JP2009056383A - Water softener - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water softener capable of setting a regeneration cycle of an ion exchange resin according to aged deterioration of the ion exchange resin without using a special sensor such as a hardness sensor.
A water softener for softening untreated water through a column packed with an ion exchange resin, wherein the regeneration means performs the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin at a predetermined regeneration period A. Is measured, and is compared with the reference accumulated water amount X1 stored in advance. When the accumulated water amount reaches the reference accumulated water amount X1, the set value of the predetermined regeneration cycle is set. Change to a smaller value than before the change. Along with this, the measured value of the accumulated water usage is reset.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softener, and more particularly to a technique for regenerating an ion exchange resin having a reduced chemical performance in a water softening device (water softener) that removes the hardness component of water using an ion exchange resin.

  Conventionally, water softeners have been widely used mainly in industrial equipment boilers and the like to prevent scales from adhering to cans, but recently, tap water has been softened so that soft water can be used even in general households. Water softeners for household use are being provided.

  Such a water softener for home use is composed of a column filled with an ion exchange resin, and hardness components (cations such as calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in tap water by passing tap water through the column. ) Is removed (softening treatment).

  By the way, since the water softener using such an ion exchange resin gradually adsorbs hardness components such as calcium to the ion exchange resin in the column with its use and its chemical performance deteriorates, When a certain period of time (this period is relatively determined by the hardness and amount of tap water used (the amount of water passing through the column) and the performance of the ion exchange resin (such as the material and the amount of the ion exchange resin)) , The hardness component will not be adsorbed on the ion exchange resin and it will not be possible to make soft water. (Thus, the leakage of the hardness component without being adsorbed is called hardness leakage, and the point at which this hardness leakage increases rapidly is called the through-flow point. ).

  Therefore, in this type of water softener, it is necessary to perform a regeneration process for recovering the chemical performance of the ion exchange resin before the hardness leak reaches the flow-through point. , Referred to as a reproduction cycle).

  Specifically, this regeneration cycle is set based on the amount of water used or the time of use of the water softener. For example, when setting based on the amount of water used, the amount of water used (predicted value) up to the above-mentioned flow-through point is calculated in advance based on the hardness of tap water and the performance of the ion exchange resin, and the amount of water used in the water softener Is set so that the reproduction process is performed before reaching the predicted value. Moreover, when based on use time, while predicting the water usage per fixed time (for example, 1 day, 1 week, etc.) based on a family structure etc., time from this predicted water usage to the above-mentioned flow-through point Is set so that the reproduction process is performed before this time elapses (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-15265

  However, the method of setting the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin in advance by using the amount of water used and the usage time of the water softener has the following problems and needs to be improved.

  That is, when an ion exchange resin is used over a long period of time while repeating the regeneration treatment described above, the ion exchange resin gradually flows out of the column and disappears due to crushing and abrasion. On the other hand, when used for a long period of time, foreign substances may enter the column and hinder the adsorption of hardness components by the ion exchange resin. Such outflow of the ion exchange resin or mixing of foreign matters leads to a decrease in the water softening ability of the ion exchange resin, so that the arrival time of the above-mentioned flow-through point is advanced (aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin).

  Therefore, when the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is set without considering such aging deterioration, the arrival time of the through-flow point is gradually advanced by repeating the regeneration (see FIG. 5), and as a result, the regeneration process is executed. In some cases, a large amount of hardness leakage occurs. On the other hand, if the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is set to be short in consideration of aging degradation, the regeneration process is executed while the water softening capacity is sufficient, which is uneconomical.

  In this regard, it is conceivable to determine the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin by directly monitoring the hardness of the treated water output from the water softener with a hardness sensor or the like. However, if the hardness sensor is provided, the number of parts of the water softener This increases the manufacturing cost and is not suitable for a domestic water softener that requires a simple and inexpensive structure.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to use an ion exchange resin according to the aging of the ion exchange resin without using a special sensor such as a hardness sensor. It is in providing the water softener which can set the reproduction | regeneration period of this.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a water softener for softening untreated water through a column filled with an ion exchange resin, wherein the control means regenerates the ion exchange resin at a predetermined regeneration cycle. Storage means for storing a reference integrated water amount and / or reference regeneration number preset as data for predicting the degree of deterioration of the ion-exchange resin packed in the column in a control structure for performing processing And a usage state measuring means for measuring the cumulative amount of water used and / or the number of regenerations that increase with the use of the water softener, and the control means includes the cumulative amount of water used and / or measured by the usage state measuring means. When the number of regenerations reaches the above-mentioned reference integrated water consumption and / or reference number of regenerations, the set value of the predetermined regeneration period is changed to a smaller value than before the change. And features.

  That is, in the invention according to claim 1, the use state measuring means measures the use state (cumulative use water amount and / or number of regenerations) of the water softener, and the measurement value is set in advance to a reference value (reference total use water amount). And / or the reference regeneration number), the control means changes the setting value of the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin to a value smaller than the setting value before the change so that the next regeneration process is performed in a shorter cycle. To. That is, the setting of the regeneration cycle is changed so that the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin is performed before the hardness leak from the column reaches the flow-through point.

  Here, the measurement object of the use state measuring unit and the data stored in the storage unit are configured to have at least a correspondence relationship. That is, when only the accumulated water usage amount of the water softener is measured by the use state measuring means, at least the reference accumulated water usage amount is stored in the storage means. Further, when only the number of times of regeneration of the ion exchange resin (the number of times of performing the regeneration process of the ion exchange resin) is measured in the use state measuring means, at least the reference regeneration number is stored in the storage means. Further, when both the accumulated water usage amount of the water softener and the number of regeneration times of the ion exchange resin are measured by the use state measuring means, both the reference accumulated water amount and the reference regeneration number are stored in the storage means.

  In this way, the hardness sensor is configured to detect the degree of aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin based on the measured value of at least one of the cumulative amount of water used by the water softener and the number of regeneration times of the ion exchange resin. This is because it is possible to set the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin without directly measuring the degree of hardness leakage using the above. That is, when the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is set based on the amount of water used by the water softener, the water softener is provided with a sensor (water amount sensor) for detecting the amount of water used. Measure the total amount of water used using a water amount sensor, and detect the degree of aging of the ion exchange resin from that value. If the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is set based on the period of use, the water softener may not have a water amount sensor. In such a case, the aging of the ion exchange resin may occur based on the number of regenerations. Detect the degree of. In addition, when the water amount sensor is provided in the water softener, it is also possible to detect the degree of aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin by using the accumulated water amount and the number of regenerations.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the water softener according to claim 1, wherein the control means resets the measurement value of the use state measurement means when the set value of the predetermined regeneration period is changed. It has a control structure.

  In other words, when the set values of the above-mentioned reference integrated water consumption and reference regeneration count are set in accordance with the predicted progress of aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin, measurement is performed without resetting the use state measuring means. Can be continued (the measured value counter is set to free run). However, when only one of the above-mentioned reference integrated water consumption and reference regeneration count is set, the measured value counter is set to free run as such. I can't. Therefore, in the water softener according to claim 2, when the regeneration cycle setting of the ion exchange resin is changed, the measured values of the use state measuring means are reset (the measured values of the accumulated water usage and the number of regenerations are “0”). To prepare for further aging of the ion exchange resin. In other words, the monitoring of the integrated water consumption and the number of regenerations is started again so that the flow-through point does not arrive earlier than the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin due to further aging.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the water softener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means, when the set value of the regeneration period becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance, It is characterized by having a control configuration for executing a predetermined process for prompting replacement of the ion exchange resin.

  That is, in the configuration in which the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is repeatedly shortened in accordance with the aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin as in the invention according to claim 1 or 2 described above, the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin is gradually shortened. In reality, it becomes too short to be practically used. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 3, when the set value of the regeneration period becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance (for example, a practically allowable minimum value), a process for prompting replacement of the column or ion exchange resin (for example, In addition, it is configured to notify the fact that the column or the ion exchange resin needs to be exchanged through a notifying unit or to perform a predetermined process such as blocking water flow to the water softener.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising reference value setting means for setting the reference integrated water use amount and / or the reference regeneration count. .

  In other words, the degree of progress of the deterioration of the ion exchange resin packed in the column differs depending on the hardness of tap water supplied to the water softener and the material / packing amount of the ion exchange resin used. In the invention according to Item 4, the reference value setting means is provided so that the reference integrated water usage amount and the reference regeneration frequency can be changed according to such conditions.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bypass pipe is configured to output untreated water without passing through the column, and the bypass pipe. It has a conduit selection setting means for selecting whether to output untreated water through a channel or to output treated water after softening through the column.

  That is, the tap water used in ordinary households includes cases where the water is not necessarily soft water (for example, flush water in a flush toilet). The water softener according to claim 5 is provided with a bypass pipe so that untreated water that has not been subjected to water softening treatment can be output when using tap water that does not need to be soft water. Pipe line selection setting means is provided so that the user can select whether or not to use the bypass pipe line.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the water softener according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the informing means for prompting replacement of the column or the ion exchange resin, the reference value setting means, and the pipe line At least one of the selection setting means is configured as a device separate from the water softener.

  According to the first or second aspect of the invention, the usage state from when the water softener is first used or when the ion-exchange resin is regenerated is measured by the usage state measuring means, and the measured value is When the preset reference value (reference integrated water usage and / or reference regeneration count) is reached, the regeneration cycle setting value of the ion exchange resin is changed to a value smaller than the pre-change setting value. Reproduction processing is executed in a shorter cycle than before. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of hardness leakage due to aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin. In addition, in order to obtain such an effect, a configuration in which the hardness of the treated water output from the water softener is directly monitored with a hardness sensor or the like is not adopted, so that the water softener can be provided at a low cost without increasing the manufacturing cost. .

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the set value of the regeneration period becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance, a predetermined process for urging replacement of the column or the ion exchange resin is executed. The user can know the arrival of the replacement time of the ion exchange resin.

  Moreover, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, since the reference | standard integrated water consumption and / or reference | standard reproduction | regeneration frequency can be set arbitrarily, it is possible to adjust the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin according to the performance of the water softener and the use environment. it can.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the user can select whether to output untreated water without passing through the column, the user uses soft water or is softened depending on the situation. You can arbitrarily choose whether to use non-tap water.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the notification means for prompting the exchange of the ion exchange resin, the reference value setting means, and the pipe line selection setting means is a device separate from the water softener. For example, it is possible to freely set the notification means in a place where it is easy to recognize, such as a kitchen or a living room, or to provide a reference value setting means or a pipeline selection setting means in a place where it can be easily operated. Can provide an easy-to-use water softener.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water softener 1 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a water softener 1 of the present invention includes a column 2 filled with an ion exchange resin inside, and a water inlet pipe 3 for supplying untreated water (water before softening) such as tap water to the column 2. And a discharge pipe 4 that outputs treated water (soft water) softened through the column 2 to the outside, and a bypass pipe (bypass) that enables the untreated water supplied from the inlet pipe 3 to be output without passing through the column 2 (Pipe) 5, a chemical solution tank 6 for storing a chemical solution for performing the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin, and water and chemical solution remaining in the column 2 at the time of cleaning and passing medicine in the column 2 A drain pipe 7 for discharging the water and a control means 8 for controlling each part of the water softener 1 are provided as main parts.

  Specifically, the column 2 is a container filled with an ion exchange resin as described above, and is connected to the inlet pipe connection port for connecting the inlet pipe 3 to the upper part and to the outlet pipe 4 to the lower part. A drainage pipe connection port is provided, and a filter (not shown) for preventing the ion exchange resin from flowing out is provided inside each connection port.

  One end of the inlet pipe 3 is connected to a water source (not shown) such as a water supply, and the other end is connected to an inlet pipe connection port of the column 2. The water intake pipe 3 is provided with a pressure reducing valve, a backflow prevention mechanism 10 and a water intake valve 11 (not shown) in order from the water source side, and one end of the bypass pipe 5 is connected between the backflow prevention mechanism 10 and the water intake valve 11. In addition, one end of the drain pipe 7 is connected between the water inlet valve 11 and the column 2. Here, the water inlet valve 11 is configured to be able to block water flow to the column 2 by opening and closing a valve body (not shown), and the opening and closing is configured to be controlled by the control means 8.

  One end of the water discharge pipe 4 is connected to a water intake (not shown) such as tap water in a house or the like, and the other end is connected to a water discharge pipe connection port of the column 2. The outlet pipe 4 is provided with a sampling valve 12 and a sampling water amount sensor 13 from the column 2 side. One end of a chemical liquid pipe 14 connected to the chemical liquid tank 6 is connected between the column 2 and the water sampling valve 12, and the bypass pipe 5 is connected between the water sampling amount sensor 13 and the water intake. The other end is connected. Here, the water sampling valve 12 is configured to be able to block water flow from the column 2 by opening and closing a valve body (not shown), and the opening and closing is configured to be controlled by the control means 8. The sampled water amount sensor 13 is a sensor for detecting the amount of water output via the water sampling valve 12, and the detection signal is provided to the control means 8.

  The bypass pipe 5 has one end connected to the water inlet pipe 3 and the other end connected to the water outlet pipe 4 as described above. The bypass pipe 5 is provided with a bypass valve 15 and a bypass water amount sensor 16 in order from the water inlet pipe 3 side. Here, the bypass valve 15 is configured to be able to block water flow through the bypass pipe 5 by opening and closing a valve body (not shown), and the opening and closing thereof is controlled by the control means 8. The bypass water amount sensor 16 is a sensor for detecting the amount of water passing through the bypass pipe 5, and the detection signal is provided to the control means 8.

  Thus, in this embodiment, by installing the water softener 1, all the tap water in the house where the water softener 1 is installed is supplied through this water softener 1.

  The chemical solution tank 6 is a tank for storing a chemical solution for performing the regeneration process of the ion exchange resin, and the other end of the chemical solution pipe 14 is connected to the lower portion of the chemical solution tank 6. The chemical liquid pipe 14 is provided with a chemical liquid valve 17 controlled by the control means 8, and the chemical liquid pipe 14 can be blocked by opening and closing the valve body of the chemical liquid valve 17.

  Note that salt water is generally used as a chemical solution used for the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin. Therefore, the chemical tank 6 is provided with a salt inlet (not shown) for generating salt water as the chemical.

  The drain pipe 7 is a pipe for discharging water and chemicals remaining inside the column 2 to the outside when the column 2 is washed, and one end of the drain pipe 7 is connected to the inlet pipe 3 as described above. The other end communicates with the outside of the water softener 1. The drain pipe 7 is provided with a drain valve 18 that is controlled by the control means 8, and the drain pipe 7 can be blocked by opening and closing the valve body of the drain valve 18. Although not shown, the other end of the drain pipe 7 is connected to a drain port or the like communicating with the sewage.

  The said control means 8 is a control apparatus which controls each part of the water softener 1 comprised in this way, Comprising: The microcomputer (not shown) carrying the program for control is comprised. In the present embodiment, the control means 8 includes, in particular, the treated water that is softened in the column 2 based on the detection signal from the sampled water amount sensor 13 with respect to the setting of the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin described later. At least one or both of a function for detecting the amount of water and measuring the integrated value (integrated water amount) and a function for measuring the number of times the ion exchange resin is regenerated (usage state measuring means), and a reference integrated water amount X1 And storage means (not shown) for storing data of at least one or both of the reference reproduction times X2.

  The control means 8 is provided with an operation means 9. The operation means 9 includes an operation section 20 for performing various operations described later, and a display section (notification means) 21 for notifying the state of the water softener 1 and the like. The operating means 9 may be configured to be provided in a casing (not shown) of the water softener 1, but is configured separately from the casing of the water softener 1, such as a remote controller, for example. The device 1 can also be remotely controlled. Moreover, while providing in the housing | casing of the water softener 1, it can also comprise so that a remote control separate from this may be provided side by side.

  In addition, in the water softener 1 shown in this embodiment, by providing such an operation means 9, in the operation part 20 of this operation means 9, the treated water after softening is output through the column 2, or the column It is configured to be able to select whether to output untreated water without passing through 2. That is, by operating the operation unit 20, both the water inlet valve 11 and the water sampling valve 12 are opened and the bypass valve 15 is closed (the state in which treated water after softening is output through the column 2), the water inlet valve 11 and A state in which both of the water sampling valves 12 are closed and the bypass valve 15 is opened (a state in which untreated water is output through the bypass pipe 5) can be selected. Thus, the user can select not to use soft water when soft water is not required (for example, when the toilet is washed), and the arrival of the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin described later can be delayed.

  Therefore, the procedure for softening untreated water in the water softener 1 configured as described above will be described below.

  That is, when the tap water (untreated water) supplied from the inlet pipe 3 is softened, the control means 8 opens only the inlet valve 11 and the sampling valve 12, and other valves (bypass valve 15, chemical liquid valve 17, A process of closing the drain valve 18) is executed. Thereby, the tap water supplied from the inlet pipe 3 is softened through the column 2 and supplied to the water intake of a house or the like through the outlet pipe 4. At that time, the amount of treated water softened by the column 2 (the amount of water used) is detected by the sampled water amount sensor 13 and given to the control means 8.

  By the way, when softening treatment of untreated water is performed in this way, hardness components such as calcium are gradually adsorbed to the ion exchange resin in the column 2 and its chemical performance is lowered. Therefore, the control means 8 is configured to execute a regeneration process for recovering the chemical performance of the ion exchange resin in the column 2 in accordance with a predetermined regeneration period A.

  Here, in this regeneration process, the control means 8 closes both the water inlet valve 11 and the water sampling valve 12 and opens the chemical liquid valve 17 and the drain valve 18 so that the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank 6 enters the column 2. This is done by passing it through. At this time, the control means 8 opens the bypass valve 15 so that untreated water is supplied to the water intake of the house.

  And the period (regeneration | regeneration period A) which performs such a regeneration process is set based on the usage water quantity or usage time preset also in the water softener 1 which concerns on this invention similarly to the conventional water softener mentioned above. However, in the water softener 1 according to the present invention, the control means 8 predicts the degree of aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin based on the measurement value of the use condition measuring means for measuring the use condition of the water softener 1, and this prediction Based on this, the regeneration cycle A of the ion exchange resin is modified as follows.

  Specifically, in the application of the present invention, the usage state measuring means has the following three modes depending on what the usage state of the water softener 1 is measured on, and the control means 8 includes the following three modes: The reproduction cycle A is configured to be corrected by any one of the modes.

(1) When measuring the usage state based on the detection signal of the sampled water volume sensor 13 In this case, the control means 8 determines the accumulated water usage amount of the water softener 1 accumulated based on the detection signal of the sampled water volume sensor 13. Based on this, the usage state of the water softener 1 is measured. That is, the control means 8 measures the accumulated water usage amount of the water softener 1 based on the detection signal of the sampled water amount sensor 13, and uses the predetermined reference accumulated usage water amount X1 stored in the storage means in advance. It is determined whether or not the aged deterioration of the ion exchange resin has progressed to some extent by determining whether or not it has exceeded (see step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, the accumulated water use amount is the water flow amount when the water softening treatment is being performed in the water softener 1 (when the untreated water is being output through the column 2), and the control means 8 uses the sampled water amount sensor 13. Integration is performed based on the detection signal. Further, the reference accumulated water amount X1 that is compared with the accumulated water amount is set in advance as data for predicting the degree of deterioration of the ion exchange resin packed in the column 2, and is the aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin. As a result, a numerical value set in advance based on calculation or experience is used in a range where the through point where the arrival time is earlier is not shorter than the regeneration period A.

  That is, the ion exchange resin deteriorates with age over a long period of time, and the arrival time of the through-flow point is earlier than in the initial state (the state in which the column 2 is filled with unused ion exchange resin) (see FIG. 5). ), The reference integrated water usage amount X1 is set so that the flow-through point does not arrive prior to the arrival of the regeneration period A in consideration of such movement of the flow-through point due to the aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin. In setting the reference cumulative water consumption amount X1, it is preferable to consider factors that affect the progress of the aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin more widely. For example, the degree of progress of crushing or wear of the ion exchange resin described above It is set in consideration of foreign matters contained in untreated water, chlorine concentration and oxygen content, metal ion content, filter performance, and the like.

  Then, when the accumulated water usage amount reaches the reference integrated water consumption amount X1 (exceeds the reference integrated water usage amount X1) in the determination of step S1 in FIG. 2, the control means 8 sets the set value of the regeneration cycle A to a smaller value than before the change. Change (see step S2 in FIG. 2).

  Specifically, in this embodiment, a new reproduction cycle is set by multiplying the reproduction cycle A before the change by a predetermined constant α (α is 0 <α <1) (step S2 in FIG. 2). Since the setting value of the reproduction period A after the change is smaller than the setting value before the change, for example, a predetermined value is subtracted from the setting value of the reproduction period A before the change. The change method can be changed as appropriate.

  When the control means 8 changes the set value of the regeneration cycle A in this way, the measured value of the integrated water consumption is cleared (the measured value of the integrated water usage is set to 0), and the process returns to step S1 in FIG. (Refer to step S3 in FIG. 2).

  If the set value of the regeneration cycle A is gradually shortened in accordance with the aging deterioration of the ion exchange resin in this way, the regeneration cycle A is finally shortened to an extent that cannot be practically used. End up. Therefore, in the water softener 1 according to the present invention, when the set value of the regeneration period A becomes smaller than a predetermined value (for example, the minimum value that is practically acceptable), the control means 8 causes the column 2 or ion exchange. It is configured to execute a predetermined process that prompts replacement of the resin.

  Specifically, the water softener 1 shown in the present embodiment is configured to display that the column 2 or the ion exchange resin needs to be replaced on the display unit 21 of the operation means 9 as the predetermined processing. The At this time, it is necessary to replace the column 2 or the ion exchange resin by using another method such as sounding a predetermined alarm sound instead of the display on the display unit 21 or in combination with the display. It can also be configured to notify

  In addition, since the value of the reference accumulated water amount X1 compared with the accumulated water amount of the water softener 1 is affected by various factors such as the degree of crushing of the ion exchange resin and the degree of wear as described above. The water softener 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the setting value of the reference integrated water usage amount X1 can be changed by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 20. That is, the operation unit 20 is configured to serve as a reference value setting means for setting the reference integrated water usage amount X1.

(2) When measuring the use state based on the number of times of regeneration processing of the ion exchange resin by the control means 8 (number of times of regeneration of the ion exchange resin) In this case, the control means 8 is based on the number of times of regeneration of the ion exchange resin. The usage state of the water softener 1 is measured. That is, the control means 8 executes the regeneration process of the ion exchange resin for each regeneration period A. At that time, the control means 8 measures (counts) the number of times of the regeneration process as the number of times of regeneration, and the number of times of regeneration is previously stored in the storage means It is determined whether or not the aged deterioration of the ion exchange resin has progressed to some extent by determining whether or not the predetermined reference regeneration number X2 stored in (2) has been exceeded (see step S1 in FIG. 3).

  Here, the reference regeneration number X2 is set in advance as data for predicting the degree of deterioration of the ion exchange resin packed in the column 2, and is a through point where the arrival time is advanced due to aging of the ion exchange resin. Is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned reference integrated water consumption X1 in that numerical values set in advance or based on experience values are used within a range not shorter than the regeneration period A.

  When the number of reproductions reaches the reference number of reproductions X2 in the determination of step S1 in FIG. 3 (when the number of reproductions exceeds the reference number of reproductions X2), the control means 8 changes the set value of the reproduction period A to a smaller value than before the change. (See step S2 in FIG. 3) The measured value of the number of reproductions is cleared (the measured value of the number of reproductions is set to 0), and the process returns to step S1 in FIG. 3 again (see step S3 in FIG. 3). It is the same as the case based on the amount of water.

  Further, in this case, when the set value of the regeneration cycle A becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance, the control means 8 executes a predetermined process for urging replacement of the column 2 or the ion exchange resin, or the reference regeneration number Since the point where the setting change of X2 is possible is also the same as the case based on the integrated water consumption described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the configuration in which the regeneration cycle A is changed according to the number of regenerations of the ion exchange resin in this way is when the regeneration cycle A of the ion exchange resin is set based on the usage time of the water softener 1, that is, the water softener. 1 is particularly effective when the sampled water amount sensor 13 is not provided.

(3) When measuring the use state based on both the detection signal of the sample water volume sensor 13 and the number of regeneration times of the ion exchange resin In this case, the control means 8 is integrated based on the detection signal of the sample water volume sensor 13 The usage state of the water softener 1 is measured based on both the accumulated water usage of the water softener 1 and the number of times the ion exchange resin is regenerated. That is, the control means 8 measures the accumulated water usage amount of the water softener 1 based on the detection signal of the sampled water amount sensor 13, and uses the predetermined reference accumulated usage water amount X1 stored in the storage means in advance. Judgment whether or not exceeded (refer to step S1-1 in FIG. 4), and the number of times of regeneration of the ion exchange resin is measured (counted), and this number of regeneration exceeds a predetermined reference regeneration number X2 stored in the storage means in advance. If both determinations are made (see step S1-2 in FIG. 4) and one of the determinations is affirmative, the control means 8 is the same as in the case of FIGS. The set value of the regeneration period A is changed to a smaller value than before the change (see step S2 in FIG. 4), and the accumulated water consumption and the measured values of the number of regenerations are cleared, and the process returns to step S1-1 in FIG. 4 step S3 participation ).

  It should be noted that when the set value of the regeneration period A becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance, a predetermined process for urging replacement of the column 2 or the ion exchange resin is executed, and the reference accumulated water amount X1 and the reference regeneration number X2 are set. The point where the setting can be changed is the same as that described above.

  Thus, according to the water softener 1 of the present invention, the use state measuring means measures the use state (cumulative use water amount and / or number of regenerations) of the water softener, and this measured value is set to a reference value (reference value) set in advance. Since the control means 8 changes the set value of the regeneration cycle A of the ion exchange resin to a value smaller than the set value before the change when the accumulated water amount and / or the standard number of regenerations) is reached, Since the arrival of the through-flow point before the regeneration period A arrives, hardness leakage from the column 2 can be prevented in advance. In addition, in order to obtain such an effect, since the configuration in which the hardness of the treated water output from the water softener 1 is directly monitored by a hardness sensor or the like is not adopted, the water softener 1 free from hardness leakage without increasing the manufacturing cost is inexpensive. Can be provided.

  Note that the above-described embodiments merely show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various design changes can be made within the scope thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the water softener 1 is connected to the water intake of a house and all the tap water used in the house is softened, for example, only a faucet that needs soft water is used. The attachment site of the water softener 1 can be changed as appropriate, such as a separate pipe and attached to the pipe.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the regeneration cycle A of the ion exchange resin is set according to the amount of water used or the time of use of the water softener 1 is shown. The present invention can also be applied to cases where the playback cycle is set based on the above.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where only one set value of the reference integrated water consumption amount X1 and the reference regeneration frequency X2 is set is shown. However, these are set according to the predicted progress of aging of the ion exchange resin. A plurality may be set. In that case, the control means 8 is configured to continue the measurement without resetting the measurement value of the use state measurement means even if the set value of the reproduction period A is changed (the measurement value counter is set to free run). The

It is a conceptual diagram which shows schematic structure of the water softener which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example about the correction procedure of the reproduction | regeneration period of the ion exchange resin by the control means of the water softener. It is a flowchart which shows another example about the correction procedure of the regeneration period of the ion exchange resin by the control means of the water softener. It is a flowchart which shows another example about the correction procedure of the reproduction | regeneration period of the ion exchange resin by the control means of the water softener. It is explanatory drawing explaining the arrival time of the flow-through point accompanying the aging deterioration of ion exchange resin, FIG.5 (a) shows the flow-through point in ion-exchange resin without aging deterioration, FIG.5 (b) is after aging deterioration. Shows a through point.

Explanation of symbols

1 Water softener 2 Column 3 Inlet pipe 4 Outlet pipe 5 Bypass pipe (bypass pipe)
6 Chemical tank 7 Drain pipe 8 Control means 10 Backflow prevention mechanism 11 Water inlet valve 12 Water sampling valve 13 Water sampling sensor 14 Chemical liquid pipe 15 Bypass valve 16 Bypass water quantity sensor 17 Chemical liquid valve 18 Drain valve 20 Operation part 21 Display part (notification means) )

Claims (6)

In a water softener that softens untreated water through a column filled with an ion exchange resin, the control means includes a control configuration that executes a regeneration process of the ion exchange resin at a predetermined regeneration cycle,
Storage means for storing a reference integrated water amount and / or reference regeneration number set in advance as data for predicting the degree of deterioration of the ion exchange resin packed in the column, and an integration that increases with use of the water softener Use state measuring means for measuring the amount of water used and / or the number of regeneration,
When the integrated water usage and / or the number of regenerations measured by the use state measuring unit reaches the reference integrated water usage and / or the standard regeneration frequency, the control unit changes the set value of the predetermined regeneration cycle from before the change. A water softener characterized by changing to a small value. 2. The water softener according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a control configuration that resets the measured value of the use state measuring unit when the set value of the predetermined regeneration cycle is changed. 3.   The control means comprises a control configuration for executing a predetermined process for urging the exchange of the column or the ion exchange resin when the set value of the regeneration period becomes smaller than a predetermined value set in advance. The water softener according to claim 1 or 2.   The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising reference value setting means for setting the reference integrated water use amount and / or the reference regeneration count.   Select a bypass line configured to output untreated water without passing through the column, and whether to output untreated water through the bypass line or to output treated water after softening through the column The water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pipe line selection setting means.   At least one of notifying means for prompting replacement of the column or the ion exchange resin, the reference value setting means, and the pipe line selection setting means is configured as an apparatus separate from the water softener. The water softener according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

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