KR20110125949A - Buffer unit used for food garbage disposer available for water-level sensing and food garbage disposer having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A water level detectable buffer unit for a food waste disposer and the food waste disposer equipped with the same are provided to effectively control the level of condensed water stored in the buffer unit. CONSTITUTION: A buffer unit includes a hollow housing(410, 420) and a water level sensor. The water level sensor is arranged in the housing and measures the level of condensed water in the housing. A connecting terminal and a plurality of sensing pins(442) are arranged at the water level sensor. The sensing pins are in electric connection with the connecting terminal. The sensing pins are spaced apart from each other. The spacing distances of the sensing pins are more than or equal to 7mm and are more than or equal to 15mm.

Description

Buffer unit used for food garbage disposer available for water-level sensing and food garbage disposer having the same}

The present invention relates to a buffer unit capable of detecting a water level and a food processor having the same, and more particularly, to a buffer unit capable of accurately detecting a water level by mounting a water level sensor equipped with a detection pin, and a food and drink having the same. Relates to a processor.

The food waste treatment machine discharges odor-induced exhaust gas of high temperature and high humidity in a short time. Especially, as the free standing type food waste treatment machine is recently emerging, interest in high temperature, high humidity and large amount of exhaust gas treatment is increasing.

In order to solve the problem of food waste disposal such as high temperature, high humidity and discharge of large amount of water within a short time, the circulation condensation type food treatment method has been recently devised in various forms. The circulating condensation method is a method of condensing the exhaust gas discharged by heat exchange to remove moisture, and then recycling the low-temperature humidified exhaust gas into a drying furnace.

Exhaust gas discharged from the drying furnace is generally cooled while passing through a condensate storage buffer unit and a heat exchanger to generate condensate. The condensate can be discharged to the outside through a separate discharge pump. Conventionally, when discharging the condensate stored in the buffer unit, the condensate is directly discharged by hand at regular time intervals. In this case, the user has to check the condensate level in the buffer unit and take action. do.

On the other hand, in recent years, a method for mounting a sensor in the buffer unit to detect the level of condensate has been introduced. Even in such a case, the wet exhaust gas existing in the buffer unit may cause malfunction of the sensor, which makes it difficult to detect the correct condensate level.

The present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a buffer unit that can accurately detect the water level of the condensate by placing a plurality of detection pins at an appropriate distance to stably detect the level of the stored condensate water and a food processor having the same The purpose is to provide.

The buffer unit for a food processor according to an aspect of the present invention provided to achieve the above object includes a hollow housing and a water level sensor disposed in the housing to measure the level of condensate in the housing, The water level sensor is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of sensing pins that are electrically connected to the connection terminal, and the connection terminal, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

The sensing pin may be configured as a pair of sensing pins to maintain a separation distance of 7mm or more and 15mm or less.

The housing may include an upper housing and a lower housing coupled to the upper housing, and the level sensor may be fastened to a sensor holder formed in the upper housing.

A blocking film made of a non-conductive material may be disposed between the sensing pins.

The food processor according to another aspect of the present invention provided to achieve the above object includes a buffer unit, a drying furnace connected to the buffer unit, and a heat exchanger in which exhaust gas is cooled, and exhausted from the drying furnace. Gas may be re-introduced into the drying furnace via the buffer unit and the heat exchanger.

When the condensed water in the housing is in contact with the sensing pin, the condensed water may be discharged to the outside through a drain hole formed at the lower end of the lower housing.

The food processor may further include a filter module disposed in the housing, and when the pressure inside the housing exceeds a preset reference pressure, exhaust gas in the housing may be discharged through the filter module.

The present invention described above enables the control of the level of condensate stored in the buffer unit by installing a pair of sensing pins inside the buffer unit in the food processor driven by the circulation condensation method. In addition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary current flow through the process of setting a separation distance between the detection pins and setting a blocking film between the detection pins so that current does not occur when the detection pins are not immersed in the condensate.

1 is a perspective view of a food processor according to the present invention,
2 is a perspective view of a buffer unit according to the present invention;
3 is a perspective view of a water level sensor according to the present invention;
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of B of FIG. 4.

The above objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a buffer unit for detecting the water level according to an embodiment of the present invention and a food processor having the same.

1 is a perspective view of a food waste processor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a buffer unit according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water level sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of B of FIG. 4.

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

Overall structure of food waste processor 1000

Referring to Figure 1 will be described the overall structure of the food processor 1000 having a buffer unit capable of detecting the water level according to the present invention. Food processor 1000 is a drying unit 100, the intake and exhaust module 200, the intake and exhaust module 200 disposed on the drying furnace 100, the buffer unit 400 is connected through the gas discharge passage 310, gas A circulation fan 300 disposed on the discharge passage 310, and a heat exchanger 500 connected through the drying furnace 100 and the gas suction passage 510.

Drying furnace 100 is a hollow receiving member having an internal space of a predetermined size so that a predetermined amount of the input food waste is filled, it may be preferably made in a spherical shape. The drying furnace 100 may be manufactured firmly by a casting process, and a grinding screw (not shown) may be disposed therein to enable grinding and stirring operations. In addition, a heater member (not shown) is installed in the drying furnace 100 to allow the drying operation to be performed at the same time during the grinding and stirring process.

Intake and exhaust module 200 is made of a hollow tube shape. In the central portion of the intake and exhaust module 200 is provided with a cover 250 that can be opened and closed so as to inject food waste into the drying furnace 100. Exhaust gases discharged or introduced from the drying furnace 100 are exchanged with each other in the intake and exhaust module 200. Separation plate (not shown) is provided inside the intake and exhaust module 200 to divide the inside into upper and lower parts. During the flow of the inflow exhaust gas and the exhaust exhaust gas up and down based on the separation plate, the heat exchange is performed through the separation plate.

The buffer unit 400 is disposed below the food processor 1000 and discharges condensate formed from exhaust gas introduced into the food processor 1000 to the outside using a condensate discharge pump (not shown) mounted at a lower end thereof. The buffer unit 400 is disposed with a water level control sensor 440 to adjust the height of the amount of condensate therein. When the level control sensor 440 detects that the stored amount of condensate has reached a predetermined reference level, the controller (not shown) operates the condensate discharge pump (not shown) to discharge the condensate.

On the other hand, when the pressure of the exhaust gas introduced into the buffer unit 400 exceeds the reference pressure inside the preset buffer unit 400, a part of the exhaust gas is discharged through the filter module 430 to adjust the pressure. The reference pressure is defined as representing the maximum value of the allowable exhaust gas pressure value in the buffer unit 400.

The heat exchanger 500 includes a cooling fan 550 to lower the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing therein. The exhaust gas cooled by the heat exchanger 500 is supplied into the drying furnace 100 through the gas suction passage 510. The heat exchanger 500 is composed of a plurality of columns (not shown) to enable the multi-stage cooling of the incoming exhaust gas.

Specifically, separate cooling fins (not shown) are disposed between the plurality of columns, and a buffer space (not shown) is formed between the columns. The exhaust gas introduced into the heat exchanger 500 flows through the primary column, and the primary cooling is performed. After the velocity is adjusted while passing through the buffer space, the exhaust gas is introduced into the secondary column and the secondary cooling is performed. As described above, the heat exchanger 500 of the present invention makes efficient heat exchange for the introduced exhaust gas by using a cooling system composed of multiple stages.

Flow of Exhaust Gas from Food Processor 1000

The flow of the exhaust gas in the food processor 1000 is as follows. The hot and humid exhaust gas generated from the food waste of the drying furnace 100 passes through the intake and exhaust module 200 and flows to the buffer unit 400 by the operation of the circulation fan 300. Water in the exhaust gas introduced into the buffer unit 400 is naturally cooled in the buffer unit 400, converted into condensed water, or cooled in the heat exchanger 500, and then introduced into the buffer unit 400 in a liquid state. The condensed water stored in the buffer unit 400 is periodically discharged to the outside by the condensed water discharge pump mounted under the buffer unit 400.

The low temperature and low humidity exhaust gas cooled by the heat exchanger 500 and reduced in moisture is reintroduced into the drying furnace 100 through the intake and exhaust module 200. As described above, in the present invention, the exhaust gas generated in the drying furnace 100 passes through the intake and exhaust module 200, the circulation fan 300, the buffer unit 400, and the heat exchanger 500 and back to the drying furnace 100. By reflowing, a condensed system is achieved.

Meanwhile, when the pressure of the exhaust gas introduced into the buffer unit 400 exceeds a preset reference pressure, the pressure of the buffer unit 400 is controlled by discharging some of the exhaust gas through the filter module 430. Keep the state stable.

Structure of the buffer unit 400

The structure of the buffer unit 400 in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The buffer unit 400 includes an upper housing 410, a lower housing 420, a water level sensor 440 disposed in the upper housing 410, and a filter module 430 connected to the upper housing 410. do. The upper housing 410 and the lower housing 420 may be combined and collectively referred to as a housing.

The upper housing 410 has an inlet 412 through which the exhaust gas from the drying furnace 100 enters and an outlet 416 for discharging the exhaust gas toward the heat exchanger 500, and the filter module 430. Is fastened. On the upper housing 410, a sensor holder 415 to which the water level sensor 440 is attached is formed.

The lower housing 420 is located below the upper housing 410 and functions as a storage space for condensate, and a drain hole 425 is provided at the bottom thereof (see FIG. 4) to enable external discharge of the condensate. In the lower housing 420, a diaphragm (not shown) is disposed at regular intervals to prevent shaking of the condensate stored therein. Intermediate coupling portions between the upper housing 410 and the lower housing 420 may be interposed with a watertight member (not shown) to prevent leakage of condensed water or exhaust gas.

The filter module 430 has a deodorant for removing odor of exhaust gas in a deodorization space (not shown) therein. The deodorant may be a conventional material such as zeolite, activated carbon. An exhaust port 436 is provided at one side of the filter module 430 so that the exhaust gas reacted in the deodorization space (not shown) is naturally exhausted through the exhaust port 436 by internal pressure.

Detailed structure of the water level sensor 440

As an embodiment of the present invention, the water level sensor 440 has a hollow container-shaped support 441, a fastening portion 443 coupled to an upper end of the support 441, and a connection terminal 444 fixed in the support 441. , And a plurality of sensing pins 442 electrically connected to the connection terminal 444.

The support portion 441 includes a vertical bar 447 protruding upward from an inner bottom and an undercut 448 formed on an inner sidewall. The connection terminal 444 is formed with a terminal protrusion 445 extending from the side wall by a predetermined distance.

The terminal protrusion 445 is disposed between the vertical bar 447 and the undercut 448 to fix the connection terminal 444 to the support 441. Looking specifically at the fastening structure, the lower end of the terminal projection 445 is mounted on the upper end of the vertical bar 447, the upper end of the terminal projection 445 is fixed without shaking by being caught by the undercut (448).

The sensing pin 442 extends from the bottom of the connection terminal 444. The support 441 and the sensor mounting part 415 are sequentially disposed to be exposed in the buffer unit 400. The length L of the sensing pin 442 exposed from the bottom of the support 441 may be determined in consideration of the sensing performance and the volume of the buffer unit 400.

The sensing pin 442 may be made of a pair of conductors preferably parallel to each other. When all the sensing pins 442 are immersed in the condensate stored in the buffer unit 400, current flows through the pair of sensing pins 442 and the condensate to sense the level of the condensate.

In order to prevent the sensing pins 442 from being energized when they are not precipitated in the condensate, it is necessary to space the distance d between the sensing pins 442 by a predetermined distance. In the present invention, only the distance (d) of the sensing pin 442 and the measurement is made in the same condition all conditions are described with reference to Table 1 below.

Between sensing pins (442)
interval Less than 7mm 7mm or more and 15mm or less Greater than 15mm Between sensing pins
Energized Energized Not energized Not energized Resistance value 1.4㏁ 13㏁ 17㏁ Occurrence Since water droplets are attached to the sensing pin from the initial stage of steam generation in the buffer unit 400, it is continuously energized. Water droplets form slightly on the sensing pin but do not affect the conduction of the sensing pin Almost no water droplets are formed on the sensing pin, but the sensing performance for condensate is degraded.

When the separation distance between the sensing pins 442 is less than 7mm as shown in Table 1 above, it is impossible to detect the level of condensate in the buffer unit 400 by always showing an energized state. On the other hand, when the separation distance of the sensing pin 442 is 7mm or more and 15mm or less, the resistance value is 13㏁, which is 9 times larger than 1.4㏁ when the separation distance is less than 7mm, so that it is not energized unless it is immersed by condensate. You can check it. On the other hand, when the separation distance between the sensing pins 442 is greater than 15mm, there is little probability that water droplets form on the sensing pins 442, but the sensitivity is lowered when sensing the level of condensate in the buffer unit 400. There is a tendency. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable to determine the separation distance between the sensing pins 442 within the range of 7mm or more and 15mm or less.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, a blocking film 417 may be installed to prevent the sensing pin 442 from energizing. The blocking film 417 is a partition wall made of a non-conductive material, and is disposed between the sensing pins 442. Since the blocking film 417 is installed to prevent the electricity supply due to moisture formed in the sensing pin 442, the lower end thereof may be extended downward than the end of the sensing pin 442.

Operation of food processor 1000

Hereinafter, the overall operation of the food processor 1000 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Exhaust gas generated during the stirring, grinding, and drying process in the drying furnace 100 is introduced into the buffer unit 400 through the intake and exhaust module 200 and the gas discharge passage 310. The hot and humid exhaust gas introduced into the buffer unit 400 is converted into condensed water and stored. When the level of the condensate is gradually increased in the buffer unit 400 and the sensing pin 442 of the water level sensor 440 is immersed in the condensate, a phenomenon in which electricity is supplied through the sensing pin 442 is generated.

The conductive signal passing through the sensing pin 442 and the connection terminal 444 may be transmitted to a controller (not shown), and the controller may drive the condensate discharge pump (not shown) to discharge the condensate to the drain 425. The condensate conversion process may be performed even while circulating inside the buffer unit 400, but may also occur in a process in which the exhaust gas passing through the buffer unit 400 is cooled in the heat exchanger 500 operated in a dual cooling manner.

When a sudden increase in pressure occurs during the inflow of exhaust gas into the buffer unit 400, the odor is removed from the deodorization space (not shown) in the filter module 430 and then discharged to the outside via the exhaust port 436. .

Exhaust gas passing through the buffer unit 400 and the heat exchanger 500 forms a circulation process which is re-introduced into the drying furnace 100. The low temperature and low humidity exhaust gas is heat-exchanged with the hot and humid exhaust gas from the drying furnace 100 through the intake and exhaust module 200 during the flow into the drying furnace 100 through the intake and exhaust module 200. The high temperature and high humidity exhaust gas discharged from the drying furnace 100 is primarily thermally exchanged so that the temperature decreases while passing through the heat exchanger 500, and the temperature rises secondarily through the intake and exhaust module 200. It is put into the drying furnace 100 in a state where heat exchange is made. Due to the multi-stage heat exchange method in the first and second stages, the thermal efficiency can be increased.

The present invention is to effectively control the level of the condensate stored in the buffer unit by installing a pair of sensing pins in the buffer unit in the food processor driven by the circulation condensation method. In addition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary current flow through the process of setting a separation distance between the detection pins and setting a blocking film between the detection pins so that current does not occur when the detection pins are not immersed in the condensate.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments. That is, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make many changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and all such appropriate changes and modifications are possible. Equivalents should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

100: drying furnace
200: intake and exhaust module 250: cover
300: circulation fan 310: gas discharge flow path
400: buffer unit
410: upper housing 412: inlet
415: sensor mounting portion 416: outlet
417: blocking film
420: lower housing 425: drain
430 filter module 436 exhaust port
440: level sensor 441: support
442: detection pin 443: fastening portion
444: connection terminal 445: terminal projection
447 vertical bar 448 undercut
500: heat exchanger 510: gas suction flow path
550: cooling fan 1000: food processor
d: spacing between sensing pins 442
L: length of the sensing pin 442 exposed from the bottom of the support 441

Claims (7)

Hollow housing; And
It is disposed in the housing, the level sensor for measuring the level of condensate in the housing; includes;
The water level sensor
Connection terminal; And
And a plurality of sensing pins electrically connected to the connection terminals and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.
The method of claim 1,
The sensing pin is a buffer unit for a food processor, characterized in that consisting of a pair of sensing pins to maintain a separation distance of more than 7mm 15mm or less.
The method of claim 1,
The housing
Upper housing; And
A lower housing coupled to the upper housing;
The water level sensor is a buffer unit for a food processor, characterized in that coupled to the sensor mounting portion formed in the upper housing.
The method of claim 1,
A buffer unit for a food processor, characterized in that a blocking film made of a non-conductive material is disposed between the sensing pins.
A buffer unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
A drying furnace connected to the buffer unit; And
A heat exchanger in which exhaust gas is cooled;
Including,
The exhaust gas discharged from the drying furnace is re-introduced into the drying furnace through the buffer unit and the heat exchanger.
6. The method of claim 5,
And when the condensed water in the housing is in contact with the sensing pin to conduct electricity, discharging the condensed water to the outside through a drain hole formed at a lower end of the lower housing.
The method of claim 6,
The food processor is
It further comprises a filter module disposed in the housing,
And the exhaust gas in the housing may be discharged through the filter module when the pressure in the housing exceeds a predetermined reference pressure.

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