Water purifying apparatus

• US 6,909,101 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yoichi Nishioka
• Original Assignee: Yoichi Nishioka
• Inventors: Nishioka, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Souw, Bernard E.
• Application Number:
  US10/756,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 250/436, 250/435, 250/432.R, 250/455.11, 210/85, 210/87, 210/97, 210/136, 210/143, 210/192, 210/282, 210/295, 210/501, 210/503, 210/504, 210/748
• US Class Current: 250/436
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/36 ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead

Abstract

This invention is capable of providing a water purifying apparatus with a comparatively simple configuration that can be used easily.

First, a usage state is adopted by operating the knob of the faucet. In doing so, the detection means detects the flow of the water. As a result, the control unit supplies electricity to the ultraviolet light generator based on the detection signal form the detection means, and ultraviolet light is emitted. The emitted ultraviolet light then irradiates water within the passage. Water sterilization can then be carried out as a result of doing this. The ultraviolet light generator only generates light when the faucet is in use. It is therefore possible to utilize the ultraviolet light generator for long periods of time and savings are made with respect to power consumption. Further, a curving part is formed in the passage, and the ultraviolet light generator is arranged in the vicinity of the curving part. The time for which the water is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light generator is therefore made long, and the water purification efficiency is improved.

Claims

1. A water purifying apparatus for purifying water sent to a faucet, comprising a main body, an ultraviolet light generator, a control unit, a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a user, and detection means for outputting a detection signal detecting whether or not the faucet is in a used state to the control unit, wherein said main body is equipped with a passage allowing water to pass, the ultraviolet light generator is arranged so as to be capable of providing ultraviolet rays within the passage, the control unit causes ultraviolet rays to be emitted from the ultraviolet light generator at the time of using the faucet, and the detection means comprises a moveable member capable of moving in accordance with the flow of the water and a detector for detecting movement of the moveable member.

3. The purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 1, wherein the detection means is equipped with a water pressure detector for detecting water pressure of the water.

5. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 1, wherein the passage has a curving part, and the ultraviolet light generator is arranged in the vicinity of the curving part.

6. The water purifying apparatus of claim 5, wherein a gap constituting part of the passage for the water is formed surrounding the ultraviolet light generator in the vicinity of the curving part.

8. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light generator is equipped with an ultraviolet lamp.

9. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 8, further comprising a display unit for displaying a lit state and/or change period for the ultraviolet lamp.

10. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 9, wherein the control unit is equipped with a wireless transmitter, the display unit is equipped with a receiver, and as a result, it is possible to control operation of the display unit using a wireless signal from the control unit.

11. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 8, wherein the ultraviolet lamp is a filament-type ultraviolet lamp.

12. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 1, wherein a portion at the inner surface of the passage and facing the ultraviolet generator constitutes a reflecting surface.

2. A water purifying apparatus for purifying water sent to a faucet, comprising a main body, an ultraviolet light generator, a control unit, detection means for outputting a detection signal detecting whether or not the faucet is in a used state to the control unit, and a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of a user, wherein said main body is equipped with a passage allowing water to pass, the ultraviolet light generator is arranged so as to be capable of providing ultraviolet rays within the passage, the control unit causes ultraviolet rays to be emitted from the ultraviolet light generator at the time of using the faucet, and the detection means comprises a moveable member capable of moving in accordance with the flow of the water and a detector for detecting movement of the moveable member.

4. The purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 2, wherein the detection means is equipped with a water pressure detector for detecting water pressure of the water.

15. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 2, wherein the passage has a curving part, and the ultraviolet light generator is arranged in the vicinity of the curving part.

16. The water purifying apparatus of claim 15, wherein a gap constituting part of the passage for the water is formed surrounding the ultraviolet light generator in the vicinity of the curving part.

7. A water purifying apparatus comprising a main body and an ultraviolet light generator, wherein the main body is equipped with a passage allowing water to pass, the ultraviolet light generator is arranged so as to be capable of providing ultraviolet rays within the passage, the passage has a curving part, the ultraviolet light generator is arranged in the vicinity of the curving part, and a gap constituting part of the passage for the water is formed surrounding the ultraviolet light generator in the vicinity of the curving part, the passage going downstream from the gap narrows midway.

13. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 7, wherein a portion at the inner surface of the passage and facing the ultraviolet generator constitutes a reflecting surface.

14. The water purifying apparatus as disclosed in claim 7, wherein the main body is equipped with a pipe connected to the gap and constituting part of the passage, the pipe is equipped with an extending part extending in the direction of the gap between the ultraviolet light generator and the inner surface of the passage, and the extending part sends the water in the direction of the gap between the ultraviolet light generator and the inner surface of the passage.