KR20140067194A - Sterilizing method of water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In a water treatment apparatus of the present invention, purified water which is filtered by every water purifying filter included in a filtering unit of the water treatment apparatus is supplied as washing water to a storage tank of the water treatment apparatus which is sterilized by supplying sterilizing water to discharge bacteria in each water purifying filter with water when sterilizing the water treatment apparatus. The sterilizing method of the water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: (S100) a purified water drainage step of draining purified water outside which is filtered by a filter unit (200) including one or more purifying water filter, and stored in a storage tank (330); (S200) a sterilizing water supplying step of supplying sterilizing water to the storage tank (300) from a sterilizing water generating unit (400) in which filtered water by the one or more purifying water filter is flowed and sterilizing water is generated; (S300) a sterilizing water drainage step of draining the sterilizing water supplied to the storage tank (300) outside; (S400) storage tank washing step of washing the storage tank (300) by supplying washing water to the storage tank (300); and (S500) a washing water drainage step of draining the washing water supplied to the storage tank (300) outside. In the storage tank washing step, purified water which is filtered through every purifying water filter included in the filter unit (200) can be supplied as washing water.

Description

[0001] STERILIZING METHOD OF WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS [0002]

The present invention relates to a sterilization method for sterilizing a water treatment apparatus that sterilizes a water treatment apparatus configured to supply inflow water to a user, and more particularly, to a sterilization method for sterilizing a water treatment apparatus in a storage tank of a sterilized water treatment apparatus, The present invention relates to a sterilization method of a water treatment apparatus for supplying purified water filtered by all of the water filters included in the unit to washing water.

The water treatment apparatus is a device configured to treat the inflow water and supply it to the user. Such a water treatment apparatus is typically a water purifier that filters inflow water and supplies it to a user. However, in addition to a water purifier, the water treatment apparatus includes an ionizer for ionizing incoming water to a user, and a water softener for supplying water to the user by making inflow water into user water.

Among these water treatment devices, the water purifier includes one or more water filters capable of filtering water. And one or more water filters are configured to be filtered while passing the incoming water and then supplied to the user.

On the other hand, as described above, the filtered water is supplied to the user directly or after being stored in the storage tank. When stored in a storage tank and supplied to a user during such a construction, the storage tank is contaminated by bacteria or the like, thereby deteriorating the hygiene.

In order to improve this, conventionally, sterilized water was supplied to a storage tank and the storage tank was sterilized by sterilized water. Then, the storage tank sterilized by sterilized water was washed by washing water.

Conventionally, since water having passed through one or two water filters of the water filters included in the filtration unit is supplied to the storage tank as wash water, there is a problem that bacteria are present in the remaining water filters and the possibility of reproduction is increased. Therefore, even when sterilized by the sterilizing water, the bacteria present in the carbon filter and the like are introduced into the storage tank together with the purified water when the water for drinking is sterilized by the sterilizing water.

Particularly, when the filtration of water is stopped for a predetermined period, bacteria may be in a state of being proliferated in the water filter, so that bacteria present in the water filter at the initial stage of the water purge flow into the storage tank together with purified water.

Therefore, there is a problem that the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus including the storage tank can not be improved.

The present invention is realized by recognizing at least any one of the above-mentioned conventional needs or problems.

One aspect of the object of the present invention is to improve the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to prevent the bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus from flowing into the storage tank of the water treatment apparatus and being supplied to the user at the time of purification for drinking after sterilization of the water treatment apparatus.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to minimize the bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to allow bacteria present in each water filter to be discharged together with water during sterilization of the water treatment apparatus.

A method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment for realizing at least one of the above problems may include the following features.

The present invention is basically based on supplying purified water filtered by sterilized water to the storage tank of a sanitized water treatment apparatus by all the water filters included in the filtering unit of the water treatment apparatus.

A method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a water drain step of draining a purified water stored in a storage tank to the outside by being filtered by a filtering section including at least one water filter; A sterilizing water supplying step of supplying sterilizing water from the sterilizing water producing unit in which water filtered by at least one water filter of the filtration unit flows into the sterilizing water producing unit to generate sterilizing water; A sterilizing water draining step of draining the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank to the outside; A storage tank cleaning step of supplying cleaning water to the storage tank to clean the storage tank; And a wash water drain step for draining the wash water supplied to the storage tank to the outside; In the storage tank cleaning step, the purified water passing through all the water filters included in the filtration unit can be supplied to the washing water.

In this case, the sterilizing water producing unit may be configured to electrolyze the incoming water to generate sterilizing water.

In addition, at least one portion of the purified water stored in the storage tank may be drained in the water draining step.

In the sterilization water drainage step, all the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank can be drained to the outside.

Also, in the sterilization water drainage step, some sterilized water may be left in the storage tank and the remaining sterilized water may be drained to the outside.

The storage tank may include a first storage tank and a second storage tank connected to the first storage tank.

In addition, the purified water, the sterilized water or the washing water of the first storage tank may be drained to the outside through the second storage tank, and the purified water, the sterilizing water or the washing water may be supplied to the second storage tank through the first storage tank.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, purified water filtered by all the water filters included in the filtering unit of the water treatment apparatus is supplied to the storage tank of the water treatment apparatus to the washing water, So that the bacteria can be drained to the outside together with water.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus can be minimized.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus from flowing into the storage tank of the water treatment apparatus and being supplied to the user at the time of purification for drinking after sterilization of the water treatment apparatus.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing an integer drainage step of an embodiment of a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.
2 is a view showing a sterilizing water supplying step of an embodiment of the sterilizing method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
3 is a view showing a sterilization water drainage step of an embodiment of the sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
4 is a view showing a storage tank cleaning step of an embodiment of a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
5 is a view showing a washing water drainage step of an embodiment of a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
6 is a view showing a sterilization water drainage step of another embodiment of the sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
7 is a view showing a storage tank cleaning step of another embodiment of the method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
8 is a view showing another embodiment of a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, in which the storage tank includes a first storage tank and a second storage tank connected to the first storage tank.

Hereinafter, a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail in order to facilitate understanding of the features 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. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 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 basically based on supplying purified water to wash water to the storage tank of a sterilized water treatment apparatus by feeding sterilized water by all the water filters included in the filtration section of the water treatment apparatus.

The water treatment apparatus 100 to which the sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention is applied includes the filtration unit 200, the storage tank 300, and the sterilization water generation unit 400 as shown in FIG. 1 Lt; / RTI >

The filtration unit 200 may include one or more water filters. Then, the water introduced by the water filter may be filtered to be purified and supplied to the storage tank 300.

The water filter included in the filtration unit 200 includes a neosensor filter 210 configured to remove particulate matter and remove chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a heavy metal and a nitrate A membrane filter 220 configured to remove ionic harmful pollutants such as nitrogen, and an innocence filter 230 that removes the odor causing substances and improves the water taste.

However, the water filter included in the filtration unit 200 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and may be a water filter such as a sediment filter or a carbon filter such as a pre-carbon filter or a post-carbon filter , A reverse osmosis filter, a hollow fiber membrane filter, a nanotrap filter, and the like.

1, an inlet line LI connected to a water supply source (not shown) such as water can be connected to the filtration unit 200. [ In addition, one or more water filters may be connected to each other by a filtration line (LF) as in the illustrated embodiment. The inlet line (LI) or the inlet line (VI) may be provided in the filtration line (LF) as in the embodiment shown in FIG. In addition, the filtration unit 200 may be connected to the storage tank 300 by a connection line LC. 1, the connection line LC may be connected to the storage tank 300 by being connected to a sterilizing water generating line LS connected to the storage tank 300. [

With this arrangement, when the inlet valve VI is opened, the water of the water supply source, that is, raw water, can be introduced into the filtration unit 200 through the intake line LI. The raw water flowing into the filtration unit 200 may be filtered through one or more water filters through the filtration line LF to be purified. The constants can be introduced into the storage tank 300 via the connection line LC and stored.

Meanwhile, the membrane filter 220 included in the filtration unit 200 may be connected to a domestic water line (LDF) as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Accordingly, fresh water not filtered by the membrane filter 220 can be drained to the outside through the domestic water line (LDF). Such a domestic water line (LDF) may be connected to a tank drain line (LDT) to be described later as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the domestic water of the membrane filter 220 can be drained to the outside through the domestic water line (LDF) and the tank drain line (LDT).

The reservoir tank 300 may store constants created by filtering in the filtration unit 200 as described above. Then, the purified water can be discharged to the outside and supplied to the user. To this end, an outflow line (LO) may be connected to the storage tank (300) as in the embodiment shown in FIG. The outflow line (LO) may be provided with an outlet valve (VO) as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, when the water outlet valve VO is opened, the water stored in the storage tank 300 can be discharged to the outside and supplied to the user.

The tank drain line (LDT) may be connected to the storage tank 300 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. The tank drain line (LDT) may be provided with a drain valve VD as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Therefore, when the drain valve VD is opened, sterilized water or the like, which is filtered by the filtration unit 200 and stored in the storage tank 300 or supplied to the storage tank 300 from a sterilizing water generating unit 400 to be described later, And can be drained to the outside through the line (LDT).

Also, the tank P drain line (LDT) may be provided with a pump P as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Accordingly, the pump P can easily discharge the purified water or sterilized water to the outside through the tank drain line (LDT) as described above.

The storage tank 300 may include a first storage tank 310 and a second storage tank 320 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. The second storage tank 320 may be connected to the first storage tank 310. For example, the second storage tank 320 may be connected to the first storage tank 310 by a tank connection line LCT, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.

The first storage tank 310 may be, for example, a purified water tank in which purified water filtered by the filtration unit 200 is stored. The second storage tank 320 stores the purified water supplied from the first storage tank 310. When the power is supplied to the evaporator, the heat is transferred from one side to the other side, and one side is cooled and the other side is heated A cold water tank that cools the purified water by a thermoelectric module.

However, the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 are not limited to the above-described purified water tank or cold water tank, and any well-known water tank may be used. The storage tank 300 may include two It is possible to include not only tanks but also more than three tanks.

The sterilizing water producing unit 400 may be configured such that water filtered by the at least one water filter included in the filtration unit 200 is introduced to generate sterilizing water. Then, the sterilized water generated can be supplied to the storage tank 300.

To this end, the sterilizing water producing unit 400 may be provided in the sterilizing water producing line LS connected to the filtering part 200 and the storage tank 300. One side of the sterilization water producing line LS may be connected to the filtration line LF connected to the outlet of the neosensor filter 210 of the filtration unit 200 as in the embodiment shown in Fig. And, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sterilizing water generating line LS may be provided with a sterilizing water valve VS.

Therefore, when the sterilizing water valve VS is opened, the water filtered by the neo-sense filter 210 can flow into the sterilizing water generating line LS and flow. However, the position where one side of the sterilizing water production line LS is connected to the filtration unit 200 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and any position of the filtration unit 200 is possible.

The sterilization water generating unit 400 may be configured to electrolyze the incoming water to generate sterilized water. For example, the sterilizing water producing unit 400 may be configured so that sterilizing water is generated by electrolyzing water that has been introduced into two or more electrodes. Thus, the sterilized water can be generated without adding the sterilizing agent. However, the configuration of the sterilizing water generating unit 400 is not limited to this, and any known configuration is possible as long as the configuration is such that the sterilizing water is generated.

2, the water that has passed through the at least one water filter of the filtration unit 200 may be introduced into the sterilizing water producing unit 400 to become sterilizing water. Then, the sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing water producing unit 400 can be supplied to the storage tank 300 through the sterilizing water producing line (LS). Thereby, the storage tank 300 can be sterilized.

However, the water treatment apparatus 100 to which the sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes a filtration unit 200, a storage tank 300, and a sterilizing water producing unit 400 Any known water treatment apparatus 100 may be used as the water treatment apparatus 100.

The sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises the water draining step S100 shown in Fig. 1, the sterilizing water supplying step S200 shown in Fig. 2, the sterilizing water draining step S300 shown in Fig. 3, A storage tank cleaning step S400 shown in FIG. 5, and a wash water drain step S500 shown in FIG. 5.

1, the purified water stored in the storage tank 300 may be drained to the outside by the filtering unit 200 including one or more water filters. That is, when the drain valve VD of the tank drain line (LDT) connected to the storage tank 300 is opened as shown in the drawing, the purified water stored in the storage tank 300 is drained to the outside through the tank drain line LDT . Thereby, as shown in the figure, there may be a space in which sterilizing water can flow into the storage tank 300.

In the integer drain step S100, at least a part of the purified water stored in the storage tank 300 may be drained. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, some of the purified water stored in the storage tank 300 may be drained to the outside. Thus, the concentration of the sterilized water contained in the storage tank 300 can be adjusted.

In the case where the storage tank 300 includes the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 as described above, the purified water stored in the first storage tank 310 is stored in the second storage tank 320 To the outside. That is, when the purified water stored in the second storage tank 320 is drained to the outside, the purified water stored in the first storage tank 310 is supplied to the second storage tank 320 through the tank connection line LCT, .

2, the water filtered by the at least one water filter of the filtration unit 200 may be introduced into the sterilizing water generating unit 400 in the sterilizing water supply step (S200). That is, when the sterilizing water valve VS of the sterilizing water generating line LS is opened as shown in the drawing, the raw water of the water source flows through the neosensor filter 210 and flows into the sterilizing water producing line LS, And may be introduced into the production unit 400.

Then, when the sterilizing water producing unit 400 is operated in this state, the sterilizing water generating unit 400 can generate sterilizing water. The sterilized water thus generated can be supplied to the storage tank 300 through the sterilizing water producing line LS as shown in Fig. Thereby, the storage tank 300 can be sterilized by the sterilizing water.

In this case, when the storage tank 300 includes the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320, the second storage tank 310 is connected to the second storage tank 310 through the first storage tank 310, Sterilized water can be supplied. That is, the sterilization water supplied to the first storage tank 310 may be supplied to the second storage tank 320 through the tank connection line LCT to supply the sterilization water to the second storage tank 320.

In the sterilization water drainage step (S300), the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank 300 may be drained to the outside after a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 3 .

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, in the sterilizing water draining step (S300), all of sterilized water supplied to the storage tank 300 can be drained to the outside.

In the sterilization water drainage step (S300), as shown in FIG. 6, some sterilized water may be left in the storage tank 300 and the remaining sterilized water may be drained to the outside. Accordingly, the bacteria present in the washing water can be sterilized in the storage tank washing step (S400) of supplying the washing water to the storage tank 300 and washing the storage tank as shown in FIG. Therefore, the bacteria removal efficiency of the water treatment apparatus 100 can be increased. In addition, the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus 100 can be improved.

In this case, the washing water is sterilized by a part of the sterilized water left in the storage tank 300 as described above, the sterilized washing water is drained, and the washing water is supplied to the storage tank 300 again, Can be cleaned. That is, the storage tank 300 can be washed twice or more by the washing water.

In the case where the storage tank 300 includes the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 as described above, sterilization water supplied to the first storage tank 310 may be supplied to the second storage tank 310 320 to the outside. That is, when sterilization water supplied to the second storage tank 320 is drained to the outside, the sterilization water supplied to the first storage tank 320 is supplied to the second storage tank 320 through the tank connection line LCT, . ≪ / RTI >

In the storage tank cleaning step (S400), the storage tank 300 may be cleaned by supplying cleaning water to the storage tank 300. [ In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the purified water passing through all of the water filters included in the filtration unit 200 can be supplied to the washing water.

Therefore, the bacteria present in each water filter can be supplied to the storage tank 300 together with the water filtered by the water filter, that is, the water, which is an integer. The bacteria supplied to the storage tank 300 together with the wash water may be discharged to the outside together with the wash water in the wash water drain step (S500) as described later.

Accordingly, the bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus 100 can be minimized, so that the bacteria present in the water filter at the time of purification for drinking may flow into the storage tank together with purified water, and may not be supplied to the user. Thereby, the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus 100 can be improved.

6, if some of the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank 300 in the sterilized water drainage step S300 is left in the storage tank 300, as shown in FIG. 7, When the contained wash water is supplied to the storage tank 300, the wash water can be sterilized by the sterilized water left in the storage tank 300. Accordingly, the bacteria present in the entire water treatment apparatus 100 can be minimized, so that the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus 100 can be further improved.

When the storage tank 300 includes the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 as described above, the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 are connected to the second storage tank 320 Wash water can be supplied. That is, the wash water supplied to the first storage tank 310 may be supplied to the second storage tank 320 through the tank connection line LCT.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wash water supplied to the storage tank 300 may be drained to the outside in the wash water drain step S500. That is, when the drain valve VD provided in the tank drain line (LDT) is opened as shown, the wash water supplied to the storage tank 300 can be drained to the outside through the tank drain line (LDT).

Thereby, sterilization of the storage tank 300 is terminated.

As described above, in the case where the sterilized water is partially left in the storage tank 300 in the sterilization water drainage step (S300), the sterilized wash water is drained to the outside by the sterilization water left in the storage tank 300 The washing water which is filtered by all the water filters included in the filtration unit 200 is supplied again to the storage tank 300 and drained to the outside so that the storage tank 300 can be washed twice by the washing water.

In the case where the storage tank 300 includes the first storage tank 310 and the second storage tank 320 as described above, the washing water supplied to the first storage tank 310 is supplied to the second storage tank 310 320 to the outside. That is, when the wash water stored in the second storage tank 320 is drained to the outside, the wash water stored in the first storage tank 320 is supplied to the second storage tank 320 through the tank connection line LCT, .

As described above, by using the sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, purified water filtered by all the water filters included in the filtration unit of the water treatment apparatus can be supplied to the storage tank of the water treatment apparatus, The bacteria present in the water filter can be drained to the outside together with the water and the bacteria present in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus can be minimized. In addition, since the bacteria in the water filter of the water treatment apparatus can be minimized, The bacteria present in the water filter can be prevented from flowing into the storage tank of the water treatment apparatus to be supplied to the user and the sanitary property of the water treatment apparatus can be improved.

The sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus described above is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, but the embodiments may be configured such that all or some of the embodiments are selectively combined so that various modifications can be made It is possible.

100: water treatment apparatus 200: filtration unit
210: Neosense filter 220: Membrane filter
230: Innocence filter 300: Storage tank
310: first storage tank 320: second storage tank
400: sterilization water generating unit LI: inlet line
LF: Filtration line LC: Connection line
LS: sterilization water generation line LO: water line
LDF: Domestic water line LDT: Tank drain line
LCT: tank connection line VI: inlet valve
VO: water outlet valve VS: sterilization water valve
VD: drain valve

Claims (7)

A water draining step (S100) for draining the purified water filtered by the filtration unit (200) including at least one water filter and stored in the storage tank (300) to the outside;
A sterilization water supply step S200 for supplying sterilized water to the storage tank 300 from a sterilization water producing unit 400 in which water filtered by the at least one water filter of the filtration unit 200 flows into the sterilization water generating unit 400, );
A sterilization water drain step (S300) for draining the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank (300) to the outside;
(S400) of washing the storage tank (300) by supplying washing water to the storage tank (300); And
A wash water drain step (S500) for draining the wash water supplied to the storage tank (300) to the outside; And,
The method for sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning tank (400) is connected to the filtering unit (200). The method of claim 1, wherein the sterilizing water producing unit (400) is configured to electrolyze the inflow water to generate sterilizing water. The method of claim 1, wherein the water draining step (S100) drains at least a portion of the purified water stored in the storage tank (300). The method of claim 1, wherein in the sterilization water drainage step (S300), all the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank (300) is drained to the outside. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the sterilization water drainage step (S300), part of the sterilized water is left in the storage tank (300), and the remaining sterilized water is drained to the outside. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage tank (300) comprises a first storage tank (310) and a second storage tank (320) connected to the first storage tank (310) . 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of draining the purified water, sterilizing water or washing water of the first storage tank (310) to the outside through the second storage tank (320)
Sterilizing water or washing water is supplied to the second storage tank (320) through the first storage tank (310).

Images