KR20040056596A - A water purifier having water analysis function and management method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A water purifier having water quality inspection function is provided which is capable of automatically inspecting quality of purified water by installing a water quality inspection device at the water purifier, and a management method thereof is provided. CONSTITUTION: The water purifier(100) having water quality inspection function comprises a water quality inspection device(135) for measuring polluting potential of water purified in the water purifier; an output device for outputting polluting potential of water measured in the water quality inspection device; and a control device(130) for controlling the water quality inspection device and the output device, wherein the water quality inspection device comprises a sample storage part(150) for temporarily storing purified water as much as a certain quantity; and a water quality inspection sensor(155) for measuring polluting potential of water stored in the sample storage part, wherein the output device is a display unit(105) for outputting measurement results of polluting potential measured by the water quality inspection device to the outside of the water purifier, wherein the output device is a network unit(125) such as wire communication unit and radio communication unit, and wherein the control device comprises memory part, comparison processing part and alarm signal generating part.

Description

Water purifier with water quality inspection and its management method {A WATER PURIFIER HAVING WATER ANALYSIS FUNCTION AND MANAGEMENT METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a water purifier having a water quality inspection function capable of inspecting the water quality of purified water on its own and to a method of managing the same, and more particularly, by installing a water quality inspection apparatus on the water purifier to automatically inspect the water quality of the purified water. The present invention relates to a water purifier having a water quality inspection function capable of informing a user of the state of currently drinking water and managing the water purifier at an appropriate time by transmitting the test result to a server through a network.

In general, a water purifier means a device that meets the water quality standards for drinking tap water, well water, valley water, or river water by using such a process or combining such processes using physical, chemical or biological methods. Water quality standards for drinking water are based on the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) in most countries, including Korea. According to this, the water quality standards are used as water to the human body even after drinking about 2 liters of water a day for 70 years. Due to the safety level is set by multiplying the safety factor, it is safe to meet the water quality standards for drinking water.

Generally, the water quality of treated tap water produced in the water treatment plant is quite good.However, in the process of supplying water to each household, impurities from rupture or leakage of water pipes, corrosion of old water pipes in the house, generation of green water and debris, water tanks There are various factors such as water quality change or worsening of water, such as impurity contamination or the formation of suspended solids and the production of halomethane caused by the reaction of chlorine due to the use of disinfectant. Therefore, in most households, tap water is purified by a filter filtration type water purifier or a reverse osmosis type water purifier. These water purifiers take various forms of water purification methods according to their types, but usually, tap water is put into the water inlet of the water purifier to purify the water, and preliminary filtration that filters particles in the water through micro membranes such as nonwoven cells through activated carbon. Depending on the type of adsorption to remove volatile organic substances in the water, the type of water purifier, it is purified through the process of the main filtration using the filter, ion resin, sterilization or reverse osmosis, and the water discharged from the purified water. Typically, household or commercial water purifiers are composed of a filter cartridge with a filter inside and a filter head with a filter cartridge, and the filter system includes four kinds of filters: sediment filter, sun carbon filter, membrane filter and fucarbon filter. It consists of units.

Such a filter unit needs to be replaced after a certain period of use as a consumable, reducing its filtration capacity. However, in the case of the general water purifier, since it is not possible to know the exact time of replacement of the filter unit, the filter unit is replaced every approximately use period, and thus, there is a disadvantage in that the filter unit is unnecessarily achieved or unnecessary.

In addition, since regional variations such as water pipe aging according to the region cannot be taken into consideration, waste of manpower and cost such as regular visits to each home and inspection of the water purifier are generated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of inspecting the water quality of purified water in a water purifier, and a water purifier having a water quality inspection function capable of informing a user of the state of purified water and the filtration capacity of the water filter. It is to provide a management method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier capable of connecting to the network, water purifier having a water quality inspection function that can transmit the water quality information of the purified water to replace the water purifier filter without waste of cost in a timely manner and a management method thereof To provide.

1 is a network diagram illustrating a system of a water purifier having a water quality test function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the water purifier among the water purifier systems shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control device among the water purifiers shown in FIG. 2.

4 shows the format of water quality measurement data transmitted from the water purifier shown in FIG. 2 to the water purifier management server.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a water purifier management server among the water purifier systems shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows attributes of a customer information database stored in the water purifier management server shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a management method by the water purifier system shown in FIG. 1.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: water purifier 105: display device

110: storage device 115: water purifier management server

120: communication network 125, 220: network device

130: control device 135: water quality inspection device

140: filter 145: storage tank

150: sample storage unit 155: water quality inspection sensor

160, 215: memory section 165: comparison processing section

170: warning signal generator 175, 210: central processing unit

180: sensor connection 185: display driver

190: Water quality measurement data 195: Unique identification number

200: Water quality comparison result 205: Header

225: operating system 230: customer information database

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, a water quality inspection device for measuring the pollution degree of the purified water in the water purifier, an output device for outputting the pollution degree of the water measured from the water quality inspection device and the water quality inspection A water purifier having a water quality inspection function including a device and a control device for controlling the output device is provided.

At this time, the water quality inspection device is composed of a sample storage unit for temporarily storing the purified water by a predetermined amount and a water quality inspection sensor for measuring the degree of contamination of the water stored in the sample storage unit. Preferably, the water quality test sensor is composed of a sensor for measuring at least one selected from the concentration of hydrogen ion, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, sludge concentration, sludge concentration, conductivity, resistivity, salt concentration, residual chlorine, turbidity.

In addition, the output device may be a display device for outputting the contamination level measurement results by the water quality testing device to the outside of the water purifier, the output device is a network device for transmitting the contamination level measurement result by the water quality testing device to a remote site. Can be. In this case, the network device may use a wired communication device or a wireless communication device.

Preferably, the control device is a memory unit for storing the unique identification information of the water purifier and the reference pollution degree value of water, a comparison processing unit for comparing the reference pollution degree value and the pollution degree measurement result and the pollution degree measurement result is less than the reference pollution degree value If high, it consists of a warning signal generator for generating a warning signal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, the water quality inspection apparatus measures the pollution degree of the purified water every predetermined time, comparing the pollution degree measurement result with the reference pollution degree value stored in the memory unit A method of managing a water purifier having a water quality inspection function, including generating a warning signal and outputting the warning signal through an output device when the pollution degree measurement result is higher than the reference pollution degree value.

In this case, the outputting of the warning signal may include displaying the warning signal on the outside of the water purifier. The outputting of the warning signal may include transmitting the warning signal and unique identification information of the water purifier to a water purifier management server through a network device.

According to the water purifier having a water quality inspection function and the management method according to the present invention, by providing a device capable of inspecting the water quality of the purified water inside the water purifier to inform the user of the water quality of the purified water and the filtration capacity of the water purifier filter. Can be. In addition, by allowing the water purifier to be connected to the network, it is possible to transmit the water quality information of the purified water to the central server of the water purifier management company, so that the water purifier filter can be replaced without waste of time in a timely manner.

Hereinafter, a water purifier having a water quality inspection function and a management method thereof according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited to the following embodiments.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network for explaining a system of a water purifier having a water quality test function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to the present embodiment includes a computer device (water purifier management server) 115 including a water purifier 100 having a display device 105, a mass storage device 110 and information therebetween. It includes a communication network 120 connecting the water purifier 100 and the water purifier management server 115 to enable transmission and reception.

The water purifier management server 115 stores the water quality state for each water purifier 100 based on the water purifier unique identification number and the water quality measurement result transmitted from the water purifier 100 and transmits the scheduled filter replacement date to each water purifier 100. For remote computer systems. In addition, the communication network 120 includes a wired / wireless communication network, and typically includes a public telephone network, the Internet, a mobile communication network, a wired / wireless dedicated network, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a water purifier among the water purifier systems shown in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the water purifier 100 is a water quality inspection device 135 to measure the degree of contamination of the water purified by the filter 140, the water pollution of the water measured from the water quality inspection device 135 of the water purifier The display device 105 for displaying on the outside, the network device 125 to enable the water purifier 100 to be connected to the communication network 120 and the control device 130 for controlling the display device 105 and the network device 125 It includes.

In this case, the display device 105 provided in the water purifier 100 may exist as an independent device separated from the water purifier 100, and a CRT monitor or LCD monitor, a lamp or a buzzer may be used. In addition, the network device 125 may be a wired communication device or a wireless communication device according to the communication network 120 to which the water purifier 100 is connected.

The water quality inspection device 135 is installed between the filter 140 for the purified water is discharged and the storage tank 145 for storing the purified water. At this time, the water quality testing device 135 is a sample storage unit 150 for temporarily storing the purified water by a predetermined amount and the water quality test sensor 155 for measuring the degree of contamination of the water stored in the sample storage unit 150. It is composed. Although the storage tank 145 may be used as the sample storage unit 150, since a predetermined amount of water is always accumulated in the storage tank 145, it is difficult to measure an accurate state of water contamination of the water purified by the filter 140. Not desirable In addition, the water quality test sensor 155 appropriately measures sensors capable of measuring water quality measurement items such as hydrogen ion concentration, dissolved oxygen amount, chemical oxygen demand amount, sludge concentration, sludge concentration, conductivity, specific resistance, salt concentration, residual chlorine amount, turbidity, and the like. Will be selected and configured. That is, the water quality inspection device 135 measures the water pollution level of the water purified from the filter 140 using the water quality inspection sensor 155, and the control device 130 compares the water pollution measurement result with the reference water pollution degree. When the result of the water pollution measurement is higher than the reference water pollution, the display device 105 warns the user of the water quality. The network device 125 transmits the unique identification number of the water purifier 100 and the water quality comparison result to the water purifier management server 115 through the communication network 120 by the command of the control device 130, the water purifier management server. The after-sales service (A / S) information, such as the scheduled date of filter replacement, is received from the 115 and transmitted to the control device 130.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control device among the water purifiers shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the format of water quality measurement data transmitted from the water purifier shown in FIG. 2 to the water purifier management server. .

2 to 4, the control device 130 is measured from the memory unit 160, the water quality testing device 135 for storing the unique identification number 195 and the reference water pollution degree data of the water purifier 100 Comparison processing unit 165 for comparing the water quality measurement result and the reference water pollution degree, the warning signal generator 170 for generating a warning signal when the water quality measurement result is higher than the reference water pollution degree, the signal for smooth operation of the component Outputs the sensor connection unit 180 and the water quality comparison state to interface with the central processing unit (CPU) 175, the water quality inspection device 135 and the central processing unit 155 for controlling the And a display driver 185 for doing so.

The central processing unit 175 compares the water quality measurement result measured by the water quality inspection device 135 every predetermined time with the reference water pollution level stored in the memory unit 160 through the comparison processing unit 165. At this time, when the water quality measurement result is higher than the reference water pollution degree, the warning signal generator 170 generates a warning signal. In addition, the warning signal is displayed in the form of a warning message, a lamp or a buzzer through the display device 105 according to the warning signal. Further, the water quality measurement data 190 is generated by combining the unique identification number 195 and the water quality comparison result 200 stored in the memory unit 160. The water quality measurement data 190 is transmitted to the water purifier management server 115 (see FIG. 1) through the network device 125. That is, the central processing unit 175 combines the water quality comparison result 200 with a unique identification number 195 for distinguishing each of the water purifiers distributed therein, and then connects the water quality measurement data 190 with the header 205. Create

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a water purifier management server among the water purifier systems shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating attributes of a high information database stored in the water purifier management server shown in FIG. 5.

4 to 6, the water purifier management server 115 includes a central processing unit 210, a memory unit 215, a network device 220, an operating system 225, and a storage device 110. .

The water purifier management server 115 may be a conventional personal computer or workstation having a significant amount of memory and processing power. In addition, the memory unit 215 and the storage device 110 may include a hard disk that is an optical or magnetic memory device such as a CD-ROM driver or a flash memory. At this time, the storage device 110 stores the customer information database 230. The customer information database 230 stores information related to the water purifier user and the water purifier management status such as name, address, telephone number, social security number, e-mail address, water purifier unique identification number, water quality comparison result, A / S information, and the like. That is, the customer information corresponding to the water purifier unique identification number 195 is detected in the customer information database 230 according to the water quality measurement data 190 transmitted from the water purifier 100 (see FIG. 1) every predetermined time. Customer information is updated by the water quality measurement data 190. In addition, the A / S information is transmitted to the water purifier 100 through the network device 220 according to the water quality measurement data 190.

Hereinafter, the management method of the water purifier having a water quality inspection function according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a management method by the water purifier system shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the predetermined water quality measurement time point is determined (S110), and when the water quality measurement time point is reached, the water quality of the water purified from the filter 140 is measured through the water quality inspection device 135 (S120). Subsequently, the control device 130 compares the reference water pollution level stored in the memory unit 160 with the water quality measurement result through the comparison processing unit 165 (S130). At this time, when the water quality measurement result is lower than the reference water pollution degree, the water quality is output through the display device 105 (S140). However, when the water quality measurement result is higher than the reference water pollution degree, the water quality is output through the display device 105 (S150).

When the water quality measurement result is higher than the reference water pollution degree, the control device 130 generates water quality measurement data 190 (S160), and the water quality measurement data to the water purifier management server 115 through the network device 125. S 190 (S170). The water quality measurement data 190 is received through the network device 220 of the water purifier management server 115 to the water purifier management server 115 (S180). Subsequently, customer information corresponding to the water purifier unique identification number 195 of the water quality measurement data 190 is detected from the customer information database 230 (S190). Subsequently, the customer information is updated by the water quality comparison result 200 of the water quality measurement data 190 and stored in the customer information database 230 (S200). In addition, the A / S information such as the A / S scheduled date, etc. in the customer information database 230 is transmitted to the water purifier 100 through the network device 220 of the water purifier management server 115 (S210).

As described above, according to the water purifier having a water quality inspection function according to the present invention and its management method, by providing a device capable of inspecting the water quality of the purified water inside the water purifier, the water quality of the purified water and the filtration capacity of the water purifier filter Can inform the user. In addition, by allowing the water purifier to be connected to the network, it is possible to transmit the water quality information of the purified water to the central server of the water purifier management company, so that the water purifier filter can be replaced without waste of time in a timely manner.

In the above, the water purifier having a water quality inspection function and a management method thereof according to preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and is claimed in the following claims. Without departing from the gist of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made.

Claims (10)

In the water purifier to purify water, A water quality inspection device for measuring a pollution degree of water purified by the water purifier; An output device for outputting a pollution degree of water measured from the water quality inspection device; And Water purifier having a water quality inspection function comprising a control device for controlling the water quality inspection device and the output device. The method of claim 1, The water quality testing device A sample storage unit for temporarily storing purified water by a predetermined amount; And Water purifier having a water quality test function, characterized in that consisting of a water quality test sensor for measuring the degree of contamination of the water stored in the sample storage. The method of claim 2, The water quality test function is a water quality test function that measures at least one selected from hydrogen ion concentration, dissolved oxygen amount, chemical oxygen demand, sludge concentration, sludge concentration, conductivity, resistivity, salt concentration, residual chlorine amount, turbidity Water purifier having. The method of claim 1, The output device is a water purifier having a water quality inspection function, characterized in that the display device for outputting the contamination measurement results by the water quality inspection device to the outside of the water purifier. The method of claim 1, The output device is a water purifier having a water quality inspection function, characterized in that the network device for transmitting the contamination level measurement results by the water quality inspection device to a remote place. The method of claim 5, wherein The network device is a water purifier having a water quality inspection function, characterized in that the wired communication device or a wireless communication device. The method of claim 1, The control device A memory unit for storing the unique identification information of the water purifier and the reference pollution level of water; A comparison processing unit for comparing the reference pollution degree value with the pollution degree measurement result; And Water purifier having a water quality inspection function, characterized in that consisting of a warning signal generating unit for generating a warning signal when the pollution degree measurement result is higher than the reference pollution degree value. As a method of managing a water purifier through a water purifier having a water quality inspection function, Measuring the contamination level of the purified water every predetermined time by the water quality inspection apparatus; Comparing the contamination level measurement result with a reference contamination level value stored in a memory unit; Generating a warning signal when the pollution degree measurement result is higher than the reference pollution degree value; And And a water quality inspection function comprising the step of outputting the warning signal through an output device. The method of claim 8, The outputting of the warning signal may include displaying the warning signal on the outside of the water purifier. The method of claim 8, The outputting of the warning signal may include transmitting the warning signal and the unique identification information of the water purifier to a water purifier management server through a network device.