KR102517236B1 - Water purifier with ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice water purifier is started. The ice water purifier of the present invention includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser into which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows; a dryer into which the refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit flows; an expansion part into which the refrigerant discharged from the dryer flows; an ice-making evaporator connected to the expansion part and supplying cold air to the ice maker; an ice storage tank accommodating ice and cooling water discharged from the ice maker; and a cooling water outlet connecting the ice storage tank and the condensing unit to discharge cooling water from the ice storage tank to the condensing unit.

Description

Ice water purifier {WATER PURIFIER WITH ICE MAKER}

The present invention relates to an ice water purifier, and more particularly, to an ice water purifier capable of preventing freezing of a drain hose and shortening an ice making time.

In general, ice is produced in an ice maker of an ice water purifier. The ice produced by the ice maker is stored in the ice storage. An ice extracting screw is installed in the ice storage to automatically extract ice, and the ice extracting screw is rotated by a screw motor.

In the ice maker, cooling water (residual water) of about 4°C is generated during the ice-separating process after making ice. The ice and cooling water generated in the ice maker are discharged to the ice storage, and the cooling water discharged from the ice storage is discharged through the drain hose.

However, since low-temperature cooling water is drained through the drain hose in the conventional ice water purifier, dew condensation may occur inside the drain hose and the drain hose may be clogged. In addition, since low-temperature cooling water is discharged to the outside, energy may be wasted.

Background art related to the present invention is disclosed in Patent Publication No. 2014-0144359 (published on December 19, 2014: ice water purifier).

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an ice water purifier capable of preventing freezing of a drain hose and shortening an ice-making time.

The ice water purifier according to the present invention includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser into which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows; a dryer into which the refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit flows; an expansion part into which the refrigerant discharged from the dryer flows; an ice-making evaporator connected to the expansion part and supplying cold air to the ice maker; an ice storage tank accommodating ice and cooling water discharged from the ice maker; and a cooling water outlet connecting the ice storage tank and the condensing unit to discharge cooling water from the ice storage tank to the condensing unit.

The condenser unit includes a first condenser into which the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge unit is introduced and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor exchanges heat with the cooling water; and a second condenser that allows the refrigerant discharged from the first condenser to exchange heat with air flowing through a heat dissipation fan.

The first condenser and the second condenser may be connected in series.

The first condenser may include a drain tank connected to the cooling water outlet, storing the cooling water discharged from the cooling water outlet, and connected to a drain hose; and a heat exchanger disposed inside the drain tank and allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to exchange heat with cooling water in the drain tank.

The heat exchange unit may be formed in a form wound around the drain tank a plurality of times.

An anti-siphon passage portion may be formed in the drain hose to extend upward from the drain hose and to be connected to an upper side of the drain tank.

According to the present invention, since the cooling water of the ice storage tank is discharged to the condensing unit through the cooling water discharge unit, the refrigerant of the condensing unit exchanges heat with the cooling water discharged from the ice storage tank. Therefore, since the cooling water is heated by the refrigerant in the condenser, it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring inside the drain hose or clogging the drain hose when the cooling water is discharged through the drain hose. In addition, since the refrigerant in the condenser is condensed by the cooling water, condensation performance of the condenser may be improved.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is condensed in the water-cooled first condenser and the air-cooled second condenser, the condensation performance of the condenser can be further improved.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the heat exchange unit is formed in a form wound around the drain tank multiple times, the area and time for heat exchange of the heat exchange unit with the cooling water can be increased.

Further, according to the present invention, since the siphon prevention flow path unit is connected to the upper side of the drain hose and the drain tank, air in the drain tank flows into the siphon prevention flow path unit when the drain pump is not operating. Therefore, since the fluidity (continuity) of the cooling water in the siphon-preventing flow path portion is cut off when the drain pump is not operating, it is possible to prevent the cooling water in the drain tank from being drained by the siphon phenomenon.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an ice storage tank and an ice machine in an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an ice storage tank and a first condenser in an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a first condenser and an anti-siphon flow path in an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and includes all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Hereinafter, an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic view of an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing an ice storage tank and an ice maker in the ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view showing an ice storage tank and a first condenser in an ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

1 to 4, the ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 110, a condensing unit 120, a dryer 141, an expansion unit 150, an ice making evaporator 163, ice It includes a storage tank 170 and a cooling water outlet 177.

The compressor 110 compresses the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 is introduced into the condenser 120 .

The refrigerant discharged from the condenser 120 is introduced into the dryer 141 . At this time, a flow path switching valve 143 is connected to the refrigerant discharge side of the dryer 141. A 4-way valve may be applied as the flow-through valve 143.

The refrigerant pipe 144 for cold water, the refrigerant pipe 145 for ice removal, and the refrigerant pipe 146 for ice making are branched from the passage valve 143. As the passage valve 143 is operated, refrigerant is selectively introduced into the refrigerant pipe 144 for cold water, the refrigerant pipe 145 for ice removal, and the refrigerant pipe 146 for ice making.

The refrigerant discharged from the dryer 141 flows into the expansion part 150 through the directional valve 143. The expansion part 150 includes a first expansion part 151 connected to the refrigerant pipe 144 for cold water and a second expansion part 152 connected to the refrigerant pipe 146 for ice making. The first expansion unit 151 and the second expansion unit 152 may have various shapes such as a capillary tube or an expansion valve.

The ice maker 163 is connected to the second expansion unit 152 of the expansion unit 150 and supplies cold air to the ice maker 180 . In the ice maker 180, ice is produced by cold air supplied from the ice maker 163. The ice maker 180 is disposed inside the ice storage tank 170 . The ice maker 180 includes an ice tray 181 accommodating water and a finger portion 183 submerged in the water stored in the ice tray 181 and frozen by cold air supplied from the ice evaporator 163. include

In the ice-separating mode, the directional valve 143 supplies refrigerant to the ice-separating refrigerant pipe 145, and as the high-temperature refrigerant in the ice-separating refrigerant pipe 145 heats the finger portion 183, ice is removed from the finger portion 183. This is de-icing. An ice making motor unit (not shown) is connected to the ice making tray 181 to rotate the ice making tray 181 during ice removal. When the ice-making motor rotates the ice-making tray 181 , cooling water and ice accommodated in the ice-making tray 181 are discharged into the ice storage tank 170 .

The cold water evaporator 161 is connected to the first expansion unit 151 and cools the cold water in the cold water storage tank (not shown). As the cold water evaporator 161 supplies cold air to the cold water storage tank, cold water is generated.

The refrigerant discharged from the ice making evaporator 163 and the cold water evaporator 161 is discharged to the accumulator 165 , and the refrigerant discharged from the accumulator 165 flows into the compressor 110 .

Ice and cooling water discharged from the ice maker 180 are accommodated in the ice storage tank 170 . The lower surface of the ice storage tank 170 is inclined. A transfer screw 171 is installed on the lower surface of the ice storage tank 170, and a screw motor 173 is installed on the transfer screw 171. The transfer screw 171 is inclined along the lower surface of the ice storage tank 170 . An ice discharge door 175 is installed on one side of the transfer screw 171 . As the transfer screw 171 rotates, ice is taken out of the ice storage tank 170 through the ice discharge door 175 .

The cooling water discharge unit 177 connects the ice storage tank 170 and the condensing unit 120 to discharge cooling water from the ice storage tank 170 to the condensing unit 120 . The cooling water outlet 177 is disposed at the lowest position among the lower surfaces of the ice storage tank 170 . The cooling water outlet 177 protrudes toward the lower side of the ice storage tank 170, and the condenser 120 is disposed below the cooling water outlet 177. Since the cooling water in the ice storage tank 170 is discharged to the condensing unit 120 through the cooling water discharge unit 177, the refrigerant in the condensing unit 120 exchanges heat with the cooling water discharged from the ice storage tank 170. Therefore, since the cooling water in the condenser 120 is heated by the refrigerant, when the cooling water is discharged through the drain hose 131, condensation occurs inside the drain hose 131 or the drain hose 131 is blocked by condensation. that can be prevented In addition, since the refrigerant in the condenser 120 is condensed by the cold air of the cooling water, condensation performance of the condenser 120 may be improved by the cold air of the cooling water. In addition, since the energy of the cooling water is used when the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 120, energy waste can be reduced.

The condenser 120 includes a first condenser 121 and a second condenser 125 .

The first condenser 121 receives the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge unit 177 and allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to exchange heat with the cooling water. Since the cooling water discharged from the cooling water outlet 177 exchanges heat with the refrigerant of the first condenser 121 , the cold air of the cooling water may be used to condense the refrigerant in the first condenser 121 . Accordingly, condensation performance of the first condenser 121 may be improved and energy waste may be reduced.

The first condenser 121 includes a drain tank 122 and a heat exchanger 123 .

The drain tank 122 is connected to the cooling water outlet 177, the cooling water discharged from the cooling water outlet 177 is stored in the drain tank 122, and the drain hose 131 is connected. A drain pump 124 is connected to the drain tank 122 to discharge cooling water. A water level sensor (not shown) is installed in the drain tank 122 to measure the level of the cooling water stored in the drain tank 122 . When the cooling water is detected by the water level sensor, the water level of the cooling water may be adjusted by driving the drain pump 124 .

The heat exchanger 123 is disposed inside the drain tank 122 and allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to exchange heat with the cooling water in the drain tank 122 . As the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge unit 177 exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchange unit 123, the temperature rises, so when the cooling water in the drain tank 122 is discharged through the drain hose 131, the drain hose 131 Condensation can be prevented. In addition, thermal energy of the cooling water may be used to condense the refrigerant in the first condenser 121 .

The heat exchanging unit 123 is formed in a form wound around the drain tank 122 a plurality of times. At this time, the heat exchange unit 123 is a refrigerant pipe wound in a circular or polygonal shape. In addition, the heat exchange unit 123 may be formed in a zigzag shape. Since the heat exchange unit 123 is formed in a shape wound around the drain tank 122 multiple times, the area and time in which the heat exchange unit 123 exchanges heat with the cooling water can be increased. Therefore, condensation performance in the first condenser 121 can be further improved.

The second condenser 125 allows the refrigerant discharged from the first condenser 121 to exchange heat with air flowing through the heat dissipation fan 126 . A heat radiation fan 126 is installed on one side of the second condenser 125, and the second condenser 125 is air-cooled as the heat radiation fan 126 is driven. Since the refrigerant of the first condenser 121 is primarily condensed by the cooling water and the refrigerant of the second condenser 125 is secondarily condensed by the air blown from the heat dissipation fan 126, the condenser 120 Condensation performance can be improved. Therefore, as the condensation temperature of the refrigerant decreases in the cooling cycle, the cooling capacity may be improved.

The first condenser 121 and the second condenser 125 are connected in series. The refrigerant of the condenser 120 is firstly condensed while passing through the first condenser 121 and secondarily condensed while passing through the second condenser 125 .

The drain hose 131 extends upward from the drain hose 131 and is formed with an anti-siphon passage part 133 connected to the top of the drain tank 122 . The siphon prevention passage part 133 is connected to a first extension pipe part 133a extending upward from the drain hose 131, extending to one side from the first extension pipe part 133a, and connected to the upper side of the drain tank 122. It includes a second extension pipe part 133b and a third extension pipe part 133c extending downward from the second extension pipe part 133b. The first extension pipe part 133a and the drain pump 124 are connected by the first drain hose 131a, the second extension pipe part 133b communicates with the inside of the drain tank 122, and the third extension pipe part ( 133c) is connected to the second drain hose 131b.

Since the siphon prevention passage 133 is connected to the upper side of the drain hose 131 and the drain tank 122, when the drain pump 124 is not operating, the air in the drain tank 122 flows through the siphon prevention passage 133. flowed into Therefore, when the drain pump 124 is not operating, the fluidity (continuity) of the cooling water is cut off in the siphon prevention passage 133, so that the cooling water in the drain tank 122 is prevented from being drained by the siphon phenomenon. In addition, since the cooling water is stored in the drain tank 122, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from condensing in the first condenser 121 due to a lack of cooling water.

The operation of the ice water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

The ice water purifier operates in cold water generation mode, ice generation mode and ice removal mode.

In the cold water generation mode, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 is supplied to the first condenser 121, the second condenser 125, the dryer 141, the directional valve 143, the refrigerant pipe for cold water 144, the first It is closed-circulated along the expansion part 151, the evaporator 161 for cold water, and the accumulator 165. Since the refrigerant of the cold water refrigerant pipe 144 expands in the first expansion part 151, the low temperature refrigerant is supplied to the cold water evaporator 161 to cool the cooling water in the cooling water storage tank (not shown).

In the ice making mode, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 passes through the first condenser 121, the second condenser 125, the dryer 141, the directional valve 143, the refrigerant pipe for ice making 146, the second It is closed-circulated along the expansion part 152, the evaporator 163 for ice making, and the accumulator 165. Since the refrigerant in the ice-making refrigerant pipe 146 expands in the second expansion part 152, the low-temperature refrigerant is supplied to the ice-making evaporator 163 to cool the finger portion 183 of the ice maker 180. As the fingers 183 of the ice maker 180 are cooled, the water contained in the ice making tray 181 freezes on the outer surface of the fingers 183 .

In the ice-separating mode, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 passes through the first condenser 121, the second condenser 125, the dryer 141, the directional valve 143, the ice-separating refrigerant pipe 145, and the ice-making evaporator. (163) and accumulator (165). Since the refrigerant in the ice-separating refrigerant pipe 145 flows into the ice-making evaporator 163 in an unexpanded state, the finger portion 183 is heated by the refrigerant of the ice-making evaporator 163 . As the finger portion 183 is heated, ice frozen on the finger portion 183 is separated from the finger portion 183 .

When the ice is removed from the finger portion 183, the ice making tray 181 rotates as the ice making motor is driven. As the ice making tray 181 rotates, cooling water and ice fall into the ice storage tank 170 . Subsequently, when the ice tray 181 is rotated back to its original position, water is supplied to the ice tray 181 again.

The cooling water discharged from the ice storage tank 170 flows into the drain tank 122 of the first condensing unit 120 through the cooling water discharge unit 177 . Cooling water is stored in the drain tank 122 . The cooling water in the drain tank 122 is adjusted to a certain level by the water level sensor and the drain pump 124 .

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows into the first condenser 121 . At this time, the refrigerant flowing into the first condenser 121 flows into the heat exchange unit 123, and the heat exchange unit 123 exchanges heat with the cooling water stored in the drain tank 122. Since the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 123 is condensed by the cooling water in the drain tank 122, the efficiency of the cooling cycle increases as the condensation performance of the refrigerant in the first condenser 121 is improved. In addition, the cooling water in the drain tank 122 is heated to about 15-25° C. through heat exchange with the refrigerant. Therefore, since the cooling water heated in the drain tank 122 is discharged to the drain hose 131, dew condensation in the drain hose 131 or clogging of the drain hose 131 can be prevented.

As described above, since the cooling water in the ice storage tank 170 is discharged to the condensing unit 120 through the cooling water discharge unit 177, the refrigerant in the condensing unit 120 exchanges heat with the cooling water discharged from the ice storage tank 170. do. Therefore, since the cooling water in the condenser 120 is heated by the refrigerant, when the cooling water is discharged through the drain hose 131, condensation occurs inside the drain hose 131 or the drain hose 131 is blocked by condensation. that can be prevented In addition, since the refrigerant of the condenser 120 is condensed by the cooling water, condensation performance of the condenser 120 may be improved.

In addition, since the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 110 is condensed in the first water-cooled condenser 121 and the second air-cooled condenser 125, the condensation performance of the condenser 120 can be further improved.

In addition, since the heat exchange unit 123 is formed in a shape wound around the drain tank 122 multiple times, the area and time for heat exchange between the heat exchange unit 123 and the cooling water can be increased. Therefore, condensation performance in the first condenser 121 can be further improved.

In addition, since the siphon prevention flow path 133 is connected to the upper side of the drain hose 131 and the drain tank 122, when the drain pump 124 is not operating, the air in the drain tank 122 flows through the siphon prevention flow path ( 133) enters. Therefore, when the drain pump 124 is not operating, the fluidity (continuity) of the cooling water is cut off in the siphon prevention passage 133, so that the cooling water in the drain tank 122 is prevented from being drained by the siphon phenomenon.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art can add, change, delete, or add components within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims. The present invention can be variously modified and changed by the like, and this will also be said to be included within the scope of the present invention.

110: compressor 120: condensation unit
121: first condenser 122: drain tank
123: heat exchange unit 124: drainage pump
125: second condenser 126: heat dissipation fan
131: drain hose 131a: first drain hose
131b: second drain hose 133: siphon prevention flow path
133a: first extension pipe part 133b: second extension pipe part
133c: third extension tube 141: dryer
143: Euro switching valve 144: Refrigerant pipe for cold water
145: refrigerant pipe for ice removal 146: refrigerant pipe for ice making
150: expansion part 151: first expansion part
152: second expansion unit 161: evaporator for cold water
163: evaporator for ice making 165: accumulator
170: ice storage tank 171: transfer screw
173: screw motor 175: ice discharge door
177: cooling water outlet 180: ice maker
181: ice tray 183: finger portion

Claims (6)

A compressor that compresses the refrigerant;
a condenser into which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows;
a dryer into which the refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit flows;
an expansion part into which the refrigerant discharged from the dryer flows;
an ice-making evaporator connected to the expansion part and supplying cold air to the ice maker; and
an ice storage tank accommodating ice and cooling water discharged from the ice maker; and
a cooling water discharge unit connecting the ice storage tank and the condensing unit to discharge cooling water from the ice storage tank to the condensing unit;
including,
The condensation part,
a first condenser into which the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge unit is introduced and which allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to exchange heat with the cooling water; and
a second condenser that allows the refrigerant discharged from the first condenser to exchange heat with air flowing through a heat dissipation fan;
including,
The first condenser,
a drain tank connected to the cooling water discharge unit, storing the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge unit, and to which a drain hose is connected; and
a heat exchanger disposed inside the drain tank and allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to exchange heat with cooling water in the drain tank;
Including,
The ice water purifier, characterized in that the drain hose is formed with an anti-siphon passage part extending upward from the drain hose and connected to the upper side of the drain tank.
delete According to claim 1,
The ice water purifier, characterized in that the first condenser and the second condenser are connected in series.
delete According to claim 1,
The ice water purifier, characterized in that the heat exchange part is formed in the form of winding a plurality of times on the inside of the drain tank.
delete

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