flow regulating component 400. If the brine flow rate is high, the flow rate of the brine in the brine suction flow path can be decreased by the flow regulating component 400 to adjust the brine flow rate to a preset flow rate value, thereby ensuring good consistency in the amount of water supplied to the water softening device 200 each time.

[0040] In addition, the flow regulating component 400 is located between the salt tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path, so as to effectively utilize the pipeline between the salt tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path to arrange the flow regulating component 400. This allows for quick control of the on / off state of the water supply flow path or the salt suction flow path by controlling the on / off state of the pipeline between the salt tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path. Moreover, this structure is more convenient to arrange.

[0041] For example, the specific internal structure of the control valve 300 is similar to that of the control valve 300 in the related art, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0042] The water softener provided in this embodiment has a flow regulating component 400 between the brine tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path. This component is used to regulate the flow rate of brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the brine suction flow path. This ensures that the amount of water replenished into the brine tank 100 or the water softening device 200 is consistent each time, thus avoiding the problem of increased salt consumption due to excessive water replenishment or poor water softening effect of the water softening device 200 due to insufficient water replenishment.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, a connecting pipe 500 is provided between the brine tank inlet 120 and the switching flow path, and a flow regulating component 400 is provided in the connecting pipe 500 so as to regulate the flow rate of the brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the brine suction flow path by means of the flow regulating component 400 provided in the connection, thereby ensuring better consistency of the water supply to the soft water treatment device 200 or the water supply to the brine tank 100 each time.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the flow regulating component 400 is positioned close to the brine tank inlet 120 so that the flow rate can be more precisely adjusted according to the flow rate of the brine that is about to flow into the brine tank 100 when supplying water to the brine tank 100, thereby further improving the consistency of the water supply when supplying water to the brine tank 100.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the flow regulating assembly 400 includes a flow regulating valve disposed within the connecting pipe 500, which is used to regulate the flow rate of the brine flowing through the connecting pipe 500 so that the water supply volume can be kept consistent each time water is supplied.

[0046] For example, the flow regulating valve can be selected from the flow regulating valves in the related art, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the flow regulating assembly 400 further includes a flow sensor and a controller 600. The controller 600 is electrically connected to the flow sensor and the flow regulating valve, respectively. The flow sensor is located inside the connecting pipe 500 and is used to detect and acquire the flow information of the brine flowing through the connecting pipe 500. The controller 600 controls the working state of the flow regulating valve according to the flow information, thereby realizing the automatic regulation of the flow and saving manpower.

[0048] Specifically, for example, when supplying brine to the brine tank 100, i.e., when replenishing water to the brine tank 100 through the water replenishment path, if the brine flow rate is low, a flow sensor can detect the brine flow rate in the water replenishment path and transmit the detected flow information to the controller 600. The controller 600 compares the obtained flow information with a preset flow rate. If the comparison result shows that the brine flow rate is greater than the preset flow rate, the controller 600 controls the flow regulating valve to reduce the inner diameter of the flow channel to decrease the brine flow rate in the water replenishment path. If the comparison result shows that the brine flow rate is less than the preset flow rate, the controller 600 controls the flow regulating valve to increase the inner diameter of the flow channel to increase the brine flow rate in the water replenishment path. This ensures good consistency in the amount of water supplied to the brine tank 100 each time, avoiding problems such as increased salt consumption due to excessive water replenishment or salt absorption, or poor water softening effect of the water softening device 200 due to insufficient water replenishment or salt absorption.

[0049] For example, when supplying brine to the water softening device 200, i.e., supplying water to the water softening device 200 through the brine suction flow path, if the brine flow rate is low, a flow sensor can detect the brine flow rate in the brine suction flow path and transmit the detected flow information to the controller 600. The controller 600 compares the obtained flow information with a preset flow rate. If the comparison result shows that the brine flow rate is greater than the preset flow rate, the controller 600 controls the flow regulating valve to reduce the inner diameter of the flow channel to reduce the brine flow rate in the brine suction flow path. If the comparison result shows that the brine flow rate is less than the preset flow rate, the controller 600 controls the flow regulating valve to increase the inner diameter of the flow channel to increase the brine flow rate in the brine suction flow path. This ensures good consistency in the water supply to the water softening device 200 each time, avoiding problems such as increased salt consumption due to excessive replenishment or salt absorption, or poor water softening effect due to insufficient replenishment or salt absorption.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the water softener also includes a display structure 700, which is electrically connected to the controller 600 and is used to display flow information and / or the operating status information of the flow regulating valve, so that the user can intuitively obtain the current water supply information. Alternatively, the display structure 700 can also be used to allow the user to obtain the current operating status information of the flow regulating valve, such as start / stop information or the size of the internal flow channel diameter, etc.

[0051] For example, the display structure 700 can be a display screen, which can be installed on the water softening device 200 or on the salt tank 100 for users to view.

[0052] In some embodiments, the flow regulating component 400 is a pressure regulating valve, which ensures the stability and constancy of the flow rate, thereby ultimately resulting in better consistency of the water supply to the brine tank 100 or the soft water treatment device 200 each time.

[0053] For example, the pressure regulating valve can be selected from the related technology, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, a water inlet pipe 320 is provided at the water supply port 310 so that external brine can be transported to the water supply port 310 through the water inlet pipe 320 and finally transported to the salt tank 100 for storage.

[0055] For example, the water inlet pipe 320 and the water supply port 310 can be interference-fitted, or the water inlet pipe 320 and the water supply port 310 can be fitted together, and the two are sealed by a sealing element to finally achieve a sealed connection.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the control valve 300 further includes an outlet 330 connected to the switching flow path, and an outlet pipe 340 is provided at the outlet 330 so that water in the soft water treatment chamber 210 can be discharged through the outlet 330 and the outlet pipe 340 when drainage is required.

[0057] For example, the water outlet pipe 340 and the water outlet 330 can be interference-fitted, or the water outlet pipe 340 and the water outlet 330 can be fitted together, and the two are sealed by a sealing element to finally achieve a sealed connection.

[0058] Reference Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the salt tank 100 includes a salt tank housing 130 and a salt well valve 140. The inner cavity of the salt tank housing 130 forms a storage cavity 110. The salt well valve 140 is disposed in the storage cavity 110 and has an inlet 141 and an outlet 142 communicating with the inlet 141. The inlet 141 communicates with the salt tank inlet 120, and the outlet 142 communicates with the storage cavity 110.

[0059] In other words, the brine flowing out through the switched flow path enters the brine well valve 140 through the brine tank inlet 120 and inlet 141, and then flows through the brine well valve 140 outlet 142 to the storage chamber 110 for storage.

[0060] For example, the outline of the salt tank housing 130 can be cylindrical or columnar.

[0061] One of the main functions of the salt well valve 140 is to ensure uniform brine concentration. Specifically, within the brine tank 100, the salt well of the valve 140 acts as a "stirrer." When brine is added to the tank 100, the presence of the salt well allows for better convection within the tank. In other words, when brine enters the salt well, it causes the surrounding brine to flow. As the brine flows out through outlet 142, it prevents salt from accumulating at the bottom of the tank 100, thus avoiding localized high-concentration areas and lower concentrations elsewhere. This ensures a uniform brine concentration distribution throughout the tank 100, which is crucial for the subsequent water softening treatment device 200, as only uniformly concentrated brine can guarantee stable treatment results.

[0062] In addition, another major function of the salt well salt valve 140 is the one-way flow function, that is, the salt valve of the salt well salt valve 140 can ensure that the brine can only flow from the salt tank 100 to the equipment that needs brine, thus ensuring the normal operation of the system.

[0063] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, along the height direction of the salt tank 100, the outlet 142 is located at the bottom of the salt well valve 140 so that when the brine flows from the outlet 142 to the storage chamber 110, it agitates the brine at the bottom of the salt tank 100, preventing salt in the brine from depositing at the bottom of the salt tank 100 and causing uneven concentration.

[0064] Reference Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the inlet 141 is located on the side wall of the salt well valve 140 and near the top of the salt well valve 140 to ensure a longer flow path for the brine as it flows from the inlet 141 to the outlet 142, so that the salt and water in the brine can be fully and evenly mixed. That is, when water enters from the inlet 141 at the top of the salt well valve 140, it flows downward along the inner wall of the salt well valve 140. This top-down water flow pattern can drive the convection of the brine within the salt well valve 140. Since the density of salt is greater than that of water, the salt particles will naturally settle at the bottom of the salt tank 1000. When the water flows in from the top and downward, it will disturb the salt particles, allowing them to fully contact the water and accelerating the salt dissolution process. At the same time, this convection can also make the brine evenly distributed within the salt tank 100, avoiding localized areas of high or low concentration.

[0065] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the inlet 141 is flush with the salt tank inlet 120 to facilitate the smooth flow of brine from the salt tank inlet 120 to the inlet 141, and to make the pipeline between the salt tank inlet 120 and the inlet 141 shorter, so as to avoid brine loss and improve the flow efficiency of brine.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, inlet 141 is connected to salt tank inlet 120 via piping to ensure reliable communication between the two.

[0067] In the description of the embodiments of this application, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0068] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water softener, characterized in that, Includes a brine tank (100), a water softening unit (200), and a control valve (300); The salt tank (100) has a storage chamber (110) for storing brine and a salt tank inlet (120) communicating with the storage chamber (110); the water softening device (200) has a water softening chamber (210) for softening water. The control valve (300) is located in the water softening device (200) and has a water supply port (310) and a switching flow path. The control valve (300) is used to control the water supply port (310), the switching flow path, the water softening chamber (210) and the salt tank inlet (120) to be connected in sequence to form a water replenishment flow path, or to control the salt tank inlet (120), the switching flow path and the water softening chamber (210) to be connected in sequence to form a salt absorption flow path. A flow regulating component (400) is provided between the salt tank inlet (120) and the switching flow path to regulate the flow rate of the brine flowing through the water replenishment flow path or the salt absorption flow path.

2. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, A connecting pipe (500) is provided between the salt tank inlet (120) and the switching flow path, and the flow regulation component (400) is disposed in the connecting pipe (500).

3. The water softener according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flow regulating component (400) is located near the salt tank inlet (120).

4. The water softener according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flow regulating assembly (400) includes a flow regulating valve located inside the connecting pipe (500) for regulating the flow rate of brine flowing through the connecting pipe (500).

5. The water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flow regulating assembly (400) further includes a flow sensor and a controller (600). The controller (600) is electrically connected to the flow sensor and the flow regulating valve, respectively. The flow sensor is located inside the connecting pipe (500) and is used to detect and acquire the flow information of the brine flowing through the connecting pipe (500). The controller (600) controls the working state of the flow regulating valve according to the flow information.

6. The water softener according to claim 5, characterized in that, The water softener also includes a display structure (700), which is electrically connected to the controller (600) and is used to display the flow information and / or the working status information of the flow regulating valve.

7. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow regulating assembly (400) includes a pressure regulating valve.

8. The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, A water inlet pipe (320) is provided at the water supply port (310); And / or, the control valve (300) further includes an outlet (330) connected to the switching flow path, and an outlet pipe (340) is provided at the outlet (330).

9. The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The salt tank (100) includes a salt tank shell (130) and a salt well valve (140). The inner cavity of the salt tank shell (130) forms the storage cavity (110). The salt well valve (140) is located in the storage cavity (110) and has an inlet (141) and an outlet (142) communicating with the inlet (141). The inlet (141) is communicating with the salt tank inlet (120), and the outlet (142) is communicating with the storage cavity (110).

10. The water softener according to claim 9, characterized in that, Along the height direction of the salt tank (100), the outlet (142) is located at the bottom of the salt well valve (140); And / or, the inlet (141) is located on the side wall of the salt well valve (140) and near the top of the salt well valve (140); And / or, the inlet (141) is flush with the salt tank inlet (120); And / or, the inlet (141) is connected by a pipeline to the salt tank inlet (120).

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