KR101114637B1 - Controlling method of water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method of a water supply apparatus that outputs a signal of a predetermined pattern while an operation is started and an initialization process is performed. Therefore, in the present invention, the user can easily recognize that the initialization process is being performed, and stable performance of the initialization process is possible.

Water supply, water purification, initialization

Description

Controlling method of water supply apparatus

The present invention relates to a control method of a water supply device.

In general, the water supply device is connected to the water pipe to discharge the water supplied from the outside, or discharge the water stored in the bottled water. Inside the water supply device is provided with a separate device for heating or cooling the water.

The water supply device includes an input unit for inputting an operation signal by a user to discharge hot water or cold water, and a display unit for displaying an operation state.

On the other hand, in the case of a water supply device for discharging water supplied from the outside, a plurality of filters for purifying water are provided inside.

The present invention is to provide a control method of a water supply device that can be easily recognized by the user that the initialization process is being performed.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a control method of the water supply apparatus that the initialization process can be performed more stably.

Technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

The control method of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention proposed as described above, the step of applying power to the main body; Setting a reference capacitance for determining whether a signal is input by sensing a capacitance of the surface of the input unit provided in the main body; And in the process of setting the reference capacitance, outputting a signal of a predetermined pattern for informing the process of setting the reference capacitance from the output unit for a predetermined time.

As described above, according to the control method of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention, the user can more easily recognize that the water supply apparatus is in the initialization process. In more detail, when power is supplied to the water supply device, an initialization process for reaching a stable operating state is performed. While the initialization process is performed, a signal indicating the initialization process is output through the output unit. Thus, the user can more easily recognize that the water supply is in the initialization process.

In addition, the reference capacitance for sensing the signal input of the input unit may be initialized optimally. In more detail, when power is supplied to the water supply device, a reference capacitance, which is a reference of whether a signal is input through the input unit, is automatically set. At this time, the reference capacitance is set to the capacitance of the input unit in the initialization process. According to the present invention, since a signal representing an initialization process is output, the user may be prevented from contacting the input unit during the initialization process. Thus, the reference capacitance can be initialized optimally, and stable operation of the water supply device is enabled.

Hereinafter, a water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a water supply apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of water in a first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a front view showing an input unit and an output unit in the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a control configuration diagram in the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

1 to 4, the water supply device 1 includes a main body 10 including various components for purifying water, and an operation unit 20 to which signals for operation control are input and output. .

The operation unit 20 is provided on the front surface of the main body 10. In addition, below the operation unit 20, a hot water discharge operation unit 151 for discharging hot water and a cold water discharge operation unit 152 for discharging cold water are provided. A hot water outlet 153 is provided above the hot water discharge operation unit 151 to discharge hot water, and a cold water outlet 154 is provided above the cold water discharge operation unit 152 to discharge cold water.

In this case, a method of extracting hot water and cold water, for example, when a user presses the hot water discharge operation unit 151, hot water is discharged to the hot water outlet 153, and pressurizes the cold water discharge operation unit 152. Cold water may be discharged to the cold water outlet 154.

The main body 10 includes at least one filter 11 for purifying water. The filter 11 may include various types of filters 111, 112, 113, and 114 according to the contaminants for filtering.

In addition, the main body 10 includes storage units 131, 132, and 133 for storing purified water through the filter 11. The storage unit 131, 132, 133 may include a reservoir 131 for storing purified water passing through the filter 11, a hot water tank 133 in which the purified water is heated and stored as hot water, and the purified water. Water includes a cold water tank 132 is cooled and stored as cold water.

The filter 11 and the storage units 131, 132, and 133 are connected to each other by a pipe 100 through which water can flow. In addition, the inlet of the pipe 100 is connected to a device that can be supplied with raw water. For example, the inlet of the pipe 100 may be connected to the water supply pipe. In this case, raw water may be introduced into the pipe 100 directly from the water supply pipe. In addition, the inlet of the pipe 100 may be connected to a separate storage container for storing the raw water. In such a case, raw water stored in the storage container may be introduced. Of course, when the water pressure for the raw water in the water supply pipe or storage vessel is insufficient, a separate pump for forcibly flowing the raw water to the pipe 100 may be added.

One side on the pipe 100, the valve 101 for opening and closing the water flow in the pipe 100 is provided. In addition, a flow rate sensor 102 may be installed to detect a flow amount of water flowing in the pipe 100.

Then, from at least one of the filters 11, a drain pipe 103 for discharging the water filtered together with the contaminants into the living water is connected. In addition, one side of the drain pipe 103 may be further provided with a drain resistance 104 for adjusting the amount of water for living.

On the other hand, the reservoir 131, the water level sensor 121 for detecting the water level of the reservoir 131 is provided. More specifically, the water level sensor 121, the lower level sensor 123 for detecting whether the water level of the reservoir 131 is greater than or equal to the first reference level, and the water level of the reservoir 131 is greater than or equal to the second reference level. It includes an upper water level sensor 124 for detecting whether or not. In this case, the second reference level corresponds to a level higher than the first reference level. That is, the upper water level sensor 124 is located higher than the lower water level sensor 123.

In addition, the reservoir 131 is provided with a float switch 122 for mechanically opening and closing the water flowing into the reservoir 131. The float switch 122 may be operated in such a manner as to block or open the water flowing into the reservoir 131 as at least a portion of the float switch 122 floating in the water of the reservoir 131 rises or falls.

Below the reservoir 131, a cold water tank 132 is provided for cooling, storing, and inflowing water from the reservoir 131. The cold water tank 132 is provided with a cooler (not shown) for cooling the water stored in the cold water tank 132. In this case, the cooler may be a method of cooling water using a refrigerant cycle. In this case, to achieve the refrigerant cycle, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit, an evaporator may be further provided. As the heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator and the water of the cold water tank 132, the water of the cold water tank 132 is cooled.

In addition, the water tank 133 is provided below the water storage tank 131 so that water from the water storage tank 131 flows in and is heated and stored. The hot water tank 133 is provided with a heater (not shown) for heating the water stored in the hot water tank 133. In this case, the heater may be, for example, a heater that generates heat when electricity is applied.

Here, since the hot water tank 133 and the cold water tank 132 are located below the water storage tank 131, the water of the hot water tank 133 and the cold water tank 132 can be automatically filled. In addition, when the water introduced into the hot water tank 133 is heated to change to hot water, a tendency to rise to the water storage tank 131 may occur due to a density difference with the water of the water storage tank 131. In this case, a check valve 105 may be installed between the reservoir 131 and the hot water tank 133 in order to prevent the hot water from flowing back into the reservoir 131.

The cold water tank 132 and the hot water tank 133 are connected to the cold water outlet 152 and the hot water outlet 151 for discharging cold water and hot water. In addition, the cold water tank 132 and the hot water tank 133 are provided with a cold water temperature sensor 142 and a hot water temperature sensor 141, respectively. The cold water temperature sensor 142 detects a temperature of water stored in the cold water tank 132. The hot water temperature sensor 141 detects a temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 133.

On the other hand, the operation unit 20, hot water button 210 for selecting the hot water discharge function, cold water button 220 for selecting the cold water discharge function, power saving button 230 for selecting to lower the power consumption and , A clean display unit 240 for displaying a filter replacement time, and a continuous button 250 for selecting a continuous mode for continuously discharging cold water for a predetermined time.

The hot water button 210, the power saving button 230, the clean display unit 240, the continuous button 250, and the cold water button 220 are sequentially arranged horizontally.

In addition, the operation unit 20 includes a hot water temperature display unit 260 for displaying the temperature of the hot water, and a cold water temperature display unit 270 for displaying the temperature of the cold water. The hot water temperature display unit 260 is located above the hot water button 210, and the cold water temperature display unit 270 is located above the cold water button 220.

The hot water temperature display unit 260 and the cold water temperature display unit 270 may include a plurality of display units 262, 264, 266, 272, 274 and 276 that may be independently turned on. In this case, for example, as the number of the display units 262, 264, 266 that are turned on among the display units 262, 264, 266 of the hot water temperature display unit 260 increases, the temperature of the hot water may be higher. In addition, as the number of the display units 272, 274, 276 that are turned on among the display units 272, 274, 276 of the cold water temperature display unit 270 may mean that the temperature of the cold water is lower. In the present embodiment, the hot water temperature display unit 260 and the cold water temperature display unit 270 include three display units 262, 264, 266, 272, 274 and 276, respectively.

At this time, the operation unit 20 is composed of an input unit 201 for receiving a signal input and an output unit 202 for outputting various signals. That is, the output unit 202 outputs a text or a pattern corresponding to the plurality of buttons 210, 220, 230, 250 and the display unit 240 as a visual signal. The input unit 201 may be located in front of the output unit 202 so that a signal may be input through a point corresponding to a character or a drawing of the output unit 202.

Here, the input unit 201 detects a signal input from a user's contact with the input unit 201 in a manner of detecting a change in capacitance of the surface of the input unit 201. In more detail, the capacitance formed on the surface of the input unit 201 in the absence of the user's contact and the capacitance formed on the surface of the input unit 201 in the state of the user's contact are different. This is because the human body is a conductor capable of transmitting and storing charge. Therefore, based on the surface capacitance of the input unit 201 in the absence of user contact, if there is a change in the capacitance, it may be determined that there is a contact by the user, that is, a signal input.

Meanwhile, the water supply device 1 includes a control unit 16 for receiving an input signal from the input unit 201 and transmitting an output signal to the output unit 202. In addition, the water supply device 1 includes a memory unit 19 capable of storing various information necessary for controlling the operation of the water supply device 1. In this case, the input unit 201, the output unit 202, the control unit 16 and the memory unit 19 are electrically connected to each other so that control signals can be transmitted to each other.

On the other hand, one side of the water supply device 1 is provided with an electrical equipment for installing electrical components for controlling the operation of the water supply device 1, such as the control unit and the memory unit.

Hereinafter, an initialization process in a first embodiment of a water supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a flowchart showing a signal output method of the output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 6 is a signal output of the output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention 7 is a front view of the operation unit showing the state, Figure 7 is a front view of the operation unit showing the output state of the signal output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

5 to 7, when the power supply is turned on in the off state of the water supply device 1, that is, when power is supplied to the water supply device 1, an initialization process of the input unit 201 is performed. The initialization process of the input unit 201 is a process of inputting a reference capacitance to detect a capacitance of the surface of the input unit 201 and determine whether a signal is input in a state in which there is no user contact.

During the initialization process, the user needs to be aware of the state in which the initialization process is being performed. The reason is that when the user touches the initializing process, the reference capacitance may be input to the capacitance in the state where the user touches.

Therefore, as described later, while the initialization process is performed, a signal for informing the user of the initialization process is output through the output unit 202. Hereinafter, for convenience, the hot water button 210, the power saving button 230, the clean display unit 240, the continuous button 250, the cold water button 220, the first output unit 202, and the second output unit 202. ), The third output unit 202, the fourth output unit 202, and the fifth output unit 202.

In more detail, when the operation of the water supply device 1 starts, first, the elapsed time is initialized (S11). At this time, the elapsed time is a time elapsed from the time when the operation of the water supply device 1 starts. it means. And, the initializing of the elapsed time means that the elapsed time is calculated again from the corresponding time point.

Next, during the time when the elapsed time corresponds to the first reference time or less (S12), the first output unit 202 is turned on. (S13)

When the elapsed time exceeds the first reference time (S12), the first output unit 202 is turned off (S14), and before the elapsed time exceeds the second reference time (S15). The second output unit 202 is turned on. (S16)

When the elapsed time exceeds the second reference time (S15), the second output unit 202 is turned off (S17), and before the elapsed time exceeds the third reference time (S18). The third output unit 202 is turned on. (S19)

When the elapsed time exceeds the third reference time (S18), the third output unit 202 is turned off (S20), and before the elapsed time exceeds the fourth reference time (S21). The fourth output unit 202 is turned on. (S22)

When the elapsed time exceeds the fourth reference time (S21), the fourth output unit 202 is turned off (S23), until the elapsed time exceeds the fifth reference time (S24). The fifth output unit 202 is turned on. (S25)

Finally, when the elapsed time exceeds the fifth reference time (S24), the fifth output unit 202 is turned off. (S26)

That is, while the initialization process of the input unit 201 is performed, the first output unit 202, the second output unit 202, the third output unit 202, and the fourth output unit 202 by the above-described method. ), The fifth output unit 202 is sequentially turned on and off. For example, the state in which the first output unit 202 and the second output unit 202 are sequentially turned on and off is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. More specifically, in the state in which the first output unit 202 is turned on as shown in FIG. 6, after the first reference time has elapsed, the first output unit 202 is turned off as shown in FIG. 7 and the second output unit ( 202 is turned on.

In this case, the first reference time, the second reference time, the third reference time, the fourth reference time, and the fifth reference time may vary according to a time required for the initialization process of the input unit 201. For example, assuming that the time required to perform the initialization process of the input unit 201 is 5 seconds, the first reference time, the second reference time, the third reference time, the fourth reference time, and the fifth reference time Each may be sequentially lit for 1 second.

According to the water supply device 1, there is an advantage that the user can easily recognize that the initialization process of the water supply device 1 is being performed.

In addition, while the initialization process of the water supply device 1 is performed, the user may be prevented from contacting the input unit 201. Therefore, there is an advantage that the reference capacitance for determining whether the signal is input through the input unit 201 can be automatically detected and input optimally.

Hereinafter, the signal output method of the output unit in the initialization process of the second embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of output units are turned on and off in a batch during the initialization process.

8 is a flowchart showing a signal output method of the output unit in the initialization process of the second embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the operation of the water supply device 1 starts, that is, when power is supplied to the water supply device 1, the elapsed time is first initialized (S31).

Next, the unit time is initialized. (S32) Here, the unit time means a time elapsed from the time when the plurality of output units 202 to be described later are turned on collectively.

The plurality of output units 202, that is, the first output unit 202, the second output unit 202, the third output unit 202, the fourth output unit 202, and the fifth output unit 202. ) Is collectively lit. (S33) Here, the first output unit 202, the second output unit 202, the third output unit 202, the fourth output unit 202, the fifth output unit ( The 202 corresponds to the hot water button 210, the power saving button 230, the clean display unit 240, the continuous button 250, and the cold water button 220, respectively.

When the unit time exceeds the first reference time, that is, when the first reference time elapses from the time when the output unit 202 is turned on (S34), the output unit 202 is turned off collectively. (S35)

When the unit time exceeds the second reference time, that is, when the second reference time elapses from the time when the output unit 202 is turned on (S36), until the elapsed time exceeds the third reference time. (S37) Repeatedly performed from the step of initializing the unit time (S32).

In this case, the first reference time and the second reference time means a time for which the output unit 202 is kept on and off, depending on whether the output unit 202 is rapidly or slowed down. It can be preset at various times. The third reference time means a time taken for the initialization process to be performed. For example, when the third reference time is 5 seconds and the first reference time and the second reference time are each 0.5 seconds, the output unit 202 blinks five times during the initialization process.

As described above, the plurality of output units 202 may be repeatedly blinked in a batch during the time that the initialization process is performed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the water supply device 1 is performing an initialization process.

In addition, since the user may be prevented from contacting the input unit 201 during the initialization process, there is an advantage that the reference capacitance of the input unit 201 can be initialized more stably.

On the other hand, according to the type of the water supply device 1, by changing the display method indicating that the initialization process is performed, it is possible to minimize the misassembly of the water supply device (1).

For example, assuming that the water supply device 1 is of two types, a stand type and a desk type, a stand type part and a desk type water supply device 1 assembled to the stand type water supply device 1 are provided. There may be dedicated parts for the desk type that are assembled in the.

In this case, the initialization display method embedded in each of the stand-only part and the desk-only part may be different. For example, the stand type dedicated part may be a stand type dedicated electric part, the desk type dedicated part may be a desk type exclusive electric part, and the stand type dedicated electric part and the desk type dedicated electric part may have different initialization display patterns. Can be set. In this case, the stand-type dedicated electric parts and the desk-type dedicated electric parts may be referred to as a first type electric part and a second type electric part, respectively.

Then, when the desk-type dedicated parts are assembled to the case of the stand-type water supply device 1, the display method corresponding to the desk-type parts during the initialization process is performed despite the appearance of the desk-type water supply device 1. Can be output. On the contrary, when the stand type parts are assembled in the case of the desk type water supply device 1, the display method corresponding to the stand type parts during the initialization process despite the appearance of the desk type water supply device 1. The output display method can be output.

Therefore, after assembling the case and parts of the water supply device 1, it is checked whether or not the display method that represents the initialization process of the water supply device 1 is suitable for the type of the water supply device 1. As a method, there is an advantage that it is easy to determine whether or not the water supply device (1) is assembled incorrectly.

In more detail, when the case type of the water supply device 1 and the type of parts to be assembled do not match with each other, a display method that is not suitable for the case type is output during the initialization process. Then, the worker performing the assembly work can recognize that the water supply device 1 is incorrectly assembled and can correct it. As a result, misassembly of the water supply device 1 can be minimized.

As such, within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention, many modifications are possible to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims. will be.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a water supply device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of water in the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front view showing the operation portion in the first embodiment of the water supply device according to the present invention.

4 is a control block diagram of a first embodiment of a water supply device according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart showing a signal output method of the output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a front view of an operation unit showing a signal output state of the output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

7 is a front view of an operation unit showing a signal output state of the output unit in the initialization process of the first embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing a signal output method of the output unit in the initialization process of the second embodiment of the water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

Claims (10)

Applying power to the main body; Setting a reference capacitance for determining whether a signal is input by sensing a capacitance of the surface of the input unit provided in the main body; And In the process of setting the reference capacitance, the control method of the water supply device comprising the step of outputting a signal of a predetermined pattern for informing the process of setting the reference capacitance for a predetermined time. The method of claim 1, The predetermined time is a control method of a water supply device, characterized in that the same as the time when the process of initializing the input unit is operable is performed. The method of claim 2, The input unit is a touch type input unit that receives a signal by detecting a change in capacitance caused by contact, The preset time is a control method of a water supply device, characterized in that the same time as the process of automatically setting the reference capacitance as a reference whether or not the signal input from the touch type input unit is performed. The method of claim 2, The input unit and the output unit is provided in plurality, And the input unit and the output unit overlap each other so that an input signal corresponding to the output unit can be input by touching an input unit corresponding to the output unit. The method of claim 1, The output unit is provided in plurality, The control method of the water supply device, characterized in that the signal of the predetermined pattern is output in such a manner that the plurality of output parts sequentially flash one by one. The method of claim 1, The control method of the water supply device, characterized in that the signal of the predetermined pattern is output in such a way that the output unit repeatedly flashes. The method of claim 6, The output unit is provided in plurality, The control method of the water supply device, characterized in that the signal of the predetermined pattern is output in such a manner that the output unit is blinking at the same time collectively. The method according to claim 5 or 7, The plurality of output unit is a control method of a water supply device, characterized in that it comprises a hot water button, a power saving button, a clean display unit, a continuous button, a cold water button. The method of claim 1, The electronic device further includes an electronic device for installing electronic components for operation control, The control method of the water supply device, characterized in that the predetermined pattern is different according to the type of the electric part. The method of claim 9, The output unit is provided in plurality, The type of electric parts includes a first type and a second type electric parts, When the first type electric component is mounted, the plurality of output units are sequentially flashed for the preset time, When the second type electronic device is mounted, the plurality of outputs repeatedly blink simultaneously for the predetermined time.

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