JP6672980B2 - Ion exchange equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion exchange device such as a water softening device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the characteristics and efficacy of soft water have been attracting attention as domestic water for domestic use and processing water for the food manufacturing industry, and an ion exchange device (so-called hard water softening device) for producing soft water has begun to spread. . An ion exchange device for producing soft water absorbs and removes hardness components (calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in raw water such as tap water and groundwater with a cation exchange resin to produce soft water as treated water (Patent Reference 1).

  In the above water softening apparatus, when the ion exchange resin bed reaches a predetermined amount of water taken, the ion exchange group becomes substantially saturated with the hardness component, and loses ion exchange capacity (that is, breaks through). . Therefore, in the water softening device, before the ion exchange resin bed breaks through, a regeneration operation for recovering the ion exchange capacity by supplying salt water as a regenerating solution to the pressure tank containing the ion exchange resin bed is performed. Will be The salt water as the regenerating solution is stored in a regenerating solution tank (salt water tank).

  A general water softening apparatus includes a pressure tank in which an ion-exchange resin bed is housed, a regenerating solution tank in which salt water as a regenerating solution is stored, and a raw-water introduction unit for introducing raw water and an ion-exchange resin in the pressure tank. And a piping section having a treated water deriving section for deriving treated treated water. The pressure tank is provided with a control valve for switching a flow path in a water passage step, a regeneration step, and the like, and the pressure tank is connected to a pipe via the control valve. Further, a home water softening apparatus is provided with a housing for accommodating a pressure tank, a regenerating liquid tank and a pipe in addition to these elements.

  Further, in the water softening device, wastewater discharged from the pressure tank via the control valve, overflow wastewater from the regenerating liquid tank, and raw water wastewater from the raw water piping are respectively discharged. These wastewaters are discharged out of the system through respective drainage pipes through which the respective wastewaters flow.

JP 2015-166070 A

  However, the conventional water softener has a plurality of drainage pipes through which a plurality of types of wastewater flow, and thus has a disadvantage that there is a problem in downsizing the water softener.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ion exchange device that can reduce the number of drain pipes.

The present invention provides a pressure tank containing an ion exchange resin bed for producing treated water by introducing raw water, a regeneration liquid supply unit for supplying a regeneration liquid to the ion exchange resin bed, a raw water introduction unit and A piping unit having a water outlet, a flow control valve unit connected to the pressure tank, the regenerating liquid supply unit and the piping unit and switching a flow path, the pressure tank, the regenerating liquid supply unit, and the piping unit And a housing accommodating the flow path control valve unit, wherein the piping unit comprises: (a) raw water piping for communicating the raw water introduction section with a raw water inflow port of the flow path control valve unit; A) a treated water pipe for communicating a treated water outflow port of the flow path control valve unit with the treated water derivation unit; and (c) the raw water pipe and the treated water pipe. A bypass pipe to be connected; and (d) a non-bypass path through which raw water flows into the flow path control valve unit without flowing into the bypass pipe, or raw water flows into the bypass pipe without flowing into the flow path control valve unit. An assembly comprising: a bypass switching valve capable of switching to a bypass path for inflow; and (e) a valve group provided at least in the raw water pipe, the group including at least a vacuum relief valve, a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure relief valve. The casing is provided with a single drainage portion on any of the front, rear, left and right surfaces, and the drainage portion has a common drainage pipe for guiding a plurality of types of drainage to the drainage portion in a single flow path. The flow control valve unit is connected to one end of a first drain pipe through which regeneration wastewater discharged during regeneration of the ion-exchange resin bed flows, and the regeneration liquid supply unit is connected to a regeneration liquid supply unit. One end of a second drain pipe through which overflow drain water flows from the port is connected, and one end side of a third drain pipe through which raw water drain water discharged when the pressure relief valve is operated is connected to the piping unit, The other end of each of the first drain pipe, the second drain pipe, and the third drain pipe is connected to the common drain pipe, and is provided downstream of the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe. Further comprising a water-trap type trap, wherein the regeneration drainage of the first drainage pipe and the overflow drainage of the second drainage pipe pass through the trap, whereby the trap retains the sealed water and the third drainage The present invention relates to an ion exchange apparatus configured so that raw water drainage from a pipe does not pass through the trap .

  According to the present invention, the number of drain pipes can be reduced.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a water treatment process when a flow path control valve of a water softening device as an embodiment of the ion exchange device of the present invention is in a first state. It is a perspective view showing the state where the outer lid member of the water softening device concerning this embodiment was opened. It is a perspective view which shows the state which omitted the outer cover member and the front side plate of the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and opened the inner cover member. It is a perspective view which shows a part of salt water supply unit in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment in cross section. It is an exploded perspective view of the salt water supply unit in the water softening device according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which accommodated the salt water plate in the lower tank. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the inside of the lower tank in the water softening apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is an exploded perspective view showing an intermediate panel member, an inner lid member, and a control box in the water softening device according to the present embodiment in an exploded manner. (B) is an exploded perspective view showing the packing member of the intermediate panel member in the water softening device according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the bottom surface side. It is a perspective view showing the piping unit in the water softening device concerning this embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the operation tool arrangement part. (A) is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector and a pressure relief valve are attached to a flow path control valve unit in the water softening apparatus according to the present embodiment. (B) is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path control valve unit, the connector and the pressure relief valve of (A).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the ion exchange device of the present invention is applied to a water softening device will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The water softening apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment generates soft water as treated water by replacing a hardness component contained in raw water such as tap water, groundwater, and industrial water with sodium ions (or potassium ions). The water softening apparatus 1 is used for the purpose of supplying soft water as various kinds of water to a demand location. The water softening apparatus 1 is used for living buildings such as houses and condominiums, for attracting customers such as hotels and public baths, for providing medical facilities such as clinics and hospitals, for cooling and heating equipment such as boilers and cooling towers, and for water use such as food processing equipment and washing equipment. Connected to equipment. In particular, the water softening device 1 is suitable for softening tap water in ordinary households.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each component constituting the water softening apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The water softening apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pressure tank 2, a flow path control valve unit 3, a salt water supply unit 4 as a regenerating liquid supply unit (see also FIGS. 4 to 7), and a piping unit 5 (FIG. 9 to 11), a housing 6, and an intermediate panel 7 (see also FIG. 8). In the following description, “line” is a general term for a flow path, a path, a pipe, and the like.

[Pressure tank 2]
The pressure tank 2 is a cylindrical pressure-resistant container having a rounded bottom (for example, the outer periphery is substantially circular in plan view), and has an opening 21 at the top. Inside the pressure tank 2, a collection and distribution pipe 231 (see FIG. 1) extending from the center of the opening 21 to near the bottom of the pressure tank 2 is provided. A top screen 241 is provided in an area of the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2 except for the collection and distribution pipe 231. A bottom screen 242 is provided between the lower end of the collection and distribution pipe 231 and the bottom of the pressure tank 2. Therefore, the liquid that has flowed into the pressure tank 2 from the upper end of the collection and distribution pipe 231 descends in the collection and distribution pipe 231, passes through the bottom screen 242 from the lower end, and exits outside the collection and distribution pipe 231, and is collected and distributed. The inner space of the pressure tank 2 outside the liquid pipe 231 is raised and exits the pressure tank 2 through the top screen 241. Conversely, the liquid that has flowed into the pressure tank 2 through the top screen 241 descends through the internal space of the pressure tank 2, passes through the bottom screen 242 and enters the collection / distribution pipe 231, and passes through the collection / distribution pipe 231. Ascends and exits the pressure tank 2 from its upper end. Note that the top screen 241 and the bottom screen 242 are also called distributors or collectors due to their functions.

  An ion exchange resin bed 211 made of ion exchange resin beads (typically, a cation exchange resin bead used for water softening) and a filter gravel are provided in an inner space of the pressure tank 2 outside the collection and distribution pipe 231. The support floor 212 is accommodated. The support floor 212 is arranged on the bottom side of the pressure tank 2. The support bed 212 functions as a fluid rectifying member for the ion exchange resin bed 211. The ion exchange resin bed 211 is stacked above the support bed 212. The ion-exchange resin bed 211 functions as a treatment material for producing soft water W2 as treatment water by introducing raw water (for example, tap water) W1.

[Flow control valve unit 3]
The flow path control valve unit 3 is attached to an opening 21 (see FIG. 1) on the upper part of the pressure tank 2. The flow path control valve unit 3 is connected to the pressure tank 2, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5, and switches the flow path according to a required operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the flow path control valve unit 3 includes a valve housing 300 and a driving mechanism (for example, a motor, a gear, an arm, or the like) for driving a main valve 31, a brine valve 35, and a drain valve 36 described below. (A drive mechanism including a cam and the like: not shown). The valve housing 300 includes a lower opening 301 attached to the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2, a raw water inflow port 302, a soft water outflow port 303 as a treated water outflow port, and a salt water inflow port 304 as a regenerated liquid inflow port. A drain port 305 is formed. A connector 57 (described later) of the piping unit 5 is attached to the raw water inflow port 302 and the soft water outflow port 303. A first pipe joint 54 a (described later) is connected to the salt water inflow port 304. One end of a first drain pipe 551 (described later) is connected to the drain port 305. The drive mechanism is covered by a waterproof cover 306.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path control valve unit 3 includes a main valve 31, an ejector 33, a strainer 34, a brine valve 35, and a drain valve 36. It is incorporated in the valve housing 300. Further, in the valve housing 300, a raw water line L12, soft water lines L21, L22, L23, L24, dilution water lines L31, L32, salt water lines L42, L43, L44, and drain lines L51, L52 are provided with fluid. It is formed as a transport channel. The soft water lines L21 to L24, the dilution water lines L31 and L32, and the salt water line L44 also function as raw water lines. The soft water line L21 also functions as a salt water line.

  The main valve 31 includes a cylinder portion 311 formed in the valve housing 300 and having an open end, and a valve body 312 housed inside the cylinder portion 311. The valve body 312 is configured to be slidable along the axial direction of the cylinder 311. The cylinder portion 311 has four holes 3111 to 3114 on the peripheral wall thereof at predetermined intervals along the axial direction. The valve body 312 includes three seal portions 3121 to 3123. The three seal portions 3121 to 3123 project outward from the peripheral wall at predetermined intervals along the axial direction. The valve body 312 has one hole 3124 at the top.

  When the lower opening 301 of the valve housing 300 is attached to the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2, the open end of the flow path control valve 31 is attached to the upper end of the collection and distribution pipe 231 of the pressure tank 2 in a watertight manner. One end of the raw water line L12 is connected to the raw water inflow port 302 of the valve housing 300. The other end of the raw water line L12 is connected to the first hole 3111 of the cylinder 311.

  One end of the soft water line L21 is water-tightly connected to a region other than the collection and distribution pipe 231 at the opening 21 of the pressure tank 2. The other end of the soft water line L21 is connected to a connection point between one end of the soft water line L22 and one end of the salt water line L44. The other end of the soft water line L22 is connected to the third hole 3113 of the cylinder unit 311. One end of the soft water line L23 is connected to the second hole 3112 of the cylinder portion 311. The other end of the soft water line L23 is connected to a connection point between one end of the soft water line L24 and one end of the dilution water line L31. The other end of the soft water line L24 is connected to the soft water outflow port 303.

  The other end of the dilution water line L31 is connected to one side of the strainer 34. One end of a dilution water line L32 is connected to the other side of the strainer 34. The other end of the dilution water line L32 is connected to the nozzle side of the ejector 33. The other end of the salt water line L44 is connected to the diffuser side of the ejector 33. One end of a salt water line L43 is connected to a suction port of the ejector 33. The other end of the salt water line L43 is connected to one side of the brine valve 35. The other side of the brine valve 35 is connected to the salt water inflow port 304.

  One end of the drain line L51 is connected to the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder 311. The other end of the drain line L51 is connected to one side of the drain valve 36. The other side of the drain valve 36 is connected to a drain port 305.

  The main valve 31 generates a rising flow of the raw water W1 by collecting the liquid at the top screen 241 while distributing the raw water W1 to the bottom screen 242 of the pressure tank 2 with respect to water collection and regeneration, thereby producing the soft water W2. The flow of the water (raw water W1, soft water W2) in the water treatment process to be performed and the salt water W3 as a regenerating liquid are distributed to the top screen 241 while being collected at the bottom screen 242 to generate a downward flow of the salt water W3. This is a valve that can switch the flow of the salt water W3 in the regeneration step of regenerating the ion exchange resin bed 211.

(First state)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the main valve 31, when the first seal portion 3121 of the valve body 312 is located between the first hole 3111 and the second hole 3112 of the cylinder portion 311, the second seal of the valve body 312 The seal portion 3122 is located between the third hole 3113 and the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311. The third seal portion 3123 of the valve body 312 is formed between the fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311 and the opening end. Located between. At this time, the first hole 3111 of the cylinder portion 311 has a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cylinder portion 311 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the valve body 312, the space inside the top of the cylinder portion 311 and the top of the valve body 312. It communicates with the space inside the valve body 312 through the hole 3124. That is, the first hole 3111 of the cylinder portion 311 communicates with the upper end of the collection and distribution pipe 231 of the pressure tank 2. The second hole 3112 and the third hole 3113 of the valve housing 311 communicate with each other via a predetermined gap between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 311 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 312. The fourth hole 3114 of the cylinder portion 311 does not communicate with another hole or the space inside the valve body 312. Hereinafter, this positional relationship is referred to as a “first state” of the flow path control valve 31.

  The main valve 31 also has a second state, a third state, and a fourth state. Regarding these, detailed descriptions in this specification are omitted by using the description of the second state, the third state, and the fourth state in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application, respectively. .

[Piping unit 5]
As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path control valve unit 3 includes a raw water line L11 extending from a raw water introduction section 510 to a raw water inflow port 302 (via a connector 57 described later) and a soft water outflow port 303 (connector 57). A soft water line L25 leading to the soft water outlet 520) is connected. The raw water line L11 and the soft water line L25 are connected by a bypass line L61. The raw water line L11 includes a raw water pipe 51. The soft water line L25 includes a soft water pipe 52. The bypass line L61 includes a bypass pipe 53.

  The piping unit 5 includes a raw water pipe 51, a soft water pipe 52 as a treated water pipe, a bypass pipe 53, a first bypass switching valve 515, a second bypass switching valve 531, and various valve groups to be described later. And an assembly including: Therefore, the piping unit 5 includes the raw water introduction unit 510 and the soft water derivation unit 520 as the treated water derivation unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the piping unit 5 includes an integrally molded connector 57 for connecting the raw water piping 51 and the soft water piping 52 to the flow path control valve unit 3. The connector 57 communicates with the first port 571 to which the raw water pipe 51 is connected, the second port 572 which is connected to the raw water inflow port 302, and the third port which is connected to the soft water outflow port 303. It has a port 573 and a fourth port 574 that is in communication with the third port 573 and to which the soft water pipe 52 is connected. An intermediate port 575 as a raw water flow path is provided at an intermediate position between the first port 571 and the second port 572. A pressure relief valve 518 described later is connected to the intermediate port 575. That is, the pressure relief valve 518 is connected to the intermediate port 575 that connects the first port 571 and the second port 572, instead of the raw water pipe 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, in the raw water line L11 (raw water pipe 51), a raw water strainer 511, a vacuum relief valve 512 having a filter 513, a check valve 514, a One bypass switching valve 515, a pressure reducing valve 516, a flow switch 517, and a pressure relief valve 518 are provided. The raw water strainer 511 blocks the flow of the fine particles contained in the raw water W1. The vacuum relief valve 512 opens when a negative pressure is generated in the system, and sucks the atmosphere. The check valve 514 restricts the flow of the raw water W1 in one direction to prevent the raw water W1 from flowing backward.

  The first bypass switching valve 515 switches the inlet flow path between the raw water line L11 and a later-described bypass line L61 in cooperation with the second bypass switching valve 531. The pressure reducing valve 516 reduces the pressure of the raw water W1 to a predetermined water pressure. When detecting that the predetermined amount of raw water W1 has flowed, the flow switch 517 outputs a detection signal to an electronic device 731 of the control box 73 described later. When the pressure of the raw water W1 or the back pressure from the secondary side of the water softening device 1 exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure relief valve 518 allows the excess pressure to escape to the outside of the system so that the pressure tank 2 The control valve unit 3 is protected.

  In the soft water line L25 (soft water pipe 52), a check valve 521, a soft water strainer 522 as a treated water strainer, and a switching valve 523 are provided in order from the side close to the flow path control valve unit 3. The check valve 521 restricts the flow of the soft water W2 in one direction to prevent the soft water W2 from flowing backward. The soft water strainer 522 is capable of capturing foreign substances (fine particles or crushed pieces of ion exchange resin) mixed in the soft water W2, and by opening the water test cock 5221, removes the foreign substances into a strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). Is discharged out of the system via.

  A bypass line is provided between a connection point between the check valve 514 of the raw water line L11 (raw water piping 51) and the first bypass switching valve 515 and a downstream side of the switching valve 523 of the soft water line L25 (soft water piping 52). L61 is connected. The bypass line L61 forms a bypass pipe 53 that connects the raw water pipe 51 and the soft water pipe 52. The branch of the bypass pipe 53 from the raw water pipe 51 is arranged between the check valve 514 and the pressure reducing valve 516. The bypass line L61 (bypass pipe 53) is provided with a second bypass switching valve 531 and a check valve 532 in order from the side close to the raw water line L11.

  The second bypass switching valve 531 switches the inlet flow path in cooperation with the first bypass switching valve 515, and switches the outlet flow path in cooperation with the switching valve 523. Specifically, when the first bypass switching valve 515 is opened and the second bypass switching valve 531 is closed, the raw water W1 does not flow into the bypass pipe 53 but flows into the flow path control valve unit 3. I do. On the contrary, when the first bypass switching valve 515 is closed and the second bypass switching valve 531 is opened, the raw water W1 flows into the bypass pipe 53 without flowing into the flow path control valve unit 3.

  For example, when replacing the ion-exchange resin bed 211 or repairing the flow path control valve unit 3, while stopping the flow of water to the flow path control valve unit 3 and the pressure tank 2, the water softening device 1 is installed. It is necessary to continue to supply water to the interior of the house. Therefore, in this case, the maintenance is performed in a state where the second bypass switching valve 531 is opened and the first bypass switching valve 515 and the switching valve 523 are closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the assembly of the piping unit 5 including the raw water piping 51, the soft water piping 52, and the bypass piping 53 is arranged above and to the side of the pressure tank 2. The outer periphery of the pressure tank 2 is substantially circular in plan view, and the piping unit 5 is arranged along the circular outer periphery of the pressure tank 2.

[Salt water supply unit 4]
The salt water supply unit 4 mainly supplies the salt water W3 generated from the salt S as the raw material medicine to the ion exchange resin bed 211 in the pressure tank 2, as shown in FIGS. The salt water supply unit 4 includes a salt water tank 41 as a regenerating liquid tank, a salt water plate 42 as a regenerating liquid plate, a salt water valve pipe 43 as a regenerating liquid flow pipe, and a salt water valve 44 as a regenerating liquid valve. It is composed. The salt water tank 41 has a raw material storage part 411 that can store salt S, and a salt water storage part 412 as a regenerating liquid storage part that can store salt water W3 generated from salt S and makeup water. The salt water plate 42 is disposed inside the salt water tank 41 and has a mounting surface 421 on which the salt S is mounted. Through the salt water valve pipe 43, the salt water W3 derived from the salt water tank 41 or the makeup water introduced into the salt water tank 41 flows. The salt water valve 44 is connected to the salt water valve pipe 43, controls the flow of the makeup water and the flow of the salt water W3, and when the water level in the salt water tank 41 reaches a preset specified water level WL (see FIG. 7). Has a function to cut off the flow of makeup water. The salt water valve 44, the salt water valve pipe 43, and the closing member 4224 as an upper cover described later are integrally assembled as a salt water valve assembly (regenerated liquid valve assembly) 45.

  The salt water tank 41 is divided into an upper tank 41A and a lower tank 41B. By connecting the upper tank 41A and the lower tank 41B in the vertical direction, the salt water tank 41 is integrally formed. The lower tank 41B is a generally rectangular tubular body. The bottom of the lower tank 41B is set to a first bottom 41B1 corresponding to a region where the salt water valve 44 is installed, and a position higher than the first bottom 41B1, and corresponds to a supply stop position BL (see FIG. 7) of the salt water W3. And a second bottom portion 41B2. The first bottom 41B1 is disposed near one corner of the lower tank 41B. The first bottom portion 41B1 is located on the front side of the water softening device 1 when the salt water tank 41 is installed at a predetermined position of the water softening device 1.

  The lower tank 41B is provided with a step 41B3 at a predetermined height from the second bottom 41B2 of the lower tank 41B. The step portion 41B3 is a step portion in which the size of the cross section of the lower tank 41B below is smaller than the size of the cross section of the lower tank 41B above. Inside the lower tank 41B, a salt water plate 42 is disposed on the step portion 41B3. The salt S is placed on the salt water plate 42. In the lower tank 41B, a portion below the mounting surface 421 with the mounting surface 421 of the salt water plate 42 as a boundary functions as the salt water storage section 412. On the other hand, the part above the boundary functions as the raw material storage part 411.

  The upper tank 41A functions exclusively as the raw material storage section 411. This means that, of the raw material storage section 411 and the salt water storage section 412 of the salt water tank 41, the upper tank 41A only functions as the raw material storage section 411 and does not function as the salt water storage section 412. is there. The boundary between the raw material storage section 411 and the salt water storage section 412 is determined by the mounting surface 421 of the salt water plate 42. The salt water plate 42 is disposed inside the lower tank 41B. Therefore, the lower tank 41 </ b> B not only functions as the salt water storage unit 412, but also partially functions as the raw material storage unit 411. Therefore, the upper tank 41A functions exclusively as the raw material storage section 411.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the salt water tank 41 is provided with an overflow part 413 for discharging excess salt water W3 inside through an opening 4133 communicating with the raw material storage part 411. The overflow section 413 is disposed inside the lower tank 41B. Specifically, an overflow portion 413 is provided at a predetermined height from the step portion 41B3 at a corner different from the corner where the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is formed. That is, the corner of the lower tank 41B provided with the overflow portion 413 is provided with a concave portion 4131 recessed inward in the horizontal direction of the lower tank 41B from the second bottom portion 41B2 to the overflow height. The upper surface of the concave portion 4131 forms an overflow surface 4132 having an opening 4133. The overflow surface 4132 is provided with a cylindrical drainage tube 4134 extending downward from the opening 4133. One end of a second drain pipe 552 is connected to the bottom opening 4135 of the drain pipe 4134. The other end of the second drain pipe 552 is connected to the common drain pipe 554.

  The salt water plate 42 is raised above the mounting surface 421, and a salt water valve raised portion 422 as a regenerating liquid valve raised portion that covers a portion of the salt water valve 44 located above the mounting surface 421, and a mounting surface. 421, which is higher than 421 and covers the opening 4133 of the overflow portion 413. That is, the salt water valve protruding portion 422 is connected to the salt water plate 42 and covers a portion of the salt water valve 44 located above the mounting surface 421 from the side, and a side cover portion 4221 and a mounting member for the salt water valve 44. Upper cover portions 4222 and 4224 cover a portion located above surface 421 from above. The side covering portion 4221 (and the upper covering portion 4222 integral therewith) and the upper covering portion 4224 are configured to be separable.

  Specifically, the salt water valve protruding portion 422 protrudes from the mounting surface 421 to a predetermined height that substantially accommodates the salt water valve 44 installed on the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. The salt water valve protruding portion 422 includes a partition 4221 as a side covering portion, and a partition plate 4222 and a closing member 4224 as an upper covering portion. That is, in the vicinity of the corner where the first bottom 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is arranged, the partition wall 4221 separates the salt water valve 44 installed on the first bottom 41B1 so as to isolate the salt water valve 44 in a region near the corner. The portion from the first side wall 41B4 to the adjacent second side wall 41B5 of the lower tank 41B constituting the portion is covered at a required height. The partition plate 4222 is continuous with the upper edge of the partition 4221 and covers a region substantially in contact with the first side wall 41B4 and the second side wall 41B5 of the lower tank 41B. In the partition plate 4222, for example, a circular opening 4223 is provided directly above the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. The closing member 4224 as an upper cover part integrally closes the opening 4223 of the partition 4222 together with the opening 41A3 of the upper tank 41A.

  The overflow portion raised portion 423 is raised from the mounting surface 421 of the salt water plate 42 and covers the overflow surface 4132 and the opening 4133 of the overflow portion 413. Specifically, the overflow portion protrusion 423 rises above the mounting surface 421 to a height substantially equal to the height of the salt water valve protrusion 422. The overflow raised portion 423 includes a partition wall 4231 as a side covering portion and a partition plate 4232 as an upper covering portion. Specifically, the partition wall 4231 needs a portion from the second side wall 41B5 constituting the corner portion to the adjacent third side wall 41B6 so as to isolate the corner portion where the overflow portion 413 of the lower tank 41B is provided. Cover at the height of. The partition plate 4232 is continuous with the upper edge of the partition wall 4231 and covers a region substantially in contact with the second side wall 41B5 and the third side wall 41B6 of the lower tank 41B.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a gap 4225 is provided between the side edge of the salt water valve protrusion 422 and the inner wall (the first side wall 41B4 and the second side wall 41B5) of the salt water tank 41. Can be The gap 4225 functions as a convection flow path caused by a concentration difference in the salt water storage unit 412 generated when the salt S is dissolved in the makeup water. A gap 4233 is provided between a side edge of the overflow section protrusion 423 and the inner wall (the second side wall 41B5 and the third side wall 41B6) of the salt water tank 41. The gap 4233 functions as a flow path for discharging the salt water that has exceeded the appropriate liquid amount in the salt water storage unit 412 and has increased to the specified position in the raw material storage unit 411 from the overflow surface 4132 of the overflow unit 413. On the other hand, the gap 4233 also functions as a convection flow path caused by a concentration difference in the salt water storage section 412 generated when the salt S is dissolved in the makeup water.

  The upper tank 41A has an open space 41A1 that is separated from the raw material container 411 via a tank wall 41A5 above the salt water valve protruding portion 422, and that opens at least upward. A salt water valve pipe 43 is disposed in the open space 41A1. Specifically, the upper tank 41A is partially different from a tubular body corresponding to the tubular body of the lower tank 41B. That is, the portion of the upper tank 41A located directly above the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B is formed as a concave portion 41A1 as an open space which is recessed inward in the lateral and downward directions of the upper tank 41A through the height of the upper tank 41A. Is provided. At the lowermost part of the concave portion 41A1, there is provided a bottom plate 41A2 integrally connected to the other portion of the upper tank 41A. The bottom plate 41A2 is provided with, for example, a circular opening 41A3 just above the first bottom portion 41B1 of the lower tank 41B. On the upper surface of the upper tank 41A, a raw material inlet 41A4 for introducing a raw material drug (salt) is provided.

  In the salt water valve pipe 43, the salt water W3 derived from the salt water tank 41 or the makeup water introduced into the salt water tank 41 flows. Specifically, the salt water valve pipe 43 constitutes a part of a salt water line L41 for supplying the stored salt water W3 to the pressure tank 2 in, for example, a regeneration step. In the water softening apparatus 1 using cation exchange resin beads, each aqueous solution of sodium chloride and potassium chloride can be used as the salt water W3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inside of the salt water tank 41 is partitioned by a salt water plate 42 into a raw material storage part 411 and a salt water storage part 412. The raw material storage section 411 is an area capable of storing a salt S (for example, sodium chloride or potassium chloride) as a raw material of the regenerating liquid. The salt water storage section 412 is an area in which the salt water W3 generated from the salt S stored in the raw material storage section 411 and the makeup water introduced from the outside can be stored.

  The salt S stored in the raw material storage unit 411 is placed on the salt water plate 42. A part of the salt S placed on the salt water plate 42 melts into the salt water storage part 412 through the salt water plate 42 and becomes salt water W 3 by being mixed with makeup water. The lower part of the salt water valve 44 is installed on the first bottom part 41B1 of the salt water tank 41. The cross-sectional area of the first bottom 41B1 is preferably, for example, 1.2 times or less the area of the lower part of the salt water valve 44. The height of the second bottom 41B2 is preferably, for example, 2 to 5 cm lower than the salt water supply stop position BL.

  The salt water valve 44 controls the flow of the makeup water from the flow path control valve unit 3 and the flow of the salt water W3 to the flow path control valve unit 3, and sets the water level in the salt water tank 41 to a predetermined specified water level WL. It has a function to cut off the flow of makeup water when it reaches. The salt water valve 44 includes a float 4401 for detecting a water level, a float rod 4404, a salt water valve pipe 43, and an air check housing part 4420. The water level detection float 4401 detects the water level of the salt water W3 stored in the salt water tank 41. The water level detection float 4401 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is inverted concave in a vertical cross section. The water level detection float 4401 is made of a material having a lower specific gravity than the makeup water. Therefore, the water level detection float 4401 has buoyancy with respect to the makeup water and the salt water W3. The float rod 4404 is a rod-shaped member that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level detection float 4401. The upper end of the float rod 4404 is connected to the water level detection float 4401. The lower end of the float rod 4404 is connected to a rehydration stopper (not shown) as a valve body.

  The salt water valve pipe 43 is a cylindrical member through which the salt water W3 supplied to the outside from the salt water tank 41 and the makeup water supplied to the salt water tank 41 from the outside flow. The lower end of the salt water valve pipe 43 is connected to a lower air check housing (not shown). The air check housing section 4420 includes a salt water valve filter 4421, an upper air check housing, a water supply stopper, a ball holder, a float ball, a lower air check housing, a metal ball, and a plug. The configuration and operation of the salt water valve 44 including the details of the air check housing portion 4420 will be omitted from the detailed description in the present specification by referring to JP-A-2015-174074 by the same applicant as the present application.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the salt water valve assembly 45 includes a salt water valve 44, a salt water valve pipe 43, and a closing member 4224 of a salt water valve protrusion 422 of the salt water plate 42. The third connection end 543 of the salt water pipe 54 is connected to the tip of the salt water valve pipe 43. When the salt water valve pipe 43 is pulled up, the closing member 4224 and the salt water valve 44 are both pulled up. The closing of the raw material introduction port 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 will be described later.

[Salt water piping]
To the flow path control valve unit 3, a salt water pipe for introducing salt water during regeneration of the ion exchange resin bed 211 is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a salt water line L42 is connected to the salt water inflow port 304 of the flow path control valve unit 3. The other end of the salt water line L42 is connected to one side of the salt water flow meter 545. One end of a salt water line L41 is connected to the other side of the salt water flow meter 545. The other end of the salt water line L41 is connected to the salt water valve pipe 43 of the salt water supply unit 4. Specifically, the other end of the salt water line L42 forms a first connection end 541 of the first pipe joint 54a as shown in FIG. One side of the salt water flow meter 545 is connected to the first connection end 541 of the first pipe joint 54a. The second connection end 542 of the second pipe joint 54b is connected to the other side of the salt water flow meter 545.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third connection end 543 of the third pipe joint 54c is connected to the distal end of the salt water valve pipe 43 of the salt water supply unit 4. The second connection end 542 of the second pipe joint 54b and the third connection end 543 of the third pipe joint 54c are connected by a flexible tube (not shown). That is, the salt water line L41 is composed of the flexible tube and the salt water piping composed of the respective pipe joints 54a to 54c. The salt water inflow port 304 of the flow path control valve unit 3 and the end of the salt water valve pipe 43 are connected by this salt water piping.

[Drainage piping]
A drain pipe for leading out various drains is connected to the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a drain line L52 is connected to the drain port 305 of the flow path control valve unit 3. The drain line L52 includes a first drain pipe 551. Regenerated wastewater discharged during regeneration of the ion-exchange resin bed 211 flows through the first drain pipe 551. One end of a drain line L53 is connected to the overflow section 413 of the salt water supply unit 4. The drain line L53 includes a second drain pipe 552. The overflow drainage from the salt water tank 41 flows through the second drain pipe 552. One end of a drain line L54 is connected to the pressure relief valve 518 of the piping unit 5. The drain line L54 includes a third drain pipe 553. Raw water drainage discharged when the pressure relief valve 518 is operated flows through the third drain pipe 553. The other side of the first drain pipe 551, the other side of the second drain pipe 552, and the other side of the third drain pipe 553 are all connected to the common drain pipe 554.

  The common drainage pipe 554 guides a plurality of types of drainage to a drainage joint 550 as a single drainage part in a single flow path. A water seal trap 5541 is provided at the connection between the common drain pipe 554 and the first drain pipe 551 and at the downstream side of the connection between the common drain pipe 554 and the second drain pipe 552. . The trap 5541 is configured to maintain water sealing by circulation of the recycled wastewater to the common drainage pipe 554.

[Layout inside the device]
Next, an arrangement relationship among the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure tank 2 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the water softening device 1. The flow control valve unit 3 is disposed above the pressure tank 2. The salt water supply unit 4 is arranged on one side (left side) of the pressure tank 2. The piping unit 5 is arranged on the other side (right side) of the pressure tank 2. The height occupied by the pressure tank 2 and the flow path control valve unit 3 is set lower than the height occupied by the salt water tank 41.

The housing 6 houses the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. The housing 6 includes a base 61 supporting the pressure tank 2 and the salt water supply unit 4, and a first side plate 62 surrounding the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. And a second side plate 63, and an outer lid member 64 that covers the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5. The housing 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The outer surface of the side plate of the housing 6 may be rounded instead of the rectangular parallelepiped shape.
The flow control valve unit 3 is attached to the pressure tank 2 and is supported by the pressure tank 2. The piping unit 5 is attached to the flow control valve unit 3 and is supported by the flow control valve unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 61 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The base 61 is provided with anchor attachment portions 613 on the entire peripheral surface of both long sides and both short sides in plan view. The base 61 is made of a resin material. The anchor attachment portion 613 is made of the same resin material as the base 61 and is integrally formed with the base 61. An anchor 614 is attached to the anchor attachment portion 613. For example, by fixing the anchor 614 using an anchor bolt (not shown), the water softening apparatus 1 is firmly installed at the installation location. It is not necessary to use all the anchor attachment portions 613, and only some of the anchor attachment portions 613 may be used depending on the installation location, the required installation strength, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first side plate 62 and the second side plate 63 are fixed to the base 61 at the lower edge. The first side plate 62 covers the back surface and the left and right side surfaces of the water softening device 1, and the second side plate 63 covers the front surface of the water softening device 1. On the right side surface of the first side plate 62, a raw water introduction part 510, a soft water derivation part 520, and a drainage joint 550 of the piping unit 5 are provided. As shown in FIG. 10, an operation tool box 621 as an operation tool disposition portion is provided on an upper portion of a right side surface of the first side plate 62. Inside the operation tool box 621, a first bypass switching valve operating tool 5151 manually operated when switching the first bypass switching valve 515 and a manual operation when switching the second bypass switching valve 531 are manually operated. A second bypass switching valve operating tool 5311, a raw water strainer lid 5111 as a raw water strainer operating tool that is manually operated when cleaning the raw water strainer 511, and a manual operation when cleaning the treated water strainer 522. And a water check cock 5221 as a treated water strainer operating tool are arranged and stored (collected).
The water test cock 5221 is provided on a strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). The form of the operating tool is not limited, and examples include a handle, a lever, a knob (knob), and a knob.

  A drain port 6211 is provided in the lower right side of the operation tool box 621. The drain port 6211 is for discharging, for example, water leaking from the strainer discharge pipe 5222 of the water test cock 5221 from the inside of the operation tool box 621. The operation tool box 621 includes a cover plate member 622 that covers the operation tool box 621 and covers the operation tool box 621. At the lower right of the cover plate member 622, a bulging portion 6221 bulging forward is provided so as to cover the upper part of the drain opening 6211. The cover plate member 622 has the upper edge portion inserted into the locking portion of the operation tool box 621 from below, and the decorative screw 6222 inserted through the center hole of the lower edge portion is screwed into the boss hole 6212 of the operation tool box 621. By fastening, it is attached to the operation tool box 621. The cover plate member 622 is substantially flush with the right side surface of the first side plate 62 when attached to the operation tool box 621. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the assembly of the piping unit 5 is disposed near the surface of the housing 6 where the operation tool box 621 is provided.

  The intermediate panel 7 is placed on the upper edges of the first side plate 62 and the second side plate 63. The intermediate panel 7 includes an intermediate panel member 71, an inner lid member 72, and a control box 73. The intermediate panel member 71 is fixed to upper edges of both side surfaces of the first side plate 62. The outer lid member 64 is provided with a pivot shaft on the back side and is attached to the intermediate panel member 71 so as to be freely opened and closed. A cylinder lock 641 is fixed to the center of the front side of the outer lid member 64. A holding portion 642 for receiving and holding the cylinder lock 641 is fixed to the center of the front side of the intermediate panel member 71. By closing the outer lid member 64 and locking the cylinder lock 641, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the outer lid member 64 is opened without permission and an unexpected accident may occur.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the intermediate panel member 71 extends above the pressure tank 2, the flow path control valve unit 3, the salt water supply unit 4, and the piping unit 5 below the outer lid member 64. Placed over. The intermediate panel member 71 has raw material input ports 711 and 712 at a position above the salt water tank 41. Specifically, the first material input port 711 is a region surrounded by a flange projecting upward from the upper surface of the intermediate panel member 71. The second material input port 712 is a region slightly below the first material input port 711 and surrounded by a flange projecting downward from the lower surface of the intermediate panel member 71. The second material inlet 712 is similar to the material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 and has a slightly smaller shape. The first material inlet 711 and the second material inlet 712 communicate with each other in the up-down direction.

  A packing member 7121 is attached to the outer periphery of the downwardly flanged second material input port 712. The inner periphery of the packing member 7121 has a shape and a size that are in close contact with the entire outer periphery of the downward flange of the second raw material inlet 712. The outer periphery of the packing member 7121 has a shape and a size to be in close contact with the entire inner periphery of the raw material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41. Therefore, when the second raw material inlet 712 of the intermediate panel member 71 on which the packing member 7121 is mounted is pushed into the raw material inlet 41A4 of the salt water tank 41 from above, the second raw material inlet 712 is inserted inside the raw material inlet 41A4. Are connected together. By placing the inner lid member 72 on the upward flange of the first raw material inlet 711, the first raw material inlet 711 is closed, and accordingly, the second raw material inlet 712 is also closed.

  The intermediate panel member 71 is made of a hard resin material, specifically, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (abbreviation: ASA). The inner lid member 72 is made of a soft resin material, specifically, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The intermediate panel member 71 and the inner lid member 72 are not provided with another member and / or a coating for improving the sealing property. The upper tank 41A is made of polypropylene (abbreviation: PP).

  The control box 73 is fixed to the lower side of the intermediate panel member 71 at a position separated from above the salt water tank 41. An electronic device 731 used for controlling the water softening device 1 is stored in the control box 73. The electronic device 731 includes a switching power supply 7311 that converts commercial AC power into DC power, and a microcomputer 7312 that is driven by the DC power converted by the switching power supply 7311 and controls the operation of the flow path control valve unit 3. . The drive voltage of the microcomputer 7312 is in the range of 5 to 24V. The microcomputer 7312 is configured as a one-board microcomputer on which at least a CPU (not shown), a memory (not shown), a display device 7313, and operation buttons 7314 are mounted. The intermediate panel member 71 has a display operation area 732 in which the display device 7313 can be visually recognized and the operation button 7314 can be pressed so as to correspond to the positions of the display device 7313 and the operation button 7314 when the control box 73 is fixed. Provided.

[Operation of the water softening device 1]
Next, the operation of the water softening device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. The water softening apparatus 1 has a water treatment mode, a regeneration mode, a washing mode, a water replenishment mode, and a standby mode as operation modes.

  The water treatment mode is a mode for producing treated water (soft water W2) by introducing raw water W1 into the pressure tank 2. In the water treatment mode, the microcomputer 7312 performs a water treatment process.

  The regeneration mode is a mode for regenerating the ion-exchange resin bed 211 by introducing salt water W3 as a regeneration liquid into the pressure tank 2. In the regeneration mode, the microcomputer 7312 sequentially executes a regeneration step, an extrusion step, and an air release step.

  The washing mode is a mode in which the raw water W1 as a washing liquid is introduced into the pressure tank 2 to generate an upward flow in the pressure tank 2 and wash the ion-exchange resin bed 211. In the water treatment mode, the microcomputer 7312 performs a cleaning process.

The rehydration mode is a mode in which the raw water W1 is supplied to the salt water tank 4. In the rehydration mode, the microcomputer 7312 executes a rehydration step.
The standby mode is a mode in which the control of the liquid in the pressure tank 2 is not performed (the fluid is not introduced into the pressure tank 2). In the standby mode, the microcomputer 7312 performs a standby step.

  The microcomputer 7312 controls the flow path control valve unit 3 to switch each operation mode based on a predetermined transition condition (event). For the details of the switching of each operation mode, the detailed description in this specification is omitted by referring to FIG. 10 and the description related thereto in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application.

Hereinafter, the steps executed in the above-described operation mode will be described. The flow path control valve unit 3 switches the state of the main valve 31 and the open / close state of the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 7312, and executes a process specified for each operation mode. First, the water treatment step will be described, and only the differences from the water treatment step will be described for the other steps.
In each of the following steps, the first bypass switching valve 515 is in the open position, the second bypass switching valve 531 is in the closed position, and the water check cock 5221 is in the closed position unless operated by a user or maintenance personnel. It is in.

[Water treatment process]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the water treatment process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the first state, and the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are both in the closed position. Therefore, the raw water W1 introduced from the raw water introduction unit 510 to the water softening device 1 sequentially flows through the raw water line L11, the raw water line L12, the first hole 3111 and the hole 3124 of the flow path control valve 31, and collects and distributes the pressure tank 2. The liquid is supplied to the liquid pipe 231 and water is distributed from the bottom screen 242. Raw water W1 distributed from the bottom screen 242 passes through the ion-exchange resin bed 211 in an upward flow. In the process in which the raw water W1 passes through the inside of the pressure tank 2 with an ascending flow, the hardness component of the raw water W1 is replaced with sodium ions (or potassium ions), and the raw water W1 is softened. The treated water (soft water W2) that has passed through the ion exchange resin bed 211 is collected on the top screen 241 at the top of the pressure tank 2. Thereafter, the soft water W2 flows sequentially through the soft water line L21, the soft water line L22, the third hole 3113 and the second hole 3112 of the flow path control valve 31, the soft water line L23, the soft water line L24, and the soft water line L25. From the water softening device 1 and supplied to a demand point of the soft water W2.

[Regeneration process]
In the regeneration step, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, and the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are both in the open position. For the details of the regeneration step, the description of the regeneration process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application will be referred to, and the detailed description in this specification will be omitted.

[Extrusion process]
In the extrusion process, in the flow control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. For the details of the extrusion step, the detailed description in the present specification is omitted by using the description of the extrusion process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application.

[Air release process]
In the air bleeding step, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the third state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. For the details of the air bleeding step, a detailed description in the present specification will be omitted by using the description of the lifting process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application.

[Washing process]
In the cleaning step, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the fourth state, the brine valve 35 is in the closed position, and the drain valve 36 is in the open position. For the details of the cleaning step, the detailed description in the present specification will be omitted by using the description of the lowering process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application.

[Rehydration process]
In the rehydration step, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the first state, the brine valve 35 is in the open position, and the drain valve 36 is in the closed position. For the details of the water refilling step, the description of the water refilling process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 filed by the same applicant as the present application will be omitted, and the detailed description in this specification will be omitted.

[Standby process]
In the standby process, in the flow path control valve unit 3, the main valve 31 is in the second state, and the brine valve 35 and the drain valve 36 are both in the closed position. For the details of the standby process, the description of the standby process according to the first embodiment in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-018129 by the same applicant as the present application will be referred to, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Manual bypass operation]
When the water supply of the water softening device 1 is manually bypassed, the user or the maintenance staff operates as follows. That is, when the water softening device 1 is in the water treatment mode (the flow path control valve unit 3 is in the water treatment step), the operation tool box 621 is opened to set the first bypass switching valve 515 to the closed position, and Is set to the open position.

  By this operation, the raw water W1 introduced into the water softening device 1 from the raw water introduction unit 510 flows through the raw water strainer 511 of the raw water line L11, the vacuum relief valve 512, and the check valve 514 sequentially. 2, the water flows sequentially through the bypass switching valve 531 and the check valve 532, and then flows downstream of the switching valve 523 in the soft water line L25, and is supplied to the demand point of the soft water W2.

[Operation of soft water strainer cleaning]
When cleaning the soft water strainer 522, the user and maintenance personnel operate as follows. That is, when the water softening device 1 is in the water treatment mode (the flow path control valve unit 3 is in the water treatment step), the operation tool box 621 is opened to set the first bypass switching valve 515 to the closed position, and Is set to the open position. Then, the water check cock 5221 is set to the open position.

  By this operation, the raw water W1 introduced into the water softening device 1 from the raw water introduction unit 510 flows through the raw water strainer 511 of the raw water line L11, the vacuum relief valve 512, and the check valve 514 sequentially. 2 sequentially flows through the bypass switching valve 531 and the check valve 532, then sequentially flows through the switching valve 523 and the soft water strainer 522 of the soft water line L25, and finally, the water check cock 5221 and the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (strainer discharge line L62). Is discharged through. At this time, foreign substances (fine particles or crushed pieces of ion exchange resin) mixed in the soft water W2 previously captured by the soft water strainer 522 are opened by opening the water sampling cock 5221 to thereby remove the strainer discharge pipe 5222 (the strainer discharge line). L62) and is discharged out of the system.

  In the above embodiment, the operation tool box 621 is provided on the upper right side of the first side plate 62, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation tool box 621 may be provided on either the left side or the back side of the first side plate 62 or the front side of the second side plate 63.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the raw water introduction part 510, the soft water derivation part 520, and the drainage joint 550 are provided on the right side surface of the first side plate 62, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the drainage joint 550 may be provided on either the left side or the back side of the first side plate 62 or the front side of the second side plate 63.

  Further, the salt water valve assembly 45 may include a float switch (not shown) for detecting whether or not the salt water (regenerated liquid) has reached a predetermined salt water concentration.

According to the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment described above, for example, the following various effects can be obtained.
The water softening apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a pressure tank 2 in which an ion exchange resin bed 211 for producing soft water W2 by introducing raw water W1 and a salt water for supplying salt water W3 to the ion exchange resin bed 211. A supply unit 4, a piping unit 5 having a raw water introduction unit 510 and a soft water derivation unit 520, a flow control valve unit 3 connected to the pressure tank 2, the salt water supply unit 4 and the piping unit 5, and switching a flow path; A housing for accommodating the tank, a salt water supply unit, a piping unit and a flow path control valve unit; The piping unit 5 includes (a) the raw water piping 51 for connecting the raw water introduction unit 510 and the raw water inflow port 302 of the flow path control valve unit 3, and (b) the soft water outflow port 303 of the flow path control valve unit 3 and the derivation of soft water. (C) a bypass pipe 53 connecting the raw water pipe 51 and the soft water pipe 52, and (d) a flow control valve unit 3 without flowing the raw water W1 into the bypass pipe 53. Switching valves 515 and 531, which can be switched to a non-bypass path that allows the raw water W1 to flow into the bypass pipe 53 without flowing the raw water W1 to the flow path control valve unit 3, and (e) the raw water pipe 51. And a valve group including at least a vacuum relief valve 512, a check valve 514, a pressure reducing valve 516, and a pressure relief valve 518. The casing 6 is provided with a single drainage section 550 on one of the front, rear, left and right surfaces, and the drainage section 550 has a common drainage pipe 554 for guiding a plurality of types of drainage to the drainage section 550 through a single flow path. Is connected to one end of a first drain pipe 551 through which regeneration wastewater discharged during regeneration of the ion-exchange resin bed 211 flows. The saltwater supply unit 4 is connected to a saltwater supply unit. One end of a second drain pipe 552 through which the overflow wastewater flows from 4 is connected, and one end of a third drain pipe 553 through which raw water wastewater discharged when the pressure relief valve 518 operates is connected to the piping unit 5. The other end of each of the first drain pipe 551, the second drain pipe 552, and the third drain pipe 553 is connected to the common drain pipe 554.

  Therefore, the number of the three first drain pipes 551, the second drain pipe 552, and the third drain pipe 553 can be reduced to one common drain pipe 554.

  Further, the water softening device 1 is provided in the common drain pipe 554 downstream of the connection between the common drain pipe 554 and the first drain pipe 551 and the connection between the common drain pipe 554 and the second drain pipe 552. A water-sealed trap 5541 is further provided. For this reason, the water-sealed trap 5541 can exhibit an insect repellent function instead of the insect repellent net. If the water seal type trap 5541 is on the downstream side of the second drain pipe 552 through which the overflow waste water from the salt water supply unit 4 flows, the water seal is replenished periodically. Therefore, the operation of replenishing the sealed water can be reduced.

  In addition, the trap 5541 is configured to maintain water sealing by circulating the drainage of salt water to the common drain pipe 554. Therefore, although the sealing water decreases due to the evaporation, the sealing function can be always exerted even when the evaporation is considered. Wastewater for this purpose includes wastewater in the rapid washing / blowing step and backwash air bleeding step, in addition to wastewater in the regeneration step and the extrusion step.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms.

  In the above embodiment, a single drain 550 is provided on the right side of the housing 6. However, for example, a single drain 550 may be provided on either the left side, the front, or the back of the housing 6. Further, the “single” drain section 550 physically means one drain section 550.

1 Water softener (ion exchange device)
2 Pressure tank 211 Ion exchange resin bed 3 Flow control valve unit 302 Raw water inflow port 303 Soft water outflow port (Treatment water outflow port)
4 Salt water supply unit (regeneration liquid supply unit)
5 Piping unit 51 Raw water piping 510 Raw water introduction unit 512 Vacuum relief valve 514 Check valve 515 First bypass switching valve 516 Pressure reducing valve 518 Pressure relief valve 52 Soft water piping (treated water piping)
520 Soft water outlet (treated water outlet)
53 Bypass piping 531 Second bypass switching valve 550 Drainage joint (single drainage part)
551 First drain pipe 552 Second drain pipe 553 Third drain pipe 554 Shared drain pipe 5541 Trap 6 Housing W1 Raw water W2 Soft water (treated water)
W3 salt water (regenerated liquid)

Claims (1)

A pressure tank containing an ion-exchange resin bed for producing treated water by introducing raw water,
A regenerating liquid supply unit for supplying a regenerating liquid to the ion exchange resin bed,
A piping unit having a raw water introduction unit and a treated water derivation unit,
A flow path control valve unit that is connected to the pressure tank, the regenerating liquid supply unit and the piping unit, and switches a flow path;
A housing for housing the pressure tank, the regenerating liquid supply unit, the piping unit, and the flow path control valve unit,
The piping unit comprises: (a) a raw water pipe for connecting the raw water introduction section to a raw water inflow port of the flow path control valve unit; and (b) a treated water outflow port of the flow path control valve unit and the derived water discharge. (C) a bypass pipe connecting the raw water pipe and the processed water pipe; and (d) flowing the raw water into the flow path control valve unit without flowing the raw water into the bypass pipe. A bypass switching valve that can be switched to a non-bypass path to allow the raw water to flow into the bypass pipe without flowing the raw water into the flow path control valve unit, and (e) at least a vacuum relief valve provided in the raw water pipe A valve group consisting of a check valve, a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure relief valve;
The casing is provided with a single drain portion on any of the front, rear, left and right surfaces,
The drainage unit is connected to a common drainage pipe for guiding a plurality of types of wastewater to the drainage unit in a single flow path,
The flow path control valve unit is connected to one end of a first drain pipe through which regenerated wastewater discharged during regeneration of the ion exchange resin bed flows,
The regeneration liquid supply unit is connected to one end of a second drain pipe through which overflow wastewater from the regeneration liquid supply unit flows,
One end of a third drain pipe through which raw water drainage discharged when the pressure relief valve operates is connected to the piping unit,
The other end of each of the first drain pipe, the second drain pipe, and the third drain pipe is connected to the common drain pipe ,
The apparatus further comprises a water-trap type trap provided downstream of the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe, and regeneration drainage of the first drain pipe and overflow drainage of the second drain pipe pass through the trap. By doing so, the trap is configured to hold the sealed water, and the raw water drainage of the third drain pipe is configured not to pass through the trap.
Ion exchange device.

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