KR100714539B1 - Water purifier of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purifier for a refrigerator, wherein a water supply pipe connected to the dispenser is formed from an external water supply source to supply water to a dispenser installed in the refrigerator, and the water supply pipe is provided with a carbon filter and an ion exchange filter. As the foreign matter contained in the water flowing from the water supply source is removed by the carbon filter, the water is purified, as well as the cation of the cation exchange resin of the ion exchange filter and the calcium and magnesium ions contained in the water are mutual cations. As a result of the exchange, calcium and magnesium ions are removed from the water to block the generation of lime due to the calcium and magnesium ions.

Refrigerator, Water Supply, Water Purifier

Description

Water purifier for refrigerators {WATER PURIFIER OF REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a block diagram of a general refrigerator water supply device,

2 is a configuration diagram of a general refrigerator water purifier,

3 is a block diagram of a water purifier according to the present invention;

4 and 5 are functional state diagrams of the ion exchange filter according to the present invention.

<Description of Major Symbols in Drawing>

10-refrigerator 20-water source

21-water line 30-dispenser

31-Ice maker 40-Water purifier

50-Water pipe 60-Carbon filter

70-Ion Exchange Filter 80-Filter Cloth

The present invention relates to a water supply device for a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a water purifier for a refrigerator configured to block generation of lime from the water while supplying purified water to a dispenser and an ice maker installed in the refrigerator.

In recent years, the refrigerator is provided with a dispenser, which is adapted to take out drinks or ice, such as water, or the like from the outside of the refrigerator while the door of the refrigerator is closed.

Here, the dispenser is generally formed on a door installed at the front of the refrigerator, and is fastened to the front of the door, and is connected to an ice maker and / or a storage tank installed inside the refrigerator, thereby creating ice and And / or the beverage cooled or heated in the reservoir is withdrawn from the outside of the door.

In addition, the dispenser is generally connected to an external water supply source to continuously supply a beverage such as water.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply device of the refrigerator includes a water supply source 20 and a water purifier 40.

The water supply source 20 is usually composed of a water supply source 20, such as a water supply formed on the outside of the refrigerator (10).

As shown in FIG. 2, the water purification device 40 includes a water purification pipe 50 and a carbon filter 60.

In addition, a tubular water supply pipe 21 through which water or the like flows from the water supply source 20 to the water purification pipe 50 is connected, and another water supply pipe (20) reaches the dispenser 30 from the water purification pipe 50. 21) is connected.

The water purification pipe 50 is formed in a tubular shape in which both ends thereof are connected to the water supply pipe 21, and a carbon filter 60 is filled therein.

The carbon filter 60 is formed of a porous body so that water or the like flows through the pores, and dust or some heavy metals mixed in the water are filtered out of the pores to achieve the water purification.

In addition, the carbon filter 60 may be formed of a powder filled in the interior of the purified water pipe 50 or a cylindrical solid body accommodated in the purified water pipe 50.

Accordingly, when the operation of the refrigerator 10 or the water supply device of the refrigerator 10 is operated, water is supplied from the water supply source 20 connected to the refrigerator 10 and the water supply pipe 21, and the water supply pipe 21 is provided. The water introduced into the refrigerator 10 through the water is purified by the water purifier 40 installed in the refrigerator 10, and then the refrigerator 10 through the water supply pipe 21 connected to the water purifier 40. Water is supplied to the ice maker 31 and / or the water storage tank installed in the).

The water supplied to the ice maker 31 is cooled by the ice making operation of the ice maker 31 to generate ice, and the ice generated by the ice maker 31 is connected between the ice maker 31 and the dispenser 30. It moves through the pipe and is taken out of the refrigerator 10 according to the operation of the dispenser 30.

In addition, the water stored in the reservoir is cooled or heated inside the reservoir according to the operation of the refrigerator 10, and the water cooled or heated in the reservoir is stored in the refrigerator 10 according to the operation of the dispenser 30. It is taken out to the outside.

Here, the water supplied to the water purification device 40 flows into the water purification pipe 50 of the water purification device 40, and the other end of the dispenser 30 at one end of the water supply source 20 side of the water purification pipe 50. The water is purified by the carbon filter 60 filled in the water pipe 50 while flowing to reach.

At this time, the water flowing into the carbon filter 60 flows through the fine pores formed in the carbon filter 60 while foreign substances such as dust or some heavy metals contained in the water are filtered out by the fine pores.

Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply source 20 is removed from the water purifier 40, such as dust and foreign substances, some heavy metal is adsorbed and removed, the user through the ice maker 31 and the reservoir and the dispenser 30 Is supplied to.

However, the conventional water purifier 40 as described above is to remove only the foreign matter having a size larger than the size of the fine pores of the carbon filter 60, such as dust contained in the water supplied from the water supply source 20, It was impossible to remove metal ions such as calcium (Ca ^{+ 2} ), potassium (K ⁺ ), sodium (Na ⁺ ), magnesium (Ma ^{+ 2} ), and the like, which were dissociated in the water.

In addition, among the metal cations included in the water, calcium (Ca ^{+ 2} ) is reacted with the hydroxyl group (OH ⁻ ), which is a component of the water, to generate lime (calcium carbonate; CaCO ₃ ), and the lime is solid in the refrigerator There is a problem that precipitates in the water supply pipe 21 of the (10), the ice maker 31 and the bottom of the reservoir, in particular, when the water contained in the reservoir is heated, the reaction of the water and calcium is violently generated a large amount of lime in the reservoir There is a problem that is accumulated in, or discharged to the user through the dispenser (30).

Ca ⁺² + OH ^- ⇒ Ca (OH) ₂

Ca (OH) ₂ + CO ₂ ⇒ CaCO ₃

As shown in Formula 1, and the lime (CaCO ₃₎ is produced in a conventional dual-chemistry, the initial calcium (Ca ⁺²⁾ and hydroxyl (OH ^-) is the reaction of calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH) ₂₎ is created, This calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH) ₂ ) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) contained in the water or in contact with water and air react with each other to produce lime (calcium carbonate; CaCO ₃ ).

Here, the lime contains calcium necessary for the human body, so it is possible to take a small amount, but when a large amount is taken, diseases such as gallstones and stones may occur, and the reservoir and the dispenser 30 and the beverage of the refrigerator 10 may be used. There is a problem in that it is accumulated in the container, causing inconvenience to the user.

In addition, in the conventional refrigerator 10 water supply device as described above, lime generated continuously accumulates in the water supply pipe 21, the water purification device 40, the dispenser 30, and the like, thereby preventing water distribution of each engine. In addition, the cleaning of the water supply pipe 21, the water purifier 40, the dispenser 30, and the like is required, as well as the case of excessively accumulating the lime, there is a problem that must be replaced.

The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier for a refrigerator to remove the lime-forming components contained in the beverage, such as water circulated to the dispenser through the water supply of the refrigerator. have.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier for a refrigerator to remove harmful metal ions as well as foreign substances contained in a beverage such as water circulated through the water supply device of the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier for a refrigerator to reduce the burden of repurchasing and replacing the filter using a continuously renewable filter.

The present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that the ion exchange filter is installed in the water purification pipe of the water purifier installed in the water supply of the refrigerator.

Another feature of the invention is characterized in that the carbon filter is further installed in the water purification pipe.

In another aspect of the present invention, the carbon filter and the ion exchange filter in the flow direction of the water so that the beverage such as water is purified in the first carbon filter, the beverage such as purified water is passed through the ion exchange filter in the purified water pipe. Characterized in that sequentially installed.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the ion exchange filter is made to combine with metal ions contained in water, and to release other metal ions retained.

Another feature of the present invention, the ion exchange filter is characterized in that made of insoluble polymer synthetic resin combined with metal ions contained in water and other ions capable of ion exchange.

Another feature of the present invention is characterized in that the ion exchange filter is formed to exchange calcium (Ca ^{+ 2} ) and magnesium (Ma ^{+ 2} ) ions contained in the water with hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ).

In another aspect of the present invention, the ion exchange filter is characterized in that the calcium (Ca ^{+ 2} ) and magnesium (Ma ^{+ 2} ) ions contained in the water is formed to exchange with sodium (Na ⁺ ) or potassium (K ⁺ ) do.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In addition, while the same reference numerals are denoted in the same parts as those of Figs. 1 and 2 showing a general conventional structure, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

3 shows the water purifier 40 of the water supply device of the refrigerator 10 according to the present invention, and the ion exchange filter 70 is provided in the water purifier device 40 of the water supply device of the refrigerator 10.

The refrigerator water supply device is configured to supply a beverage, such as water, to the dispenser 30, the ice maker 31, and the storage tank installed in the refrigerator 10 from the water supply source 20 outside the refrigerator 10. The dispenser 30 and the ice maker connected to the water supply pipe 21 connected to the inside of the refrigerator 10 and the water supply pipe 21 inserted into the refrigerator 10 in the refrigerator 10 are installed in the refrigerator 10. And a water supply pipe 21 connected to the reservoir.

The water purifier 40 is formed in the water supply pipe 21 installed inside the refrigerator 10.

In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the water purifying device 40 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape of the central portion so as to communicate with the water supply pipe 21 on both sides, the filter for purifying the beverage, such as the water therein Is provided.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the beverage is usually provided to the water and / or ice in the dispenser for refrigerators, the water used as general drinking water will be described as an example.

Here, the filter comprises a filter cloth 80, as shown in FIG.

The filter cloth 80 is a pretreatment filter, usually composed of fibers such as nonwoven fabric, and is configured to filter foreign matter such as dust of a relatively large size contained in the water.

In addition, the filter cloth 80 may be installed at the boundary between the carbon filter 60 and the ion exchange filter 70 which will be described later to serve as a partition wall of the carbon filter 60 and the ion exchange filter 70. have.

In addition, the filter cloth 80 may be configured to adsorb and purify a specific material such as heavy metals other than foreign matters, such as dust, of course, a plurality are arranged in the water purification pipe (50).

The carbon filter 60 has pores formed in itself, and since the pores are formed with fine pores having a smaller size than foreign matters, such as dust, foreign matters such as dust contained in the water as the water flows into the pores. And perforated to remove from the water.

In addition, the carbon filter 60 may be configured in a variety of forms, such as the form of powder or solids, and is installed in the water inlet of the water purification pipe 50 in consideration of the action with the ion exchange filter 70 to be described later It is desirable to be.

In addition, the carbon filter 60 is preferably formed to reach the central portion of the water purification pipe 50 at one end of the water inlet, that is, the first water pipe 50, the water purification pipe 50, the carbon The filter cloth 80 formed in the same plate shape as the cross-sectional shape of the said water purification pipe 50 is installed in the both ends of the carbon filter 60 so that the filter 60 may be partitioned independently.

The ion exchange filter 70 is composed of an insoluble polymer synthetic resin, it is composed of a metal ion is bonded to itself.

Here, the ion exchange filter 70 is a positive ion exchange resin in which an acidic hydroxyl group (-OH), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a sulfonic acid group (-SO ₃ H) are combined according to a metal ion bonded to a resin. And a negative ion exchange resin in which an amino group (-NH ₂ ) and a fourth ammonia group (-N ⁺⁴ ) are combined, and in this embodiment, calcium (Ca ⁺² ) which is included in water and forms lime Positive ion exchange resins formed to exchange with and magnesium (Ma ⁺² ) cations are used.

In addition, the cation exchange resin used in the ion exchange filter 70 is weakly acidic cation exchange resin (WAC) formed to exchange calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) and magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) with hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ). acid cation resin, and strong acid cation resin (SAC) formed to exchange calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) and magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) with sodium (Na ⁺ ) or potassium (K ⁺ ). In the present embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin and the strongly acidic cation exchange resin are mixed or formed in a sequential order.

In addition, the ion exchange filter 70 is composed of a resin in the form of particles in which a plurality of fine pores are formed in addition to the insoluble polymer synthetic resin.

Accordingly, the ion exchange filter 70 is installed by filling a plurality of granules in a space extending from the other end of the water purification pipe 50 to the center portion, or the space is partitioned and the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the partitioned space. Of course, the strong acid cation exchange resin can be installed to be filled sequentially.

Next, the operation of the water purifier for a refrigerator of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

According to the operation of the refrigerator 10 or the water supply device installed in the refrigerator 10, a beverage such as water is introduced into the refrigerator 10 through the water supply pipe 21 from the external water supply source 20 of the refrigerator 10.

Water introduced through the water supply pipe 21 into the refrigerator 10 is purified by the water purifier 40 connected to the water supply pipe 21 inside the refrigerator 10 and then connected to the water purifier 40. Another water supply pipe 21 is supplied to the ice maker 31, the reservoir and the dispenser 30 installed in the refrigerator 10.

Here, the water introduced into the water purification device 40 passes through the filter cloth 80 installed at the tip of the water inlet of the water purification device 40 to remove foreign substances such as dust having a size larger than the air gap of the filter cloth 80. By the adsorption characteristic of the filter cloth 80, a predetermined heavy metal material or the like is adsorbed on the filter cloth 80, and foreign substances and heavy metals included in the water are removed and purified.

The water flowing through the filter cloth 80 is distributed to the carbon filter 60 installed at the water inlet side of the purified water pipe 50 to remove foreign substances such as fine dust contained in the water.

At this time, the water flowing into the carbon filter 60 is purified by removing dust having a larger size than the pores while being distributed into the fine pores formed in the carbon filter 60 itself, and foreign substances such as some heavy metals are removed. The water is purified while being adsorbed and removed by the pores of the carbon filter 60.

The water purified by the carbon filter 60 flows to the ion exchange filter 70 installed at the water outlet portion of the purified water pipe 50, wherein the filter cloth 80 and the carbon installed at the tip of the water inlet of the purified water pipe 50 Certain foreign matter not filtered out of the filter 60 is filtered while passing through another filter cloth 80 provided at the boundary between the carbon filter 60 and the ion exchange filter 70.

Calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) and magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ), which are constituents of lime included in water introduced into the ion exchange filter 70, are shown in Equation 2 below with reference to FIG. 4 and the ion exchange filter. In contact with the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of (70), the calcium ion (Ca ⁺² ) or magnesium ion (Ma ⁺² ) is exchanged with the hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Is combined, the hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) exchanged with the calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2} ) or magnesium ions (Ma ^{+ 2} ) are included in the water or contact with air to form carbonic acid (H ₂ CO ₃ ) and the like. .

Here, the replacement of the hydrogen ions (H ⁺⁾ and calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2)} or magnesium ions (Ma ^{+ 2)} of the weak acid cation exchange resin and strong power ⁽⁺²⁾ relative to the hydrogen ion (monovalent ions) Calcium and magnesium ions (divalent ions) having the adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin consists of the hydrogen ions are released.

R-SO3H + Ca ⁺² ⇒ R-SO3Ca ⁺ + H ⁺

Here, R is a parent of a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and the mother is attached to a sulfonic acid group (SO3) that is an anion, and an allele of cationic hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) is attached thereto to electrically neutralize R. It becomes -SO3H type.

In addition, calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) and magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ), which are constituents of lime included in water introduced into the ion exchange filter 70, are illustrated in FIG. In contact with the strongly acidic cation exchange resin of the exchange filter 70, the calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) or in the strongly acidic cation exchange resin while being ion-exchanged with sodium (Na ⁺ ) or potassium (K ⁺ ) of the strong acid cation exchange resin Magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) are bonded and sodium (Na ⁺ ) or potassium (K ⁺ ) exchanged with calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) or magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) is contained or vaporized in the water.

Here, the exchange of sodium (Na ⁺ ) or potassium (K ⁺ ) and calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) or magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) of the strongly acidic cation exchange resin may be higher than that of the sodium or potassium (monovalent ions). Calcium and magnesium ions (bivalent ions) having a strong lowering power ( ⁺² ) are adsorbed on the strongly acidic cation exchange resin, and the sodium or potassium is released.

R-SO3Na + Ca ⁺² ⇒ R-SO3Ca ⁺ + Na ⁺

Here, R is a parent of a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and the mother is attached to a sulfonic acid group (SO3) which is an anion, and an allele of cation sodium ion (Na ⁺ ) is attached thereto to electrically neutralize R. It becomes -SO3Na type.

Accordingly, the water is removed from the water while the calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) and magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ) contained in the water purification pipe 50 passes through the cation exchange resin, As shown in Chemical Formula 1, the calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2} ) and magnesium ions (Ma ^{+ 2} ) are combined with water to form calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH) ₂ ), and the calcium hydroxide is lime (calcium carbonate; CaCo _3). ) Is prevented.

In addition, the ion exchange filter 70 is a variety of metal ions contained in water, such as iron, lead, zinc, aluminum, manganese, chromium, in addition to calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2} ) or magnesium ions (Ma ^{+ 2} ) described in this embodiment Of course it can be removed.

In addition, the strong acid cation exchange resin of the ion exchange filter 70 is to be exchanged sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) or magnesium ions (Ma ⁺² ), the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) Salt (sodium chloride; NaCl) may be supplied to the strongly acidic cation exchange resin, which has been separated, to allow the strong acid cation exchange resin to be regenerated by recombining sodium ions (Na ⁺ ).

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, such changes are within the scope of the claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the water supplied to the dispenser installed in the refrigerator can be purified.

Another effect of the present invention is that the lime can be prevented from occurring in the water supplied to the dispenser of the refrigerator.

Claims (6)

delete delete A water purification pipe installed to distribute water while being purified at one point of the water supply pipe connected to the refrigerator dispenser from the water supply source; An ion exchange filter installed inside the purified water pipe to remove calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) contained in water circulated through the purified water pipe by ion exchange; And an ion exchange filter having a weakly acidic cation exchange resin in which hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) exchanged with the calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2} ) are bonded thereto. A water purification pipe installed to distribute water while being purified at one point of the water supply pipe connected to the refrigerator dispenser from the water supply source; An ion exchange filter installed inside the purified water pipe to remove calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) contained in water circulated through the purified water pipe by ion exchange; And an ion exchange filter having a strong acid cation exchange resin in which sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) exchanged with the calcium ions (Ca ^{+ 2} ) are combined. A water purification pipe installed to distribute water while being purified at one point of the water supply pipe connected to the refrigerator dispenser from the water supply source; An ion exchange filter installed inside the purified water pipe to remove calcium ions (Ca ⁺² ) contained in water circulated through the purified water pipe by ion exchange; The calcium ion (Ca ⁺²⁾ and a weak acid cation exchange resin is a combination of hydrogen ions (H ⁺⁾ to be exchanged, the calcium ion (Ca ⁺²⁾ and a strong acid cation exchange resin exchanges sodium ion (Na ⁺⁾ that is coupled Water purifier for a refrigerator comprising a; ion exchange filter having a. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The water inlet portion of the purified water pipe is further provided with a carbon filter to filter foreign matter contained in the water, The water purification device for a refrigerator, characterized in that the ion exchange filter is provided in the water outlet portion of the water purification pipe.

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