A device to experience the water purification capabilities of a water purifier-equipped faucet

Abstract

To provide an experience device that allows a user to easily experience the water purification capability of a water purifier-equipped faucet that is actually used in a kitchen or the like. [Solution] The experience device 1 comprises a faucet 10 containing a water purification cartridge 17 inside a hand shower 15, a base 30 to which the faucet 10 is attached, and a pump 50 attached to the base 30 and supplying raw water to the faucet 10.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for experiencing the water purification capabilities of a water purifier-equipped faucet. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional water purifier display device. This water purifier display device includes a raw water storage tank, a purified water storage tank, and a purified water cartridge. This water purifier display device is arranged with the raw water storage tank, purified water cartridge, and purified water storage tank arranged in that order from top to bottom. This water purifier display device supplies raw water containing luminescent particles to the raw water storage tank, purifies the raw water using the purified water cartridge, and stores it in the purified water storage tank. This water purifier display device can clearly demonstrate its water purification capabilities by emitting light from the luminescent particles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-124690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The water purifier display device in Patent Document 1 is composed of a raw water storage tank, a purified water storage tank, and a purified water cartridge, so it is difficult for people who see this display device to get a real sense that it is demonstrating the water purification capabilities of a water purifier installed on an actual faucet used in a kitchen, etc.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing an experience device for the water purification capacity of a water purifier faucet that makes it easy to get a real feel for the water purification capacity of a water purifier faucet that is actually used in a kitchen, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water purification capability experience device of the water purifier-equipped faucet of the present disclosure is: a faucet having a water purifier; A base on which the faucet is attached; a pump attached to the base and supplying raw water to the faucet; It is equipped with: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a device for experiencing the water purification capability of a water purifier-equipped faucet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a device for experiencing the water purification capabilities of a water purifier-equipped faucet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the normal use state of the faucet with water purifier used in the first and second embodiments. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a device for experiencing the water purification capabilities of a water purifier-equipped faucet according to a second embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the device for experiencing the water purification capability of a faucet with a water purifier according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The device 1 for experiencing the water purification capability of a faucet with a water purifier (hereinafter referred to as "experience device 1") includes a faucet with a water purifier 10 (hereinafter referred to as "faucet 10"), a base 30, and a pump 50, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0009] <About Faucet 10> The faucet 10 is for use in the kitchen and is typically attached to a counter 1C around a kitchen sink 1S, as shown in Figure 3. The faucet 10 is attached from above using a mounting bracket (not shown) to a circular through-hole formed in the counter 1C that penetrates in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the faucet 10 has a faucet body 11, a lever handle 13, a hand shower 15, and a water purification cartridge 17.

[0010] The faucet body 11 comprises a body 11B and a first spout 11S. As shown in Figure 1, the body 11B is substantially cylindrical. The faucet body 11 is attached to a mounting surface so that the central axis of the body 11B extends in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the body 11B incorporates a hot and cold water mixing valve 12 with a water shutoff function (hereinafter referred to as the "hot and cold water mixing valve 12").

[0011] The hot and cold water mixing valve 12 has a water inlet port 12C, a hot water inlet port 12H, and a mixed water outlet port 12R. Water flows in through the water inlet port 12C. Hot water flows in through the hot water inlet port 12H. Mixed water, which is the mixture of water flowing in through the water inlet port 12C and hot water flowing in through the hot water inlet port 12H, flows out through the mixed water outlet port 12R. In this explanation, mixed water is not limited to a mixture of water and hot water, but also includes water only and hot water only.

[0012] The hot and cold water mixing valve 12 can allow or stop the flow of mixed water from the mixed water outlet port 12R. The hot and cold water mixing valve 12 can change the mixing ratio of hot and cold water and the flow rate of mixed water flowing out from the mixed water outlet port 12R.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first spout 11S extends obliquely upward from one location on the outer circumferential surface of the body 11B. The first spout 11S is cylindrical. The interior of the first spout 11S is continuous with the interior of the body 11B. The rear portion of a connecting member (not shown) is removably inserted into the first spout 11S through its tip opening. With the rear portion of the connecting member inserted into the first spout 11S, the front portion is exposed and extends obliquely upward from the first spout 11S. The tip of the connecting member removably holds one end of a water purification cartridge 17 (described later). The connecting member has an inlet for mixed water on the first spout 11S side and an outlet for mixed water on the second spout 15S side (described later). The mixed water flows from the first spout 11S side to the second spout 15S side via the connecting member.

[0014] The lever handle 13 is arranged above the body 11B of the faucet body 11. The lever handle 13 comprises a center portion 13C and a lever portion 13L. The center portion 11C is approximately cylindrical with a closed top surface. The outer diameter of the center portion 11C is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the body 11B of the faucet body 11. The center portion 13C is connected to an operating shaft (not shown) of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12. The lever handle 13 is an operating portion that operates the hot and cold water mixing valve 12. In a plan view of the lever handle 13 seen from above, the lever portion 13L extends radially from a part of the upper edge of the center portion 13C toward the central axis of the rotating portion. The lever portion 13L extends diagonally upward from a part of the upper edge of the center portion 13C relative to the upper surface of the center portion 13C.

[0015] In a plan view of the faucet 10 seen from above, the lever handle 13 can rotate between a position where the lever portion 13L extends toward the front of the faucet 10 and a position where the lever portion 13L extends diagonally forward and left from the center portion 13C. The lever handle 13 can move to change the angle formed by the direction in which the lever portion 13L extends and the horizontal plane. In other words, the tip of the lever portion 13L can move up and down.

[0016] The hand shower 15 comprises a second spout 15S, a water discharge 15T, a selector dial 15D, and a selector button 15B. The second spout 15S is generally cylindrical. The outer diameter of the second spout 15S is the same as that of the first spout 11S. The central axis of the second spout 15S extends along the central axis of the first spout 11S. The second spout 15S accommodates a water purification cartridge 17 held by a connecting member, which can be freely inserted and removed from the end opening. The front part of the connecting member can be inserted into the second spout 15S to close the end opening, and the connecting member can be fixed in place to prevent it from slipping out.

[0017] The water purification cartridge 17 is roughly cylindrical, with activated carbon attached to a tubular porous ceramic core and nonwoven fabric wrapped around the outer surface. The water purification cartridge 17 filters raw water by passing it through the core from the outer surface, and the purified water flows out from the tip of the core that extends along the central axis.

[0018] The second spout portion 15S, which houses the water purification cartridge 17, forms a purified water flow path 15P through which hot and cold water flowing out from the outlet portion of the connecting member passes through the water purification cartridge 17, and a raw water flow path 15R that does not pass through the water purification cartridge 17, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0019] The second spout portion 15S houses a three-way valve 16 having a purified water inlet port 16P, a raw water inlet port 16R, and an outlet port 16T. The purified water inlet port 16P of the three-way valve 16 is connected to the downstream end of the purified water flow path 15P. The raw water inlet port 16R of the three-way valve 16 is connected to the downstream end of the raw water flow path 15R. The outlet port 16T of the three-way valve 16 is connected to the upstream end of the discharge flow path 15W, whose downstream end is connected to the discharge portion 15T.

[0020] The water discharge section 15T is provided at the tip end side of the second spout section 15S. The water discharge section 15T is connected to the downstream end of the water discharge flow path 15W. By switching the three-way valve 16, the water discharge section 15T discharges either the purified water that has flowed through the purified water flow path 15P or the hot or cold water that has flowed through the raw water flow path 15R.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, hand shower 15 has a selector dial 15D located at the tip of second spout 15S. Selector dial 15D is cylindrical and has the same outer diameter as second spout 15S. The central axis of selector dial 15D and the central axis of second spout 15S are aligned. Selector dial 15D is rotatable around its central axis within a predetermined angular range relative to second spout 15S. When selector dial 15D is rotated to one end of its rotation, water is spouted from water outlet 15T in a stream-like fashion. When selector dial 15D is rotated to the other end of its rotation, water is spouted from water outlet 15T in a shower-like fashion.

[0022] The hand shower 15 is provided with a switch button 15B that protrudes from the distal end of the selector dial 15D. The switch button 15B protrudes from the distal end of the selector dial 15D. The switch button 15B is cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than that of the selector dial 15D. The central axis of the switch button 15B and the central axis of the selector dial 15D extend on the same straight line. Each time the distal end of the switch button 15B is pressed, the amount by which the switch button 15B protrudes from the distal end of the selector dial 15D changes in two stages. The switch button 15B switches the three-way valve 16. When the protrusion of the switch button 15B is large, the faucet 10 discharges purified water that has flowed through the purified water flow path 15P from the water outlet 15T. When the protrusion of the switch button 15B is small, the faucet 10 discharges hot or cold water that has flowed through the raw water flow path 15R from the water outlet 15T. The hot and cold water that flows through raw water flow path 15R and is discharged from discharge portion 15T corresponds to raw water. In other words, faucet 10 can switch between discharging purified water and discharging raw water by pressing switch button 15B.

[0023] <Regarding normal use of faucet 10> In normal use, as shown in FIG. 3, this faucet 10 has a water supply hose 3C connected to the water inlet port 12C of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12, a hot water supply hose 3H connected to the hot water inlet port 12H, and a discharge pipe 3R connected to the mixed water outlet port 12R. The water supply hose 3C, the hot water supply hose 3H, and the discharge pipe 3R extend downward from the body 11B that houses the hot and cold water mixing valve 12. The upstream end of the water supply hose 3C is connected to a water supply source (not shown). The upstream end of the hot water supply hose 3H is connected to a hot water supply source (not shown). The downstream end of the discharge pipe 3R is connected to the upstream end of the shower hose 3F. The shower hose 3F passes through the body 11B and first spout 11S of the faucet body 11, and its downstream end is connected to the inlet portion of the connecting member. The shower hose 11F is flexible.

[0024] This faucet 10 is fixed to the end of the second spout portion 15S of the hand shower 15, and can be used either with the rear portion of the connecting member extending rearward from the end of the second spout portion 15S inserted into the tip opening of the first spout portion 11S, or with the hand shower 15 pulled out so as to pull the shower hose 3F out of the first spout portion 11S.

[0025] When lever portion 13L of lever handle 13 of this faucet 10 is positioned so that it extends toward the front of faucet 10 and the tip of lever portion 13L is moved upward from its lowered position, hot and cold water mixing valve 12 discharges only the water that has flowed in from water supply hose 3C toward outlet pipe 3R, and water is discharged from outlet portion 15T. At this time, if switch button 15B of faucet 10 is pressed to increase the projection of switch button 15B, the water flows through purified water flow path 15P and is filtered, and purified water is discharged from outlet portion 15T. In this way, when discharging purified water, this faucet 10 uses only the water that has flowed in from water supply hose 3C.

[0026] When lever portion 13L of lever handle 13 of this faucet 10 is positioned so that it extends diagonally forward and left from center portion 13C, and the tip of lever portion 13L is moved upward from its lowered position, hot and cold water mixing valve 12 causes only hot water flowing in from hot water supply hose 3H to flow toward outlet pipe 3R, and hot water is discharged from outlet portion 15T. At this time, the amount of protrusion of switch button 15B of faucet 10 is small, and water flows through raw water flow path 15R and is discharged from outlet portion 15T.

[0027] In this faucet 10, when lever portion 13L of lever handle 13 is turned counterclockwise from the position extending toward the front of faucet 10, the temperature of the mixed water discharged from discharge portion 15T gradually increases. When the tip of lever portion 13L of lever handle 13 is in the lowered position, faucet 10 is in a stopped state in which mixed water is not discharged from discharge portion 15T, and as the tip of lever portion 13L is raised from the lowered position, the flow rate of mixed water discharged from discharge portion 15T increases. In this way, by operating lever handle 13, faucet 10 can change the temperature and flow rate of mixed water discharged from discharge portion 15T.

[0028] <About Experience Device 1> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the experience device 1 includes a faucet 10, a base 30, and a pump 50. In the experience device 1, the water supply hose 3C connected to the water inlet port 12C of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12, the hot water supply hose 3H connected to the hot water inlet port 12H, and the water discharge pipe 3R connected to the mixed water outlet port 12R are cut in the middle as shown in Figure 2, and do not extend below the body 11B. In other words, the water inlet port 12C of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 is not connected to a water supply source. The hot water inlet port 12H of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 is not connected to a hot water supply source. The mixed water outlet port 12R of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 is not connected to the inlet portion of the connecting member.

[0029] The base 30 has a first base portion 31 and a second base portion 32. The first base portion 31 is rectangular in plan view, and a space is formed between the upper plate 31A and the lower plate 31B through which a discharge hose 55B (described later) passes. The upper plate 31A has a through-hole 31H formed in the center thereof, penetrating vertically. The through-hole 31H is circular and has the same inner diameter as the mounting hole formed in the counter 1C when the faucet 10 is mounted to the counter 1C around the kitchen sink 1S. The faucet 10 is mounted to the upper plate 31A of the first base portion 31 using the same mounting brackets used when mounting the faucet to the counter 1C around the kitchen sink 1S. An anti-slip sheet is attached to the underside of the lower plate 31B of the first base portion 31.

[0030] The second base portion 32 is a flat plate that rises upward along one edge of the first base portion 31. The front and back surfaces of the second base portion 32 are vertical surfaces. The width of the second base portion 32 is the same as the length of one side of the first base portion 31 in a plan view. The height of the second base portion 32 is shorter than the height of the faucet 10 attached to the first base portion 31. A pump 50 is attached to the back surface of the second base portion 32, on the side opposite the first base portion 31.

[0031] The pump 50 is a hand pump. In other words, the pump 50 is manually operated. The pump 50 has a pump body 51, a rotary handle 53, a suction hose 55A, and a discharge hose 55B. The pump body 51 has a casing 52 and a rotor (not shown). The casing 52 has a suction section 52A and a discharge section 52B. The rotor is housed in the casing 52, has multiple blades, and rotates around a rotation axis. The rotation axis of the rotor extends horizontally rearward from the back surface of the second base portion 32.

[0032] The rotary handle 53 is connected to the rotor's rotation shaft. The downstream end of the suction hose 55A is connected to the suction portion 52A. The upstream end of the discharge hose 55B is connected to the discharge portion 52B. The discharge hose 55B passes between the upper plate 31A and the lower plate 31B of the first base portion 31, through a through-hole 31H formed in the upper plate 31A, and through the body portion 11B and first spout portion 11S of the faucet body 11 of the faucet 10, and has its downstream end connected to the inlet portion of the connecting member. When the rotary handle 53 is rotated in one direction, the pump 50 draws liquid into the suction portion 52A and expels the drawn liquid from the discharge portion 52B.

[0033] <How to experience the water purification capabilities of the experience device 1> First, the user of the experience device 1 prepares a first bottle 81 and two second bottles 82. The user stores unfiltered water, which is tap water that has been colored and odorized, in the first bottle 81. The unfiltered water is tap water that has been colored by adding coloring substances such as methylene blue and bath additives, and odorized by adding odorous substances such as 2-MIB (methylisoborneol), geosmin to give it a moldy odor, or hypochlorous acid. The unfiltered water corresponds to raw water. The user places the second bottle 82 below the water outlet 15T. The user presses the switch button 15B on the faucet 10 to increase the protrusion of the switch button 15B.

[0034] Next, the user inserts the upstream end of suction hose 55A into the unfiltered water stored in first bottle 81 and rotates rotary handle 53 of pump 50 in one direction. The unfiltered water stored in first bottle 81 then flows through suction hose 55A, pump body 51, discharge hose 55B, and the connecting member, and into second spout 15S of hand shower 15. The unfiltered water that flows into second spout 15S flows through purified water flow path 15P, is filtered, and is discharged from discharge portion 15T. The filtered water discharged from discharge portion 15T is stored in second bottle 82. The user can experience the water purification capabilities of faucet 10 by checking the color and odor of the filtered water stored in second bottle 82.

[0035] Furthermore, the user places another second bottle 82 below the water discharge portion 15T and presses the switch button 15B of the faucet 10 to reduce the protrusion of the switch button 15B. In this state, the user inserts the upstream end of the suction hose 55A into the water to be filtered stored in the first bottle 81 and rotates the rotary handle 53 of the pump 50 in one direction. The water to be filtered stored in the first bottle 81 then flows through the suction hose 55A, the pump body 51, the discharge hose 55B, and the connecting member, and into the second spout 15S of the hand shower 15. The water to be filtered that flows into the second spout 15S flows through the raw water flow path 15R and is discharged from the water discharge portion 15T. The water to be filtered discharged from the water discharge portion 15T is stored in another second bottle 82. The user can experience the water purification capabilities of the faucet 10 by comparing the color and smell of the unfiltered water stored in this second bottle 82 with the filtered water previously stored in another second bottle 82.

[0036] <Embodiment 2> As shown in Fig. 4, the experience device 101 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the pump 150 is an electric pump and is disposed inside the base 130. The same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0037] <About Experience Device 101> The base 130 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. A space for placing the pump 150 is formed between the upper plate 131A and the lower plate 131B of the base 130. A through-hole 31H that penetrates vertically is formed in the center of the upper plate 131A. The faucet 10 is attached to the upper plate 131A of the base 130 using mounting hardware. An anti-slip sheet is attached to the underside of the lower plate 131B of the base 130.

[0038] Pump 150 is placed on lower plate 131B within base 130. Pump 150 can be powered by a mobile battery (not shown). The suction portion of pump 150 is connected to the downstream end of suction hose 55A. The discharge portion of pump 150 is connected to the upstream end of discharge hose 55B. When pump 150 is connected to a mobile battery and driven, it draws liquid into the suction portion and expels the drawn liquid from the protrusion.

[0039] <How to experience the water purification capabilities of the Experience Device 101> A user of the experience device 101 inserts the upstream end of the suction hose 55A into the first bottle 81, which stores unfiltered water (tap water with a color and odor added), and activates the pump 150. The unfiltered water stored in the first bottle 81 then flows through the suction hose 55A, the pump 150, the discharge hose 55B, and the connecting member, and enters either the purified water flow path 15P or the raw water flow path 15R formed in the second spout 15S of the hand shower 15. The faucet 10 of the experience device 101 can easily switch the filtered water flow path between the purified water flow path 15P and the raw water flow path 15R by operating the switch button 15B to switch the three-way valve 16. The unfiltered water that flows into the purified water flow path 15P is filtered by passing through the water purification cartridge 17, and is then discharged from the water discharge portion 15T and stored in the second bottle 82. The unfiltered water that flows into the raw water flow path 15R is discharged from the water discharge portion 15T without passing through the water purification cartridge 17 and stored in the second bottle 82. The user can experience the water purification capabilities of the faucet 10 by checking the color and odor of the filtered water stored in the second bottle 82, or by comparing the color and odor of the unfiltered water stored in the second bottle 82 with that of filtered water stored in another second bottle 82.

[0040] As described above, the experience device 1,101 of the first and second embodiments includes a faucet 10 with a water purification cartridge 17 housed within a hand shower 15, a base 30, 130 to which the faucet 10 is attached, and a pump 50, 150 attached to the base 30, 130 and supplying raw water to the faucet 10. The experience device 1,101 uses a faucet 10 that is actually used in a kitchen, etc. Therefore, the experience device 1,101 makes it easy to realize that it is demonstrating the water purification capabilities of a faucet 10 that is actually used. The base 30, 130 of the experience device 1,101 only needs to be large enough to accommodate the faucet 10 and the pump 50, 150. Therefore, the experience device 1,101 is small and easy to carry. Therefore, the experience device 1,101 can be easily installed on a stand set up in a showroom, study group, exhibition, etc.

[0041] The base 30 of the first embodiment has a first base portion 31 to which the faucet 10 is attached, and a second base portion 32 extending upward from one edge of the first base portion 31, and the pump 50 is attached to the second base portion 32. By attaching the pump 50 to the second base portion 32, the height dimension of this experience device 1 can be reduced.

[0042] The pump 50 in the first embodiment is a hand pump. Therefore, by attaching the pump 50 to the back surface of the second base 32, the experience device 1 makes it easy to turn the rotary handle 53. Because the experience device 1 does not require a power source, you can experience the water purification capabilities anywhere.

[0043] Methylene blue and 2-MIB are added to the unfiltered water in embodiments 1 and 2. This experience device 1,101 allows the user to experience visual and olfactory changes.

[0044] The faucet 10 of the first and second embodiments can switch between purified water and raw water. The experience device 1, 101 can more clearly demonstrate the water purification capability of the faucet 10 by comparing the purified water discharge with the raw water discharge.

[0045] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, and the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure. (1) An electric pump may be attached to the second base portion. (2) Electric pumps may be powered by commercial power. (3) The coloring substance of the filtered water may be a bath additive or the like. (4) The water to be filtered may contain at least one of a coloring substance and an odorous substance. (5) The faucet may not discharge raw water, but may only discharge purified water. (6) The faucet is not limited to one that houses a water purification cartridge inside the hand shower, but may also be one that has a water purifier attached to the water outlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1,101...Experience device, 10...Faucet, 17...Water purification cartridge, 30,130...Base, 31...First base part, 32...Second base part, 50,150...Pump,

Claims

1. a faucet having a water purifier; A base on which the faucet is attached; a pump attached to the base and supplying raw water to the faucet; This is a device that allows you to experience the water purification capabilities of a water purifier-equipped faucet.

2. The base is a first base portion to which the faucet is attached; a second base portion extending upward from one end edge of the first base portion; It has The device for experiencing the water purification capability of a faucet with a water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the pump is attached to the second base portion.

3. The water purification experience device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump is a manual pump.

4. 2. The apparatus for experiencing the water purification capability of a faucet with a water purifier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a coloring substance and an odorous substance is added to the raw water.

5. The water purifying capability experience device for a faucet with a water purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the faucet can switch between discharging purified water and discharging raw water.

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