KR20080079879A - Apparatus for sterilizing coke of water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for sterilizing a water outlet of a water purifier is provided to sterilize the water outlet simply and effectively without disassembling the water outlet from the water purifier or without performing an additional cleaning operation although a water outlet such as cocks is contaminated. In an apparatus(1) for sterilizing a water outlet(110) mounted on a water purifier(100), the apparatus for sterilizing the water outlet of the water purifier comprises: a steam generating unit(10) installed between a purified water tank(120) for supplying purified water and the water outlet in the water purifier; and a water supply pipe(30) and a steam supply pipe(50) connected between the purified water tank and the steam generating unit and between the steam generating unit and the water purifier respectively. The steam generating unit includes a steam generating tank and a heating unit. The heating unit is a heater coil for heating the steam generating tank, and the steam generating tank is formed of a cylindrical metallic body with a high heat transfer coefficient. The heating unit of the heater coil electrically operated is electrically connected to a control part(C) installed in the water purifier, and the control part is electrically connected to an operating button(60) and a timer(80). Further, the steam generating unit contains a steam generating tank and a heating unit for generating the steam by heating water the steam generating tank.

Description

Apparatus for Sterilizing Coke of Water Purifier

1 is a schematic view showing a general water purifier having a water outlet as a water outlet

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a water purifier with a water outlet sterilization apparatus according to the present invention

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a water outlet sterilizer of the present invention purifier

4 (a) to (d) is an operating state diagram showing the water outlet sterilization apparatus of the water purifier according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1 .. Water outlet sterilizer of water purifier 10 .... Steam generating means

12 .... Steam generating tank 14 .... Heating means

16,18 .... On / off valve 30 .... Water supply line

50 .... Steam supply pipe 60 .... Sterilizer control button

80 ... timer 100 ... water purifier

110 .... Water outlet (coke) 120 .... Water purification tank

The present invention relates to a water purifier that cleans water through a physical or chemical process, and more particularly, even if a water outlet such as a water outlet (coke), which enables external discharge of the water purifier so that users can drink purified water, is contaminated. The present invention relates to a water outlet sterilizer for a water purifier that can be sterilized simply and effectively without disassembling the outlet from the water purifier or performing a separate cleaning operation.

Known water purifiers are devices that filter out physical or chemical water to remove impurities, which can be classified as a direct connection directly to a faucet, or a storage type that allows water to pass through a filter.

In addition, such water purifiers may be classified into natural filtration, direct filtration, ion exchange resin, distillation, or reverse osmosis, according to water purification principles or methods.

On the other hand, such a water purifier is important for the performance of the filter to determine the water purification effect, but should be able to easily clean the interior.

In particular, the water outlet of the water purifier exposed to the outside atmosphere of the water purifier, that is, the contamination of the coke is easily generated.

For example, FIG. 1 schematically shows a known water purifier 100, in particular a water outlet 110, for example a water purifier with a coke, which enables the discharge of purified water in use.

By the way, in the current water purifier 100 is known to have a high possibility of secondary contamination of the water outlet 110 exposed to the outside of the water purifier contact with water and air, in fact, many bacteria including Escherichia coli are known to breed. have.

For example, the filter to determine the water purification state in the water purifier is periodically replaced, or the water purification tank of the water purifier periodically, but the water outlet 110 is difficult in the structure it is difficult to clean regularly.

In addition, the water outlet 110 of the water purifier, such as the water outlet, it is impossible for the ordinary user without professional knowledge to separate and wash in the water purifier 100.

Therefore, even if the filter unit or the tank is maintained clean and the best purified water is supplied, if the water outlet 110 that is the final outlet (discharge outlet) of the purified water, for example, the water outlet is contaminated, the drinking water purified by the user is contaminated and discharged. It is likely to be.

Accordingly, there has been a demand for a water outlet sterilizer which can easily sterilize a water outlet, that is, a water outlet in a water purifier.

In addition, if the water purifier having such a water outlet sterilization function is practical, it must be very desirable in terms of the user's health.

Accordingly, the applicant of the present application has proposed to accept all of the above preferred techniques.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the conventional problems as described above, the object of the present invention is to disassemble the water outlet from the water purifier even if the water outlet such as a water outlet that enables the external discharge of the water purifier so that the user can drink purified water The present invention relates to a water outlet sterilizer for a water purifier that can be sterilized simply and effectively without additional cleaning work.

The present invention as a technical aspect for achieving the above object, as a device for sterilizing the water outlet provided in the water purifier,

Steam generating means provided between the purified water tank and the water discharge port is provided in the water purifier; And,

A water supply pipe and a steam supply pipe connected to the purified water tank and steam generating means, respectively, between the steam generating means and the water outlet;

It provides a water outlet sterilizer of the water purifier configured to include.

Preferably, the steam generating means includes a steam generating tank in which water is introduced and temporarily stored therein and heated by steam, and heating means connected to the steam generating tank to heat water in the tank to generate steam. .

More preferably, the heating means may be composed of a heater coil for heating the tank during electric application while surrounding the outer portion of the steam generating tank, the steam generating tank may be composed of a cylindrical metal body excellent in heat transfer.

In addition, the heating means of the electrically operated heater coil is electrically connected to the device control unit provided in the water purifier, the control unit operating time of the heating means when the operation button and the operation button provided to the external control unit in the water purifier is operated The timer for controlling the control unit is electrically connected.

At this time, the water supply pipe and the steam supply pipe connected between the purified water tank and the steam generating means and the water outlet may be provided with an on-off valve electrically connected to the device control unit provided in the water purifier, at least one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. .

Preferably, the water inlet and the steam outlet side of the steam generating tank may be provided with the first and second opening and closing valves for adjusting the water inlet and steam discharge.

More preferably, the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve may include an opening and closing member for opening and closing the water inlet and the steam outlet of the steam generating tank with water pressure and steam pressure with associated springs.

In addition, the spring elastic force of the second on-off valve may be configured to be larger than the spring elastic force of the first on-off valve on the basis of the water pressure of the supplied water.

And, the steam generating tank is provided in a structure that can be assembled for the built-in of the first on-off valve, the steam supply pipe connected to the water outlet is connected to the steam outlet side of the steam generating tank, the second on-off valve The built-in connecting rod can be connected.

In addition, the first and second open / close valves may be electronically actuated open / close valves to enable inflow of water and discharge of steam.

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

However, hereinafter, the configuration related to the water purifier will be described with reference numerals of 100 units, and the configuration related to the water outlet sterilizer provided in the water purifier of the present invention will be described with reference numerals of 10 units, and the water outlet 110 will be representatively described below. Explain with a known water outlet.

In FIG. 2, the structure of the water purifier 100 and the water outlet sterilization apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention is shown typically.

First, in the water purifier 100 of the present invention, a filter unit 130 through which the purified water (usually placed in a purified water tank) is basically disposed inside the main body 100a forming the outline of the water purifier is disposed, and a filter is disposed. The purified water passing through the unit 130 is stored in the purified water tank 120, the purified water tank 120 is connected to the water outlet 110, that is, the cock provided in the outside of the main body is discharged purified water.

Then, connecting pipes 122 and 112 are respectively connected between the filter unit and the purified water tank, and the purified water tank and the water outlet.

Therefore, the supplied purified water is stored in the purified water tank via the filter part and then discharged as shown in FIG. 2 when the water outlet 110 is operated.

At this time, the normal water purifier 100 filters the microorganisms contained in the purified water in the filter unit 130.

And, the connection pipe 112 between the purified water tank and the water outlet is connected to the sensor 114 for detecting whether the purified water is discharged, such a sensor 114 is a device control unit provided in the water purifier body (100a) of FIG. (E.g. 'PLC') (C).

By the way, the filter unit 130 of the water purifier is known, for example, may be used having a fine filtration membrane that can filter microorganisms, which is known.

Meanwhile, although not specifically illustrated in FIG. 2, other sensors such as a flow sensor may be provided inside the main body 100a of the water purifier 100.

Next, although not shown in FIG. 2, the connection pipes 122 and 112 may be provided with a pump that is interlocked with the device controller C.

Next, Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows the water outlet sterilization apparatus 1 of the present invention provided in the water purifier 100 as described above.

For example, since it is exposed to the outside in the water purifier 100, the water outlet 110 in contact with the air is capable of propagating many bacteria, including dust in the air or E. coli accumulating, which is known. In general, the filter replacement or cleaning of the purified water tank is performed well on a regular basis, but it is generally indifferent to contamination of the water outlet 110, that is, the water outlet such as coke.

In addition, such a water outlet is difficult for the user to easily disassemble and wash in the water purifier. After all, no matter how cleanly purified water is contaminated with the water outlet 110, the final outlet of the water purifier, the water taken by the user is contaminated water, and thus, the water outlet sterilizer 1 of the present invention is simply It is intended to perform steam sterilization of the water outlet very simply by generating steam.

By the way, in the present invention, when sterilizing the water outlet using steam, preferably the temperature of the steam to a temperature of about 80 ℃ that can normally sterilize the bacteria, the bacteria to be sterilized at 120 ℃ or more It is also known that it would be desirable to be able to raise the steam temperature to 120 ° C. if necessary. Therefore, the water outlet sterilizer 1 of the present invention needs to maintain the steam temperature at least 80 ℃.

At this time, as will be described in detail below, it is possible to adjust the steam temperature by using the timer 80 associated with the control unit C for the operation time of the heating means 14.

On the other hand, the water outlet sterilization apparatus of the present invention will be more preferable if it has a compact modular structure.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the water outlet sterilization apparatus 1 of the water purifier 100 of the present invention is largely built in the water purifier body (100a), the purified water tank 120 is supplied with purified water ) Between the steam generating means 10 and the water purification tank 120 and the steam generating means 10 and between the steam generating means 10 and the water outlet 110. It is characterized by including the water supply pipe 30 and the steam supply pipe 50 connected to each.

That is, the water outlet sterilizer 1 of the water purifier of the present invention allows the steam generated in the water purifier to be discharged through the water outlet 110 for a predetermined time, so that the hot steam passes through various components inside the water outlet. Sterilize the inside of the outlet.

At this time, as shown in Figure 3, the steam generating means 10 is connected to the steam generating tank 12 and the steam generating tank 12, the water is introduced into the inside and temporarily stored and then heated with steam And heating means 14 for heating the water in the tank to generate steam.

That is, when the steam generating tank 12 is heated through the heating means 14, the water supplied into the tank is heated from the water supply pipe 30 connected to the purified water tank 120 and the steam generating tank 12. Steam is generated and the steam is supplied to the water outlet 110 through the other steam supply pipe 50, and when the water outlet is opened, the steam is discharged to sterilize the water outlet.

At this time, the steam discharged through the water outlet 100 will also provide other advantages that can be used to sterilize cups and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the water inlet 12a and the steam outlet 12b side of the steam generating tank 12, the opening and closing operation to adjust the water inlet and steam discharge, 2 on-off valves 16 and 18 are provided.

That is, as shown in Figure 4a, the first on-off valve 16 of the water inlet side 12a of the steam generating tank 12 has a water pressure of the water supplied through the water supply pipe 30 connected to the purified water tank The lower surface is opened, and a predetermined amount of water flows into the steam generating tank 12.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the water supply pipe 30 is supplied with water only when the on / off valve 32 which is connected to the controller C and is electrically operated to open the water supply is possible.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, in operation of the normal water purifier, the on / off valve 32 of the water supply pipe 30 is sealed, and the electrically operated on / off valve 116 interlocked with the water purifying tank and the control unit at the water outlet connecting pipe 112 side. ) Is opened to perform the water purification operation.

By the way, when the user wants to sterilize the water outlet 110, when operating the operation button 60 provided in the water purifier body (100a) of Figure 2, the control unit (C) is the water supply pipe of the steam generating means (10) Connection between the open / close valve 32 and the purified water tank 120 and the water outlet 110 on the water supply pipe 30 side connected to the sterilization device 1 so that water is supplied from the purified water tank 110 through the water 30. The on-off valve 116 of the pipe 112 is controlled to operate.

Next, as shown in Figure 4b, when the water is filled to some extent inside the steam generating tank 12, the water supply of the water supply pipe 30 is stopped through the control operation of the valve, when the water pressure is lost, the first opening and closing valve 16 seals the tank water inlet 12a.

Next, as shown in Figure 4c, when the steam generating tank 12 is heated through the heating means 14 by the operation of the button 60 to vaporize the water in the tank to generate steam, as shown in Figure 4d, When the second on-off valve 18 is opened by pressure, steam is supplied to the water outlet 110 through the steam supply pipe 50 as shown in FIG. 2, and when the water outlet 110 is operated, steam passes through the water outlet. Sterilization of the water outlet 110 is performed, in particular, internal sterilization.

At this time, the timer 80 linked to the control unit C controls the operation time of the heating means 14 provided outside the steam generating tank 12 through the control unit C, that is, the heating time to control the proper temperature. Generate steam.

Next, as shown in Figure 3, the heating means 14 is most preferably provided as a heater coil for heating the tank when the electric power while surrounding the outside of the steam generating tank 12, the steam generating tank ( 12) is preferably composed of a cylindrical metal body excellent in heat transfer.

At this time, the steam supply pipe 50 connected between the tank 12 and the water outlet 110 of the steam generating means, as shown in Figure 2, the temperature sensor 52 and the pressure electrically connected to the controller C in the water purifier At least one of the sensors 54 is preferably installed.

Therefore, the temperature and pressure of the steam is recognized by the sensor, the control unit (C) controls the operation of the opening and closing valve 32 of the pipe open and close valve 116 of the water purifier and the water supply pipe (30).

At this time, as shown in Figure 2, More preferably, the on-off valve 116 installed in the connection pipe 112 between the purified water tank 130 and the water outlet 110 is installed and controlled by the control unit, steam to the water outlet If supplied, it would be desirable to block the purification of the purified water through the water outlet at the tank connection tube.

This is because when the purified water and steam are mixed, the sterilization property is inferior.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3 and 4, the water supply pipe connected to the water purifier purified water tank on the water inlet (12a) side of the steam generating tank 12 of the steam generating means 10 in the water outlet sterilizer 1 of the present invention The steam generating tank 12 to which the 30 is connected needs to be configured in an assemblable structure, for example, a flange (F) connection structure, for the interior of the first on-off valve 16 described above.

At this time, it is preferable that the flange 20 is assembled with the packing 20 intercepting the leakage of steam.

3 and 4, a steam supply pipe 50 connected to the water outlet 110 is connected to the steam outlet 12b of the steam generation tank 12, and the second on / off valve 18 is built in. Connecting tube 13 is connected.

That is, the connecting cylinder 13 is a cylindrical body for controlling the steam discharge through the built-in of the second on-off valve 18 while covering the steam discharge hole.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the water inlet side of the water supply pipe 30 and the steam generating tank 12, the connecting cylinder 13 and the steam supply pipe 50 may be connected in a screw fastening manner, respectively.

3 and 4, the first on-off valve 16 and the second on-off valve 18 are springs 16a and 18a associated with the water inlet 12a and the steam outlet of the steam generation tank. 12b) opening and closing members 16b and 18b for opening and closing the water pressure and steam pressure.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, when assembling the flange (F) of the steam generating tank 12, it is necessary to be provided with a fixing ring 17 for supporting the spring (16a) of the first on-off valve (16).

At this time, it is preferable that the elastic force of the steam outlet side second spring 18a is greater than the elastic force of the water inlet side first spring 16a.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the water pressure is applied to the first on-off valve 16, the spring 16a is compressed to allow inflow into the tank through the water inlet, and the second on-off valve 18. Is compressed when the steam pressure acts on the opening / closing member 18b, and the spring 18a of the second opening / closing valve should not be compressed by the water pressure of the water. It should be greater than the spring elastic force of the valve.

On the other hand, the water outlet sterilizer 1 of the present invention can be easily installed when there is a space in the water purifier in use, as shown in Figure 2, the water supply path, that is, the water flow path of the filter unit and the purified water tank It is only necessary to implement a path capable of supplying water, steam generation, and steam outlet of other paths avoided. Preferably, the water outlet, that is, the amount of steam generated during coke sterilization does not have to be large. It will be possible.

In particular, in the water outlet sterilization apparatus 1 of the present invention, the first and second open / close valves 16 and 18 for controlling the water inflow and the steam discharge of the steam generating tank are not supplied with external electricity, and the water pressure and steam pressure are not applied. It is a mechanically operated structure that is opened and closed by using, which will lower maintenance costs.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, the first and second open / close valves 16 and 18 provided at the water inlet side 12a and the steam outlet 12b side of the steam generating tanks 16 and 18 are Instead of using the opening and closing member having the above-described water pressure, steam pressure, and spring elastic force, it may be possible to install an electronically operated valve provided in the water supply pipe and the steam discharge pipe and electrically controlled through the controller C.

In this case, although a separate electric application is required, the structure will be simpler than the structure of the on-off valves described above using water pressure or steam pressure.

Thus, the water outlet sterilizer of the present invention, the water outlet sterilization device of the present invention, so that the user can drink the purified water, such as coke to enable the external discharge of the water purifier in the water purifier so that it can be sterilized simply and effectively without any separate cleaning work. To provide an excellent effect.

Therefore, the purified water discharged to the water purifier is not contaminated by the discharge port to enable a clean drinking water.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments so far, it will be appreciated that the invention can be modified and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art can easily know.

Claims (10)

In the device (1) for sterilizing the water outlet 110 provided in the water purifier 100, Steam generating means (10) provided between the purified water tank 120 and the water outlet 110 is provided in the water purifier; And, A water supply pipe 30 and a steam supply pipe 50 connected between the purified water tank 120 and the steam generating means 10 and the steam generating means 10 and the water outlet 110, respectively; Water outlet sterilizer of the water purifier configured to include a. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam generating means 10, Steam generation tank 12 is introduced into the water and temporarily stored therein and heated with steam; And, Heating means (14) connected to the steam generating tank (12) to heat water in the tank to generate steam; Water outlet sterilizer of the water purifier configured to include a. The method of claim 2, wherein the heating means 14 is composed of a heater coil for heating the tank upon application of electricity while surrounding the outside of the steam generating tank 12, The steam generating tank 12 is a water outlet sterilizer of the water purifier, characterized in that consisting of a cylindrical metal body excellent in heat transfer. According to claim 3, The heating means 14 of the electrically operated heater coil is electrically connected to the device control unit (C) provided in the water purifier, The control unit (C) is characterized in that the operation button 60, which is provided to be externally operated in the water purifier, and a timer (80) for controlling the operation time of the heating means through the control unit when the operation button is operated, is electrically connected. Water outlet sterilizer for water purifier. The water supply pipe 30 and the steam supply pipe 50 connected between the purified water tank 120, the steam generating means 10 and the water outlet 110, the apparatus control unit (C) provided in the water purifier Water discharge port sterilizer of the water purifier, characterized in that at least one of the on-off valve 32 and the temperature sensor 52 and the pressure sensor 54 is electrically connected with. The water inlet 12a and the steam outlet 12b of the steam generating tank 12 are provided with first and second open / close valves 16 and 18 for adjusting water inflow and steam discharge. Water outlet sterilizer of the water purifier characterized in that. According to claim 6, The first on-off valve 16 and the second on-off valve 18, the spring 16a (18a) associated with the water inlet (12a) and the steam outlet (12) of the steam generating tank 12 12b), the water outlet and sterilization device of the water purifier, characterized in that it comprises an opening and closing member (16b) (18b) for opening and closing the water pressure and steam pressure. 8. The water outlet sterilizer of claim 7, wherein the spring elastic force of the second on-off valve is greater than the spring elastic force of the first on-off valve based on the water pressure of the supplied water. The method of claim 7, wherein the steam generating tank 12 is provided in a structure that can be assembled for the interior of the first on-off valve 16, the steam outlet 12b side of the steam generating tank 12, the water discharge port The water supply port sterilizer of the water purifier, characterized in that the steam supply pipe (50) connected to the 110 is connected, the connecting cylinder (13) in which the second opening and closing valve (18) is connected. 7. The water outlet sterilizer of claim 6, wherein the first and second open / close valves are electronically actuated open / close valves to enable inflow of water and discharge of steam.

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