KR20140001531A - Apparatus for manufacturing functional water - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a manufacturing apparatus of functional water cooling water stored in a mixing tank by cold water in a cold water tank without a separate cooling means as at least a part of the mixing tank for manufacturing functional water comes in contact with or is inserted into the cold water tank. The manufacturing apparatus of functional water according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the mixing tank (200) in which water and functional gas flow in, the functional gas is dissolved in water to manufacture functional water, and the functional water is discharged to outside; and a cold water tank (300) in which cold water is stored, and at least part of the mixing tank (200) comes in contact with or is inserted to cool the water stored in the mixing tank with the cold water. The manufacturing apparatus of functional water according to the present invention is able to cool the water, which is stored in the mixing tank which manufactures functional water with functional gas dissolved in water, with cold water stored in the cold water tank, to cool the water stored in the mixing tank without a separate cooling means, to cool the water stored in the mixing tank with ice stored in an ice storage as well as the cold water stored in the cold water tank, and to facilitate to manufacture functional water by dissolving functional gas in the water stored in the mixing tank. [Reference numerals] (AA) Cool water; (BB) Gas; (CC) Functional water; (DD) Water

Description

Functional water manufacturing equipment {APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FUNCTIONAL WATER}

The present invention relates to a functional water production apparatus for producing a functional water, such as carbonated water by dissolving a functional gas, such as carbon dioxide, in water, more specifically, at least a portion of the mixing tank configured to make the functional water in contact with the cold water tank or The present invention relates to a functional water production apparatus for cooling water stored in a mixing tank by cold water of a cold water tank even if it is provided to be inserted and does not have a separate cooling means.

A functional water production apparatus is a device for making functional water, such as carbonated water, by dissolving a functional gas such as carbon dioxide in water supplied from a water supply source.

Such a functional water production apparatus includes a mixing tank in which water and a functional gas from a water supply source flow in such that the functional gas is dissolved in water to allow the functional water to function. Since the gas is more soluble in water at higher pressures and at lower temperatures, the mixing tank is designed to be at higher pressure and at lower temperatures.

In order to lower the temperature of the water stored in the mixing tank, the conventional mixing tank stores ice shaft water and is included in the refrigeration cycle so that a portion is contained in the ice storage tank having an evaporator through which refrigerant flows. That is, conventionally, there is a problem in that a separate cooling means is required to lower the temperature of the water stored in the mixing tank. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the configuration is complicated, and there is a problem that resources are wasted because the ice storage water contained in the ice storage tank cannot be used for other purposes.

The present invention is made by recognizing at least one of the needs or problems occurring in the conventional functional water production apparatus as described above.

One aspect of the present invention is to allow the functional gas to be dissolved in water to cool the water stored in the mixing tank to make the functional water without having a separate cooling means.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to cool the water stored in the mixing tank by the cold water stored in the cold water tank.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to cool the water stored in the mixing tank not only by the cold water stored in the cold water tank but also by the ice stored in the ice reservoir.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is that the functional gas is easily dissolved in the water stored in the mixing tank to facilitate the functional gas.

Functional water production apparatus according to an embodiment for realizing at least one of the above problems can include the following features.

The present invention is basically based on the fact that at least a portion of the mixing tank configured to dissolve the functional gas in water to make the functional water is provided to be in contact with or inserted into the stored cold water tank.

Functional water production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a mixing tank configured to discharge the water after the functional gas is made to be introduced into the water and the functional gas dissolved in the water to make the functional water; And a cold water tank configured to cool the water stored in the mixing tank by cold water, wherein the cold water is stored and provided to be in contact with or inserted into at least a portion of the mixing tank. As shown in FIG.

In this case, the cold water tank may be provided with a cooling unit that makes the water stored in the cold water tank into cold water.

In addition, the cooling unit may be an evaporator or a thermoelectric module through which cool refrigerant flows.

And, the ice is stored and the ice reservoir for cooling the water stored in the mixing tank by a portion of the stored ice is provided so that the other portion of the mixing tank is in contact or inserted; As shown in FIG.

In addition, the ice reservoir may be provided with a partition member for partitioning the first space in which the ice supplied to the outside is stored and the second space in which the ice for cooling the water stored in the mixing tank is stored.

In addition, the second space may be connected to a drain pipe for draining the melted water to the outside.

In addition, an ice maker for supplying ice to the ice storage; As shown in FIG.

In addition, the ice maker may supply ice to the cold water tank to make the water stored in the cold water tank into cold water.

In addition, the cold water of the cold water tank can be supplied to the mixing tank.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the water stored in the mixing tank to make the functional water is dissolved in the water by the cold water stored in the cold water tank can be cooled.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to cool the water stored in the mixing tank without having a separate cooling means.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the water stored in the mixing tank can be cooled not only by the cold water stored in the cold water tank but also by the ice stored in the ice reservoir.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the functional gas can be easily dissolved in the water stored in the mixing tank to facilitate the functional gas.

1 is a view showing the configuration and operation of one embodiment of a functional water production apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a view showing the configuration and operation of another embodiment of the functional water production apparatus according to the present invention.
3 and 4 are views showing the configuration and operation of still another embodiment of the functional water production apparatus according to the present invention.
5 to 7 is a view showing the configuration and operation of another embodiment of the functional water production apparatus according to the present invention.

In order to help the understanding of the features of the present invention as described above, it will be described in more detail with respect to the functional water production apparatus associated with an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described based on embodiments best suited for understanding the technical characteristics of the present invention, and the technical features of the present invention are not limited by the illustrated embodiments, It is to be understood that the present invention may be implemented as illustrated embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention may be modified in various ways within the technical scope of the present invention through the embodiments described below, and such modified embodiments fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments to be described below, in the reference numerals shown in the accompanying drawings, among the constituent elements which perform the same function in each embodiment, the related constituent elements are indicated by the same or an extension line number.

Embodiments related to the present invention are based on the fact that at least a portion of the mixing tank configured to make the functional gas dissolve in water to make functional water is provided so that the cold water comes into contact with or is inserted into the stored cold water tank.

1 and 2, 3 and 5, the functional water production apparatus 100 according to the present invention may include a mixing tank 200, and a cold water tank (300).

Water and functional gas may be introduced into the mixing tank 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7. To this end, the mixing tank 200 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown) by a connecting pipe (not shown). And, the water supply source, if the functional water producing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is provided in a water purifier (not shown), it may be a filtration unit including one or more water filter (not shown) compared to the water purifier. In this case, the purified water may be introduced into the mixing tank 200 while passing through the purified water filter of the filtration unit. However, the water supply source is not limited to the filtration part of the water purifier described above, and any water may be used as long as water is supplied to the mixing tank 200.

Meanwhile, the cold water of the cold water tank 300 may be supplied to the mixing tank 200 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. That is, the water supply source of the above-described mixing tank 200 may be the cold water tank (300). To this end, the mixing tank 200 and the cold water tank 300 may be connected to the cold water supply pipe 340 as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In addition, the cold water supply pipe 340 may be provided with a pump (P) as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the cold water supply pipe 340 may be provided with a valve (V).

By such a configuration, when the pump P of the cold water supply pipe 340 is driven as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7 or the valve V of the cold water supply pipe 340 is opened as shown in FIG. As illustrated, cold water of the cold water tank 300 may be supplied to the mixing tank 200 by the pressure of the pump P or the head difference between the cold water tank 300 and the mixing tank 200. As such, when cold water having a low temperature is supplied to the mixing tank 200, the functional gas is relatively dissolved and thus the functional water can be easily made, which is preferable.

When the valve V is provided in the cold water supply pipe 340 as shown in FIG. 2, the water level of the cold water tank 300 on the side to which the cold water supply pipe 340 is connected is connected to the cold water supply pipe 340. Cold water of the cold water tank 300 may be supplied to the mixing tank 200 only when the level of the mixing tank 200 on the side is higher.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the gas supply pipe 220 may be connected to the mixing tank 200 and the gas supply source 210 for the inflow of the functional gas into the mixing tank 200. In addition, the gas supply pipe 220 may be provided with a valve (V) as shown in the illustrated embodiment. When the valve V of the gas supply pipe 220 is opened by this configuration, the functional gas of the gas supply source 210 is supplied to the mixing tank 200 by the pressure and flows in as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. Can be.

In addition, the mixing tank 200 may be configured to dissolve the functional gas in water to make the functional water and then discharge it to the outside.

To this end, the mixing tank 200 may be sealed to the outside as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7. In addition, the mixing tank 200 may be insulated from the outside. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, when the functional gas having a predetermined pressure and temperature is introduced into the mixing tank 200 while the water of the predetermined pressure and temperature is introduced therein, the mixing tank 200 is introduced into the mixing tank 200. The functional gas may be dissolved in the stored water. Thereby, the functional water can be made in the mixing tank 200.

1 to 7, the functional tank discharge pipe 230 may be connected to the mixing tank 200 as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, the functional water discharge pipe 230 may be provided with a valve (V) as shown in the illustrated embodiment. By such a configuration, when the valve V of the functional water discharge pipe 230 is opened, the functional water made in the mixing tank 200 may be discharged to the outside through the functional water discharge pipe 230 and supplied to the user as described above. .

The functional gas supplied to the mixing tank 200 may be, for example, carbon dioxide. As such, if the functional gas is carbon dioxide, in the mixing tank 200, carbon dioxide may be dissolved in water so that carbonated water may be made into functional water. However, the functional gas supplied and introduced into the mixing tank 200 is not limited to carbon dioxide, and any known gas such as oxygen may be used as long as it is a gas supplied and introduced into the mixing tank 200 to form functional water.

Cold water tank 300 may be stored cold water. To this end, the water inlet pipe 320 may be connected to the cold water tank 300 as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7. And, the water inlet pipe 320 may be provided with a valve (V) as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The water inlet pipe 320 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown).

In addition, the water supply source may be a filtration unit provided with the water purifier and including one or more water purification filters (not shown) if the functional water production apparatus 100 according to the present invention is provided in a water purifier (not shown). In this case, the purified water may be introduced into the cold water tank 300 while passing through the purified water filter of the filtration unit. However, the water supply source is not limited to the filtration part of the water purifier described above, and any water may be used as long as water is supplied to the cold water tank 300.

In order to cool the water introduced into the cold water tank 300 to make cold water, the cold water tank 300 may be provided with a cooling unit 310 as shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the cooling unit 310 may be an evaporator in which a cool refrigerant flows in a refrigeration cycle (not shown). And, the evaporator may be provided inside the cold water tank 300 as shown in the embodiment. However, the evaporator may be provided outside the cold water tank 300.

When the cooling unit 310 is an evaporator, when a cool refrigerant flows to the evaporator, heat exchange may be performed between the cool refrigerant flowing through the evaporator and the water stored in the cold water tank 300. That is, heat transfer may be performed from the relatively high temperature water stored in the cold water tank 300 to a relatively low temperature cool refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. Accordingly, the water stored in the cold water tank 300 may be cooled to become cold water.

The cooling unit 310 provided in the cold water tank 300 is not limited to the above-described evaporator, and may be any well-known one such as a thermoelectric module as long as the cold water tank 300 is made of cold water.

In addition, the functional water production apparatus 100 according to the present invention as described below may further include an ice maker 500 for making ice (I). In addition, the ice maker 500 may supply the ice I to the cold water tank 300 as shown in FIG. 6. As such, when the ice I made in the ice maker 500 is supplied to the cold water tank 300, the water introduced into the cold water tank 300 may be cooled by the ice I to become cold water.

At least a portion of the mixing tank 200 may be in contact with the cold water tank 300 as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, at least a portion of the mixing tank 200 may be inserted as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. With this configuration, the water stored in the mixing tank 200, that is, the mixing tank 200, may be cooled by the relatively low temperature cold water stored in the cold water tank 300. Accordingly, the water stored in the mixing tank 200 may be cooled to near a low temperature, for example, 0 ° C, which is the freezing point.

Gases are more soluble in water at higher pressures and at lower temperatures. Therefore, when the water stored in the mixing tank 200 is cooled to a low temperature as described above, the functional gas can be easily dissolved in the water to facilitate the functional water.

Cold water discharge pipe 330 may be connected to the cold water tank 300, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7. And, the cold water discharge pipe 330 may be provided with a valve (V). By such a configuration, when cold water at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined temperature is made in the cold water tank 300, the valve V of the cold water discharge pipe 330 may be opened to discharge the cold water of the cold water tank 300 to the outside to be supplied to the user.

On the other hand, the apparatus 100 for producing functional water according to the present invention may further include an ice storage 400 as shown in the embodiment shown in Figs. Ice (I) may be stored in the ice reservoir 400 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

In order to store the ice (I) in the ice storage 400, the functional water production apparatus 100 according to the present invention as shown in Figures 3 and 5 is the ice (I) in the ice storage 400 It may further include an ice maker 500 for supplying.

The ice maker 500 may include an evaporator 510 through which a refrigerant flows, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The evaporator 510 included in the ice maker 500 may be connected to an evaporator which is a cooling unit 310 provided in the cold water tank 300. That is, the evaporator 510 of the ice maker 500 and the evaporator which is the cooling unit 310 of the cold water tank 300 may be included in the same refrigeration cycle.

However, the evaporator 510 included in the ice maker 500 may be formed separately from the evaporator which is the cooling unit 310 provided in the cold water tank 300. That is, the evaporator 510 of the ice maker 500 and the evaporator which is the cooling unit 310 of the cold water tank 300 may be included in a separate refrigeration cycle. However, the ice maker 500 may include a thermoelectric module (not shown) in addition to the evaporator 510 in which the refrigerant flows.

The ice maker 500 may be an immersion type ice maker as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. That is, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the ice maker 500 may include an immersion member 520 and a tray member 530. The immersion member 520 may be connected to the evaporator 510 described above. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator 510 may also flow in the immersion member 520. In addition, the tray member 530 may rotate between an ice making position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 and a ice removing position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and 7.

In the ice making position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tray member 530 may be supplied with water for ice making through a water supply pipe 540 for making ice with a valve (V). The ice making water supply pipe 540 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown). If the water supply source 100 is provided in the water purifier (not shown) according to the present invention, the water supply may be a filtration unit provided in the water purifier and includes one or more water filters (not shown).

By such a configuration, when the valve V of the ice making water supply pipe 540 is opened, water of the water supply source may be supplied to the tray member 530. However, the water supply source is not limited to the filtration unit of the water purifier described above, and any water may be used, such as the cold water tank 300 or the mixing tank 200, as long as water is supplied to the tray member 530.

As described above, when water is supplied to the tray member 530 at the ice making position, the immersion member 520 may be immersed in the water contained in the tray member 530 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. In such a state, when the cool refrigerant flows to the evaporator 510 of the ice maker 500, the cool refrigerant also flows to the immersion member 520. As a result, ice I may be formed in the immersion member 520 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

When ice I of a predetermined size is formed in the immersion member 520, the tray member 530 is rotated to a freezing position as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7. In this state, when hot refrigerant flows through the evaporator 510 of the ice maker 500, the hot refrigerant also flows into the immersion member 520. As a result, the ice I formed in the immersion member 520 is separated from the immersion member 520 and dropped by its own weight to be sent to the ice storage 400 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, or FIG. 6. It may be sent to the cold water tank 300 as shown.

The ice maker 500 is not limited to the above-described immersion ice maker, and any configuration known in the art, such as a spraying type or an oil-type ice maker, can be used as long as it can supply the ice I to the ice storage 400.

3 and 5, the ice reservoir 400 may be provided to contact or insert another portion of the mixing tank 200 which is not in contact with or is not inserted into the cold water tank 300 as shown in FIGS. Accordingly, as described above, the water stored in the mixing tank 200 may be cooled not only by the cold water stored in the cold water tank 300 but also by some of the ice I stored in the ice storage 400. Thereby, the water stored in the mixing tank 200 can be cooled to a lower temperature in a relatively quick time.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the ice reservoir 400 may be provided with a partition member 410. The ice reservoir 400 may be partitioned as shown in the embodiment shown by the partition member 410. That is, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the ice storage 400 is cooled by the partition member 410 to cool the water stored in the first space S1 and the mixing tank 200 in which the ice I supplied to the outside is stored. It may be partitioned into a second space S2 in which the ice I is stored.

By this configuration, the ice I made in the ice maker 500 may be first supplied to the first space S1 of the ice storage 400 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. When the ice I of the first space S1 of the ice reservoir 400 overflows, as shown, the ice I exceeds the partition member 410 and the second space S2 of the ice reservoir 400. Move to and may be stored in the second space S2.

The drain pipe 420 may be connected to the second space S2 of the ice storage 400 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. And, the drain pipe 420 may be provided with a valve (V) as shown in the illustrated embodiment. By such a configuration, when the ice I of the second space S2 of the ice reservoir 400 is melted, when the valve V of the drain pipe 420 is opened, the water in which the ice I melts is drained from the drain pipe 420. Can be discharged to the outside through.

Meanwhile, the ice I made in the ice maker 500 may be supplied to the cold water tank 300 as shown in FIG. 6. To this end, the guide member 350 may be rotatably provided between the cold water tank 300 and the ice storage 400. Then, as the guide member 350 rotates, as shown in FIG. 6, the ice I made in the ice maker 500 is also supplied to the cold water tank 300, and the ice reservoir 400 is illustrated in FIG. 7. Can also be supplied.

By using the functional water production apparatus according to the present invention as described above, the functional gas is dissolved in water by the cold water stored in the cold water tank to cool the water stored in the mixing tank to make the functional water, separate cooling means It is possible to cool the water stored in the mixing tank without having to be provided, and to cool the water stored in the mixing tank not only by the cold water stored in the cold water tank but also by the ice stored in the ice reservoir, and the functional gas is easy to be stored in the water stored in the mixing tank. Can be easily dissolved to make the functional gas easier.

The functional water production apparatus as described above is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made.

100: functional water production apparatus 200: mixing tank
210: gas supply source 220: gas supply pipe
230: functional water discharge pipe 300: cold water tank
310: cooling unit 320: water inlet pipe
330: cold water discharge pipe 340: cold water supply pipe
350: guide member 400: ice storage
410: partition member 420: drain pipe
500: ice maker 510: evaporator
520: immersion member 530: tray member
540: de-icing water supply pipe V: valve
P: Pump I: Ice
S1: first space S2: second space

Claims (9)

A mixing tank 200 configured to discharge water to the outside after the water and the functional gas are introduced and the functional gas is dissolved in the water; And
Cold water tank 300, the cold water is stored and is provided to contact or insert at least a portion of the mixing tank 200 is configured to cool the water stored in the mixing tank 200 by the cold water;
Functional water manufacturing apparatus configured to include. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cold water tank (300) comprises a cooling unit (310) for making cold water into the cold water tank (300) stored therein. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cooling unit is an evaporator or a thermoelectric module through which cool refrigerant flows. According to claim 1, wherein the ice (I) is stored and the other portion of the mixing tank 200 is provided to contact or insert to cool the water stored in the mixing tank 200 by a portion of the stored ice (I) Ice storage 400; Functional water production apparatus comprising a further. According to claim 4, wherein the ice reservoir 400 is stored in the first space (S1) for storing the ice (I) supplied to the outside and the ice (I) for cooling the water stored in the mixing tank 200 Functional water production apparatus, characterized in that the partition member 410 for partitioning the second space (S2) is provided. The apparatus for producing functional water according to claim 5, wherein the second space (S2) is connected with a drain pipe (420) for draining water in which ice (I) is melted to the outside. According to claim 4, Ice maker (500) for supplying the ice (I) to the ice reservoir (400); Functional water production apparatus comprising a further. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ice maker 500 supplies ice (I) to the cold water tank (300) to make cold water introduced into the cold water tank (300) into cold water. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cold water of the cold water tank is supplied to the mixing tank.

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