Water treatment apparatus

Abstract

To provide reduction of the number of boards to be redesigned in a development process compared to a case where semiconductor chips with the same type of functionality are mounted on different boards.SOLUTION: A water treatment apparatus includes a water tank for treating treated water, a sensor that detects the water status of each of a plurality of water tanks, a pump that transfers water from one water tank to another, a relay that switches the operation or non-operation of the pump, a signal board on which a semiconductor chip that receives detection signals from the sensor is mounted, a relay board on which a semiconductor chip for driving a relay based on the detection signal received by the semiconductor chip of the signal substrate is mounted, and a pump board on which a semiconductor chip that drives the pump is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a warm water washing toilet seat having actuators such as a pump and heater that sprays warm water to clean, a heater that heats the toilet seat, and a fan motor and heater that dry private parts with warm air, a control board having circuits to control these actuators, and a case divided into upper and lower parts to house the control board and the actuators, in which the control board, which handles relatively large amounts of power, is attached to the inside of the board case with its mounting surface facing downwards, and an operation board with relatively low output components mounted on the top of the board case is attached with its mounting surface facing upwards, and the board case is fixed inside the upper case. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 06-30285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Conventionally, a water treatment device is provided with a plurality of pumps, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of relays as electrical devices, and further includes a plurality of circuit boards for controlling the respective electrical devices.

[0004] For example, in the development process of a water treatment device, a semiconductor chip used to control one pump among a plurality of pumps may be mounted on a different substrate, and in such a case, in order to change the control of the pump, the design of the plurality of substrates must be changed.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the number of boards whose designs need to be changed, as compared to a case in which semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on different boards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water treatment device of the first aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in comprising a water tank for treating water to be treated, sensors for detecting the water conditions in each of the multiple water tanks, a pump for transferring water from one of the water tanks to the other of the multiple water tanks, a relay for switching the pump on and off, a signal board having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon for receiving a detection signal from the sensor, a relay board having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon for driving the relay based on the detection signal received by the semiconductor chip of the signal board, and a pump board having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon for driving the pump.

[0007] According to the above aspect, the signal board is mounted with a semiconductor chip that receives a detection signal from the sensor. Furthermore, the relay board is mounted with a semiconductor chip that drives a relay that switches the pump on and off based on the detection signal received by the signal board. Furthermore, the pump board is mounted with a semiconductor chip that drives the pump. In this way, semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on the same board. Therefore, the number of boards that require design changes can be reduced compared to when semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on different boards.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a water treatment device according to the first aspect, characterized in that it further comprises a control unit having the signal board, the relay board, and the pump board and being detachable from the main body of the device.

[0009] According to the above aspect, the control unit is detachable from the main body of the apparatus. Therefore, all the boards can be replaced at once, compared to the case where the boards are replaced individually.

[0010] A third aspect of the water treatment device of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the water treatment device of the second aspect, it is provided with a biological treatment tank which constitutes one of the multiple water tanks and performs biological treatment of the water to be treated, and the control unit is located close to the biological treatment tank.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned aspect, the control unit is located close to the biological treatment tank. As a result, compared to a case where the control unit and the biological treatment tank are separated by an air layer, the biological treatment tank is heated by the heat generated by the control unit, and a decrease in the temperature of the water in the biological treatment tank can be suppressed.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a water treatment device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, further comprising an air pump that sucks in surrounding air and sends the sucked air into the biological treatment tank to agitate the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank or circulate the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank. The control unit is disposed below the air pump.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned aspect, the control unit is disposed below the air pump. This allows the air pump to suck in the air that has been heated and risen by the control unit and send the heated air to the biological treatment tank. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank from decreasing, compared to when the control unit is disposed above the air pump.

[0014] A water treatment device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the water treatment device according to the fourth aspect, further comprising an enclosing member that encloses an electrical equipment area in which the air pump is disposed.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned aspect, the electric equipment area where the air pump is arranged is surrounded by an enclosing member. That is, the air pump draws in air from the electric equipment area surrounded by the enclosing member and sends the drawn-in air to the biological treatment tank. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank, compared to when the electric equipment area is open to the outside. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the number of boards that require design changes, compared to a case in which semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on different boards. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an electrical equipment area in a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refill area and a control area in a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refill area and a control area in a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a control region in the water treatment device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An example of a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the drawings, arrow H indicates the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the device, arrow W indicates the width direction (horizontal direction) of the device, and arrow D indicates the depth direction (horizontal direction) of the device.

[0019] The water treatment device 12 is a device that circulates and purifies water to be treated that has been used, for example, in a home toilet, so that it can be reused in the toilet. First, a schematic configuration of the water treatment device 12 will be described. Note that the water treatment device can purify and reuse not only water to be treated that has been used in a toilet, but also water to be treated that has been used in a bath, washbasin, laundry, kitchen, etc., by biological treatment in the same way, but here, water to be treated that has been used in a toilet is shown as an example.

[0020] (Schematic configuration of water treatment device 12) As shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment device 12 is provided with a wastewater tank 100, a biological treatment tank 300, and a treated water tank 700.

[0021] The water to be treated used in the toilet 14, which is a water usage point, flows through the drainage tank 100, the biological treatment tank 300, and the treatment water tank 700 in this order, and is circulated to the toilet 14. Specifically, the water treatment device 12 is equipped with drainage piping 102 that connects the toilet 14 and the drainage tank 100, and the water to be treated produced in the toilet 14 is crushed and pumped, and sent to the drainage tank 100 through the drainage piping 102.

[0022] [Drain tank 100] 1, the drainage tank 100 is provided with a drainage water level gauge 104, a drainage agitation blower 106, and a drainage pump 110. Thus, the drainage water level gauge 104 detects the water level of the drainage tank 100, and the drainage agitation blower 106 sends air to the drainage tank 100, thereby agitating the water to be treated in the drainage tank 100.

[0023] The water treatment device 12 also includes a drainage pipe 302 that connects the drainage tank 100 and the biological treatment tank 300 . The drainage pump 110 that is driven sends the water to be treated from the drainage tank 100 to the biological treatment tank 300 through the drainage pipe 302 .

[0024] [Biological treatment tank 300] 1, the biological treatment tank 300 is provided with a drainage water level gauge 304, an agitation pump 316, and an ethanol injection device 318. Thus, the drainage water level gauge 304 detects the water level in the biological treatment tank 300. In addition, the agitation pump 316 agitates the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank 300.

[0025] The ethanol injector 318 has an ethanol bottle 320 and an ethanol injection pump 322. Thus, the ethanol injection pump 322 injects ethanol from the ethanol bottle 320 into the biological treatment tank 300. Ethanol is an example of an organic substrate.

[0026] The biological treatment tank 300 is also provided with a filtration membrane 324 and a membrane cleaning blower 326. The filtration membrane 324 and the treated water tank 700 are connected by a treated water pipe 732. The treated water pipe 732 is also provided with a treated water pump 734.

[0027] As a result, the driven treated water pump 734 passes the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank 300 through the filtration membrane 324. At this time, foreign matter is removed from the water to be treated. Furthermore, the water from which the foreign matter has been removed is sent as treated water to the treated water tank 700 through the treated water piping 732. Meanwhile, the membrane cleaning blower 326 sends air to the underside of the filtration membrane 324, causing air bubbles to rise in the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank 300 and cleaning the filtration membrane.

[0028] [Treatment tank 700] 1, the treatment water tank 700 is provided with a treatment water level gauge 704. Thus, the treatment water level gauge 704 detects the water level of the treatment water tank 700.

[0029] Furthermore, the treatment water tank 700 and the toilet 14 are connected by a supply pipe 756. A supply pump 758 is also provided on the supply pipe 756. As a result, when necessary, the supply pump 758 is driven to send treated water from the treatment water tank 700 through the supply pipe 756 to the toilet 14.

[0030] (Specific configuration of water treatment device 12) The water treatment device 12 includes a columnar housing 16 extending in the vertical direction of the device as shown in Fig. 2. Although the housing 16 in Fig. 2 has a rectangular columnar shape, the shape is not limited to this and may be a cylinder. The housing 16 is divided into three parts in the vertical direction of the device, and front covers 16a, 16b, and 16c that can be attached and detached using a tool are arranged in this order from top to bottom at the front side of the housing 16 in the device depth direction. The housing 16 further includes a pair of side covers 16d that covers the side of the portion where the front cover 16a is attached, and a pair of side covers 16e that covers the side of the portion where the front covers 16b and 16c are attached. The housing 16 also includes a ceiling cover 16f that covers the upper surface.

[0031] Inside the housing 16, there are provided an electrical equipment area 20a (see Figure 3) in which electrically powered electrical equipment is arranged, a supply area 20c (see Figure 4) for replenishing the chemical solution, and a control area 20d (see Figure 5) in which a control unit 54 that controls each part is arranged.

[0032] [Electrical Equipment Region 20a] The electric device area 20a is disposed in an upper portion of the water treatment device 12 in the device up-down direction, and is opened to the outside by removing the front cover 16a, the pair of side covers 16d, and the ceiling cover 16f. Note that Fig. 3 shows the water treatment device 12 with some of the covers cut away.

[0033] In the electric equipment area 20a, a plurality of electric devices are attached as shown in Fig. 3. In the electric equipment area 20a, a wastewater agitation blower 106 and a membrane cleaning blower 326 are provided and arranged side by side in the device width direction.

[0034] [Supply area 20c] As shown in FIG. 4, the supply area 20c is located in the vertical center of the water treatment device 12 and at the front side in the depth direction of the device, and is opened to the outside by removing the front cover 16b (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 4).

[0035] 4, the replenishing area 20c is provided with an ethanol bottle 320 of an ethanol injection device 318. The reason why the replenishing area 20c is not located in the upper part of the device in the vertical direction is that the organic matter such as the chemical (chlorine for disinfection) and ethanol is prevented from being deactivated due to the temperature rise in the housing caused by contact with warm air, or from being lost due to evaporation, etc. Furthermore, it becomes easier to control the concentration of the chemical (chlorine for disinfection) and organic matter such as ethanol by temperature management.

[0036] [Control area 20d] Control area 20d is located in the lower portion of water treatment device 12 in the vertical direction and on the front side in the depth direction of the device, and is opened to the outside by removing front cover 16c (see Figs. 2 and 4). Fig. 4 shows water treatment device 12 with front covers 16a, 16b, 16c and a pair of side covers 16d removed.

[0037] A protective case 50 is provided in the control area 20d as shown in Fig. 4. The protective case 50 is provided with a lid 50a, and when the lid 50a is opened, the control unit 54 disposed inside the protective case 50 is exposed to the outside as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the control unit 54 is adjacent to the biological treatment tank 300 (see Fig. 1) via the protective case 50.

[0038] The control unit 54 is provided with a lid 54a, and when the lid 54a is opened, a plurality of control boards 56 on which semiconductor chips and the like are mounted are arranged, as shown in Fig. 6. The control unit 54 will be described in detail later.

[0039] (Main configuration of water treatment device 12) Next, the multiple control boards 56 and the like provided in the control unit 54 will be described. 6, the control unit 54 is electrically connected to the device body 12a of the water treatment device 12 via a plurality of connectors 72, 74. A plurality of connectors 72 are provided on each of both sides of the control unit 54 in the device width direction, and the male and female parts of the connectors 72 can be attached and detached without the use of tools. Also, a plurality of connectors 74 are provided on the upper portion of the control unit 54, and the male and female parts of the connectors 74 can be attached and detached without the use of tools.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 54 is mechanically attached to the device body 12a of the water treatment device 12 using a plurality of fasteners such as screws (not shown). The control unit 54 attached to the device body 12a can be mechanically detached from the device body 12a by loosening the fasteners and removing them from the device body 12a using a commercially available tool. In this way, the control unit 54 can be attached to and detached from the device body 12a simply by using a commercially available tool.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 54 has a rectangular control board 56 arranged vertically and horizontally inside. The control boards 56 arranged vertically and horizontally are also stacked at intervals in the thickness direction of the control boards 56. The outer shapes of the control boards 56 are all the same. The control boards 56 are individually detachable. Specifically, by detaching the control board 56 on the front side, the board 56 arranged on the back side of the detached control board 56 can be detached. In addition, a plurality of relays 60 for switching the operation and non-operation of the electric devices are provided on both sides in the width direction of the plurality of control boards 56. At least one relay 60 switches the operation and non-operation of the drainage pump 728, the treated water pump 734, the circulation pump 744, the supply pump 758, the drainage agitation blower 106, and the membrane cleaning blower 326.

[0042] Here, the upper control board 56 (hereinafter referred to as "control board 56a") on one side (left side) in the width direction among the multiple control boards 56 has semiconductor chips mounted thereon for receiving detection signals from the drainage water level gauge 104, the drainage water level gauge 304, and the treated water level gauge 704. The control board 56a is an example of a signal board.

[0043] Moreover, a semiconductor chip that drives a relay 60 based on a detection signal received by the control board 56a is mounted on the lower control board 56 (hereinafter referred to as "control board 56b") on the other side (right side) in the width direction among the multiple control boards 56. The control board 56b is an example of a relay board.

[0044] Moreover, the upper control board 56 on the other side (right side) in the width direction among the multiple control boards 56 (hereinafter referred to as "control board 56c") is mounted with semiconductor chips that drive the drainage pump 728, the treated water pump 734, the circulation pump 744, and the supply pump 758. The control board 56c is an example of a pump board.

[0045] (summary) As described above, in water treatment device 12, semiconductor chips are mounted on control board 56a for receiving detection signals from drainage water level gauge 104, drainage water level gauge 304, and treated water level gauge 704. Also, a semiconductor chip for driving relay 60 based on the detection signal received by control board 56a is mounted on control board 56b. Furthermore, semiconductor chips for driving drainage pump 728, treated water pump 734, circulation pump 744, and supply pump 758 are mounted on control board 56c. This makes it possible to reduce the number of boards whose design is changed during the development process, compared to a case in which semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on different boards.

[0046] In addition, the water treatment device 12 can be freely designed according to the desired water treatment, water regeneration means (water treatment according to the water quality of the water to be treated and the treated water, and recirculation or redistribution of the regenerated water, etc.) and the scale of water treatment, thereby reducing the number of boards to be redesigned. Furthermore, the maintenance and repair of the water treatment device 12 can be simplified, and the time required for restart and recovery can be shortened.

[0047] In addition, in the water treatment device 12, each board is detachable and easy to attach and detach, and the control unit housing each board is also detachable and easy to attach and detach. This not only makes it easy and quick to add functions to the water treatment device or change the design, but also makes it easy to carry out maintenance inspections and repairs and replacements in the event of a breakdown. Furthermore, the time required to resume and restore the operation of the water treatment device can be significantly reduced. In other words, in a small-scale water treatment regeneration device that is close to the user, it becomes possible to flexibly design water treatment according to user needs and to quickly respond to water treatment problems.

[0048] In the water treatment device 12, the control unit 54 is electrically and detachably connected to the device body 12a via a plurality of connectors 72, 74. Furthermore, the control unit 54 is detachably attached to the device body 12a using a plurality of fasteners such as screws (not shown). In this manner, the control unit 54 is detachable from the device body 12a simply by using commercially available tools. This allows all of the boards to be replaced at once, compared to the case where the boards are replaced individually after the water treatment device 12 is released on the market, for example.

[0049] Furthermore, in the water treatment device 12, the control unit 54 is located close to the biological treatment tank 300. As a result, compared to a case in which the control unit and the biological treatment tank are separated by an air layer, the biological treatment tank 300 is heated by the heat generated by the control unit 54, and a drop in the temperature of the water in the biological treatment tank 300 can be suppressed. Note that the biological treatment tank 300 is not an essential component, and the biological treatment tank 300 may be omitted.

[0050] Moreover, in the water treatment device 12, the control unit 54 is disposed below the membrane cleaning blower 326. As a result, the membrane cleaning blower 326 sucks in air that has been heated and risen by the control unit 54, and sends the heated air to the biological treatment tank 300. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the water in the biological treatment tank 300, compared to a case in which the control unit is disposed above the membrane cleaning blower 326. Note that the arrangement of the membrane cleaning blower 326 is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

[0051] In the water treatment device 12, the electric equipment area 20a in which the membrane cleaning blower 326 is arranged is surrounded by the front cover 16a, the pair of side covers 16d, and the ceiling cover 16f. That is, the membrane cleaning blower 326 sucks in air in the electric equipment area 20a surrounded by the front cover 16a, the pair of side covers 16d, and the ceiling cover 16f, and sends the sucked air to the biological treatment tank 300. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank 300 compared to when the electric equipment area 20a is open to the outside. Note that the arrangement of each cover is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, the water treatment device 12 is a device that circulates and purifies the water to be treated used in a home toilet, making it reusable in the toilet, but by increasing the number of drainage tanks and treatment tanks and increasing the number of purification processes, the water treatment device may be used for water to be treated used in the home, rather than water to be treated used in the toilet.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the control unit 54 is detachable from the device main body 12a, but it may be non-detachable. In this case, however, the effect of making the control unit 54 detachable from the device main body 12a is not achieved.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the control unit 54 is located close to the biological treatment tank 300, but the control unit does not have to be located close to the biological treatment tank. In this case, the effect of the control unit 54 being located close to the biological treatment tank 300 is not achieved.

[0055] In addition, in the above embodiment, a water level gauge has been used as an example of a sensor for detecting the water condition, but instead of a water level gauge, a sensor for detecting other water conditions such as water volume, water quality, water temperature, water pressure, produced gas, turbidity, color, etc., which are measures of the progress of biological treatment, may also be used.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the control boards 56a, 56b, and 56c are described as examples of boards, but these are essential boards for operating the water treatment device, and the boards are not limited to these boards.

[0057] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, each of the substrates is designed to be easily attached and detached individually and independently of each other.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the biological treatment tank 300 has been described as an example, but a sterilization module, a membrane treatment module, etc. may also be provided. It is sufficient that semiconductor chips having the same type of function are mounted on a similar substrate.

[0059] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the control unit 54 may be located in a place where it is easy to operate.

[0060] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the relative positional relationship of the water tanks is not limited to this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 12 Water treatment equipment 12a Device body 16a Front cover (an example of an enclosing member) 16d Side cover (an example of an enclosure member) 16f Ceiling cover (an example of an enclosure material) 20a Electrical Equipment Area 54 Control Unit 56a Control board (an example of a signal board) 56b Control board (an example of a relay board) 56c Control board (an example of a pump board) 60 Relay 100 Drainage tank (example of aquarium) 104 Drainage water level meter (example of sensor) 106 Drainage mixing blower (an example of an air pump) 300 Biological treatment tank (example of aquarium) 304 Drainage water level meter (example of sensor) 326 Membrane cleaning blower (an example of an air pump) 700 Treatment tank (example of tank) 704 Treated water level meter (example of sensor) 728 Drainage pump (an example of a pump) 734 Treated water pump (an example of a pump) 744 Circulation pump (an example of a pump) 758 Supply pump (an example of a pump)

Claims

1. a water tank for treating the water to be treated; A sensor for detecting the water state of each of the plurality of water tanks; A pump for transferring water from one of the water tanks to the other of the water tanks; A relay for switching the pump on and off; a signal board on which a semiconductor chip is mounted for receiving a detection signal from the sensor; a relay board on which a semiconductor chip is mounted for driving the relay based on a detection signal received by a semiconductor chip on the signal board; a pump substrate on which a semiconductor chip for driving the pump is mounted; A water treatment device comprising:

2. a control unit including the signal board, the relay board, and the pump board, the control unit being detachable from a main body of the device; The water treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. A biological treatment tank constitutes one of the plurality of water tanks and biologically treats the water to be treated, The control unit is adjacent to the biological treatment tank. The water treatment device according to claim 2 .

4. An air pump is provided to suck in surrounding air and send the sucked air into the biological treatment tank to stir the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank or circulate the water to be treated in the biological treatment tank. The control unit is disposed below the air pump. The water treatment device according to claim 3 .

5. a surrounding member surrounding an electrical equipment area in which the air pump is disposed; The water treatment device according to claim 4.

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