KR20120131720A

KR20120131720A - drain apparatus of water treatmenter

Info

Publication number: KR20120131720A
Application number: KR1020110050086A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 정진규; 김기철; 김유신
Original assignee: 웅진코웨이주식회사
Priority date: 2011-05-26
Filing date: 2011-05-26
Publication date: 2012-12-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drainage device of a water treatment machine, and more particularly, to a water treatment unit including a filter unit for purifying raw water of the present invention and a storage tank connected to the filter unit and storing purified water passed through the filter unit. The drainage device is a drainage line for discharging the water contained in the storage tank; A drain valve for opening and closing the drain line; A drain pump installed in the drain line; And a controller configured to generate a control signal for controlling whether the drain valve is opened or closed, whether the drain pump is operated, and an operation speed of the drain pump, and determining whether or not the storage tank is stored using a driving current of the drain pump. .

Description

Drain apparatus of water treatment

The present invention relates to a drainage device capable of smoothly draining purified water and the like stored in the storage tank of the water treatment machine.

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, a hollow fiber membrane type water purifier uses a hollow fiber membrane filter (ultrafiltration filter, UF) instead of the said 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, sterilizing substances generated by sterilizing chemicals are mainly OCl- substances with low pH or very high odors, and sterilization performance is high. 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 illustrates a water treatment device disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-0128785.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional water processor 10 filters raw water supplied from a raw water supply unit such as tap water 15 through a purified 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.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a drainage device capable of smoothly draining purified water stored in a storage tank of a water treatment device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter unit for purifying raw water and a drainage device including a storage tank connected to the filter unit and storing a purified water passing through the filter unit. A drain line for discharging water contained in the storage tank; A drain valve for opening and closing the drain line; A drain pump installed in the drain line; And a controller configured to generate a control signal for controlling whether the drain valve is opened or closed, whether the drain pump is operated, and an operation speed of the drain pump, and determining whether or not the storage tank is stored using a driving current of the drain pump. .

The control unit opens the drain valve and operates the drain pump when the first settling time has elapsed.

The control unit stops the drain pump and closes the drain valve when the second stabilization time has elapsed.

The control unit stops the drainage pump and closes the drainage valve when the driving current of the drainage pump is less than or equal to the threshold current.

The controller controls the operation speed of the drain pump to operate in the first operation mode for a predetermined time after the start of the drain pump operation, and then operates in the second operation mode, and the drain pump of the first operation mode. The operation speed is faster than the drain pump operation speed of the second operation mode.

The drainage device further includes a sensing unit configured to provide a control unit with a driving current converted from the load voltage of the drain pump into a current value.

The storage tank further includes a water level sensor for detecting a water level, and the controller determines that the water discharge sensor has a failure when the driving current of the drain pump is below a threshold current and the water level sensor detects the water level.

The water treatment unit is installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, and further through the at least a portion of the electrolytic sterilizer to pass through at least a portion of the filtered purified water to generate sterilization water to sterilization water to the storage tank further And the control unit controls the purification mode by the filter unit and the sterilization mode using the electrolytic sterilizer and the drainage unit, and the control unit generates the sterilization water by operating the electrolytic sterilizer in the case of the sterilization mode, Control to discharge the sterilized water stored in the storage tank through the drain line.

The storage tank includes a first storage unit for storing the purified water passed through the filter unit, and a second storage unit for changing and storing the temperature of the purified water supplied from the first storage unit, the control unit in the sterilization mode, the The sterilizing water stored in the first storage unit is controlled to be discharged to the second storage unit, and the sterilizing water stored in the second storage unit is controlled to be discharged through the drain line.

The control unit controls the sterilization water stored in the second storage unit to be discharged through the drain line, and then controls the sterilization water stored in the first storage unit to be discharged to the second storage unit, and the sterilization water discharged to the second storage unit again. Control to discharge through the drain line.

The second storage unit further includes a water level sensor for detecting a water level, and the controller is an estimated full time when the second storage unit becomes full when the sterilizing water stored in the first storage unit is controlled to be discharged to the second storage unit. If the water level is previously detected by the water level sensor, it is determined as a failure of the drain pump.

According to the drainage device of the water treatment device of the present invention by the above solution, it is possible to quickly drain the purified water or sterilized water stored in the storage tank, it is possible to reduce the failure by adjusting the operation timing between the drain valve and the drainage pump of the drainage device The amount of drainage can be determined using the driving current of the drainage pump.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional water treatment apparatus.
2 is a block diagram showing a functional block of the configuration of the water treatment device to which the drainage device of the present invention is applied.
3 to 5 are flow charts showing the flow control valve and the drain valve of the control unit of the drainage device of the water treatment device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing in detail the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and like parts are denoted by similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

The water processor can be used for various purposes such as industrial or domestic use (including commercial use), such as treating waste water or water, or producing ultrapure water, but the present invention relates in particular to a water processor used for drinking. As such, the water processor for drinking water is generally referred to as a water purifier in a narrow sense since the raw water (constant water) is filtered and generates purified water for drinking. The water purifier is configured to supply raw water (constant water) to the user, which is filtered at the filter unit, and can provide hot water and / or cold water to the user by heating / cooling the purified water at room temperature do.

In addition, not only purified water but also functional water for supplying various functional water, such as ionized water, carbonated water, and oxygen water, are used for drinking water treatment equipment. In addition, there is a water heater, a cold water machine, an ice maker and the like that heat or cool water supplied from a bucket or the like or generate ice. In the present specification, the water treatment unit is used as a generic term for a water purifier, a functional water machine, a water heater, a cold water machine, an ice maker, and the like having a combination of these functions. However, the water purifier may be taken as an example for convenience of description, but such a water purifier should be understood as an example of the water processor according to the present invention.

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

The water processor 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.

In addition, the water treatment device to which the present invention is applied does not add a separate 'sterilization agent' or 'chloride', and only electrolyzes the purified water while passing through at least a part of the filter unit (in this specification, the term 'electrolysis' is referred to as 'redox'). Reaction) to generate sterilized water containing a material having a sterilizing function, such as an oxidizing mixed material (MO), and supplying it to a storage tank and then discharging it, thereby storing the storage tank and the sterilized water. A structure that can sterilize the flowing flow path can be further achieved. In particular, the water treatment device to which the present invention is applied can generate sterilized water including a high concentration of oxidative mixture by electrolyzing only purified water without adding a separate chloride such as a chloride feeder.

2 is a block diagram showing a functional block of the configuration of the water treatment device to which the drainage device of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 2, the water treatment device to which the drainage device 150 of the present invention is applied may include a filter unit 110, a storage tank 170, and may further include an electrolytic sterilizer 130.

The filter unit 110 is for filtration and purification of the raw water in sequence, the sediment filter 111, pre-carbon filter 112, reverse osmosis membrane filter 113 (or hollow fiber membrane (ultrafiltration) filter) and Although the post carbon filter 114 may be included, the type, number and order of the filters may be changed according to the filtration method of the water treatment device (purifier) or the filtration performance required for the water treatment device (purifier). 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.

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

The storage tank 170 stores the purified purified water passing through the filter unit 110 and selectively discharges the purified water. The storage tank 170 may accommodate sterilized water introduced from the electrolytic sterilizer 130 as described below.

Specifically, the storage tank 170 passes through the filter unit 110, and stores the purified purified water at room temperature and the cold purified water of some of the bar, forming a storage space for storing the purified water at room temperature The first storage unit 171 and the second storage unit 172 to form a storage space for storing cold water. At this time, it is apparent that the storage tank 170 may be formed as a storage space for storing only the constant temperature at room temperature, and the first storage unit 171 and the second storage unit 172 may be formed as independent tanks.

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 units 171 and 172 are each formed in a vertical direction through partitions (separators) (not shown) and communicate with each other.

In addition, the first storage unit 171 is provided with water level sensors 175a, 175b, and 175c for detecting a level of an integer and outputting the detection signal to the controller 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).

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.

On the other hand, the first storage unit 171 and the second storage unit 172 may be provided as a separate tank. In this case, the purified water stored in the first storage unit 171 may be transferred to the second storage unit through a separate water supply line, or may be transferred to an ice tray or the like to become ice and then transferred to the second storage unit 172.

The drainage device 150 is for draining purified water stored in the storage tank 170 and may be connected to the second storage part 172 provided below the storage tank 170 or provided as a separate tank.

2, the drainage device 150 of the present invention may include a drain line 151, a drain valve 155, a drain valve 153, and a controller 190.

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 drain valve 153 may adjust the opening and closing of the drain line, the drain pump 151 may be installed in the drain line 151, it is used to more smoothly drain the reservoir of the storage tank. Even if the drain valve 153 is opened, if the cross-sectional area of the drain line is narrow, rapid drainage is not possible, and thus, the old water or sterilization water used for sterilization may remain in the storage tank 170.

In recent years, water treatment systems have various concerns, but they reduce the overall size to be provided in the indoor space, so that the cross-sectional area of the drain line is narrow. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the drainage pump 155 together because the drainage is difficult only by opening the valve 153.

The drain pump 155 is generally implemented using a motor, and the motor may be a direct current motor capable of controlling the operating speed using an input voltage or an AC motor capable of controlling the operating speed through frequency adjustment. The drain valve 153 may be generally implemented as a latch valve.

The controller 190 generates a control signal for controlling whether the drain valve 153 is opened or closed, whether the drain pump 155 is operated, and the operating speed of the drain pump 155, and using the driving current of the drain pump, the storage tank ( 170 can be determined whether or not the reservoir. In particular, the controller 190 may adjust operation timings of the drain valve 153 and the drain pump 155, and determine whether or not the drainage is stopped by determining whether or not the storage tank is stored by receiving the driving current of the drain pump.

If the opening time of the drain valve 153 and the operation of the drain pump 155 does not exceed a predetermined time during drainage, the opening operation of the drain valve 153 may not be correctly performed or opened due to the drain pressure of the drain pump 155. It may not be itself.

Even when the drainage is stopped, if the closing time of the drain valve 153 and the operation stop point of the drain pump 155 do not exceed a predetermined time or more, the closing operation of the drain valve 153 is correctly caused by the drain pressure of the drain pump 155. It may not be done or may not be closed itself.

In addition, the drainage device 150 may further include a sensing unit (not shown) for providing a control unit with a driving current converted from the load voltage of the drain pump 155 into a current value.

If the cross-sectional area of the drain line is narrow, it is not easy to install a flow sensor, etc., and it may take up space and cost. However, the load voltage or driving current of the drain pump 155 is determined according to the amount of drained water. If the amount of drainage is large, the load of the drain pump 155 is increased, so that the load voltage or driving voltage is large. If the amount of drainage is small, the load of the drain pump 155 is small, so that the load voltage or the driving voltage is small. In particular, since the load voltage or the driving current becomes '0' in reality, it may be determined that the drainage is '0' when the load voltage or the driving current falls below the threshold. That is, the low water amount and the drainage amount of the storage tank 170 may be confirmed through the driving current of the drainage pump 155, thereby controlling the drainage device 150 without a separate flow sensor.

In addition, the controller 190 may check the malfunction or failure of the drain pump 155 using the water level sensors 175a, 175b, and 175c. That is, when the driving current of the drain pump is below the threshold current and the water level sensor detects the water level, it may be determined that the drain pump 155 has failed.

The electrolytic sterilizer 130 is installed in the sterilizing water line 142 and mixed with an oxidative mixture (MO: Mixed Oxidant) through electrolysis using only purified water filtered through at least some filters provided in the filter unit 110. It is composed of a structure capable of generating sterilizing water containing a material having a sterilizing function.

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.

The controller 190 may control the water purification mode by the filter unit 110 and the sterilization mode using the electrolytic sterilizer 130 and the drainage device 150. In addition, in the sterilization mode, the control unit 190 operates the electrolytic sterilizer 130 to generate sterilization water and control to discharge the sterilization water stored in the storage tank 170 through the drain line 151. can do.

In addition, when the storage tank 170 is configured to include the first storage unit 171 and the second storage unit 172, the control unit 190 is stored in the first storage unit 171 in the sterilization mode. The sterilizing water may be discharged to the second storage unit 172, and the sterilizing water stored in the second storage unit 172 may be discharged through the drain line 151.

Further, the controller 190 controls the sterilized water stored in the second storage unit 172 to be discharged through the drain line 151 and then controls the sterilized water stored in the first storage unit 171 in the second storage unit 172. It is controlled to be discharged to, and the sterilized water discharged to the second storage unit 172 may be controlled to be discharged again through the drain line (151).

In addition, the second storage unit 172 may further include a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the water level. Preferably, the water level sensor included in the second storage unit may be a full water level sensor. In this case, when the control unit 190 controls the discharge of the sterilized water stored in the first storage unit 171 to the second storage unit 172, the estimated full time before the second storage unit 172 becomes full. If the water level is detected by the water level sensor can be determined as a failure of the drain pump 155.

Hereinafter, detailed operations of the controller will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

3 to 5 are flow charts showing the flow control valve and the drain valve of the control unit of the drainage device of the water treatment device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the controller 190 may automatically recognize a case in which purified water or sterilized water is required to be discharged or perform a drainage operation (S10) if it is manually input.

Drainage operation (S10) is a time at which the control unit 190 transmits the drain valve open (S11) control signal to the drain valve 153 so that the drain valve 153 is opened, and then the drain valve 153 is fully opened and stabilized. After the first settling time has passed (S13), the drainage pump 155 may be performed by operation S15. That is, the controller 190 may control a time difference between the opening operation S11 of the drain valve 153 and the operation time of the drain pump 155, thereby preventing malfunction of the drain valve 153. The first settling time can be derived through experiments or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 190 may perform a drainage stop operation when the purified water or sterilized water stored in the storage tank is completely drained or manually received.

The drainage stop operation S30 is performed after the control unit 190 stops the drainage pump 155 (S31) and after the second stabilization time, which is a time at which the drainage flow is completely stopped and stabilized, is passed (S33). The control signal may be transmitted to the drain valve 153 to be closed (S35). That is, the controller 190 may control a time difference between the operation stop time S31 of the drain pump 155 and the closing operation S35 of the drain valve 153 to prevent a malfunction of the drain valve 153. have. The second settling time can be derived through experiments or the like.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 190 may change the operation of the drain pump 155 from the initial operation and the subsequent operation during the drainage operation S20 of the drainage pump, and use the sensed driving current to drain the pump 155. It may be determined whether the operation is stopped.

Since the drain pump 155 uses a motor, noise is generated during operation. Therefore, it is preferable not to maintain the maximum operating speed except for a specific purpose in order to reduce noise.

However, since there is not much water in the drainage line 151 at the beginning of drainage, the drainage operation is not stabilized, so it is preferable to fill the purified water or sterilized water drained to the drainage line 151 through a quick drainage operation. Therefore, in the initial stage of drainage, a high voltage may be applied to the drainage pump 155 so that purified water or sterilized water drained to the drainage line 151 may be filled through rapid drainage.

That is, when the operation of the drain pump 155 is started (S15), the controller 190 fills the drain line by applying a high voltage to the drain pump 155, and when the initial starting time required to fill the drain line is passed (S23). By applying a medium or low voltage (S25) it is possible to reduce the noise by the motor. In addition, the controller 190 may use a method of changing the output voltage of the power generator or controlling the operation of the power generator for generating a constant output using a PWM method as a method of changing the applied voltage.

When the drain pump 155 is an AC motor, high-frequency operating power may be applied instead of the high voltage, and when the initial starting time is over, the medium- or low-frequency operating power may be applied. The controller 190 may apply power by controlling an inverter or a power generator using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to change the frequency of operating power.

In addition, the controller 190 may sense the driving current of the drain pump 155 (S27), and when the sensing current is less than or equal to the threshold current (S29), the operation of the drain pump 155 may be stopped (S31).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, and it is common in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

100: water treatment unit 110: filter unit
120: flow path switching valve 130: electrolytic sterilizer
141: water purification line 142: sterile water line
150: drainage
151: drain line 153: drain valve
155: drain pump 190: control unit
157: flow path switching valve
170: storage tank 171: first storage unit
172: second storage unit 175a: low water level sensor
175b: Medium water level sensor 175c: High water level sensor
274: hot water tank 178a: first intake line
178b: second intake line 159: valve connector
180: connecting member 181: first connecting cap
182: second connecting cap 183: connecting hose
dL: Drain line dV: Drain valve
P: pressure pump PS: flow rate sensing unit
W: Raw water supply unit WV: Raw water shutoff valve

Claims

In the drainage device of the water treatment device including a filter for purifying the raw water and a storage tank connected to the filter, and stores the purified water passed through the filter,
A drain line for discharging water contained in the storage tank;
A drain valve for opening and closing the drain line;
A drain pump installed in the drain line; And
And a control unit for generating a control signal for controlling whether the drain valve is opened or closed, whether the drain pump is operated, and an operation speed of the drain pump, and determining whether the storage tank is stored using the driving current of the drain pump. Device.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
A drainage device which opens the drainage valve and operates the drainage pump when the first settling time has elapsed.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
A drainage device for stopping the drainage pump and closing the drainage valve when the second settling time has elapsed.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
A drainage device that stops the drainage pump and closes the drainage valve when the driving current of the drainage pump is less than or equal to the threshold current.

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
The operation speed of the drain pump is controlled to operate in the first operation mode for a predetermined time after the start of the drain pump operation, and to operate in the second operation mode.
The drainage pump operating speed of the first operation mode is faster than the drainage pump operating speed of the second operation mode.

The method of claim 1, wherein the drainage device
And a sensing unit configured to receive a load voltage of the drain pump and provide a driving current converted to a current value to a controller.

The method of claim 1,
The storage tank further includes a water level sensor for detecting the water level,
The control unit determines that the drain pump failure when the drive current of the drain pump is less than the threshold current, and the water level sensor detects the water level.

The method of claim 1,
The water treatment unit is installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, and further through the at least a portion of the electrolytic sterilizer to pass through at least a portion of the filtered purified water to generate sterilization water to sterilization water to the storage tank further Include,
The control unit controls the water purification mode by the filter unit, and the sterilization mode using the electrolytic sterilizer and the drainage unit,
The control unit in the sterilization mode, by operating the electrolytic sterilizer to generate sterilization water, the drainage device for controlling to discharge the sterilization water stored in the storage tank through the drain line.

The method of claim 1,
The storage tank includes a first storage unit for storing the purified water passed through the filter unit, and a second storage unit for changing and storing the temperature of the purified water supplied from the first storage unit,
The control unit controls the sterilization water stored in the first storage unit to be discharged to the second storage unit in the sterilization mode, and to control the sterilization water stored in the second storage unit to be discharged through the drain line.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit
After the sterilized water stored in the second storage unit is controlled to be discharged through the drain line, the sterilized water stored in the first storage unit is controlled to be discharged to the second storage unit, and the sterilized water discharged to the second storage unit is drained again. Drainage to control discharge through.

The method of claim 10,
The second storage unit further includes a water level sensor for detecting the water level,
The control unit determines that the drainage pump failure is detected when the water level is detected by the water level sensor before the expected full water time, which is the time when the second storage unit becomes full when the sterilizing water stored in the first storage unit is discharged to the second storage unit. controller.