Water purifier adapter and water purifier unit

Abstract

To provide a water purifier adapter and a water purifier unit that can easily add a function of an automatic faucet to an existing manual faucet.SOLUTION: A water purifier adapter connects a faucet spout and a water purifier. The water purifier adapter includes a spout-side connection port 13, an outflow-side connection port 14, an input detection unit, and a solenoid valve 11. The spout-side connection port 13 is connectable to a spout. The outflow-side connection port 14 is connectable to a raw water inflow port of the water purifier. The input detection unit detects an operation intention of a user. The solenoid valve 11 switches between communication and blockage of a passage 15 between the spout-side connection port 13 and the outflow-side connection port 14 in response to a detection signal from the input detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water purifier adapter that can be attached to a water tap, and a water purifier unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Automatic faucets are known as faucets used in kitchens and other areas that can automatically switch between stopping and discharging water, or switching between hot and cold water, in response to a person's hand movements, etc. (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

[0003] This automatic faucet has a non-contact sensor such as a human presence sensor installed on the outer surface of the spout that extends from the base of the faucet toward the tap, and an electromagnetic valve built into the spout for opening, closing, and switching the flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-019650 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-094480 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-169950 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-169949 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-051074 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned automatic faucets have built-in motion sensors and solenoid valves for opening, closing, and switching the flow path in the spout of the faucet. Therefore, when replacing a faucet with an automatic faucet, the entire faucet spout must be replaced, which makes the replacement work extensive and increases the cost of replacement parts.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a water purifier adapter and a water purifier unit that can easily add the functionality of an automatic faucet to a manual faucet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the water purifier adapter according to the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, the water purifier adapter of the present invention is a water purifier adapter that connects a water faucet to a water purifier, and is characterized by comprising a faucet side connection port that can be connected to the faucet, an outlet side connection port that can be connected to the raw water inlet of the water purifier, an input detection unit that detects the user's intention to operate, and an electromagnetic valve that switches the passage between the faucet side connection port and the outlet side connection port between communication and blocking in response to the detection signal of the input detection unit.

[0008] The water purifier adapter configured as described above can function as an automatic faucet simply by connecting the faucet connection port to a water faucet. To install, connect the faucet connection port of the water purifier adapter to the water faucet, and connect the raw water inlet of the water purifier to the outlet connection port of the water purifier adapter. When a user uses the water purifier as an automatic faucet, they open the faucet and begin use. When the input detection unit detects the user's intention to operate the faucet, for example, by bringing their hand close to the input detection unit, the solenoid valve switches between open and closed states in the passage between the faucet connection port and the outlet connection port in response to the detection signal from the input detection unit. This allows the device to be used as an automatic faucet. The water purifier adapter can also be used without connecting a water purifier to the outlet port. In this case, the water purification function of the water purifier will not be obtained, but you can still get the function of an automatic faucet just by attaching the water purifier adapter to the faucet.

[0009] The input detection unit is preferably a motion sensor or a non-contact human sensor.

[0010] In this case, the user can stop or start the water flow by simply waving their hand over the water purifier adapter without touching it, which makes it possible to keep the water purifier adapter and its surrounding area clean.

[0011] The water purifier adapter may include a storage section for a detachable storage battery for driving the solenoid valve.

[0012] In this case, since the water purifier adapter has a storage compartment for the battery, it is possible to make the structure of the water purifier adapter and its surrounding area more compact compared to when it is connected to an external power source to drive the solenoid valve.

[0013] It is desirable that the solenoid valve be provided with a clearance that allows a slight pressure to escape from the faucet-side connection port to the outlet-side connection port when the passage is switched to a blocked state.

[0014] In this case, even when the solenoid valve blocks the passage between the faucet connection port and the outlet connection port with the faucet open, the clearance of the solenoid valve allows a slight pressure to escape from the faucet connection port to the outlet connection port. This prevents excessive water pressure buildup between the faucet and the water purifier adapter. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to prevent the water purifier adapter from coming off the faucet due to excessive water pressure.

[0015] The water purifier adapter may further include a position adjustment portion that can adjust the rotation position of the water purifier about the axis of the faucet when the water purifier is connected to the outlet connection port.

[0016] In this case, by adjusting the rotation position of the water purifier about the axis of the faucet using the position adjustment unit, the orientation of the water purifier can be changed to an orientation that is convenient for the user.

[0017] In addition, the water purifier unit of the present invention comprises a water purifier having a raw water inlet and an outlet, and a water purifier adapter that connects the water purifier to a water tap, and the water purifier adapter comprises a faucet side connection port that can be connected to the faucet, an outlet side connection port that can be connected to the raw water inlet of the water purifier, an input detection unit that detects the user's intention to operate, and an electromagnetic valve that switches between communication and blocking of the passage between the faucet side connection port and the outlet side connection port in response to the detection signal of the input detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The water purifier adapter and water purifier unit of the present invention can switch between communication and blocking of the passage within the adapter using a solenoid valve that operates in response to an input detection unit. Therefore, by adopting this invention, automatic faucet functionality can be easily added to a manual faucet by simply connecting the faucet-side connection port of the water purifier adapter to the faucet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the water purifier unit of the embodiment attached to the faucet portion of the faucet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the water purifier unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water purifier adapter according to the embodiment when the solenoid valve is in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water purifier adapter according to the embodiment when the solenoid valve is in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a water purifier unit 1 of the embodiment is attached to a faucet 3 of a water faucet 2, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the water purifier unit 1. As shown in FIG. The faucet 2 has a manual water shutoff operation unit 5 on the base side of the spout 4. A water purifier 20 can be attached to the tip of the faucet 3 of the faucet 2 via a water purifier adapter 10. The water purifier unit 1 of this embodiment is composed of the water purifier adapter 10 and the water purifier 20.

[0022] The water purifier 20 includes a raw water inlet 21, a water purification cartridge 22, a straight discharge flow path 23, a shower discharge flow path 24, a purified water discharge flow path 25, and a flow path switching unit 26. Tap water flows into the raw water inlet 21 from the faucet 3 through the water purifier adapter 10. The water purification cartridge 22 constitutes a water purification unit for purifying the tap water that flows in from the raw water inlet 21. The straight discharge flow path 23 discharges tap water that does not pass through the water purification cartridge 22 downward in a straight manner. The shower discharge flow path 24 discharges tap water that does not pass through the water purification cartridge 22 downward in a shower-like manner. The purified water discharge flow path 25 passes the tap water through the inside of the water purification cartridge 22 and then discharges it downward. The flow path switching unit 26 selectively connects the raw water inlet 21 to one of the above flow paths.

[0023] The raw water inlet 21 is disposed on the upper surface of a substantially rectangular casing 27 that houses the above-mentioned multiple flow paths and the flow path switching unit 26. An operating lever 28 for operating the flow path switching unit 26 is disposed on one longitudinal end of the casing 27. The casing 27 is also provided with a cartridge holding unit 29 for holding the water purification cartridge 22. The substantially cylindrical water purification cartridge 22 is detachably attached to the cartridge holding unit 29. The water purification cartridge 22 is disposed in parallel with the casing 27 so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the casing 27. The water purifier 20 has a shape that extends elongatedly in one direction with the raw water inlet 21 on the upper surface at its approximate center.

[0024] 3 and 4 are vertical cross-sectional views of the water purifier adapter 10. Fig. 3 shows a state in which a solenoid valve 11, which will be described later, is in an open state, and Fig. 4 shows a state in which the solenoid valve 11 is in a closed state. The water purifier adapter 10 has a substantially cylindrical adapter body 12, with a faucet-side connection port 13 and an outlet-side connection port 14 provided at the upper and lower ends of the adapter body 12, respectively. The faucet-side connection port 13 is connectable to a faucet 3 on the water faucet 2 side. The outlet-side connection port 14 is connectable to a raw water inlet 21 on the water purifier 20 side. A passage 15 (passage hole) is formed at the axial center of the adapter body 12, penetrating vertically and connecting the faucet-side connection port 13 and the outlet-side connection port 14.

[0025] The faucet-side connection port 13 is provided on a connection plug 16 that is detachable from the end of the faucet 3. The connection plug 16 has a structure for liquid-tight connection to the end of the faucet 3, and also has a mechanism that allows it to rotate around the axis of the faucet 3 relative to the main body of the adapter body 12. This mechanism constitutes a position adjustment unit that adjusts the rotational position of the water purifier 20 around the axis of the faucet 3 when the water purifier 20 is connected to the outlet-side connection port 14.

[0026] An input detection sensor 17 (input detection unit) for detecting the user's operation intention is installed at an appropriate position on the outer surface of the adapter body 12. As the input detection sensor 17, it is desirable to adopt a motion sensor that detects human movement using infrared rays or a non-contact human presence sensor. However, the input detection sensor 17 is not limited to these, and may also be a contact detection sensor (touch switch) such as a resistive film type or a surface type electrostatic capacitance type, or a voice discrimination device that reacts to human voices.

[0027] The adapter body 12 is also provided with a solenoid valve 11 controlled by a control device (not shown). This solenoid valve 11 has a valve element 19 (valve stem) that moves back and forth in a direction intersecting with a passage 15 inside the adapter body 12, and the valve element 19 moves back and forth to open and close the passage 15. In other words, the solenoid valve 11 can switch between communicating and blocking the passage 15 by switching the advancing and retracting state of the valve element 19. The advancing and retracting movement of the valve element 19 of the solenoid valve 11 is controlled by a control device (not shown) in response to a detection signal from an input detection sensor 17.

[0028] Further, at the end of the case 30 that houses the solenoid valve 11, a battery storage section 32 for detachably storing a storage battery 31 (for example, a button battery) for driving the solenoid valve 11 is provided.

[0029] 4 shows a state in which the valve element 19 of the solenoid valve 11 blocks the passage 15. In the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment, a clearance CL is provided to allow a slight pressure release from the faucet-side connection port 13 to the outlet-side connection port 14 in this blocked state.

[0030] As described above, the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment can switch between communication and blocking of the passage 15 inside the adapter body 12 by means of the solenoid valve 11, which operates in response to the input detection sensor 17. Therefore, simply by connecting the faucet side connection port 13 to the faucet 3 of the faucet 2, the function of an automatic faucet can be obtained.

[0031] When actually installing the water purifier unit 1 on the faucet 3, the faucet-side connection port 13 of the water purifier adapter 10 is connected to the faucet 3 of the water faucet 2, and the raw water inlet 21 of the water purifier 20 is connected to the outlet-side connection port 14 of the water purifier adapter 10. When the user uses the faucet 2 as an automatic faucet, the water stop operation unit 5 is turned on. In this state, when the user brings their hand close to the input detection sensor 17, the input detection sensor 17 detects the user's intention to operate the faucet to release or stop the water. This causes the solenoid valve 11 to switch between connecting and blocking the passage 15 between the faucet-side connection port 13 and the outlet-side connection port 14 in response to the detection signal from the input detection sensor 17. As a result, the faucet can be used as an automatic faucet. In this state, the water purifier 20 can be operated with the operating lever 28 to switch between purified water and its discharge state.

[0032] However, the water purifier adapter 10 can also be used as is without connecting the water purifier 20 to the outlet connection port 14. In this case, the water purification function of the water purifier 20 cannot be obtained, but simply attaching the water purifier adapter 10 to the faucet 3 can provide the function of an automatic faucet. Therefore, when the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment is adopted, the functionality of an automatic faucet can be easily added to a manual faucet simply by connecting the faucet side connection port 13 of the water purifier adapter 10 to the faucet 3.

[0033] Furthermore, it is desirable that the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment employs a motion sensor or a non-contact human sensor as the input detection sensor 17. In this case, the user can switch between stopping and discharging water by waving their hand or the like without touching the water purifier adapter 10. Therefore, when this configuration is employed, the water purifier adapter 10 and its surrounding area can be kept clean.

[0034] Furthermore, the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment is provided with a storage compartment 32 for a storage battery 31 for driving the solenoid valve 11. Therefore, compared to when the water purifier adapter 10 is connected to an external power source to drive the solenoid valve 11, the structure of the water purifier adapter 10 and its surrounding area can be made more compact.

[0035] Furthermore, in the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment, when the solenoid valve 11 is switched to a state in which it blocks the passage 15, a clearance CL is provided around the solenoid valve 11 to allow a slight pressure to escape from the faucet-side connection port 13 to the outlet-side connection port 14. Therefore, even if the solenoid valve 11 is switched to the blocking state with the faucet 2 open, the clearance CL around the solenoid valve 11 allows a slight pressure to escape from the faucet-side connection port 13 to the outlet-side connection port 14. As a result, the water pressure between the faucet 2 and the water purifier adapter 10 does not increase excessively, making it possible to prevent the water purifier adapter 10 from coming off the faucet 3 due to excessive water pressure.

[0036] Furthermore, in the water purifier adapter 10 of this embodiment, a position adjustment unit is provided in the connection plug 16, which can adjust the rotation position of the water purifier 20 about the axis of the faucet 3 when the water purifier 20 is connected to the outlet connection port 14. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation position of the water purifier 20 about the axis of the faucet 3 with the position adjustment unit, the orientation of the water purifier 20 can be changed to an orientation that is convenient for the user. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, convenience for the user can be further improved.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...Water purifier unit 2...Faucet 3...Faucet 10...Water purifier adapter 11...Solenoid valve 13...Faucet connection port 14...Outlet connection port 15...Aisle 17...Input detection sensor (input detection unit) 20...Water purifier 21... Raw water inlet 31...Storage battery 32...Storage section CL…Clearance

Claims

1. A water purifier adapter that connects a water faucet to a water purifier, A faucet-side connection port connectable to the faucet; An outlet side connection port that can be connected to a raw water inlet of the water purifier; an input detection unit that detects a user's intention to operate; a solenoid valve that switches between communication and blocking of the passage between the faucet side connection port and the outlet side connection port in response to a detection signal from the input detection unit.

2. The water purifier adapter according to claim 1, wherein the input detection unit is a motion sensor or a non-contact human sensor.

3. 2. The water purifier adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a storage section for a detachable storage battery for driving the solenoid valve.

4. The water purifier adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solenoid valve has a clearance that allows a slight pressure to escape from the faucet side connection port to the outlet side connection port when the passage is switched to a blocked state.

5. The water purifier adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with a position adjustment part that can adjust the rotational position of the water purifier around the axis of the faucet when the water purifier is connected to the outlet side connection port.

6. a water purifier having a raw water inlet and a discharge port; a water purifier adapter for connecting a water faucet to the water purifier; Water purifier adapter A faucet-side connection port connectable to the faucet; An outlet side connection port that can be connected to the raw water inlet of the water purifier; an input detection unit that detects a user's intention to operate; a solenoid valve that switches between communication and blocking of the passage between the faucet side connection port and the outlet side connection port in response to a detection signal from the input detection unit.

Images