Water purifier cartridge

Abstract

To provide a water purifier cartridge that allows users to select the discharging shape of purified water.SOLUTION: The water purifier cartridge of the present invention has a water discharge switch at the purified water outlet that allows users to select the discharging shape of purified water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier cartridge for filtering tap water in a home kitchen, and more particularly to a faucet-connected water purifier cartridge that is attached to the end of a faucet. [Background technology]

[0002] Water purifiers that purify tap water are widely used in homes. In particular, the majority of faucet-mounted water purifiers are attached to the end of a faucet. Many faucet-mounted water purifiers consist of a switch that selectively discharges raw water or purified water by switching the flow path of tap water supplied from the faucet, and a water purifier cartridge that purifies the raw water. The raw water switched to the flow path for purified water by the switch is purified by the water purifier cartridge, and then purified water is discharged from the water purifier cartridge, or the purified water purified by the water purifier cartridge is returned to the switch and discharged from the switch. The water purifier cartridge contains various filter media for purifying tap water. Activated carbon that removes free residual chlorine, mold odor, and trihalomethanes in tap water, ion exchangers that remove lead, and hollow fiber membranes that remove turbidity are used.

[0003] Since the total amount of filtered water that can be processed by these filter media is limited, it is common to continue using the water purifier by periodically replacing the water purifier cartridge.

[0004] The shape of the water discharge from a water purifier cartridge is usually single, either a straight shape or a shower shape. For example, when pouring purified water into a container with a small opening, a straight shape is preferable for the purified water discharge, and when washing food, a shower shape is preferable for the purified water discharge from the viewpoint of washing effect. There has been a demand for the ability to select the shape of the purified water discharge.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which the same outlet is used for straight and shower, making it possible to discharge either straight or shower water for both raw water and purified water, resulting in four types of water discharge: raw water straight, raw water shower, purified water straight, and purified water shower.

[0006] However, the above invention has a problem in that the outlet is common for both purified water and raw water, making it difficult for the user to distinguish whether the water discharge mode selected is raw water or purified water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2004-205031 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, the present invention aims to provide a water purifier cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier that can be attached to a faucet-mounted water purifier and that allows the shape of the purified water outlet to be selected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The water purifier cartridge of the present invention, which solves the above problems, has the following features. (1) A cartridge for a water purifier having a main body case having a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, a filter medium housed inside the main body case, and a water discharge switching unit, The water discharge switching unit is attached to the purified water outlet on the outside of the main body case and can change the discharge shape of the purified water discharged from the water purifier cartridge. Water purifier cartridge. (2) The water discharge switching unit is A purified water inlet communicating with the purified water outlet; A plurality of purified water flow paths into which purified water flows from the purified water inlet, the purified water flow paths including at least a flow path communicating with a straight outlet and a flow path communicating with a shower outlet; A valve body portion for selecting one of the plurality of purified water flow paths through which purified water flows; A water discharge operation unit that operates the position of the valve body of the valve body portion, The cartridge for a water purifier according to (1), wherein the shape of the purified water discharged from the cartridge for a water purifier can be changed by operating the water discharge operating part. (3) The water discharge switching unit has a purified water inlet of the water discharge switching unit communicating with the purified water outlet of the main body case and a shower discharge outlet communicating with the purified water inlet, and is detachably attached to the main body case; The purified water outlet of the main body case discharges purified water in a straight discharge shape, A cartridge for a water purifier as described in (1), in which purified water is discharged in a shower-like manner when the water discharge switching unit is attached to the main body case, and purified water is discharged in a straight water discharge when the water discharge switching unit is detached from the main body case. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the water purifier cartridge of the present invention, a user can select from a plurality of purified water discharge shapes with one water purifier cartridge.

[0011] In addition, by separating the raw water and purified water outlets, it is easy to determine whether the water being used is purified water or raw water. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view AA shown in FIG. 2 in the purified water shower spouting mode of the faucet-connectable water purifier cartridge of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a main body case removed. [Diagram 5] A vertical cross-sectional view of the purified water straight flow path of the water discharge switching unit 3 in the purified water shower discharge mode of the faucet-connected water purifier cartridge of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A vertical cross-sectional view of the purified water shower flow path of the water discharge switching unit 3 in the purified water shower discharge mode of the faucet-connected water purifier cartridge of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view BB shown in FIG. 2 of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention in a purified water shower spouting mode. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view AA shown in FIG. 2 in a purified water straight discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view CC shown in FIG. 2 in the purified water straight discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a front view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to another embodiment of the present invention in a purified water shower spouting mode. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a top view of a faucet-mounted water purifier cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention in a purified water shower spouting mode. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view AA of FIG. 11 showing a purified water shower discharge mode of a faucet-mounted water purifier cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to another embodiment of the present invention in a purified water straight discharge mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [One embodiment] First, one embodiment of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to the present invention will be described.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 1, the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier of the present invention comprises a main body case 1, a connection part 2 for mounting to a faucet-connected water purifier, and a water discharge switching part 3.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view AA of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention in purified water shower discharge mode shown in Fig. 2. The cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to the present invention is composed of a hollow fiber membrane bundle 8, a case 7, a primary filter 6, a secondary filter 4, a filter medium 5 arranged in the cylindrical space formed by the main case 1, the case 7, the primary filter 6 and the secondary filter 4, an elastic member 10, and a water discharge switching unit 3 in an internal space formed by the main case 1 and the case 7, the primary filter 6 and the secondary filter 4.

[0018] A faucet-mounted water purifier consists of a switch that selectively discharges either raw water or purified water by switching the flow path of tap water supplied from the faucet, and a water purifier cartridge that purifies the raw water.

[0019] The main body case 1 is provided with a raw water inlet 9 through which raw water flows into the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier, a tubular portion into which the end of the case 7 is fitted, and a purified water outlet 22. The raw water inlet 9 has the above-mentioned connection part 2 on its outer surface, and the connection part 2 is watertightly connected with a bayonet structure or a screw structure for easy attachment to the above-mentioned switch of the faucet-connected water purifier.

[0020] The filter medium 5 can be a suitable combination of activated carbon made from coconut shells and an ion exchanger suitable for removing lead.

[0021] The hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 is made by bundling a predetermined number of hollow fiber membranes and bending them into an inverted U-shape, and is housed inside the case 7. The inner surface of the lower end of the case 7 and the lower end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 are sealed and fixed with a potting material such as polyurethane or epoxy resin. The lower end surface of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 is open and faces the purified water outlet. Hydrophilized polysulfone is preferably used as the material for the hollow fiber membrane. A combination of multiple types of hollow fiber membranes made of different materials may be used. If a hydrophobic polyethylene or polypropylene hollow fiber membrane is inserted, air mixed in the water can be efficiently discharged. Although the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 is bent into an inverted U-shape, it may also be a straight hollow fiber membrane bundle whose upper opening is sealed by adhesive or heat fusion.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment excluding the main body case, and as shown therein, the primary filter 6 is composed of a synthetic resin frame material and nonwoven fabric. The synthetic resin frame material is cylindrical, has a central opening and a fan-shaped opening 27 around the central opening, and nonwoven fabric is attached to the fan-shaped opening 27. The cylindrical central opening of the primary filter 6 is fitted into the lower end of the case 7, and the outer periphery of the primary filter 6 is fitted into the lower inner diameter of the main body case 1. The mesh size of the nonwoven fabric is smaller than the size of the filter medium 5 to be accommodated so that the filter medium 5, such as activated carbon made from coconut shell, can pass through the water to be treated without leaking. A mesh can be used instead of the nonwoven fabric as long as the mesh size allows the water to pass through without leaking the filter medium.

[0023] The secondary filter 4 is composed of a synthetic resin frame and nonwoven fabric. The synthetic resin frame is cylindrical in shape, with a central opening and fan-shaped openings 28 around the periphery of the central opening, and the nonwoven fabric is attached to the fan-shaped opening 28. The cylindrical central opening of the secondary filter 4 is fitted into the upper end of the case 7, and the outer periphery of the secondary filter 4 is fitted into the upper inner diameter of the main case 1.

[0024] Further, the elastic member 10 is disposed at the bottom of the case 7 and is fitted into the lower cylindrical portion of the main case 1 in a watertight manner.

[0025] The water discharge switching section 3 is composed of a water discharge operation section 11, a connection section 12, a switching gasket 13, a flow path switching section 19, an elastic member 14, an elastic member 15, a valve body section 16, a shower section 17, a stainless steel net 18, and a flat gasket 20.

[0026] The water discharge operation unit 11 is positioned at the outermost part of the water discharge switching unit 3, and switches the flow path between purified shower mode and purified straight mode by rotating around the axis of the faucet-connected water purifier cartridge. The outer surface of the water discharge operation unit 11 has projections and recesses, making it easier for the user to grip when rotating it. The water discharge operation unit 11 has an inner threaded portion that is screwed into and fixed to the threaded portion on the outer surface of the flow path switching unit 19. The upper surface of the operation unit has a circular protrusion that can be engaged with a circular recessed portion on the bottom of the main body case to align the axes of the main body case 1 and the water discharge operation unit 11.

[0027] The connecting part 12 is watertightly screwed to the main body case 1 via an elastic member 14, and purified water that has passed through the filter medium 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 flows into the purified water inlet 23. The connecting part 12 has a space that restricts the movement of the valve body part 16.

[0028] The flow path switching unit 19 has the purified water shower flow path 31 (shown in FIG. 7) and the purified water straight flow path 30 (shown in FIG. 9) at angular phase positions on the same circular arc, and has convex portions at positions corresponding to the purified water shower flow path 31 and the purified water straight flow path 30. The flow path switching unit 19 has a threaded portion on the upper part of its outer surface which screws into a threaded portion on the inner surface of the water discharge operation unit 11. The flow path switching unit 19 has a threaded portion on the lower part of its outer surface which screws into the shower unit 17.

[0029] The switching packing 13 is made of a cylindrical elastic material and has openings at positions corresponding to the purified water shower flow path 31 and the purified water straight flow path 30, and the convex portion of the flow path switching part 19 fits into and is fixed in the opening of the switching packing 13, and by operating the water discharge operation part 11, the flow path switching part 19 and the switching packing 13 move together. The valve body part 16 fits watertightly into the openings of the switching packing 13 at positions corresponding to the purified water shower flow path and the purified water straight flow path, selectively opening either the purified water shower mode or the purified water straight mode.

[0030] The elastic member 14 is made of an elastic material and fixes the connection part 12 to the main body case 1 in a watertight manner.

[0031] The elastic member 15 is made of an elastic material and makes the water discharge operation part 11 and the flow path switching part 19 watertight.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the water purification straight flow path of the water discharge switching part 3 in the water purification shower water discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The valve body part 16 is spherical, and by the rotation operation of the water discharge operation part 11, it fits watertightly into the openings corresponding to the water purification shower flow path 31 and the water purification straight flow path 30 of the switching packing 13, and selectively opens either the opening corresponding to the water purification shower flow path 31 or the opening corresponding to the water purification straight flow path 30.

[0034] In the state of FIG. 5, the valve body part 16 closes the water purification straight flow path 30 of the switching packing 13.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the water purification shower flow path of the water discharge switching part 3 in the water purification shower water discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The valve body part 16 closes the water purification straight flow path 30 and has the water purification shower flow path 31 opened. In this state, the purified water flowing into the water purification inlet 23 of the connection part 12 passes through the water purification shower flow path 31, passes through the flow path arranged in the side direction of the flow path switching part 19, goes around the upper surface of the shower part 17, and is discharged as a water purification shower from a plurality of shower water discharge ports 24.

[0037] The shower part 17 has an opening through which the water purification straight passes at the center of a cylindrical shape, has a cylindrical part perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the opening, has a threaded part provided on its inner surface, and is screwed to the lower outer surface of the flow path switching part 19. The shower part 17 has a plurality of shower water discharge ports 24 and discharges the purified water in a shower shape.

[0038] Stainless steel net 18 is placed at the opening through which the purified water straight passes in the center of the cylindrical shower part 17, and straightens the purified water so that it is discharged in a straight line. Also, stainless steel net 18 may be made of resin as long as it can straighten the water flow.

[0039] The flat packing 20 is made of a cylindrical elastic material and is fixed to the lower end face of the flow path switching section 19 and the inner upper surface of the shower section 17 in a watertight manner.

[0040] Fig. 7 shows the purified water shower discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is the cross-sectional view BB shown in Fig. 2. The arrows in Fig. 7 indicate the flow of water after the purified water outlet 22 in the purified water shower discharge mode, where purified water that has passed through the filter medium 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 flows into the purified water inlet 23 of the water discharge switching unit 3, passes through the connection unit 12 and the purified water shower flow path 31, passes through the flow path switching unit 19 and the flow path arranged in the lateral direction of the flow path switching unit 19, goes around the upper surface of the shower unit 17, and is discharged as a purified water shower from the multiple shower outlets 24.

[0041] Fig. 8 shows the purified water straight discharge mode of the faucet-connected water purifier cartridge of one embodiment of the present invention, and is the cross-sectional view AA shown in Fig. 2. The purified water straight discharge mode is set by rotating the water discharge operation unit 11 of the water discharge switching unit 3 from the purified water shower discharge mode of Fig. 3 and Fig. 7. In the purified water straight discharge mode, the valve body unit 16 watertightly closes the opening of the switching packing 13 corresponding to the purified water shower discharge mode, and the flow path corresponding to the purified water straight discharge mode is open.

[0042] 9 is a cross-sectional view CC shown in FIG. 2 of the purified water straight discharge mode of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. The arrows indicate the flow of water after the purified water outlet 22 in the purified water straight discharge mode, where purified water that has passed through the filter medium 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 flows into the purified water outlet 22 of the main body case and the purified water inlet 23 of the water discharge switching unit 3, passes through the connection unit 12 and the purified water straight flow path 30, passes through the flow path switching unit 19 and the flow path arranged in the direction of the lower surface of the flow path switching unit 19, passes through the stainless steel net 18, and is discharged from the straight discharge port 29.

[0043] [Another embodiment] In the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier of the present invention, the water discharge switching unit 3 having the shower outlet 24 is a detachable separate part, and the water discharge switching unit 3 is removed when straight purified water is discharged, and the water discharge switching unit 3 is attached when purified water is discharged in a shower, and similar excellent effects are also achieved in this structure. Therefore, this configuration is taken as another embodiment, and the following description will focus on the points that are different from the first embodiment, and will omit a description of similar parts. Also, parts corresponding to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0044] 10 shows a front view of a faucet-connected water purifier cartridge according to another embodiment. The cartridge has a main body case 1 and a water discharge switching unit 3, and a water discharge operating unit 11 extending radially from the outer surface of the water discharge switching unit 3.

[0045] 11 shows a top view of a cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier of another embodiment. It has a water discharge operation part 11 that extends radially from the outer surface of the water discharge switching part 3. The user can easily attach and detach the water discharge operation part 11 by grasping the water discharge operation part 11.

[0046] Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view AA of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier in another embodiment in the purified water shower discharge mode. The arrows in Fig. 12 indicate the flow of water after the purified water outlet 22 of the cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier in another embodiment, and the purified water that has passed through the filter medium 5 and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 is discharged in a shower shape from multiple shower holes provided in the water discharge switching unit 3.

[0047] Fig. 13 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier in another embodiment in the purified water straight discharge mode. This is the state in which the water discharge switching unit 3 has been removed from Fig. 12. The arrows in Fig. 13 indicate the flow of water after the purified water outlet 22 of the cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier in another embodiment, and purified water that has passed through the filter medium 5 and hollow fiber membrane bundle 8 passes through the stainless steel net 18 and is discharged as purified water straight.

[0048] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge for a faucet-mounted water purifier according to another embodiment.

[0049] In another embodiment, a cartridge for a faucet-connected water purifier has a recess 25 in the lower part of the main body case 1 in which the water discharge switching part 3 is attached.

[0050] The water-flow switching unit 3 has multiple protrusions 26 on its inner surface that radially engage with corresponding recesses 25 of the main body case 1, and the cylindrical portion below the protrusions 26 of the water-flow switching unit 3 watertightly engages with the elastic member 21 fitted into the lower part of the main body case 1. The water-flow switching unit 3 has multiple shower outlets 24. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Main unit case 2: Connection part 3: Water discharge switching section 4: Secondary filter 5: Filter media 6: Primary filter 7: Case 8: Hollow fiber membrane bundle 9: Raw water inlet 10: Elastic material 11: Water discharge control section 12: Connection 13: Switching packing 14: Elastic material 15: Elastic material 16: Valve body 17: Shower section 18: Stainless steel net 19: Flow path switching section 20: Flat packing 21: Elastic material 22: Purified water outlet 23: Purified water inlet 24: Shower outlet 25: Recess 26: Convex 27: Fan-shaped opening 28: Fan-shaped opening 29: Straight outlet 30: Straight water purification channel 31: Clean water shower channel

Claims

1. A water purifier cartridge having a main body case having a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet, a filter medium housed inside the main body case, and a water discharge switching unit, The water discharge switching unit is attached to the purified water outlet on the outside of the main body case and can change the discharge shape of the purified water discharged from the water purifier cartridge. Water purifier cartridge.

2. The water discharge switching unit is A purified water inlet communicating with the purified water outlet; A plurality of purified water flow paths into which purified water flows from the purified water inlet, the purified water flow paths including at least a flow path communicating with a straight outlet and a flow path communicating with a shower outlet; A valve body portion for selecting one of the plurality of purified water flow paths through which purified water flows; A water discharge operation unit that operates the position of the valve body of the valve body portion, The cartridge for a water purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the purified water discharged from the cartridge for a water purifier can be changed by operating the water discharge operation part.

3. The water discharge switching unit has a purified water inlet of the water discharge switching unit communicating with the purified water outlet of the main body case and a shower discharge outlet communicating with the purified water inlet, and is detachably attached to the main body case, The purified water outlet of the main body case discharges purified water in a straight discharge shape, 2. The cartridge for a water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the purified water is discharged in a shower-like manner when the water discharge switching unit is attached to the main body case, and the purified water is discharged in a straight-like manner when the water discharge switching unit is detached from the main body case.

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