KR20090085392A

KR20090085392A - Water purifier

Info

Publication number: KR20090085392A
Application number: KR1020080011251A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 강태경
Original assignee: 웅진코웨이주식회사
Priority date: 2008-02-04
Filing date: 2008-02-04
Publication date: 2009-08-07

Abstract

A water purifier is disclosed that measures the amount of water passed through each of a plurality of filters and compares the recommended life of the filter with the user so that the user knows when to replace the filter.

The water purifier includes a filter unit for purifying raw water, a water storage tank for storing purified water through the filter unit, and an water extraction unit for extracting water from the water storage tank to the outside, the water purifier being installed in the water storage tank. And a water level detecting unit for detecting the water level of the purified water stored therein, and a control unit calculating a water flow rate of the purified water extracted through the water level of the purified water detected by the water level detecting unit and the extraction time of the purified water extracted by the extracting unit.

The controller calculates the water flow rate of each of the plurality of filters based on the water level and the water extraction time of the purified water detected by the water level detection unit and the extraction time detector. More careful management of the water purifier is possible.

Description

Water Purifier

The present invention relates to a water purifier, and more particularly, to a water purifier that provides drinking water by purifying natural water such as tap water and ground water by a plurality of filters.

In order to effectively obtain purified drinking water, the use of water purifiers is rapidly spreading in various spaces including homes. A water purifier is a device for filtering natural water such as tap water or ground water (hereinafter, referred to as 'raw water'), and removes foreign substances or harmful substances contained in raw water by filtering raw water through several filters. Thereby providing drinking water.

Such water purifiers include a counter top type in which a filter and a reservoir tank are installed in an integrated cabinet, and an under sink type which is mainly installed below a sink in a home kitchen.

1 is a block diagram showing a water purifier system according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water purifier 10 basically includes a filter unit 20, a storage tank 40 in which purified water passed through the filter unit 20 is stored, and an extraction unit 60.

The filter unit 20 includes a plurality of filters, for example, a sediment filter 22 for sedimenting and filtering relatively large particles contained in raw water, and removing chlorine from raw water passing through the sediment filter 22. Chlorine component contained in the water passed through the sun carbon filter 24, the membrane filter 26 for removing ionic heavy metals remaining in the raw water passed through the sun carbon filter 24, and the membrane filter 26 Or a fucarbon filter 28 for removing odors.

Raw water provided to the water purifier passes through the filter unit 20, that is, the sediment filter 22, the sun carbon filter 24, the membrane filter 26, and the fu carbon filter 28 in sequence, Odors are removed and purified to be used as drinking water.

The purified water from the carbon filter 28 is stored in the storage tank 40, and the water stored in the storage tank 40 is extracted to the outside through the extraction unit 60.

Extraction section 60 is provided with an extraction coke 62 so that the user can drink the water in the reservoir tank 40 as needed, when the user wants to drink the water in the reservoir tank 40 62) can be opened to extract water.

However, in the conventional water purifiers having the filters as described above, there is no way to accurately know the replacement time of the filter, so the water purifier is only used to check the various filters when water does not come out well.

In addition, in the water purifier, the management of the filter is the most important for drinking clean water, so if the filter is clogged, the filter must be replaced promptly with a new one.

Therefore, the filter was managed by replacing the filter when the filter is used for a certain period regardless of whether the filter is actually clogged by observing the filter change interval recommended by the water purifier manufacturer. It has been pointed out that it is inefficient for waste of resources and filter management because it causes harm.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that measures the amount of water passed through each of the plurality of filters and allows the user to know the replacement time of the filter through comparison with the recommended life of the filter.

The water purifier according to the present invention includes a filter unit for purifying raw water, a water storage tank for storing purified water through the filter unit, and a water purifier including an extraction unit for extracting water from the water storage tank to the outside, wherein the water storage tank includes: And a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the installed and stored water, and a control unit for calculating the water flow rate of the purified water extracted through the water level of the purified water detected by the water level detecting unit and the extraction time of the purified water extracted by the extracting unit.

The water level detection unit may be a reed sensor for detecting the water level of the purified water stored in the water storage tank.

Preferably, the water purifier according to the present invention further comprises an extraction time detector for detecting the extraction time of the purified water extracted in the extraction unit, the control unit is the water level of the purified water detected from the reed sensor and the integer extraction detected by the extraction time detector The amount of water passing through each of the plurality of filters provided in the filter unit may be calculated through time.

The reed sensor may include a plurality of sensing means disposed to be spaced apart from each other so as to sense the movement of the float moved in accordance with the water level stored in the water storage tank.

When the water level of the purified water is located between the sensing means, the controller may calculate the amount of water passing the water level of the purified water as an average level between the sensing means.

The water level detection unit may be a pressure sensor installed in the lower portion of the water storage tank to measure the pressure in the water storage tank to detect the water level of the purified water stored in the water storage tank.

Preferably, the extraction unit further comprises an extraction time detector for detecting the extraction time of the purified water extracted by the extraction unit, the control unit through the water level of the purified water detected from the pressure sensor and the purified water extraction time detected by the extraction time detector The amount of water passing through each of the plurality of filters provided can be calculated.

Preferably, the water purifier according to the present invention may further include a display unit connected to the control unit to display a filter that needs to be replaced among a plurality of filters provided in the filter unit.

According to the present invention, the control unit calculates the water flow rate of each of the plurality of filters based on the water level and the water extraction time of the purified water detected by the water level detector and the extraction time detector, and compares the recommended life of each of the plurality of filters to the user. Informing the exchange time has the effect of enabling more careful management of the water purifier.

Hereinafter, a water purifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a water purifier according to the present invention.

2, the water purifier 100 includes a filter unit 120, a storage tank 140, an extraction unit 160, a water level detection unit 180, and a controller 200.

The filter unit 120 may include a sediment filter 122, a sun carbon filter 124, a membrane filter 126, and a post carbon filter 128 as a core part for purifying raw water. The sediment filter 122 filters the large particles, foreign matters and the like in the raw water to filter the raw water first. Water passing through the sediment filter 122 is subjected to the removal process of residual chlorine or volatile organics in the sun carbon filter 124 and goes to the membrane filter 126.

The membrane filter 126 removes heavy metals, ionic substances, microorganisms, and the like contained in the water. Water passing through the membrane filter 126 enters the carbon filter 128 to remove odors and the like and enters the water storage tank 140 to be stored. The purified water stored in the water storage tank is discharged to the outside by the opening operation of the extraction cock 162 installed in the extraction unit 160 is consumed by the user.

In the present embodiment, the above four filters 122, 124, 126 and 128 are used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and other filters may be added or some of the above filters may be omitted as necessary. This may be totally different. Therefore, in general, the filter unit 120 in the present invention may use any type of filter that can be installed in the water purifier.

The storage tank 140 stores purified water purified from the filter unit 120. The purified water supply pipe 142 is connected to the storage tank 140, and purified water purified from the filter unit 120 is introduced into the storage tank 140 through the purified water supply pipe 142. In addition, the reservoir tank 140 is provided with a water level detection unit 180 for detecting the water level of the purified water stored in the reservoir tank 140.

The extraction unit 160 includes an extraction coke 162 for extracting the purified water, and an extraction time detection sensor 164.

The extraction time detector 164 detects the extraction time of the purified water by the user or the like. For example, the extraction time of the purified water may be detected from the duration of the generated electrical signal by generating an electrical signal during the opening operation of the extraction coke 162 for extracting the purified water. The integer extraction time detected by the extraction time detector 164 is input to the controller 200.

The water level detector 180 detects the water level of the purified water installed and stored in the water storage tank 140. In addition, the water level detection unit 180 is connected to the control unit 200 and transmits information about the water level of the integer to the control unit 200.

Meanwhile, although the water level detection unit 180 is installed in the water storage tank 140 in the drawing, the water level detection unit 180 is not limited thereto and is installed outside the water storage tank 140 to store the water storage tank 140. The level of the integer stored inside can be detected.

The controller 200 calculates the water passing amount of the purified water extracted through the water level of the purified water detected by the water level detector 180 and the purified water extraction time detected by the extraction time detector 164.

The water level detector 180 and the controller 200 will be described in more detail below.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In carrying out this description, the description overlapping with the above description will be replaced with, and will be omitted below.

In addition, the same components as those described above will be described using the same reference numerals.

3 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing a water level detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a water level detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 4, the water level detection unit may be a reed sensor 181 for detecting the water level of the purified water stored in the storage tank. That is, the reed sensor 181 is installed inside the reservoir tank 140 to detect the water level of the purified water.

The reed sensor 181 includes a sensing tube 182, sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c and 185d, floats 186a, 186b, 186c and 186d, and a protective device 188.

The sensing tube 182 is installed vertically with the ground in the water storage tank 140, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 183 having a pattern is mounted inside the sensing tube 182. In addition, a plurality of fitting grooves 182a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sensing tube 182 so that a plurality of supporting tools 184 defining the moving range of the floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d can be inserted and installed.

That is, the floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d are lifted along the sensor tube 182 between the support holes 184 due to the fluctuation of the purified water amount of the water storage tank 140.

The sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d are installed inside the sensing tube 182, that is, on one side of the PCB 183, and are moved according to the water level of the purified water stored in the storage tank 140 ( A plurality of 186a, 186b, 186c, 186d are disposed to be spaced apart from each other so as to detect the movement.

In addition, the sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d are connected to the controller 200 and transmit information on the detected water level to the controller 1200.

For example, when the water level of the purified water is lower than the sensing means 185d disposed at the lowest level, the controller 200 determines that the purified water is not stored in the storage tank 140. In addition, if the water level of the purified water is located between the sensing means 185d disposed at the lowest level and the sensing means 185c arranged at the next stage, the controller 200 determines that the purified water level is between the sensing means 185c and 185d. It can be recognized as the average level of.

The floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d are installed in the sensing tube 182 so as to be lifted and lowered, and the sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d are operated inside the floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d. Magnetic bodies 187a, 187b, 187c, and 187d are mounted.

The floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d are moved up and down along the sensing pipe 182 due to a change in the amount of purified water in the water storage tank 140, and the magnetic material 187a in the floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d. When 187b, 187c, and 187d reach a position for operating the sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d installed inside the sensing tube 182, the sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d are magnetic materials. The detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 200 by the magnetic force of (187a, 187b, 187c, 187d).

The protective tool 188 forms an outer shape of the reed sensor 181, and serves to protect the floats 186a, 186b, 186c, and 186d and the sensing tube 182 disposed therein. In addition, the protective tool 188 is provided with a fitting plate 188a is formed to be coupled to the upper surface of the water storage tank 140.

The control unit 200 is electrically connected to the reed sensor 181 and the extraction time detector 164, calculates the amount of water based on the data transmitted from the reed sensor 181 and the extraction time detector 164, and calculated The amount of water flow is compared with a preset standard water flow rate.

Here, the "standard amount of water" refers to the amount of water through which the filter can purify the raw water normally, and when the filter purifies the raw water more than the standard amount of water, it is necessary to replace the filter.

That is, the controller 200 uses the data received from the reed sensor 181 and the data received from the extraction time detector 164 to generate a plurality of points from a specific point in time (for example, the point of time initially set or the time of replacing a filter). The amount of water passed through each of the filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 is calculated.

In other words, since each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 has a different replacement time, the controller 200 should calculate the amount of water passed through each of the filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 from a specific time point, and compare the calculated amount of water with the reference amount of water. do.

Since the amount of water passed from the specific point of time corresponds to the amount of extraction of the integer extracted through the extraction unit 160, it is possible to calculate the amount of water through the extraction time accumulated from the specific point of time. For example, the amount of water can be calculated by the following relationship.

In Equation 1, the water flow rate of the time interval t0 (specific point in time)-t (current) is calculated, and A represents an extraction speed (amount of extraction per unit time). A = 0 while the extraction coke 162 is closed and A> 0 when the extraction coke 162 is open, depending on the water level (or water pressure) of the reservoir tank 140 (ie A = A (P ), P is water pressure). Therefore, in order to obtain the water flow rate, the water level (or water pressure) at the time of extraction must be considered.

Specifically, in the water storage tank 140, the water pressure is changed according to the water level. Due to this pressure difference, the water pressure is also changed in the extraction unit 160. Due to this pressure difference, the amount of extraction water (extraction rate) is changed per unit time when the extraction unit 160 is opened.

Therefore, in order to measure the water flow amount, information on the water level of the storage tank 140 together with the extraction time is required. That is, the controller 200 may calculate the amount of water extracted during a specific extraction time by using the information about the water level obtained from the reed sensor 181.

At this time, the information about the water level obtained from the reed sensor 181 is recognized as the average water level by the control unit 200 is used as a variable for measuring the water flow amount. For example, when the water level of the purified water stored in the storage tank 140 is located between two sensing means 185b and 185c of the plurality of sensing means 185a, 185b, 185c, and 185d, the control unit 200 stores the storage tank. The water level of the purified water stored in the 140 is calculated as the average water level between the sensing means (185b, 185c).

Meanwhile, the extraction speed function A (P) according to the water level is a function determined according to the structure of the extraction coke 162 and the water storage tank 140, so that the function relation can be easily used in the controller 200 in advance. Can be programmed. As such, by integrating the extraction time in consideration of the water level (water pressure), the controller 200 may calculate the amount of water passed through each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128.

That is, the controller 200 may determine that the lifespan of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 has reached the end when the calculated current water flow rate of each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 is greater than the reference flow rate of each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128.

For example, the controller 200 may determine that the membrane filter 126 has reached the end of its life when the current flow rate of the membrane filter 126 is greater than the reference flow rate of the segment filter 122. However, the current flow rate of the segment filter 122, the sun carbon filter 124, and the fucarbon filter 128 is the reference flow of the segment filter 122, the sun carbon filter 124, and the fu carbon filter 128. If it is smaller than the quantity, it may be determined that the segment filters 122, the sun carbon filter 124, and the post carbon filter 128 have not reached the end of their lifetimes.

The comparison result with the reference water volume may be transmitted to the display unit 220 electrically connected to the control unit 200.

That is, the display unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 200, and when one of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, 128, for example the membrane filter 126, the end of the life of the control unit 200 is the display unit ( 220 is operated to inform the user that the membrane filter 126 needs to be replaced.

As described above, the controller 200 calculates the amount of filtered water through each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 through the water level and the integer extraction time of the purified water detected by the reed sensor 181 and the extraction time detector 164. Compared to the recommended life of each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126 and 128, the user is informed of the filter that needs to be replaced, thereby enabling more careful management of the water purifier.

5 is a configuration diagram showing a water purifier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 5, the water level detection unit is installed in the lower portion of the reservoir tank 140, pressure sensor 191 for measuring the pressure in the reservoir tank 140 in order to detect the water level of the purified water stored in the reservoir tank 140 May be).

That is, when water is generally introduced into and stored in the storage tank 140 having a predetermined volume capacity, the water pressure varies according to its storage capacity. By using this principle, the water pressure of the storage tank 140 is detected and stored. The water level of the purified water stored in the tank 140 may be predicted.

In addition, the pressure sensor 191 may be installed on the bottom of the inner surface of the storage tank 140 or on the bottom surface of the storage tank 140 to more accurately detect the water pressure of the purified water in the storage tank 140 over time. Can be.

On the other hand, the water pressure data detected from the pressure sensor 191 is input to the control unit 200, it is used as the water level of the purified water stored in the storage tank 140.

The controller 200 is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 191 and the extraction time detector 164, calculates the water flow rate based on the data transmitted from the reed sensor 191 and the extraction time detector 164, and calculated The amount of water flow is compared with a preset standard water flow rate.

That is, the controller 200 uses the data received from the reed sensor 191 and the data received from the extraction time detector 164, and a plurality of times from a specific time point (for example, the time of first setting or the time of filter replacement, etc. after use). The amount of water passing through each of the two filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 is calculated.

Since the amount of water passed from the specific point of time corresponds to the amount of extraction of the integer extracted through the extraction unit 160, it is possible to calculate the amount of water through the extraction time accumulated from the specific point of time. Passage amount calculation may be calculated through the above equation (1).

Therefore, in order to measure the water flow amount, information on the water level of the storage tank 140 together with the extraction time is required. That is, the controller 200 may calculate the amount of water extracted during a specific extraction time by using the information about the water level obtained from the reed sensor 191.

Meanwhile, the extraction speed function A (P) according to the water level is a function determined according to the structure of the extraction coke 162 and the storage tank 140, so that the function relationship can be easily used in the controller 200 in advance. Can be programmed. As such, by integrating the extraction time in consideration of the water level (water pressure), the controller 200 may calculate the amount of water passed through each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128.

That is, the controller 200 may determine that the lifespan of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 is at the end when the calculated current flow rate of each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 is greater than the reference flow rate. The comparison result with the reference water volume may be transmitted to the display unit 220 electrically connected to the control unit 200.

That is, the display unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 200, and when one of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 filters, for example, the membrane filter 126, is reached, the control unit 200 displays the display unit. Activate 220 to inform the user that the membrane filter 126 needs to be replaced.

As described above, the controller 200 calculates the amount of water filtered by each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126, and 128 through the water level and the water extraction time of the purified water detected by the pressure sensor 191 and the extraction time detector 164. Compared to the recommended life of each of the plurality of filters 122, 124, 126 and 128, the user is informed of the filter that needs to be replaced, thereby enabling more careful management of the water purifier.

3 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing a water level detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a water level detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

100: water purifier

120: filter unit

140: reservoir tank

160: extraction unit

180: water level detection unit

200: control unit

220: display unit

Claims

In a water purifier having a filter unit having a plurality of filters to purify raw water, a storage tank for storing purified water through the filter unit, and an extraction unit for extracting the water of the storage tank to the outside,

A water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the purified water installed in the water storage tank;

A controller configured to calculate a water flow rate of the purified water through the water level of the purified water detected by the water level detector and the extraction time of the purified water extracted by the extracting unit;

Water purifier comprising a.

According to claim 1, wherein the water level detection unit

And a reed sensor for detecting the water level of the purified water stored in the water storage tank.

The method of claim 2,

Further comprising an extraction time detector for detecting the extraction time of the integer extracted in the extraction unit,

And the controller calculates the amount of water passing through each of the plurality of filters through the water level of the purified water detected by the reed sensor and the purified water extraction time detected by the extraction time detector.

The method of claim 3, wherein the reed sensor

And a plurality of sensing means arranged to be spaced apart from each other so as to sense the movement of the float moving according to the level of the purified water stored in the water storage tank.

The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit

And a water level of the purified water is calculated as the average water level between the sensing means when the water level of the purified water is located between the sensing means.

According to claim 1, wherein the water level detection unit

And a pressure sensor installed at a lower portion of the water storage tank and measuring a pressure inside the water storage tank to detect a level of purified water stored in the water storage tank.

The method of claim 6,

Further comprising an extraction time detector for detecting the extraction time of the integer extracted by the extraction unit,

And the control unit calculates the amount of water passing through each of the plurality of filters provided in the filter unit through the water level of the purified water detected by the pressure sensor and the purified water extraction time detected by the extraction time detector.

The method of claim 1,

And a display unit connected to the control unit to display a filter requiring replacement among the plurality of filters.