KR101803674B1 - Water purifier sterilization apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present embodiment relates to a water purifier sterilizing apparatus. A water purifier sterilizing apparatus according to one aspect includes: a water purifier including at least one filter for filtering water, at least one filter holder to which the at least one filter is mounted, and a purified water pipe through which the purified water flows; A sterilizing unit for sterilizing the water supplied from the water purifier to generate sterilized water and supplying the sterilized water to the water purifier; And a connection device for connecting the water purifier and the sterilizing device.

Description

Water purifier sterilization apparatus

The present invention relates to a water purifier sterilization apparatus.

Generally, a water purifier refers to a device for purifying raw water such as tap water to be suitable for drinking. The water purifier may be divided into a water purifier that stores the purified water after storing the purified water in the water tank, and a water purifier that discharges the purified water without storing the purified water.

Inside the water purifier, a pipe for flowing the purified water is provided, and a valve, an intake port, and the like are provided in the pipe. When the water purifier is used for a long time, foreign substances contained in water may be trapped in piping, valves, intake ports, etc., and microorganisms may propagate.

However, conventionally, in order to clean the flow path of the water purifier, the main body of the water purifier is opened, the various pipes are connected, and the canister equipped with the cleaning agent is mounted to perform cleaning. In the case of a conventional water purifier, it is necessary to connect the water purifier to the inside of the water purifier when cleaning the flow path, and there is a problem that the cleaning time is long, and the cleaning agent must be replaced each time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing device for purifying a water purifier by connecting a sterilizing unit to a water purifier from the outside of the water purifier,

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing apparatus for a water purifier, including a raw water pipe through which raw water flows, a first filter for filtering raw water flowing in the raw water pipe, a second filter for filtering the water discharged from the first filter, A second filter holder to which the first filter is mounted; a second filter holder to which the first filter is mounted; a purified water pipe through which the purified water flows through the second filter; and an outlet through which the water flowing in the purified water pipe is taken out Containing water purifier; And a connecting member which is rotatably mounted on the second filter holder in a state where the second filter is separated from the second filter holder; And a sterilizing unit for supplying sterilizing water by supplying water passing through the first filter through the connecting device, wherein the second filter holder includes a first communicating portion and a second communicating portion, An inlet portion connected to the first communication portion, an alignment portion aligned or clogged with the second communication portion, and a discharge portion for discharging water.

The purified water pipe further includes a living water pipe, and the sterilized water generated in the sterilization unit is supplied to the living water pipe.

The purified water pipe includes a branched pipe, and the sterilized water generated in the sterilization unit is supplied to the branched pipe.

The connecting member includes a housing having a flow path formed therein and a mounting portion formed at one side of the housing and adapted to be mounted to the second filter holder, and the discharging portion is located on the opposite side of the inlet portion from the housing of the connecting member.

A flow rate sensor is provided between the second filter holder and the purified water pipe, and sterilization water generated in the sterilization unit is supplied to a purified water pipe on the downstream side of the flow rate sensor.

The sterilizing unit includes an inlet port through which water is introduced from the connecting device, a flow sensor for sensing the flow rate of the water flowing through the inlet port, a sterilizing water generating module for sterilizing the inflow water, A first pipe connected to the branch valve and guiding water introduced into the inlet port to the sterilizing water generating module, and a second pipe connected to the branch valve, And a discharge port through which the sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing water generating module is discharged or water is discharged from the second piping.

The purified water pipe of the water purifier is provided with a valve, and the valve is controlled based on the flow rate sensed by the flow sensor of the sterilizing unit.

According to the proposed embodiment, since the sterilizing water generating module is provided in the sterilizing unit, the washing liquid is not injected from the outside into the water purifier, and water containing chlorine ions (Cl-) dissolved in the electrolytic bath provided inside the sterilizing unit The electrolytic solution is used to generate the cleaning liquid (sterilized water), and the cleaning liquid can be used, thereby reducing the cost and facilitating the cleaning.

In addition, the cleaning liquid can be continuously supplied to the water purifier, thereby enabling quick cleaning of the water purifier.

1 is a water pipe view of a water purifier according to the first embodiment;
2 is a perspective view of a filter.
Fig. 3 is a view of a water pipe with the sterilizing unit connected to the water purifier according to the first embodiment; Fig.
4 is a perspective view of a connecting member for connecting the water purifier and the sterilizing unit;
5 is a block diagram showing the control structure of the water purifier and the sterilizing unit;
6 is a water pipe diagram in a state in which the sterilizing unit is connected to the water purifier according to the second embodiment;

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following, a water purifier not provided with a water reservoir is described as an example, but the idea of the present embodiment can be applied to a water purifier provided with a water reservoir.

FIG. 1 is a water pipe view of a water purifier according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the water purifier sterilization apparatus of the present embodiment includes a water purifier 10. The water purifier 10 can be connected to a sterilization unit (see 20 in FIG. 2) to be described later. 1 is a water pipe diagram of a water purifier to which a sterilizing unit is connected. The sterilization unit will be described later.

The water purifier 10 includes a raw water pipe 110 through which raw water flows, a pressure reducing valve 120 for reducing the water pressure of the raw water flowing in the raw water pipe 110, a filter device for filtering the raw water, A flow rate sensor 150 for sensing the flow rate of the purified water flowing through the purified water pipe 160 and a water outlet 180 provided at the end of the purified water pipe 160 ).

In addition, a water pipe 162 for domestic use may be connected to the purified water pipe 160. At this time, the living water pipe (162) may be connected to the purified water pipe (160) downstream of the flow sensor (150).

The purified water pipe 160 may include a plurality of valves 171 and 172. When the plurality of valves 171 and 172 are provided in the purified water pipe 160, the flow rate can be controlled by the remaining valves even if any one valve fails or fails.

The filter device comprises at least one filter. In this embodiment, the filter device includes a plurality of filters 140 and 141, for example.

A plurality of filters 140, 141 may be mounted on each of the plurality of filter holders 130, 131. The plurality of filters 140, 141 include a first filter 140 and a second filter 141. The plurality of filters 140 and 141 may be selected from among a sediment filter, a free carbon filter, a UF filter, an RO filter, an activated carbon filter, an NF filter, and the like. .

Each of the filters 140 and 141 includes a filter housing 142. The filter housing 142 includes a mounting portion 143 for mounting to the filter holder 130, 131. The mounting portion 143 may be inserted into the filter holder 130, 131. As another example, the mounting portion 143 may be coupled to the filter housing 142.

The mounting portion 143 is provided with an inlet 144 and a discharge 145. The mounting portion 143 may be formed with a coupling rib 146 for coupling with the filter holders 130 and 131. In this embodiment, the filters 140 and 141 may be coupled to the filter holders 130 and 131 in a rotational manner. However, it is to be noted that there is no limitation in the coupling method of the filters.

The plurality of filter holders 130 and 131 include a first filter holder 130 on which the first filter 140 is mounted and a second filter holder 131 on which the second filter 141 is mounted.

The filter holders 130 and 131 may include a first communication unit and a second communication unit for communicating with a filter (not shown). The first communication portion may communicate with the inlet portion 144 of the filter, and the second communication portion may communicate with the outlet portion 145 of the filter. The plurality of filter holders 130 and 131 may be connected to each other by a connection channel 133.

Since the structure of the filter holder and the filter can be realized by a known structure, a detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a water pipe view showing a sterilizing unit connected to the water purifier according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection member for connecting the water purifier and the sterilizing unit.

3 and 4, the water purifier sterilizing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a sterilizing unit 20 connected to the water purifier 10 to sterilize the flow path of the water purifier 10, And a connection device (30) for connecting the water purifier (10).

The sterilization unit 20 includes an inlet port 210 for receiving raw water (or purified water) from the water purifier 10, a flow rate sensor 220 for sensing a flow rate of the raw water, A sterilizing water generating module 250 provided in the first flow path 231 and a second flow path 230 in which the first flow path 230 and the second flow path 230 are connected to each other, And an exhaust port 260 communicating with the second flow path 231.

The first flow path 231 is provided with a first valve 242 for controlling the flow rate of the raw water flowing into the sterilizing water generating module 250 and the second flow path 232 is provided with a second valve 244 are provided.

In detail, the sterilizing water generating module 250 processes the raw water flowing through the first flow path 231 to generate sterilizing water. In this embodiment, the sterilizing water generating module 250 includes an electrolytic bath (not shown) capable of electrolyzing raw water.

In the electrolyzer, water containing chlorine ions (Cl-) is electrolyzed to generate sterilized water as a washing solution. The sterilized water contains hypochlorous acid (HClO) and the like to sterilize bacteria in water. However, since the concentration is as small as about 0.2 to 0.3 ppm, it is sterilized without affecting the human body.

When the raw water is moved to the first flow path 231 by the branch valve 230, the internal flow path of the purifier is washed (sterilization process). On the other hand, when the raw water is moved to the second flow path 232 by the branch valve 230, the internal flow path of the purifier is completed (rinsing process). When the cleaning of the inner channel of the water purifier is completed, rinsing of the inner channel of the water purifier is required. Therefore, the raw water is supplied to the water purifier 10 after flowing through the second flow path 232 without passing through the sterilizing water generating module 250. When washing is performed by flowing the raw water in the water purifier 10 after the disinfection unit 20 and the water purifier 10 are disconnected, the second flow path 232 and the second valve 244 ) May be omitted.

The connecting device 30 includes a connecting member 300 mounted on one of the plurality of filter holders 130 and 131 and a connecting member 300 connected to the connecting port 300 and the inlet port of the sterilizing unit 20. [ And a second connection pipe 320 connecting the discharge port 162 of the sterilizing unit 20 and the water purifier 10 to each other.

The second connection pipe 320 may be connected to the living water pipe 162, for example. When the second connection pipe 320 is connected to the living water pipe 162, a separate pipe for connecting the second connection pipe 320 to the water purifier 10 is unnecessary. Of course, the second connection pipe 320 may be connected to a separate pipe branched from the purified water pipe 160 without being supplied to the living water pipe 162.

The connecting member 300 may be connected to the second filter holder 142, for example. The raw water introduced into the water purifier 10 may be firstly filtered through the first filter 140 and then supplied to the sterilizing unit 20. If the primary filtered raw water is supplied to the sterilizing unit 20 rather than to the raw water, the foreign matter can be prevented from being trapped in the internal flow path of the sterilizing unit 20. Of course, the connecting member 300 may be mounted to the first filter holder 130. [ Needless to say, in order for the connecting member 300 to be mounted on a filter holder, the filter already mounted must be separated.

The connection member 300 includes a housing 301 in which a flow path is formed. The housing 301 includes a mounting portion 302 for mounting to the filter holder 130, 131. The mounting portion 302 of the connecting member 300 may be attached to the mounting portions 302 of the filters 140 and 141 so that the mounting portion 302 of the connecting member 300 is mounted to the filter holders 130 and 131. [ (143). The mounting portion 302 is formed with an inlet portion 304 and an alignment portion 305. The alignment part 305 is formed in the same shape as the discharge part 145 of the filters 140 and 141 but is closed.

The alignment unit 305 is aligned with the second communication unit of the filter holder 130 or 131 when the connection member 300 is mounted on the filter holder 130 or 131, . Accordingly, the housing 301 includes a discharge portion 306 for discharging water. The outlet 306 is formed on the opposite side of the inlet 301 from the housing 301. The inflow direction of the water flowing into the housing 301 and the discharge direction of the water discharged from the housing 301 are the same. In this embodiment, since the connecting member 300 serves to connect the water purifier 10 and the sterilizing unit 20, in order to simplify the flow path, the inlet direction and the discharge direction of the water in the housing 301 are the same do. The first connection pipe 310 is connected to the discharge unit 306.

The mounting portion 302 is formed with a coupling rib 307 for coupling with the filter holders 130 and 131. The connection member 300 may be coupled to the filter holder 130 or 131 in the same manner as the coupling method of the filter.

5 is a block diagram showing the control structure of the water purifier and the sterilizing unit.

3 and 5, the water purifier 10 includes a control unit 190 and a control unit 190, in addition to the flow sensor 150, the valves 171 and 172 described above, And a communication unit 192. The water purifier 10 can operate in an integer mode for extracting an integer. In addition, the water purifier 10 can operate in a washing mode (or sterilization mode) for washing the internal flow path. The control unit 190 may control the operation of the valves 171 and 172 based on the flow rate information sensed by the flow rate sensor 150.

In addition to the flow sensor 220, the valves 230, 242 and 244 and the sterilizing water generating module 250, the sterilizing unit 20 includes a controller 270 and a controller 270 for communicating with the water purifier 10 2 communication unit 280, as shown in FIG.

The first communication unit 192 and the second communication unit 280 can perform wire / wireless communication. The control unit 270 of the sterilizing unit 20 can control not only the sterilizing unit 20 but also the water purifier 10 when the first communication unit 192 and the second communication unit 280 communicate with each other . That is, the control unit 270 of the sterilizing unit 20 can control the controller 190, the valves 171 and 172, and the like of the water purifier 10.

When the first communication unit 192 and the second communication unit 280 communicate wirelessly, the water purifier 10 and / or the sterilizing unit 10 may include a selection unit for selecting the washing mode.

When the first communication unit 192 and the second communication unit 280 are connected to each other through the communication port of the first communication unit 192 and the communication port of the second communication unit 280, Can be automatically selected. Of course, even when the first communication unit 192 and the second communication unit 280 are in wire communication, the water purifier 10 and / or the sterilizing unit 20 may be equipped with a selection unit for selecting the washing mode have.

Hereinafter, the flow of water in the constant mode and the washing mode will be described.

1, in the integer mode, raw water flows into the water purifier 10 through a raw water pipe 110. Then, the introduced raw water passes through the pressure reducing valve 120, and is purified through the first filter 140 and the second filter 141. The purified water flows into the purified water pipe 160 and is discharged to the outside of the water purifier 10 through the water intake port 180 in a state where the valves 170 and 171 are opened. At this time, the flow rate of the purified water flowing through the purified water pipe 160 is detected by the flow rate sensor 150 located downstream of the filter device.

Next, the cleaning mode will be described.

In order to perform the cleaning mode, the water purifier 10 and the sterilizing unit 20 are connected. The connection member 300 is connected to the second filter holder 131 after the second filter 141 is separated from the second filter holder 131 as described above. The sterilization unit 20 is connected to the connection member 300 using the first connection pipe 310 and the sterilization unit 20 is connected to the sterilization unit 20 using the second connection pipe 320, The water pipe 162 is connected.

Then, the washing mode is selected. The washing mode can be selected by the selection unit as described above or by a connection of the communication port of the water purifier and the communication port of the sterilizing unit.

In the washing mode, raw water flows into the water purifier (10) through a raw water pipe (110). The incoming raw water then passes through the pressure reducing valve 120 and is primarily cleaned through the first filter 140. The raw water then flows into the connecting member 300 and flows from the connecting member 300 to the inlet port 210 through the first connecting pipe 310. The flow rate of the raw water flowing into the inflow port 210 is detected by the flow rate sensor 220.

The communication between the alignment part 305 of the connection member 300 and the second connection part of the second filter holder 131 is blocked so that the raw water can not pass through the flow sensor. However, since the sterilizing unit 20 is provided with the flow sensor 220, the flow rate can be sensed by the sterilizing unit 20 even if the flow rate is not detected in the water purifier 10.

The raw water flowing into the sterilizing unit 20 flows through the first flow path 231 by the branch valve 230. The raw water flowing in the first flow path (231) flows into the sterilizing water generating module (250). Then, the sterilizing water generating module 250 generates sterilizing water for cleaning the inner channel of the water purifier. At this time, the amount of the raw water flowing into the sterilizing water generating module 250 can be controlled by the first valve 242. Here, the second valve 244 remains closed.

The sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing water generating module 250 flows into the purified water pipe 160 along the second connection pipe 320 and the living water pipe 162 after passing through the discharge port 260. The sterilized water flowing into the purified water pipe 160 may be discharged to the outside of the water purifier 10 through the water inlet 180. The disinfecting water flowing into the purified water pipe 160 at the initial stage of the washing mode may flow to the second communicating unit side of the second filter holder 131 through the flow sensor 150 of the water purifier 10, The sterilizing water can no longer flow in the second communicating part of the second filter holder 131 because the alignment part 305 of the second filter holder 300 is blocked.

The control unit 130 of the water purifier 10 controls the valves 171 and 172 based on the flow rate information sensed by the flow rate sensor 150 but since the flow rate information is not output from the flow rate sensor 150, The control unit 190 of the water purifier 10 can not control the valves 170 and 171 based on the flow rate information. The control unit 270 of the sterilization unit 20 transmits a valve control signal to the control unit 190 of the water purifier 10 based on the flow rate information sensed by the sterilization unit 20, And the control unit 190 controls the valves 170 and 171. As another example, when the cleaning mode is selected, the controller 190 may control the valves 170 and 171 without being based on the flow rate information.

In the present embodiment, the operation time of the cleaning mode (or the amount of sterilization water necessary for the cleaning mode) is set automatically or can be selected by the user. In addition, the water purifier may be provided with a display unit for indicating a time required for cleaning (or sterilizing) the internal flow path. For example, the sterilization time can be determined based on the amount of purified water discharged from the water purifier. Or, if a certain period of time has elapsed after sterilization is completed, it can be judged that the sterilization time has arrived.

According to the present embodiment, since the sterilizing water generating module 250 is provided in the sterilizing unit 20, the washing liquid is not injected from the outside into the water purifier, Cl-) is electrolyzed to generate a cleaning liquid (sterilized water), and the cleaning liquid can be used, thereby reducing the cost and facilitating easy cleaning. In addition, the cleaning liquid can be continuously supplied to the water purifier, thereby enabling quick cleaning of the water purifier.

6 is a water piping diagram in a state where the sterilizing unit is connected to the water purifier according to the second embodiment.

The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the other portions, but there is a difference in the connecting position of the connecting members. Therefore, only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described below, and the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be used as the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water purifier according to the present embodiment may include a connection holder 132 to which the connection member 300 is connected. The connection holder 132 may be located downstream of the second filter holder 141. A branch pipe 136 is connected to the purified water pipe 160 and the connection holder 132 is connected to the branch pipe 136. The branch pipe (136) is connected to the purified water pipe (160) upstream of the flow sensor (150). A three-way valve 135 is provided at a connecting portion between the branch pipe 136 and the purified water pipe 160. As another example, a valve may be provided in each of the purified water pipe 160 and the branch pipe 136.

According to the present embodiment, the sterilizing mode can be performed in a state where the connection member is connected to the connection holder 132 without separating the first filter and the second filter. In this case, purified water can be supplied to the sterilizing unit.

In the integral mode, the three-way valve 135 prevents the purified water from flowing into the branch pipe 136. On the other hand, in the sterilization mode, the constant flow does not flow toward the flow sensor 150, but flows through the branch pipe 135.

10: Water purifier 20: Sterilization unit

Claims (7)

A first filter for filtering the water discharged from the first filter, a second filter for filtering the water discharged from the first filter, a second filter for filtering the water discharged from the first filter, A water purifier including a holder, a second filter holder on which the second filter is mounted, a purified water pipe through which the purified water flows through the second filter, and an outlet through which the water flowing in the purified water pipe is taken out;
And a connection member mounted on the second filter holder in a rotatable manner in the same manner as the coupling method of the second filter with the second filter separated from the second filter holder; And
And a sterilizing unit for supplying water passing through the first filter through the connecting device to generate sterilized water,
The second filter holder includes a first communicating portion communicating with the inlet portion of the second filter and a second communicating portion communicating with the outlet portion of the second filter,
Wherein the connection member includes an inlet portion communicating with the first communication portion and an alignment portion which is aligned with or clogged with the second communication portion and an outlet portion communicating with the inlet portion in a direction opposite to the outlet portion of the second filter to discharge water introduced into the inlet portion And a discharging portion formed in the discharging portion. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the purified water pipe further comprises a living water pipe,
And sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing unit is supplied to the living water pipe. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the purified water pipe includes a branched pipe,
And sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing unit is supplied to the branch pipe. The method according to claim 1,
The connecting member includes a housing having a channel formed therein,
And a mounting portion formed at one side of the housing for mounting to the second filter holder,
Wherein the outlet is located on the opposite side of the inlet to the housing of the connecting member. The method according to claim 1,
A flow rate sensor is provided between the second filter holder and the purified water pipe,
And sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing unit is supplied to a purified water pipe on the downstream side of the flow sensor. 6. The method of claim 5,
The sterilization unit includes:
An inlet port through which water flows from the connecting device,
A flow sensor for sensing a flow rate of water flowing through the inlet port,
A sterilizing water generating module for sterilizing the inflow water,
A branch valve installed between the inlet port and the sterilizing water generating module,
A first pipe connected to the branch valve for guiding the water introduced into the inlet port to the sterilizing water generating module,
A second pipe connected to the branch valve for bypassing the sterilization water generating module, the water flowing into the inlet port,
And a discharge port through which sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing water generating module is discharged or water in the second piping is discharged. The method according to claim 6,
The purified water pipe of the water purifier is provided with a valve,
Wherein the valve is controlled based on a flow rate sensed by a flow sensor of the sterilizing unit.

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