KR20130016551A

KR20130016551A - Sterilization method of ice tank of water treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR20130016551A
Application number: KR1020110078564A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김유신; 박정철; 신귀성; 최채석
Original assignee: 코웨이 주식회사
Priority date: 2011-08-08
Filing date: 2011-08-08
Publication date: 2013-02-18

Abstract

PURPOSE: The sterilization method of the ice tank of a water processor is provided to sterilize and wash an ice tank by providing sterilized water and purified water to the ice tank of a water processor, spray by using an air pump for complee sterilization and cleaning, and use a flow path change valve in order to provide sterilized water and purified water for the optimization of a flow path. CONSTITUTION: The sterilization method of the ice tank of a water processor includes the following steps. An ice discharging step discharging an ice kept in an ice tank and sensing whether totally discharged or not through an ice discharge time and an ice residual quantity sensing; a first sterilization step spraying the sterilized water to the ice tank through an air pump; a second cleaning step spraying purified water to the ice tank through an air pump. The ice discharging step includes the following steps. A step sensing an residual ice quantity in an ice tank; a discharge completion step stopping an ice discharge in case the residual ice quantity is not sensed and a second discharge time is over. [Reference numerals] (30) Discharging ice; (40) Spraying sterilization water; (50) Spraying washing water; (AA) Start; (BB) End

Description

Sterilization method of ice tank of water treatment apparatus

The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing an ice tank of a water processor, and more particularly, to a method for sterilizing an ice tank of a water processor having an ice tank.

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.

However, as ice is stored in the ice tank for a long time, the necessity of sterilization occurs. Thus, there is a need for a method of sterilizing ice tanks.

In order to solve the above problems, the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention proposes a method of sterilizing the ice tank by providing sterilizing water and washing water to the ice tank in the case of the water treatment device having an ice tank For the purpose of

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter unit for providing purified water, an ice tank for storing ice, an electrolytic sterilizer for providing sterilizing water, and an air pump for injecting the sterilizing water or purified water into an ice tank. An ice tank sterilization method of a water treatment apparatus includes an ice discharge process of discharging ice stored in the ice tank and detecting whether the ice is discharged completely by detecting an ice discharge time and a remaining amount of ice; A sterilization process of injecting the sterilizing water into the ice tank through the air pump; And a washing process of spraying the purified water to the ice tank through the air pump.

The ice discharging process may include detecting an amount of ice remaining in the ice tank; And discharging the ice when the remaining amount of ice is detected and the first discharge time is exceeded, or when the remaining amount of ice is not detected and the second discharge time is exceeded.

The water processor further includes a flow path switching valve that forms a flow path through which the sterilization water provided from the electrolytic sterilizer is delivered to the air pump, and the sterilization process includes a flow path through which the sterilization water provided from the electrolytic sterilizer is delivered to the air pump. Forming a flow path switching step; A sterilizing water supplying step of supplying sterilizing water from the electrolytic sterilizer to the air pump; A sterilizing water spraying step, wherein the air pump sprays the sterilizing water of the first spraying amount to the ice tank; And a supply stop step of stopping supply of sterilizing water of the electrolytic sterilizer.

The water processor further includes a flow path switching valve for forming a flow path through which the purified water provided from the filter unit is transferred to the air pump, wherein the washing process includes: supplying clean water to the air pump from the filter unit; A washing water spraying step in which the air pump injects purified water of the second spray amount into the ice tank; And a supply stop step of stopping supply of purified water to the filter unit.

Sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention by the above solution can be sterilized and washed by providing the sterilizing water and washing water in the ice tank of the water treatment, air pump for more uniform sterilization and washing It can be sprayed using, and the flow path switching valve for providing sterilizing water and washing water can be used to optimize the flow path.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional water treatment apparatus.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a functional block of the configuration of the water treatment device to which the sterilization method of the present invention is applied.
3 is a flow chart showing the flow of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.
4 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the ice discharge process of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the sterilization water injection process of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the washing water spraying process of the sterilization method of the ice tank 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.

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

Referring to FIG. 2, the water processor to which the control method of the present invention is applied may include a filter unit 110, a storage tank 170, and 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.

In addition, if necessary, the water processor may further include a drainage device 150. 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.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drainage device 150 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.

Recently, since the water processor 100 supports various functions and reduces the overall size to be provided in the indoor space, there is a high possibility that the cross-sectional area of the drain line becomes 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 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.

Referring to FIG. 2, the water processor to which the present invention is applied may further include an ice tank 180.

The ice tank 180 which provides ice to the user and can be sterilized and washed as necessary may include an ice tank 181 for storing ice and an ice discharge container 182 for storing the discharged ice. It may further include an air pump 183 for spraying water and wash water. In addition, a flow path switching valve 185 may be further formed to form a flow path receiving sterilized water from the electrolytic sterilizer 130 and a flow path receiving purified water from the filter unit 110 as washing water.

The ice tank 181 may have an ice tray (not shown) capable of producing ice.

Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, a method of sterilizing an ice tank of a water processor having the ice tank 181 will be described.

3 is a flow chart showing the flow of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention may be performed including an ice discharging process, a sterilizing water spraying process 40, and a washing water spraying process 50.

In the ice discharging process 30, all the ice stored in the ice tank 181 may be discharged for sterilizing and washing the ice tank 181. In the ice discharging process 30, the ice stored in the ice tank 181 may be discharged, and the complete discharge may be detected by detecting the ice discharge time and the remaining amount of ice. The ice discharge may be performed by operating a motor for ice discharge, and the like, and the discharge time may be checked as well as the remaining amount of ice for the complete discharge of the ice.

In the sterilizing water spraying process 40, the air pump 183 may be supplied with sterilizing water to spray the ice tank 181, and the spraying amount may be a first spraying amount.

In the washing water spraying process 50, the air pump may be supplied with purified water to the washing water to spray the ice tank 181, and the injection amount may be the second injection amount.

The sterilizing water and the washing water are supplied to the ice tank 181 through spraying so that the inside of the ice tank 181 can be sterilized and washed uniformly and widely within a short time.

4 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the ice discharge process of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the tank emptying process 30 of the present invention, the ice stored in the ice tank 181 may be discharged, and the discharge of the ice may be sensed through the ice discharge time and the remaining amount of ice.

Specifically, the ice stored in the ice tank 181 may be discharged by operating the discharge motor 31, and then the presence or absence of the remaining amount of ice in the ice tank may be detected 33.

If the remaining amount of ice is detected, the ice remains in the ice tank 181, so continuous ice discharge is required, but even if there is no ice in the ice tank 181, an error such as a detection sensor may be detected. Can be. Accordingly, when the first ejection time is exceeded by determining whether the ice is ejected so that the first ejection time is exceeded (35), the ejection motor may be stopped to stop the ice ejection (39).

In addition, even when it is detected that there is no remaining amount of ice in the ice tank 181, there may be ice which cannot be detected depending on the position of the detection sensor. Further, the second discharge time is further discharged during the second discharge time. Ice discharge can be stopped (39).

In the ice discharging process, the first discharge time is preferably larger than the second discharge time. For example, the first discharge time may be set to 2 minutes and the second discharge time to 30 seconds.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the sterilization water injection process of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the sterilizing water spraying process 40 of the present invention, the air pump 183 may be supplied with sterilizing water to spray the ice tank 181, and the spraying amount may be a first spraying amount.

In the flow path switching step 41, the flow path switching valve 185 is operated to supply the sterilizing water to the air pump 183 to form a flow path through which the sterilizing water provided from the electrolytic sterilizer 130 is transferred to the air pump 183. Can be.

In the sterilizing water supplying step 43, sterilizing water may be supplied from the electrolytic sterilizer 130 to the air pump 183.

In the sterilizing water spraying step 45, the sterilizing water supplied by the air pump 183 may be sprayed onto the ice tank 181. In this case, the injection amount is controlled to be the first injection amount, and the first injection amount can be experimentally derived in consideration of the size of the ice tank. As needed, in order to inject the first injection amount, the injection time may be controlled in consideration of the injection pressure of the air pump or the like to control the first injection amount.

When the injection of the first injection amount is completed 47, the supply of the sterilizing water of the electrolytic sterilizer 130 may be stopped 49.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the detailed flow of the washing water spraying process of the sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the washing water spraying process 40 of the present invention, the air pump 183 may be supplied with purified water and sprayed to the ice tank 181, and the spraying amount may be a second spraying amount.

After spraying the sterilizing water, it is necessary to clean the sterilizing water in the ice tank, so that the purified water can be supplied.

In the washing water supplying step 51, purified water may be supplied from the filter unit 110 to the air pump 183.

In the washing water spraying step 53, the purified water supplied by the air pump 183 may be injected into the ice tank 181. At this time, the injection amount is controlled to be the second injection amount, the second injection amount can be experimentally derived in consideration of the size of the ice tank. If necessary, in order to inject the second injection amount, the injection time may be controlled in consideration of the injection pressure of the air pump or the like to control the second injection amount.

When the injection of the second injection amount is completed 55, the supply of purified water from the filter unit 110 may be stopped 57.

When the purified water supply is stopped 57, since the sterilization washing is completed, the flow path switching valve 185 may be operated to return the flow path 59 to normalize the flow path.

In addition, when the sterilized water remains in the ice tank, since the sterilized water may taste in the stored ice, it may be inconvenient for the user. Therefore, it is preferable that the second sprayed amount is larger than the first sprayed amount so that sufficient washing is performed. It is preferable to make the 2nd injection amount more than twice the 1st injection amount.

For example, if the first injection amount is 1L, the second injection amount can be 2L.

Although not shown, after the supply of the sterilizing water is stopped, the flow path may be switched so that the purified water is supplied to the air pump 183 using the flow path switching valve 185.

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
181: ice tank 182: ice discharge container
183: air pump 185: flow path switching valve
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 sterilization method of the ice tank of the water treatment apparatus comprising a filter unit for providing purified water, an ice tank for storing ice, an electrolytic sterilizer for providing sterilizing water, and an air pump for injecting the sterilizing water or purified water into the ice tank,
An ice discharge process of discharging the ice stored in the ice tank and detecting whether the ice is discharged completely by detecting an ice discharge time and a remaining amount of ice;
A sterilization process of injecting the sterilizing water into the ice tank through the air pump; And
And a washing step of spraying the purified water into the ice tank through the air pump.

The method of claim 1, wherein the ice discharge process
Detecting an amount of ice in the ice tank; And
And discharging completion when the remaining amount of ice is detected and the first discharge time is exceeded or the remaining amount of ice is not detected and the second discharge time is exceeded.

According to claim 1, wherein the water processor further comprises a flow path switching valve for forming a flow path for the sterilization water provided from the electrolytic sterilizer to the air pump,
The sterilization process is
A flow path switching step of forming a flow path for sterilizing water provided from the electrolytic sterilizer to the air pump;
A sterilizing water supplying step of supplying sterilizing water from the electrolytic sterilizer to the air pump;
A sterilizing water spraying step, wherein the air pump sprays the sterilizing water of the first spraying amount to the ice tank; And
A method of sterilizing an ice tank of a water processor comprising a supply stop step of stopping supply of sterilizing water from the electrolytic sterilizer.

The water treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water processor further includes a flow path switching valve forming a flow path through which the purified water provided from the filter part is transferred to the air pump.
The washing process is
A washing water supplying step of supplying purified water from the filter part to the air pump;
A washing water spraying step in which the air pump injects purified water of the second spray amount into the ice tank; And
Sterilization method of the ice tank of the water processor comprising a supply stop step of stopping the water supply of the filter portion.