CN106256766B

CN106256766B - Water purifier

Info

Publication number: CN106256766B
Application number: CN201610197496.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 许祯益; 文正民; 徐正尚
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2015-06-19
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2020-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-31
Also published as: CN106256766A; KR20160149857A

Abstract

The invention discloses a water purifier, which comprises: a housing provided with a water outlet platform; a tap housing formed to protrude from an upper portion of the water outlet table and provided with a water outlet tap at a lower portion thereof; a lever hinge-coupled to the tap housing, and operated to discharge any one selected from hot water, cold water, and purified water through the water discharge tap; a selection button provided at a front of the faucet housing for selecting any one of a hot water locking mode, a hot water unlocking mode, a cold water mode, and a purified water mode; an illumination unit provided with an illumination lamp mounted inside the faucet housing and generating light by an operation of the selection button; and a plurality of indicators formed by a light-transmitting material on the front surface of the tap casing, for displaying the mode selected by the selection button by passing the light generated by the illumination lamp.

Description

Water purifier

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a water purifier which facilitates selection of a cold water mode or a purified water mode.

Background

The water purifier is such a device: which removes harmful substances contained in raw water such as tap water or underground water by various purification methods such as precipitation, filtration, and sterilization, to convert the raw water into drinking water and provide the drinking water.

There are a variety of water purifiers on the market. For example, a single water purifier that supplies purified water at normal temperature only, a cold water purifier that supplies purified water at normal temperature together with cold water that has been converted into a low-temperature state, a cold water purifier that converts purified water into a low-temperature or high-temperature state and supplies purified cold water and hot water together, and the like.

The cold and hot water purifier has two taps for discharging cold water and hot water in the front of the body, and each tap is provided with a lever (lever), so that when the lever is pushed or pulled by a cup, purified cold and hot water is discharged from the tap, and the purified cold and hot water can be drunk by receiving the cup and the like.

According to a conventional water purifier faucet provided with a hot and cold water adjustment lever (see patent document D1 below), the hot and cold water adjustment lever is rotatably provided at a distal end portion of the water purifier faucet, and by rotating the hot and cold water adjustment lever, a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path are selectively opened, whereby cold water or hot water can be discharged, or warm purified water can be discharged according to a rotation angle of the hot and cold water adjustment lever.

However, when the water purifier faucet is mechanically operated by rotating the cold/hot water adjustment lever, it is difficult for a user to rotate the cold/hot water adjustment lever with a predetermined amount of force while holding the protruding portion of the cold/hot water adjustment lever.

In addition, although a label for selecting cold water and hot water according to a rotation direction is attached to a front end portion of the hot and cold water adjustment lever, since characters on the label are small and are not easily recognized at a glance, water that is erroneously discharged is often discarded, and water at a desired temperature is received again in the cup.

On the other hand, recently, in commercially available water purifiers, a member for selecting a function of cold water and hot water provided outside the water purifier is gradually changed to an electronic type in order to provide convenience in use.

A conventional electronic function selection button, a display Lamp (Lamp), and the like for selecting cold water, hot water, and the like are provided in an upper portion of the water purifier so as to be separated from the faucet.

However, the electronic function selecting button and the indicator lamp are disposed separately from the faucet portion for discharging cold water and hot water, the lever provided with the flow path opening and closing function, and the like for no reason.

Further, if the function selection buttons and the display lamps for performing the water discharge function such as cold water and hot water are disposed to be spaced apart from each other even if there is close correlation between them and the faucet portion and the water discharge lever, there is a possibility that operability and work efficiency may be reduced.

D1: korean authorized utility model gazette 20-0206442

D2: korean authorized utility model gazette 20-0251253

Disclosure of Invention

In order to achieve an object of the present invention as described above, a water purifier of the present invention includes: a housing provided with a water outlet platform; a tap housing formed to protrude from an upper portion of the water outlet table and provided with a water outlet tap at a lower portion thereof; a lever hinge-coupled to the tap housing, and operated to discharge any one selected from hot water, cold water, and purified water through the water discharge tap; a selection button provided at a front of the faucet housing for selecting any one of a hot water locking mode, a hot water unlocking mode, a cold water mode, and a purified water mode; an illumination unit provided with an illumination lamp mounted inside the faucet housing and generating light by an operation of the selection button; and a plurality of indicators formed by a light-transmitting material on the front surface of the tap casing, for displaying the mode selected by the selection button by passing the light generated by the illumination lamp.

According to an example of the invention, the faucet housing may comprise: a first tap housing provided with a first water outlet tap for discharging hot water, and a second tap housing provided with a second water outlet tap for discharging cold water or purified water; the selection button includes: a first selection button for selecting a hot water locking mode or a hot water unlocking mode, and a second selection button for selecting a cold water mode or a purified water mode.

According to an example related to the present invention, the plurality of indicators may include: a first indicator for displaying a hot water locking mode and a second indicator for displaying a hot water unlocking mode, and a third indicator for displaying a purified water mode and a fourth indicator for displaying a cold water mode; the first and second indicators are disposed adjacent to each other on a front face of the first faucet housing, and the third and fourth indicators are disposed adjacent to each other on a front face of the second faucet housing.

According to an example of the present invention, the hot water lock mode may be automatically switched to the hot water unlock mode when the first selection button is pressed, and the hot water lock mode may be automatically returned to when a predetermined time has elapsed after the pressed state of the first selection button is released.

According to an example related to the present invention, when the second selection button is pressed for a time shorter than a preset time, the switching between the water purification mode and the cold water mode may be automatically performed.

According to an example of the present invention, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the second selection button is released from the pressed state, the mode can be automatically returned to the original mode.

According to an example related to the present invention, when the second selection button is pressed for longer than a preset time, it may be fixed to the purified water mode or the cold water mode.

According to an example related to the present invention, the faucet housing may be provided with a partition plate inside to partition light irradiated in the illumination lamp so as to face each indicator and prevent the light from being diffused to an adjacent indicator.

According to an example of the present invention, the illumination unit may include: a printed circuit board; and an LED lamp mounted on the printed circuit board, turned on or off based on a pressing signal of the selection button.

According to an example related to the present invention, the LED lamp may be provided for each indicator, and may irradiate light to each indicator individually.

According to another example related to the present invention, the illumination section may include one illumination lamp that simultaneously illuminates light to the respective indicators.

According to an example of the present invention, the partition plate may be formed to protrude in a direction intersecting the printed circuit board on the inner surface of the faucet housing, an end of the partition plate may be separated from a mounting surface of the printed circuit board by a predetermined gap, and the printed circuit board may be inserted into the gap and supported by the partition plate.

According to another example related to the present invention, the water purifier of the present invention may include: a housing provided with a water outlet table having a shape recessed from a front surface to a rear surface; a faucet housing which is formed by protruding from the upper part of the water outlet platform towards the vertical direction and is provided with a water outlet faucet at the lower part; a lever hingedly coupled to the tap housing, and operated to discharge hot or cold water through the water discharge tap; a selection button provided at a front of the faucet housing for selecting a hot water mode or a cold water mode; an illumination unit provided with an illumination lamp mounted inside the faucet housing and generating light based on an operation of the selection button; and a plurality of indicators formed by a light-transmitting material on the front surface of the tap casing, for displaying the mode selected by the selection button by passing the light generated by the illumination lamp.

According to another example of the present invention, the cold water mode can be automatically switched to the hot water mode when the selection button is pressed, and the cold water mode can be automatically returned to when a predetermined time has elapsed after the pressed state of the selection button is released.

According to the present invention as described above, the following effects are obtained:

first, since the operation mode for performing the hot water locking/unlocking function, the cold water or purified water selecting function, and the like is the button pressing mode, the operation is easy.

Second, a display lamp for displaying a hot water locking/unlocking function, a cold water or purified water selection function, etc. is disposed adjacent to the outlet tap, so that a user can quickly and accurately recognize the selected function.

Third, parts for discharging hot water or cold water, etc. having close correlation with each other are gathered together, and thus have excellent operability.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a water purifier of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the faucet assembly.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view seen from the side of fig. 2.

Fig. 4A is a front view showing a faucet assembly for discharging hot water, which is applicable to the water purifier of the present invention.

Fig. 4B is a front view showing a faucet assembly for discharging cold/purified water, which is applicable to the water purifier of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the inside of the cold water/purified water outlet faucet housing.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing functions selectable by a selection button and a control flow according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a water purifier control method of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a water purifier to which two flow paths are applied according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a water purifier according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar structures are given the same or similar reference numerals even in embodiments different from each other, and the description thereof is replaced with the original description. As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating a water purifier 100 of the present invention, fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a faucet assembly, and fig. 3 is a perspective view seen from a side of fig. 2. Further, fig. 4A is a front view showing a faucet assembly for hot water discharge applicable to the water purifier 100 of the present invention, and fig. 4B is a front view showing a faucet assembly for cold/purified water discharge applicable to the water purifier 100 of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing the inside of the second faucet housing 122 for cold/purified water discharge.

The water purifier 100 in this specification refers to a device for supplying drinking water. Such a water purifier 100 may be a separate device, or may constitute a part of another device.

For example, the water purifier 100 is a device that: raw water supplied from a raw water supply unit such as a water supply line passes through the inside of an additional filter module to filter harmful substances in the water, thereby supplying clean water (hereinafter, referred to as "purified water") to a user. The water purifier 100 may be a device that supplies purified water as cold water or hot water when a user desires.

The water purifier 100 may be a device independent of other household electrical appliances, or may form a part of a household electrical appliance such as a refrigerator. For example, water purified by the filter assembly inside the refrigerator may be supplied to the outside through the water purifier 100. Of course, cold water or ice formed by cooling or freezing water purified inside the refrigerator may be supplied to the outside through the water purifier 100 (also called a dispenser).

The water purifier 100 to which the technology of the present invention is applied may include a straight flow type or a water storage type.

The water purifier 100 of the present invention may include: a case 110 constituting the outer shape of a product; a filter assembly disposed inside the filter assembly for purifying raw water such as tap water; and the water storage tank is used for storing the purified water.

The filter module may include three single filters, such as a decarbonization filter, an UF filter, and a post-carbon filter, which are arranged in series, and may include a filter connection hose connected to the raw water supply unit and the water tank and connecting the filters to each other.

In the case of a water storage type filter, the water storage tank may include: a purified water tank for storing purified water; a cold water tank for storing cold water; and the hot water tank is used for storing hot water.

In the case of the inline type water purifier, a hot water pipe, a cold water pipe, and a purified water pipe are provided, and water can be cooled or heated without stopping the flow from the raw water supply unit and then discharged through the water outlet faucet 124.

A heater for heating the purified water may be provided inside or outside the water storage tank, or in a hot water pipe to generate hot water.

Further, a cooling device for cooling the purified water may be provided inside or outside the water storage tank, or in a cold water pipe to generate cold water.

A water outlet table 111 is provided in front of the cabinet 110. The water outlet table 111 is recessed rearward from the front of the housing 110 so that a user can receive water using a cup or the like.

A PIPE (PIPE) -shaped water discharge tap 124 is provided at an upper portion of the water discharge table 111 so that at least one of hot water, cold water, and purified water can be discharged.

A water receiver 140 is provided at a lower portion of the water discharge stand 111, so that when drinking water using a cup or the like, residual water can be collected in the water receiver 140.

A portion of the outlet tap 124 exposed to the outside of the cabinet 110 is covered and protected by the tap housing 120. The tap housing 120 is protruded vertically downward from the upper surface of the water discharge table 111, and the water discharge tap 124 is protruded toward the bottom surface of the tap housing 120.

At least one water outlet tap 124 may be provided at an upper side of the water outlet table 111. For example, the outlet tap 124 may be provided with a first outlet tap 124a, which is located at the upper left side for discharging hot water, on the user's basis at the front of the cabinet 110; and a second water outlet tap 124b, which is located at the upper right side, for discharging cold water or purified water.

The first faucet 124a is covered and protected by the first faucet housing 121, and the second faucet 124b is covered and protected by the second faucet housing 122. The faucet housing 120 may be generally rectangular in shape.

A hot water pipe is connected to the first water outlet tap 124a to form a hot water inflow flow path for hot water to flow into the first water outlet tap 124 a. The hot water pipe is provided with a hot water solenoid valve for opening and closing a hot water inflow passage.

A Y-shaped hot and cold water confluence pipe 133 is connected to the second water outlet 124b so that cold water or purified water flows into the second water outlet 124 b. A cold water inlet pipe 134a and a purified water inlet pipe 134b are connected in parallel to a portion bifurcated from the cold and hot water junction pipe 133, thereby additionally forming a cold water inlet flow path and a purified water inlet flow path into which cold water and purified water are respectively introduced. Further, a cold water electromagnetic valve 135a is provided in the cold water inflow pipe 134a to open and close the cold water inflow passage, and a purified water electromagnetic valve 135b is provided in the purified water inflow pipe 134b to open and close the purified water inflow passage. At this time, cold water and purified water can be selectively flowed in.

A lever 130 is hinge-coupled to both sides of the tap housing 120. The lever 130 is a component that is pushed or pulled by the user and exits through the faucet 124. The lever 130 may be composed of a first lever 130a provided at the first tap housing 121 and a second lever 130b provided at the second tap housing 122. Hot water, cold water or purified water is discharged by rotating the lever 130 in the forward and backward directions by the user. For example, the water outlet section may be divided into a general water outlet section, a non-water outlet section, and a continuous water outlet section according to the rotation angle of the lever 130. The normal water discharge section is a section pushed from the original position, i.e., a position where the lever 130 is pulled from the vertical line toward the front side by about 10 degrees, toward the vertical line position. The no-water-discharge interval is an interval in which water does not discharge until the water is pulled to about 45 degrees from the original position; the continuous water discharge section is a section in which water can be discharged continuously when the lever 130 is horizontally fixed in a state of 90 degrees when pulled forward.

A micro switch 136 is installed at an upper portion of the lever 130, and selectively turned on/off according to the rotation of the lever 130. For example, when the lever 130 is pushed or pulled at the original position of the lever 130, the upper end portion of the lever 130 presses the pressing portion of the micro switch, thereby changing the micro switch 136 from the switch-off state to the switch-on state and outputting the water discharge signal. When the hand is released from the lever 130, the switch signal is restored to the original position by the elastic restoring force of the spring attached to the upper end of the lever 130, and is turned off again.

The output signal from the micro switch 136 is transmitted to a control unit 150 such as a controller built in the housing 110, and the control unit 150 operates the solenoid valve 135 by supplying power to the hot water or cold water/purified water solenoid valve 135. As the solenoid valve 135 operates, the hot water, the cold water, or the purified water is discharged.

An illumination portion 129 such as a Printed Circuit Board (hereinafter, referred to as PCB 128) is mounted inside the faucet housing 120. The inside of the tap housing 120 has a receiving space of a prescribed volume so that the PCB128 can be inserted.

In addition, a selection button 123 that can be easily operated by a user is provided on the front of the faucet housing 120. The selection button 123 may be composed of a first selection button 123a provided at the first tap housing 121 and a second selection button 123b provided at the second tap housing 122. The selection button 123 is provided at a lower portion of the tap housing 120 and is disposed adjacent to the water outlet tap 124.

The illumination section 129 may include a PCB128, a selection button 123 mounted on the PCB128, a power supply section, an LED LAMP 127(Light-emitting diode LAMP), an illumination switch, and the like.

Here, in order to perform the water discharging function of the cold water and the hot water, the PCB128 may be provided separately from the main PCB 128.

The power supply unit supplies a stable power suitable for the conditions for driving the illumination lamps such as the LED lamp 127. For example, the Power Supply device may be a Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS). The SMPS has an advantage that it can be miniaturized and lightened in weight of an energy storage device and the like due to a switching frequency of several tens to several hundreds kHz, and it has an advantage that it can cope with a wide input range with high efficiency by minimizing unnecessary loss by switching operations ("on" and "off").

The LED lamp 127 is an illumination lamp that is selectively turned on/off using the selection button 123 and generates light to display a function selected by the user.

In the case of the LED lamp 127, first and

second LED lamps

127a and 127b may be mounted on the first faucet housing 121, and third and

fourth LED lamps

127c and 127d may be mounted on the second faucet housing 122, respectively. The plurality of LED lamps 127 may be selectively operated in various modes set to perform functions selectable in hot and cold water discharge.

The LED lamp 127 may be constructed of a variety of colors depending on the function or purpose to be performed. The LED lamp 127 for discharging hot water may be represented as an LED emitting red light, and the LED lamp 127 for discharging cold water or purified water may be represented as an LED emitting green light or blue light.

In order to supply power to the LED lamp 127, the lighting switch is connected between the power supply part and the LED lamp 127, so that power to be supplied to the LED lamp 127 can be turned on/off. The illumination switch may be configured to be contactable with the selection button 123 to selectively apply power to the LED lamp 127 in conjunction with the selection button 123.

Further, an indicator 126 is provided on the front of the faucet housing 120, the indicator 126 displaying the function selected by the selection button 123. The indicator 126 may be composed of a first indicator 126a and a second indicator 126b provided on the first tap housing 121, and a third indicator 126c and a fourth indicator 126d provided on the second tap housing 122.

The indicator 126 is made of a translucent or transparent material. Thus, by transmitting the light generated in the LED lamp 127 to the outside, the user can recognize the selected function by seeing the light transmitted through the indicator 126 and the characters and the like around the indicator 126.

The indicator 126 may be configured in various shapes according to execution modes related to the discharge of hot water, cold water, and the like. For example, when the hot water lock function is displayed, the lock may be locked. In addition, when the hot water unlock function is displayed, the lock may be unlocked. Further, the purified water selection function may be displayed in the form of water droplets, and the cold water selection function may be displayed in the form of snow or ice.

In addition, the characters around the indicator 126 may be labeled with "lock" in the hot water lock mode, labeled with "unlock" in the hot water unlock mode, and labeled with "cold water" and "hot water" in the cold water mode and the hot water mode.

The image of the indicator 126 and the characters on the indicator 126 are not limited to these, but may be presented in various forms and characters.

A partition plate 125 is provided on the inner surface of the tap housing 120. The separation plate 125 is provided at a boundary portion between adjacent indicators 126, and prevents the indicators 126 from interfering with each other in light or light from being diffused toward the adjacent indicators 126 when light generated in the LED lamp 127 is transmitted through the indicators 126.

For example, in the case of the tap housing 120, the separation plate 125 is formed to protrude from the inner surface of the tap housing 120 toward the PCB 128. More specifically, the end of the separation plate 125 is protrudingly formed to face the vertical center line of the PCB 128. The partition plate 125 is used to prevent light from interfering and diffusing, and therefore, a material having a transmittance or transparency is not used, and a material having an opaque property or a material coated with a reflective material is preferable.

Thereby, the light generated in the first LED lamp 127a is transmitted through the first indicator 126a, and the light diffused toward the second indicator 126b is blocked. Similarly, the light generated by the second LED lamp 127b is also transmitted through the second indicator 126b by the partition plate 125, and the light diffused toward the first indicator 126a is blocked. In the case of the third LED lamp 127c and the fourth LED lamp 127d, the separation plate 125 may prevent light interference therebetween.

In addition, the separation plate 125 may also function as a support for the PCB128 in addition to the function of preventing light interference.

For example, the partition plate 125 and the mounting surface of the PCB128 are arranged perpendicularly to each other in a direction intersecting each other, and an end portion of the partition plate 125 protruding from the inner surface of the faucet housing 120 toward the mounting surface of the PCB128 extends with a predetermined GAP (GAP) from the mounting surface of the PCB 128. This is for inserting the mounting PCB128 in a gap formed between the end of the partition plate 125 and the mounting surface of the PCB 128.

The insertion space of PCB128 is defined by the gap, and PCB128 can be supported without rattling in the front-rear direction when PCB128 is inserted between the end of partition plate 125 and the mounting surface of PCB 128.

Coupling parts 120a are provided at both sides of the tap housing 120, which can be coupled by screws or the like, so that the tap housing 120 is assembled to the water outlet table 111 of the cabinet 110. The coupling member 120a is provided with a through hole for fastening a screw.

The selection button 123 is used for pressing operation by the user. When the selection button 123 is pressed, a preset function can be executed.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing functions and a control flow selectable by the selection button 123 according to the present invention.

Here, functions selectable based on the selection button 123 are exemplified as follows:

first, a function of automatically switching from the hot water lock mode to the hot water unlock mode.

Generally, hot water is high temperature of about 90 c, and thus may cause scald when the hot water directly drops to the skin of a user, so that a hot water locking mode in which hot water is not discharged even if the lever 130 is pushed or pulled is set, so that the user can be reminded of hot water before the hot water is discharged. The hot water unlock mode refers to a state in which hot water can be discharged when the lever 130 is pushed or pulled.

When the user presses the first selection button 123a, the mode is automatically switched to the hot water unlocking mode, and hot water can be discharged through the first water outlet faucet.

And secondly, automatically recovering to the hot water locking mode after the preset time from the hot water unlocking mode.

After a predetermined time, for example, about 1 second to 3 seconds, has elapsed while the user releases the pressing force from the first button 123a, the state returns to the original state of the hot water lock mode. This is a necessary function for securing the user. Therefore, it is preferable to prevent the user from changing the set function without permission.

And thirdly, selecting a cold water or purified water mode. The cold water mode is a state in which cold water can be discharged, and the purified water mode is a state in which purified water can be discharged.

At the beginning of the product market, the cold water mode may be set by Default (Default) or by the designer. Of course, the purified water mode may be set.

For example, when the cold water mode is initially set, the user directly operates the lever 130 to discharge cold water without operating the second button 123 b. If the second button 123b is pressed, the cold water mode is automatically changed to the purified water mode, and the purified water can be discharged using the operation lever 130.

When the purified water mode is initially set, the lever 130 is operated to discharge the purified water without operating the second button 123 b. In this case, if the second button 123b is pressed, the purified water mode is automatically switched to the cold water mode, and the cold water can be discharged using the operation lever 130.

Fourth, a function of automatically returning to a cold water or purified water mode.

When a preset time elapses after the user presses the second button 123b to finish the water discharge, the original mode is restored. For example, if the initially set mode is the cold water mode, if a set time elapses after the second button 123b is pressed, the purified water mode is automatically returned to the cold water mode. Thereby, cold water can be discharged without the user additionally operating the selection button 123. In addition, in the case where the initially set mode is the purified water mode, if a set time elapses after the second button 123b is pressed, the mode is automatically returned to the purified water mode.

And fifthly, fixing the functions of the cold water mode or the purified water mode.

Such a function may be set when a user needs to be fixed for use in the cold water mode or the purified water mode.

For example, when the cold water mode is set in a state where the second button 123b is not initially pressed, if the user presses the second button 123b for longer than a preset time, for example, 2 seconds, the cold water mode may be released and fixed to the purified water mode.

Next, if the user presses the second button 123b for more than a preset time in the purified water mode, the purified water mode may be released and fixed to the cold water mode.

That is, when the second button 123b is pressed for a long time, the previously selected mode is released and fixed to another mode.

Further, when the second button 123b is pressed for a long time, the mode selected before may be fixed. For example, when the second button 123b is pressed for a long time, the selected cold water mode may be fixed.

The following describes a method of controlling the water purifier 100 having the selection button 123, the water purifier 100 having the selection function as described above.

The mode of the initial setting associated with the hot water outlet function is assumed to be the hot water lock mode, and the mode of the initial setting associated with the cold water/purified water outlet function is assumed to be the cold water mode.

In addition, in association with the display function of the indicators 126, the initially set first indicator 126a displays a hot water locking mode, the second indicator 126b displays a hot water unlocking mode, the third indicator 126c displays a purified water mode, and the fourth indicator 126d displays a cold water mode.

It is determined whether the user has pressed the first selection button 123a (step S110) or the second selection button 123b (step S120).

When the first selection button 123a is pressed, the light generated in the second LED lamp 127b is transmitted through the second indicator 126b and is activated from the hot water lock mode to the hot water unlock mode (step S111). Thereby, the user can recognize that it is the hot water unlock mode. In contrast, in a state where the first selection button 123a is not pressed, the light generated in the first LED lamp 127a is transmitted through the first indicator 126a, and the user can recognize that it is the hot water locking mode S112.

It is determined whether the user pushes or pulls the lever 130 in the above-described thermal unlocking mode (step S130). In the hot water lock mode, the hot water solenoid valve is not operated regardless of the operation of the user operation lever 130, and the hot water flow path is blocked (step S132).

When the lever 130 is pushed or pulled, a control signal is transmitted to the hot water solenoid valve, and the hot water solenoid valve is opened according to the control signal, and hot water is discharged through the first water discharge tap 124a via the hot water guide pipe (step S131). Thereby, the user can drink the desired hot water.

It is judged whether or not a preset time has elapsed after the first selection button 123a is operated (step S150).

If the preset time has elapsed, the mode is automatically restored from the hot water unlock mode to the hot water lock mode (step S151). If the preset time has not elapsed, the activation state of the hot water unlock mode is maintained (step S111).

When the second selection button 123a is pressed, the light generated in the third LED lamp 127c is transmitted through the third indicator 126c and is activated from the cold water mode to the purified water mode (step S121). Thereby, the user can recognize that it is the purified water mode. In contrast, in a state where the second selection button 123b is not pressed, the light generated in the fourth LED lamp 127d is transmitted through the fourth indicator 126d, and the user can recognize that it is the cold water mode S122.

It is determined whether the user pushes or pulls the lever 130 in the purified water mode or the cold water mode (step S140).

When the lever 130 is pushed or pulled in the purified water mode, a control signal is transmitted to the purified water solenoid valve 135b, and the purified water solenoid valve 135b is opened according to the control signal, and the purified water flows through the purified water inflow pipe 134b and is discharged through the second discharge cock 124b as the water S141. Thereby, the user can drink the desired purified water.

In addition, when the lever 130 is pushed or pulled in the cold water mode, a control signal is transmitted to the cold water solenoid valve 135a, and the cold water solenoid valve 135a is opened according to the control signal, and cold water is discharged S141 through the second water discharge tap 124b via the cold water inflow pipe 134 a. Thereby, the user can drink the desired hot water.

It is judged whether or not a preset time has elapsed after the second selection button 123b is operated (step S160).

If the preset time has elapsed, the mode is automatically returned from the purified water mode to the cold water mode (step S122). If the preset time has not elapsed, the activated state of the purified water mode is maintained (step S142).

In the above description, the water purifier 100 is configured by three flow paths, i.e., the hot water, the cold water, and the purified water flow path, but may be configured by two flow paths, i.e., the hot water and the cold water, or the cold water and the purified water. Fig. 8 is a front view showing a water purifier 200 to which two flow paths are applied according to the present invention.

At this time, the structural elements of the cabinet 210, the faucet housing 220, the lever 230, the selection button 223, the illumination portion, the plurality of indicators 226a, 226b, etc. are the same as or similar to those of the water purifier having three flow paths, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the case where two flow paths, for example, a hot water flow path and a cold water flow path, are provided in the housing 210, the faucet housing 220, the lever 230, the plurality of indicators 226, and the like may be assembled in a single unit on the upper portion of the water outlet base 111 of the housing 210.

A lever 230 is rotatably hinged to the faucet housing 220, one selection button 223, and the indicators 226 may be two first indicators 226a and second indicators 226b for displaying a hot water mode and a cold water mode. Two LED lamps are provided on one PCB of the lighting part, which can transmit light through the first and second indicators 226a, 226 b. A partition plate is provided between the first and second indicators 226a, 226b, and can partition the light emitted to the first and second indicators 226a, 226b so as not to interfere with each other.

For example, in the water purifier that can select the hot water mode and the cold water mode, the cold water mode can be set initially without pressing the selection button 223. At this time, the operation of pressing the selection button 223 to switch from the hot water lock mode to the hot water unlock mode may be omitted. This is because the initially set cold water mode can perform the same function as the hot water lock mode. That is, the operation of pressing the selection button 223 to switch from the hot water lock mode to the hot water unlock mode is the same or similar to the operation of pressing the selection button 223 to switch from the cold water mode to the hot water mode in terms of the angle at which the selection button 223 needs to be pressed before hot water is supplied.

The water purifier described above is not limited to the structure and method of the above-described embodiments, and the above-described embodiments may be configured by combining all or a part of the respective embodiments to realize various modifications.

Claims

1. A water purifier, characterized by comprising:

a housing provided with a water outlet platform;

a first tap housing formed to protrude from an upper portion of the water outlet table, and provided with a first water outlet tap at a lower portion thereof to discharge hot water according to an operation of a hot water solenoid valve;

a second tap housing formed to protrude from an upper portion of the water outlet table, and provided with a second water outlet tap on a lower surface thereof to discharge cold water or purified water according to an operation of the cold water solenoid valve or the purified water solenoid valve;

a first lever hinge-coupled to the first tap housing, and operated to discharge hot water through the first water discharge tap;

a second lever hinge-coupled to the second tap housing, and operated to discharge cold or purified water through the second water discharge tap;

a first selection button provided on a front surface of the first faucet housing, and selecting one of a hot water locking mode and a hot water unlocking mode by a pressing operation;

a second selection button provided in front of the second faucet housing, for selecting one of a cold water mode and a purified water mode by a pressing operation;

an illumination unit provided with an illumination lamp mounted inside the first and second faucet housings and generating light by the operation of the first and second selection buttons;

a first indicator and a second indicator which are disposed adjacent to each other on a front surface of the first faucet housing, and which are formed of a translucent material so as to allow light generated by the illumination lamp to pass therethrough, the first indicator displaying a hot water lock mode selected by the first selection button, the second indicator displaying a hot water unlock mode selected by the first selection button; and

a third indicator and a fourth indicator which are disposed adjacent to each other on the front surface of the second faucet housing, are formed of a translucent material, and allow light generated by the illumination lamp to pass therethrough, the third indicator displaying a purified water mode selected by the second selection button, the fourth indicator displaying a cold water mode selected by the second selection button,

micro switches are respectively arranged on the first rod and the second rod,

operating in a hot water lock mode without pressing the first selection button, automatically switching to a hot water unlock mode when the first selection button is pressed,

when the first lever is rotated in a hot water unlock mode of operation, the hot water solenoid valve operates to discharge hot water from the first water discharge tap according to a water discharge signal output from the micro switch,

when the second lever is rotated in a cold water mode of operation, the cold water solenoid valve operates to discharge cold water from the second water discharge tap according to a water discharge signal output from the micro switch,

when the second lever is rotated in the purified water mode of operation, the purified water electromagnetic valve acts to discharge the purified water from the second water discharge tap according to the water discharge signal outputted from the micro switch.

2. The water purifier as recited in claim 1, wherein the hot water locking mode is automatically restored when a predetermined time elapses after a pressed state of the first selection button is released.

3. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the second selection button is pressed for a time shorter than a preset time, the water purifier automatically switches between a water purification mode and a cold water mode.

4. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the original mode is automatically returned to when a predetermined time has elapsed after the second selection button is released from the pressed state.

5. The water purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the second selection button is pressed for a time longer than a preset time, it is fixed to the purified water mode or the cold water mode.

6. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein the first and second tap housings are provided inside with partition plates to partition light irradiated in the illumination lamp toward the respective indicators and to prevent the light from being diffused toward the adjacent indicators.

7. The water purifier according to claim 6, wherein the illumination section includes:

a printed circuit board; and

an LED lamp mounted on the printed circuit board, turned on or off based on a pressing signal of the first selection button or the second selection button.

8. The water purifier according to claim 7, wherein the LED lamp is provided for each indicator, and irradiates light to each indicator individually.

9. The water purifier as recited in claim 1, wherein the illumination section includes one illumination lamp that illuminates light to each indicator at the same time.

10. The water purifier according to claim 7, wherein the partition plate is formed to protrude in a direction intersecting the printed circuit board on the inner surfaces of the first and second faucet housings, an end of the partition plate is separated from a mounting surface of the printed circuit board by a predetermined gap, and the printed circuit board is inserted into the gap and supported by the partition plate.

11. A water purifier, characterized by comprising:

a housing provided with a water outlet table having a shape recessed from a front surface to a rear surface;

a faucet housing which is formed to protrude from an upper portion of the water outlet table in a vertical direction and has a water outlet faucet provided at a lower portion thereof to discharge hot water or cold water according to an operation of a hot water solenoid valve or a cold water solenoid valve;

a lever hingedly coupled to the tap housing, and operated to discharge hot or cold water through the water discharge tap;

a selection button provided in front of the faucet housing, located at a lower portion of the faucet housing in a manner adjacent to the outlet faucet, and selecting a hot water mode or a cold water mode using the selection button;

an illumination unit provided with an illumination lamp mounted inside the faucet housing and generating light based on an operation of the selection button; and

a first indicator and a second indicator which are disposed adjacent to each other on the front surface of the faucet housing and are formed of a translucent material so as to allow light generated by the illumination lamp to pass therethrough, the first indicator displaying a hot water mode selected by the selection button, the second indicator displaying a cold water mode selected by the selection button,

the first indicator and the second indicator are disposed adjacent to the selection button,

a micro-switch is mounted on the rod,

operating in a cold water mode without pressing the selection button, the second indicator displaying the cold water mode,

when the selection button is pressed, the mode is automatically switched to the hot water mode, the first indicator displays the hot water mode, when a predetermined time elapses after the pressed state of the selection button is released, the mode is automatically returned to the cold water mode, and the second indicator displays the cold water mode,

when the lever is rotated in a cold water mode of operation, the cold water solenoid valve operates to discharge cold water from the water discharge tap according to a water discharge signal output from the micro switch,

when the lever is rotated in a hot water mode of operation, the hot water solenoid valve operates to discharge hot water from the water discharge tap according to a water discharge signal output from the micro switch.