KR20120008442U - Sterilizing water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a water treatment device having a purified water tank structure capable of preventing the contamination of purified water due to the remaining of the sterilized water, the filter unit for purifying the raw water; A storage tank connected to the filter part and storing purified water filtered through the filter part; A sterilizer installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, the sterilizing water being supplied to the storage tank by generating sterilizing water using filtered purified water while passing through at least a portion of the filter unit; A drainage unit connected to the storage tank to discharge water contained in the storage tank; And a control unit for controlling the water purification mode by the filter unit and the sterilization mode through the electrolytic sterilizer and the drainage unit. The storage tank includes a water purification line through which the purified water flows through the filter unit and a sterilization water line through which sterilization water generated by the sterilizer is introduced. The sterilization water line and the water purification line are at the side of the storage tank. And the sterilizing water line is disposed at a position higher than the purified water line so that the sterilizing water remaining in the sterilizing water line in the sterilization mode does not enter the purified water.

Description

Sterilization Washing Water Treatment Equipment {STERILIZING WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing a storage tank and a sterilization washing method thereof, and more particularly, to generate sterilized water including a substance having a sterilizing function through electrolysis and to store the sterilized water by introducing the sterilized water into the storage tank. The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing a tank and a flow path connected thereto.

In general, the water purifier is classified into a hollow fiber membrane method and a reverse osmosis membrane method according to the water purification method.

Of these, the reverse osmosis membrane type water purifier is known to be superior to other water purification methods developed so far in removing contaminants.

The reverse osmosis membrane type water purifier receives raw water from tap water and the like and removes dust, debris and various suspended substances through a fine filter of about 5 microns, and a carcinogen (THM) by using an activated carbon adsorption method. It consists of a free carbon filter that removes harmful chemicals such as synthetic detergents and insecticides and residual chlorine, and a reverse osmosis membrane of 0.0001 micron to filter heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, as well as sodium and various pathogens. The reverse osmosis membrane filter (RO membrane filter) to be discharged through, and the filter unit including a post carbon filter for removing the unpleasant taste and smell, pigments, etc. contained in the water passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter.

In addition, the hollow fiber membrane type water purifier uses a hollow fiber membrane filter (UF) instead of the reverse osmosis membrane filter. The hollow fiber membrane filter is a porous filter having pores of several tens to hundreds of nanometers (nm) in size, and removes contaminants in water through the myriad of micropores distributed on the membrane surface.

Such a reverse osmosis membrane type water purifier or a hollow fiber membrane type water purifier may use four filters as described above, but may also be equipped with an antibacterial filter or a functional filter, and may be used as a composite filter that combines the functions of some filters. Sometimes. For example, the function of sediment filter and free carbon filter may be implemented in one composite filter.

However, such a water purifier has a problem in that the post carbon filter is easily contaminated by bacteria and microorganisms are re-proliferated in the storage tank because bacteria are introduced into the storage tank. In addition, bacteria or microorganisms may penetrate and purify the purified water stored in the storage tank from outside, and scale may occur on the inner wall of the storage tank.

Thus, in order to sterilize the bacteria or microorganisms proliferated in the storage tank has been proposed a technology for sterilizing the discharge tank of the storage tank and purified water by adding a separate sterilizing agent from the outside.

However, such a sterilizing drug supply method has a problem that the user or the water purifier manager is performed through a separate sterilizing chemical supply operation, so that the sterilizing operation is cumbersome and the sterilization management is inefficient. That is, when the sterilizing agent is added, there is a problem that it is very cumbersome because the automatic injection of the sterilizing drug is impossible or automatic filling is required.

In addition, when the sterilizing agent is added, the concentration of the sterilizing agent may be higher than necessary in some cases, and since there is a difference between the addition and the small amount of the sterilizing agent according to the user or the administrator, the sterilizing agent remains in the water purifier after the cleaning operation. The problem is that it can be done. Therefore, a plurality of rinsing after the cleaning operation is essential, and if the rinsing operation is not perfect, not only harmful to the human body but also increase the complaints due to the smell of the drug.

In addition, since the water purifier manager needs to perform a sterilization drug supply operation, a cost for sterilization treatment of the water purifier is generated, and the user may feel a burden on the service cost.

In particular, since the water purifier itself is not sterilized and cleaned by the service organizer, it is inconvenient to exist, and thus the reliability of the water purifier is deteriorated.

In addition, the conditions under which the sterilizing agent melts or elutes are different depending on the water purifier operating conditions (eg, raw water pressure, flow rate, etc.). As an example, when the flow rate is low, the sterilization concentration may be relatively high. On the contrary, since the sterilization concentration is low when the flow rate is high, there are many difficulties in controlling sterilization. As a result, when the concentration of the sterilizing agent is high, odor may occur.

In addition, the sterilization material generated by the sterilization chemicals are mainly OCl ^- low pH or very high odor, so the odor is generated a lot, sterilization performance is only about 1/70 compared to HOCl, so a large amount for sterilization of the same tank capacity There is a problem that requires a sterilizing material. This is a problem that the sterilization efficiency is significantly reduced compared to the case of producing a sterilizing material consisting of a mixed oxide of the HOCl material mainly using an electrolytic cell as described below.

In order to solve the problem of the water purifier sterilizing using such sterilizing chemicals, a method of automatically sterilizing a storage tank using an electrolytic cell has been proposed. 1 shows a water treatment apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-0128785.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional water treatment apparatus 10 filters raw water supplied from a raw water supply unit such as a water supply 15 through a water filter 14 and stores the water in the reservoir 13. If present, the purified water is supplied through the dispenser 17. At this time, if the contamination of the purified water contained in the reservoir 13 is detected through the pollution degree sensor 13a provided in the reservoir 13 or the predetermined period has elapsed, the chloride supply device 11 and the electrolysis device 12 Hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid) is used to supply the reservoir 13. Looking at the washing operation of the reservoir 13 disclosed in the above patent in detail.

First, when it is necessary to wash the reservoir 13 through the pollution sensor 13a or the like, the water contained in the reservoir 13 is extracted using the drainage pipe G and the dispenser 17 or through the drainage pipe F. 16) to drain completely (or most of the water to the bottom). When the drainage of the water contained in the reservoir 13 is finished, the valve Vg or Vf is shut off. In addition, a chloride such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) is supplied from the chloride supply device 11 to the electrolysis device 12, and the raw water supply pipe B that does not go through the water filter 14 to generate an aqueous solution of chloride (B). The raw water (constant water) may be supplied through the C or purified water filtered by the purified water filter 14 through the purified water supply pipe C at the rear end of the purified water filter 14. At this time, after sufficient time for dissolving the chloride after the supply of chloride and raw water (constant) or purified water into the electrolysis device 12, power is applied to the electrode 12a of the electrolysis device 12. The electrolysis (redox reaction) of aqueous chloride solution produces an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid. The hypochlorous acid solution thus produced is filled in the reservoir 13 until the reservoir 13 reaches the full water level, and maintained for a predetermined time required for sterilization and washing of the reservoir 13, and after a certain time, the hypochlorous acid solution is Discharged out of the reservoir (13). Then, to remove the aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid, the water passed through the water filter 14 through the purified water supply pipe (D) or through the rinse pipe (H) through the rinse pipe (H) through the water purification pipe (14) to the reservoir 13 Supplying to the full water level, and after a certain time, if the rinsing operation to drain the rinsing water contained in the reservoir 13 is performed a plurality of times, the washing operation of the reservoir 13 is completed. Thereafter, the raw water is filtered through the purified water filter 14 so that the user's water intake is supplied to the reservoir 13.

However, the conventional water treatment apparatus 10 having the configuration as described above does not have any specific description as to where to place the pipe E of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution in the reservoir 13, and in the drawing, It is shown to be sprayed from the top, in order to place the pipe (E) in the upper portion of the reservoir (13) requires space for the pipe (E). In addition, a spray device is required to use the spray method.

However, in recent years, water treatment devices such as water purifiers have been miniaturized, and since the reservoir 13 of such a structure takes up a lot of space, there is a problem that it is impractical.

The present invention aims to provide a water treatment device having a purified water tank structure capable of preventing contamination of purified water due to the remaining of the sterilized water in the water treatment device for generating the sterilized water to purify the purified water tank. It is done.

The present invention provides the following configuration in order to achieve the above configuration.

The present invention is a filter unit for purifying raw water; A storage tank connected to the filter part and storing purified water filtered through the filter part; A sterilizer installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, the sterilizing water being supplied to the storage tank by generating sterilizing water using filtered purified water while passing through at least a portion of the filter unit; A drainage unit connected to the storage tank to discharge water contained in the storage tank; And a control unit for controlling the water purification mode by the filter unit and the sterilization mode through the electrolytic sterilizer and the drainage unit, wherein the storage tank includes a purified water inlet tube and the sterilizer through which the purified water passes through the filter unit. A sterilized water inlet tube through which the generated sterilized water is introduced, wherein the sterilized water inlet tube and the purified water inlet tube are disposed on a side surface of the storage tank, so that the sterilized water remaining in the sterilized water inlet tube does not enter the purified water; The sterilizing water inlet pipe provides a water treatment device disposed at a position higher than the purified water inlet pipe.

In addition, in the present invention, the sterilizing water inlet pipe may include a horizontal portion and an inclined portion, and the horizontal portion of the sterilizing water inlet pipe may be disposed at a position higher than that of the purified water inlet pipe.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the inclined portion may be connected at a position lower than the purified water inlet pipe.

Alternatively, in the present invention the storage tank includes a lid and one or more water level sensor disposed on the side that is open to the upper surface, the water level sensor disposed on the uppermost side of the water level sensor and the side between the lid In, the sterilization water inlet pipe and the purified water inlet pipe may be disposed.

The present invention can provide a water treatment device having a purified water tank structure capable of preventing the contamination of purified water due to the remaining of the sterilized water in the water treatment device to generate the sterilized water to purify the purified water tank through the above configuration.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional water treatment apparatus.
Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a specific view of a storage tank of the water treatment device shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the constitution of the water purifying mode of the water treatment device shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a flow path in the sterilization mode of the water treatment device shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
6 is another specific view of the storage tank of the water treatment device shown in FIG.

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. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

In the following examples, the sterilizer is described as an electrolytic sterilizer, but the present invention may be applied without limitation as long as it produces sterilized water. For example, the sterilizer may be applied to sterilized water or hot water or raw water produced by dissolving the sterilized stock solution. Of course, the sterilizing solution can be applied to a variety of methods, such as loosen and spray.

The water treatment apparatus according to the present invention described below purifies raw water as purified water flowing through the raw water supply unit through various filters, and separates the purified purified water (hereinafter referred to as 'integer water' for convenience herein) separately. It relates to a water storage device (water purifier) that can be stored in the storage space of the and can be discharged to the outside.

The water treatment apparatus filters raw water such as tap water or natural water through filters provided in the filter unit to remove particulate impurities, heavy metals, and other harmful substances contained in the raw water.

First, referring to Figures 2 to 5, looks at the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water treatment device of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a specific view of a storage tank of the water treatment device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a water purification mode of the water treatment device shown in FIG. 2. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the flow path configuration, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the flow path configuration in the sterilization mode of the water treatment apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

The water treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention basically includes a filter unit 110, a storage tank 170, an electrolytic sterilizer 130, a drainage unit 150, and a control unit 190. If this is described by configuration, it is as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the filter unit 110 is used to sequentially filter and purify raw water, and includes a sediment filter 111, a pre-carbon filter 112, and a reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. {Or hollow fiber membrane (ultrafiltration) filter}, and post carbon filter 114, but the type, number and order of the filter is required for the filtration method of the water treatment device (purifier) or the filtration required for the water treatment device (purifier) It may change depending on performance. For example, a hollow fiber membrane filter may be provided instead of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. The hollow fiber membrane filter is a pore filter having pores of several tens to hundreds of nanometers (nm) in size, and removes contaminants in water through a myriad of micropores distributed on the membrane surface.

Also, the post carbon filter 114 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 may not be provided, or a micro filter MF or another functional filter may be provided in place of or in addition to the above-described filter.

Here, each of the filters 111, 112, 113, and 114 includes a filter case incorporating a filter element and an outer case accommodating the filter case, wherein raw water obtained into the outer case is a filter element in the filter case. It may be made of a cartridge structure that is filtered by the water is discharged to the outside of the outer case.

However, in the present invention, as described above, each filter 111, 112, 113, 114 of the filter unit 110 is not particularly limited to an independent cartridge, and is a composite filter having a function of two or more filters. It may be configured. For example, the sediment filter 111 and the pre carbon filter 112 may be configured as a single pretreatment composite filter (see 211 in FIG. 7A).

Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the case in which the filters 111, 112, 113, and 114 of the filter unit 110 are sequentially connected as an independent cartridge structure will be described as an example. As described above, the configuration of the filter unit 110 is not limited thereto.

The sediment filter 111 is supplied with raw water from the raw water supply unit W to adsorb and remove relatively large suspended solids, sand, and the like.

Here, a raw water shutoff valve (WV) may be installed at the front end of the sediment filter 111 to selectively block the raw water supplied from the raw water supply unit (W), but the raw water shutoff valve (WV) may prevent the supply of raw water. If it can be blocked, the installation position of the raw water shutoff valve (WV) is not limited to this, it is also possible to be installed in the middle of the filter unit.

In addition, the pre-carbon filter 112 is supplied to the water passing through the sediment filter 111 through the adsorption method of activated carbon, the chemicals harmful to the human body, such as volatile organic compounds, carcinogens, synthetic detergents, pesticides contained in the water It functions to remove substances and residual chlorine (eg HOCl or ClO) components.

In addition, the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 receives water filtered from the pre-carbon filter 112 to remove fine organic / inorganic substances such as heavy metals and other metal ions and bacteria contained in the water through the membrane having fine pores.

The reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 is connected to a drain pipe (dL) for discharging living water generated during filtration of raw water, that is, waste water (commonly known as "concentrated water" in the art), and the drain pipe (dL). The drain valve (dV) for controlling the discharge of domestic water is installed.

And, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a hollow fiber membrane filter may be provided instead of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 as described above. The hollow fiber membrane filter is a pore filter having pores of several tens to hundreds of nanometers (nm) in size, and removes contaminants in water through a myriad of micropores distributed on the membrane surface.

In addition, the post carbon filter 114 passes through the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 to adsorb and remove unpleasant tastes, odors, and pigments of the filtered water. The purified water filtered through the post carbon filter 114 is purified through a water purification line. It is accommodated in the storage tank 170.

The filters 111, 112, 113, and 114 of the filter unit 110 are filters having a general structure well known in the art, and thus are widely used in general water treatment devices (water purifiers). The description will be omitted.

On the other hand, the filter unit 110 includes a pressurized pump (P) capable of supplying water to the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 as the pumping pressure because the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 purifies water through the membrane having fine pores. It may be.

The pressure pump P may be installed in the water purification line 141 between the sediment filter 111 and the pre carbon filter 112 as shown in FIG. 2, but the pre carbon filter 112 and the reverse osmosis membrane filter ( It may be installed in the water purification line 141 between 113. Alternatively, the pressure pump P may not be provided depending on the pressure of the raw water supplied from the raw water supply unit W. The pressure pump (P) may be formed as a booster pump of a conventional structure applied in a reverse osmosis membrane water purifier, but is not limited thereto.

And, in order to detect the flow rate of the raw water flowing into the filter unit 110, a flow rate detection unit (PS) may be provided, this flow rate detection unit (PS) is the water pressure of the raw water supplied from the raw water supply (W) It may be configured to include a low pressure switch (LPS) for detecting and supplying the operating signal to the pressure pump (P) when the water pressure is higher than the appropriate water pressure.

In addition, the storage tank 170 stores the purified purified water passing through the filter unit 110 and selectively discharges the purified water, and receives the purified water flowing from the post carbon filter 114, as described below. The sterilizing water introduced from the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is accommodated.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage tank 170 stores purified water at room temperature and cool water purified by cooling some of them, passing through the filter unit 110, and storing the purified water at room temperature. The first storage unit 171 to form a storage space for the purpose, and the second storage unit 172 to form a storage space for storing cold water. At this time, it is obvious that the storage tank 170 may be formed as a storage space for storing the constant temperature of room temperature, it is also possible that the first storage unit 171 and the second storage unit 172 is made of an independent tank.

The first and second storage units 171 and 172 are connected to each other and formed in a vertical direction. The first storage unit 171 is positioned at an upper side thereof, and the second storage unit 172 is formed in a first storage unit ( 171).

Here, the first and second storage parts 171 and 172 are partitioned in a vertical direction through partition walls 177 and communicate with each other.

The first storage unit 171 may be configured to include a lid 174, the lid 174 can be opened and closed, so that the user can directly clean the interior as needed in addition to sterilization mode.

In addition, at least one level sensor 175a, 175b, or 175c is installed at the side of the first storage unit 171 to sense the level of the integer and output the detection signal to the control unit 190. Here, the water level sensors 175a, 175b, and 175c include a low water level sensor 175a for detecting a low water level at which the lower limit level of the purified water is supplied from the first storage unit 171, that is, re-supply of the purified water, and a heavy water sensing medium level. The upper sensor 175b and the upper limit level, that is, the high water level sensor 175c for detecting the high water level at which additional inflow of water is blocked. The number and installation position of the water level sensor can be changed according to the specific control method of the water treatment device (water purifier).

Here, the purified water line 141 and the sterilizing water line 142 are disposed on the side of the storage tank 170 between the high water level sensor 175c and the lid 174, and the purified water line 141 is the sterilizing water line 142. Only a predetermined height h is arranged at a lower position.

The space above the water level sensor 175c in the storage tank 170 is a space virtually occupied by water. The larger the space, the smaller the space efficiency of the water purifier, that is, the space used by the water purifier compared to the size of the water purifier. Thus, the space between the high water level sensor 175c and the lid 174 is preferably small.

However, the purified water line 141 and the sterilized water line 142 should be at a position higher than the high water level sensor 175c to prevent water from flowing back into the purified water line 141 or the sterilized water line 142.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the sterilizing water line 142 is configured at a position higher than the purified water line 141. Thus, since the sterilizing water line 142 is configured higher than the purified water line 141, the sterilizing water line 141 is sterilized when the purified water line 141 is utilized. The possibility that the sterile water remaining in the water line 142 is incorporated into the purified water can be reliably blocked. In particular, since the sterilizing water line 142 is disposed above the purified water line 141, the sterilizing water line 142 can reliably prevent the inflow of residual sterilizing water without a separate device (for example, a valve or a check fitting). can do.

In addition, the above-mentioned raw water shutoff valve WV is determined by the low water level sensor 175a and the high water level sensor 175c, and the water level sensor 175c when the purified water is full in the first storage unit 171. When the ON signal is input from the control unit 190 is closed by the control unit 190, when the OFF signal is input from the low water level sensor 175a may be opened by the control unit 190 may be introduced into the purified water.

In addition, the second storage unit 172 is provided with a cooling unit 173 for cooling the purified water flowing from the first storage unit 171, this cooling unit 173 is a cooling coil well known in the art It is preferable to make, but it is not limited to this.

In the above, a first intake line 178a for discharging purified water is connected to the first storage unit 171, and a second intake line 178b for discharging cold water is connected to the second storage unit 172. The first and second intake lines 178a and 178b may be joined to each other and connected to the intake coke 179. Alternatively, the water intake cock 179 may be installed separately in each of the water intake lines (178a, 178b).

In addition, a valve (not shown) is installed in the first and second water intake lines 178a and 178b, and the first and second water intake lines may be operated as the operation of the valve by the control unit 190 according to a user's selection. It will be appreciated that the selective opening and closing of 178a and 178b is performed.

That is, the purified water at room temperature stored in the first storage unit 171 may be discharged through the water intake coke 179 while being discharged through the first intake line 178a, and the cold purified water stored in the second storage unit 172. May be discharged through the intake coke 179 while being discharged through the second intake line 178b.

In addition, as the operation of the valve (not shown) by the control unit 190, both the first and second intake lines 178a and 178b are opened, so that the purified water and the second room temperature are stored in the first storage unit 171 and the second. Cold water stored in the storage unit 172 may be discharged through the water intake coke 179 while being simultaneously discharged through the first and second water intake lines 178a and 178b.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is installed in the sterilizing water line 142 and subjected to electrolysis using purified water filtered through at least some filters provided in the filter unit 110. Through the structure that can generate sterilized water containing a material having a sterilization function, such as mixed oxide (MO: Mixed Oxidant).

The electrolytic sterilizer 130 sterilizes or kills microorganisms or bacteria remaining in water by passing water between electrodes of different polarities. In general, the sterilization of purified water by electrolysis involves direct oxidation reactions that directly oxidize microorganisms at the anode, and various oxidizing mixtures (MO: Mixed Oxidants) that may occur at the anode, such as residual chlorine, ozone, OH radicals and oxygen. Indirect oxidation reaction in which radicals oxidize microorganisms is performed in a complex manner.

In the present invention, since the electrolytic sterilizer 130 performs electrolysis using purified water and chlorine ions (Cl ⁻ ) contained therein, which are filtered through at least some filters provided in the filter unit 110, they remain in the positive electrode. Chlorine and H ⁺ ions come out at the same time, and OH ^- ions are produced at the negative pole, which causes the overall pH to be neutral. As such, when the pH is neutral, most of the remaining chlorine is present as HOCl.

Referring specifically to the residual chlorine in accordance with the pH change is present in the neutral form but most HOCl, if the pH increases, the ^OCl-is present in the ^form-and to increase the (alkaline), most OCl not less than a pH of 8. On the contrary, when the pH is decreased, the amount of Cl2 is increased. When the pH is 2 or less, the amount of Cl ₂ is rapidly increased and the amount of HOCl is decreased. At this time, the order of the sterilizing effect is HOCl, OCl ^-, and the order of, NH Cl _2, HOCl is OCl ^- will have a sterilization capacity of about 300 times of 70 times, the NH ₂ Cl. Thus, it can be seen that HOCl is most advantageous when the same amount of residual chlorine is present.

In the present invention, since the electrolytic sterilizer 130 performs electrolysis using residual chlorine contained in water and raw water, since the pH corresponds to neutral, residual chlorine is present in HOCl form, so that sterilization ability can be maximized.

However, it is also possible to add chlorides (NaCl, KCl, etc.) to the electrolytic sterilizer 130.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention is to coat ruthenium (Ru) on the electrode body of the positive electrode (exactly to change ruthenium oxide (RuOx) by heating and oxidizing the ruthenium-coated electrode to a high temperature after coating ruthenium Therefore, the remaining on the electrode surface is ruthenium oxide, but since the material coated at the beginning of the electrode is ruthenium, the term 'ruthenium coated' is used in the present specification, including the claims, to include the state changed to ruthenium oxide. Therefore, a high voltage may not be used to prevent ruthenium coatings from being damaged, and therefore a maximum voltage of 30 volts, more preferably 24 volts, to prevent ruthenium (Ru) catalyst activity and coating damage. It is efficient to set and to keep the power within 10 watts.

In addition, when ruthenium (Ru) is used for the electrode body, the electrode life may be shortened in general, but in the present invention, since the low current driving is possible as described above, the life of the electrode may be shortened. In order to further extend the life of the ruthenium (Ru) coated electrode, it is preferable to further reduce the current, and for this purpose, it is preferable to form the cathode electrode, which is a counter electrode, using only a titanium (Ti) electrode without a separate coating.

That is, in the case of using titanium (Ti) as the cathode electrode, the effect of lowering the current at the same voltage can be achieved. When the current is lowered, the power is also reduced, which leads to an increase in the lifetime of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. Will be.

When power is applied to the electrolytic sterilizer 130 having such a configuration, sterilizing water including an oxidative mixture (MO) is generated, and the sterilizing water is supplied to the first storage unit 171 of the storage tank 170. .

Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is a sterilizing water line between the water purification line 141 of the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 (or hollow fiber membrane filter) and the storage tank 170. 142 may be installed. That is, the electrolytic sterilizer 130 may be installed in the sterilizing water line 142 branched from the flow path in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 and connected to the storage tank 170. In more detail, the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is disposed between the sediment filter 111 and the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113, that is, between the sediment filter 111 and the precarbon filter 112 or the precarbon filter 112. ) And the sterilizing water line 142 branched from the flow path between the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113.

However, although the embodiment in which the sterilizing water line 142 branches in the flow path between the sediment filter 111 and the precarbon filter 112 is not illustrated in detail, the sediment filter 111 and the precarbon filter are not shown in detail. Configurations branching in the flow path between the 112 will also be clearly included in the scope of the present invention. This configuration can be equally applied to the case where a hollow fiber membrane filter is used instead of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113.

In this case, a flow path switching valve 120 may be provided at a portion where the water purification line 141 and the sterilizing water line 142 are connected to each other in front of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. The flow path switching valve 120 supplies the purified water introduced from the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 to any one of the purified water line 141 and the sterilizing water line 142 according to the electrical signal by the control unit 190. .

As described above, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the sterilizing water line 142 into which the purified water flows through at least a portion of the filter unit 110 to generate the sterilizing water is flowed into an independent flow path from the purified water line 141. By configuring the independent flow rate control for the sterilization water line 142, there is an advantage that it is easy to control the concentration of the oxidizing mixture (MO) generated in the electrolytic sterilizer (130).

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, since the water purification line 141 after the post carbon filter 114 is directly connected to the storage tank 170, the sterilizing water line 142 after the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is the water purification line 141. It is formed as an independent flow path. Therefore, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 2, since the sterilization water does not flow into the purified water line 141 after the post carbon filter 114, the sterilization water remaining in the sterilizing water flow path 142 is prevented from mixing in the purified water for drinking. can do.

In addition, the drainage unit 150 is for selectively discharging the sterilized water stored in the storage tank 170, for example, may be configured to be connected to the second storage unit 172 below the storage tank 170. .

The drainage unit 150 may further include a drain line 151 connected to the storage tank 170 and a flow path switching valve 157 for switching a flow path between the drain line 151 and the drain pipe dL. Can be.

The drain line 151 is for discharging water or sterilization water stored in the storage tank 170 to the household water, and is provided as a discharge pipe connected to the lower end of the second storage unit 172.

The flow path switching valve 157 is installed in the drain line 151, the valve spool is rotated in accordance with the electrical signal by the control unit 190 is provided as a direction switching valve that can change the flow path. .

In this case, the flow path switching valve 157 is also connected to the drain valve dV provided on the drain pipe dL of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113. That is, the flow path switching valve 157 is operated by the control unit 190 to open the drain line 151 and to close the flow path of the drain pipe (dL) or to close the drain line (151) and drain pipe (dL) Can be opened.

In addition, the drainage unit 150 may further include a drain pump 155 installed in the drain line 151 as necessary. The drain pump 155 is installed on the drain line 151 to discharge the water stored in the storage tank 170 as a predetermined pumping pressure. As such, when the drain pump 155 is provided, the water stored in the storage tank 170 can be drained quickly, thereby reducing the time required for sterilizing and washing the water treatment device (water purifier).

The control unit 190 is for controlling the overall operation of the water treatment device 100, and more specifically, the operation mode of the water treatment device 100, the water purification mode for purifying raw water through the filter unit 110, and electrolysis It is for controlling various modes implemented in the water treatment apparatus 100 such as sterilization mode for generating sterilization water through the sterilizer 130 and the drainage unit 150 and sterilizing the flow path and the storage tank 170 as the sterilization water. . 2 to 4B, the control unit 190 is connected to only the raw water shutoff valve (WV), the electrolytic sterilizer 120, the drainage pump 155, and the water level sensors 175a, 175b, and 175c for the sake of simplicity. Although configured to control various components requiring electric / electronic control, such as a flow rate detection unit PS, a flow path switching valve 157, and a cooling unit 173.

On the other hand, the control unit 190 controls various components to purify the raw water by the filters 111, 112, 113, 114 of the filter unit 110 in the purified water mode, and set in the case of sterilization mode Depending on the time or the user's choice to block the filtration process of the raw water and at the same time discharge some of the purified water stored in the storage tank 170 and then operate the electrolytic sterilizer 130 to generate sterilized water and then stored in the storage tank And control the operation to automatically discharge the sterilization water through the drainage unit (150).

In this case, the control unit 190 is a water treatment by a conventional memory unit (not shown in the figure) that stores the logic of various data values according to the set time or operation switch signal required for the operation of the purified water mode and sterilization mode. Controls the overall mode of operation of the device 100.

The control unit 190 controls the operation of these valves and pumps by applying a control signal to the above-mentioned valves and pumps according to a predetermined time or a switching signal.

Hereinafter, the operation of the water treatment device 100 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First, the integer mode will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

When it is detected that the low water level (water refill water level) is reached by the low water level sensor 175a provided in the storage tank 170, this signal is transmitted to the control unit 190, and the raw water shutoff valve (WV) by the control unit 190. ) Is opened and the raw water is introduced from the raw water supply (W). Accordingly, the raw water supplied from the raw water supply unit W sequentially passes through the respective filters 111, 112, 113, and 114 provided in the filter unit 110 to generate purified water. Since the process of filtering the raw water in the filter unit 110 is a general content, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As such, the purified water filtered through the filter unit 110 is supplied to the storage tank 170 until the water level of the storage tank 170 reaches the full water level, and when the high water level is detected by the high water level sensor 175c, a raw water shutoff valve ( Water purification mode is terminated by blocking WV). As such, the purified water stored in the storage tank 170 is extracted from the water intake coke 179 by extraction of the user.

Meanwhile, the water treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention may be switched to a sterilization mode at predetermined time intervals or according to a user's selection. The operation in the sterilization mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, in the state where the sterilization mode of the water treatment device 100 is started, the pressure pump P and the electrolytic sterilizer 130 are in the off state by the control unit 190, and the flow path switching valve 157 is the control unit ( As an operation by 190, the drain pipe dL is closed and the drain line 151 is opened.

In this state, when the drainage pump 155 is provided, the control unit 190 applies an electrical signal to the drainage pump 155 to operate the drainage pump 155 to drain the purified water stored in the storage tank 170. The pumping pressure of the pump 155 discharges the water level of the storage tank 170 through the drain line 151 until the water level becomes a predetermined level, and then the operation of the drain pump 155 is stopped and the flow path switching valve 157 The drain line 151 is closed through (). However, when the drain pump 155 is not provided, it may be performed by operating the drain valve (see 252 of FIG. 7A) to open the flow path of the drain line 151. Through the discharge of purified water, the storage tank 170 secures a space for obtaining sterilization and oxidative mixture of purified water by electrolysis generated through the operation of the electrolytic sterilizer 130. That is, when sterilizing water is introduced into the storage tank 170 without discharging the purified water contained in the storage tank 170, since the water overflow may occur in the storage tank 170, the sterilizing water may be introduced to prevent such phenomenon. Space is secured. As such, the drainage of the storage tank 170 at the start of the sterilization mode may empty the storage tank 170 completely (or sufficiently to be at a low water level or a level close to the bottom of the storage tank), but at the same time preventing the waste of the purified water. Partial drainage is preferred in order to prevent the overall sterilization mode execution time being longer due to the time required for drainage of 170. The partial drainage operation may be performed by installing the water level sensor 175b slightly below the high water level sensor 175c in the storage tank 170 and until the water level is detected by the water level sensor 175b. In consideration of the amount of drainage, the drainage pump 155 may be operated only for a predetermined time, or a method of opening a drain valve (not shown) provided in the drainage unit for a predetermined time may be used. In particular, when the water level sensor 175b is used, since the capacity of the water contained in the storage tank 170 can be accurately, the sterilizing water containing the oxidizing mixture is introduced into the storage tank 170 and mixed with the storage tank 170. The concentration of the oxidizing mixture contained in the entire body can be adjusted as close as possible to the preset value. As a result, the oxidizing mixture introduced into the storage tank 170 may be introduced more than necessary to prevent a phenomenon in which the water taste deteriorates due to excessive residue of the oxidizing mixture after the rinsing operation, and also the oxidative mixing at an appropriate concentration or less. It is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the effect of the sterilization cleaning is reduced by the material can be obtained.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 190 opens the raw water shutoff valve WV to introduce raw water, and operates the pressure pump P to filter the raw water. In this case, an electric signal is applied to the flow path switching valve 120 so that the purified water filtered at the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 can be obtained by the electrolytic sterilizer 130. The flow path between the 111 and the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 and the sterilizing water line 142 communicate with each other.

At this time, the sediment filter 111 serves to adsorb and remove relatively large suspended solids, solids and the like in the raw water, and the pre-carbon filter 112 is absorbed into water through adsorption of activated carbon. containing volatile organic compounds, carcinogenic substances, detergents, pesticides, etc. are harmful to the human body chemicals and residual chlorine, so (for example, HOCl or ClO) as a function of removing the components, the chloride ion contained in the raw water (Cl ^-) Is almost maintained even when passing through the sediment filter 111 and the pre-carbon filter 112 (depending on the raw water, approximately 10 to 20 ppm).

In particular, the activated carbon filter such as the pre-carbon filter 112 contains a mineral component, so that the water passing through the activated carbon dissolves the inorganic substances in the activated carbon, and is weakly alkaline. Such alkaline water is reducing power in the residual chlorine (Cl _2, HOCl, ClO) of water, chloride ion (Cl ^-) is harmless to the human body by reduction with, a variety of toxic substances in large holes in the activated carbon itself is adsorbed in the water impurities and It will remove chemicals.

Therefore, in the purified water filtered through the sediment filter 111 or the sediment filter 111 and the pre-carbon filter 112, the concentration of chlorine ions becomes almost similar to that of the raw water (for example, approximately 10 to 20 ppm In this way, chlorine ions and other substances contained in the purified water passing through the sediment filter 111 and / or the free carbon filter 112 are converted into an oxidative mixture by electrolysis (redox reaction) of the electrolytic sterilizer 130. Is generated. In particular, only the sediment filter 111 without passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 or the purified water passing through the sediment filter 111 and the pre-carbon filter 112 may be dissolved in total dissolved solids (TDS, Total Dissolved Solid; calcium or magnesium). Since the amount of solid materials including minerals such as iron dissolved in water is large), there is an advantage in that the electrolytic reaction (redox reaction) can occur smoothly in the electrolytic sterilizer 130.

On the other hand, when passing through the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113, a large amount of such solid material is removed, so that the electrolysis reaction (oxidation reduction reaction) cannot be performed smoothly, not only high voltage is required, but also necessary for the generation of oxidative mixtures such as chlorine ions. Since the material is also removed in a large amount, the concentration of the oxidizing mixture through electrolysis becomes low, which is insufficient for sterilization.

Thus, the sediment filter 111 located at the front end of the reverse osmosis membrane filter 113, or the purified water supplied through the sediment filter 111 and the free carbon filter 112 has a large amount of total dissolved solids and is similar to raw water. It is in a state having a level of chlorine ions, and the purified water of this property is supplied to the electrolytic sterilizer 130.

For example, the concentration of chlorine ions contained only in the sediment filter 111 or in the purified water passed through the sediment filter 111 and the free carbon filter 112 is determined by the concentration of chlorine ions in the raw water (typically, 10 ~ 20ppm) is almost the same, so that not only can be introduced into the electrolytic sterilizer 130 of a sufficient amount of chlorine ions, but also the electrolyte required for electrolysis, that is, the total dissolved solids (TDS) is sufficient, so that it flows into the electrolytic sterilizer 130 By adjusting the inlet capacity (liter / min), current, voltage and the like of the purified water it can be confirmed through experiments that can be produced sterilized water containing 2 ~ 3ppm oxidizing mixture.

On the other hand, when the amount of total dissolved solids contained in only the sediment filter 111 or the purified water passed through the sediment filter 111 and the pre-carbon filter 112 is too large (for example, more than 30 ppm). Even if it is possible to generate a stable concentration of oxidizing mixture through the voltage and / or current control of the electrolytic sterilizer (130). As such, the control of the electrolytic sterilizer 130 to generate a stable concentration of oxidizing mixture is described in detail in the applicant's unpublished prior application (Korean Patent Application No. 2010-0062233), which will not be described in detail. Shall be.

As such, the sterilized water having a high concentration (for example, 2 to 3 ppm) generated by the electrolytic sterilizer 130 has a water level in the storage tank 170 through the sterilized water line 142 disposed higher than the purified water line 141. Is supplied until water level is reached.

The high concentration of sterilizing water supplied to the storage tank 170 is mixed with the purified water contained in the storage tank 170 so that a certain concentration of the oxidizing mixture comes into contact with the inner wall of the storage tank 170, and as a result, the storage tank 170 The inner wall of) can be sterilized by sterilizing water. For example, when the concentration of the oxidizing mixture (MO) contained in the sterilizing water supplied to the storage tank 170 is 2 to 3 ppm, the concentration of the total oxidative mixture is mixed with the purified water remaining in the storage tank 170. Can be adjusted to 0.05 ~ 0.15ppm can be expected sterilization efficiency. In particular, considering that the concentration of the oxidizing mixture required for sterilization is 0.05ppm, the concentration of the oxidizing mixture in the storage tank 170 due to the inflow of sterilizing water is slightly higher than the above 0.05ppm to obtain a stable sterilization effect. It is preferable to make it about 0.07-0.13 ppm.

As such, when the sterilizing water provided to the storage tank 170 is full, the detection signal of the full water level sensor 175c is output to the control unit 190, and the control unit 190 closes the raw water shutoff valve WV. do.

At the same time as the high water level due to inflow of sterilized water or after a certain time has elapsed from the high water level, the control unit 190 applies an electrical signal to the drain pump 155 when the drain pump 155 is installed, and the drain pump 155 is operated, and at the same time, an electrical signal is applied to the flow path switching valve 157 to open the drain line 151 to the water discharge side.

Then, the sterilized water stored in the storage tank 170 is discharged through the drain line 151 by the pumping pressure of the drain pump 155, and is discharged to the living water through the flow path switching valve 157. However, when the drain pump 155 is not provided, the control unit 190 opens the drain valve (see 252 of FIG. 7A) provided in the drain line 151 for a sufficient time to drain the storage tank 170. You can also control the multiple of.

The drainage operation of the sterilizing water may be configured to block the operation of the drainage pump 155 after performing for a predetermined time, but the control unit 190 may be configured so that the drainage pump 155 is not driven for a longer time than necessary. It is preferable that the end of the storage tank 170 is terminated by detecting that an overload occurs in the drain pump 155 due to the completion of drainage (including a state in which the water remains in the storage tank).

As such, when the drainage of the sterilizing water is finished, the control unit 190 may open the raw water shutoff valve WV again to perform a rinsing operation.

However, as described above, since the concentration of the oxidizing mixture in the storage tank 170 during sterilization is about 0.05 to 0.15 ppm, the amount of the oxidizing mixture remaining in the storage tank 170 after draining the sterilizing water is extremely small. If the purified water is re-introduced at 170, the concentration is significantly lowered and not detected, and the user may not feel any abnormality in the water taste due to the oxidizing mixture, so that a separate rinsing operation may not be performed.

However, it would be desirable to perform a rinse operation to more reliably remove sterilizing substances such as oxidizing mixtures.

This rinsing operation is performed by filtering the supplied raw water only through the sediment filter 111 or through the sediment filter 111 and the pre-carbon filter 112 and then supplying it to the storage tank 170. At this time, the purified water supplied to the storage tank 170 is supplied through the sterilizing water line 142, but since the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is in an off state, the sterilizing water is not generated. That is, during the rinsing operation, the flow path is the same as the flow path shown in FIG. 5, but is performed while the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is turned off.

On the other hand, in order to perform the rinsing operation it is also possible to supply the purified water to the storage tank 170 to the full water level. However, when the purified water is supplied to the full water level, not only a lot of time is required to supply and drain the purified water (rinsing water), but also a lot of water is wasted. Therefore, according to a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of purified water (rinsing water) supplied to the storage tank 170 during the rinsing operation is the storage tank 170 in which the sterilization water can remain the most when disinfection It is effective to be able to rinse the bottom surface. For this purpose, the amount of purified water (rinsing water) supplied to the storage tank 170 is preferably supplied by a predetermined amount smaller than the full water capacity corresponding to the full water level of the storage tank 170. For example, it may be sufficient to supply purified water at a level lower than the low level detectable through the low level sensor 175a.

On the other hand, Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the storage tank 170 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 3 except for the configuration of the sterilizing water line 142. Therefore, the same parts are described in the embodiment of FIG. do.

When the space between the lid 174 and the water purification line 141 is insufficient or to reduce the size of the storage tank 170, the sterilizing water line 142 is the inclined portion 142b connected to the storage tank 170 and the It may include a horizontal portion 142a connected to the inclined portion 142b and positioned at a position higher than the purified water line 141.

In this case, the inclined portion 142b may be connected to the storage tank 170 at a position lower than the purified water line 141 if the horizontal portion 142a is located at a higher position than the purified water line 141.

When the sterilizing water line 142 is configured to include the inclined portion 142b and the horizontal portion 142a, the sterilizing water line 142 between the water purification line 141 and the lid 174 in the storage tank 170. ) Does not need to be connected, which allows efficient space utilization inside the water purifier.

In addition, only by changing the structure of the sterilizing water line 142 without additional configuration, the inflow of sterilizing water can be prevented, there is an effect that the performance can be secured while lowering the production cost.

100... Water treatment apparatus 110... Filter part
120 ... Flow switching valve 130.. Electrolytic sterilizer
141 ... Integer line 142... Sterilization water line
150 ... Drain unit 151... Drainage line
155... Drain pump 157... Flow switch
170 ... Storage tank 171... First storage
172... Second storage unit 173. Cooling Unit
174... Lid 175a... Low water level sensor
175b... Water level sensor 175c.. Water level sensor
177... Separator

Claims (4)

A filter unit for purifying raw water;
A storage tank connected to the filter part and storing purified water filtered through the filter part; And
A sterilizer installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, the sterilizing water being supplied to the storage tank by generating sterilizing water using filtered purified water while passing through at least a portion of the filter unit; Including;
The storage tank is connected to the purified water line through which the purified water passed through the filter unit and the sterilized water line into which the sterilized water generated by the sterilizer is introduced, wherein the sterilized water line and the purified water line are disposed at the side of the storage tank.
And the sterilizing water line is disposed at a position higher than the purified water line so that the sterilizing water remaining in the sterilizing water line does not enter the purified water. The method of claim 1,
The sterilizing water line comprises a inclined portion connected to the storage tank and a horizontal portion connected to the inclined portion, wherein the horizontal portion of the sterilized water line is disposed at a position higher than the water purification line. The method of claim 2,
And the inclined portion is connected at a position lower than the purified water line. The method of claim 1,
The storage tank includes a lid open to the upper surface and one or more water level sensor disposed on the side,
The water treatment apparatus characterized in that the sterilizing water line and the purified water line is disposed on the side between the water level sensor and the top of the water level sensor and the lid.

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