Water treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide a water treatment device that enables retention of humidity in a surrounding space of the water treatment device.SOLUTION: A water treatment device includes: a water purification unit for filtering raw water; a mist generating unit for atomizing the purified water filtered by the water purification unit; a purified water outlet for the purified water filtered by the water purification unit; and a mist outlet for spraying mist generated by the mist generating unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a water treatment apparatus, a water purifier that removes trihalomethane contained in tap water (raw water) by filtering the tap water with a filter medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003]

[0004]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To provide a water treatment apparatus capable of maintaining the humidity of the peripheral space of the water treatment apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The water treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a water purification unit that filters raw water, a mist generation unit that atomizes the purified water filtered by the water purification unit, a purified water outlet for the purified water filtered by the water purification unit, and a mist outlet that sprays the mist generated by the mist generation unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises a container, an impregnating body, and an ultrasonic transducer in the mist generating unit. The purified water accumulated in the container is atomized by the ultrasonic element via the impregnating body and sprayed from the mist outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to maintain humidity in the space surrounding the water treatment device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mist generation unit. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the underside of the main body. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the lower side of the water treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of a water treatment device according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 14]It is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the water treatment device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a schematic diagram showing the lower surface side of the water treatment device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water treatment device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a conceptual diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment device according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] It is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the backflow prevention part of the water treatment device according to the first to fifth embodiments. [Figure 20] It is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the backflow prevention part of the water treatment device according to the first to fifth embodiments. [Figure 21] It is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the backflow prevention part of the water treatment device according to the first to fifth embodiments. [Figure 22] It is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the water treatment device according to the first to fifth embodiments.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a water treatment device including a mist generation part and a control part for controlling the operation of the mist generation part, and spraying mist-like purified water or functional water toward the outside of the device.

[0011] In the water treatment device according to the present embodiment, as a feature, the mist generation part can atomize the purified water purified at least in the purified water part and spray it around. In addition, it is possible to give the user of the water treatment device a moistening effect by the mist. Furthermore, in the water treatment device according to the present embodiment, by providing a functional part, it is possible to supply the functional water having a predetermined function to the mist generation part and atomize it. Thereby, it is possible to give an effect derived from the function of the functional water by mist spraying to the user of the water treatment device and the periphery of the water treatment device.

[0012] The water treatment apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [First Embodiment] The water treatment device A1 according to this first embodiment is a water treatment device that has a mode for purifying and discharging raw water supplied from a faucet (purified water mode), a mode for discharging purified water with a predetermined function (functional water mode), and a mist mode for atomizing and spraying a portion of the water discharged in the purified water mode or functional water mode.

[0014] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment apparatus A1 according to the first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a simplified internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus A1 according to the first embodiment. In the schematic diagram of Figure 2, electrical signals are shown with dashed lines.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the water treatment device A1 consists of a main body 10 having a mounting part 11 that is attached to the faucet of the water tap 101, and a separate, roughly box-shaped housing 20 connected to the main body 10 via a water supply hose 15.

[0016] The main body 10 is provided with a switching valve 16 that switches the water passage, which receives raw water from a water tap via the mounting part 11 and passes through to the main body 10, between a raw water passage 14 that directs the raw water to a raw water outlet 12 that discharges the raw water outside the main body 10, and a purified water passage 31 that directs the raw water to a purified water section 30 inside the housing 20 via a water supply hose 15.

[0017] The switching valve 16 is a branch valve comprising multiple valve bodies that can selectively switch raw water received from the water supply to at least two paths, and has a lever 13 that rotates within a predetermined angular range. The lever 13, which is operated by the user, enables a two-stage switching operation: raw water discharge, which discharges raw water from the raw water outlet 12 provided at the bottom of the main body 10, and target water discharge, which allows the user to take in water desired by the user (hereinafter also referred to as target water) from the water intake 26a via the water intake pipe 26 provided on the housing 20 side.

[0018] The housing 20 houses the water purification unit 30, the hydrogen water generation unit 40 (which functions as a hydrogen water generator), the mist generation unit 60, and the control unit 50. The housing 20 is also equipped with a power plug 29 (see Figure 2), and is configured to receive power from a commercial power outlet or the like, allowing the hydrogen water generation unit 40 and the mist generation unit 60 to operate under the control of the control unit 50.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a display unit 21 is located on the front of the housing 20, and various information presented to the user is displayed on the display unit 21. The display unit 21 is equipped with a touch panel and also functions as an input unit.

[0020] Next, the internal configuration of the housing 20 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 20 contains a water purification unit 30, a hydrogen water generation unit 40, and a mist generation unit 60 as a water flow system that processes the supplied water. These components are connected by channels, including the water purification channel 31 and the mist generation channel 41, which are formed inside the housing 20. In addition, a control unit 50 is provided as an electrical system that performs the necessary electrical control and management for water flow and processing in the water flow system. These water flow system and electrical system components are housed and arranged inside the housing 20, which is roughly box-shaped.

[0021] The water purification channel 31 is composed of a water supply hose 15 connecting the main body 10 and the housing 20, and a channel connecting the hydrogen water generation unit 40 and the water purification unit 30 inside the housing 20. The water (raw water), which is the raw material for producing purified water, is received into the housing 20 via the water supply hose 15, and after passing through each component of the water flow system and the channels connecting them, it reaches the intake pipe 26 extending from the top surface of the housing 20. In this embodiment, one end of the water supply hose 15 is connected to the outlet on the main body 10 side attached to the faucet 101, and the other end of the water supply hose 15 is connected to the water inlet on the housing 20 side, thereby supplying tap water to the housing 20 as raw water from the water pipe. The raw water supplied into the housing 20 is supplied to the hydrogen water generation unit 40.

[0022] A flow sensor 32 is positioned in the water purification channel 31, which leads from the switching valve 16 to the hydrogen water generation unit 40. The flow sensor 32 is, for example, an impeller-type flow meter and is electrically connected to the control unit 50. The flow sensor 32 outputs an electrical signal (flow signal) to the control unit 50 corresponding to the amount of water flowing through the water purification channel 31. The control unit 50 displays the cumulative flow rate calculated based on the input flow signal on the display unit 21.

[0023] The hydrogen water generation unit 40 is a functional unit that generates hydrogen water as functional water, and is composed of a watertight, hollow, roughly box-shaped electrolytic cell. At least two electrodes 44 are arranged inside the electrolytic cell, and each electrode 44 is electrically connected to the control unit 50 such that one side is the anode and the other side is the cathode. Inside the electrolytic cell, there is no diaphragm or anything to separate the anode side and the cathode side, and the water flowing in close proximity to each electrode 44 mixes with each other. Raw water received from the faucet 101 and supplied to the hydrogen water generation unit 40 passes through the electrolytic cell and reaches the water purification unit 30.

[0024] The water purification unit 30 is composed of a cartridge containing a filter material such as a hollow fiber membrane or activated carbon. The water purification unit 30 filters and purifies functional water by adsorbing odorous substances and other impurities onto the filter material, thereby producing purified functional water. The functional water supplied to the water purification unit 30 via the hydrogen water generation unit 40 passes through the cartridge and reaches the intake pipe 26 via the intake channel 25, and also reaches the mist generation unit 60 via the mist generation channel 41. The cartridge is replaced after a predetermined period of time, or when the flow rate of water that has passed through the filter material exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0025] In the mist generation channel 41, which is connected to the mist generation section 60 located downstream of the water purification section 30, a branch section 23 is provided that branches the channel to the intake channel 25 on the intake pipe 26 side. Downstream of the branch section 23, the channel diameter of the mist generation channel 41 on the mist generation section 60 side is narrower than that of the intake channel 25 on the intake pipe 26 side (see Figure 3). This ensures that the amount of water required for misting is supplied to the mist generation section 60 while maintaining the amount of target water taken in from the intake port 26a.

[0026] Furthermore, a check valve 42 is provided as a backflow prevention device downstream of the branching section 23 in the mist generation channel 41 and upstream of the connection point of the mist generation section. By providing the check valve 42, it is prevented that functional water not used in the mist generation section 60 will flow back into the intake channel 25 and mix with the water.

[0027] The mist generating unit 60 is equipped with a misting means and atomizes the purified hydrogen water (purified functional water) that has passed through the hydrogen water generation unit 40 and the water purification unit 30 and sprays it outside the housing 20. In this embodiment, the misting means has a porous impregnated body 64 that absorbs and holds water and an ultrasonic transducer 65, and employs an ultrasonic method that atomizes water by vibrating the impregnated body 64 via the ultrasonic transducer 65 (see Figure 3).

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the mist generating unit 60 is composed of, for example, a hollow container 61. A nozzle 62 communicating with the mist outlet 27 is provided at the top of the container 61, and a water intake 63 from the mist generation channel 41 is provided at the bottom. Inside the container 61, the lower end of the impregnated body 64 is immersed in the water supplied from the mist generation channel 41, thereby causing the impregnated body 64 to retain water for atomization.

[0029] The purified water, atomized in the mist generating unit 60, forms on the upper surface of the housing 20 and is sprayed into the air from the mist outlet 27. This moistens the dry air.

[0030] The mist generation channel 41 downstream from the connection point of the mist generating unit 60 is a drainage channel leading to a drain outlet 43 for discharging excess water that did not flow into the mist generating unit 60. The drain outlet 43 is provided, for example, on the back or side of the housing 20, and a drain tube may be connected to the drain outlet 43 to guide excess water to the sink, if necessary. In this embodiment, if the flow rate in the mist generation channel 41 downstream from the branching section 23 is sufficiently less than the flow rate in the intake channel 25, the drainage channel may be omitted.

[0031] Next, the electrical configuration of the water treatment device A1 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water treatment device A1. In Figure 4, the electrical configuration of the water treatment device A1 is shown with solid lines, and the electrical configuration added to the solid configuration in other embodiments and modified water treatment devices described later is shown with dashed lines.

[0032] The control unit 50 is composed of a printed circuit board on which electronic components such as an arithmetic unit 51, memory 52, and switching elements are mounted, enabling the operation control of the water treatment device A1.

[0033] The control unit 50 is connected to a power button B1, which accepts input from the user. The control unit 50 is also connected to a display unit 21 equipped with a touch panel. The display unit 21 displays a function water button F1 for switching the hydrogen water generation unit 40 ON / OFF, and a mist button F2 for switching the mist generation unit 60 ON / OFF, and accepts input from the user. The control unit 50 can receive power from a commercial power source via a power plug 29.

[0034] A flow sensor 32 is connected to the control unit 50. The memory 52 of the control unit 50 stores a program that calculates the integrated flow rate based on the electrical signal input from the flow sensor 32. The control unit 50 calculates the integrated flow rate through the operation of the arithmetic unit 51 and displays the calculation result on the display unit 21.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 50 is connected to the electrodes 44 of the hydrogen water generation unit 40. The control unit 50, by order of the arithmetic unit 51, refers to the applied voltage stored in the memory 52 and performs control to adjust the power supply so that a predetermined voltage is applied to each electrode 44 located in the hydrogen water generation unit 40.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 50 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 65 of the mist generating unit 60. The control unit 50 vibrates the ultrasonic transducer 65 at a vibration frequency corresponding to the mist spray intensity selected by the user (for example, low, medium, high, etc.).

[0037] Next, we will describe a series of operations in the water treatment apparatus A1, which has the configuration described above.

[0038] With the water treatment device A1 connected to a commercial power supply or the like, when the user presses the power button B1, the water treatment device A1 starts up in water purification mode and enters a state of waiting for water flow or button input.

[0039] When the user opens the faucet 101 and allows water to flow through the purified water channel 31, the raw water passes through the purified water section 30 without being electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell of the hydrogen water generation section 40, and is discharged as purified water from the intake pipe 26.

[0040] Furthermore, when the user selects the functional water mode via the touch panel on the display unit 21, power is supplied to generate a predetermined DC voltage between the electrodes that become the anode or cathode of the electrolytic cell in the hydrogen water generation unit 40. As a result, purified hydrogen water (purified functional water) is discharged from the intake pipe 26 through the hydrogen water generation unit 40 and the water purification unit.

[0041] Similarly, when the user selects the mist mode via the touch panel of the display unit 21, the control unit 50 supplies power to the ultrasonic transducer 65 so that it vibrates at a predetermined vibration frequency. When only the mist mode is selected, purified water is sprayed outwards from the mist outlet 27 through the mist generating unit 60. When both the functional water mode and the mist mode are selected, purified functional water is sprayed outwards from the mist outlet 27 through the mist generating unit 60.

[0042] The amount discharged from the water intake pipe 26, i.e., the amount of purified water and purified functional water used, as well as the operating time of the mist generating unit 60, are accumulated in real time and displayed on the display unit 21.

[0043] A water treatment device having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the water treatment device A1 according to this embodiment includes a water purification unit 30 that filters raw water supplied from a faucet 101, a mounting unit 11 that is attached to the faucet 101, a main body unit 10 having a switching valve 16 that switches between a purified water flow path 31 through which raw water passes through the water purification unit 30 and a raw water flow path 14 that does not pass through the water purification unit 30, a mist generating unit 60 that atomizes the purified water filtered by the water purification unit 30, and a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the mist generating unit 60.

[0044] With this configuration, at least purified water is atomized and sprayed into the space surrounding the water treatment device A1, which makes it possible to maintain humidity during drying and to provide a moisturizing effect to the user's face and other skin.

[0045] Furthermore, the water treatment apparatus A1 according to this embodiment includes a functional unit (hydrogen water generation unit 40) that generates functional water, and the mist generation unit 60 sprays the atomized functional water from a mist outlet 27 located at a different position from the purified water outlet of the purified water filtered by the water purification unit 30. More specifically, the purified water outlet is a water intake opening 26a facing downward in a water intake pipe 26 that protrudes from the left side of the upper center of the housing 20, and the mist outlet 27 is an upward-opening hole located to the right of the upper center of the housing 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the functional unit is a hydrogen water generation unit 40 that includes electrodes for generating hydrogen, and the hydrogen water generation unit 40 is located upstream of the water purification unit 30.

[0047] With this configuration, the mist generating unit 60 atomizes hydrogen water as functional water, which is expected to provide moisturizing and skin-soothing effects to the user's face and other skin. Furthermore, as the functional water discharged from the hydrogen water generating unit 40 passes through the water purification unit 30, odors and other substances generated by electrolysis in the functional unit can be removed in the water purification unit 30.

[0048] Furthermore, the water treatment apparatus A1 according to this embodiment includes a branching section 23 downstream of the water purification section 30, which branches the water purification channel 31 into a water intake channel 25 leading to the water purification outlet (water intake port 26a) and a mist generation channel 41 connected to the mist generation section 60.

[0049] With this configuration, the user can easily guide the amount of water necessary for mist generation to the mist generating unit 60 simply by opening the faucet 101 and allowing water to flow through the purified water channel 31.

[0050] Furthermore, the mist generation channel 41 is configured to have a lower flow rate than the intake channel 25. Specifically, the channel diameter of the mist generation channel 41 is made smaller than that of the intake channel 25, so that the water flow rate in the mist generation channel 41 is lower.

[0051] With this configuration, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of water for use as drinking water, etc., while reducing the amount of surplus water not used in the mist generating unit 60, thereby suppressing the wasteful use of water.

[0052] Furthermore, a backflow prevention section is provided upstream of the mist generation section 60 in the mist generation channel 41. In this embodiment, the backflow prevention section is a check valve 42.

[0053] With this configuration, even if water guided downstream from the branching section 23 remains in the mist generation channel 41 without being used in the mist generation section 60, the backflow prevention section prevents the stagnant water from flowing back through the intake channel 25 and into the intake pipe 26, thus maintaining the hygienic condition of the purified water for drinking. Furthermore, since the backflow prevention section is a check valve 42, backflow can be reliably prevented.

[0054] Furthermore, the mist generation channel 41 has a drain port 43 for draining excess water that does not flow into the mist generation section 60.

[0055] With this configuration, any excess water that does not flow into the mist generating unit 60 can be drained to the outside through the flow path.

[0056] Furthermore, in the water treatment apparatus A1 according to this embodiment, the intake port 26a of the intake pipe 26 is positioned sufficiently far from the drain port 43. This prevents wastewater discharged from the drain port 43 from mixing with the target water discharged from the intake port 26a.

[0057] Furthermore, the mist outlet 27, which sprays the mist generated in the mist generating unit 60 toward the outside, is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 that houses the water purification unit 30.

[0058] With this configuration, it becomes possible to spray mist over a wide area around the sink where the water treatment device A1 is installed.

[0059] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. In the embodiments described below, components common to or corresponding to the first embodiment are given the same names or reference numerals, and descriptions of redundant content are omitted as appropriate.

[0060] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment device A2 according to the second embodiment, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a simplified internal configuration of the water treatment device A2 according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, the electrical configuration of the water treatment device A2 according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the block diagram in Figure 4.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the mist generating unit 60 and the display unit 21 are arranged in a housing 20 that is separate from the main body 10. However, the water treatment device A2 according to this embodiment differs in that the mist generating unit 60 and the flow rate display unit 121 are arranged in the main body 110.

[0062] Between the main unit 110 and the housing 120, in addition to the water supply hose 15, there is a water purification hose 17 that returns the target water from the housing 120 to the main unit 110, and a cable 19 that supplies power supplied from the power plug 29 to the mist generating unit 60 and the flow rate display unit 121 of the main unit 110.

[0063] The water purification hose 17 is installed in place of the intake pipe 26 of the water treatment device according to the first embodiment. Raw water supplied from the faucet 101 is received into the housing 120 via the water supply hose 15 by switching the switching valve 16, and passes through the hydrogen water generation unit 40 and the water purification unit 30, which are functional parts within the housing 120, to the water purification hose 17. In this embodiment, one end of the water purification hose 17 is connected to the water inlet of the main body 110 attached to the faucet 101, and the other end of the water purification hose 17 is connected to the discharge port on the housing 120 side, thereby returning the target water from the housing 120 to the main body 110.

[0064] A target water outlet 112 is provided at a different location from the raw water outlet 12 at the bottom of the main body 110. Inside the main body 110, a branching section 23 is provided that branches the purified water flow path 31 into an intake channel 25 leading to the target water outlet 112 and a mist generation flow path 41 to which the mist generation section 60 is connected.

[0065] Furthermore, a storage section 70 is provided at the connection point between the mist generation channel 41 and the mist generating section 60. The storage section 70 stores a predetermined amount of functional water that is atomized in the mist generating section 60. The storage section 70 only needs to be formed to enable communication between the mist generating section 60 and the mist generation channel 41, and may, for example, be capable of partially expanding the channel diameter of the mist generation channel 41 to retain water.

[0066] Furthermore, a heater 71 is provided in the storage section 70. The heater 71 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 drives the heater 71 at a low output when the mist generating section 60 is running, and drives the heater 71 at a high output when the mist generating section 60 is not running. More specifically, when the mist generating section 60 is running, the control unit 50 drives the heater 71 at a predetermined output to maintain the water temperature in the storage section 70 at, for example, around 40°C. When the mist generating section 60 is not running, the control unit 50 drives the heater 71 at a higher output than when the mist generating section 60 is running to heat the water temperature in the storage section 70 to, for example, 75°C or higher.

[0067] Here, when the mist generating unit 60 is not driven, it refers to a state in which the mist generating unit 60 is not driven, such as when the faucet 101 is not open, when the faucet 101 is open but the switching valve 16 is in a position to pass raw water through the raw water passage 14, or when the faucet 101 is open and the switching valve 16 is in a position to pass raw water through the purified water passage 31 but the mist mode is not selected. In other words, the control unit 50 performs control to make the heater output when the mist generating unit 60 is not driven greater than the heater output when the mist generating unit 60 is driven, thereby enabling the storage unit 70 to be disinfected by heat when the mist generating function is not in use.

[0068] Furthermore, it is not necessary to keep the heater 71 running at high output at all times when the mist generating unit 60 is not in operation; it is sufficient to maintain a state in which the water temperature of the stored water in the storage unit 70 is 75°C or higher for a certain period of time that is considered effective for sterilization. Therefore, the control unit 50 may be configured to, for example, run the heater 71 at high output for a predetermined operating time (e.g., 10 minutes) and then execute a control to stop the power supply to the heater 71.

[0069] Furthermore, when the mist generation function is not in use, heating of the storage section 70 by the heater 71 should be performed at a frequency that maintains the sanitary conditions inside the storage section 70. Therefore, when the mist generation unit 60 is not being driven, the control unit 50 may determine, for example, whether a preset downtime (e.g., 1 hour) has elapsed since the last high-power drive, and if the set downtime has elapsed, it may control the operation of the heater 71 to drive at high power for a predetermined driving time (e.g., 10 minutes), thereby intermittently driving the heater. In other words, by suppressing the high-power driving time of the heater 71, the increase in power consumption when the mist generation function is not in use can be suppressed.

[0070] On the other hand, when the mist generating unit 60 is running, the heater 71 is driven with a lower output than when the mist generating unit 60 is not running, making it possible to supply mist at a comfortable temperature (for example, 30°C to 40°C) to the user.

[0071] The top surface of the main body 110 is provided with an upward-facing mist outlet 27 and a mist button F2 for switching the mist mode ON / OFF. The mist button F2 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. Mist generated by the mist generating unit 60 inside the housing 120 in response to a drive command from the control unit 50 is sprayed to the outside from the mist outlet 27. By providing the mist button F2 on the top surface of the main body 110 in this way, the user can easily and quickly start and stop the mist generating unit 60. Furthermore, by providing the mist button F2 on the same plane as the mist outlet 27, the user can see them within the same field of view, so the user can easily check the status of mist discharge and stopping from the mist outlet 27 in conjunction with the operation of the mist button F2. The functional water button F1 for switching the functional water mode ON / OFF is provided as a selection button displayed on the display unit 21 equipped with a touch panel, similar to the water treatment device A1 according to the first embodiment.

[0072] A flow rate display unit 121 is located on the front of the main unit 110, separate from the display unit 21 of the housing 120. This flow rate display unit 121 displays the cumulative volume of raw water based on the electrical signal from the flow rate sensor 32.

[0073] The section of the mist generation channel 41 downstream from the mist generation section 60 is a drainage channel leading to a drain outlet 43 that discharges excess water that did not flow into the mist generation section 60.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the lower side of the main body 110. As shown in Figure 7, the drain port 43 is located at a different position from the raw water discharge port 12 and the target water discharge port 112 on the lower side of the main body 110, and is provided behind the mounting portion 11. It is preferable that the drain port 43 is located away from the target water discharge port 112. By providing the drain port 43 behind the mounting portion 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent the wastewater discharged from the drain port 43 from mixing with the target water discharged from the target water discharge port 112. Furthermore, by providing the target water discharge port 112 in front of the mounting portion 11, the distance between it and the drain port 43 can be increased, further preventing the wastewater discharged from the drain port 43 from mixing with the target water discharged from the target water discharge port 112.

[0075] The housing 120 houses the water purification unit 30, the hydrogen water generation unit 40 (which functions as a hydrogen water generator), and the control unit 50. This housing 120 may be placed in a space such as under a sink, within a range that allows the water supply hose 15, the water purification hose 17, and the cable 19 to be routed.

[0076] When the user operates the lever 13 and the switching valve 16 is switched to the purified water flow path 31 that directs raw water to the purified water section 30, raw water supplied from the faucet 101 is supplied into the housing 120 via the water supply hose 15, and the purified water that has been returned from the housing 120 is discharged from the purified water outlet 112.

[0077] When the user presses the mist button F2, the mist generating unit 60 operates and mist is sprayed into the air from the mist outlet 27.

[0078] A water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the water treatment apparatus A2 according to this embodiment has a mist outlet 27 provided on the upper surface of the main body 110. Furthermore, the mist outlet 27 is provided in front of the mounting portion 11 on the main body 110.

[0079] This configuration makes it possible to spray the mist at a position closer to the user.

[0080] Furthermore, in the water treatment apparatus A2 according to this embodiment, a storage section 70 is provided at the connection point between the mist generation channel 41 and the mist generation section 60.

[0081] With this configuration, a predetermined amount of functional water can be stored in the storage unit 70, thus preventing the mist generating unit 60 from running dry.

[0082] Furthermore, the storage section 70 is equipped with a heater 71 as a heating means.

[0083] With this configuration, it becomes possible to provide the user with heated hot mist from the mist outlet 27.

[0084] Furthermore, the control unit 50 drives the heater 71 with different outputs depending on whether the mist generating unit 60 is being driven or not.

[0085] With this configuration, when the mist generating unit 60 is not being driven, the heater 71 is driven at high output, which enables sterilization by heat within the storage unit 70.

[0086] The storage section 70 may also be provided as part of the mist generating section 60. For example, the storage section may be replaced by storing a certain amount of water at the bottom of the container 61 described with reference to Figure 3.

[0087] [Modified version of the second embodiment] Next, a modified example of the second embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. This modified example relates to temperature control of the storage section 70.

[0088] The water treatment device A2 may also be equipped with a Peltier element as a cooling means in place of the heater 71 in the storage section 70. The Peltier element is electrically connected to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 drives the Peltier element at high output when the mist generating unit 60 is driven, and drives the Peltier element at low output when the mist generating unit 60 is not driven. More specifically, when the mist generating unit 60 is driven, the control unit 50 drives the Peltier element at a predetermined output to cool the water temperature in the storage section 70 to a desired temperature (e.g., 10°C). When the mist generating unit 60 is not driven, the control unit 50 drives the Peltier element at a lower output than when the mist generating unit 60 is driven to maintain the water temperature in the storage section 70 at a constant temperature. From the viewpoint of suppressing bacterial growth, this constant temperature is preferably a temperature below the optimal growth temperature of bacteria classified as mesophilic, for example.

[0089] When the mist generating unit 60 is driven, driving the Peltier element at a higher output than when it is not driven strongly cools the water stored in the storage unit 70, and cooling mist is sprayed from the mist outlet 27. As a result, users can experience a cooling sensation from the cooling mist during hot summer months.

[0090] Furthermore, the storage unit 70 may be provided with a mist temperature adjustment means that allows for selective heating and cooling by providing a circuit in the control unit 50 that changes the direction of the current to the Peltier element. In this case, the user can select the mist temperature by displaying a selection button on the display unit 21 that allows for the selection of either heating or cooling.

[0091] When a Peltier element is used as a heating means, similar to the case of the heater 71, when the mist generating unit 60 is driven, the control unit 50 drives the Peltier element at a predetermined output to maintain the temperature of the stored water in the storage unit 70 at, for example, around 40°C. When the mist generating unit 60 is not driven, the control unit 50 drives the Peltier element at a higher output than when the mist generating unit 60 is driven to heat the water in the storage unit 70 to, for example, 75°C or higher.

[0092] A water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration: That is, the storage section 70 of the water treatment apparatus A2 according to this modified example is provided with a cooling means.

[0093] This configuration makes it possible to provide users with mist at a desired temperature depending on the type of functional water used.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and its variations described above, an example was described in which the water purification unit 30 and the functional unit (hydrogen water generation unit 40) are arranged in the housing 20, 120 and are separate from the main body 10, 110. However, the configuration that is separated from the main body 10, 110 can be changed. For example, only the functional unit may be separated, and all other components may be provided in the main body attached to the faucet 101.

[0095] Furthermore, the mounting section 11 includes not only those that can be attached to the faucet of a water tap, but also those that can be attached to the raw water outlet of the shut-off valve of various water facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. For example, the main body, which includes the water purification section and the switching valve, may be interposed in the piping under the sink, and the functional section and the mist generating section 60 may be provided separately on the faucet side. In such a case, it goes without saying that the raw water outlet 12 and the purified water intake 26a provided in the main body will be modified to a shape that can be connected to the piping.

[0096] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. In the embodiments described below, components common to or corresponding to the first and second embodiments are given the same names or reference numerals, and descriptions of redundant content are omitted as appropriate.

[0097] Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the external appearance of the water treatment apparatus A3 according to the third embodiment, with Figure 8 showing the state with the power supply unit 80 attached and Figure 9 showing the state with the power supply unit 80 removed. Figure 10 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus A3 according to the third embodiment. Figure 11 is a schematic bottom view of the water treatment apparatus A3. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus A3 according to the third embodiment.

[0098] The water treatment apparatus A3 according to this embodiment is configured such that a water purification unit 30, an ion water generation unit 140 as a functional unit, a control unit 50, and a power supply unit 80 are integrally connected to a main body 210 having a mounting portion 11. Specifically, the main body 210 consists of a central body 220 having a mounting portion 11, a cylindrical casing 230 that houses the water purification unit 30 extending to the left of the central body 220, and a power supply unit 80 that is detachably connected to the right of the central body 220.

[0099] Within the central part 220 of the main body, which is the central part of the water treatment device A3, in addition to the mounting part 11, a switching valve 16 and a control unit 50 are arranged, and multiple water passages constituting the water flow system are formed. Each water passage is configured to communicate with a raw water discharge port 12 provided on the lower side of the central part 220 of the main body and a water purification unit 30 connected to the left side of the central part 220 of the main body.

[0100] A lever 13 is located on the front of the central part 220 of the main body, which allows the user to operate the switching valve 16 to switch the flow path.

[0101] A flow rate display unit 121 is located on the upper surface of the central part 220 of the main unit. Similar to the second embodiment, the flow rate display unit 121 displays the cumulative amount of water that has flowed towards the water purification unit 30 based on the electrical signal from the flow rate sensor 32.

[0102] Furthermore, a functional water button F1 is located on the upper surface of the central part 220 of the main unit. The functional water button F1 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. In this embodiment, when the user presses the functional water button F1 to select a functional water mode, ON / OFF control of the operation of the ion water generation unit 140 and the mist generation unit 60 is performed.

[0103] The cylindrical casing 230 is a part of the main body 210, formed integrally with the main body 210 in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section, and detachably houses the cylindrical water purification cartridge that constitutes the water purification unit 30. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical casing 230 is not limited to a circle; it may also be elliptical or polygonal, such as a square. The cylindrical casing 230 also houses the ion water generation unit 140 and the mist generation unit 60. The rear side of the cylindrical casing 230 is a lid 231, and the water purification cartridge can be replaced by opening the lid 231.

[0104] A target water outlet 112 is provided on the lower side of the cylindrical casing 230 for discharging the target water that has passed through the water purification section 30 and the ion water generation section 140.

[0105] The power supply unit 80 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, as a power source. On the left side of the power supply unit 80, which faces the central part 220 of the main body, is a fitting projection 81 with a roughly T-shaped cross-section that can be slid into a rail-shaped fitting recess 221 provided on the right side of the central part 220 of the main body. The flat surface that forms the head of the T-shape of the fitting projection 81 is provided with a contact for conducting electricity. By sliding the fitting projection 81 into the fitting recess 221, the contact for conducting electricity on the fitting projection 81 side comes into contact with a power receiving contact provided on the right side of the main body 210, which is the bottom of the fitting recess 221. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 80 to the electrical system of the main body 210. The power supply unit 80 can be easily removed by sliding it against the main body 210 to release the engagement of the fitting projection 81 with the fitting recess 221, and the internal battery can be charged using a charger.

[0106] Furthermore, all-solid-state batteries may be used as the power source. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use an electrolyte, all-solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. All-solid-state batteries have a wider operating temperature range than lithium-ion batteries and do not leak, so they can be used even in harsh temperature environments. For such all-solid-state batteries, it is preferable to use one in which at least one of the positive electrode, negative electrode, and solid electrolyte layer contains a sulfide-based solid electrolyte.

[0107] Furthermore, a roughly U-shaped rib portion 223 is provided on the right side of the central part 220 of the main body, surrounding three sides of the right side. In other words, the rib portion 223 is provided around the edge of the right side of the central part 220 of the main body, except for the direction that serves as the receiving opening for the fitting projection 81 of the fitting recess 221 (the rear side). The rib portion 223 is composed of a vertical rib portion 223a that protrudes in a direction along the plane of the right side of the central part 220 of the main body, and a horizontal rib portion 223b that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the right side.

[0108] The rib section 223 is designed to prevent water from entering the contact point between the main body central section 220 and the power supply section 80. For example, when a user is washing dishes or other items using raw water discharged from the raw water outlet 12, the vertical rib section 223a acts as a barrier to prevent splashed water droplets from flowing from the top surface of the main body section 210 towards the power supply section 80. The horizontal rib section 223b effectively prevents water that has flowed beyond the vertical rib section 223a from entering the space between the power supply section 80 and the main body central section 220.

[0109] In this embodiment, both the vertical rib portion 223a and the horizontal rib portion 223b are provided around the edge of the right side of the central body portion 220, except in the direction that serves as the receiving opening for the fitting projection 81 of the fitting recess 221. However, the vertical rib portion 223a may be formed in a flange shape that surrounds the entire edge of the right side of the central body portion 220. In other words, the rib portion 223 only needs to have a notch in the horizontal rib portion 223b that protrudes perpendicularly to the right side of the central body portion 220, surrounding the engagement recess 221, with the insertion end side of the power supply unit 80 cut out. Alternatively, the vertical rib portion 223a may be omitted and only the horizontal rib portion 223b may be provided, or conversely, the horizontal rib portion 223b may be omitted and only the vertical rib portion 223a may be provided.

[0110] The internal structure of the main body 210 will now be described. The ion water generation unit 140 and the mist generation unit 60, which are functional units, are housed together with the water purification unit 30 within the cylindrical casing 230.

[0111] The switching valve 116 is equipped with an angle sensor 33. The angle sensor 33 detects the rotation angle corresponding to the amount of operation of the lever 13 and is electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 acquires the selected flow path information based on the rotation position of the lever, which is determined by the electrical signal from the angle sensor 33. Note that, instead of the angle sensor 33, other means may be used to acquire the flow path information, such as an electrical circuit in which contacts close and current flows when the lever 13 moves to each rotation position.

[0112] The ionized water generation unit 140 is located downstream of the water purification unit 30 in the water purification channel 31. An electrically operated switching valve 36, driven by a motor 37, is interposed between the water purification unit 30 and the ionized water generation unit 140. This switching valve 36 is electrically connected to the control unit 50, which operates the switching valve 36 by driving the motor 37 based on the channel information selected by the lever 13. In other words, the switching valve 36 switches between a channel that directs purified water that has passed only through the water purification unit 30 towards the target water outlet 112 and a channel that supplies purified water that has passed through the water purification unit 30 to the ionized water generation unit 140.

[0113] The ionized water generation unit 140 is a functional unit that generates ionized water as functional water, and is composed of a watertight, hollow, roughly box-shaped electrolytic cell. This electrolytic cell is a two-chamber type electrolytic cell in which the interior is divided into a cathode chamber 141 and an anode chamber 142 by a diaphragm, and an electrode 45 that will serve as the cathode and an electrode 45 that will serve as the anode are arranged in each chamber. Each electrode 45 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. Inside the electrolytic cell, the interior is divided into a cathode chamber 141 and an anode chamber 142, and the acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water in each chamber do not mix with each other, and flow from the ionized water outlets provided in the cathode chamber 141 and anode chamber 142 to the downstream flow path.

[0114] The ionized water outlet on the cathode chamber 141 side of the electrolytic cell is connected to the intake channel 125 leading to the target water outlet 112, and alkaline ionized water is discharged from the target water outlet 112 on the lower surface of the cylindrical casing 230.

[0115] The ionized water outlet on the anode chamber 142 side of the electrolytic cell is connected to the mist generation channel 41 and leads to the mist generation unit 60. In the mist generation unit 60, acidic ionized water, also called astringent water, is atomized. The acidic ionized water atomized in the mist generation unit 60 is sprayed from the mist outlet 27, which is provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical casing 230 with an upward opening. The mist outlet 27 may also be provided on the front surface of the cylindrical casing 230.

[0116] Acidic ionized water that is not used in the mist generation unit 60 is discharged from the drain port 43. As shown in Figure 11, the drain port 43 is located on the lower side of the cylindrical casing 230, at a different position from the target water discharge port 112 from which purified water and alkaline ionized water are discharged. Specifically, while the target water discharge port 112 is located on the lower side of the cylindrical casing 230 in front of the mounting portion 11, the drain port 43 is located on the lower side of the central part 220 of the main body, behind the mounting portion 11. This prevents acidic ionized water from mixing with the alkaline ionized water used for drinking.

[0117] In other words, the target water outlet 112 is located on the left side, which is one side in the left-right direction and in front of the mounting part 11, while the drain outlet 43 is located on the right side, which is the other side in the left-right direction and behind the mounting part 11. By positioning the drain outlet 43 at a different location from the target water outlet 112 and at a distance from the mounting part 11 in the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent acidic ionized water from mixing with the alkaline ionized water discharged from the target water outlet 112. Furthermore, by positioning the target water outlet 112 in front of the mounting part 11, the drain outlet 43 and the target water outlet 112 are also spaced apart in the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to further increase the distance between the drain outlet 43 and the target water outlet 112. In this way, by separating the drain port 43 and the target water discharge port 112 in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions and arranging them approximately diagonally opposite the raw water discharge port 12, it is possible to further prevent the mixing of acidic ionized water discharged from the drain port 43 with the alkaline ionized water discharged from the target water discharge port 112.

[0118] In this embodiment, the electrolytic cell, which is divided into a cathode chamber 141 and an anode chamber 142, branches the flow path into a water purification flow path 31 and a mist generation flow path 41. Therefore, this electrolytic cell also serves as the branching section 23 in the water treatment apparatus A1 according to the first embodiment.

[0119] Next, we will describe a series of operations in the water treatment apparatus A3, which has the configuration described above.

[0120] When the user presses the functional water button F1 to select the functional water mode, and opens the faucet 101 to allow water to flow through the purified water channel 31, the raw water passes through the purified water section 30 and reaches the electrolytic cell of the ionized water generation section 140. In the electrolytic cell, electrolysis is performed by electrodes in each chamber that receive power, and the alkaline ionized water that passes through the cathode chamber 141 side of the electrolytic cell is discharged from the target water outlet 112.

[0121] Furthermore, the acidic ionized water that reaches the mist generation unit 60 via the anode chamber 142 side of the electrolytic cell is atomized by the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 65, which is powered by electricity. As a result, the acidic ionized water is sprayed outwards from the mist outlet 27.

[0122] A water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the functional part of the water treatment apparatus A3 according to this embodiment is an ion water generation unit 140 having an anode, a cathode, and a diaphragm that divides the inside into an anode side and a cathode side, and the mist generation channel 41 is a channel through which electrolyzed water is discharged from the anode side of the ion water generation unit 140, with the ion water generation unit 140 acting as a branching section.

[0123] With this configuration, the acidic ionized water, which is electrolyzed water flowing out from the anode side of the ionized water generation unit 140, is atomized and sprayed by the mist generation unit 60. As a result, the effects of the acidic ionized water, namely an astringent effect such as skin tightening, can be expected to be exerted on the user.

[0124] Furthermore, the drain port 43 in the mist generation channel 41 is located on the lower surface of the main body 210, rearward from the mounting portion 11.

[0125] With this configuration, users can draw raw water and purified water separately without mixing in excess water that did not flow into the mist generating unit 60.

[0126] Furthermore, the purified water outlet (target water discharge port 112) is provided on either the left or right side of the mounting portion 11 in the main body 210, and the mist outlet 27 is provided on the side of the main body 210 where the purified water outlet (target water discharge port 112) is provided.

[0127] In this configuration, the mist outlet 27 can be positioned higher than the top surface of the central part 220 of the main unit, making it easier for the mist to reach the user.

[0128] Furthermore, in the water treatment apparatus A3 according to this embodiment, the main body 210 integrally provides the water purification unit 30, the functional unit, the control unit 50, and the power supply unit 80, with the water purification unit 30 positioned on one side (left) and the power supply unit 80 on the other side (right) relative to the position of the mounting unit 11.

[0129] With this configuration, in the water treatment device A3, the water purification unit 30, which becomes heavier when it absorbs water, and the power supply unit 80, which becomes heavier due to the weight of the batteries, are positioned in a way that makes it easy to balance the weight from side to side with respect to the mounting position of the faucet 101, thereby ensuring stable mounting to the faucet 101. Alternatively, the power supply unit 80 and the water purification unit 30 may be positioned front to back with the mounting section 11 in between, as long as the weight balance can be maintained.

[0130] [Modified version of the third embodiment] Next, a modified example of the third embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of water treatment apparatus A3 according to a modified example of the third embodiment.

[0131] In this modified water treatment apparatus A3, a tapered surface 232 is provided above the front end of the cylindrical casing 230, and a mist outlet 27 is provided on this tapered surface 232, making it possible to spray mist diagonally forward.

[0132] The water treatment apparatus A3 having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the mist outlet 27 of the water treatment apparatus A3 according to this embodiment and its modified form is provided in front of the mounting portion 11 in the main body portion 210.

[0133] With this configuration, the mist can be supplied from a position closer to the user, allowing the functional water to have a greater effect on the user's face.

[0134] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. In the embodiments described below, components common to or corresponding to the first, second, and third embodiments will be given the same names or reference numerals, and descriptions of redundant content will be omitted as appropriate.

[0135] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the water treatment apparatus A4 according to the fourth embodiment, and Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a simplified internal configuration of the water treatment apparatus A4 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 16 is an overview diagram showing the bottom side of the water treatment apparatus A4 according to the fourth embodiment, and Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. In Figure 17, the electrical configuration that is added to the configuration shown by solid lines in the figure in the water treatment apparatus according to the modified example described later is shown by dashed lines.

[0136] In this embodiment, the water treatment device A4 is configured such that a water purification unit 30, an ozone water generation unit 240 (which functions as a functional unit), and a control unit 50 are integrally connected to a main body 310 having a mounting portion 11. Specifically, with the mounting portion 11 at the center, a cylindrical casing 230 containing the water purification unit 30 is located on the left side, and a lever 13 operated by the user to switch the switching valve 116 is located on the right side. In the main body 310, the water purification unit 30, the ozone water generation unit 240, and the mist generation unit 60 are housed within the cylindrical casing 230, while the control unit 50 is housed in the central part 220 of the main body. The main body 210 is also equipped with a power plug 29 (see Figure 15), and is configured to receive power from a commercial power outlet or the like, so that the ozone water generation unit 240 and the mist generation unit 60 operate under the control of the control unit 50.

[0137] On the underside of the central part 220 of the main body, in addition to the raw water outlet 12, a functional water outlet 114 is provided. Furthermore, on the underside of the cylindrical casing 230, a purified water outlet 113 is provided, which discharges purified water that has passed only through the purified water section 30.

[0138] A flow rate display unit 121 is located on the upper side of the central part 220 of the main unit. Similar to the second and third embodiments, the flow rate display unit 121 displays the cumulative amount of raw water based on the electrical signal from the flow rate sensor 32.

[0139] Furthermore, on the top surface of the central section 220 of the main unit, there is a power button B1 for switching the power supply from the commercial power source ON / OFF, and a functional water button F1 for switching the operation of the ozone water generation unit 240 and the mist generation unit 60 ON / OFF. The power button B1 and the functional water button F1 are electrically connected to the control unit 50.

[0140] In the water treatment device A4 with the power plug 29 connected to a commercial power supply, when the user presses the power button B1, the water treatment device A4 starts up in water purification mode and enters a state of waiting for water flow or button input. In this embodiment, the first press of the functional water button F1 by the user turns on the ozone water generation unit 240, the second press of the functional water button F1 turns on the mist generation unit 60, and the third press of the functional water button F1 turns off both the ozone water generation unit 240 and the mist generation unit 60.

[0141] The internal configuration of the main body 310 will now be described. Downstream of the switching valve 116, the water purification channel 31 contains the water purification unit 30, the electrically operated switching valve 36, and the ozone water generation unit 240, in that order.

[0142] The electrically operated switching valve 36 switches the flow path by the drive of a motor 37 electrically connected to the control unit 50. When the functional water button F1 is not operated and the ozone water generation unit 240 and mist generation unit 60 are not driven, the switching valve 36 is set to direct the purified water, which has been received into the purified water flow path 31 and passed through the purified water unit 30, towards the purified water outlet 113. On the other hand, when the functional water button F1 is pressed by the user, the control unit 50 operates the switching valve 36 and switches the flow path so that the purified water, which has been received into the purified water flow path 31 and passed through the purified water unit 30, is directed towards the ozone water generation unit 240.

[0143] The ozone water generation unit 240 is a functional unit that generates ozone water as functional water, and is composed of an electrolytic cell equipped with an anode and a cathode. The electrolytic cell is configured to receive purified water, which is the raw water, and to obtain ozone water by dissolving the ozone generated by electrolyzing the water into the water. Power is supplied to each electrode 46, which becomes the anode or cathode, according to the command of the control unit 50.

[0144] A branching section 123 is provided in the middle of the mist generation channel 41 to which the mist generation section 60, located downstream of the ozone water generation section 240, is connected. The branching section 123 is upstream of the mist generation section 60 and branches off a functional water channel 28, which is an ozone water channel that leads from the mist generation channel 41 to the functional water outlet 114, which is the ozone water outlet.

[0145] Downstream of the mist generation channel 41 from the mist generation section 60, a recirculation channel 68 is formed to return excess ozonated water that was not used in the mist generation section 60 back to the functional water channel 28.

[0146] As shown in Figure 16, the functional water outlet 114 is located on the lower surface of the cylindrical casing 230, which has a circular cross-section, at a different position from the purified water outlet 113 from which purified water is discharged. Specifically, while the purified water outlet 113 is located on the lower surface of the cylindrical casing 230 to the left and in front of the mounting portion 11, the functional water outlet 114 is located on the lower surface of the central part 220 of the main body to the right of the mounting portion 11. This allows purified water and ozonated water to be drawn without mixing with each other. Furthermore, since both the functional water outlet 114 and the purified water outlet 113 are located in front of the mounting portion 11, ease of use can be improved from the standpoint of drawing functional water and purified water.

[0147] Next, we will describe a series of operations in the water treatment apparatus A4, which has the configuration described above.

[0148] When the user presses the functional water button to select functional water mode or mist mode, and opens the faucet 101 to allow water to flow through the purified water channel 31, the raw water flows through the purified water section 30 to the electrolytic cell of the ozone water generation section 240. In the electrolytic cell, electrolysis is performed by each electrode that receives power, and the generated ozone water is discharged from the functional water outlet 114.

[0149] Furthermore, the ozonated water that reaches the mist generation unit 60 via the ozonated water generation unit 240 is turned into mist by the drive of the ultrasonic transducer 65, which is powered by electricity.

[0150] The ozonated water, atomized in the mist generating unit 60, is sprayed from the mist outlet 27 located on the side of the central part 220 of the main unit where the lever 13 is positioned. The sprayed ozonated water comes into contact with the lever 13, which the user touches with their hands, and the sterilizing effect of the ozonated water helps to keep the lever 13 clean.

[0151] In this embodiment, the return channel 68 returns excess water that did not flow into the mist generating section 60 to the functional water channel 28. However, a channel branched from the functional water channel 28 may be connected to a channel leading to the purified water outlet 113, and some or all of the ozonated water flowing through the functional water channel 28 may be returned to sterilize the purified water outlet 113 with ozonated water.

[0152] A water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the functional part of the water treatment apparatus A4 according to this embodiment is an ozone water generation unit 240 including an electrode for generating ozone, and the ozone water generation unit 240 is provided upstream of the mist generation unit 60 in the mist generation channel 41.

[0153] With this configuration, the ozonated water generated by the ozonated water generation unit 240 is atomized and sprayed by the mist generation unit 60, so it can be expected that the effects of the ozonated water, namely sterilization and antibacterial effects, will be exerted on the main body 210 of the water treatment device A4 and its surroundings.

[0154] Furthermore, the water treatment apparatus A4 according to this embodiment has a branching section 123 upstream of the mist generation section 60 in the mist generation channel 41, which branches off an ozone water channel (functional water channel 28) that goes from the mist generation channel 41 to the ozone water outlet (functional water discharge port 114).

[0155] With this configuration, by providing an ozone water outlet (functional water outlet 114) that allows for water intake, it is possible to use ozone water, for example, as gargling water, which can be expected to have effects such as oral care and periodontal disease prevention.

[0156] Furthermore, the mist generation channel 41 is configured to return any excess water that does not flow into the mist generation section 60 downstream of the mist generation section 60 to the ozone water channel (functional water channel 28).

[0157] With this configuration, excess water can also be taken in from the ozone water outlet (functional water outlet 114), allowing the generated ozone water to be used without waste.

[0158] Furthermore, the mist outlet 27 is provided on the bottom surface and / or side surface of the main body.

[0159] With this configuration, by providing the mist outlet 27 on the side as in this embodiment, the lever 13 that the user touches can be effectively sterilized. Furthermore, if the mist outlet is provided on the bottom surface of the main body 210, the misted ozonated water can be sprayed towards the sink drain, etc., keeping the sink clean.

[0160] [Modified version of the fourth embodiment] Next, a modified example of the fourth embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described.

[0161] Figure 18 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the water treatment device A4 according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. The electrical configuration of the water treatment device A4 according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 17.

[0162] In the water treatment apparatus A4 according to this modified example, the switching valve 117 provided in the central part 220 of the main body is a switching valve that switches the flow path to four paths. By switching this switching valve 117, it is possible to switch to the following paths: firstly, a raw water flow path 14 that goes to the raw water discharge port 12; secondly, a purified water flow path 31 that goes to the purified water unit 30; thirdly, a functional water flow path 48 that goes to the ozone water generation unit 240; and fourthly, a flow path that receives ozone water discharged from the ozone water generation unit 240 via the ozone water circulation path 49, sends it to the purified water flow path 31, and discharges the circulated ozone water from the purified water outlet 113.

[0163] The control unit 50 acquires selected flow path information based on the rotational position of the lever 13, which is determined by the electrical signal from the angle sensor 33 provided on the switching valve 117. Then, based on the acquired flow path information, the control unit 50 controls the operation of the electrically operated switching valve 38, which is interposed downstream of the ozone water generation unit 240.

[0164] Furthermore, the water flow path that passes through the water purification unit 30 and heads towards the water purification outlet 113, and the water flow path that passes through the ozone water generation unit 240, are separated and become independent water flow paths via the switching valve 117.

[0165] The mist generation channel 41, which flows downstream from the ozone water generation unit 240 towards the mist generation unit 60, is provided with a branching section that branches off from the mist generation channel 41 to a functional water channel 28 that flows towards the functional water outlet 114, which is the ozone water outlet. This branching section is configured to allow switching of the channel by an electrically operated switching valve 38. The switching valve 38, driven by a motor 39 at the command of the control unit 50, switches the channel between a channel that communicates with the functional water outlet 114 and supplies functional water to the mist generation unit 60, and the ozone water circulation channel 49.

[0166] When the purified water flow path 31 is selected as the flow path of the switching valve 117 by the rotation position of the lever 13, the raw water received from the faucet 101 passes through the purified water section 30, and the user can take purified water through the purified water outlet 113.

[0167] Furthermore, when the functional water flow path 48 is selected as the flow path of the switching valve 117 depending on the rotation position of the lever 13, the ozone water generation unit 240 and the mist generation unit 60 are driven by the control unit 50. At this time, the switching valve 38 is switched so that the outlet flow path of the ozone water generation unit 240 communicates with the mist generation flow path 41 and the functional water flow path 28.

[0168] The ozonated water that reaches the functional water channel 28 via the ozonated water generation unit 240 can be taken out from the functional water outlet 114. In addition, the ozonated water that reaches the mist generation unit 60 via the ozonated water generation unit 240 is atomized in the mist generation unit 60 and sprayed from the mist outlet 27.

[0169] Furthermore, when the ozone water circulation path 49 is selected as the flow path for the switching valve 117 based on the rotation position of the lever 13, the control unit 50 drives the ozone water generation unit 240 and the mist generation unit 60, and switches the switching valve 38 to communicate with the ozone water circulation path 49. Note that the switching valve 38 does not need to pass all of the ozone water that has passed through the ozone water generation unit 240 through the ozone water circulation path 49.

[0170] Furthermore, the ozonated water that has passed through the ozonated water circulation path 49 via the switching valve 117, the functional water flow path 48, and the ozonated water generation unit 240 returns to the switching valve 117 again, enters the purified water flow path 31, and is discharged from the purified water outlet 113 through the purified water unit 30. As a result, the purified water unit 30 and the purified water flow path 31 are disinfected by the ozonated water.

[0171] The modified water treatment apparatus A4 having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration: The functional water channel 28 is configured to return at least a portion of the ozonated water to the purified water channel 31.

[0172] With this configuration, the ozonated water can be used to disinfect and sterilize the water purification channel.

[0173] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. In the embodiments described below, components common to or corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments will be given the same names or reference numerals, and descriptions of redundant content will be omitted as appropriate.

[0174] The appearance of the water treatment apparatus A5 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 14, but it differs from the fourth embodiment in that the mist sprayed from the mist outlet 27 is hypochlorous acid water. The internal configuration of the main body 310 will be described below with reference to Figure 15.

[0175] The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340 is a functional unit that generates hypochlorous acid water as functional water. The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340 is composed of a watertight, hollow, roughly box-shaped electrolytic cell. Inside the electrolytic cell, an electrode that will serve as the cathode and an electrode that will serve as the anode are arranged. The electrolytic cell is a single-chamber type electrolytic cell without a diaphragm separating the anode and cathode sides. Each electrode is electrically connected to the control unit 50.

[0176] Upstream of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340, there is a salt addition cylinder 75 which serves as an input section for adding salt. The salt addition cylinder 75 has, for example, a funnel shape with its lower end communicating with the flow path, and a lid covering the top is provided on the upper surface of the main body 310. The purified water that has passed through the water purification unit 30 goes through the salt addition cylinder 75 and then to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340. A chlorine source such as table salt is introduced into the salt addition cylinder 75, and by bringing it into contact with the purified water and dissolving the electrolytic substance, electrolysis in the electrolytic cell is facilitated.

[0177] A branching section 123 is provided in the middle of the mist generation channel 41 to which the mist generation unit 60, located downstream of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340, is connected. Upstream of the mist generation unit 60, the branching section 123 branches off from the mist generation channel 41 to a functional water channel 28 that leads to the functional water outlet 114.

[0178] Downstream of the mist generation channel 41 from the mist generation section 60, a recirculation channel 68 is formed to recirculate excess hypochlorous acid water that was not used in the mist generation section 60 back into the functional water channel 28.

[0179] The hypochlorous acid water that reaches the mist generation unit 60 via the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340 is atomized and sprayed from the mist outlet 27 located near the lever 13 on the side of the central part 220 of the main unit (see Figure 14). The sprayed hypochlorous acid water comes into contact with the lever 13, which the user touches with their hands, and the disinfecting effect of the hypochlorous acid water helps to keep the lever 13 clean.

[0180] A water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the functional part of the water treatment apparatus A5 according to this embodiment is a hypochlorous acid water generating unit 340 which includes an electrode for generating hypochlorous acid water, and upstream of the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 340 is an input unit (salt addition cylinder 75) for adding salt.

[0181] With this configuration, the hypochlorous acid water generated in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 340 is atomized and sprayed by the mist generation unit 60, so it can be expected that the effects of hypochlorous acid water, i.e., sterilization and antibacterial effects, will be exerted on the main body 210 of the water treatment device A5 and its surroundings.

[0182] Furthermore, the salt input section may also be provided in water treatment apparatus A1 equipped with a hydrogen water generation unit 40 as a functional unit, for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of electrolysis and the concentration of active ingredients in the functional water. In this case, by providing the water purification unit 30 downstream of the functional unit, the chlorine odor derived from excess chlorine can be removed from the hydrogen water taken as drinking water.

[0183] [Modifications of the First to Third Embodiments] Next, modifications of the first to third embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described. Modifications of the backflow prevention section will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 21. Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference numeral D in Figure 20.

[0184] In this modified example, as shown in Figure 19, the check valve 42 shown in the first to third embodiments is replaced with a backflow prevention section consisting of a hairpin-shaped loop section 76.

[0185] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, by making the mist generation channel 41 at least downstream of the backflow prevention section an inclined section 41a with the outlet facing downwards, excess water can be easily discharged. In this case, the mist generation section 60 is provided in the middle of the inclined section 41a.

[0186] Furthermore, as a backflow prevention section, the mist generation channel 41 is configured as a V-shaped loop section 77 that connects two inclined sections 41a and 41b, one of which slopes downwards upstream and the other downstream. In addition, an intake umbrella-shaped valve 78 is provided at the apex of the loop section 77. The umbrella-shaped valve 78 opens and closes in response to fluctuations in the pressure within the channel. The umbrella-shaped valve 78 is configured to open when the mist generation channel 41 becomes negative pressure, allowing outside air to flow into the mist generation channel 41, and to close when the internal pressure rises.

[0187] The modified water treatment apparatus having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration. That is, the mist generation channel 41 has an inclined section 41a that is tilted downwards toward the drain port 43, and the mist generation section 60 is provided in the middle of the inclined section 41a.

[0188] With this configuration, any excess water that does not flow into the mist generating section 60 is quickly discharged from the flow path by moving down the inclined section 41a.

[0189] Furthermore, the mist generation channel 41 is equipped with an intake valve (umbrella-shaped valve 78) upstream of the mist generation unit 60.

[0190] With this configuration, even if excess water that does not flow into the mist generating section 60 cannot fall down the inclined section 41a due to surface tension, the excess water can be smoothly sent towards the outlet by opening the intake valve and drawing in air from the outside into the flow path.

[0191] [Modifications of the First to Fifth Embodiments] Modifications of the first to fifth embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will now be described. Figure 22 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to the modification of the first to fifth embodiments. It should be noted that in these electrical configurations, the power plug 29 connected to the commercial power supply can be replaced with the power supply unit 80, and the configuration shown in Figure 22 is modified according to the configuration of each embodiment.

[0192] First, the first modified examples of the first to fifth embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described.

[0193] In the first to fifth embodiments, the switching valve 16 provided in the main body sections 10, 110, and 210 allows the user to switch the flow path between the raw water flow path 14 and the purified water flow path 31 by rotating the lever 13 by a predetermined angle. In contrast, this modified example differs in that, instead of the manual switching valve 16, it is equipped with an electrically operated switching valve 118 electrically connected to the control unit 50 and a push-button switch 83.

[0194] The push-button switch 83 can be located in the main body 10, 110, 210, 310, or in the housings 20, 120 separated from the main body 10, 110, depending on the arrangement of the control unit 50. The user switches the flow path of the switching valve 118 by pressing the push-button switch 83.

[0195] Next, a second modification of the first to fifth embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described.

[0196] In the first modified example, a pressure sensor 82 is provided instead of the flow sensor 32. The pressure sensor 82 is electrically connected to the control unit 50 and outputs an electrical signal to the control unit 50 corresponding to the pressure applied to the water purification flow path 31. Based on the input pressure signal, the control unit 50 calculates, for example, the lifespan until replacement of the cartridge constituting the water purification unit 30 and displays it on the flow rate display unit 121.

[0197] Next, a third modified example of the first to fifth embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described.

[0198] In the third modification, instead of the ultrasonic method, the misting method used in the mist generating unit 60 is replaced with a method in which the lower end of the impregnated body is immersed in water, and the water drawn up into the impregnated body by centrifugal force is atomized.

[0199] The impregnated body has, for example, a funnel shape and is configured to rotate when driven by a motor 85 electrically connected to the control unit 50.

[0200] Alternatively, as a means of atomization, an electrostatic atomization method may be employed in which a needle-shaped electrode having vertical grooves is immersed in water and a high voltage is applied to the needle-shaped electrode to atomize it. In this case, atomization is achieved by applying a predetermined voltage to the needle-shaped electrode electrically connected to the control unit 50.

[0201] Next, a fourth modification of the first to fifth embodiments of the water treatment apparatus according to this disclosure will be described.

[0202] In the fourth modified example, the control unit 50 adjusts the driving timing of the mist generating unit 60 according to the amount of water supplied to the purified water flow path 31 when driving the unit.

[0203] More specifically, when the user presses the functional water button F1 or the mist button F2, the control unit 50 does not drive the mist generating unit 60 at the moment of pressing, but rather drives the mist generating unit 60 after a predetermined flow rate has passed.

[0204] The control unit 50 includes a timer 53. For example, after a signal indicating that the mist button F2 has been pressed is input to the control unit 50, the control unit 50 sends a drive signal to the mist generating unit 60 after a time preset by the timer 53 has elapsed.

[0205] Furthermore, a flow sensor 32 or a pressure sensor 82 is connected to the control unit 50, and the water flow status to the purified water channel 31 can be detected by electrical signals from the sensors. The control unit 50, in accordance with the operation of the timer 53, sends a drive signal to the mist generation unit 60 after a preset time has elapsed since the input of the water flow detection signal from the sensor. The time set by the timer 53 is set considering the configuration and length of the channel through which the functional water is interposed from the sensor connection point in the purified water channel 31 to the mist generation unit 60. As a result, the control unit 50 drives the mist generation unit 60 only after a sufficient amount of functional water necessary for misting has been supplied to the mist generation unit 60.

[0206] A modified water treatment device having the above configuration can be said to have the following configuration: It includes a detection unit (flow sensor 32, pressure sensor 82) that detects the water flow state of the water purification unit 30 or the functional units 40, 140, 240, 340, and the control unit 50 drives the mist generating unit 60 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit detected the water flow state.

[0207] The detection unit can, but is not limited to, a flow sensor 32 or a pressure sensor 82. Furthermore, the placement of the detection unit can be freely changed as long as it is in a flow path upstream of the mist generating unit 60.

[0208] With this configuration, the mist generating unit 60 is driven only after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit detected the water flow state, thus preventing the mist generating unit 60 from running dry.

[0209] If an ultrasonic method is used as the misting method for the mist generating unit 60, dry running is prevented, which prevents damage to components such as the ultrasonic transducer and extends the lifespan of the device.

[0210] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, it goes without saying that various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., even in embodiments other than those described above, as long as they do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the configurations of the above-described embodiments and their modified configurations can be combined as appropriate.

[0211] Furthermore, the water treatment device of the present invention can also be applied to central-type water treatment devices. In other words, it can be applied to a water treatment device in which a large-capacity water purification unit is installed at the inlet of raw water (tap water) piped to an individual's house, and the purified water filtered in that unit is supplied to each room downstream (bathroom, washroom, kitchen, etc.). It is also envisioned that by connecting a water treatment device having a functional unit capable of generating functional water to the discharge section, which is the outlet of the purified water supplied to each room via a single pipe and then branched into multiple pipes, via the attachment part 11, it is possible to selectively discharge purified water or functional water. That is to say, the water treatment device described above has the following configuration. (Composition 1) A water purification unit that filters raw water, and a mist generating unit that atomizes the purified water filtered by the water purification unit, A water treatment apparatus characterized by spraying the atomized functional water from a mist outlet located at a different position from the purified water outlet of the purified water filtered by the water purification unit. As a result, it is possible to provide a water treatment device that can take measures against drying for the user of the device and the surrounding area where the device is installed. (Configuration 2) Configuration 1, Equipped with a functional unit that generates functional water, The functional water can be discharged from the purified water outlet. The misted functional water is sprayed from a mist outlet located at a different position from the aforementioned purified water outlet. A water treatment apparatus characterized by the following: This makes it possible to provide a water treatment device that can exert effects derived from functional water. (Composition 3) Configuration 1 or 2, A water treatment apparatus characterized by having a branching section downstream of the water purification section, which branches into an intake channel leading to the water purification outlet and a mist generation channel to which the mist generation section is connected. As a result, the user can easily guide the necessary amount of water to the mist generation section simply by passing water through it. (Composition 4) Configuration 3, The water treatment apparatus is characterized in that the mist generation channel is configured to have a smaller flow rate than the water intake channel. As a result, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of water for use as drinking water, etc., while reducing the amount of surplus water not used in the mist generation unit, thereby suppressing the wasteful use of water. Furthermore, the configurations described in other embodiments can be applied in a manner dependent on the configurations 1 to 4 described above.

[0212] Furthermore, the water treatment device according to the present invention can contribute to Goal 6 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Clean Water and Sanitation for All). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0213] 10,110,210 Main body 11 Mounting part 16 Switching valve 21 Display section 23 Branching point 25 Intake channel 27 Mist outlet 30 Water Treatment Department 31 Purified water flow path 32 Flow sensor (detection unit) 34 Drain 40 Hydrogen water generation unit 41 Mist generation channel 41a Slope 42. Check valve (backflow prevention part) 50 Control Unit 60 Mist generating unit 70 Storage section 71 Heater 75 Salt addition cylinder (input section) 78. Umbrella-shaped valve (intake valve) 101 Faucet 121 Flow rate display section 112 Target water outlet 113 Water purification outlet 125 Intake Channel 140 Ionized water generation unit 240 Ozone Water Generator 340 Hypochlorous Acid Water Generator A1-A5 Water Treatment Equipment

Claims

1. The water purification section filters the raw water, A mist generating unit that atomizes the purified water filtered in the aforementioned water purification unit, The purified water outlet of the purified water filtered by the aforementioned water purification unit, A mist outlet for spraying the mist generated by the mist generating unit, A main body having a mounting part that can be attached to a faucet, It is equipped with, The main body has a water purification section that filters the raw water supplied from the faucet, The purified water outlet is provided on the lower surface of the main body on either the left or right side relative to the position of the mounting portion. The mist outlet is provided on the upper surface of the main body on the side opposite to the mounting portion. A water treatment apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The mist generating unit includes a container, an impregnated body, and an ultrasonic transducer. The purified water accumulated in the aforementioned container is atomized by an ultrasonic element via an impregnating material and sprayed from the mist outlet. The water treatment apparatus according to feature 1.

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