JP4130038B2

JP4130038B2 - Filter assembly for water purifier

Info

Publication number: JP4130038B2
Application number: JP17124699A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 祐一加藤
Original assignee: Secom Co Ltd
Current assignee: Secom Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 1999-06-17
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-17
Also published as: JP2000354860A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、種々の浄水器に使用可能なフィルタ組立体に関し、特に安定した浄水能力を長期間にわたって維持可能な浄水器用のフィルタ組立体に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の浄水器用フィルタには、活性炭などを使用し内部を中空とした中空フィルタや、平板状に形成したフィルタなど種々のものがある。従来の中空フィルタであれば、フィルタの外側から中空部へ水が通過する間に塩素などを除去するので、フィルタの厚さによって浄水能力が決まっていた。
また、浄水能力を高くするために濾材の厚さを厚くしつつ、浄水器用フィルタの大型化を防ぐため、濾材を筒状に形成して、その長手側一端から水を供給し、他端から浄水した水を取り出すようにしたものがある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
浄水器用フィルタでは、使用していると不純物がフィルタに付着し目詰まりを生じる。例えば筒状フィルタの場合、目詰まりは、主に浄水器用フィルタの入水側表面において生じる。従って、フィルタの内側では目詰まりせずに使用可能であるにも拘わらず、入水側表面の目詰まりのためフィルタの寿命になってしまうとの問題がある。
【０００４】
また、従来の中空の浄水器用フィルタでは、一回の通水で一度しか活性炭等の濾材を通過しない。このため、浄水能力は濾材の厚みに依存することとなり、浄水能力を向上させるために浄水器用フィルタが大型化してしまう問題がある。
【０００５】
本発明は、浄水器用フィルタの目詰まりによる寿命を長く維持すると共に、浄水能力の向上を図ることを目的としている。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の本発明は、濾材の対向する２面の各々に接するように複数の隔室を設け、前記複数の隔室の１の隔室から前記濾材を横断して濾材の反対側の面に設けられた隔室に水を流通させ、これを順次に繰り返して、浄水器の流入口から流出口へ水が流通する間に、水が複数回前記濾材を横断することにより水を浄化するようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体において、
前記１の隔室から前記濾材を横断して前記濾材の反対側の面に設けられた隔室へ流通する際に水が通過する部位の濾材の表面積が、上流側から下流側へ次第に減少するようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体要旨とする。
【０００７】
請求項３に記載の発明は、中空中心部を有する筒状の濾材を中空のケース内に配設し、前記ケースの流入口から水を供給し、前記濾材の外表面と内表面との間で前記水を複数回横断流通させ、前記ケースの流出口から浄水を取り出すようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体において、前記濾材との間に空間が形成されるように前記濾材の外表面の一部を覆う被覆部材と、前記流入口から供給された水が前記濾材の外表面に沿って前記空間に流通することを防止する仕切と、水が前記濾材の中空中心部を貫流することを遮断する水遮断部材とを具備し、前記水遮断部材は、前記濾材の中空中心部において前記被覆部材が濾材の外側を覆っている領域に、前記外表面から前記濾材を横断して前記中空中心部に流入した水が前記濾材を横断して前記空間へ流入するように配設されていることを特徴とする浄水器用フィルタ組立体を要旨とする。
【０００８】
請求項７に記載の本発明は、中空中心部を有する筒状の濾材を中空のケース内に配設し、前記ケースの流入口から水を供給し、前記濾材の外表面と内表面との間で前記水を横断流通させ、前記ケースの流出口から浄水を取り出すようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体において、
前記濾材の外表面の一部を覆う被覆部材を前記被覆部材と前記中空濾材との間に空間が形成されるように設けると共に、前記濾材において、前記空間に接する領域の表面積が、前記被覆部材にて覆われていない領域の表面積より小さいことを特徴とする浄水器用フィルタ組立体要旨とする。
【０００９】
本発明によれば、濾材の性能を無駄なく最大限に引き出して、濾材の当初の浄水性能を長期間にわたって維持し、目詰まりによる濾材の寿命を長く維持すると共に浄水能力を向上させることが可能となる。
また、本発明のフィルタ組立体は、浄化すべき水のためのタンクと、ポンプとを備え、前記水をタンク内部で循環させる循環形浄水器その他の種々の浄水器用フィルタ組立体として使用することに加えて、それ自体を浄水器として使用することができる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して本発明の実施形態を説明する。
先ず、図１を参照して本発明の第１の実施形態を説明する。第１の実施形態は、本発明の原理により近い実施形態であって、厚さが均一の矩形平板状であり厚さ方向に通水し易い濾材１００の対向する両側に第１と第２の側壁１１０、１２０が、濾材１００をはさんで平行に配設されている。第１の側壁１１０は仕切１１２、１１４を有しており、これにより濾材１００と第１の側壁１１０の間に第１と第３の隔室１０２、１０６が形成される。同様に、第２の側壁１２０は仕切１２２、１２４を有しており、これにより濾材１００と第２の側壁１２０との間に第２と第４の隔室１０４、１０６が形成される。より詳細には、第１の隔室１０２と第２の隔室１０４、第２の隔室１０４と第３の隔室１０６、第３の隔室１０６と第４の隔室１０８の各々は、互いに軸線Ｏ1 の方向にオフセットされて、濾材１００の対向する２面の各々に設けられた隔室が全体として互い違いに配置されている。また、本発明の原理によれば、第１と第２の側壁１１０、１２０の各々の仕切１１２、１１４；１２２、１２４は、各仕切間の寸法Ｌ1 、Ｌ2 、Ｌ3 、Ｌ4 、Ｌ5 、Ｌ6 が次第に小さくなるように互いに離間、配設されている。
【００１１】
以下、第１の実施形態の作用を説明する。
矢印１で示す原水、例えば水道水が、図１において濾材１００の下方部位の一側から、矢印２で示すように濾材１００を横断して第１の隔室１０２内に流入し、次いで、矢印３で示すように第１の隔室１０２から再び濾材１００を反対方向に横断して第２の隔室１０４内に流入し、矢印４で示すように第２の隔室１０４から再び濾材１００を反対方向に横断して第３の隔室１０６内に流入し、矢印５で示すように第３の隔室１０６から再び濾材１００を反対方向に横断して第４の隔室１０８内に流入し、矢印６で示すように第４の隔室１０８から再び濾材１００を反対方向に通過し、浄水７として流出口１３０へ流出する。
【００１２】
流体は、一般的に圧力損失が最小となるように流動するので、厚さが一定の矩形平板状の厚さ方向への通水が圧力損失を最小とする濾材１００を具備する本実施形態では、平板矩形状の濾材１００の対向する２面の各々に複数の第１から第４の隔室１０２〜１０８を互い違いに配設することにより、水が濾材１００内で軸線Ｏ1 の方向へ流動せずに、濾材１００を横断、流通して第１から第４の隔室１０２〜１０８を順次に流通可能とした。また、これにより、圧力損失を抑制すると共に、浄化すべき水を矢印２〜６で示すように濾材１００を繰り返し５回横断、流通させて短時間のうちに高度に浄化可能となる。
【００１３】
更に、流出口１３０からの浄水を直接使用すれば、濾材１００を通過し浄化された水と未浄化の水とが混合することがなく、非常に高度に浄化された浄水を得ることが可能となる。
【００１４】
更に、浄化すべき水は、原水１の状態が最も汚れていて、矢印２〜６で示すように濾材１００を通過する毎に次第に浄化され、濾材１００が浄化すべき汚染物質、例えば、錆その他の浮遊物質、塩素臭やカビ臭等の臭いの原因物質、トリハロメタン等の有害物質の含有量は下流へ行くほど減少するので、その除去に必要な濾材１００の量も次第に小さくなってくる。浄水能力は、浄化すべき水が通過する濾材の体積により決定されるので、厚さが一定の矩形平板状の濾材１００を具備する本実施形態では、ある隔室から濾材１００を横断して濾材の反対側に設けられた隔室へ流通する際に水が通過する部位の濾材１００の表面積が、上流側から下流側へ次第に減少するようになっている。
【００１５】
すなわち、図１において、原水１が第１の隔室１０２内へ通過する濾材１００の寸法Ｌ1 、第１の隔室１０２から第２の隔室１０４へ通過する濾材１００の寸法Ｌ2 、第２の隔室１０４から第３の隔室１０６へ通過する濾材１００の寸法Ｌ3 、第３の隔室１０６から第４の隔室１０８へ通過する濾材１００の寸法Ｌ4 、第４の隔室１０８から流出口１３０へ通過する濾材１００の寸法Ｌ5 が次第に小さくなるようになっている。これにより、限られた面積の濾材１００の性能を無駄なく最大限に引き出すことが可能となり、濾材１００の交換時の当初の浄化性能を長期間にわたって維持可能となる。つまり、従来技術による浄化装置では、通水と同時に濾材全体が汚染され始めるので、使用開始時から浄水性能が漸減するが、本実施形態のように、浄化すべき水が通過する濾材１００の寸法を上流側から下流側へ次第に小さくすることにより、濾材１００の各部分を通過する水に必要な浄水能力に適合させることが可能となるので、限られた面積の濾材１００の性能を無駄なく最大限に引き出して、濾材１００の当初の浄水性能を長期間にわたって維持可能となるのである。
【００１６】
また、最も汚れた状態の原水が最初に通過する濾材１００の部分は、濾材１００において最大の表面積を持っているため、目詰まりによる浄水能力の低下が生じにくく、フィルタ組立体の寿命を長くすることができるのである。従って、浄水能力が高く長寿命であり、かつ、小型化を図った浄水器用フィルタ組立体を実現できる。
【００１７】
次に、図２を参照して本発明の第２の実施形態を説明する。図２は、本発明の原理をより具体的なフィルタ組立体に適用した場合の実施形態を示しており、図１において濾材１００を、その面に平行な軸線Ｏ1 を中心として回転させて全体を円筒状に形成した構成となっている。
【００１８】
図２に示す第２の実施形態によるフィルタ組立体１０は、ステンレス綱等の金属材料またはプラスチック材料から中空円筒状に形成されたケース１２と、ケース１２内においてケース１２と同心に配置され中空中心部を有する筒状、好ましくは厚さが一定の円筒状の濾材１４と、濾材１４の外表面の一部を覆う被覆部材１６とを具備している。ケース１２の上端部には浄化すべき原水１を供給するための流入口１２ａと、浄化した浄水７を取り出すための流出口１２ｂが配設されている。
【００１９】
濾材１４は、例えば、活性炭やゼオライトを含む多孔体から形成することができる。濾材１４の下端はエンドプレート１８により閉塞されており、かつ、濾過剤１４の上方部位は被覆部材１６により覆われている。また、濾材１４の中空中心部内において被覆部材１６が濾材１４の外側を覆っている領域には、水が中空中心部を軸方向に貫流することを防止する水遮断部材２０が配設されている。水遮断部材２０は、棒状の連結部材２０ａと、連結部材２０ａの両端に設けられたフランジ２０ｂ、２０ｃとを有しており、プラスチック材料またはゴム材料から形成することができる。水が濾材の中空部を軸方向に流通することを実質的に遮断できるように、フランジ２０ａ、２０ｂは中空部内面に係合している。本実施形態では、濾材１４の中空中心部内において、前記エンドプレート１８と水遮断部材２０の下端のフランジ２０ｂとの間に第１の隔室２２が形成され、前記水遮断部材２０の２つのフランジ２０ａ、２０ｂの間に第３の隔室２６が形成される。
【００２０】
被覆部材１６はステンレス綱等の金属材料やプラスチック材料にて構成され、濾材１４の外表面の一部を覆う、濾材１４の直径よりも大きな直径を有する実質的に筒状に形成することができ、被覆部材１６と濾材１４との間には空間が形成されている。この空間は、被覆部材１６と濾材１４の間に設けられた仕切１６ａ、１６ｂにより第２と第４の隔室２４、２８に区分される。仕切１６ａ、１６ｂは、水が濾材の外表面に沿って第２と第４の隔室２４、２８間を流通することを実質的に防止しており、例えばＯリングから形成することができる。また、本実施形態では、濾材１４において被覆部材１６により覆われている領域の表面積が、被覆部材にて覆われていない領域の表面積より小さくなっている。
【００２１】
以下、第２の実施形態の作用を説明する。
矢印１で示す原水、例えば水道水が、流入口１２ａからケース１２内に供給され、ケース１２の内面と被覆部材１６の外面との間の空間を流通し、矢印２で示すように濾材１４を半径方向内方へ横断して第１の隔室２２内に流入し、次いで、矢印３で示すように第１の隔室２２から再び濾材１４を半径方向外方へ横断して第２の隔室２４内に流入し、矢印４で示すように第２の隔室２４から再び濾材１４を半径方向内方へ横断して第３の隔室２６内に流入し、矢印５で示すように第３の隔室２６から再び濾材１４を半径方向外方へ横断して第４の隔室２８内に流入し、矢印６で示すように第４の隔室２８から再び濾材１４を半径方向内方へ横断し、浄水７として流出口１２ｂへ流出する。
【００２２】
本実施形態においても第１の実施形態と同様に、ある隔室から濾材１４を横断して反対側の面に設けられた隔室へ流通する際に水が通過する濾材１４の部位の表面積が、上流側から下流側へ次第に減少するようになっている。これにより、第１の実施形態と同様の有利な作用、効果が得られると共に、第２の実施形態ではフィルタ組立体１０の全体を筒状、好ましくは円筒状としたことによりコンパクトな設計が可能となる。
【００２３】
次に、図３を参照して、本発明の第３の実施形態を説明する。第３の実施形態は、図１において濾材１００を、その面に垂直な軸線Ｏ2 を中心として回転させて全体を円盤状に形成した構成となっている。
【００２４】
図３に示す第３の実施形態によるフィルタ組立体３０は、厚さの一定の円盤状の濾材３２と、該濾材３２の対向する両側に設けられ、濾材３２を包囲する、ステンレス綱等の金属材料またはプラスチック材料から中空円盤状に形成されたケース３４、３６とを具備している。ケース３４、３６は、濾材３２の一側、図３の実施形態では濾材３２の上側に設けられた上ケース３４と、濾材３２の反対側、図３の実施形態では濾材３２の下側に設けられた下ケース３６とから成る。上ケース３４の中心部には浄化すべき原水１を供給するための流入口３４ａが設けられており、下ケース３６の中心部には浄化した浄水７を取り出すための流出口３６ａが配設されている。流入口３４ａと流出口３６ａは、好ましくは、互いに同軸に配設されている。
【００２５】
濾材３２は、例えば、活性炭やゼオライトを含む多孔体から形成することができる。本実施形態では、濾材３２と上ケース３４の間に被覆部材３８が配設されている。被覆部材３８はステンレス綱等の金属材料やプラスチック材料から形成することができ、濾材３２の上側表面の一部を覆っている。被覆部材３８と濾材３２との間には空間が形成されており、この空間は、被覆部材３８と濾材３２の間に設けられた同心の円形の２つの仕切３８ａ、３８ｂにより第２と第４の隔室４４、４８に区分される。また、本実施形態では、濾材３２と下ケース３６の間にも空間が形成され、この空間は濾材３２と下ケース３６の間に設けられた同心の仕切３６ｂにより第１と第３の隔室４２、４６に区分される。
【００２６】
以下、第３の実施形態の作用を説明する。
矢印１で示す未浄化の原水、例えば水道水が、流入口３４ａからケース３４、３６内に供給され、ケース３４、３６の内面と被覆部材３８の外面との間の空間を流通し、矢印２で示すように濾材３２を下方へ横断して第１の隔室４２内に流入し、次いで、矢印３で示すように第１の隔室４２から再び濾材３２を上方へ横断して第２の隔室４４内に流入し、矢印４で示すように第２の隔室１０４から再び濾材３２を下方へ横断して第３の隔室４６内に流入し、矢印５で示すように第３の隔室４６から再び濾材３２を上方へ横断して第４の隔室４８内に流入し、矢印６で示すように第４の隔室４８から再び濾材３２を下方へ横断し、浄水７として流出口３６ａへ流出する。
【００２７】
本実施形態においても第１の実施形態と同様に、ある隔室から濾材３２を横断して反対側の面に設けられた隔室へ流通する際に、水が通過する濾材３２の部位の表面積が、上流側から下流側へ、つまり外周部の隔室から中心部の隔室へ次第に減少するようになっている。これにより、第１の実施形態と同様の有利な作用、効果が得られると共に、第３の実施形態ではフィルタ組立体３０全体を円盤状としたことにより、流入口３４と流出口３６とを同軸に配置可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明第１の実施形態の略斜視図であり、本発明の原理を説明する図である。
【図２】本発明第２の実施形態の断面図である。
【図３】本発明第３の実施形態の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…フィルタ組立体
１２…ケース
１２ａ…流入口
１２ｂ…流出口
１４…濾材
１６…被覆部材
１８…エンドプレート
２０…水遮断部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a filter assembly that can be used for various water purifiers, and more particularly to a filter assembly for a water purifier that can maintain a stable water purification capacity over a long period of time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional filters for water purifiers include various types such as a hollow filter using activated carbon or the like and having a hollow inside, or a filter formed in a flat plate shape. In the case of a conventional hollow filter, chlorine and the like are removed while water passes from the outside of the filter to the hollow portion, and thus the water purification capacity is determined by the thickness of the filter.
In addition, in order to prevent the enlargement of the filter for the water purifier while increasing the thickness of the filter medium in order to increase the water purification capacity, the filter medium is formed in a cylindrical shape, and water is supplied from one end on the long side, and from the other end. There is something that takes out the purified water.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the filter for water purifier, when it is used, impurities adhere to the filter and cause clogging. For example, in the case of a cylindrical filter, clogging mainly occurs on the water inlet side surface of the water purifier filter. Accordingly, there is a problem that although the filter can be used without clogging inside the filter, the life of the filter may be shortened due to clogging of the water-incoming surface.
[0004]
Moreover, in the conventional filter for hollow water purifiers, the filter medium such as activated carbon passes only once with one water flow. For this reason, water purification ability will depend on the thickness of a filter medium, and there exists a problem that the filter for water purifiers will enlarge in order to improve water purification ability.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to maintain a long life due to clogging of a water purifier filter and to improve water purification capability.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of compartments are provided so as to contact each of the two opposing surfaces of the filter medium, and the filter medium is crossed from one compartment of the plurality of compartments to the opposite side of the filter medium. The water is circulated through the compartment provided on the surface of the water, and this is repeated in order, and the water passes through the filter medium several times while the water flows from the inlet to the outlet of the water purifier. In the water purifier filter assembly to be purified,
The surface area of the filter medium where water passes when gradually passing from the one compartment across the filter medium to the compartment provided on the opposite surface of the filter medium gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. It is set as the summary of the filter assembly for water filters.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical filter medium having a hollow center portion is disposed in a hollow case, water is supplied from an inlet of the case, and the filter medium is provided between an outer surface and an inner surface. In the filter assembly for a water purifier in which the water is cross-circulated a plurality of times and the purified water is taken out from the outlet of the case, a part of the outer surface of the filter medium so that a space is formed between the filter medium A covering member that covers the water, a partition that prevents water supplied from the inflow port from flowing into the space along the outer surface of the filter medium, and blocking water from flowing through the hollow center of the filter medium. A water blocking member , wherein the water blocking member crosses the filter medium from the outer surface to the hollow center portion in the hollow center portion of the filter medium in a region where the covering member covers the outside of the filter medium. Inflowing water crosses the filter medium and enters the space. It is summarized as water purifier filter assembly according to claim which are arranged so as to flow.
[0008]
In the present invention according to claim 7, a cylindrical filter medium having a hollow center portion is disposed in a hollow case, water is supplied from an inlet of the case, and the outer surface and the inner surface of the filter medium are In the filter assembly for water purifiers, in which the water is circulated between and the purified water is taken out from the outlet of the case,
A covering member covering a part of the outer surface of the filter medium is provided so that a space is formed between the cover member and the hollow filter medium, and a surface area of a region in contact with the space in the filter medium It is set as the summary of the filter assembly for water purifiers characterized by being smaller than the surface area of the area | region which is not covered with.
[0009]
According to the present invention, it is possible to maximize the performance of the filter medium without waste, maintain the initial water purification performance of the filter medium over a long period of time, maintain the filter medium life due to clogging, and improve the water purification capacity. It becomes.
Moreover, the filter assembly of the present invention includes a tank for water to be purified and a pump, and is used as a circulating water purifier or other various water purifier filter assemblies that circulate the water inside the tank. In addition, it can itself be used as a water purifier.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The first embodiment is an embodiment close to the principle of the present invention, and is a rectangular flat plate having a uniform thickness, and the first and second sides on opposite sides of the filter medium 100 that can easily pass water in the thickness direction. Side walls 110 and 120 are arranged in parallel across the filter medium 100. The first side wall 110 has partitions 112 and 114, whereby the first and third compartments 102 and 106 are formed between the filter medium 100 and the first side wall 110. Similarly, the second side wall 120 has partitions 122 and 124, whereby the second and fourth compartments 104 and 106 are formed between the filter medium 100 and the second side wall 120. More specifically, each of the first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104, the second compartment 104 and the third compartment 106, the third compartment 106 and the fourth compartment 108, The compartments that are offset from each other in the direction of the axis O1 and are provided on each of the two opposing surfaces of the filter medium 100 are alternately arranged as a whole. Further, according to the principle of the present invention, each of the partitions 112, 114; 122, 124 of the first and second side walls 110, 120 has dimensions L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 between the partitions. They are spaced apart from each other so as to gradually become smaller.
[0011]
Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
Raw water, for example, tap water, indicated by arrow 1 flows from one side of the lower portion of the filter medium 100 in FIG. 1 across the filter medium 100 as indicated by arrow 2 into the first compartment 102, and then the arrow. As shown by 3, the filter medium 100 is again crossed in the opposite direction from the first compartment 102 and flows into the second compartment 104, and the filter medium 100 is again passed from the second compartment 104 as shown by the arrow 4. Crossing in the opposite direction flows into the third compartment 106, and again crosses the filter medium 100 in the opposite direction from the third compartment 106 into the fourth compartment 108 as indicated by arrow 5. As shown by the arrow 6, the filter medium 100 passes again from the fourth compartment 108 in the opposite direction, and flows out to the outlet 130 as the purified water 7.
[0012]
Since the fluid generally flows so as to minimize the pressure loss, in this embodiment including the filter medium 100 in which water flow in the thickness direction of a rectangular flat plate having a constant thickness minimizes the pressure loss. By arranging a plurality of first to fourth compartments 102 to 108 alternately on each of the two opposing surfaces of the flat plate-like filter medium 100, water flows in the direction of the axis O1 in the filter medium 100. Without passing through the filter medium 100, the first to fourth compartments 102 to 108 can be sequentially distributed. As a result, the pressure loss is suppressed, and the water to be purified can be highly purified in a short time by repeatedly traversing and circulating the filter medium 100 five times as indicated by arrows 2 to 6.
[0013]
Furthermore, if the purified water from the outlet 130 is directly used, it is possible to obtain purified water that has been highly purified without passing through the filter medium 100 and mixing the purified water and unpurified water. Become.
[0014]
Furthermore, the water to be purified is the most dirty in the state of the raw water 1 and is gradually purified every time it passes through the filter medium 100 as indicated by arrows 2 to 6. Since the content of toxic substances such as suspended odors, odorous substances such as chlorine odor and mold odor, and harmful substances such as trihalomethane decreases downstream, the amount of filter medium 100 necessary for the removal gradually decreases. Since the water purification capacity is determined by the volume of the filter medium through which the water to be purified passes, in the present embodiment having the rectangular flat plate-shaped filter medium 100 having a constant thickness, the filter medium crosses the filter medium 100 from a certain compartment. The surface area of the filter medium 100 at a site through which water passes when flowing into a compartment provided on the opposite side of the filter gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side.
[0015]
That is, in FIG. 1, the dimension L1 of the filter medium 100 through which the raw water 1 passes into the first compartment 102, the dimension L2 of the filter medium 100 through which the raw water 1 passes from the first compartment 102 to the second compartment 104, the second The dimension L3 of the filter medium 100 passing from the compartment 104 to the third compartment 106, the dimension L4 of the filter medium 100 passing from the third compartment 106 to the fourth compartment 108, and the outlet from the fourth compartment 108 The dimension L5 of the filter medium 100 passing to 130 is gradually reduced. As a result, the performance of the filter medium 100 with a limited area can be maximized without waste, and the initial purification performance at the time of replacement of the filter medium 100 can be maintained over a long period of time. That is, in the purification device according to the prior art, since the entire filter medium begins to be contaminated simultaneously with water flow, the water purification performance gradually decreases from the start of use, but the dimensions of the filter medium 100 through which the water to be purified passes as in this embodiment. By gradually reducing the flow rate from the upstream side to the downstream side, it becomes possible to adapt to the water purification capacity required for the water passing through each part of the filter medium 100, so that the performance of the filter medium 100 with a limited area can be maximized without waste. Thus, the initial water purification performance of the filter medium 100 can be maintained over a long period of time.
[0016]
Further, the portion of the filter medium 100 through which the raw water in the most dirty state first passes has the maximum surface area in the filter medium 100, so that the water purification capacity is not easily lowered due to clogging, and the life of the filter assembly is prolonged. It can be done. Therefore, it is possible to realize a filter assembly for a water purifier that has a high water purification capability, a long life, and a reduced size.
[0017]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the principle of the present invention is applied to a more specific filter assembly. In FIG. 1, the filter medium 100 is rotated about an axis O1 parallel to the surface of the filter medium 100 as a whole. The structure is formed in a cylindrical shape.
[0018]
A filter assembly 10 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a case 12 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape from a metal material such as a stainless steel or a plastic material, and a hollow center disposed concentrically with the case 12 in the case 12. A cylindrical filter medium 14 having a portion, preferably a cylindrical filter medium 14 having a constant thickness, and a covering member 16 covering a part of the outer surface of the filter medium 14 are provided. An inlet 12a for supplying the raw water 1 to be purified and an outlet 12b for taking out the purified water 7 are disposed at the upper end of the case 12.
[0019]
The filter medium 14 can be formed from, for example, a porous body containing activated carbon or zeolite. The lower end of the filter medium 14 is closed by an end plate 18, and the upper part of the filter medium 14 is covered by a covering member 16. Further, a water blocking member 20 for preventing water from flowing through the hollow center portion in the axial direction is disposed in a region where the covering member 16 covers the outside of the filter medium 14 in the hollow center portion of the filter medium 14. . The water blocking member 20 includes a rod-shaped connecting member 20a and flanges 20b and 20c provided at both ends of the connecting member 20a, and can be formed of a plastic material or a rubber material. The flanges 20a and 20b are engaged with the inner surface of the hollow portion so that water can be substantially blocked from flowing axially through the hollow portion of the filter medium. In the present embodiment, a first compartment 22 is formed between the end plate 18 and the lower flange 20 b of the water blocking member 20 in the hollow center portion of the filter medium 14, and the two flanges of the water blocking member 20 are formed. A third compartment 26 is formed between 20a and 20b.
[0020]
The covering member 16 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or a plastic material, and covers a part of the outer surface of the filter medium 14 and can be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter larger than the diameter of the filter medium 14. A space is formed between the covering member 16 and the filter medium 14. This space is divided into second and fourth compartments 24 and 28 by partitions 16 a and 16 b provided between the covering member 16 and the filter medium 14. The partitions 16a and 16b substantially prevent water from flowing between the second and fourth compartments 24 and 28 along the outer surface of the filter medium, and can be formed of, for example, an O-ring. Moreover, in this embodiment, the surface area of the area | region covered with the coating | coated member 16 in the filter medium 14 is smaller than the surface area of the area | region which is not covered with the coating | coated member.
[0021]
Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
Raw water indicated by an arrow 1, for example, tap water, is supplied into the case 12 from the inflow port 12 a, flows through the space between the inner surface of the case 12 and the outer surface of the covering member 16, and passes through the filter medium 14 as indicated by the arrow 2. Crosses radially inward into the first compartment 22 and then crosses the filter media 14 radially outward again from the first compartment 22 as indicated by arrow 3 to the second compartment. Flows into the chamber 24, crosses the filter medium 14 radially inward again from the second compartment 24 as indicated by the arrow 4, and flows into the third compartment 26, as indicated by the arrow 5. 3, the filter medium 14 is again traversed radially outward from the third compartment 26 and flows into the fourth compartment 28, and the filter medium 14 is again radially inward from the fourth compartment 28 as indicated by an arrow 6. To the outlet 12b as purified water 7.
[0022]
Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the surface area of the portion of the filter medium 14 through which water passes when passing from a certain compartment to the compartment provided on the opposite surface across the filter medium 14 is as follows. , It gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. As a result, the same advantageous actions and effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and in the second embodiment, the entire filter assembly 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape, preferably a cylindrical shape, thereby enabling a compact design. It becomes.
[0023]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment has a configuration in which the filter medium 100 in FIG. 1 is rotated around an axis O2 perpendicular to the surface to form a disk shape as a whole.
[0024]
A filter assembly 30 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a disc-shaped filter medium 32 having a constant thickness, and a metal such as a stainless steel provided on opposite sides of the filter medium 32 and surrounding the filter medium 32. And cases 34 and 36 formed in a hollow disk shape from a material or a plastic material. The cases 34 and 36 are provided on one side of the filter medium 32, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 , on the upper case 34 provided on the upper side of the filter medium 32, on the opposite side of the filter medium 32, on the lower side of the filter medium 32 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 . The lower case 36 is formed. An inflow port 34a for supplying the raw water 1 to be purified is provided at the center of the upper case 34, and an outflow port 36a for taking out the purified water 7 is disposed at the center of the lower case 36. ing. The inflow port 34a and the outflow port 36a are preferably arranged coaxially with each other.
[0025]
The filter medium 32 can be formed from, for example, a porous body containing activated carbon or zeolite. In the present embodiment, a covering member 38 is disposed between the filter medium 32 and the upper case 34. The covering member 38 can be made of a metal material such as stainless steel or a plastic material, and covers a part of the upper surface of the filter medium 32. A space is formed between the covering member 38 and the filter medium 32, and this space is formed by the second and fourth concentric circular partitions 38 a and 38 b provided between the covering member 38 and the filter medium 32. Compartments 44, 48. In this embodiment, a space is also formed between the filter medium 32 and the lower case 36, and this space is formed by a concentric partition 36 b provided between the filter medium 32 and the lower case 36. 42 and 46.
[0026]
Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
Unpurified raw water, for example, tap water, indicated by the arrow 1 is supplied into the cases 34 and 36 from the inflow port 34a, flows through the space between the inner surfaces of the cases 34 and 36 and the outer surface of the covering member 38, and the arrow 2 As shown in FIG. 2, the filter medium 32 is crossed downward and flows into the first compartment 42, and then the filter medium 32 is again crossed upward from the first compartment 42 as shown by the arrow 3 in the second compartment. It flows into the compartment 44, crosses the filter medium 32 downward again from the second compartment 104 as shown by the arrow 4 and flows into the third compartment 46, and as shown by the arrow 5, The filter medium 32 is again crossed upward from the compartment 46 and flows into the fourth compartment 48, and again crosses the filter medium 32 downward from the fourth compartment 48 as indicated by an arrow 6 to flow as purified water 7. It flows out to the outlet 36a.
[0027]
Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the surface area of the part of the filter medium 32 through which water passes when passing from a certain compartment to the compartment provided on the opposite surface across the filter medium 32. However, it gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side, that is, from the outer peripheral compartment to the central compartment. Thereby, the same advantageous effects and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in the third embodiment, the entire filter assembly 30 is formed in a disk shape, so that the inlet 34 and the outlet 36 are coaxial. It becomes possible to arrange in.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Filter assembly 12 ... Case 12a ... Inlet 12b ... Outlet 14 ... Filter medium 16 ... Cover member 18 ... End plate 20 ... Water blocking member

Claims

濾材の対向する２面の各々に接するように複数の隔室を設け、前記複数の隔室の１の隔室から前記濾材を横断して濾材の反対側の面に設けられた隔室に水を流通させ、これを順次に繰り返して、浄水器の流入口から流出口へ水が流通する間に、水が複数回前記濾材を横断することにより水を浄化するようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体において、
前記１の隔室から前記濾材を横断して前記濾材の反対側の面に設けられた隔室へ流通する際に水が通過する部位の濾材の表面積が、上流側から下流側へ次第に減少するようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体。A plurality of compartments are provided so as to contact each of the two opposing surfaces of the filter medium, and water is supplied to a compartment provided on the opposite surface of the filter medium across the filter medium from one compartment of the plurality of compartments. The filter assembly for a water purifier is configured such that water is purified by traversing the filter medium a plurality of times while water is circulated from the inlet to the outlet of the water purifier by repeating this in sequence. In
The surface area of the filter medium where water passes when gradually passing from the one compartment across the filter medium to the compartment provided on the opposite surface of the filter medium gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. Filter assembly for water purifier.

前記濾材が円盤状に形成されている請求項１に記載の浄水器用フィルタ組立体。 The filter assembly for water purifiers of Claim 1 with which the said filter medium is formed in the disk shape.

中空中心部を有する筒状の濾材を中空のケース内に配設し、前記ケースの流入口から水を供給し、前記濾材の外表面と内表面との間で前記水を複数回横断流通させ、前記ケースの流出口から浄水を取り出すようにした浄水器用フィルタ組立体において、
前記濾材との間に空間が形成されるように前記濾材の外表面の一部を覆う被覆部材と、
前記流入口から供給された水が前記濾材の外表面に沿って前記空間に流通することを防止する仕切と、
水が前記濾材の中空中心部を貫流することを遮断する水遮断部材とを具備し、
前記水遮断部材は、前記濾材の中空中心部において前記被覆部材が濾材の外側を覆っている領域に、前記外表面から前記濾材を横断して前記中空中心部に流入した水が前記濾材を横断して前記空間へ流入するように配設されていることを特徴とする浄水器用フィルタ組立体。A cylindrical filter medium having a hollow center portion is arranged in a hollow case, water is supplied from the inlet of the case, and the water is allowed to cross and flow multiple times between the outer surface and the inner surface of the filter medium. In the filter assembly for a water purifier that takes out purified water from the outlet of the case,
A covering member covering a part of the outer surface of the filter medium so that a space is formed between the filter medium and
A partition that prevents water supplied from the inlet from flowing into the space along the outer surface of the filter medium;
Water; and a water-blocking member for blocking the flow through the hollow center of the filter medium,
The water shut-off member crosses the filter medium from the outer surface across the filter medium in a region where the covering member covers the outside of the filter medium in the hollow center part of the filter medium. And a filter assembly for a water purifier, which is arranged to flow into the space .

前記空間を複数に区分したことを特徴とする請求項３に記載の浄水器用フィルタ組立体。 The filter assembly for a water purifier according to claim 3, wherein the space is divided into a plurality of spaces .

前記濾材において前記空間に接する領域の表面積が、前記被覆部材にて覆われていない領域の表面積より小さいことを特徴とする請求項３または請求項４に記載の浄水器用フィルタ組立体。 5. The filter assembly for a water purifier according to claim 3, wherein a surface area of a region in contact with the space in the filter medium is smaller than a surface area of a region not covered with the covering member .