Water supply system

Abstract

To facilitate the cleaning work of water supply channels with raw water.SOLUTION: A water supply system includes a water supply channel 50 that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from the upstream side through a reforming cartridge 52 and feeds the reformed water to a water receiving part located downstream, a bypass channel 54 that branches off from the water supply channel 50 to avoid the reforming cartridge 52 and joins the water supply channel 50, and a first valve mechanism 68 that is provided separately from the reforming cartridge 52 and can switch the raw water supply destination between the part 50b via the cartridge in the water supply channel 50 through the reforming cartridge 52 and the bypass channel 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to water supply systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a water supply system that generates purified water by passing raw water supplied from upstream through a purification cartridge and that has a water supply flow path that supplies the purified water to a water-receiving portion located downstream. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-239688 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, a portion of the water supply line downstream of the purification cartridge is cleaned with raw water. In the structure described in Patent Document 1, this is achieved by connecting the flow lines on both sides of the purification cartridge in the water supply line in the flow direction with a connection adapter, and then passing raw water through the connection adapter into a portion of the water supply line. However, when using this method, an extra step of connecting the connection adapter is required. This problem is not limited to cases where a purification cartridge is installed in the water supply line, but is also common when a reforming cartridge for reforming raw water is installed in the water supply line.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can facilitate the work of cleaning a water supply flow path with raw water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water supply system of the present disclosure comprises a water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from upstream through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving section located downstream, a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path, and a valve mechanism that is provided separately from the reforming cartridge and can switch the destination of the raw water supply between the cartridge passing section of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a water supply system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a timing chart relating to a cleaning mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first flow state in the water supply system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second flow state in the water supply system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third flow state in the water supply system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth flow state in the water supply system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a reforming cartridge is not attached to the cartridge holder of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a timing chart relating to a cleaning mode in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following describes the embodiments. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In each drawing, components are omitted, enlarged, or reduced as appropriate for the sake of convenience. The drawings should be viewed in accordance with the orientation of the reference numerals.

[0009] (First embodiment) Refer to FIG. 1. A water supply system 10 is used to supply reformed water (described later) to a water-receiving portion 12. In this embodiment, the water-receiving portion 12 is a water discharge portion of a water discharge device 14 that discharges reformed water. Here, a water discharge pipe is shown as an example of the water discharge device 14. Alternatively, the water discharge device 14 may be, for example, a shower head. Specific examples of the water-receiving portion 12 are not particularly limited, and may also be a tank for storing reformed water.

[0010] The water supply system 10 includes a first water supply line 16 for supplying reformed water to the water-receiving portion 12, and a second water supply line 18 for supplying hot water / water mixture, which is a different type of water from the reformed water, to the water-receiving portion 12. Both the first water supply line 16 and the second water supply line 18 supply drinking water (reformed water, hot water / water mixture).

[0011] The second water supply line 18 includes a water flow path 22 to which room-temperature tap water is supplied from a water supply source 20 such as a waterworks system; a hot water flow path 26 to which hot water is supplied from a hot water source 24 such as a water heater; a mixing valve 28 that mixes the room-temperature water and hot water supplied from the water flow path 22 and the hot water flow path 26; and a mixed water flow path 30 that supplies the mixed hot water and hot water mixed by the mixing valve 28 to the water-supplied portion 12. The mixing ratio of the room-temperature water and hot water in the mixing valve 28 and the flow rate of the mixed hot water and hot water supplied from the mixing valve 28 can be controlled by a single lever 32 provided on the water discharge device 14. The water flow path 22 is provided with a first stop valve 34 that can be opened and closed manually, and the hot water flow path 26 is provided with a second stop valve 36 that can be opened and closed manually. The water flow path 22 is provided with a first check valve 38 and a second check valve 40 that are spaced apart in the flow direction to prevent backflow upstream. The hot water flow path 26 is provided with a third check valve 42 that prevents backflow upstream.

[0012] The first water supply line 16 includes a water supply flow path 50 that branches off from the water flow path 22 and connects to the water-receiving portion 12, a reforming cartridge 52 provided in the water supply flow path 50, and a bypass flow path 54 that branches off from the water supply flow path 50 to avoid the reforming cartridge 52 and merges with the water supply flow path 50. The water supply flow path 50 includes multiple branch flow paths 58, 60 that branch off downstream of a junction 56 where the bypass flow path 54 merges and then merges. The multiple branch flow paths 58, 60 include a room-temperature water flow path 58 (first branch flow path) and a cold water flow path 60 (second branch flow path). The room-temperature water flow path 58 does not include a tank 62. The room-temperature water flow path 58 supplies room-temperature reformed water as room-temperature water to the water-receiving portion 12 located downstream. The cold water flow path 60 is provided with a tank 62 that stores and cools the reformed water. The cold water flow path 60 supplies cold water, which has cooled the reforming water stored in a tank 62, to the water-receiving portion 12 located downstream. A fourth check valve 64 that prevents backflow upstream is provided in the cold water flow path 60. A fifth check valve 66 that prevents backflow upstream is provided in the water supply path 50 between the junction 56 and the reforming cartridge 52.

[0013] The water supply system 10 includes a first valve mechanism 68 provided in the first water supply line 16, at least one valve 70A-70C provided in the water supply flow path 50, and a control unit 72 that controls the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A-70C. The water supply system 10 also includes a flow rate sensor 74 that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply flow path 50.

[0014] The water supply flow path 50 generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from the upstream water supply source 20 through the reforming cartridge 52, and supplies the reformed water to the downstream water-receiving portion 12. In this embodiment, tap water containing a chlorine component is supplied as raw water from the water supply source 20 via the water flow path 22 to the water supply flow path 50. A branching portion 76 in the water flow path 22 where the water supply flow path 50 branches off is provided between the first check valve 38 and the second check valve 40 of the water flow path 22. There are no particular restrictions on the specific example of the raw water, and it may be natural water in addition to tap water, for example.

[0015] The water supply flow path 50 includes an upstream flow path section 50a that constitutes the section upstream of the water supply flow path branching section 78 where the bypass flow path 54 branches off, a cartridge via section 50b that constitutes the section from the water supply flow path branching section 78 to the junction section 56, and a downstream flow path section 50c that constitutes the section downstream of the junction section 56.

[0016] The reforming cartridge 52 has a portion of the water supply flow path 50 disposed therein and is capable of reforming the raw water passing through it. Here, "raw water" refers to the water to be reformed by the reforming cartridge 52. Here, "reforming" refers to removing or adding specific components to the raw water through physical or chemical changes. The reforming cartridge 52 of this embodiment is a water purification cartridge that removes chlorine components contained in tap water, which is the raw water, and purifies the raw water to produce reformed water. Other forms of reforming the raw water include adding beauty components, fragrance components, carbon dioxide components, hydrogen components, etc. to the raw water.

[0017] The first valve mechanism 68 is provided separately from the reforming cartridge 52. This means that the reforming cartridge 52 does not constitute a part of the first valve mechanism 68 (such as a valve body or a valve hole), and the reforming cartridge 52 and the first valve mechanism 68 are separate entities. The first valve mechanism 68 can switch the supply destination of raw water between the cartridge via portion 50b of the water supply flow path 50 and the bypass flow path 54. The first valve mechanism 68 of this embodiment is constituted by a switching valve (more specifically, a three-way valve) provided at the water supply flow path branch portion 78 of the water supply flow path 50. There are no particular limitations on the specific example of the first valve mechanism 68, and it may be constituted by various types of valves. For example, the first valve mechanism 68 may be constituted by a combination of on-off valves provided at the cartridge via portion 50b of the water supply flow path 50 and the bypass flow path 54, respectively.

[0018] The first valve mechanism 68 is operable under the control of the control unit 72. When the first valve mechanism 68 is in an OFF state, i.e., not energized by the control unit 72, it switches so that the cartridge via section 50b is the supply destination of the raw water (see also FIGS. 5 and 6). When the first valve mechanism 68 is in an ON state, i.e., energized by the control unit 72, it switches so that the bypass flow path 54 is the supply destination of the raw water (see also FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0019] Valves 70A to 70C are provided in the water supply flow path 50. The valves 70A to 70C include an upstream on-off valve 70A and at least one downstream on-off valve 70B, 70C provided downstream of the upstream on-off valve 70A. The downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C include a room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B provided in the room-temperature water flow path 58 and a cold-water downstream on-off valve 70C provided in the cold-water flow path 60. The tank 62 is provided in the water supply flow path 50 between the upstream on-off valve 70A and the cold-water downstream on-off valve 70C. In this embodiment, the upstream on-off valve 70A is provided in the upstream flow path section 50a of the water supply flow path 50.

[0020] The valves 70A to 70C are automatic on-off valves such as solenoid valves or motor-operated valves. The valves 70A to 70C are operable under the control of a control unit 72. The upstream on-off valve 70A is a normally closed on-off valve, and the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are normally open on-off valves. A normally closed on-off valve is closed when de-energized by the control unit 72 in an OFF state, and open when energized by the control unit 72 in an ON state. A normally open on-off valve is open when de-energized, and closed when de-energized. The room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B and the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C constitute a second valve mechanism 71 that can switch the flow path between the room-temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60. The flow path here refers to a path through which either raw water or reformed water flows.

[0021] The tank 62 is provided downstream of the fourth check valve 64 in the cold water flow path 60. A temperature sensor 80 that detects the temperature of the water in the tank 62 is attached to the tank 62. A chiller 82 that cools the water in the tank 62 is attached to the tank 62. The chiller 82 cools the water in the tank 62 under the control of the control unit 72 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 80 becomes equal to or lower than a set temperature (for example, 2°C to 5°C). A specific example of the chiller 82 is not particularly limited. The chiller 82 may be realized, for example, by a configuration in which the water in the tank 62 is cooled by a refrigerant in a refrigerant pipe arranged in the tank 62, and the heated refrigerant is cooled by a heat exchanger.

[0022] The control unit 72 is, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and is configured by combining a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 72 is capable of controlling the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A to 70C. The control unit 72 is capable of executing a normal mode in which it operates in accordance with the user's operation of the water supply operating unit 84, and a cleaning mode in which it cleans the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply flow path 50 with raw water. When in the cleaning mode, the control unit 72 disables instructions output from the water supply operating unit 84.

[0023] The water supply operation unit 84 is operated by the user to switch whether or not water is supplied to the water-receiving portion 12. In this embodiment, the water supply operation unit 84 is a rotary handle that can be switched to multiple rotation positions, and is incorporated into the water discharge device 14. This water supply operation unit 84 can be switched to each of multiple rotation positions in accordance with operation by the user, and can output instructions corresponding to that rotation position to the control unit 72. Specific examples of the water supply operation unit 84 are not particularly limited. The water supply operation unit 48 may also be configured by an information processing terminal (smartphone, tablet, etc.). In this case, the information processing terminal serving as the water supply operation unit 84 executes an application for operating the water supply system 10, and outputs instructions selected in accordance with operation of the application to the control unit 72.

[0024] The water supply operation unit 84 can select one of a plurality of instructions in accordance with operation by the user, and outputs the selected instruction to the control unit 72. The instructions selectable by the water supply operation unit 84 include a water supply instruction to supply water to the water-receiving unit 12, and a water stop instruction to stop the water supply to the water-receiving unit 12. The water supply instructions include a cold water supply instruction to supply cold water to the water-receiving unit 12, and a room temperature water supply instruction to supply room temperature water to the water-receiving unit 12.

[0025] When the control unit 72 receives a room-temperature water supply instruction, it opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and the room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B and closes the cold-water downstream on-off valve 70C. In this embodiment, this is achieved by opening the normally-closed upstream on-off valve 70A, maintaining the normally-open room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B in an open state, and closing the normally-open cold-water downstream on-off valve 70C. As a result, reformed water generated by passing through the reforming cartridge 52 flows through the room-temperature water flow path 58, and room-temperature water (reformed water) is supplied to the water-supplied unit 12. When the control unit 72 receives a room-temperature water supply instruction, it opens the upstream on-off valve and then switches the room-temperature water flow path 58 out of the room-temperature water flow path 58 and the cold-water flow path 60 using the second valve mechanism 71.

[0026] When the control unit 72 receives a cold water supply command, it opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C and closes the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B. In this embodiment, this is achieved by opening the normally closed upstream on-off valve 70A, closing the normally open room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B, and maintaining the normally open cold water downstream on-off valve 70C in an open state. As a result, reformed water generated by passing through the reforming cartridge 52 flows through the cold water flow path 60, and cold water (reformed water) in the tank 62 is supplied to the water-supplied unit 12. When the control unit 72 receives a cold water supply command, it opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and switches the cold water flow path 60 out of the room temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60 using the second valve mechanism 71.

[0027] When the control unit 72 receives a water stop command, it closes at least the upstream on-off valve 70A. In this embodiment, the upstream on-off valve 70A is turned off to close it, and the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are also turned off to open them. This stops the supply of water to the water-supplied unit 12. In this way, when in normal mode, the control unit 72 controls the valves 70A to 70C in accordance with the user's operation of the water supply operating unit 84, thereby switching whether or not to supply water to the water-supplied unit 12, and can supply either room temperature water or cold water to the water-supplied unit 12.

[0028] Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an example of a timing chart for explaining the flushing mode. The first row from the top of FIG. 2 shows the ON / OFF state and open / closed state of the upstream on-off valve 70A. The second row from the top of FIG. 2 shows the ON / OFF state of the first valve mechanism 68. When the first valve mechanism 68 is in the OFF state, the raw water is supplied to the cartridge via section 50b of the water supply flow path 50, and when it is in the ON state, the raw water is supplied to the bypass flow path 54 of the water supply flow path 50. The third and fourth rows from the top of FIG. 2 show the ON / OFF state and open / closed states of the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B and the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C. When the on-off valves 70A, 70B, and 70C are in the open state, they are written as "open," and when they are in the closed state, they are written as "closed."

[0029] The control unit 72 executes the cleaning mode when it receives a cleaning mode start command under specific conditions, as described below. The control unit 72 executes the cleaning mode in which the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50 is cleaned with raw water by controlling the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A to 70C.

[0030] See Figures 2 and 3. In Figures 3 to 6, solid lines indicate areas where raw water, etc., flows, and dashed lines indicate areas where raw water, etc., does not flow. When the cleaning mode is started, the control unit 72 switches the first valve mechanism 68 to the ON state at time t1 so that the bypass flow path 54 is the supply destination of raw water. Simultaneously, at time t1, the control unit 72 switches the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C from the open state to the closed state while keeping the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B open, and then at time t2, switches the upstream on-off valve 70A to the open state. As a result, raw water flows in the following order: the upstream flow path section 50a of the feed water flow path 50 → the bypass flow path 54 → the downstream flow path section 50c of the feed water flow path 50. At this time, raw water flows through the room temperature water flow path 58, but does not flow through the cold water flow path 60. At this time, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A, and switches the room temperature water flow path 58 out of the room temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60 using the second valve mechanism 71, which can also be said to be the flow path.

[0031] 2 and 4. After that, at time t3, the control unit 72 switches the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C to an open state. After that, at time t4, the control unit 72 switches the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B to a closed state. As a result, as in the example of FIG. 3, raw water flows in the order of the upstream flow path section 50a of the feed water flow path 50, the bypass flow path 54, and the downstream flow path section 50c of the feed water flow path 50. At this time, unlike the example of FIG. 3, raw water flows through the cold water flow path 60, but does not flow through the room temperature water flow path 58. At this time, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A, and switches the cold water flow path 60 out of the room temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60 using the second valve mechanism 71.

[0032] See Figures 2 and 5. Thereafter, at time t5, the control unit 72 switches the first valve mechanism 68 to the OFF state so that the cartridge via section 50b of the water supply channel 50 becomes the supply destination of raw water. At the same time, at time t5, the control unit 72 switches the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B to the open state. Thereafter, at time t6, the control unit 72 switches the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C to the closed state. As a result, raw water flows through the upstream channel section 50a of the water supply channel 50 and then the reforming cartridge 52 (cartridge via section 50b), and then reformed water flows through the downstream channel section 50c of the water supply channel 50. At this time, reformed water flows through the room temperature water channel 58, but does not flow through the cold water channel 60. At this time, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A, and switches the room temperature water flow path 58 out of the room temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60 using the second valve mechanism 71, which can also be said to be the flow path.

[0033] See Figures 2 and 6. Thereafter, at time t7, the control unit 72 switches the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C to an open state. Thereafter, at time t8, the control unit 72 switches the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B to a closed state. As a result, raw water flows through the upstream flow path section 50a of the water supply path 50 and then through the reforming cartridge 52 (cartridge via section 50b), and then reformed water flows through the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply path 50. At this time, purified water flows through the cold water flow path 60, but not through the room temperature water flow path 58. At this time, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A, and causes the second valve mechanism 71 to set the cold water flow path 60 out of the room temperature water flow path 58 and the cold water flow path 60 as a flow path.

[0034] Thereafter, at time t9, the control unit 72 switches the upstream on-off valve 70A to a closed state, and then at time t10, while maintaining the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C in an open state, switches the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B from a closed state to an open state, thereby completing the cleaning mode.

[0035] In this way, in the cleaning mode, the control unit 72 controls the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A to 70C to cause raw water to flow through the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply path 50. This corresponds to operation, for example, within a time period from time t2 to time t5. As a result, the raw water cleans the raw water flow points in the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply path 50. To achieve this, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and at least one downstream on-off valve 70B, 70C, and then switches the supply destination of the raw water to the bypass flow path 54 using the first valve mechanism 68 (see also Figures 3 and 4). At this time, the control unit 72 opens the room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B to cause raw water to flow through the room-temperature water flow path 58 (see Figure 3). This corresponds to operation, for example, within a time period from time t2 to time t4. The control unit 72 also opens the downstream cold water on-off valve 70C to allow raw water to flow through the cold water flow path 60 (see FIG. 4). This corresponds to, for example, an operation during the period from time t3 to time t5.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 72 controls the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A-70C to cause raw water to flow through the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply flow path 50, and then cause reforming water to flow through the downstream flow path section 50c. This corresponds to operation within the time period from time t5 to time t9, for example. As a result, raw water remaining in the downstream flow path section 50c is discharged from the water-receiving section 12, and the reforming water flows through the section 12. This in turn prevents raw water remaining in the downstream flow path section 50c from being supplied to the water-receiving section 12 after the cleaning mode.

[0037] To achieve this flow of reforming water through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply path 50, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and at least one downstream on-off valve 70B, 70C, and then switches the supply destination of raw water to the reforming cartridge 52 using the first valve mechanism 68. At this time, the control unit 72 opens the room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B to cause the reforming water to flow through the room-temperature water path 58. This corresponds to operation within the time range from time t5 to time t8. The control unit 72 also opens the cold-water downstream on-off valve 70C to cause the reforming water to flow through the cold-water path 60. This corresponds to operation within the time range from time t7 to time t9.

[0038] The first flow state in FIG. 3 is realized, for example, within a time span from time t2 to time t3. In the first flow state, only the room temperature water flow path 58 serves as a raw water flow path, and the cold water flow path 60 does not. The second flow state in FIG. 4 is realized, for example, within a time span from time t4 to time t5. In the second flow state, only the cold water flow path 60 serves as a raw water flow path, and the room temperature water flow path 58 does not serve as a raw water flow path. That is, when the control unit 72 causes raw water to flow through the downstream flow path section 50c of the feedwater flow path 50 in the cleaning mode, the control unit 72 controls the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C (second valve mechanism 71) to sequentially flow raw water through only the two branch flow paths 58 and 60. Here, "sequentially flowing raw water" means that the raw water is first flowed through only one of the two branch flow paths 58 and 60, and then through only the other of them. The phrase "passing reformed water in sequence," which will be described later, means the same thing, except that the object of passage is changed from raw water to reformed water. This allows a sufficient flow rate of raw water to pass through each of the branch flow paths 58, 60, regardless of the flow resistance of the two branch flow paths 58, 60.

[0039] The control unit 72 controls the system to maintain the first flow state of FIG. 3 until a predetermined first flow time Δta1 has elapsed. The control unit 72 also controls the system to maintain the second flow state of FIG. 4 until a predetermined second flow time Δta2 has elapsed. Each of the flow times Δta1 and Δta2 is set to allow a sufficient flow rate of raw water to clean each of the branch flow paths 58 and 60. The first flow time Δta1 is, for example, approximately 2.5 minutes, and the second flow time Δta2 is, for example, approximately 6.0 minutes. The second flow time Δta2, during which raw water is passed through the cold water flow path 60 with the tank 62, is set longer than the first flow time Δta1, during which raw water is passed through the room temperature water flow path 58 without the tank 62.

[0040] The third flow state in FIG. 5 is realized, for example, within a time span from time t6 to time t7. In the third flow state, only the room-temperature water flow path 58 serves as the reforming water flow path, and the cold water flow path 60 does not serve as the reforming water flow path. The fourth water flow state in FIG. 6 is realized, for example, within a time span from time t8 to time t9. In the fourth flow state, only the cold water flow path 60 serves as the reforming water flow path, and the room-temperature water flow path 58 does not serve as the reforming water flow path. That is, when the control unit 72 causes the reforming water to flow through the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply flow path 50 in the cleaning mode, it controls the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C (second valve mechanism 71) to cause the reforming water to flow sequentially only through each of the two branch flow paths 58 and 60. This allows a sufficient flow rate of reforming water to flow through each of the branch flow paths 58 and 60, regardless of the water flow resistance of the two branch flow paths 58 and 60.

[0041] The control unit 72 controls the system to maintain the third flow state of FIG. 5 until a predetermined third flow time Δta3 has elapsed. The control unit 72 also controls the system to maintain the fourth flow state of FIG. 6 until a predetermined fourth flow time Δta4 has elapsed. Each flow time Δta3, Δta4 is set to a predetermined time that allows a sufficient flow rate of reforming water to fill each branch flow path 58, 60 with reforming water. The third flow time Δta3 is, for example, approximately 0.5 minutes, and the fourth flow time Δta4 is, for example, approximately 1.0 minutes. The fourth flow time Δta4, during which reforming water is passed through the cold water flow path 60 that has the tank 62, is set longer than the third flow time Δta3, during which reforming water is passed through the room temperature water flow path 58 that does not have the tank 62. In the cleaning mode, the reforming water flow times Δta3, Δta4 are set shorter than the raw water flow times Δta1, Δta2.

[0042] When switching from a flow state in which only one of the two branch flow paths 58, 60 is passed through to a flow state in which only the other branch flow path 58, 60 is passed through, the control unit 72 opens the two downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C to pass through both branch flow paths 58, 60. This means, for example, that when switching from the first flow state of FIG. 3 to the second flow state of FIG. 4, the control unit 72 opens the two downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C during the time period from time t3 to time t4. Furthermore, when switching from the second flow state of FIG. 4 to the third flow state of FIG. 5, the control unit 72 performs similar control during the time period from time t5 to time t6. Furthermore, when switching from the third flow state of FIG. 5 to the fourth flow state of FIG. 6, the control unit 72 performs similar control during the time period from time t7 to time t8. The time period Δtb is, for example, 0.5 seconds. As a result, when attempting to switch between two flow states, one downstream on-off valve 70B, 70C is closed while the other downstream on-off valve 70B, 70C is open, making it less likely that an overload will occur at the flow points of raw water, etc. due to water hammer.

[0043] The effects of the water supply system 10 described above will be explained.

[0044] The water supply system 10 includes a first valve mechanism 68 that can switch the supply destination of raw water between the cartridge via section 50b of the water supply passage 50 and the bypass passage 54. Therefore, when cleaning the downstream passage section 50c of the water supply passage 50 with raw water, it is only necessary to switch the supply destination of raw water using the first valve mechanism 68. This eliminates the need for a connection adapter, compared to when connecting passages on both sides of the reforming cartridge 52 in the flow direction to clean a portion of the water supply passage 50 with raw water. When using a connection adapter, the first stop valve 34 on the raw water supply source side must be closed before connecting the connection adapter. After cleaning the water supply passage 50, the connection adapter must be removed and the first stop valve 34 must be opened. In this regard, this embodiment also eliminates the need to open and close the first stop valve 34. Consequently, cleaning the water supply passage 50 with raw water can be facilitated compared to when using a connection adapter.

[0045] The raw water is tap water containing chlorine components, and the reforming cartridge 52 is a water purification cartridge. With this configuration, when the raw water is supplied to the cartridge passage 50b of the water supply passage 50, purified water from which the chlorine components have been removed flows in the downstream passage 50c of the water supply passage 50. According to this embodiment, by switching the supply destination of the raw water using the first valve mechanism 68 in the downstream passage 50c of the water supply passage 50, which is originally a passage for purified water from which the chlorine components have been removed, tap water containing chlorine components can be passed as raw water. Therefore, the downstream passage 50c of the water supply passage 50 can be effectively cleaned using the chlorine components contained in the tap water.

[0046] The tank 62 is provided in the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply path 50. Therefore, the inside of the tank 62 can be cleaned with raw water by switching the supply destination of the raw water using the first valve mechanism 68. In this way, the inside of the tank 62 can be cleaned without removing the tank 62.

[0047] When ensuring hygiene inside a hot water tank of an electric water heater or the like, a method of heating the inside of the hot water tank is envisioned. In contrast, tank 62 is usually not equipped with a heater for heating tank 62. In this regard, by washing tank 62 with raw water, hygiene inside tank 62 can be well ensured without heating tank 62.

[0048] When chlorinated tap water is used as the raw water, good hygiene can be ensured by washing the inside of the tank 62 with chlorinated tap water. Furthermore, in order to wash the tank 62 with chlorinated tap water, it is also conceivable to provide the tank 62 in the upstream flow path section 50a of the water supply flow path 50. According to this embodiment, the tank 62 is provided in the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply flow path 50, and therefore the cold water in the tank 62 can be supplied to the water-supplied portion 12 more quickly than in the case where the tank 62 is provided in the upstream flow path section 50a of the water supply flow path 50.

[0049] The water supply system 10 includes a control unit 72 that executes a cleaning mode by controlling the first valve mechanism 68 and the valves 70A to 70C. Therefore, by executing the cleaning mode with the control unit 72, the downstream flow path section 50c of the water supply path 50 can be automatically cleaned with raw water.

[0050] In this embodiment, the tank 62 is provided in the cold water flow path 60, and the water flow resistance of the cold water flow path 60 is higher than that of the room-temperature water flow path 58. Therefore, if raw water is simultaneously passed through both of the two branch flow paths 58, 60 when passing raw water through the downstream flow path section 50c of the feedwater flow path 50, a large amount of raw water will pass through the room-temperature water flow path 58, which has low water flow resistance, and a sufficient flow rate of raw water will not be passed through the cold water flow path 60, which has high water flow resistance. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the second valve mechanism 71 is controlled to pass raw water or reforming water sequentially through each of the two branch flow paths 58, 60. Therefore, even if the water flow resistances of the two branch flow paths 58, 60 are different, a sufficient flow rate of raw water or reforming water can be passed through each of the branch flow paths 58, 60. Consequently, even in such cases, each of the branch flow paths 58, 60 can be stably cleaned with raw water or stably filled with reforming water.

[0051] Another feature of the water supply system 10 will be described. When starting water supply from the water supply flow path 50 to the water-receiving portion 12, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A while keeping at least one of the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C open. Here, "starting water supply" refers to, for example, starting the supply of reformed water to the water-receiving portion 12 in normal mode. Also, "starting water supply" refers to, for example, starting the supply of raw water to the water-receiving portion 12 in cleaning mode. In the example of FIG. 2, this refers to closing the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C at time t1, and then opening the upstream on-off valve 70A at time t2 while keeping the room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B open after a predetermined set time Δtc has elapsed. This set time Δtc is, for example, 0.5 seconds.

[0052] When stopping the water supply from the water supply passage 50 to the water-receiving portion 12, the control unit 72 closes the upstream on-off valve 70A while leaving at least one of the downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C open. Stopping the water supply here refers to, for example, stopping the supply of reformed water to the water-receiving portion 12 in the normal mode or the cleaning mode. In the example of FIG. 2, this refers to closing the upstream on-off valve 70A at time t9 while leaving the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C open. In the example of FIG. 2, the upstream on-off valve 70A is closed at time t9, and then the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C is opened at time t10 after a predetermined set time Δtd has elapsed. This set time Δtd is, for example, 0.5 seconds.

[0053] If the upstream on-off valve 70A is opened while the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are closed when starting water supply to the water-receiving portion 12 from the water supply flow path 50, the water supply pressure of the water supply source 20 will build up in the tank 62. The same applies if the upstream on-off valve 70A is closed while the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are closed when stopping water supply to the water-receiving portion 12 from the water supply flow path 50. In this regard, according to this embodiment, when starting water supply from the water supply flow path 50, the upstream on-off valve 70A is opened while the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are open. Therefore, in this case, the water supply pressure of the water supply source 20 does not build up in the tank 62. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when stopping water supply from the water supply flow path 50, the upstream on-off valve 70A is closed while the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C are closed. Therefore, in this case, the water supply pressure of the water supply source 20 does not build up inside the tank 62. Consequently, the pressure resistance strength required of the tank 62 can be reduced, and the cost of the tank 62 can be reduced.

[0054] At least one of the downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C is a normally open on-off valve. Therefore, if the upstream on-off valve 70A fails and cannot be closed from the open state, the water supply pressure of the water supply source 20 can be prevented from building up inside the tank 62.

[0055] See Figures 1 and 7. The water supply system 10 includes a cartridge holder 90 to which a reforming cartridge 52 can be attached and detached. The reforming cartridge 52 is attached by being watertightly connected to the cartridge holder 90 with a sealing member 92 such as an O-ring. The reforming cartridge 52 is removed from the cartridge holder 90 by moving it to one side Da1 in the attachment / detachment direction Da relative to the cartridge holder 90, and is attached to the cartridge holder 90 by moving it to the other side Da2 in the attachment / detachment direction Da.

[0056] A cartridge casing 94 that houses the reforming cartridge 52 can be detachably attached to the cartridge holder 90. The cartridge casing 94 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 90 using a screw structure, a snap fit, magnetic force, or the like. An internal space 96 is provided between the cartridge casing 94 and the reforming cartridge 52.

[0057] The cartridge holder 90 includes a holder inlet portion 90a through which raw water flows into the reforming cartridge 52, and a holder outlet portion 90b through which reformed water flows out after passing through the reforming cartridge 52. When the reforming cartridge 52 and the cartridge casing 94 are attached to the cartridge holder 90, a flow path is provided through which water flows in the order of the holder inlet portion 90a of the cartridge holder 90 → the reforming cartridge 52 → the holder outlet portion 90b. At this time, the water flows so as to pass through the internal space 96.

[0058] When replacing the reforming cartridge 52, the reforming cartridge 52 is removed from the cartridge holder 90. If the control unit 72 receives a water supply command from the water supply operating unit 84 due to a user error or other reason while the reforming cartridge 52 is in this state, opening the on-off valves 70A-70C to supply water to the water-receiving portion 12 will cause a malfunction by supplying raw water from the upstream side to the water supply flow path 50. In the example of this embodiment, this malfunction refers to raw water leaking to the outside from the holder inlet portion 90a of the cartridge holder 90. Another example of a malfunction would be if the cartridge casing 94 were attached to the cartridge holder 90 with the reforming cartridge 52 removed, causing raw water to flow from the upstream flow path portion 50a to the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50. Below, we will explain the measures taken to address this issue.

[0059] The water supply system 10 is equipped with an attachment detection unit 100 that detects whether or not the reforming cartridge 52 is attached to the cartridge holder 90. The attachment detection unit 100 is, for example, a microswitch, a proximity switch, or the like. The attachment detection unit 100 detects whether or not the reforming cartridge 52 is attached based on the presence or absence of the reforming cartridge 52 at a detection position that can be detected by the attachment detection unit 100. The attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached when the reforming cartridge 52 is attached to the cartridge holder 90 and is at the detection position. The attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached when the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached to the cartridge holder 90 and is not at the detection position. The attachment detection unit 100 outputs a signal indicating whether or not the reforming cartridge 52 is attached to the control unit 72.

[0060] When the control unit 72 is in normal mode and the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached, it controls the on-off valves 70A-70C as described above in accordance with the water supply command received from the water supply operation unit 84. For example, when a cold water supply command or a room temperature water supply command is received, the control unit 72 opens the upstream on-off valve 70A and one of the downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C in accordance with the water supply command. In contrast, when the control unit 72 is in normal mode and the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached, the control unit 72 keeps the upstream on-off valve 70A and the downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C closed even when a water supply command is received from the water supply operation unit 84. The control unit 72 disables the water supply command received from the water supply operation unit 84 until the attachment detection unit 100 begins to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached.

[0061] This prevents raw water from being supplied from the upstream side to the water supply passage 50 even when the control unit 72 receives a water supply command due to a user error or the like when the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached to the cartridge holder 90. This in turn prevents the above-mentioned problems that accompany such a situation from occurring.

[0062] The control unit 72 executes the flushing mode when it receives a flushing mode start command from a start operation unit 102 operated by a user under predetermined conditions described below. The flushing mode start command is output to the control unit 72 from the start operation unit 102 operated by the user. The start operation unit 102 is, for example, a push switch provided on a housing that supports the cartridge holder 90. This push switch outputs the flushing mode start command to the control unit 72 when pressed. The start operation unit 102 may also be various other switches such as a lever switch, or may be configured as an information processing terminal. In this case, the information processing terminal serving as the start operation unit 102 executes an application for operating the water supply system 10 and outputs the flushing mode start command to the control unit 72 in accordance with the operation on the application.

[0063] The predetermined condition for executing the cleaning mode described above is that a cleaning mode start command is received within a predetermined set period (e.g., 10 minutes) after the attachment detection unit 100 begins to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached. Here, "starting to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached" refers to a case where the attachment detection unit 100 begins to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached after the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached. In addition, this also includes a case where the attachment detection unit 100 begins to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached immediately after power is supplied to the control unit 72, attachment detection unit 100, etc. of the water supply system 10 to start them up. If the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached, the control unit 72 will not execute the cleaning mode even if it receives a cleaning mode start command from the start operation unit 102. The control unit 72 does not execute the cleaning mode even when it receives a cleaning mode start command from the start operation unit 102 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the attachment detection unit 100 began to detect that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached, even when it receives the cleaning mode start command.

[0064] This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the cleaning mode is mistakenly executed due to an erroneous operation of the start operation unit 102 when the reforming cartridge 52 is not installed or when the reforming cartridge 52 has not been replaced.

[0065] In this embodiment, the fifth check valve 66, the first valve mechanism 68, the cartridge holder 90, the cartridge casing 94, etc. are integrated into a reforming unit 104. In addition, the tank 62, the fourth check valve 64, the on-off valves 70B and 70C, etc. are integrated into a cooling unit 106. These do not have to be integrated.

[0066] (Second embodiment) The water supply system 10 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the types of downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C and the associated operation in normal mode and cleaning mode. Of the components described in the first embodiment, the same content as in the first embodiment applies to the components not described below.

[0067] The downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C of this embodiment are normally closed on-off valves instead of the normally open on-off valves of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the normal mode, when a room-temperature water supply command is received, the control unit 72 opens the normally closed upstream on-off valve 70A and the room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B, and maintains the normally closed cold water downstream on-off valve 70C in a closed state. Furthermore, in the normal mode, when a cold water supply command is received, the control unit 72 opens the normally closed upstream on-off valve 70A and the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C, and maintains the normally closed room-temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B in a closed state. When a water stop command is received, the control unit 72 switches all on-off valves 70A, 70B, and 70C to the OFF state, thereby closing them.

[0068] Referring to Figure 8, the operation in the flushing mode of the second embodiment will be described. When the control unit 72 of the second embodiment starts the flushing mode, at time t1, it switches the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B from a closed state to an open state while maintaining the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C in a closed state. Thereafter, during the time period from time t1 to time t10, it switches the state of the first valve mechanism 68 and the open / close states of the on-off valves 70A to 70C in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, at time t10, it switches the cold water downstream on-off valve 70C from an open state to a closed state while maintaining the room temperature water downstream on-off valve 70B in a closed state. This completes the flushing mode.

[0069] Next, variations of the components described above will be described.

[0070] The water supply system 10 may add an additive liquid supplied from an additive liquid source by a pump or the like to the modified water flowing through the water supply flow path 50. This additive liquid is used for drinking purposes, such as a concentrate for dilution, a concentrated food additive liquid, or a seasoning liquid. In addition, the additive liquid may be used for purposes that come into contact with the human body, such as soapy water, lotion, or body oil. Such uses that come into contact with the human body include the aforementioned concentrate for dilution used for drinking.

[0071] The room temperature water flow path 58 is an example of a first branch flow path, and the cold water flow path 60 is an example of a second branch flow path. The configuration of the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path is not particularly limited. For example, a tank may be provided in both the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path. Alternatively, a tank may be provided only in the first branch flow path and not in the second branch flow path, or a tank may not be provided in both the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path.

[0072] The timing charts in Figures 2 and 8 are merely examples, and the specific content of the cleaning mode is not particularly limited. For example, in the cleaning mode, raw water may be passed through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50, without passing reformed water. The order of the first flow state in Figure 2 and the second flow state in Figure 3, and the order of the third flow state in Figure 4 and the fourth flow state in Figure 5, are not particularly important. When passing raw water through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50, raw water may be passed through both branch flow paths 58 and 60 simultaneously, rather than sequentially through each. Furthermore, when passing reformed water through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50, reformed water may be passed through both branch flow paths 58 and 60 simultaneously, rather than sequentially through each.

[0073] The operations of the first valve mechanism 68 and the on-off valves 70A-70C performed by the control unit 72 for the cleaning mode may also be performed manually. For example, the first valve mechanism 68 and the on-off valves 70A-70C may be manually operated to cause raw water to flow through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply path 50. The first valve mechanism 68 and the on-off valves 70A-70C may also be manually operated to cause reformed water to flow after raw water has been caused to flow through the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply path 50.

[0074] The water supply system 10 does not need to include the second water supply line 18. In this case, raw water such as tap water may be supplied from the water supply source 20 to the water supply passage 50 of the first water supply line 16.

[0075] The water supply system 10 does not necessarily have to include the tank 62. The position of the tank 62 on the water supply flow path 50 is not particularly limited, and for example, the tank 62 may be provided in the upstream flow path section 50a of the water supply flow path 50. When the tank 62 is provided in the water supply flow path 50, one of the upstream on-off valve 70A and the downstream on-off valves 70B, 70C may be omitted. Although an example in which the tank 62 cools the water stored therein has been described, the function of the tank 62 is not particularly limited. Additionally, the tank 62 may either heat or keep warm the water stored therein, or may sterilize the water stored therein. Additionally, the tank 62 may add a specific component (e.g., a flavor component) to the water stored therein.

[0076] The downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50 does not have to be provided with the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path. In this case, the tank 62 may be provided in the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50. When the raw water and the reformed water are caused to flow sequentially only through the two branch flow paths 58, 60, the tank 62 does not have to be provided in one of the two branch flow paths 58, 60.

[0077] The upstream on-off valve 70A may be provided in the downstream flow path portion 50c of the water supply flow path 50.

[0078] When starting water supply from the water supply flow path 50 to the water-receiving portion 12, the control portion 72 may open the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C while leaving the upstream on-off valve 70A open. When stopping water supply from the water supply flow path 50 to the water-receiving portion 12, the control portion 72 may close the downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C while leaving the upstream on-off valve 70A open.

[0079] The second valve mechanism 71 may be configured with a single switching valve (e.g., a three-way valve) instead of the multiple downstream on-off valves 70B and 70C. It can also be said that the second valve mechanism 71 may be configured to be able to switch the flow path to either the first branch flow path or the second branch flow path by at least one valve (multiple on-off valves or a single switching valve).

[0080] The water supply system 10 does not need to be equipped with the attachment detection unit 100. If the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is not attached, the control unit 72 may switch the on-off valves 70A to 70C to the open state when a water supply command is received. If the attachment detection unit 100 detects that the reforming cartridge 52 is attached, the control unit 72 may always execute the cleaning mode when a cleaning mode start command is received.

[0081] The control unit 72 may stop the cleaning mode when the flow rate sensor 74 detects a flow rate equal to or lower than a predetermined flow rate (for example, 1.0 L / min).

[0082] The above-described embodiments and variations are merely examples. The abstract technical ideas should not be interpreted as being limited to the contents of the embodiments and variations. Many design changes are possible in the contents of the embodiments and variations, such as changing, adding, or deleting components. In the above-described embodiments, the contents that allow such design changes are emphasized by adding the notation "embodiment." However, design changes are naturally permitted even in contents that do not have such notation. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the material of the hatched objects.

[0083] When the technical ideas embodied in the above-described embodiments and modified forms are generalized, it can be said that the technical ideas described in the following items are included.

[0084] The first item is a water supply system that includes a water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from upstream through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving section, a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path, and a valve mechanism that is provided separately from the reforming cartridge and can switch the destination of the raw water supply between the cartridge passing section of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path.

[0085] A second aspect is the water supply system according to the first aspect, further comprising a tank for storing the reformed water, the tank being provided in the water supply passage downstream of a junction where the water supply passage joins the bypass passage.

[0086] The third item is a water supply system in the second item, which is provided with a plurality of valves arranged in the water supply flow path, the plurality of valves including an upstream opening / closing valve and at least one downstream opening / closing valve arranged downstream of the upstream opening / closing valve, and the tank is arranged in the water supply flow path between the upstream opening / closing valve and the downstream opening / closing valve.

[0087] The fourth item is a water supply system in the third item that is provided with a control unit that controls the valve, and when water supply from the water supply flow path to the water-receiving part is started, the control unit opens the upstream opening / closing valve while keeping the downstream opening / closing valve open.

[0088] The fifth item is a water supply system in either the third or fourth item, which is equipped with a control unit that controls the valve, and when water supply from the water supply flow path to the water-receiving part is stopped, closes the upstream opening / closing valve while leaving the downstream opening / closing valve open.

[0089] A sixth item is the water supply system according to any one of the third to fifth items, wherein the at least one downstream on-off valve is a normally open on-off valve.

[0090] The seventh item is a water supply system according to any one of the first to sixth items, which includes at least one valve provided in the water supply flow path, and a control unit that controls the valve and the valve mechanism to execute a cleaning mode in which a downstream flow path section in the water supply flow path downstream of the junction with the bypass flow path is cleaned with raw water.

[0091] Item 8 is a water supply system in which, in item 7, the water supply flow path has a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path that branch off downstream of the confluence and then merge, the at least one valve constitutes another valve mechanism that can switch the flow path to either the first branch flow path or the second branch flow path, and the control unit controls the other valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause raw water to flow sequentially only through the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path.

[0092] A ninth item is a water supply system according to either the seventh or eighth item, wherein the control unit controls the valve and the valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause raw water to flow through the downstream flow path section, and then causes the reformed water to flow through the downstream flow path section.

[0093] Item 10 is a water supply system according to item 9, wherein the water supply flow path includes a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path that branch off downstream of the confluence and then merge, the at least one valve constitutes another valve mechanism that can switch the flow path to either the first branch flow path or the second branch flow path, and the control unit controls the other valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause the reformed water to flow sequentially only through the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path.

[0094] Item 11 is a water supply system according to any one of items 1 to 10, comprising at least one valve provided in the water supply flow path, a control unit that controls the valve, a cartridge holder to which the reforming cartridge can be attached and detached, and an attachment detection unit that detects whether the reforming cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder, wherein the at least one valve includes an on-off valve, and the control unit maintains the on-off valve in a closed state when the attachment detection unit detects that the reforming cartridge is not attached, even when a water supply instruction is received.

[0095] Item 12 is a water supply system in which, in item 11, the control unit is capable of executing a cleaning mode in which a downstream flow path section in the water supply flow path downstream of the junction with the bypass flow path is cleaned with raw water by controlling the valve and the valve mechanism, and the control unit executes the cleaning mode when it receives a cleaning mode start command within a predetermined set period after starting to detect that the reforming cartridge is installed.

[0096] A thirteenth item is the water supply system according to any one of the first to twelfth items, wherein the raw water is tap water containing chlorine components, and the reforming cartridge is a water purification cartridge that removes the chlorine components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10...water supply system, 12...water-supplied portion, 50...water supply flow path, 50b...cartridge via portion, 50c...downstream flow path portion, 52...reforming cartridge, 54...bypass flow path, 58, 60...branch flow path, 62...tank, 68...first valve mechanism, 70A...valve (upstream opening / closing valve), 70B, 70C...valve (downstream opening / closing valve), 71...second valve mechanism, 72...control unit, 100...installation detection unit.

Claims

1. a water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from an upstream side through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving portion; a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path so as to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path; a valve mechanism provided separately from the reforming cartridge, capable of switching the supply destination of raw water between a cartridge via portion of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path; a tank that is provided in the water supply passage downstream of a junction where the water supply passage joins the bypass passage and that stores the reforming water; a plurality of valves provided in the water supply flow path; the plurality of valves include an upstream on-off valve and at least one downstream on-off valve provided downstream of the upstream on-off valve, the tank is provided in the water supply flow path between the upstream on-off valve and the downstream on-off valve, A water supply system wherein the at least one downstream on-off valve is a normally open on-off valve.

2. a control unit for controlling the valve; The water supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit opens the upstream opening / closing valve while keeping the downstream opening / closing valve open when starting water supply from the water supply flow path to the water-receiving part.

3. a control unit for controlling the valve; The water supply system according to claim 1, wherein when water supply from the water supply flow path to the water-receiving portion is stopped, the upstream on-off valve is closed while the downstream on-off valve is left open.

4. A water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from an upstream side through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving portion; a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path so as to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path; a valve mechanism provided separately from the reforming cartridge, capable of switching the supply destination of raw water between a cartridge via portion of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path; At least one valve provided in the water supply flow path; a control unit that controls the valve and the valve mechanism to execute a cleaning mode in which a downstream flow path portion in the water supply flow path downstream of a junction with the bypass flow path is cleaned with raw water, the water supply flow path includes a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path that branch off downstream of the confluence and then merge; the at least one valve constitutes another valve mechanism capable of switching a flow path between the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path, The control unit controls the other valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause raw water to flow only through the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path in turn.

5. A water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from an upstream side through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving section; a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path so as to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path; a valve mechanism provided separately from the reforming cartridge, capable of switching the supply destination of raw water between a cartridge via portion of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path; At least one valve provided in the water supply flow path; a control unit that controls the valve and the valve mechanism to execute a cleaning mode in which a downstream flow path portion in the water supply flow path downstream of a junction with the bypass flow path is cleaned with raw water, the control unit controls the valve and the valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause raw water to flow through the downstream channel section, and then causes the reforming water to flow through the downstream channel section; the water supply flow path includes a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path that branch off downstream of the confluence and then merge; the at least one valve constitutes another valve mechanism capable of switching a flow path between the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path, The control unit controls the other valve mechanism in the cleaning mode to cause the reforming water to flow only through the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path in turn.

6. A water supply flow path that generates reformed water by passing raw water supplied from an upstream side through a reforming cartridge and supplies the reformed water to a water-receiving portion; a bypass flow path that branches off from the water supply flow path so as to avoid the reforming cartridge and merges with the water supply flow path; a valve mechanism provided separately from the reforming cartridge, capable of switching the supply destination of raw water between a cartridge via portion of the water supply flow path that passes through the reforming cartridge and the bypass flow path; At least one valve provided in the water supply flow path; a control unit that controls the valve; a cartridge holder to which the reforming cartridge can be detachably attached; an attachment detection unit that detects whether the reforming cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder; the at least one valve includes an on-off valve; When the installation detection unit detects that the reforming cartridge is not installed, the control unit maintains the on-off valve in a closed state even when a water supply instruction is received, the control unit is capable of executing a cleaning mode in which a downstream flow path portion, which is located downstream of a junction with the bypass flow path in the water supply flow path, is cleaned with raw water by controlling the valve and the valve mechanism, The control unit executes the cleaning mode when it receives a cleaning mode start command within a predetermined set period after starting to detect that the reforming cartridge is attached.

7. The raw water is tap water containing a chlorine component, 7. The water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the reforming cartridge is a water purification cartridge that removes the chlorine component.

Images