water purifier

Abstract

To provide a water purifier that can be easily used in both emergency and normal situations. [Solution] The water purifier 1 is powered by household power and comprises a water supply unit 2 with a water tank 21, an electric pump 3 that pressurizes water supplied from the water supply unit 2, a filter 4 that purifies the water pressurized by the electric pump 3, and an outlet 5 that discharges purified water that has passed through the filter 4. The water purifier 1 has a first flow path F1 that sends water supplied from the water tank 21 to an emergency pump 8, and a second flow path F2 that sends water supplied from the first flow path F1 and pressurized by the emergency pump 8 to the filter 4. The emergency pump 8 is a manual pump or a pump separate from the electric pump 3 that is driven by connecting an emergency power source, and the purified water supplied from the second flow path F2 and passed through the filter 4 can be discharged from the outlet 5 or an outlet 9 separate from the outlet 5.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, water purifiers have been developed that can purify water to be suitable for drinking even in an environment where no electric power is supplied. For example, the water purifier described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as such a water purifier.

[0003] The water purifier described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage battery that stores electricity generated by a solar cell, a pump that operates using the electricity supplied from the storage battery, and a filter unit equipped with multiple filters. The water purifier in this document is configured so that fresh water taken in through a water intake tube is passed through the filter unit by the pump and discharged from a treated water tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-122944 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Purifying water is desirable not only in emergencies when electricity is unavailable, such as during disasters, but also during normal times when a stable power supply is available. Generally, water purifiers are known that are used by connecting them to a power source that can provide a stable power supply during normal times.

[0006] However, it has not been assumed that water purifiers used in normal times will be used in emergencies, and so in the past, emergency water purifiers, such as the water purifier in Patent Document 1, have been used in emergencies. Furthermore, emergency water purifiers have not been assumed to be used in normal times. Therefore, it has been necessary to prepare separate water purifiers for normal use and emergency use. Therefore, the present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have arrived at the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a water purifier that operates on a household power source. The water purifier preferably comprises a water supply unit with a water tank, an electric pump that pressurizes water supplied from the water supply unit, a filter that purifies the water pressurized by the electric pump, and an outlet that discharges purified water that has passed through the filter. The water purifier preferably has a first flow path that sends water supplied from the water tank to an emergency pump, and a second flow path that sends water supplied from the first flow path and pressurized by the emergency pump to the filter. The emergency pump is preferably a manual pump or a pump separate from the electric pump that is driven by connecting an emergency power source. The water purifier preferably can discharge purified water supplied from the second flow path and passed through the filter from the outlet or an outlet separate from the outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a water purifier that can be easily used in both emergency and normal situations is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the water purifier of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the water purifier shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an emergency pump used in the water purifier shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the water purifier of the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. The water purifier of the present invention is a water purifier for making water suitable for drinking, and in normal times when there is a power source that can supply a stable amount of electricity, water is pumped by a power pump that can be operated by a household power source, and in emergency times when there is no power supply, water is pumped by an emergency pump that is separate from the power pump.The water purifier of the present invention can be used easily in both normal times and emergencies because it is possible to use either the power pump or the emergency pump separately for normal times and emergencies.

[0011] 1 and 2, the water purifier 1 has a longitudinal direction X, a lateral direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and a height direction Z perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. The housing 10 of the water purifier 1 has a generally cylindrical shape with one end side in the height direction Z (hereinafter also referred to as the "upper side in the height direction Z") open and the other end side in the height direction Z (hereinafter also referred to as the "lower side in the height direction Z") closed.

[0012] The water purifier 1 includes a water supply unit 2, an electric pump 3, a filter 4, and an outlet 5. The water supply unit 2, the electric pump 3, and the filter 4 are housed in a housing 10, and the outlet 5 protrudes downward in the height direction Z from one surface of the housing 10 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0013] The water purifier 1 is powered by a household power source. The water purifier 1 has a power plug (not shown). By connecting the power plug (not shown) to a household power source such as a residential outlet, power is supplied to the water purifier 1, and the water purifier 1 becomes operational. Specifically, by connecting the power plug (not shown) to a household power source and turning on a power switch (not shown), the electric pump 3 of the water purifier 1 becomes operational. The electric pump 3 pumps water supplied from the water supply unit 2, passes it through a filter 4, and then discharges it as purified water from a discharge port 5.

[0014] The water purifier 1 is also connectable to an emergency pump 8. Specifically, the water purifier 1 has a pair of emergency pump connectors 81, 82 to which the emergency pump 8 can be connected, and an emergency outlet connector 91 to which an outlet 9 different from the outlet 5 can be connected. In this embodiment, the emergency pump connectors 81, 82 and the emergency outlet connector 91 are housed in a recess 13 provided on one surface of the housing 10 in the lateral direction Y. When it is not necessary to connect the emergency pump 8 to the emergency pump connectors 81, 82, such as during normal times, the emergency pump connectors 81, 82 may be covered with a cap or the like. When it is not necessary to connect another outlet 9, such as during normal times, the emergency outlet connector 91 may also be covered with a cap or the like.

[0015] The housing 10 has a lid 13a that can open and close the opening of the recess 13. The lid 13a is rotatably connected to the housing 10 via a connecting portion such as a hinge. The lid 13a may be separable from the housing 10. The lid 13a may be a separate body from the housing 10, or may be formed integrally with the housing 10.

[0016] The emergency pump 8 is a pump that can operate even when, for example, there is no household power supply and no power is supplied to the water purifier 1. As described above, the electric pump 3 of the water purifier 1 operates using power supplied when the power plug is connected to a household power supply, and therefore cannot operate in an emergency when there is no household power supply. However, in the water purifier 1 of this embodiment, in an emergency, the emergency pump 8 is connected and operated, thereby pressurizing water supplied from the water supply unit 2, passing the water through the filter 4, and discharging the purified water from the outlet 5 or an outlet 9 separate from the outlet 5.

[0017] Each part of the water purifier 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. The water supply unit 2 includes a water tank 21. The water tank 21 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top and is capable of storing water therein. In this embodiment, the water tank 21 is housed in a water tank housing 11 disposed in an upper opening of the housing 10. The water tank 21 is separate from the water tank housing 11 and is removable from the water tank housing 11. The water tank 21 also has a handle 21b, and a user of the water purifier 1 can carry the water tank 21 removed from the water tank housing 11 by grasping the handle 21b. Note that the water tank 21 may not be removable from the water tank housing 11. For example, the water tank 21 may be formed integrally with the water tank housing 11.

[0018] The water purifier 1 has a lid 21a that covers the top opening of the water tank 21. The lid 21a is separate from the water tank 21 and is separable from the water tank 21. The lid 21a may be rotatably connected to the water tank 21 via a connecting part such as a hinge. The lid 21a may also be formed integrally with the water tank 21.

[0019] The method for putting water into water tank 21 is not particularly limited. For example, water tank 21 may be removed from water tank housing 11 and taken to a water source such as a kitchen, and water may be poured into water tank 21, and then water tank 21 containing the water may be attached to housing 10. Alternatively, water may be poured into water tank 21 without removing water tank 21 from housing 10. For example, water may be poured into a container separate from water purifier 1, such as a bucket or tub, at a water source, and water may be poured from that container into water tank 21. Alternatively, water purifier 1 may be taken to a water source without removing water tank 21, and water may be poured directly into water tank 21.

[0020] The water stored in the water tank 21 may be tap water. For example, in an emergency when it is difficult to obtain tap water, the water stored in the water tank 21 may be freshwater in which aquatic organisms such as microorganisms and fish can live, such as rainwater, river water, or bath water.

[0021] The water tank 21 of the water supply unit 2 is connected to the electric pump 3 via a flow path R1, so that the water in the water tank 21 can be supplied to the electric pump 3.

[0022] The electric pump 3 pumps water supplied from the water supply unit 2. Various known electric pumps can be used as the electric pump 3 without any restrictions. Examples of the electric pump 3 include a tube pump, a diaphragm pump, a bellows pump, a plunger pump, and a gear pump. The electric pump 3 is powered by electricity from a household power source. The electric pump 3 is typically powered by electricity supplied by inserting a power plug into an outlet installed in a home, office, or the like. The electric pump 3 may include, for example, an AC motor that operates on AC 100V supplied to the outlet, or a DC motor that operates by converting AC to DC. The electric pump 3 is preferably one that can suck water and pump the sucked water. The electric pump 3 is connected to the filter 4 via a flow path R2.

[0023] The filter 4 purifies the water pumped by the electric pump 3. The filter 4 is a cartridge type and is replaceably attached when used. The filter 4 and the electric pump 3 are connected by a flow path R2. The filter 4 may be a single filter or a combination of multiple filters. Examples of the filter 4 include hollow fiber membrane filters, activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis (RO membrane) filters, nonwoven fabric filters, ion exchange filters, ceramic filters, and combinations of these. From the viewpoint of converting freshwater such as rainwater or river water, which is inhabitable for aquatic life such as microorganisms and fish, into purified water suitable for drinking, the filter 4 preferably includes at least a hollow fiber membrane filter and an activated carbon filter. The filter 4 is connected to the outlet 5 via a flow path R3.

[0024] The water purifier 1 of this embodiment can be used in both normal and emergency situations. The filter 4 for normal use and the filter 4 for emergency use may be the same or different. For example, a normal filter 4 may be attached to the water purifier 1 during normal use and replaced with an emergency filter 4 during an emergency. When using different filters 4 for normal use and emergency use, for example, a filter 4 with standard filtration performance and a long life may be used for the normal use, and a filter 4 with a short life but high filtration performance may be used for the emergency use. In particular, when tap water is difficult to obtain and only freshwater such as rainwater or river water is available, it is preferable to replace the filter 4 with one with high filtration performance. Furthermore, in an emergency, an emergency pump 8 is connected to the water purifier 1 as described below. For example, if the emergency pump 8 or the piping connecting the emergency pump 8 to the water purifier 1 has been stored for a long period of time, foreign matter may be present inside the emergency pump 8 or the piping, and this foreign matter may be mixed into the purified water discharged from the outlet 5. In this case, it is also preferable to replace the filter 4 with one with high filtration performance.

[0025] The outlet 5 discharges purified water that has passed through the filter 4. In this embodiment, a flow path R3 connecting the filter 4 and the outlet 5 is provided with a valve B1 that controls the water flow in the flow path R3. The opening and closing of the valve B1 is electrically controlled. Specifically, when the power plug is connected to a household power source and power is being supplied to the water purifier 1, the user of the water purifier 1 can open the valve B1 by, for example, pressing a button (not shown) provided on the front of the housing 10. When the valve B1 is opened, purified water is discharged from the outlet 5.

[0026] The water purifier 1 has a first flow path F1 that sends water supplied from the water tank 21 to the emergency pump 8. The first flow path F1 branches off from a flow path R1 that connects the water tank 21 and the electric pump 3. The first flow path F1 includes a flow path F1a that leads from the flow path R1 to the emergency pump connection part 81, the emergency pump connection part 81, and a flow path F1b that leads from the emergency pump connection part 81 to the emergency pump 8.

[0027] The water purifier 1 also has a second flow path F2 that sends water supplied from the first flow path F1 and pressurized by the emergency pump 8 to the filter 4. The second flow path F2 includes a flow path F2b leading from the emergency pump 8 to the emergency pump connection part 82, the emergency pump connection part 82, and a flow path F2a leading from the emergency pump connection part 82 to the filter 4. The downstream side of the flow path F2a merges with the flow path R2. The water purifier 1 may be configured to include only the flow paths F1a, F2a and emergency pump connection parts 81, 82 as the first flow path F1 and the second flow path F2, and to form and use the flow paths F1b and F2b in an emergency.

[0028] In this embodiment, the emergency pump 8 is connected to the water purifier 1 by connecting the pipe forming flow path F1b to the emergency pump connection part 81 and connecting the pipe forming flow path F2b to the emergency pump connection part 82. Various known pipes can be used for forming flow paths F1b and F2b. The pipes forming flow paths F1b and F2b may be made of, for example, polyolefin, polyurethane, nylon, etc. Furthermore, the pipe forming flow path F1b and the pipe forming flow path F2b may be the same or different. The pipes forming flow paths F1b and F2b may be stored inside or outside the housing 10, or may be procured in an emergency without being stored.

[0029] The emergency pump 8 may be a manual pump or an electric pump. The electric pump serving as the emergency pump 8 is a pump separate from the electric pump 3 and is driven by connecting an emergency power source. The emergency pump 8 can be operated, for example, even when the power supply to an outlet installed in a home or office is cut off. Examples of manual pumps include a hand rotary pump and a hand piston pump. FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a hand rotary pump. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 83 denotes a handle having a grip. Turning the handle in the direction of arrow K rotates the water wheel, allowing water to be supplied from flow path F1b and discharged to flow path F2b. The emergency pump 8 is preferably capable of suctioning water and pumping the suctioned water.

[0030] When the emergency pump 8 is an electric pump, the emergency pump 8 has a terminal to which an emergency power supply can be connected. An example of an emergency power supply is a power generation device that generates electricity using solar power, wind power, vibration, or the like. The emergency power supply may also be a primary battery, a secondary battery, or the like. The emergency power supply may also be a portable power supply with a built-in secondary battery.

[0031] The water purifier 1 can discharge purified water that is supplied from the second flow path F2 and has passed through the filter 4 from the outlet 5 or from an outlet 9 that is separate from the outlet 5. When purified water that is supplied from the second flow path F2 and has passed through the filter 4 is discharged from the outlet 5, the purified water is pumped by the electric pump 3 and, like the purified water that has passed through the filter 4, passes through flow path R3 and is discharged from the outlet 5.

[0032] The water purifier 1 has a third flow path F3 that sends purified water that has passed through the filter 4 to an outlet 9 that is different from the outlet 5. The third flow path F3 includes a flow path F3a that leads from the filter 4 to the emergency outlet connector 91, the emergency outlet connector 91, and a flow path F3b that leads from the emergency outlet connector 91 to another outlet 9. The flow path F3a branches off from the flow path R3.

[0033] The pipes constituting the flow path F3b can be the same as the pipes constituting the flow paths F1b and F2b, and may be the same as or different from the pipes constituting the flow paths F1b and F2b.

[0034] When purified water supplied from the second flow path F2 and passed through the filter 4 is to be discharged from another outlet 9, it passes through the third flow path F3 and is discharged from the other outlet 9. In this embodiment, as described above, the flow path R3 is provided with a valve B1 whose opening and closing is electrically controlled. Therefore, in an emergency when power cannot be supplied to the water purifier 1, the valve B1 cannot be opened, and purified water may not be discharged from the outlet 5. However, even in an emergency, the water purifier 1 can discharge purified water from the other outlet 9 via the third flow path F3.

[0035] In normal operation when there is a power source capable of providing a stable power supply, the water purifier 1 of this embodiment receives power from the power source to operate the electric pump 3 and discharge drinkable purified water from the outlet 5. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the power switch is kept on, and when purified water is needed, the button is pressed. This activates the electric pump 3, and water supplied from the water tank 21 passes through the filter 4 and is discharged as purified water from the outlet 5.

[0036] In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, there is a risk of the power supply being cut off. In such an emergency where there is no power source capable of providing a stable power supply, the water purifier 1 can be connected to and operated with an emergency pump 8 to discharge purified water suitable for drinking from the outlet 5 or another outlet 9. In this way, the water purifier 1 of this embodiment is normally used by connecting it to a household power source, but can be switched to an emergency use and used as an emergency water purifier. Therefore, purified water can be easily obtained in preparation for a disaster or the like, without having to prepare a separate emergency water purifier.

[0037] 2, the water purifier 1 of this embodiment also has a hot water tank 6. The hot water tank 6 is disposed between the filter 4 and the outlet 5 in the flow path inside the water purifier 1. Specifically, the downstream of flow path R3, through which purified water that has passed through the filter 4 flows, branches into flow path R4 leading to the hot water tank 6. In addition, flow path R5 leading to the outlet 5 is connected to the hot water tank 6.

[0038] The hot water tank 6 has a heating device (not shown) and is capable of heating the purified water in the hot water tank 6. There are no particular limitations on the temperature of the purified water in the hot water tank 6 heated by the heating device, but a preferred example for heat sterilizing the purified water in the hot water tank 6 is 85°C or higher. It is also preferable that the hot water tank 6 be capable of keeping the purified water in the hot water tank 6 heated by the heating device warm.

[0039] As the heating device, various known devices can be used without any restrictions, and examples thereof include heaters using electric heating wires and ceramic heaters.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , flow path R4 leading from filter 4 to hot water tank 6 is connected to the lower part of hot water tank 6, and flow path R5 leading from hot water tank 6 to outlet 5 is connected to the upper part of hot water tank 6. The higher the temperature of water, the lower the density. Therefore, when purified water in hot water tank 6 is heated by the heating device, purified water with a relatively high temperature is located at the upper part of hot water tank 6, and purified water with a relatively low temperature is located at the lower part of hot water tank 6. By connecting flow paths R4 and R5 to hot water tank 6 at the positions described above, purified water with a relatively high temperature is more likely to be discharged from outlet 5 through flow path R5.

[0041] Furthermore, a valve B2 that controls the water flow in the flow path R5 that connects the hot water tank 6 and the outlet 5 is provided in the flow path R5. The opening and closing of the valve B2 is also electrically controlled, similar to the valve B1. Specifically, the user of the water purifier 1 opens the valve B2 by, for example, pressing a button (not shown) provided on the front of the housing 10. When the valve B2 is opened, heated purified water, i.e., hot water, is discharged from the outlet 5.

[0042] 2, the water purifier 1 of this embodiment also has a cold water tank 7. The cold water tank 7 is disposed between the filter 4 and the outlet 5 in the flow path inside the water purifier 1. Specifically, the downstream of flow path R3, through which purified water that has passed through the filter 4 flows, branches into flow path R6 leading to the cold water tank 7. In addition, flow path R7 leading to the outlet 5 is connected to the cold water tank 7.

[0043] The cold water tank 7 has a cooling device (not shown) that can cool the purified water in the cold water tank 7. There are no particular limitations on the temperature of the purified water in the cold water tank 7 that has been cooled by the cooling device, but a preferred example for making the user who drinks the cooled purified water feel comfortable is 5°C to 12°C. Furthermore, it is preferable that the cold water tank 7 be capable of keeping the purified water in the cold water tank 7 that has been cooled by the cooling device warm.

[0044] As the cooling device, various known devices can be used without any limitation, and examples thereof include a Peltier element, a heat sink, and a compressor type cooling device.

[0045] Furthermore, the cold water tank 7 preferably has a sterilizer capable of sterilizing the purified water in the cold water tank 7. As the sterilizer, various known devices can be used without limitation, and examples thereof include a device capable of irradiating deep ultraviolet LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes).

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , flow path R6 leading from filter 4 to cold water tank 7 is connected to the top of cold water tank 7, and flow path R7 leading from cold water tank 7 to outlet 5 is connected to the bottom of cold water tank 7. The lower the temperature of water, the higher the density. Therefore, when the purified water in cold water tank 7 is cooled by the cooling device, the relatively high-temperature purified water is located at the top of cold water tank 7, and the relatively low-temperature purified water is located at the bottom of cold water tank 7. By connecting flow paths R6 and R7 to cold water tank 7 at the positions described above, the relatively low-temperature purified water is more likely to pass through flow path R7 and be discharged from outlet 5.

[0047] Furthermore, a valve B3 that controls the water flow in the flow path R7 connecting the cold water tank 7 and the outlet 5 is provided in the flow path R7. The opening and closing of the valve B3 is also electrically controlled, similar to the valve B1. Specifically, the user of the water purifier 1 opens the valve B3 by pressing a button (not shown) provided on the front of the housing 10, for example. When the valve B3 is opened, cooled purified water, i.e., cold water, is discharged from the outlet 5.

[0048] The water purifier 1 may have a switching means capable of switching the flow path R1 leading from the water tank 21 to the electric pump 3 to the first flow path F1 in an emergency when power is not supplied. The switching means may be a means for manually switching between the flow path R1 and the first flow path F1. Alternatively, the flow path R1 and the first flow path F1 may be switched by pressing a button or the like provided on the housing 10. Examples of the switching means include a three-way valve. Alternatively, the flow path R1 and the first flow path F1 may be switched by blocking either the flow path R1 or the first flow path F1 with a faucet cap. The faucet cap may be attached or detached manually.

[0049] The present invention includes a disaster preparedness set including a water purifier and an emergency pump. The water purifier included in the disaster preparedness set of the present invention can be the water purifier of the present invention described above. The emergency pump can be the same as the emergency pump for the water purifier of the present invention described above. The disaster preparedness kit of the present invention can be easily used in both emergency and normal situations.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the emergency pump may be a manual pump having an operating unit that is operated by hand, and the entire manual pump or the main body portion excluding the operating unit may be built into the water purifier 1. In this case, the water purifier 1 does not need to have emergency pump connectors 81, 82, and the flow paths F1a, F2a may be directly connected to the manual pump. By building the entire manual pump or the portion excluding the operating unit into the water purifier 1, it is possible to eliminate the need to connect the emergency pump in an emergency. Examples of the operating unit include a rotating handle, a crank handle, and a connection port for an electric screwdriver.

[0051] The water purifier 1 may also include a control unit that controls the operation of the heating device of the hot water tank 6 and the cooling device of the cold water tank 7. The control unit may learn the usual usage conditions of the water purifier 1 and stop the heating device and the cooling device during times when the water purifier 1 is used less frequently.

[0052] Furthermore, although the water purifier 1 has only one outlet 5, it may have multiple outlets 5. For example, it may have an outlet for purified water at room temperature, an outlet for hot water, and an outlet for cold water. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Water purifier 2 Water supply section 21 Water Tank 3. Electric pump 4. Filters 5 Outlet 6 Hot water tank 7 Cold water tank 8 Emergency Pump 9 Separate outlet F1 First flow path F2 Second flow path

Claims

1. a water supply section having a water tank; an electric pump that pumps water supplied from the water supply unit; a filter that purifies the water pumped by the electric pump; A water purifier that operates on a household power source and includes an outlet that discharges purified water that has passed through the filter, a first flow path for sending water supplied from the water tank to an emergency pump; a second flow path that sends water supplied from the first flow path and pressurized by the emergency pump to the filter; The emergency pump is a manual pump or a pump that is driven by connecting an emergency power supply and is separate from the electric pump, The water purifier is capable of discharging purified water supplied from the second flow path and passed through the filter from the outlet or an outlet other than the outlet.

2. 2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the emergency pump is a manual pump having an operating part that is operated by hand, and the entire manual pump or a main body part excluding the operating part is built into the water purifier.

3. The water purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a switching means for switching the flow path from the water tank to the electric pump to the first flow path in an emergency when power is not supplied.

4. A disaster preparedness set comprising the water purifier according to claim 1 and an emergency pump.

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