KR20140032677A - Water purifier for self-inspecting and method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for examining a water purifier given in one embodiment of the present invention may include: a self examination step where the water purifier performs examination actions in order according to an examination order stored inside the water purifier and generates an internal signal; and a wireless communication step where the internal signal is transmitted to a water purifier examination device through wireless communication. [Reference numerals] (110) Filter unit; (120) Driving unit; (130) Sensor unit; (140) Main control device; (150) Wireless communication unit

Description

Water purifier for performing the self-test operation and water purifier inspection method using the same {Water purifier for self-inspecting and method for the same}

The present invention relates to a water purifier performing a self test operation and a water purifier test method using the same, and more particularly, to a water purifier capable of determining whether the water purifier is normally operated by performing a self test operation by itself. will be.

Recently, the use of water purifiers in various spaces including homes has been rapidly spreading in order to effectively obtain clean purified drinking water. A water purifier is a device for filtering natural water such as tap water or ground water (hereinafter referred to as 'raw water'), and removes foreign substances or harmful substances contained in raw water by filtering raw water through several filters. Thereby providing drinking water.

The water purifier may include various types of sensors and valves, a heater, a cooler, an ice maker, a filter, and the like, and supply hot water, cold water, ice, and purified water required by the user.

However, in the process of producing the water purifier, a defect may occur due to various reasons such as a defective connection or a defective part, and the water purifier may not be able to perform a normal operation due to the defect. When supplied to the user of the defective water purifier, the water purifier may malfunction and cause burns to the user, or a fire may occur in the water purifier, causing great damage to human life and property.

Therefore, it is necessary to perform a water purifier operation test to determine whether there is a defect before shipping the water purifier, and to prevent a defective product from being shipped. However, in the related art, since a person directly judges whether or not the water purifier is defective using a sense, it takes a lot of time and there is a problem in the reliability of the test.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier capable of determining whether the water purifier is normally operated by performing a self test operation on its own and a water purifier inspection method using the same.

Water purifier test method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the water purifier according to the inspection order stored in the water purifier, the self-test step of sequentially performing the inspection operation to generate an internal signal; And a wireless communication step of transmitting the internal signal to a water purifier test apparatus using wireless communication.

The wireless communication step may use at least one of Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth.

The self-test may include: a system test process of generating an internal signal including at least one of a version, a mode, a specification, and memory data of a program stored in a main control device of the water purifier; A temperature sensor test process of operating a temperature sensor included in the water purifier and generating an internal signal using a temperature value measured by the temperature sensor; And a motion sensor test process of operating the driving unit included in the water purifier, and generating an internal signal by using a sensing value generated according to the operation of the driving unit by the motion sensor sensing the operation of the driving unit.

Here, the motion sensor test process, by moving the ice tray of the ice generator included in the water purifier to the ice-breaking position, by using the sensing value of the ice tray sensor for detecting whether the ice tray is located in the ice-breaking position using the internal signal Can be generated.

The self-inspection step may include an ice making operation test process of generating an internal signal by measuring a sensing value of an ice making temperature sensor provided in the ice generator after operating a cooler and a defrosting heater of the ice generator included in the water purifier. It may further include.

Here, the water purifier test method may further include a result output step of outputting a test result by the water purifier test apparatus using the internal signal.

Here, in the result output step, by comparing the inspection criteria stored in the water purifier inspection apparatus and the internal signal, if the internal signal is included in the normal range of the inspection criteria, it is determined to be normal, and if not included in the normal range is bad. The test result can be determined and output.

Water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention is to perform a self-test operation, the filter unit for filtering the raw water flowing into the water to generate a purified water; A driving unit generating at least one of hot water, cold water, and ice by using the purified water; A sensor unit configured to sense a temperature inside the water purifier and an operation of the driver by using at least one sensor to generate a sensing value; A main control device which controls the driving unit and the sensor unit according to a preset self-test operation, and generates an internal signal using the sensing value measured by the sensor unit; And it may include a wireless communication unit for providing the internal signal to the water purifier inspection apparatus using wireless communication.

Here, the main control device, the version of the program stored in the main control device, the mode, the specification, the memory data, the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor included in the water purifier, the operation sensor for detecting the operation of the drive unit the drive unit An internal signal may be generated by using at least one of the sensing values generated according to the operation of.

According to the water purifier and the water purifier inspection method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, the operation test of the water purifier, which has been inspected by manipulating the water purifier in the past, has been performed. This can be done via: Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to automate and unmann the water purifier inspection, and to perform a quick and accurate operation inspection.

In addition, in the past, by connecting the connection between the water purifier and the inspection apparatus by hand, the signal inside the water purifier was measured, but the water purifier and the water purifier inspection method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, because the wireless communication uses a separate connection work This eliminates the need for a quick operation test.

In addition, the water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention and the water purifier inspection method using the same, since the internal signal is directly received from the main control device of the water purifier, it is possible to use the internal signal that was difficult to measure in the prior art. Therefore, more accurate and reliable test result can be obtained.

1 and 2 are functional block diagrams showing the functions of the water purifier and the water purifier inspecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a water purifier inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing in detail the self-test step of the water purifier test method according to an embodiment 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, the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

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.

Also, when a part is referred to as "including " an element, it does not exclude other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

1 and 2 are functional block diagrams showing the functions of the water purifier and the water purifier inspecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water purifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a filter unit 110, a driving unit 120, a sensor unit 130, a main controller 140, and a wireless communication unit 150. can do. In addition, referring to Figure 2, the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the probe 210, the control unit 220, the display unit 230, the wireless communication unit 240, the measurement unit 250 ) And an input unit 260.

Hereinafter, the water purifier 100 and the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The water purifier 100 and the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used to check whether the water purifier 100 operates normally before producing the water purifier 100 and before shipping it. .

Conventionally, a person performed a test on the water purifier 100 by using a sense such as checking the operation of the water purifier 100, but in this case, the test takes a long time, and also in terms of reliability of the test. There was a problem. In addition, the internal operation of the water purifier or the operation of the sensor, etc. can not be confirmed only by the human senses, there was a limit to inspect the overall operation of the water purifier 100. On the other hand, according to the water purifier 100 and the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the water purifier 100 performs a self-test operation according to a preset inspection method and order, the main control device 140 Since the internal signal of the water purifier stored in the) is provided to the water purifier inspection apparatus 200, it is possible to check whether the internal operation of the water purifier 100 or the operation of the sensor. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a person does not need to directly inspect the water purifier 100, and it is possible to secure a reliable test result using an internal signal.

Specifically, the water purifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may filter the raw water introduced into the interior using the filter unit 110 to generate purified water, and the generated purified water is driven to the driving unit 120. It can be provided in various forms such as hot water, cold water, ice, ionized water.

The filter unit 110 performs a basic function of the water purifier 100 to filter the raw water to generate purified water. For example, a sediment filter, a pre-carbon filter, It may include a membrane filter (membrane filter) and a post-carbon filter (post-carbon filter) and the like. Here, the type, number, order, etc. of each filter may be changed according to the filtration performance required by the water purifier 100, and the composite filter may be provided in which the sediment filter and the pracarbon filter are combined. It is also possible for functional filters to be added or replaced.

The purified water filtered by the filter unit 110 may be processed in various forms in the driving unit 120. Specifically, the drive unit 120 has various valves for opening and closing the internal flow path of the water purifier 100, a heater for heating the purified water to generate hot water, a cooler for cooling the purified water to generate cold water, and cooling the purified water to ice It may include an ice maker to produce the. Here, the ice maker may include an ice tray for receiving purified water, a cooler for generating ice by cooling the purified water contained in the ice tray, and a defrosting heater for desorbing the ice formed in the cooler. Here, when the ice is detached using the defrosting heater, the ice tray may be rotated so as not to obstruct the path where the detached ice falls. Here, the dropped ice may be stored in an ice reservoir or used as a cold water tank to form cold water.

The sensor unit 130 may detect a temperature inside the water purifier 100 and an operation of the driving unit 120 using at least one sensor, and generate a sensing value in response to the detected temperature and operation. Can be. The sensor unit may include a temperature sensor, a water level sensor, a position sensor, an illuminance sensor, and the like. The sensor unit 130 is provided to control the operation of the water purifier 100. If the sensor unit 130 does not perform a normal operation, the water purifier 100 may malfunction, which is a water purifier ( It may develop due to leakage, overheating, fire, etc. Therefore, the inspection of the sensor unit 130 is essential before shipping the water purifier 100, but it was difficult to check whether the sensor unit 130 operates normally. However, according to the water purifier 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the measured value measured by the sensor unit 130, that is, an internal signal may be transmitted to the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200, the sensor unit 130. ) Can also be tested.

The main controller 140 may perform the self-test by controlling the driving unit 120 and the sensor unit 130, and generates an internal signal using the sensing value measured by the sensor unit 130. can do. The main controller 140 controls the water purifier 100 as a whole, and may control the operation of the driver 120 using the sensing value measured by the sensor unit 130. In this case, a self test operation may be pre-programmed in the main control device 140, and the self test operation may be performed by applying an input to the main control device 140.

Specifically, the self test operation may include a system test, a temperature sensor test, an operation sensor test, an ice making test, and the like.

In the system test, an internal signal including at least one of a version, a mode, a specification, and memory data of a program stored in the main controller 140 of the water purifier 100 may be generated. As described above, since the water purifier 100 is generally controlled by the main control device 140, if there is a problem in the program stored in the main control device 140, the water purifier 100 cannot operate normally. Therefore, information about the program may be generated as an internal signal, and the internal signal may be transmitted to the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 to check whether the program operates normally.

In the temperature sensor test, after operating the temperature sensor included in the water purifier 100, it is possible to generate an internal signal with the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor. That is, in order to check whether the temperature sensor included in the water purifier 100 operates normally, the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor may be generated as an internal signal. For example, even though the inspection of the water purifier 100 is performed at room temperature (about 25 degrees), when the measured value of the temperature sensor is 0 degrees or 80 degrees, it is determined that there is a problem with the temperature sensor. can do.

In the motion sensor test, the driving unit 120 included in the water purifier 100 is operated, and the motion sensor sensing the operation of the driving unit 120 uses the sensing value generated according to the operation of the driving unit 120. To generate an internal signal. When the driving unit 120 of the water purifier 100 operates according to the self-testing operation, an operation sensor for detecting the operation of the driving unit 120 generates a sensing value corresponding to the inspection operation of the water purifier, and the water purifier The sensing value may be transmitted using the wireless communication. Specifically, the motion sensor test, by using the sensing value of the ice tray sensor to move the ice tray of the ice maker included in the water purifier 100 to the ice removal position, and to detect whether the ice tray is located at the ice removal position. It is also possible to generate an internal signal. That is, the ice tray may correspond to the driving unit, and the ice tray sensor may correspond to the motion sensor.

In the ice making test, after operating the cooler and the defrosting heater of the ice generator included in the water purifier 100, an internal signal may be generated by measuring a sensing value of an ice making temperature sensor provided in the ice generator. In order for the ice generator to operate normally, after the cooler is operated at a cooling temperature for a cooling time to generate ice, it is necessary to heat the cooler to a freezing temperature with a defrosting heater to desorb the ice formed in the cooler. Therefore, after operating the cooler and the ice-breaking heater, it is possible to check whether the ice generator is operating normally by checking the trend of the sensing value of the ice-making temperature sensor over time.

In addition, the water purifier 100 may perform a self-test operation for checking whether the driving unit 120 of the water purifier 100 operates normally. Specifically, after connecting the measuring unit 250 of the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 to the driving unit 120, the driving unit 120 may be operated to generate the measurement signal in the measuring unit 250. . The measurement signal measured by the measuring unit 250 may be a magnitude of a current or voltage applied to the driving unit 120, and the water purifier inspection device 200 determines whether the driving unit 120 operates normally by using the same. Can be. For example, the measurement unit 250 may be connected to the water purification valve included in the water purifier 100, and the water purification valve may be opened. At this time, it is possible to determine whether the purified water valve is opened by measuring the magnitude of the current applied to the purified water valve. Here, when it is measured that the predetermined current is applied to the purified water valve, the purified water valve may be regarded as operating normally.

The wireless communication unit 150 may provide the internal signal to the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 using wireless communication. The internal signal generated by the water purifier 100 by performing the self test operation may be stored in the main control device 140, and the internal signal may be stored in the water purifier test device 200 through the wireless communication unit 150. Can be sent to. In this case, the internal signal may be encoded in a form suitable for wireless communication in the wireless communication unit 150, and then decoded in the wireless communication unit 240 of the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200.

The water purifier inspection apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may communicate with the water purifier 100 using the wireless communication unit 240, and the wireless communication technique may include near field communication (NFC) and RFID. , WLAN and Bluetooth. Here, the description will be given by using Near Field Communication (NFC) as an example.

Short-range wireless communication provides two-way communication using magnetic field induction, which may comply with the Ecma 340 and ISO / IEC 18092 standards. In general, in the case of short-range wireless communication, since data is transmitted at a close distance of about 10 cm, there is a relatively good security and low cost. In particular, when the near field communication method is applied to the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200, since the data is exchanged with the water purifier 100 which is within 10 cm of the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200, other water purifiers being inspected or waiting to be inspected. It is possible to prevent a problem such as data confusion with the water purifier.

Therefore, the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 may attach the probe 210 to the water purifier 100 to form short-range wireless communication with the water purifier 100. The water purifier 100 may include a wireless communication unit 150 and a wireless antenna. The distance between the probe 210 and the wireless antenna may be within 10 cm by attaching the probe 210 to the surface of the water purifier 100. I can keep it.

The controller 220 may receive an internal signal generated by the water purifier 100 during the self test operation through the probe 210, and generate a test result using the internal signal. The self-test operation may be that the water purifier 100 drives the components inside the water purifier 100 according to a predetermined inspection method and inspection order, and the water purifier inspection apparatus 200 may be configured to It is possible to determine whether the water purifier 100 operates normally by receiving an internal signal.

The self-test of the sensor unit 130 may be performed by receiving a measurement value measured by the sensor unit 130. Here, the sensor unit 130 may include a temperature sensor, a water level sensor, a position sensor, an illuminance sensor, and the like to generate a measured value by operating each sensor according to the self test operation. For example, by operating a temperature sensor to receive the temperature currently measured by the temperature sensor, or after operating the ice tray, the measured value generated by the position sensor for determining whether the ice tray reaches a preset position The self-test of the sensor unit 130 may be performed by receiving the input.

When the self test is performed, the measured values measured by the sensor unit 130 such as the temperature sensor and the water level sensor may be input to the main controller 140 of the water purifier 100, and the measured values may be input to the water purifier 100. It can be used as an internal signal of. Thereafter, the internal signal may be transmitted to the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 through wireless communication, and the control unit 220 of the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 receives the test result of the water purifier 100 using the internal signal. Can be generated.

In detail, the controller 220 compares the internal signal with a preset inspection standard, and determines that the internal signal is “normal” when the internal signal is included in the normal range of the inspection standard. Bad ". For example, in the case of a temperature sensor, it is possible to determine whether the temperature sensor received as the internal signal is normal by comparing the preset reference temperature value stored in the water purifier test apparatus 200. Here, the temperature sensor, a cold water temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cold water, a hot water temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the hot water can be used according to the use of different types of sensors, and the use of the reference temperature according to the purpose of each temperature sensor It is also possible to change the table. In addition, in the case of the position sensor, after operating the ice tray, it is possible to distinguish between normal or defective according to whether the ice tray is detected by the position sensor within a predetermined time. Here, the position sensor may be implemented as a micro switch, and when the ice tray rotates by a predetermined angle, the ice tray may be configured to press the micro switch. Therefore, if there is no input to the micro switch within a predetermined time after the ice tray is rotated, it may be determined that there is a problem with the position sensor or the ice tray.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the water purifier inspection device 200 may include a measurement unit 250. The measurement unit 250 may be connected to the internal configuration of the water purifier 100 to measure a current or voltage applied to the internal configuration during the self-test operation of the water purifier 100. The internal configuration may be a filter unit 110 or a drive unit 120 of the water purifier 100, the drive unit 120 has a valve for controlling the internal flow path of the water purifier 100, a heater for heating the filtered purified water, A cooler for cooling the purified water and an ice generator for generating ice using the purified water may be included.

The measurement unit 250 may be electrically connected to the internal configuration by having a separate connection line P, and the measurement unit 250 may be applied to the internal configuration including at least one of a voltmeter and an ammeter. Current or voltage can be measured.

Therefore, when the water purifier 100 performs a self-test operation, the measurement unit 250 may measure the magnitude of the voltage or current applied to the internal configuration connected to the connection line P, and the measured voltage or The magnitude of the current may be transmitted to the controller 220. Thereafter, the controller 220 may determine whether the internal configuration is normally operated by using the magnitude of the voltage or current of the internal configuration transmitted by the measurement unit 250. Specifically, the control unit 220 compares the magnitude of the voltage or current of the internal configuration with a preset inspection standard, and determines that it is "normal" when included in the normal range of the inspection standard, and not included in the normal range. If not, it can be determined as "bad".

The self-test operation on the internal configuration may be performed by supplying electric power to a heater for a predetermined time, for example, to operate the heater, or by operating a compressor included in the cooler. . Here, the measurement unit 250 may connect the connection line P to the heater, the cooler, and the like, and measure the magnitude of the current or voltage applied to the heater, the cooler, or the like. Thereafter, the controller 220 may receive a current or voltage measured by the measurement unit 250 and check whether the internal configuration is normally operated. In addition, the internal configuration of a valve, a heater, a cooler, an ice generator, and the like may also be measured by measuring the magnitude of the current or the voltage with the measurement unit 250 to determine whether the internal configuration operates normally.

Therefore, when the water purifier inspecting apparatus 200 further includes a measuring unit 250, the internal signal of the water purifier 100 received through wireless communication and the magnitude of the current or voltage measured by the measuring unit 250 are based on the measurement result. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the water purifier 100 is normally operated. That is, it is possible to determine whether the sensor unit 130 of the water purifier 100 operates normally by using the internal signal of the water purifier 100, and the water purifier using the current or voltage value measured by the measuring unit 250. It is possible to determine whether the driving unit 120 of the 100 normal operation. In addition, it is also possible to determine whether the water purifier 100 operates normally by using a combination of the current or voltage values measured by the internal signal and the measurement unit 250.

The internal signal measured by the controller 220 may be displayed through the display 230 in real time, and the inspection result may also be displayed. The display unit 230 may be provided on the surface of the water purifier test apparatus 200 to inform a user of the internal signal and the test result and the progress of each test in a visual or audio manner. In detail, the display unit 230 may be implemented with a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting device (LED), or the like.

In addition, the water purifier test apparatus 200 may further include a configuration of an input unit 260, and a user may use the input unit 260 to perform self-test of the water purifier 100 and the water purifier test apparatus 200. Can control the operation of. For example, a touch panel may be included as the input unit 260 together with the display unit 230, and the operation of the water purifier 100 in relation to the self-test of the water purifier 100 may be set using the touch panel. You can change it.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a water purifier inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the water purifier test method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a self test step (S110), a wireless communication step (S120), and a result output step (S130).

3, a water purifier inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the self-testing step (S110), the water purifier may sequentially perform an inspection operation on the water purifier itself according to the inspection order stored in the water purifier to generate an internal signal. That is, the water purifier may perform a self test to check whether the water purifier operates normally before the water purifier is shipped. In this case, the water purifier may perform wireless communication with the water purifier inspecting device, and may transmit an internal signal of the water purifier generated in the self test to the water purifier inspecting device. The water purifier test apparatus may generate the self test result by using an internal signal of the water purifier, and determine whether the water purifier is “normal” or “bad”.

In detail, the self-test step S110 may include a preparation process, an inspection process, and an internal signal generation process.

In the preparation process, near field communication may be formed between the water purifier and the water purifier using a probe connected to the water purifier inspecting apparatus. The short-range wireless communication, as described above, may comply with the Ecma 340 and ISO / IEC 18092 standards, and may transmit data in both directions between a short distance of about 10 cm. Therefore, for wireless communication between the water purifier inspecting apparatus and the water purifier, the probe may be attached to the water purifier to approach a distance between the water purifier inspecting apparatus and the probe within 10 cm. In particular, when the short-range wireless communication is used, communication is performed only between the water purifiers located near each other and the water purifier inspecting device, so that there is less risk of crosstalk between other water purifiers under inspection or water purifiers waiting for inspection. Therefore, when the short range wireless communication is applied to the water purifier inspection, stable and accurate communication can be achieved. However, the wireless communication method between the water purifier and the water purifier inspection apparatus is not limited to the short range wireless communication, and various methods such as RFID, WLAN, and Bluetooth may be used.

When the short range wireless communication is formed through the preparation process, the water purifier may start a self-test. Here, the water purifier test apparatus may start the self test by transmitting a start signal instructing the start of the self test to the water purifier. When the probe is attached to the water purifier, the water purifier may be regarded as ready to perform a self test, and the water purifier may perform a self test. In relation to the start of the self-test, the self-test is performed directly on the water purifier by using an input unit or the like provided to the water purifier, or the water purifier test apparatus instructs the start of the self-test by using wireless communication. It is also possible. When the water purifier receives the start signal, the water purifier may perform the self test according to a preset order and method.

The inspection process may be performed by driving the sensor unit included in the water purifier in a predetermined order and method. The water purifier can be largely divided into a sensor unit and a driving unit, and specifically, there can be various configurations such as a temperature sensor, a valve, a water level sensor, an illuminance sensor, a motor, a heater, a cooler, an ice generator, and the like. If any part of each of the above components does not operate correctly, the whole water purifier may malfunction and cause problems such as physical injury, property damage, consumer dissatisfaction, and a decrease in reliability caused by burns or fires. In order to prevent this, the inspection of each component inside the water purifier may be performed in the inspection process, and the sensor unit such as the temperature sensor, the water level sensor, the position sensor, the illumination sensor, and the like generate an internal signal in the inspection process. can do. Since the internal signal corresponds to the measured value measured by the sensor unit in response to the inspection operation, the internal signal may determine whether the sensor unit operates normally. The internal signal generated by the sensor unit may be transmitted to the main control device of the water purifier.

In the wireless communication step (S120), according to the inspection operation, the internal signal generated inside the water purifier may be transmitted to the water purifier inspection apparatus using wireless communication. Here, the wireless communication may use at least one of short range wireless communication, RFID, wireless LAN, and Bluetooth, but it may be advantageous to use short range wireless communication in connection with the operation inspection of the water purifier. The internal signal generated by the water purifier may be transformed into a form suitable for wireless communication in the wireless communication unit included in the water purifier, and then may be transmitted to the water purifier inspection apparatus through a wireless antenna. Thereafter, the water purifier inspecting apparatus may modify the signal transmitted by the water purifier using a wireless communication unit to restore an internal signal, and transmit the internal signal to the controller of the water purifier inspecting apparatus. The controller may generate a test result for the water purifier using the internal signal.

In the result output step (S130), the operation of the water purifier may be inspected using the internal signal, and the test result may be output. At this time, the internal signal transmitted by the water purifier can be output through the display unit of the water purifier test apparatus, etc. so that the user can grasp the result of the test operation at a glance. Further, the controller of the water purifier may determine whether the operation of each of the water purifiers is "normal" or "bad" using the internal signal, and based on this, determine whether the operation of the whole water purifier is "normal" or "bad". can do. Specifically, the predetermined inspection criteria may be stored in the water purifier inspection apparatus according to the type of inspection, and when the internal signal is included in the normal range of the predetermined inspection criteria, the control unit may determine “normal”, and the normal If not included in the range can be determined as "bad". Therefore, in the result output step S30, not only the internal signal but also the "normal" and "bad" test results are displayed together, so that the user can grasp the result according to the test operation at a glance.

In addition, the self test step (S110) in the water purifier test method according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the system test process (S111), the temperature sensor test process (S112), the motion sensor test process ( S113) and an ice making test process (S114).

The system test process S111 may generate an internal signal including at least one of a version, a mode, a specification, and memory data of a program stored in the main control device of the water purifier. Since the water purifier is generally controlled by the main control device, the water purifier cannot operate normally when there is a problem in the program stored in the main control device. Therefore, information about the program may be generated as an internal signal, and the internal signal may be transmitted to the water purifier inspecting device to check whether the program operates normally.

In the temperature sensor test process (S112), after operating the temperature sensor included in the water purifier, an internal signal may be generated using the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor. That is, in order to check whether the temperature sensor included in the water purifier operates normally, the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor may be generated as an internal signal. Since the current water purifier is not operating at room temperature, if the temperature sensor is normal, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor should correspond to room temperature. Therefore, it is possible to check whether the water purifier operates normally by checking whether the measured temperature corresponds to room temperature.

In the operation sensor test process (S113), the driving unit included in the water purifier may be operated, and an internal sensor may generate an internal signal using a sensing value generated according to the operation of the driving unit. . When the driving unit of the water purifier operates according to the self-test operation, an operation sensor for detecting the operation of the driving unit generates a sensing value corresponding to the inspection operation of the water purifier, and the water purifier uses the wireless communication to sense the sensing value. Can be transmitted. Specifically, the motion sensor test process (S113), by moving the ice tray of the ice generator included in the water purifier to the ice-breaking position, the sensing value of the ice tray sensor for detecting whether the ice tray is located in the ice-breaking position It is also possible to generate internal signals. That is, the ice tray may correspond to the driving unit, and the ice tray sensor may correspond to the motion sensor.

In addition, the operation sensor test process (S113), when the water purifier inspecting device to operate the drive unit using the wireless communication, the water purifier inspecting device is operated when the water purifier operates the drive unit according to the instruction It is also possible to measure the operation of the water purifier using a measuring unit.

In the ice making test process (S114), after operating the cooler and the defrosting heater of the ice generator included in the water purifier, an internal signal may be generated by measuring a sensing value of an ice making temperature sensor provided in the ice generator. In order for the ice generator to operate normally, after the cooler is operated at a cooling temperature for a cooling time to generate ice, it is necessary to heat the cooler to a freezing temperature with a defrosting heater to desorb the ice formed in the cooler. Therefore, after operating the cooler and the ice-breaking heater, it is possible to check whether the ice generator is operating normally by checking the trend of the sensing value of the ice-making temperature sensor over time.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. To those skilled in the art.

100: water purifier 110: filter unit
120: drive unit 130: sensor unit
140: main controller 150: wireless communication unit
200: water purifier inspection device 210: probe
220: control unit 230: display unit
240: wireless communication unit 250: measurement unit
260: input unit
S110: Self Test Step S111: System Test Process
S112: Temperature sensor test procedure S113: Motion sensor test procedure
S114: ice making test process S120: wireless communication step
S130: result output step

Claims (9)

According to the inspection order stored inside the water purifier, the water purifier performs a test operation sequentially to generate an internal signal; And
Water purifier inspection method comprising the step of transmitting the internal signal to the water purifier inspection apparatus using wireless communication.
The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication step
A water purifier inspection method using at least one of Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth.
According to claim 1, wherein the self-test step
A system test process of generating an internal signal including at least one of a version, a mode, a specification, and memory data of a program stored in the main controller of the water purifier;
A temperature sensor test process of operating a temperature sensor included in the water purifier and generating an internal signal using a temperature value measured by the temperature sensor; And
And a motion sensor test process of operating the driving unit included in the water purifier and generating an internal signal by using a sensing value generated according to the operation of the driving unit by an operation sensor sensing the operation of the driving unit.
The method of claim 3, wherein the motion sensor test process
The ice tray of the ice maker included in the water purifier is moved to a defrosting position,
Water purifier inspection method for generating an internal signal by using the sensing value of the ice tray sensor for detecting whether the ice tray is located in the ice removal position.
The method of claim 3, wherein the self-test step
And an ice making operation test process of generating an internal signal by measuring a sensing value of an ice making temperature sensor provided in the ice generator after operating a cooler and a defrosting heater of the ice maker included in the water purifier.
The method of claim 1,
The water purifier test method further includes a result output step of outputting a test result by using the internal signal.
The method of claim 6, wherein the result output step
Comparing the inspection standard and the internal signal stored in the water purifier inspection apparatus, if the internal signal is included in the normal range of the inspection standard, and determines that it is normal, if not included in the normal range to determine that it is bad and outputs the inspection result Water purifier inspection method.
In the water purifier performing a self-test operation,
Filter unit for generating purified water by filtering the raw water flowing into the interior;
A driving unit generating at least one of hot water, cold water, and ice by using the purified water;
A sensor unit configured to sense a temperature inside the water purifier and an operation of the driver by using at least one sensor to generate a sensing value;
A main control device which controls the driving unit and the sensor unit according to a preset self-test operation, and generates an internal signal using the sensing value measured by the sensor unit; And
Water purifier comprising a wireless communication unit for providing the internal signal to the water purifier inspection apparatus using wireless communication.
The method of claim 8, wherein the main control device
Versions, modes, specifications, memory data of the program stored in the main controller, temperature values measured by the temperature sensor included in the water purifier, and sensing generated by the operation of the driving unit to detect the operation of the driving unit. A water purifier that generates an internal signal using at least one of the values.

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