KR20110109744A - Sterilized water creation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterilizing water generating apparatus, the sterilizing water generating apparatus further comprises an electrolytic sterilization means for generating a sterilization and oxidative mixture of purified water by electrolysis between the pretreatment filter unit and the surge tank, The means includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode embedded in a state facing each other and an electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrode holder has a space portion of a predetermined size formed therein so that the positive electrode The negative electrode and the negative electrode is pressed or attached to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals, the connecting terminal extending from each electrode is drawn out through the both sides of the electrode holder is connected to the power supply means, the spaced positive and negative electrodes Consists of a through hole penetrates through the interior of the electrolytic sterilization means and is open in both directions.
Therefore, since the purified water supplied to the surge tank is sterilized in advance by electrolytic sterilization means, contaminants of the surge tank having a sealed structure can be removed in advance, and unnecessary operation of the electrolytic sterilization means can be prevented.

Description

Sterilized Water Creation Equipment

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizing water generator, and more particularly, to a sterilizing water generator which prevents contamination of a surge tank since sterilization of purified water supplied to a surge tank in an undersink type water purifier.

In modern times, the population is densely populated, group meals and meals are frequent, and the movement of the population is large due to the development of transportation. Accordingly, bacterial infectious diseases frequently occur and are becoming widespread. In this situation, the importance of hygiene cannot be overemphasized. In accordance with such living conditions, various kinds of disinfecting water generating devices have been developed and used.

On the other hand, Korean Patent No. 10-0116785 discloses a water treatment apparatus having an electrolytic sterilization function and a sterilization method through the same, Domestic Patent No. 10-0233775 discloses a water purifier sterilization apparatus, and in Korean Patent Publication No. 1998-0008289 A water level display device for a sink water purifier is disclosed, and in Korea Patent Publication No. 2000-0019222, a sterilization device for a storage tank of a water purifier is disclosed.

Particularly, in Korean Patent No. 10-0116785 by the present applicant, as a water treatment device, most of the sedimentation filter, a sun carbon filter that absorbs and removes residual chlorine or odor-causing substances and volatile organic substances, etc. Reverse osmosis filtration filter for removing ionic substances and microorganisms of the, and the filter unit consisting of a sequential arrangement of the fucarbon filter for odor removal and water taste enhancement. In addition, the water treatment device is a water purifier of the present invention is provided with a water purification tank for storing the purified water filtered by the four-stage filter of the filter unit. In addition, an electrode sterilization device is provided between the after carbon filter and the purified water tank to disclose a configuration to prevent contamination of the purified water tank.

By the way, in the undersink type water treatment apparatus, a surge tank for pressurization is provided, and such a surge tank has a problem in that its cleaning is difficult due to its closed structure.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the conventional sterilizing water generating apparatus, and has an object to provide a sterilizing water generating apparatus capable of sterilizing purified water supplied to a surge tank in an undersink type water purifier. It is done.

In particular, an electrode sterilization means is installed at the front end of the surge tank to sterilize the purified water flowing into the surge tank, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing water generating device configured to remove contaminants in the surge tank in advance.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing water generating device in which the electrolytic sterilizing means prevents unnecessary damage due to operation.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. There will be.

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for generating sterilizing water according to the present invention comprises a pretreatment filter unit in which one or more water treatment filters are sequentially arranged, and pressurized and supplied purified water generated by the pretreatment filter unit to the post treatment filter. A sterilizing water generating apparatus comprising a surge tank, the sterilizing water generating apparatus further comprising: electrolytic sterilizing means for generating a sterilization and an oxidative mixture of purified water by electrolysis between the pretreatment filter unit and the surge tank, the electrolytic sterilizing means facing each other. And a positive electrode and a negative electrode embedded in the opposite state, and an electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the electrode holder has a space portion of a predetermined size formed therein so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are mutually formed. It is press-fitted or fixed to be spaced apart at regular intervals, and each electrode is provided on both sides of the electrode holder. An extended connection terminal is drawn through and connected to the power supply means, and the sterilization having an electrolytic sterilization function, characterized in that it is opened through the interior of the electrolytic sterilization means consisting of a through hole between the spaced positive electrode and the negative electrode Provide a water generator.

In one embodiment, the apparatus for generating sterilizing water according to the present invention comprises a pretreatment filter unit in which one or more water treatment filters are sequentially arranged, and a surge tank for pressurizing and supplying purified water generated by the pretreatment filter unit to the post treatment filter. A sterilizing water generating apparatus comprising: electrolytic sterilizing means for generating a sterilization and oxidizing mixture of purified water by electrolysis between the pretreatment filter portion and the surge tank, wherein the pretreatment filter portion and the electrolytic sterilization means Further comprising a flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of purified water on the purified water supply path therebetween, according to the flow rate detection of the flow rate detection means, characterized in that for connecting the electrolytic sterilization means and the power supply means Provide a device.

In one embodiment, the electrolytic sterilization means includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and the electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode in a state facing each other facing each other, the electrode holder is a space of a predetermined size inside The positive electrode and the negative electrode are formed in such a space that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are press-fitted or fixed to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals, and both terminals of the electrode holder penetrate through the connection terminals extending from the respective electrodes so that the power supply means and And a TDS measuring means for measuring a TDS value between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrolytic sterilization means, and when the TDS value measured by the TDS measuring means is equal to or greater than the TDS set value, the electrolytic sterilization means and the power supply. Provided is a sterilizing water generating device, characterized in that to disconnect the means.

According to the apparatus for generating sterilizing water according to the present invention, since the purified water supplied to the surge tank is sterilized in advance by electrolytic sterilization means, contaminants of the surge tank having a sealed structure can be removed in advance.

In addition, unnecessary operation of the electrolytic sterilization means can be prevented.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilizing water generating device according to the invention,
2 is a perspective view of the electrode sterilization module combined according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is an exploded perspective view of an electrode sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical dissection of the electrode sterilization module shown in FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing the configuration of the surge tank according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural forms as well, unless the phrases clearly indicate the opposite. As used herein, the term "comprising" embodies a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, and other specific characteristics, region, integer, step, operation, element, component, and / or group. It does not exclude the presence or addition of.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Commonly defined terms used are additionally interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the related technical literature and the presently disclosed contents, and are not interpreted in an ideal or very formal sense unless defined.

Embodiments of the invention described with reference to a perspective view specifically illustrate an ideal embodiment of the invention. As a result, various modifications of the drawings, for example, manufacturing methods and / or specifications, are expected. Thus, the embodiment is not limited to the specific form of the illustrated region, but includes, for example, modification of the form by manufacture. For example, areas shown or described as flat may have properties that are generally rough and / or rough and non-linear. Also, portions shown to have sharp angles may be rounded. Accordingly, the regions shown in the figures are only approximate in nature, and their forms are not intended to depict the exact form of the regions and are not intended to narrow the scope of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the sterilizing water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the precipitation filter (1) for removing fine particles or debris from the tap water from the raw water inlet, residual chlorine or odor-causing substances and volatile organic substances A pre-carbon filter (2) for adsorption and removal, and a pre-treatment filter for reverse osmosis filter (3) for removing most ionic substances and microorganisms, including heavy metals, are formed. Sterilization module (10: electrolytic sterilization means), the surge tank 20 is supplied with purified water sterilized by the electrode sterilization module 10, and after-carbon filter (5: post-treatment filter) for odor removal and water taste improvement It is arranged as

In addition, the purified water after the configuration is usually stored in the water purification tank (not shown) of about 5 to 30L, and in the case of the cold and hot water purifier is distributed to the cold water tank 7 for producing cold water and the hot water tank 6 for producing hot water. Then it is supplied to the user through the drainage cock (not shown).

Here, the electrode sterilization module 10 according to the present invention is provided in a non-membrane manner without a separate ion permeable membrane (membrane) between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and these electrodes.

In addition, the electrode sterilization module 10 is provided with an electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Preferably, the electrode holder is made of a non-conductive material, and a space portion having a predetermined size is formed therein so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are pressed or attached to the space portion. In addition, both side surfaces of the electrode holder have a form in which connection terminals extending from the respective electrodes penetrate through and drawn out.

Specific configuration of the electrode sterilization module 10, as shown in Figures 2 to 3, the outer tube 11 and the inner tube tube 12 is separated into a positive electrode and a negative electrode inside the housing 14, which is a body, respectively. It is provided. In the present invention, the inner tube 12 is located inside the outer tube (11). Therefore, the outer tube 11 has a wider diameter and volume than the inner tube 12. In addition, in the electrode sterilization module of the present embodiment, the outer tube 11 having a relatively large surface area is used as the positive electrode (+), and the inner tube tube 12 having a relatively narrow area is configured as the negative electrode (−). This is a well-known fact from an electrical point of view because it shows greater efficiency when the area of the positive electrode is larger than that of the negative electrode. Therefore, the outer tube 11 serving as a positive electrode is connected to a positive terminal (+) of a DC power supply (not shown), and the inner tube 42 serving as a negative electrode is connected to a negative terminal (−) of the DC power supply. .

In addition, the electrode sterilization module according to the present embodiment is provided as a structure in which the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12 are fixed to both ends of the housing 14.

That is, the housing 14 has a hollow cylindrical structure in which up, down, left, and right directions are opened. However, the cylindrical shape is not fixed, and of course, it may be provided in a tetrahedral or polygonal structure. In addition, it provides a structure for sealing the openings formed on both ends of the housing 14 of the present invention and allowing a proper amount of water to pass through therein, and for this purpose, both upper and lower ends of the housing 14 have a predetermined cap means (cap; 13,15). In the present embodiment, the cap means 13 and 15 not only functions to seal the upper and lower openings of the housing 14, but also to fix the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12, which are electrodes, as described below. As used as it can be used as the 'electrode holder' (13, 15).

On the other hand, in order for the purified water passing through the reverse osmosis filter (3) to pass through the electrode sterilization module 10, the surface of the electrode holder (13, 15) according to the installation position of the water inlet (13a) and water extraction hole respectively 15a is formed. The inlet (13a) and the outlet (15a) is not particularly limited in number, provided that the inlet and outflow of water can be made within the range that the total diameter does not exceed the electrolytic capacity of the electrode sterilization module desirable. In addition, the inlet hole (13a) and the outlet hole (15a) is to be in communication with the electrolytic space 16 formed between the outer tube 11 and the inner tube tube 12, the inside of the electrode sterilization module 10 As shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the inlet hole 13a and the outlet hole 15a are disposed in the vertical direction of the electrode holders 13 and 15 so as to sufficiently electrolyze the water introduced into the electrode. It is preferable to. In the present invention, the width of the electrolytic space 16, that is, the gap between the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12 is preferably maintained to 0.5mm or less. More preferably, it is configured in the range of 0.2mm to 0.5mm.

In such a configuration, the water introduced through the inlet 13a through the reverse osmosis filter 3, that is, the purified water passes through the electrolytic space 16 inside the electrolytic cell, is an outer tube 11 that is a positive electrode. And electrolysis between the inner tube tube 12 and the negative electrode. During electrolysis, oxidative mixtures such as chlorine, residual chlorine, ozone, OH radicals, and oxygen radicals are generated in the vicinity of the positive electrode, and these materials can oxidize various microorganisms in the purified water. Of course, the sterilization of such microorganisms is performed not only by indirect oxidation through oxidative mixture but also by direct oxidation which directly oxidizes the microorganisms by the positive electrode itself.

In the electrode sterilization module 10 according to the present embodiment, the material of the outer tube 11, which is a positive electrode, may be a low-cost electrode using a relatively inexpensive titanium electrode or a general injection product, instead of using expensive platinum-based metals. In the case of an electrode using a general injection molding, the surface of the injection molding may be provided by coating platinum group RuO or Pt as a coating material. In addition, in the case of electrolyzing the purified water in the reverse osmosis filtration water purifier, the cell voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell of the present invention can be sufficiently operated at a low voltage of about 3 to 24V, even in such a condition, a sufficient amount of oxidative property The mixture can be generated to effectively sterilize purified water.

On the other hand, the surge tank 20 is a component provided to store the purified water supplied through the reverse osmosis filter (3) of the front end and then pressurized to the rear carbon filter (5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the surge tank 20 has a purified water inlet 22 through which purified water enters and exits at the center of the upper portion of the cylindrical housing 21, and a lower space portion 33 into which a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas is injected. ) And the membrane 25 moving up and down according to the purified water inflow amount.

In addition, in the sterilizing water generating device according to the present invention, purified water is supplied to the electrode sterilization module 10 according to a pump (not shown) operation. That is, when the pump is operated, purified water is supplied to the surge tank 20 via the electrode sterilization module 10 through the reverse osmosis filtration filter 3 through the purified water supply pipe indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. do.

In addition, on the purified water supply pipe is provided with a low pressure switch (LPS) (not shown) for sensing the flow rate through the pressure change in the purified water supply pipe to operate the electrode sterilization module 10. That is, the LPS is a flow rate sensing means configured not to operate when there is no flow rate in the purified water supply pipe, and to operate when there is a flow rate.

Therefore, when the flow rate is generated in the purified water supply pipe for supplying purified water to the electrode sterilization module 10 or the surge tank 20 according to the pump operation, the LPS is turned on, the By connecting the electrode sterilization module 10 and the DC power supply (not shown), the electrode sterilization module 10 is operated, if the flow rate does not occur in the purified water supply pipe, the LPS is turned off, the electrode By disconnecting the sterilization module 10 and the DC power supply (not shown), the electrode sterilization module 10 is not operated.

On the other hand, the electrode sterilization module 10 operating in accordance with the on operation of the LPS as described above can be configured to stop the operation irrespective of the off operation of the LPS. That is, while the purification is in progress according to the operation of the pump, by measuring the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) concentration of the purified water, the TDS value (that is, the concentration of ions that are sterile material generated by the electrolytic action of the electrode) When it exceeds the concentration required for sterilization, it can be configured to stop the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10.

To this end, TDS sensing means for measuring the TDS concentration in the electrode sterilization module 10, for example in the electrolytic space 16 may be configured.

On the other hand, the TDS detection means may be configured as a means for detecting the current value in the electrolytic space (16). That is, according to the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10, the sterilization material is increased, thereby increasing the current value in the electrolytic space, and when the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10 is stopped, the sterilization material is reduced. As the current value decreases, the TDS sensing means can be configured using this principle. That is, when the current value is fed back and more than the set current value, the degree of generation of sterilizing water is controlled and, in some cases, the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10 is stopped by releasing the power supply means.

On the other hand, as described above, the detection signal of the LPS and TDS detection means is transmitted to the control unit (not shown) that can be configured as a microcomputer, etc., the on-off operation of the electrode sterilization module 10 is controlled. The TDS value required for sterilization of the purified water is stored in the storage device of the microcomputer as a preset value.

Briefly describing the operation according to the configuration, as the pump is operated, purified water is supplied to the surge tank 20 through the purified water supply pipe, and the purified water supply is sensed by the LPS (S10). : Detection of purified water supply).

Subsequently, according to the sensing operation of the LPS, the electrode sterilization module 10 is operated by connecting the DC power supply device and the electrode sterilization module 10 (S20: electrode sterilization module operation step).

On the other hand, according to the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10, the TDS value in the electrolytic space 16 is increased, the increased TDS value is detected by the TDS detection means (S30: TDS value detection step). As an example, the TDS value is detected by measuring the current value in the electrolytic space 16.

Subsequently, the measured TDS value is compared with the TDS set value stored in the memory device of the microcomputer, and when the measured TDS value is more than the set value, the operation of the electrode sterilization module 10 is stopped (S40: Stop the electrode sterilization module).

On the other hand, after the step S40, by performing the TDS value detection by the TDS detection means periodically, if the measured TDS value is less than the TDS set value, it may be configured to operate the electrode sterilization module 10 again ( S50: reoperation step of electrode sterilization module).

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, Of course.

1: Precipitation filter 2: Sun carbon filter
3: reverse osmosis filtration filter 10: electrode sterilization module
20: surge tank 5: fucarbon filter

Claims (4)

In the sterilization water generating device comprising a pre-treatment filter unit having one or more water treatment filters arranged in sequence, and a surge tank for pressurizing and supplying purified water generated by the pre-treatment filter unit to the post-treatment filter,
Electrolytic sterilization means for generating a sterilization and oxidative mixture of purified water by electrolysis between the pretreatment filter unit and the surge tank, the electrolytic sterilization means is a positive electrode and a negative electrode embedded in a state facing each other, and An electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrode holder is a space portion of a predetermined size is formed therein, the positive electrode and the negative electrode in the space portion is spaced apart from each other by a fixed interval, On both sides of the electrode holder, a connection terminal extending from each electrode is led out and connected to the power supply means, and a through hole is formed between the spaced positive electrode and the negative electrode to penetrate the inside of the electrolytic sterilization means in both directions. Sterilizing water generating device having an electrolytic sterilization function, characterized in that the opening. In the sterilization water generating device comprising a pre-treatment filter unit having one or more water treatment filters arranged in sequence, and a surge tank for pressurizing and supplying purified water generated by the pre-treatment filter unit to the post-treatment filter,
Electrolytic sterilization means for generating a sterilization and oxidative mixture of purified water by electrolysis between the pretreatment filter portion and the surge tank, the flow rate of purified water on the purified water supply path between the pretreatment filter portion and the electrolytic sterilization means Further comprising a flow rate sensing means for sensing,
And the electrolytic sterilization means and the power supply means in accordance with the flow rate detection of the flow rate sensing means. The method of claim 2,
The electrolytic sterilization means includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode embedded in a state facing each other and an electrode holder for fixing the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrode holder has a space portion of a predetermined size formed inside the space portion The positive electrode and the negative electrode are pressed or fixed to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals, and the connecting terminals extending from each electrode are drawn out through the both sides of the electrode holder and connected to the power supply means, the electrolytic space It is provided with a means for detecting the current value within the feedback to control the generation of the sterilizing water when the current value is more than the set current value and, in some cases, to stop the operation of the electrode sterilization module by releasing the power supply means Sterilizing water generating device. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The pre-sterilization means is a sterilizing water generating device, characterized in that the non-membrane form having a membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

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