Water softening device and water distributor of water softening device

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of soft water device and the lower water distributor of soft water device, the lower water distributor includes upper cover, with through-hole in middle part;Water distributor main part, it is bowl-shaped shape, the water distributor main part includes: side wall, bottom and the center column extended upwards by the bottom;The water distributor main part has annular water inlet passage, multiple water distribution plates with uniform distribution are arranged between the center column and the outer wall to divide the water inlet passage into multiple water distribution cavities;The side wall has pleated structure and forms the first group of water guide slit in axial direction, and the center column has pleated structure and forms the second group of water guide slit in axial direction. Water from center tube can be evenly and quickly distributed by the present application to make water fully contact with resin layer, improve flushing effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to water treatment technology, and in particular to a water softening device and a water distributor for the water softening device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the basic structure of water softeners on the market is a combination of water purification and softening treatment modules. The most important component in the water softening process is the resin tank. As one of the most important accessories of water softening equipment, the resin tank is filled with ion exchange resin, which provides sodium ions to exchange for Ga and Mg ions in hard water. Through the process of ion adsorption and exchange, the hardness of the raw water is reduced. When the resin absorbs a certain amount of calcium and magnesium ions, it must be regenerated. The regeneration process involves rinsing the resin layer with brine from the brine tank, replacing the calcium and magnesium ions on the resin, and discharging them out of the tank with the regeneration waste liquid. The resin then regains its softening and exchange capacity.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream water softener resin tanks on the market use conical water distributors. Conical water distributors generally have poor water distribution uniformity, which usually leads to low resin utilization and regeneration rates.

[0004] The resin tank has a cylindrical structure with a central tube. Normally, regardless of whether water flows through the resin from bottom to top or top to bottom, according to flow dynamics, it tends to flow closer to the central tube, resulting in low utilization of the resin further away from the central tube. This is why some systems previously used conical water distributors for water distribution. However, conical water distributors also have significant drawbacks: for the same external volume, the usable resin volume is small.

[0005] Calcium and magnesium, dissolved in water, are two of the most common minerals that make water "hard." Hardness increases with increasing calcium and magnesium content, which is related to the concentration of dissolved polyvalent cations in the water. Water softening is an ion exchange technology used to remove calcium and magnesium ions that form hard limescale, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The process involves exchanging calcium and magnesium cations from the source water for sodium cations adsorbed onto resin beads filled with exchange sites. As water flows through the softener system, sodium ions are released from the resin (exchange), and hard water ions are collected at the exchange sites.

[0006] A water softener includes a resin tank filled with a resin composed of cross-linked polystyrene sulfonate beads, commonly known as a cation exchange resin. The resin is typically used in conjunction with Na+ ions bound to the beads. When hardness ions come into contact with the Na+ ions bound to the resin, they exchange, or calcium displaces two Na+ ions, releasing the Na+ ions into the water. Typically, each Ca or Mg ion exchanges for two Na+ ions. Additionally, iron in the water also exchanges with sodium, reducing water hardness.

[0007] In the prior art, during backwashing or regeneration, water enters the resin tank of the water softener through the central pipe. Since the water distributor at the bottom of the tank cannot effectively distribute the water so that it is fully dispersed, according to the principle of flow dynamics, the water tends to flow more towards the resin area closer to the central pipe, while the water flow to the resin area closer to the periphery is less, resulting in the resin not being fully utilized. Utility Model Content

[0008] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide a water softening device and a water distributor for the water softening device, so as to solve the problem that the water cannot fully contact the resin during the rinsing process, resulting in poor rinsing effect.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lower water distributor of a water softening device is provided, comprising an upper cover having a through hole in its middle; a water distributor body, which is bowl-shaped, the water distributor body comprising: a side wall, a bottom, and a central column extending upward from the bottom; the water distributor body having an annular water inlet channel, and a plurality of evenly distributed partition plates provided between the central column and the side wall to divide the water inlet channel into a plurality of water distribution chambers; the side wall having a pleated structure and forming a first set of axial water guiding slits, and the central column having a pleated structure and forming a second set of axial water guiding slits.

[0010] The water distributor body includes an upper section and a lower section connected together, and the upper section and the lower section are recessed inward to form a stepped structure at the connection.

[0011] The first set of water-guiding joints includes an upper water-guiding joint and a lower water-guiding joint.

[0012] The multiple partition plates divide the lower section into multiple water distribution chambers.

[0013] The folded structure of the sidewall is deflected counterclockwise.

[0014] The central column has an inverted bowl-shaped structure.

[0015] The bottom of the water distributor body is annular and has a third set of water guide slits.

[0016] The top cover also has a sidewall extending upward from the through hole.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a water softening device is also provided, comprising a water softening tank and a lower water distributor located at the bottom of the water softening tank. The lower water distributor further comprises: an upper cover having a through hole in its middle; an upwardly extending water passage; and a water distributor body in the shape of a bowl, the water distributor body comprising: a side wall, a bottom, and a central column extending upward from the bottom; a plurality of evenly distributed partition plates are provided between the central column and the side wall to form a plurality of water distribution chambers; an annular water inlet is formed between the upper cover and the central column; the side wall has a pleated structure and has a first set of axially oriented water guide slits.

[0018] The water softening device further includes: an upper water distributor located at the top of the water softening tank; and a central pipe located in the middle of the water softening tank, with its two ends connected to the upper water distributor and the lower water distributor, respectively.

[0019] According to the technical solution of this utility model, by setting multiple sets of axial water guide slits in the lower water distributor, the soft water device can distribute the water from the central pipe evenly and quickly in the backwash mode, so that the water can fully contact the resin layer and improve the rinsing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a water softening device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water distributor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a side view of the water distributor body according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the water distributor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom of the water distributor body according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0027] Although this utility model specification may include various different embodiments, it should be understood that, with regard to some preferred embodiments described in detail in the specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, the contents disclosed in this utility model specification should be regarded as illustrative of the principles of this utility model, and the embodiments shown are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0028] According to an embodiment of this utility model, a water distributor for a water softening device is provided. The water softening device includes a resin tank filled with a resin composed of cross-linked polystyrene sulfonate beads, commonly referred to as a cationic resin. The resin is typically used in conjunction with Na+ ions on the beads. When hardness ions come into contact with Na+ ions bound to the resin, they exchange, or calcium displaces two Na+ ions, releasing the Na+ ions into the water. Typically, each Ca or Mg ion exchanges for two Na+ ions. Furthermore, iron in the water also exchanges with sodium, reducing the capacity of the water softening device.

[0029] Brine is an auxiliary agent in water softening and purification systems involving ion exchange technology. Generally, brine is a solution of salt and water (with a concentration ranging from approximately 3.5% to 26%). At this concentration, brine is considered fully saturated. Brine does not participate in the purification process itself but is used to regenerate the ion exchange resin. Typically, when the water softener detects that the regeneration cycle has been reached, it flushes the tank with a mixture of salt and water (brine). Normally, calcium and magnesium have a stronger adhesion to the resin beads inside the tank, which is why they are able to displace sodium ions during the softening process. However, the brine used during the regeneration cycle has such a high sodium concentration that it overwhelms the calcium and magnesium ions, and these hardness ions detach from the beads and are replaced by sodium ions in the brine. The calcium and magnesium ions are then flushed out of the tank along with the remaining water in the brine, and the softener is ready to run again.

[0030] Typically, purified water flows through the resin container until the resin is considered depleted, and the water is softened to the desired level. Regeneration is achieved by exposing the ion exchange resin to a brine solution. This brine solution is usually stored in a brine tank. The brine tank is used to store high-concentration sodium or potassium salt solutions. The brine solution serves to rinse the resin tank and facilitate regeneration.

[0031] The technical solutions provided by the various embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 According to an embodiment of this application, a water softening device is provided, comprising: a water softening tank 1, an upper water distributor 2, a lower water distributor 3, and a central pipe 4 between the upper and lower water distributors 2 and 3. The water softening tank 1 is filled with a resin layer formed of ion exchange resin. The upper water distributor 2 is located above or at the top of the water softening tank 1, for example, at the tank opening; it can adopt the structure of existing upper water distributors, which will not be described in detail here. The lower water distributor 3 is located at the bottom of the water softening tank 1. The central pipe 4 runs vertically along the central axis of the water softening tank 1, with one end opening through the upper water distributor 2 and connecting to a valve body (not shown), and the other end opening to the lower water distributor 3. The valve body, or control valve, serves as the inlet and outlet water distribution element of the water softening device, communicating with the upper water distributor 2 and the central pipe 4 respectively, allowing the inlet and outlet water to flow according to predetermined water paths, such as raw water inlet and softened water outlet, raw water inlet and wastewater outlet, brine inlet and wastewater outlet, etc., under different modes.

[0033] refer to Figures 2 to 4 The lower water distributor 3 specifically includes an upper cover 10 and a water distributor body 20. The upper cover 10 has a through hole in its center, and a side wall extends upward from this through hole to define and connect the central tube 4. (Refer to reference...) Figure 3 The water distributor body 20 is generally bowl-shaped and specifically includes a side wall 21, a bottom 22, and a central column 50. The side wall 21 has a pleated structure (or accordion pleat structure), and has a first set of axial water guide slits at the outwardly protruding bends, i.e., vertical water guide slits. In some embodiments, the pleated structure can be deflected counterclockwise, i.e., in the same direction as the water rotation.

[0034] According to an embodiment of this application, the main body 20 of the water distributor has a two-section structure, specifically including an upper section 30 and a lower section 40 connected together. Both the upper section 30 and the lower section 40 are bowl-shaped, and there is a stepped structure with obvious inward indentation at the connection between the upper section 30 and the lower section 40. That is to say, the side wall 21 is divided into upper and lower parts, so the first set of water guiding slits is also divided into an upper water guiding slit and a lower water guiding slit.

[0035] The central column 50 has an inverted bowl-shaped hollow internal structure, extending upwards from the bottom 22. The height of the central column 50 at least exceeds the height of the stepped structure (i.e., the height of the lower section 40), but does not exceed the water distributor body 20; in other words, there is a distance between the upper part of the central column 50 and the upper cover 10. Based on this structure, the water distributor body 20 forms an annular water inlet channel, which gradually narrows from top to bottom. Multiple evenly distributed partition plates 60 are arranged between the central column 50 and the side wall 21, forming a water distribution chamber between every two partition plates. In fact, the upper edge of the partition plate extends from the top of the central column 50 to the connection point between the upper section 30 and the lower section 40. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, six partitions are shown. Similar to the sidewall 21, the outer wall of the central column 50 also has a pleated structure and a second set of axially oriented water-guiding slots at the outwardly protruding bends.

[0036] refer to Figure 5 The bottom 22 of the water distributor body 20 is ring-shaped, and the bottom 22 has multiple water guide slits (the third set of water guide slits) arranged circumferentially. These water guide slits are evenly arranged in an arc shape on the bottom 22.

[0037] According to the embodiments of this application, the working modes of the water softening device generally include: water softening mode, backflushing mode, forward flushing mode, and regeneration mode.

[0038] In soft water mode, the soft water device is used to prepare soft water. Tap water (or purified water) enters the upper water distributor 2 through the valve body. After being evenly distributed by the upper water distributor 2, the water diffuses onto the surface of the resin layer and then passes through the resin layer from top to bottom, allowing the tap water to undergo a sufficient ion exchange reaction with the resin. After the tap water is replaced, it becomes soft water and flows from bottom to top through the lower water distributor 3 and the central pipe 4, passing through the valve body and exiting from the outlet.

[0039] Backwash mode, also known as reverse flushing mode, is used to flush the resin layer with reverse water flow to remove impurities or loosen the resin. Specifically, tap water (or purified water) enters the central pipe 4 through the valve body, and is evenly distributed into the resin layer by the lower water distributor 3, flushing the resin from top to bottom. The resulting wastewater is discharged from the wastewater outlet through the upper water distributor 2 and the valve body (the water flow direction can be referenced). Figure 1 (The direction of the arrow in the image).

[0040] The forward flushing mode, also known as the forward washing mode, is used to rinse the resin layer with a forward water flow to remove residual salt water and calcium and magnesium ions from the resin. Specifically, tap water (or purified water) enters the upper water distributor 2 through the valve body. The water is evenly distributed by the upper water distributor 2, spreading across the surface of the resin layer, and then flows from top to bottom through the resin layer, rinsing the resin from top to bottom. The resulting wastewater flows from bottom to top through the lower water distributor 3 and the central pipe 4, passing through the valve body and exiting through the wastewater outlet.

[0041] In regeneration mode, it is used to regenerate the resin with brine. In regeneration mode, the valve body connects to an external brine tank. The brine solution (regeneration solution) in the brine tank enters the central pipe 4 through the valve body. After being evenly distributed by the lower water distributor 3, the water diffuses evenly into the resin layer, entering from top to bottom and completely immersing the resin. This allows for a complete replacement reaction between the brine solution and the resin. The resulting wastewater is discharged from the wastewater outlet through the upper water distributor 2 and the valve body (the water flow direction can be referenced). Figure 1 (The direction of the arrow in the image).

[0042] In the above mode, when the central pipe is used as the water inlet channel, the water will enter the lower water distributor after passing through the central pipe. At this time, the water distributor needs to distribute the water evenly to the resin layer.

[0043] In summary, according to the above embodiments of this application, in the backwash mode or regeneration mode, water (or brine) enters the central pipe from top to bottom, and after passing through the lower water distributor, it diffuses evenly into the resin layer. By setting multiple sets of water guide slits in the lower water distributor, the water from the central pipe can be evenly and quickly distributed out, so that the water can fully contact the resin layer, thereby achieving uniform rinsing or regeneration of the resin. In addition, water can also pass smoothly in other modes.

[0044] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, this application is intended to cover modifications and variations thereof, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application shall be included within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents.

[0045] Furthermore, features disclosed in the foregoing description, claims, or drawings, expressed in their specific form or according to the manner of performing the disclosed function or the method or process for obtaining the disclosed result, may, as appropriate, be used alone or in any combination of these features to implement this application in their different forms. Specifically, one or more features of any embodiment described in this application may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment described in this application.

[0046] Protection may also be sought for any feature disclosed in any one or more publications cited in or combined by reference in this application.

Claims

1. A down water distributor for a water softening apparatus, characterised in that, include: The top cover has a through hole in its middle; The main body of the water distributor is bowl-shaped and includes: side walls, a bottom, and a central column extending upward from the bottom; The main body of the water distributor has an annular water inlet channel, and multiple partition plates are evenly distributed between the central column and the side wall to divide the water inlet channel into multiple water distribution chambers; the side wall has a pleated structure and forms a first set of axial water guiding slits, and the central column has a pleated structure and forms a second set of axial water guiding slits.

2. A downcomer for a water softening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The main body of the water distributor includes an upper section and a lower section connected to each other, and the upper section and the lower section are recessed inward to form a stepped structure.

3. A downcomer for a water-softening apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The first set of water-guiding joints includes an upper water-guiding joint and a lower water-guiding joint.

4. A downcomer for a water softening apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The multiple partition plates divide the lower section into multiple water distribution chambers.

5. The water distributor of the water softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folded structure of the sidewall is deflected counterclockwise.

6. The water distributor of the water softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central column has an inverted bowl-shaped structure.

7. The water distributor of the water softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the water distributor body is annular and has a third set of water guide slits.

8. The water distributor of the water softening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover also has a sidewall extending upward from the through hole.

9. A water softening device, comprising a water softening tank and a lower water distributor located at the bottom of the water softening tank, characterized in that, The lower water distributor further includes: The top cover has a through hole in the middle; and an upward-extending water passage. The water distributor body is bowl-shaped and includes: side walls, bottom and a central column extending upward from the bottom; a plurality of partition plates are evenly distributed between the central column and the side walls to form a plurality of water distribution chambers; an annular water inlet is formed between the top cover and the central column; the side walls have a pleated structure and have a first set of axial water guide slits.

10. The water softening device according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The upper water distributor is installed on top of the soft water tank; A central pipe is positioned in the middle of the soft water tank, with its two ends connected to the upper water distributor and the lower water distributor, respectively.

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