Water purification device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a substrate provided with a communication part and a separate substrate provided with functions other than the communication part are provided, and the use of the two substrates leads to an increase in manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: In the water purifier for discharging water communicated with a plurality of consumable material cartridges, a plurality of communication parts for performing radio communication with RF tags possessed by the consumable material cartridges are provided on a substrate. The consumable material cartridge is configured to be attachable, and the communication unit is provided corresponding to each RF tag of the consumable material cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Water is one of the most important substances for human life, and it is no exaggeration to say that the quality of the water consumed in one's daily diet determines one's health.

[0003] Therefore, in order to lead a healthy daily life, it is extremely important to regularly consume water that contains as few impurities unsuitable for drinking as possible (hereinafter simply referred to as impurities), i.e., purified water.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, water purification devices have been widely used in various settings, such as ordinary homes and restaurants, in which water supplied from a tap or the like is introduced into the device, purified, and then discharged.

[0005] Among such water purification devices, water purifiers that specialize in water purification functions can remove as many impurities as possible to produce water suitable for daily drinking.

[0006] Furthermore, among water purification devices, there are devices that also have the function of electrolyzing water and are capable of generating electrolyzed water, i.e., electrolyzed water generators. In addition to removing impurities, they can also generate water with even greater functionality by adding components (electrolysis auxiliary components) to the purified water to promote the electrolysis of water.

[0007] In water purification devices equipped with water purification or electrolysis functions, such as water purifiers and electrolytic water generators, the components necessary for water purification, such as filtering materials such as filters and activated carbon, and electrolysis auxiliary components, which are equivalent to so-called consumables, are generally in the form of cartridges, and these consumable cartridges are generally replaceable by the user.

[0008] Therefore, the user will replace the consumable cartridge as appropriate based on the degree of consumption of the consumables, such as the degree of deterioration of various filtering materials and the decrease in electrolysis auxiliary components, for example, based on notifications from the water purification device.

[0009] Of course, in order to fully utilize the original functions of the water purification device, it is preferable to use a new consumable cartridge recommended by the manufacturer of the water purification device (hereinafter also referred to as a genuine cartridge).

[0010] However, in reality, similar consumable cartridges (hereinafter referred to as non-genuine cartridges) are being supplied to the market by third parties as compatible products, and some of these cartridges are of questionable quality and do not fulfill the desired effects of consumable cartridges, such as water purification.

[0011] Therefore, conventionally, water purification devices have been known that have an RFID system in which a communication unit that communicates with an RF tag is located in the water purification device body, while the genuine cartridge is equipped with an RF tag that stores unique information (ID information) that can identify it as a genuine cartridge (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0012] With such a water purification device, an attempt is made to obtain ID information from the installed consumable cartridge via the RFID system, and if the information is obtained, it is determined to be a genuine cartridge and normal operation is carried out; however, if the information is not obtained, it is determined that a non-genuine cartridge has been installed and a warning is issued to the user via a display or the like to warn them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-051891 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] However, the conventional water purification device described above has a board on which the communication unit is mounted and a separate board on which functions other than the communication unit are mounted, and the use of two boards leads to increased manufacturing costs.

[0015] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and provides a water purification device that can suppress increases in manufacturing costs due to the number of boards by providing multiple communication units on a board that receive information from the RF tags of multiple consumable cartridges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the water purification device of the present invention (1) is a water purification device that discharges water that has passed through multiple consumable cartridges, and is provided with multiple communication units on a substrate that perform wireless communication with the RF tags carried by the consumable cartridges, and is configured to allow the consumable cartridges to be attached, and the communication units are provided to correspond to each of the RF tags carried by the consumable cartridges.

[0017] The water purification device according to the present invention also has the following features. (2) The communication unit is disposed in a corner of the substrate. (3) Two consumable cartridges can be installed, the communication units are provided in the same number as the RF tags on the consumable cartridges, the communication units are positioned opposite the RF tags on the substrate within the housing of the water purification device, and one communication unit is positioned in each of the two end areas when the substrate is divided into four, corresponding to each of the RF tags on the two consumable cartridges. (4) Three or more consumable cartridges can be installed, the communication units are provided in the same number as the RF tags carried by the consumable cartridges, the communication units are positioned opposite the RF tags within the housing of the water purification device, and the communication units are arranged in a staggered pattern at approximately equal intervals on the substrate, corresponding to each of the RF tags carried by the consumable cartridges. (5) The consumable cartridges are arranged alternately on the front and back sides of the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the water purification device of the present invention, communication with the RF tags of multiple consumable cartridges can be performed on the board, eliminating the need to provide multiple boards and making it possible to provide a water purifier that can suppress increases in manufacturing costs due to the number of boards. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a water purifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of pipes and boards centered around the cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the cartridge and a control board. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a water purifier according to a second embodiment (the present invention). [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of pipes and boards centered around the cartridge. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the cartridge and a control board. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a control board of a water purifier according to a third embodiment (the present invention). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a control board of a water purifier according to a fourth embodiment (the present invention). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water purifier according to a fifth embodiment (the present invention). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyzed water generator according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the electrolyzed water generator. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a cartridge. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyzed water generator. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the electrolyzed water generator. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolyzed water generator. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the electrolytic water generator. [Figure 17] 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of an electrolytic water generator. [Figure 18] 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams showing various configurations of the cartridge. [Figure 19] 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams showing various configurations of the cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention provides a water purification device that discharges water that has passed through a cartridge containing consumable materials such as filtering material and electrolysis aids, and that is equipped with a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the RF tag carried by the consumable material cartridge, and a management unit that manages the consumable material cartridge based on information obtained through communication, while still being able to suppress increases in manufacturing costs due to the number of substrates.

[0021] A water purification device refers to a device that has the function of purifying supplied water and discharging it, and may also have other functions, such as the function of electrolyzing water or the function of dissolving predetermined components in water. In other words, water purification devices include water purifiers that specialize in the water purification function (however, they may also have other functions), and electrolytic water generators that electrolyze purified water and discharge it (however, they may also have a mode that allows them to discharge purified water without electrolysis).

[0022] A consumables cartridge is a cartridge that contains consumables for a water purification device. Consumables refer to at least the filtering material necessary for water purification, but other consumables necessary for realizing the additional functions of the water purification device, such as electrolysis promoters and pH adjusters, as well as cylinders used to increase the concentration of specific gases dissolved in water, such as hydrogen water, are also included in the concept of a consumables cartridge.

[0023] In addition, although consumable materials are necessary for the use of a water purification device, their function weakens or is impaired over time, or in some cases, their function increases to the point where they are no longer suitable for use, and so they can be understood as changing from their initial state to a state that is no longer suitable for use over time and as the water purification device is used to an extent.

[0024] Hereinafter, the water purification device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] [First embodiment] The water purifying device according to the first embodiment is a water purifier A1 specialized for water purification function, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration thereof.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the internal structure of the water purifier A1 is broadly divided into a water flow system structure 11 that processes the supplied water as it flows through it, and an electrical system structure 12 that performs the electrical control and management required for the water flow and processing in the water flow system structure 11, and these are housed and arranged within a roughly box-shaped housing 13.

[0027] The water supply system structure 11 is configured by connecting a water supply pipe 16 from a water supply port 14 to a water discharge pipe connection port 15, and a hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and a flow rate sensor 18 are installed midway through the water supply pipe 16.

[0028] The water supply port 14 is an inlet for receiving water (raw water), which is the raw material for producing purified water, and is supplied with, for example, tap water. In this embodiment, raw water is supplied from a water pipe 20 via a water faucet 21, which is provided with a branch stop 22. One end of a water supply hose 23 is connected to the branch stop 22, and the other end of the water supply hose 23 is connected to the water supply port 14. The raw water supplied via the water supply port 14 is supplied to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 via a raw water supply pipe 24.

[0029] The hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is a consumable cartridge for filtering raw water using a hollow fiber membrane disposed inside as a consumable filtering material to produce filtered water. Raw water supplied through the raw water supply pipe 24 is introduced through the inlet 17a, filtered by the hollow fiber membrane to become filtered water, and then discharged from the outlet 17b.

[0030] The hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is a consumable cartridge that can be replaced by the user of the water purifier A1, and replaceable genuine or non-genuine hollow fiber membrane cartridges are commercially available.

[0031] 1, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 disposed in the water passage structure 11 is a genuine cartridge and is equipped with an RF tag 17c. The RF tag 17c stores unique information (ID information) that can identify it as a genuine cartridge, and wirelessly communicates with a communication unit (described later) to perform an operation depending on whether the attached cartridge is genuine or non-genuine. Note that this operation is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, which will be described later, and therefore will not be described here.

[0032] The filtered water flowing out from outlet 17b is supplied to flow sensor 18 via filtered water supply pipe 25. Flow sensor 18 is configured to be able to measure the flow rate of water; for example, a propeller is provided in the center of flow sensor 18, and the flow rate of water is measured based on the rotation speed of the propeller. Flow sensor 18 is electrically connected to electrical structure 12, and outputs an electrical signal (flow rate signal) corresponding to the flow rate of filtered water. Based on this electrical signal, electrical structure 12 calculates the flow rate of filtered water, particularly the amount of water that has flowed through the consumables cartridge interposed in water flow system structure 11 (in this first embodiment, the amount of water that has flowed through hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17).

[0033] The filtered water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 18 further reaches the discharge pipe connection port 15 via a filtered water supply pipe 25. A discharge pipe 26 is connected to the discharge pipe connection port 15, and the filtered water is discharged as purified water.

[0034] The electrical system structure 12 is a part that performs the electrical control and management required for water flow and treatment in the water flow system structure 11, and is operated by power supplied from a commercial power source or the like via a power cable.

[0035] The electrical structure 12 is equipped with a control unit 30 that performs overall control of the water purifier A1. The control unit 30, for example, calculates the amount of water passing through the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 based on the flow rate signal output from the flow rate sensor 18, manages the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 based on the amount of water passing through, and displays various information about the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 to the user (such as information about the cumulative amount of water passing through and information about when to replace the cartridge). In other words, the board on which the control unit 30 is mounted is equipped with a management unit that manages the cartridge and a display unit that displays various information.

[0036] The electrical structure 12 is also provided with a communication unit 31. This communication unit 31 is a part that constitutes an RFID system together with the RF tag 17c provided in the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and reads ID information stored in the RF tag 17c provided in the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 via wireless communication, and writes various pieces of information to the RF tag 17c. Note that although the communication unit 31 is shown in a position separated from the control unit 30 in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, as will be explained below, the communication unit 31 is mounted on the same board as the board on which the control unit 30 is mounted.

[0037] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the pipes and substrates, centered around the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, among the components housed in the housing 13 of the water purifier A1. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is suspended downward from a piping casing 35 that houses a raw water supply pipe 24 and a filtered water supply pipe 25, and a substrate casing 36 is provided adjacent to the side of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2(b), a board (control board 37) on which the control unit 30, communication unit 31, and the like described above are mounted is disposed inside the board casing .

[0039] Here, the positional relationship between the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the control board 37 will be further explained. As shown by hatching in FIG. 3(a), the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 has an RF tag 17c disposed on its side surface.

[0040] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), the control board 37 is equipped with a communication unit 31 that performs wireless communication with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, a management unit 38 that is part of the control unit 30 that manages the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 based on information obtained through the communication, and a display unit 39 that displays and notifies the user of specified information.

[0041] Furthermore, Figure 3(c) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the control board 37, omitting the illustration of the piping casing 35 and the substrate casing 36 shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b). As shown in Figure 3(c), the communication unit 31 mounted on the control board 37 together with the management unit 38 is arranged opposite the RF tag 17c, enabling communication between the communication unit 31 and the RF tag 17c.

[0042] Therefore, communication (hereinafter also referred to as RF communication) with the RF tag 17c arranged in the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 can be performed without the need to separately provide a substrate dedicated to the communication unit, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the water purifier A1.

[0043] Furthermore, the position of the communication unit 31 on the control board 37 is near the edge of the control board 37, and in this embodiment in particular, it is placed in the corner of the control board 37 (near the bottom left corner in Figure 3(c)).

[0044] Therefore, even if a part that generates noise that interferes with RF communication (hereinafter simply referred to as a noise source) is present on the same control board 37, RF communication can be carried out while avoiding the influence of the noise source as much as possible.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), the communication unit 31 is arranged on the control board 37 together with a display unit 39 that displays to the user management information regarding the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 generated by the management unit 38, such as the replacement time and water flow rate of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17.

[0046] Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate, independent board on which the communication unit 31 is mounted, and an increase in manufacturing costs resulting from the number of boards can be minimized.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2(b), the control board 37 is arranged approximately vertically within the housing 13 of the water purifier A1, and as shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), the display unit 39 is arranged in the center of the vertical length of the control board 37, i.e., in the upper half of the area above the imaginary line H shown by the dotted line in the figure, while the communication unit 31 is arranged in the lower half.

[0048] Therefore, even if a liquid crystal display or the like is used for the display unit 39 and can become a noise source, the communication unit 31 can be located at a distance from the display unit 39, thereby reducing the effect of noise on RF communication as much as possible. Note that, although the display unit 39 is mounted on the control board 37 in the first embodiment, this is not limited to this, and the display unit 39 may be mounted on a separate board located at a position that provides good visibility to the user as long as it does not contradict the purpose. This also applies to each embodiment described later.

[0049] Second Embodiment The water purifying device according to the second embodiment (the present invention) is also a water purifier A2 that specializes in water purification function, similar to the water purifier A1 shown in the first embodiment, but differs in that the number of consumable cartridges is increased to two, and the corresponding communication units are also increased to two. Note that in the following description, the same reference numerals may be used to designate components similar to those described above, and their description may be omitted.

[0050] That is, in comparison with the water purifier A1 described above with reference to Figure 1, the water purifier A2 is configured such that, as shown in Figure 4, an activated carbon cartridge 41 is provided at the downstream end of the filtered water supply pipe 25 that forms the downstream flow path of the flow sensor 18, and activated carbon-treated water treated by the activated carbon cartridge 41 is discharged as purified water.

[0051] The activated carbon cartridge 41, like the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, is a consumable cartridge for treating filtered water with activated carbon arranged inside as a consumable filtering material to produce activated carbon-treated water. The filtered water supplied through the filtered water supply pipe 25 is introduced through the inlet 41a, and after being subjected to an adsorption process of impurities and contaminants by the activated carbon, becomes activated carbon-treated water and is then discharged from the outlet 41b.

[0052] The activated carbon cartridge 41, together with the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, is a consumable cartridge that can be replaced by the user of the water purifier A2, and replaceable genuine or non-genuine activated carbon cartridges are commercially available.

[0053] 4, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41 disposed in the water passage structure 11 are both genuine cartridges and equipped with RF tags 17c and 41c. The RF tags 17c and 41c store unique information (ID information) that can identify them as genuine cartridges, and wireless communication is performed with a communication unit described later, so that an operation is performed depending on whether the installed cartridge is genuine or non-genuine. Note that this operation is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, which will be described later, and therefore will not be described here.

[0054] The activated carbon treated water flowing out from outlet 41b reaches discharge pipe connection port 15 via activated carbon treated water supply pipe 27. Discharge pipe 26 is connected to discharge pipe connection port 15, and the activated carbon treated water is discharged as purified water.

[0055] Also, the electrical structure 12 differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a first communication section 31a and a second communication section 31b.

[0056] The first communication unit 31a establishes an RFID system with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and the second communication unit 31b establishes an RFID system with the RF tag 41c of the activated carbon cartridge 41, and various information is written and read.

[0057] The control unit 30 also includes a display unit 39 that calculates the water flow rate of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41 based on the flow rate signal output from the flow rate sensor 18, manages each cartridge based on the water flow rate, and displays various information about each cartridge to the user (such as information about the cumulative water flow rate and information about when to replace it).

[0058] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the piping and circuit boards, centered around each cartridge, among the components housed in the housing 13 of the water purifier A2. As shown in Figure 5(a), the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41 hang down from a piping casing 35 that houses the raw water supply pipe 24, the filtered water supply pipe 25, and the activated carbon-treated water supply pipe 27, and a control board 37 is disposed inside a board casing 36 disposed to the side of each cartridge, as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0059] Here, to further explain the positional relationship between each cartridge and the control board 37, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41 have RF tags 17c and 41c arranged on their side faces, as shown by hatching in Figure 6(a).

[0060] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(b), the control board 37 is equipped with a first communication unit 31a that performs wireless communication with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, a second communication unit 31b that performs wireless communication with the RF tag 41c of the activated carbon cartridge 41, a management unit 38 that manages the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41 based on information obtained through these RF communications, and a display unit 39 that displays and notifies the user of specified information.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6(c), the first communication unit 31a is disposed opposite the RF tag 17c, and the second communication unit 31b is disposed opposite the RF tag 41c, so that communication can be performed between each communication unit 31 and the RF tag 17c or the RF tag 41c.

[0062] Therefore, two cartridges can be managed with one board, and RF communication can be performed without the need for multiple separate boards dedicated to the communication unit, which helps prevent the increase in manufacturing costs of the water purifier A2 that increases with the number of boards.The same is true for three or more cartridges, as multiple cartridges can be managed with one board, which helps prevent cost increases.

[0063] In addition, the number of cartridges used in this second embodiment is two. In this case, as shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), one communication unit 31 (first communication unit 31a, second communication unit 31b) is arranged in the regions at both ends when the left-right length of the control board 37 is divided into four, in this case, in the left-end region from the left edge to the virtual line V1 and in the right-end region from the virtual line V3 to the right edge of the left-side length divided into four by virtual lines V1, V2, and V3 extending perpendicular to the board, and corresponds to each of the RF tags possessed by the two consumable cartridges, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41, i.e., RF tag 17c and RF tag 41c.

[0064] Therefore, by ensuring as much distance as possible between the first communication unit 31a and the second communication unit 31b on the control board 37, interference between the RF communication between the first communication unit 31a and the RF tag 17c and the RF communication between the second communication unit 31b and the RF tag 41c can be prevented.

[0065] If such interference can be prevented, it will be possible to prevent adverse effects on transmission and reception in each RFID system as much as possible, and it will be possible to prevent the cartridges from being installed backwards, i.e., to install the activated carbon cartridge 41 in the installation position of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 in the installation position of the activated carbon cartridge 41.

[0066] Regarding the latter in particular, if the arrangement is such that the RF tag of a cartridge that should communicate with the second communication unit 31b can be present within the communication range of the first communication unit 31a, it is conceivable that the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 arranged in the reverse installation position will return a predetermined signal in response to the preamble signal from the communication unit 31a, and therefore the incorrect installation position cannot be detected (it will be mistaken for being installed in the correct position). However, by using the above-mentioned configuration, mutual interference between transmission and reception in each RFID system can be prevented, and a reliable judgment can be made as to whether the RF tag arranged in the corresponding position of each communication unit 31 is appropriate, i.e., whether the wrong type of consumable cartridge has been installed or whether a genuine cartridge has been installed.

[0067] In addition, in this second embodiment, the communication unit 31 (first communication unit 31a and second communication unit 31b) is arranged in the center of the vertical length of the control board 37, i.e., in the lower half area below the virtual line H shown by the dotted line in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), while the power supply unit 42 that supplies power to the management unit 38 and the display unit 39 that displays management information regarding each cartridge generated by the management unit 38 are arranged in the upper half area.

[0068] Therefore, the communication unit 31 can be placed at a location away from noise sources such as the liquid crystal display of the display unit 39, or the switching elements and transformers of the power supply unit 42, thereby reducing the impact of noise on RF communication as much as possible.

[0069] The RF tags do not necessarily need to be arranged directly opposite the communication units 31, but may be arranged so that appropriate RF tags are placed within the communication range of each communication unit 31.

[0070] For example, in this second embodiment, as shown in Figure 6(c), the projection position of each RF tag on the control board 37 is a position that is not entirely included within the placement position of the communication unit 31 (first communication unit 31a or second communication unit 31b), as shown in the hatched area.

[0071] On the other hand, when the positional relationship between each cartridge and control board 37 is viewed from above, as shown in Fig. 6(d), RF tag 17c is arranged within communication area 43a of first communication unit 31a, and RF tag 41c is arranged within communication area 43b of second communication unit 31b. In the following description, an RF tag arrangement position where the entire projection area of ​​the RF tag on the board is not included within the arrangement area of ​​the communication unit corresponding to that RF tag but is still within the communication area (excluding a position that overlaps with the communication area of ​​another communication unit) is also referred to as an offset position.

[0072] With this configuration, it is possible to maximize the distance between the first communication unit 31a and the second communication unit 31b that should be arranged on the control board 37, while still allowing stable RF communication. That is, it is also possible to configure stable RF communication by intentionally arranging RF tags in offset positions to maximize the distance between multiple communication units. However, if there is room in the board design, it is of course also possible to configure some or all of the RF tags to be arranged in positions directly opposite each communication unit.

[0073] Third Embodiment The water purification device of the third embodiment (the present invention) is also a water purifier A3 that is specialized in water purification functions, similar to the water purifiers A1 and A2 described so far, and in particular, like the water purifier A2, it has two consumable cartridges, but the positions of the two corresponding communication units on the board are different.

[0074] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the control board 37 of the water purifier A3. Like the control board 37 of the water purifier A2 previously described with reference to FIG. 6(b), the control board 37 of the water purifier A3 also includes a control unit 30, a first communication unit 31a corresponding to the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and a second communication unit 31b corresponding to the RF tag 41c of the activated carbon cartridge 41, but the first communication unit 31a is located in the lower half of the region below the imaginary line H, and the other second communication unit 31b is located in the upper half of the region.

[0075] With this configuration, the mutual placement distance between the first communication unit 31a and the second communication unit 31b can be increased on the approximately rectangular control board 37, thereby minimizing the risk of interference.

[0076] Furthermore, in this third embodiment, the control unit 30 is positioned approximately in the center of the control board 37 when viewed from the front, i.e., approximately in the center of the area occupied by the control unit 30, near the intersection of the virtual lines V2 and H, and the communication unit is positioned away from the noise source, thereby reducing the effect of noise on RF communication as much as possible.

[0077] Therefore, the water purifier A3 according to the third embodiment achieves more stable RF communication.

[0078] [Fourth embodiment] The water purification device of the fourth embodiment (present invention) is also a water purifier A4 specialized in water purification function, like the water purifiers A1 to A3 described so far, and is similar to water purifier A3 in that the two communication units (first communication unit 31a, second communication unit 31b) are positioned near diagonal corners on the board, but is different in configuration in that the consumable material cartridge corresponding to one communication unit is positioned on one side of the board, and the consumable material cartridge corresponding to the other communication unit is positioned on the other side of the board.

[0079] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the control board 37 of the water purifier A4, and FIG. 8(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between each cartridge and the control board 37 as viewed from above.

[0080] As shown in Figure 8(a), the control board 37 of the water purifier A4 has a configuration that is approximately the same as the control board 37 of the water purifier A3 shown in Figure 7, but the first communication unit 31a is mounted on the back side of the paper, sandwiched between the control board 37, while the second communication unit 31b is mounted on the front side of the paper.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the positional relationship between each communication unit and each consumable material cartridge is such that for the first communication unit 31a arranged on one side of the control board 37, that is, the upper side of the paper, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is arranged within the communication area 43a on the same side (the side opposite the one side), and for the second communication unit 31b arranged on the other side of the control board 37, that is, the lower side of the paper, the activated carbon cartridge 41 is arranged within the communication area 43b on the other side (the side opposite the other side), and the consumable material cartridges are arranged alternately on the one side and the other side, with the control board 37 as the boundary.

[0082] Therefore, mutual interference between transmission and reception in each RFID system can be prevented, and a reliable judgment can be made as to whether the RF tag placed in the corresponding position of each communication unit 31 is appropriate, i.e., whether the wrong type of consumable cartridge is installed or whether a genuine cartridge is installed.

[0083] Fifth Embodiment The water purification device of the fifth embodiment (the present invention) is also a water purifier A5 specialized in water purification function, like the water purifiers A1 to A4 described so far, and is particularly similar to water purifier A3 in that it is equipped with multiple communication units.However, the configuration is different in that while water purifier A3 has two communication units, water purifier A5 has more communication units, specifically three communication units as an example.

[0084] That is, in comparison with the water purifier A2 previously described with reference to Figure 4, the water purifier A5 is configured such that, as shown in Figure 9(a), a baked coral cartridge 43 is provided at the downstream end of the activated carbon treated water supply pipe 27 which forms the downstream flow path of the activated carbon cartridge 41, and the baked coral treated water treated by the baked coral cartridge 43 is discharged as purified water.

[0085] The burned coral cartridge 43 is a cartridge for treating activated carbon-treated water with burned coral disposed inside as a consumable component additive to produce burned coral-treated water, and is a consumable cartridge like the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41. Filtrate water supplied through the activated carbon-treated water supply pipe 27 is introduced through the inlet 43a, becomes burned coral-treated water due to the natural calcium components eluted from the burned coral, and is then discharged from the outlet 43b.

[0086] The burnt coral cartridge 43, along with the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and the activated carbon cartridge 41, is a consumable cartridge that can be replaced by the user of the water purifier A5, and replaceable genuine or non-genuine burnt coral cartridges are commercially available.

[0087] 9(a), the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, activated carbon cartridge 41, and burnt coral cartridge 43 arranged in the water passage structure 11 are all genuine cartridges and equipped with RF tags 17c, 41c, and 43c. The RF tags 17c, 41c, and 43c store unique information (ID information) that can identify them as genuine cartridges, and wireless communication is performed with a communication unit described later, so that an operation is performed depending on whether the installed cartridge is genuine or non-genuine. Note that this operation is the same as that of the sixth embodiment described later, and therefore will not be described here.

[0088] The activated carbon treated water flowing out from the outlet 43b reaches the discharge pipe connection port 15 via the burned coral treated water supply pipe 28. A discharge pipe 26 is connected to the discharge pipe connection port 15, and the burned coral treated water is discharged as purified water.

[0089] Also, the electrical structure 12 differs from the second embodiment in that it includes a third communication section 31c in addition to the first communication section 31a and the second communication section 31b.

[0090] An RFID system is constructed between the first communication unit 31a and the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, the second communication unit 31b and the RF tag 41c of the activated carbon cartridge 41, and the third communication unit 31c and the RF tag 43c of the fired coral cartridge 43, and various information is written and read.

[0091] The control unit 30 also includes a display unit 39 that calculates the water flow rate of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, activated carbon cartridge 41, and baked coral cartridge 43 based on the flow rate signal output from the flow rate sensor 18, manages each cartridge based on the water flow rate, and displays various information about each cartridge to the user (such as information on the cumulative water flow rate and information on when to replace it).

[0092] 9(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the control board 37 of the water purifier A5. The control board 37 of the water purifier A5 is disposed substantially vertically within the housing of the water purification device, and three communication units, a first communication unit 31a to a third communication unit 31c, are disposed on the board.

[0093] Furthermore, regarding the arrangement of these first communication unit 31a to third communication unit 31c, the position of each communication unit in the left-right direction is within the two end regions when the left-right length of the control board 37 is divided into four, that is, within the left-right length divided into four by virtual lines V1, V2, and V3, one communication unit 31 (first communication unit 31a, third communication unit 31c) is arranged in the left end region from the left edge to virtual line V1 and one in the right end region from virtual line V3 to the right edge, and all remaining communication units are arranged between this first communication unit 31a and third communication unit 31c so that in this fifth embodiment, the second communication unit 31b is positioned so that they are approximately equally spaced apart.

[0094] In addition, the vertical (up and down) positions of each communication unit are staggered near the upper and lower edges, separated by an imaginary line H shown by a dotted line, and correspond to the RF tags that each cartridge has.

[0095] Therefore, interference between the RF communications carried out between the communication units and the RF tags can be prevented by ensuring as much distance as possible between the three or more communication units on the control board 37. As a modification of the fifth embodiment, it goes without saying that the consumable cartridges may be arranged alternately on one side and the other side of the control board 37, as in the previously described fourth embodiment.

[0096] Sixth Embodiment The water purification device according to the sixth embodiment is a continuous electrolyzed water generator A6 that continuously electrolyzes raw water flowing in from a tap or the like and discharges the resulting electrolyzed water, such as alkaline water. The electrolyzed water generator A6 has a hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 in the water flow structure 11, and generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing filtered water (purified water) filtered by this hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, which is one aspect of the water purification device according to the present invention.

[0097] As shown in Figure 10, the electrolyzed water generator A6 of this sixth embodiment receives raw water supplied from a water pipe 20 via a water faucet 21 or a branch valve 22 through a water inlet 14, and performs water purification and electrolysis on the water as it passes through a water supply pipe 16, and then discharges electrolyzed water from a water discharge pipe 26.

[0098] The housing 13 of the electrolyzed water generator A6 contains a hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, a flow sensor 18 for measuring the flow rate of the filtered water (purified water) filtered by the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, a salt addition tube 44a for adding salt to the filtered water, a calcium addition tube 44b for adding calcium to the filtered water, a flow path switching unit 45 for switching whether the water passing through the flow sensor 18 is directed to the salt addition tube 44a or the calcium addition tube 44b, an electrolytic cell 46 having a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes 46a, 46b, 46c for electrolyzing the water that has passed through the salt addition tube 44a or the calcium addition tube 44b, an electrolyzed water flow path 47a for flowing the electrolyzed water to be used, and a discharge flow path 47b for discharging the water that is not to be used. The electrolyzed water that reaches the electrolyzed water flow path 47a is discharged through a water discharge pipe connection port 1. The purified water is discharged through a discharge pipe 26 connected to the nozzle 5.

[0099] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the electrolyzed water generator A6, with Figure 11(a) showing the front of the electrolyzed water generator A6 viewed from diagonally above the right, and Figure 11(b) showing the back of the electrolyzed water generator A6 viewed from diagonally above the right. In Figure 11(b), the cartridge cover 48 shown in Figure 11(a) has been removed to show the installation state of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17.

[0100] As shown in Figure 11(a), the front of the electrolytic water generator A6 is equipped with a display unit 39 that displays information about the electrolytic water being discharged, the operating status of each part of the device, particularly the cumulative amount of water passing through the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 and notification of replacement time, and an operation unit 47 that has multiple switches that instruct the electrolytic water generator A6 to start and stop and generate various types of electrolytic water, etc., and accepts user input.

[0101] Furthermore, a removable cartridge cover 48 is provided from the right side surface to the right rear surface as one of the components constituting the housing 13 of the electrolyzed water generator A6. This cartridge cover 48 covers the cartridge accommodating space S1 shown in Figure 11(b), and the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating space S1, allowing it to be attached.

[0102] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17. As shown in Figure 12, an RF tag 17c is disposed at a predetermined position on the body of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, enabling RF communication with a communication unit 31 on a board built into the electrolyzed water generator A6.

[0103] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the electrolyzed water generator A6, with Figure 13(a) showing the back of the electrolyzed water generator A6 viewed from diagonally above left, and Figure 13(b) being an exploded perspective view showing the main components of the electrolyzed water generator A6 other than the water flow system structure 11. As shown in Figure 13, the electrolyzed water generator A6 is equipped, from its front side to its rear side, with an operation panel 50, a front panel 51, a display unit mounting board 52, an electrolysis board 53, a board cover 54, a rear cover 55, and a cartridge cover 48.

[0104] In addition, a bottom case 57 is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic water generator A6, and an electrolytic transformer 58, which is a transformer for converting the voltage of the power supplied to the electrolytic power conversion unit described later, is arranged on top of the bottom case 57.

[0105] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the electrolytic water generator A6 as viewed from the rear side after removing the cartridge cover 48, rear cover 55, and board cover 54, in particular the arrangement of the display unit mounting board 52 and electrolysis board 53, and the arrangement of the mounted circuit components, etc.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 14, a display unit mounting substrate 52 and an electrolytic substrate 53 are arranged on the inner surface of a front panel 51 in a state where they are partially overlapped in the front-to-rear direction (front-to-rear direction).

[0107] The front panel 51 is a panel that forms the front of the housing 13, i.e., the front of the electrolytic water generator A6, and as shown in Figure 11(a), an exposure hole 39a is formed at the upper position of the center in the left-right direction to expose the display unit 39 so that it can be seen by the user.

[0108] The display unit mounting substrate 52 is a substantially rectangular substrate with a partial cutout, and is equipped with a control unit 30 that mainly performs overall control of the electrolyzed water generator A6. It is equipped with a communication unit 31 that performs wireless communication with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, a management unit 38 that manages the RF tag 17c based on information obtained through communication, and a display unit 39 that displays management information related to the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 generated by the management unit. The display unit 39 is mounted on the surface of the display unit mounting substrate 52 that faces the front panel 51, and the management information is visible to the user through the exposure hole 39a. The spiral pattern formed on the communication unit 31 is an antenna pattern for RF communication.

[0109] The electrolytic substrate 53 is a roughly rectangular substrate, although the vicinity of the upper left corner of the electrolytic substrate 53 in FIG. 14 is cut out or the vicinity of the upper right corner is formed to protrude upward, and is a substrate for generating, from a commercial power source or the like, power required for performing electrolysis and power required for operating the control unit 30.

[0110] On the electrolytic substrate 53, an electrolytic power conversion unit 60 and a control system power conversion transformer 61 are mounted.

[0111] The electrolytic power conversion unit 60 is a component that rectifies, transforms, and adjusts the current of the power obtained from a commercial power source or the like to convert it into a state suitable for supply to the aforementioned electrolytic cell 46. In the sixth embodiment, the voltage is transformed using a switching method, and although it is highly efficient and compact, it is also a source of high-frequency noise.

[0112] The control system power conversion transformer 61 is a transformer that converts (transforms) the power supplied to the display unit mounting board 52 on which various control system circuits are mounted. The control system power conversion transformer 61 is also one of the noise sources present in the electrolyzed water generator A6.

[0113] Furthermore, multiple cables 62 are connected to the electrolysis board 53. These cables are cables for receiving power from a commercial power source or cables for supplying power to the electrolytic cell 46, the display unit mounting board 52, and the electrolysis transformer 58, and the connection ends of these cables 62 on the electrolysis board 53 side are all connected on the board of the electrolysis board 53 to an imaginary line V4 shown by a dashed dotted line in Fig. 14, i.e., to the left half space (the housing space S2L on the left side when viewed from the front of the electrolytic water generator A6) partitioned by the imaginary line V4 (imaginary plane) that partitions the space inside the housing 13 of the electrolyzed water generator A6 (the housing space S2) into left and right parts.

[0114] In addition, in the housing space S2 of the electrolytic water generator A6, an electrolytic transformer 58 is disposed on the housing space S2L side above the bottom case 57. This electrolytic transformer 58 is a transformer for converting the voltage of the power supplied to the electrolytic power converter 60, and is also one of the noise sources present in the electrolytic water generator A6, similar to the control system power conversion transformer 61 and the like.

[0115] The electrolyzed water generator A6 having such a configuration has the following features: In the electrolyzed water generator A6, which is one form of a water purification device including a display unit mounting board 52 on which the communication unit 31 and the management unit 38 are mounted, and an electrolytic cell 46, the display unit 39 is mounted on the display unit mounting board 52, while the electrolysis power conversion unit 60 is mounted on an electrolysis board 53 as a separate second board, and further, as shown in Fig. 14, the display unit mounting board 52 and the electrolysis board 53 are arranged in an overlapping manner, which allows the electrolyzed water generator A6 itself to be compact.

[0116] In addition, the communication unit 31 mounted on the display unit placement board 52 is positioned so as not to overlap with the electrolysis board 53 when viewed from the front to back of the electrolytic water generator A6, as shown in Figure 14, thereby preventing the electrolysis board 53, which has many noise sources, from interfering with RF communication as much as possible.

[0117] Furthermore, the communication unit 31 on the display unit placement substrate 52 is positioned at a diagonal corner of the electrolytic power conversion unit 60 in a projected shape when viewed from the front to back of both superimposed substrates, thereby reducing the effect of switching noise originating from the electrolytic power conversion unit 60.

[0118] Furthermore, although the switching elements of the electrolytic power conversion unit 60, which employs a switching system, generate a relatively large amount of heat, the RF communication control IC (not shown) disposed in the communication unit 31 is disposed as far away as possible from the electrolytic power conversion unit 60. This prevents the RF communication control IC from malfunctioning due to temperature changes, enabling more stable RF communication.

[0119] In addition, the electrolytic transformer 58 is arranged in one half of the space S2 inside the housing (space S2L inside the housing), while the communication unit 31 is arranged in an area on the display unit mounting substrate 52 that is arranged in the other half of the space S2 inside the housing (space S2R inside the housing).

[0120] Therefore, the influence of noise originating from the electrolytic transformer 58 on RF communication can be minimized, and malfunction of the RF communication control IC caused by heat generation from the electrolytic transformer 58 can be prevented, allowing for more stable RF communication.

[0121] The electrolytic transformer 58 is disposed near the bottom of one half of the housing space S2 (housing space S2L), in this embodiment, on the bottom case 57. Therefore, the center of gravity of the electrolytic water generator A6 can be made as low as possible to make it less likely to tip over, and the tipping stability of the product can be improved.

[0122] Furthermore, the control system power conversion transformer 61 is disposed in one half of the housing space S2 (housing space S2L), which makes it possible to minimize the effect of noise originating from the control system power conversion transformer 61 on RF communication, and also to prevent malfunction of the RF communication control IC caused by heat generation from the control system power conversion transformer 61, enabling more stable RF communication.

[0123] Furthermore, the control-system power conversion transformer 61 is mounted in an area arranged in one half of the space inside the housing (the space inside the housing S2L) on the electrolytic substrate 53. Therefore, the wiring connecting the electrolytic substrate 53 and the control-system power conversion transformer 61 can be shortened, which not only suppresses noise generated from the wiring connecting the two but also allows the product itself to be made more compact.

[0124] Furthermore, the cable connection between the display unit mounting board 52 and the electrolysis board 53, and the cable connection between the electrolysis board 53 and the electrolytic cell 46, are made in one half of the housing space S2 (housing space S2L). Therefore, the influence of noise originating from the cable 62 on RF communication can be minimized.

[0125] Another feature of the electrolytic water generator A6 according to the sixth embodiment is that RF communication between the communication unit 31 and the RF tag 17c arranged in the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is carried out via multiple covers.

[0126] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrolytic water generator A6, taken along a plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, at the mounting position of the communication unit 31.

[0127] In the previous explanation, the space S2 inside the housing of the electrolytic water generator A6 was divided into two spaces, the space S2L inside the housing and the space S2R inside the housing, on the left and right sides. However, if we divide the space S2 further based on the functions of the components etc. arranged in each space, the space S2 inside the housing can be broadly divided into a water flow system arrangement space S3a and an electrical system arrangement space S3b.

[0128] 15(a), the water-passage system arrangement space S3a and the electrical system arrangement space S3b are spaces partitioned by a board cover 54, and while the water-passage system arrangement space S3a mainly contains water-passage system components such as the water pipe 16, electrolytic cell 46, and hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, the electrical system arrangement space S3b mainly contains electrical system components such as the display unit arrangement board 52 and electrolysis board 53. Note that the components arranged in each of these spaces are not strictly distinguished, and some electrically operated components, such as electromagnetic valves, are arranged in the water-passage system arrangement space S3a.

[0129] The water supply system arrangement space S3a is further divided into a cartridge accommodation space S1 and a remaining space S4.

[0130] The cartridge storage space S1 and the remaining space S4 are spaces partitioned by the rear cover 55, with the cartridge storage space S1 being a space for storing and installing the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and the remaining space S4 being a space for storing other water-permeable components.

[0131] In the electrolytic water generator A6 having such a configuration, the communication unit 31 is further provided on the display unit arrangement board 52 in correspondence with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 housed in the cartridge storage space S1, as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 15(b), and the electrical system arrangement space S3b and the water flow system arrangement space S3a are separated by a board cover 54, and the cartridge storage space S1 and the remaining space S4 of the water flow system arrangement space S3a are separated by a rear cover 55, so that the board cover 54 and the rear cover 55 are interposed between the communication unit 31 and the RF tag 17c.

[0132] Therefore, even if water leaks from the electrolytic cell 46, the water pipe 16, the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, etc., the water is unlikely to get on the communication unit 31, and any malfunctions can be prevented as much as possible.

[0133] Next, the electrical configuration of the electrolytic water generator A6 will be further described. Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the main components of the electrical configuration of the electrolytic water generator A6.

[0134] The electrolytic water generator A6 comprises an electrolytic transformer 58, an electrolytic board 53, an electrolytic cell 46, and a display unit mounting board 52, and the electrolytic board 53 comprises an electrolytic power conversion unit 60 and a control system power conversion transformer 61, and the display unit mounting board 52 comprises a communication unit 31 and a display unit 39.

[0135] The electrolytic transformer 58 is a transformer for stepping down the AC voltage input from, for example, a commercial power supply 65 to about AC 30-0 V. The power stepped down by the electrolytic transformer 58 is supplied to the electrolytic power conversion unit 60.

[0136] The electrolysis power conversion unit 60 is a component that performs full-wave rectification and further converts, by switching, the power into a state suitable for supply to the electrolysis baths 46. The electrolysis power conversion unit 60 is connected to the electrolysis baths 46 and supplies power to each of them.

[0137] The electrolytic cell 46 has a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes 46a, 46b, 46c, and is the part that electrolyzes the water that has passed through the salt addition cylinder 44a or the calcium addition cylinder 44b. The water that has been electrolyzed by the electrolytic cell 46 is discharged as purified electrolyzed water through the discharge pipe 26. The electrolytic cell 46 is also electrically connected to the display unit mounting board 52, and is capable of transmitting a signal indicating the value of the current flowing during electrolysis to the display unit mounting board 52.

[0138] The control system power conversion transformer 61 is a transformer for stepping down the AC voltage input from, for example, a commercial power supply 65 to about AC 12 V. The electrolytic circuit board 53 full-wave rectifies and smoothes the power transformed by the control system power conversion transformer 61, and supplies the power to drive ICs, solenoid valves, etc. on the display unit mounting board 52.

[0139] The communication unit 31 and display unit 39 mounted on the display unit mounting board 52 are as described above, and therefore will not be described here. Note that the electrolytic transformer 58 and the control system power conversion transformer 61 are not limited to the transformers shown in Fig. 14, but also include a transformer for switching applications mounted directly on a board used for a switching power supply.

[0140] Next, the operation performed by the control unit 30 provided on the display unit mounting board 52 of the electrolyzed water generator A6 will be described. Figure 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the electrolyzed water generator A6. The control unit 30 is provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the CPU executes a predetermined program while referring to the ROM and RAM to perform the management process for the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 described below. Note that this cartridge management process is executed as part of the overall control process of the electrolyzed water generator A6 performed by the control unit 30, but a description of this process will be omitted here.

[0141] In the cartridge management process, the control unit 30 first performs an immersion determination process for the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 installed in the cartridge accommodating space S1 (step S11). Specifically, RF communication is performed with the RF tag 17c of the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, and information specific to the genuine product is read from the RF tag 17c.

[0142] Next, the control unit 30 determines whether the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is genuine, i.e., whether information specific to the genuine product has been read by RF communication (step S12). If the information specific to the genuine product cannot be read (step S12: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to step S13.

[0143] In step S13, the control unit 30 displays on the display unit 39 a message urging the user to use a genuine cartridge, such as "Please use a genuine cartridge," and returns the process to the routine before the branch. At this time, the control unit 30 may control the electrolyzed water generator A6 to a state where electrolyzed water (purified water) can be produced, or may control it to a state where production is not possible.

[0144] On the other hand, if the information specific to the genuine product is read in step S12 (step S12: Yes), that is, if it is confirmed that the installed hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 is a genuine product, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0145] In step S14, the control unit 30 reads various types of history information, such as the cumulative amount of water flowing and the cumulative time of water flowing, from the RF tag 17c.

[0146] Next, the control unit 30 performs a process of comparing the various pieces of read history information with predetermined values ​​stored in advance in RAM or ROM, that is, threshold values ​​that serve as a guide for cartridge replacement (step S15).

[0147] Next, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the values ​​of the various history information exceed predetermined values ​​as a result of the comparison (step S16). If it is determined that the values ​​exceed the predetermined values ​​(step S16: Yes), the control unit 30 proceeds to step S17.

[0148] In step S17, the control unit 30 displays on the display unit 39 a message urging the user to replace the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17, such as "Please replace the cartridge," and returns the process to the routine before the branch. At this time, the control unit 30 may control the electrolyzed water generator A6 to a state where electrolyzed water (purified water) can be produced, or may control it to a state where production is not possible.

[0149] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the predetermined value has not been exceeded (step S16: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to step S18.

[0150] In step S18, the control unit 30 counts the time and amount of water flow based on the flow rate signal sent from the flow rate sensor 18 as the user flows water through the electrolytic water generator A6 and electrolysis is performed.

[0151] Next, when the user stops the water flow or electrolysis of the electrolytic water generator A6, the control unit 30 performs RF communication with the RF tag 17c to write various history information stored in the RF tag 17c, such as the accumulated water flow volume and accumulated water flow time, and updates this information (step S19). After completing this step S19, the control unit 30 returns the process to the routine before the branch.

[0152] Furthermore, with the electrolytic water generator A6 having such a configuration, by determining the authenticity of genuine products, it is possible to detect non-genuine cartridges that are being supplied to the market by third parties as compatible products, and to warn or discourage users from using non-genuine cartridges that have questionable effects, such as water purification effects, that are required of consumable cartridges, or that may be of poor quality.

[0153] For these processes, so-called IoT technology may be appropriately adopted. For example, the electrolyzed water generator A6 may be configured to be connectable to the Internet, and the user may be able to order a desired cartridge via a touch panel on the display unit 39.

[0154] The device may also be configured to be able to link (communicate) with a smartphone. For example, an application installed on the smartphone can be used to check the current flow rate and usage time, as well as the progress of usage. It may also be possible to prompt the user to purchase a new cartridge or order a new cartridge via the smartphone before the flow rate reaches a predetermined value that indicates when the cartridge should be replaced.

[0155] The information written by the electrolyzed water generator A6 to the RF tag 17c can include not only the history information described above, but also other information, such as the accumulated electrolysis time, product error information, and, if equipped with a water conductivity sensor or pH sensor, measurement results such as conductivity and pH.

[0156] The electrolyzed water generator A6 can also be equipped with a means for identifying its installation location, such as a global positioning system (GPS). For example, based on the location information obtained from the GPS, it can perform treatment according to the properties and pH characteristics of the water in that area.

[0157] Furthermore, if various information is stored on the RF tag of the consumable cartridge, for example, when a distributor of water purification equipment or cartridges collects used cartridges for recycling, they can read the stored data and obtain information such as user usage status even when the product is installed in the user's home, which can be used for future product development and to improve defects in current products.

[0158] Seventh Embodiment The seventh embodiment relates to a cartridge to be attached to the water purification device according to the first to sixth embodiments, and particularly to a protective structure for an RF tag. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing various configurations of an ion water cartridge, which is one form of a consumable goods cartridge.

[0159] 18(a) is a typical cylindrical cartridge with an inlet 71a and an outlet 71b at the bottom. An RF tag 71c is provided in the body of the ion water cartridge 71, but the RF tag 71c is provided in a recess 71d formed in the body, and is positioned radially lower than the overall curved surface of the body.

[0160] The ionized water cartridge 72 shown in Figure 18(b) differs from the ionized water cartridge 71 in that it has an inlet 72a on the bottom surface and an outlet 72b on the top surface, but has the same configuration as the ionized water cartridge 71 in that an RF tag 72c is disposed in a recess 72d.

[0161] Furthermore, with these ionized water cartridges 71 and 72, even when they are placed with their bodies in contact with a flat surface such as a table, as shown in Figure 18(c), the RF tags 71c and 72c do not come into contact with the flat surface, preventing the RF tags from being damaged.

[0162] In particular, RF tags have built-in ICs and require careful handling, while cartridges are often cylindrical and prone to rolling. If the RF tag is placed in the body, it is expected that the RF tag will be damaged by contact with the floor. However, by using this type of configuration, the built-in IC can be adequately protected.

[0163] Furthermore, such recesses may be provided not only on the body but also on the top surface. That is, as shown in Fig. 18(d), it is possible to provide an inlet 73a and an outlet 73b on one surface (here, the bottom surface) and form a recess 73d on the other surface (here, the top surface) in which an RF tag 73c is disposed. Furthermore, with a configuration such as this ionized water cartridge 73, compared to the ionized water cartridges 71 and 72, the RF tag 73c is disposed on a surface different from the rolling surface, which further prevents the RF tag from being damaged.

[0164] The ionized water cartridges 71, 72, and 73 described above are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the above-described cartridges for consumable goods can be generally applied.

[0165] Eighth Embodiment The eighth embodiment relates to a protective structure for an RF tag, similar to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing various configurations of a protective structure for an RF tag in an ionized water cartridge, which is one form of consumable goods cartridge, and which is a composite cartridge configured to use two separate cartridges, upper and lower, for example, a hollow fiber membrane separate cartridge and an activated carbon separate cartridge, in combination.

[0166] 19(a) shows a composite cartridge 80 configured to use a combination of a hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81 and an activated carbon segment cartridge 82, with an inlet 80a formed on the bottom surface on the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81 side and an outlet 80b formed on the top surface on the activated carbon segment cartridge 82 side. A watertight joint structure is provided between the top surface of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81 and the bottom surface of the activated carbon segment cartridge 82, allowing the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81 and the activated carbon segment cartridge 82 to be separated and connected.

[0167] In addition, at the joint portion between the hollow fiber membrane dividing cartridge 81 and the activated carbon dividing cartridge 82, a joint flange portion 80e is formed that protrudes radially outward around the circumference compared to the circumferential surface of the body of the hollow fiber membrane dividing cartridge 81 or the activated carbon dividing cartridge 82.

[0168] In addition, an RF tag 81c is arranged in a recess 81d in the body of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81, and the position of this recess 81d on the body surface in the axial direction is closer to the joint flange portion 80e than the bottom surface.

[0169] Furthermore, with a composite cartridge 80 having such a configuration, the joint flange portion 80e has high strength, so stable RF communication can be performed without being affected by deformation or swelling of the composite cartridge 80 due to water pressure when water is passing through.

[0170] Figure 19(b) shows a composite cartridge 83 having a configuration similar to that of the composite cartridge 80, which is configured by combining a hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 84 and an activated carbon segment cartridge 85, and which has an inlet 83a, an outlet 83b, and a joint flange portion 83e, and an RF tag 84c is arranged on the body of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 84, but a marker 81f is attached instead of the recess 81d.

[0171] Furthermore, with this configuration, when the RF tag 84c is attached by adhesion, an operator can easily recognize the attachment position during cartridge manufacturing, thereby improving workability.

[0172] Figure 19(c) shows a composite cartridge 86 that has a configuration similar to that of the composite cartridge 80, and is configured to use a combination of a hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 87 and an activated carbon segment cartridge 88. It has an inlet 86a, an outlet 86b, and a joint flange portion 86e, and an RF tag 87c is arranged on the body of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 87. However, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 19(c), instead of the recess 81d, part of the circumferential curved surface of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 87 is made into a flat surface 87g, and the RF tag 87c is arranged on this flat surface 87g.

[0173] In addition, an inlet side flange 86f is formed at the peripheral position on the bottom side of the curved body surface of the hollow fiber membrane dividing cartridge 87, protruding radially outward relative to the peripheral body surface, and an outlet side flange 86g is formed at the peripheral position on the top side of the curved body surface of the activated carbon dividing cartridge 88, protruding radially outward relative to the peripheral body surface.

[0174] According to this configuration, when the RF tag 87c is attached by adhesion, the worker in manufacturing the cartridge can easily recognize the attachment position, thereby improving workability. Furthermore, because the RF tag 87c can be attached to a flat surface, the load on the RF tag 87c due to bending can be reduced compared to when the RF tag 87c is attached to a curved surface. Furthermore, because the inlet-side flange 86f and the outlet-side flange 86g make the body portions of the hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 81 and the activated carbon segment cartridge 82 relatively concave, even when the composite cartridge 86 is placed lying flat on a flat surface such as a table, the RF tag 87c will not come into contact with the flat surface, thereby minimizing damage to the RF tag 87c.

[0175] Figure 19(d) shows a composite cartridge 89 having a configuration similar to that of the composite cartridge 86, which is configured by combining a hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 90 and an activated carbon segment cartridge 91, and which has an inlet 89a, an outlet 89b, and a joint flange portion 89e.The hollow fiber membrane segment cartridge 90 has an RF tag 90c arranged on a flat surface 90g on its body, and is equipped with an inlet side flange 89f and an outlet side flange 89g.Furthermore, part of the curved surface around the periphery of the activated carbon segment cartridge 91 is made into a flat surface 91g, and an RF tag 91c is arranged on this flat surface 91g.

[0176] With this configuration, since both split cartridges are provided with RF tags, even if the consumable parts in each split cartridge are different and are replaced individually, they can be managed separately. In this case, the RF tags should be positioned so that their RF communication signals do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, while each composite cartridge in the eighth embodiment has an inlet formed on one end face and an outlet formed on the other end face, it is of course possible to provide both an inlet and an outlet on one or the other end face, as shown in FIG. 18(a).

[0177] As described above, in the water purification device of this embodiment, in a water purification device that discharges water that has passed through a consumable goods cartridge, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the RF tag carried by the consumable goods cartridge and a management unit that manages the consumable goods cartridge based on information obtained through the communication are mounted on a single board.Therefore, it is possible to provide a water purifier or electrolytic water generator that is equipped with a communication unit and a management unit, yet is able to suppress increases in manufacturing costs due to the number of boards.

[0178] Finally, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, even if the embodiments are different from those described above, various modifications can be made depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0179] For example, in the electrolyzed water generator A6 described in the sixth embodiment, the display unit mounting substrate 52 and the electrolysis substrate 53 are separate substrates, but they may be configured as a single substrate.

[0180] That is, in an electrolytic water generator, which is one aspect of a water purification device equipped with a substrate on which a communication unit 31 and a management unit 38 are mounted, and an electrolytic cell 46, the substrate may be configured to have an electrolytic power conversion unit 60 that converts power into a state suitable for supply to the electrolytic cell 46, and a display unit 39 that displays management information regarding the hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17 generated by the management unit 38, arranged thereon.

[0181] In this case, the electrolytic power conversion unit 60 is placed near one corner of the substrate, and the communication unit 31 is placed near the corner diagonally opposite the corner where the electrolytic power conversion unit 60 is placed, thereby reducing the effect of switching noise originating from the electrolytic power conversion unit 60.

[0182] Furthermore, the water purification device is not limited to those that perform the functions of the water purifier or electrolytic water generator described in the above embodiments, and any device that introduces supplied water into the device, purifies it, and discharges it is included in the water purification device of the present invention. However, the applicant is not prevented from limiting the form of the water purification device when patenting this application.

[0183] Furthermore, the number of communication units and consumable cartridges that can be provided in a water purification device such as a water purifier or electrolytic water generator is not particularly limited, and it is of course possible to provide one, or even more communication units and consumable cartridges, such as two, three, or in some cases four or more.

[0184] The water purification device according to the present invention can contribute to Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 17 Hollow fiber membrane cartridge 17c RF tag 18 Flow Sensor 31 Communications Department 37 Control board 38 Management Department 39 Display section 41 Activated carbon cartridge 42 Power supply section 43 Baked Coral Cartridges 46 Electrolytic cell 47 Control section 52 Display unit placement board 53 Electrolytic substrate 54 Circuit board cover 55 rear cover 57 Bottom case 58 Electrolytic transformer 60 Electrolytic power conversion unit 61 Control system power conversion transformer 62 Cable A1-A5 water purifier A6 Electrolyzed water generator S1 Cartridge storage space S2 Space inside the enclosure S2L enclosure space S2R housing space S3a Water system layout space S3b Electrical system layout space S4 remaining space

Claims

1. In a water purifying device that discharges water that has passed through a plurality of consumable cartridges, a plurality of communication units on a substrate for wirelessly communicating with the RF tag of the consumable supply cartridge; The water purification device is configured to allow the consumable goods cartridges to be attached, and the communication unit is provided in correspondence with each of the RF tags on the consumable goods cartridges.

2. The water purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is disposed in a corner of the substrate.

3. The number of consumable cartridges that can be attached is two, the communication units are provided in the same number as the RF tags of the consumable goods cartridges; The substrate is disposed in a housing of the water purification device so that the communication unit faces the RF tag, The water purification device described in claim 1, characterized in that the communication unit is arranged in each of the two quadrant areas of the substrate, and corresponds to each of the RF tags carried by the two consumable cartridges.

4. The number of the consumable cartridges that can be attached is three or more, the communication units are provided in the same number as the RF tags of the consumable goods cartridges; The substrate is disposed in a housing of the water purification device so that the communication unit faces the RF tag, the communication units are arranged in a staggered pattern at substantially equal intervals on the substrate, 2. The water purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the RF tags of the consumable goods cartridges correspond to each other.

5. 5. The water purifying device according to claim 3, wherein the consumable goods cartridges are alternately arranged on the front side and the back side of the base plate.

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