KR20150068170A - Water purifier and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purifier. The water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a filter part having raw water flowed in, and purifying water to discharge purified water; a purified water pipe in which a purified water discharged from the filter part flows; a water discharge valve opening the purified water pipe when a user demands to intake water; and an additive supply device supplying an additive to the purified water passing the water discharge valve.

Description

Water purifier and control method thereof. {Water purifier and control method thereof}

The present invention relates to a water purifier and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for supplying an additive. And a control method thereof.

A water purifier is a device that filters harmful elements such as foreign substances and heavy metals contained in water by physical and chemical methods.

Recently, it has been pointed out that the active oxygen in the body, which is caused by stress and environmental pollution, is an important factor of modern geriatric diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and promotes aging. Thus, drinking hydrogen- There is a theory that it helps to maintain health. Accordingly, the purified water passing through the filter device in recent years is converted into reduced water and supplied to the user.

The method of supplying such reduced water may be variously applied to an electrolysis method or a method of supplying minerals. The mineral supply system is configured to insert mineral balls capable of supplying various kinds of minerals into the water purifier and to supply minerals present in the mineral balls to purified water. Such mineral balls may be provided in, for example, a filtration unit to supply mineral water to the purified water tank.

However, minerals dissolved in purified water cause scales to be generated in pipes and water tanks where purified water flows. Therefore, there is a problem that the piping is clogged or the water tank needs to be cleaned frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]

First, it is to provide a water purifier which can determine the kind and concentration of additives differently at each heading.

Second, it is to provide a water purifier for preventing the water tank from being contaminated by additives.

Thirdly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier for preventing the water pipe from being contaminated by additives.

Fourth, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water purifier which can easily control the concentration of additives.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water purifier according to the present invention, the water purifier including: a filtration unit for introducing raw water, purifying water and discharging purified water; A purified water pipe through which the purified water discharged from the filtration unit flows; An outflow valve for opening the purified water pipe at a request of a user to head; And an additive supply device for supplying the additive to the purified water passing through the water outlet valve.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a water purifier according to the present invention, comprising: a filtration unit for introducing raw water, purifying water and discharging purified water, a purified water pipe for flowing purified water discharged from the filtration unit, A control method of a water purifier including an outflow valve and an additive supply device for supplying an additive to the purified water pipe, the control method comprising: requesting a user to go out; Opening the water outlet valve; Driving an additive supply device; And an additive is supplied to the user in contact with the purified water discharged from the water outlet valve.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The water purifier according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, since the additive is supplied to the water coming out, the kind and concentration of the additive can be set differently at each heading.

Second, since the additive is supplied to the water discharged from the purified water tank, it is possible to prevent the purified water tank from being contaminated by the additive.

Third, the water pipe can be cleaned, and the water pipe can be prevented from being contaminated by the additive.

Fourth, the additive can be supplied through the drive part control, and the concentration of the additive can be easily controlled.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of an additive supply device and a peripheral structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a water pipe view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circulation process of the cooling section.
5 is a side view of an additive feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a representation of the operating principle of the additive feeder according to one embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing guide grooves and guide protrusions according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flow chart of a water purifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a control method of a water purifier and a water purifier according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of an additive supply device 100 and a peripheral structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a water pipe view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circulation process of the cooling unit 20. As shown in FIG. 1 to 4, the water purifier is classified into a direct water type and a storage type according to the presence or absence of a water tank. The water purifier may not include a water tank. The water purifier inflows raw water at every request of the user. The direct water type water purifier can be classified into a direct water type in which the filtered purified water is supplied immediately upon user's request.

The casing 10 forms an outer shape. A control panel (11) is disposed on the front surface of the water purifier. A plurality of operation buttons 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e may be disposed on the control panel 11. [ A water outlet (49) for discharging purified water is formed on the front surface of the water purifier. The water outlet portion 49 includes an operation lever 12.

The storage type water purifier includes a water storage tank for storing the filtered water. The storage type water purifier provides the water contained in the water reservoir at the user's request. The water purifier includes a casing (10) forming an external shape. Inside the casing (10), a filtration part (80) for filtering raw water is accommodated. In the case of a direct water type water purifier, a water tank is accommodated in the casing (10). The water receiver (17) is disposed outside the casing (10). The water receiver 17 stores water falling from the water purifier after falling out. The water receiver (17) is detachably mounted to the casing (10).

The water purifier (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a filtration unit (80) for introducing raw water and purifying water to discharge purified water; A purified water pipe (40) through which the purified water discharged from the filtration unit (80) flows; A water outlet valve (70) for opening the purified water pipe (40) at the time of watering of the user; And an additive supply device (100) for supplying an additive to purified water that has passed through an outflow valve (70). The filtration part 80 is accommodated in the casing 10. [

The filtration unit 80 may include a plurality of filters. The filtration unit 80 may include a sediment filter, a pre-carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane filter, a post-carbon filter, and a nano filter filter, and the type, number, and order of the filters may be variously changed according to the filtration method of the water purification apparatus or the filtration performance required of the water purification apparatus . For example, a pretreatment composite filter in which a sediment filter and a free carbon filter are integrated may be used, or an ultrafiltration filter may be provided in place of the reverse osmosis membrane filter. It is also possible that a micro filter or another functional filter is provided instead of or in addition to the above-described filter.

 Sediment filters can filter foreign matter and suspended matter contained in raw water by applying nonwoven fabric. The free carbon filter can filter chlorine components and odors contained in raw water by applying surfactant charcoal. The reverse osmosis membrane filter can filter fine particles of about 0.001um. The post-carbon filter is superior in adsorption power to the surfactant charcoal of the pre-carbon filter, so that the pigment and odor can be removed. The hollow fiber membrane filter can filter the bacteria contained in the raw water by applying a hollow fiber membrane.

The piping includes a raw water pipe 31 connecting the raw water supply unit 30 and the filtration unit 80. The piping includes a filter piping (33) connecting between the plurality of filters. The piping includes a purified water pipe (40) through which the purified water discharged from the filtration unit (80) flows. The water purifier includes a valve. The valve is housed inside the casing (10). The valve may consist of a gate valve, a cock valve cock valve or the like, which is manually opened and closed, or a solenoid valve solenoid valve which is opened and closed automatically. The valve includes a raw water valve (60) connected to the raw water pipe (31). The raw water valve 60 can regulate the flow rate of raw water flowing into the water purification type water purification apparatus. The raw water is supplied from the raw water supply unit 30 such as a water supply line, and the flow rate to the linear water purification apparatus can be changed according to the opening / closing degree of the raw water valve 60. The raw water valve 60 may be a pressure reducing valve.

The valve includes a thermostatic water supply valve (63, 64) disposed in the thermostatic water tank feed pipe (43, 44) among the purified water pipe (40). The valve is disposed in the purified water pipe (40) and includes a water outlet valve (70) for opening the flow path at the time of the user's watering request. In the case of the water purifier, the thermostatic water supply valves 63 and 64 may be the water outlet valve 70. The water outlet valve (70) includes a cold water outlet valve (71) connected to the room temperature water outlet pipe (42). The outflow valve (70) includes a thermostat water outlet valve (73, 74). The additive supply device 100 supplies the additive to the purified water. The additive may be a water-soluble substance which is soluble in purified water.

3 is a schematic representation of the refrigerant circulation process of the cooling unit 20. As shown in FIG. The water purifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat exchanger for exchanging the introduced purified water and heat energy, and the water outlet valve 70 includes a cold water outlet valve 71 for interrupting the discharge of the hot water; Water outlet water valves 73 and 74 for interrupting the discharge of the purified water discharged from the heat exchanging unit and the purified water pipe 40 is arranged so that the purified water discharged from the filtration unit 80 flows toward the cold water outlet valve 71 A room-temperature water tank supply line 41 which forms a flow path for the water; (43, 44) for forming a flow path through which purified water discharged from the filtration unit (80) flows toward the heat exchange unit; And a combined pipe 47 in which the purified water discharged from the hot water outlet valve 73 and the purified water outlet valve 71 flows together and the additive supply device 100 is connected to the confluent pipe 47. The constant includes the normal temperature water that maintains the normal temperature. The constant includes the number of temperature changes that are different from the temperature of hot water. The temperature-change water includes cooling water whose temperature is lower than normal temperature water.

The thermostatic water includes hot water having a temperature higher than normal temperature water. The heat exchanger is disposed inside the casing (10). The heat exchanging part includes a cooling part 20 and / or a heating part. The cooling unit 20 includes a compressor 21 that compresses the gaseous refrigerant by applying mechanical energy to the gaseous refrigerant and discharges gaseous refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure, a condenser 21 that condenses the gaseous refrigerant, discharges the liquefaction heat, and discharges the liquid refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure 23 and an expansion valve 25 for reducing the pressure of the liquid refrigerant at a high temperature and a high pressure to a pressure at which evaporation is possible through the diaphragm operation and an evaporator 27 for converting the low temperature low pressure liquid refrigerant into the low temperature low pressure gaseous refrigerant by absorbing the heat of vaporization .

The refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 27 is supplied with the heat of vaporization from the purified water contained in the cold water tank 91. The purified water contained in the cold water tank 91 is cooled. The cold water tank 91 discharges cold water. In the water purifier, the cold water tank 91 serves as a pipe through which purified water flows. The heating section includes a resistance wire to which a current is applied and which generates joule heat, and a hot water tank 93 that absorbs joule heat from the resistance wire. The purified water contained in the hot water tank 93 is heated by absorbing thermal energy from the hot water tank 93. The hot water tank 93 discharges hot water. In the water purifier, the piping in which the purified water flows plays the role of the hot water tank 93. The purified water pipe (40) includes a cold water tank feed pipe (43, 44) connecting the room temperature water tank (90) and the heat exchanger. The purified water pipe 40 includes a normal-temperature water tank outflow pipe 42 through which the normal-temperature water discharged from the ordinary-temperature water tank 90 flows when the user desires to go out. The purified water pipe (40) includes a hot water tank outflow pipe (45, 46) through which the hot water discharged from the heat exchanging unit flows when the user desires to go out.

The purified water pipe 40 may include a merging pipe 47 which is connected to both the temperature water tank outflow pipes 45 and 46 and the normal temperature water tank outflow pipe 42 and discharges purified water to the outside. The heat exchanging part includes a cooling part 20 and / or a heating part. The cooling unit 20 includes a cold water tank 91. The heating section includes a hot water tank (93).

The thermostatic water tank feed pipes 43 and 44 include a cold water tank 91 supply pipe 44 connecting the ordinary water tank 90 and the cold water tank 91. The thermostatic water tank feed pipes 43 and 44 include a hot water tank feed pipe 43 for connecting the normal temperature water tank 90 and the hot water tank 93. The cold water tank outflow pipes 45 and 46 include a cold water tank 91 outflow pipe 46 through which cold water discharged from the cold water tank 91 flows when a user requests watering. The thermostatic water tank outflow pipes 45 and 46 include a hot water supply water pipe 45 through which the hot water discharged from the hot water tank 93 flows when a user requests watering. In the case of a direct water type water purifier, the ordinary water tank 90, the cold water tank 91, and the hot water tank 93 may be formed of pipes through which purified water flows.

A water purifier (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a casing (10) forming an outer shape; A water storage tank (90, 91, 93) through which purified water discharged from the filtration unit (80) flows; And a water outlet 49 protruding outside the casing 10 and discharging the purified water supplied to the user and the additive supplier 100 is provided between the water outlet 49 and the water storage tanks 90, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > flowing < / RTI >

The water storage tanks 90, 91 and 93 include at least any one of a normal temperature water tank 93 and / or a hot water tank 93 and / or a cold water tank 91. The additive supplying apparatus 100 supplies the additive to the hot water, which flows in the direction of the water outlet 49 from the water tank 90. The additive supply device 100 supplies the additive to the hot water flowing in the direction from the hot water tank 93 toward the water outlet 49. The additive supply device 100 supplies the additive to the cold water flowing in the direction from the cold water tank 91 to the water outlet 49.

The water purifier 1 includes a room temperature water tank 90 where the purified water discharged from the filtration unit 80 flows and the purified water pipe 40 is connected to the room temperature water tank 90, And a supply pipe 41.

The purified water pipe 40 includes a normal-temperature water tank feed pipe 41 connected to the room-temperature water tank 90 through which the water discharged from the filter flows. The room temperature water tank 90 stores constants to be supplied to the cold water tank 91 and / or the hot water tank 93. The room temperature water tank 90 is formed with a vent hole 90a. The air in the room 90 is flowed through the vent hole 90a to make the pressure in the room 90 equal to the atmospheric pressure. In the vent hole 90a, A foreign substance input preventing means is disposed.

The water purifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drain pipe 50 connected to the purified water pipe 40; And a flow path switching valve 77 disposed at a branch point between the drain pipe 50 and the purified water pipe 40. The purified water pipe 40 is connected to the merging pipe 47 and the drinking water supplied to the user flows And the drinking water pipe 48. The flow path switching valve 77 is disposed at a branch point between the drinking water pipe 48 and the merging pipe 47 and the drain pipe 50.

The water purifier has a flow path switching valve (77) disposed on a flow path connecting between the additive supply device (100) and the water outlet part (49); And a drain pipe (50) connected to the flow path switching valve (77). The cold water outlet water valves 73 and 74 include a hot water outlet valve 73 disposed in the hot water supply water pipe 45. The cold water outlet water valves 73 and 74 include a cold water outlet valve 74 disposed in the cold water tank 91 outflow pipe 46. The valve may include a flow path switching valve 77. The flow path switching valve 77 is disposed at a branch point to which a plurality of pipes are connected. The flow path switching valve 77 selectively connects any one of the plurality of flow paths with another flow path. The flow path switching valve 77 connects the flow path connected to the water outlet 49 to the drain pipe 50 when the driving of the additive supplying device 100 is completed.

The hot water tank supply valve includes a cold water tank 91 supply valve 64 disposed in the cold water tank 91 supply pipe and a hot water tank valve 71 disposed in the hot water supply pipe 45. The pipe includes a drain pipe (50). The constant flowing through the drain pipe 50 can be discarded. The drinking water pipe (48) is connected to the confluent pipe (47). The drinking water pipe 48 projects outside the casing 10. The user is supplied with purified water through the drinking water pipe (48). The drinking water pipe 48, the merging pipe 47, and the drain pipe 50 are connected to each other.

The flow path switching valve 77 alternatively changes the flow direction of the purified water discharged from the confluent piping 47 to the drain piping 50 or the drinking water piping 48. The flow path switching valve 77 connects the flow path of the merging pipe 47 and the flow path of the drain pipe 50 when the driving of the additive supplying device 100 is completed.

The flow of the additive agent flows in the flow path connecting the additive supply device 100 and the water outlet portion 49. The flow path connecting the additive supply device 100 and the water outlet 49 may contain impurities due to additives. A scale may be formed inside the flow path connecting the additive supplying device 100 and the water outlet 49. The purified water discharged to the drain pipe (50) may contain impurities stacked on the flow path. The purified water flowing into the drain pipe 50 can wash out impurities or scales present on the flow path. Since the flow path switching valve 77 switches the flow path to the drain pipe 50, the flow path switching valve 77 is not discharged to the outlet portion 49 in scale or impurity existing on the flow path.

5 is a side view of an additive supply apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a representation of the operating principle of the additive supply apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a guide groove 151 and a guide projection 153 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 to 7, the additive supply apparatus 100 includes a housing 110 in which additives are accommodated; A reciprocating piston (130); An inlet 121 communicating with the accommodating portion 110, an outlet 123 communicating with the purified water pipe 40, and a cylinder 120 formed with a space through which the inlet 121 and the piston 130 move. The accommodating portion 110 receives the additive. The additive can change the taste of the essence. The additive may include minerals such as Ca, K, Na, and Mg. The additive may be contained in the cartridge. The cartridge can be interchangeably inserted into the receiving portion 110.

The piston 130 generates a pressure for discharging the additive to the outside of the housing portion 110. The piston 130 can reciprocate linearly. The additive supply device (100) includes a drive unit (140) generating a rotational force; And a cam 150 that is disposed on the rotation axis 141 of the driving unit 140 and transmits power to the piston 130. [ The driving unit 140 may be a step driving unit 140 capable of position control, speed control, and continuous rotation. The driving unit 140 may be a servo driving unit 140 capable of controlling the angle. A potentiometer of the driving unit 140 and / or an encoder.

The potentiometer and the encoder detect the position of the driver 140. The rotational force of the driving unit 140 is transmitted to the cam 150. The piston 130 reciprocates linearly with the force applied from the cam 150. A control panel (11) is disposed in front of the casing (10). The control panel 11 is provided with an operation unit for function selection. In front of the casing (10), an operation lever (12) for operating to take out water is provided.

The operation unit may include a plurality of buttons. The operation unit may include a hot water button 11b for selecting a hot water discharge function, a hot water button 11b for selecting a hot water discharge function, and a cold water button 11c for selecting a cold water discharge function. When the hot water button 11b is pressed and the operation lever 12 is pressed, hot water can be discharged. When the cold water button 11c is pressed and the operating lever 12 is pressed, cold water can be discharged. When the normal temperature water button 11b is pressed and the operation lever 12 is pressed, the purified water can be discharged.

The operation portion includes a lock button 11a. The lock button 11a prevents the set value from being changed by the user's mistake. The user can press the lock button 11a for a predetermined time and then operate another button. For example, when the user presses the lock button 11a for three seconds, the hot water button 11b, the cold water button 11c, the hot water button 11b and the continuous button are turned on. The lit buttons can be changed. Unlit buttons do not respond to user operations.

The operation portion includes a concentration button 11e. The density button 11e may be formed of a plurality of buttons, and the density may be changed stepwise, such as upward, middle, or lower, each time the button is pressed. The concentration of the additive contained in the constant varies depending on the rotation angle or rotation speed of the driving unit 140. The driving force of the driving unit 140 is transmitted to the piston 130.

A guide groove 151 is formed at a portion where the cam 150 and the piston 130 meet each other and a guide projection 153 is fitted to the guide groove 151. The guide groove 151 may be formed as a closed curve. The guide protrusion 153 moves along the guide groove 151. The number of revolutions of the cam 150 and the number of reciprocations of the piston 130 are the same. When the cam 150 makes one revolution, the piston 130 reciprocates linearly once. The guide protrusion 153 and the guide groove 151 may be in a shape that they are mutually joined.

An inlet valve 125 closing the inlet 121 when the pressure of the cylinder 120 increases; And an outlet valve 127 that opens the outlet 123 when the pressure of the cylinder 120 increases. The inlet valve 125 may be a check valve. The inflow valve 125 is controlled so that the additive flows in the direction from the accommodating portion 110 toward the cylinder 120. The inlet valve 125 prevents the additive from flowing back from the cylinder 120 to the receiving portion 110. The outlet valve 127 may be a check valve.

The outlet valve 127 is controlled so that the additive flows in the direction of the joining pipe 47 from the cylinder 120. The outlet valve 127 prevents the additive and / or purified water from flowing back into the cylinder 120 from the confluent line 47. The accommodating portion 110 receives the liquid mineral that flows according to the pressure inside the cylinder 120. Liquid minerals are soluble in purified water. The liquid mineral flows into the cylinder 120 and is discharged to the confluent piping 47. Liquid minerals include Ca, K, Na, Mg, and the like. 8 is a flow chart of a water purifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. A control method of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a filtration unit 80 for introducing raw water and purifying water to purify water, a purified water pipe 40 for flowing purified water discharged from the filtration unit 80, A method of controlling an additive supply device (100) for supplying an additive to an outflow valve (70) and a purified water pipe (40) to open a purified water pipe (40) Opening the water outlet valve 70 (S5); Driving the additive supply device 100 (S7); And the step (S9) in which the additive is supplied to the user in contact with the purified water discharged from the outflow valve (70). The user can set the kind and / or concentration of the minerals.

The control panel 11 may be provided with an additive type setting button (not shown) for indicating the type of additive. The user can select the temperature of the purified water that he wants to drink such as hot water, cold water, and cold water.

A control unit (not shown) controls the driving unit and the valve based on the information applied from the control panel. The user pushes or pulls the operation lever 12 to request the outflow. (S3) The control unit commands the opening of the outflow valve (70). The control unit applies a voltage to the driving unit 140. When the user sets the concentration of the additive to a larger value, the controller increases the magnitude of the voltage applied to the driver 140. When the user sets the concentration of the additive to be thicker, the control unit increases the time for applying the voltage to the driving unit 140. As the voltage application time increases, the rotation angle of the driver 140 increases. As the rotational angle of the driving unit 140 increases, the rotational angle of the cam 150 also increases. As the rotational angle of the cam 150 increases, the amount of movement of the piston 130 also increases. The density adjustment can be controlled through the number of rotations and the rotation angle of the driving unit 140.

The method for controlling a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: stopping the operation of the additive supply device 100 (S11); A step (S13) of switching the flow path of the flow path switching valve (77) toward the drain piping (50) connected to the purified water pipe (40); And a step (S15) in which purified water flowing through the purified water pipe (40) is discharged through the drain pipe (50). The control unit instructs the driving unit to stop generating the voltage. The driving unit stops applying the voltage to the driving unit 140. [ The control unit drives the flow path switching valve 77 to switch the flow path. The flow path switching valve 77 is disposed on the flow path connecting between the additive supplying device 100 and the water outlet 49 and the drain pipe 50 is connected to the flow path switching valve 77. Therefore, the constant flowing through the purified water pipe 40, preferably flowing through the merged pipe 47, is discharged to the drain pipe 50.

The flow of the additive agent flows in the flow path connecting the additive supply device 100 and the water outlet portion 49. The flow path connecting the additive supply device 100 and the water outlet 49 may contain impurities due to additives. A scale may be formed inside the flow path connecting the additive supplying device 100 and the water outlet 49. The purified water discharged to the drain pipe 50 may include impurities stacked on the flow path . The purified water flowing into the drain pipe 50 can wash out impurities or scales present on the flow path. Since the flow path switching valve 77 switches the flow path to the drain pipe 50, the flow path switching valve 77 is not discharged to the outlet portion 49 in scale or impurity existing on the flow path.

The switching of the flow channel (S13) is performed when the user's outgoing request is terminated. The user stops the outflow request by operating a button or restoring the position of the operation lever 12. [ The control unit recognizes the end of the outgoing request. The control unit instructs the flow path switching valve 77 to switch the flow path. The control unit receives a signal from the control panel 11.

The operation of the water purifier and the control method according to the present invention constructed as above will be described as follows.

First, the user operates the concentration button 11e to set the concentration of the additive. Also, an integer of a desired temperature such as hot water, cold water, or ordinary temperature water is selected. Then, when the operation lever 12 is pushed or pulled, the water outlet valve 70 is opened and the purified water of the user's desired temperature is discharged. Meanwhile, the control unit drives the driving unit 140 in accordance with the concentration of the additive set.

As the rotational angle of the driving unit 140 increases, the moving distance of the piston 130 also increases. When the piston 130 moves in the direction of reducing the volume of the cylinder 120, the additive introduced into the cylinder 120 is discharged by a reduced volume. The control unit controls the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 141 of the driving unit 140 to supply the desired amount of the additive to the purified water pipe 40. [ The purified water discharged to the outside through the purified water pipe 40 is discharged to the outside together with the additive. That is, the mineral water containing minerals is not stored in the reservoir. Therefore, scale due to minerals does not occur in the water storage tank, the heat exchanging portion, and the like. In addition, since the additive is supplied at each request of the user, it is possible to match the user's preference.

The purified water flowing into the drain pipe (50) rinses the impurities present on the flow path. The control unit drives the flow path switching valve 77 to connect the drain pipe 50 and the merging pipe when the user's request to finish the flow of the additive supply device 100 is completed and the impurities are hardened It is possible to prevent the phenomenon of gradual concentration and accumulation on the inner surface of the flow path.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It should be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A filtration unit for introducing raw water and purifying water to discharge purified water;
A purified water pipe through which the purified water discharged from the filtration unit flows;
An outflow valve for opening the purified water pipe at a request of a user to head; And
And an additive supply device for supplying the additive to the purified water passing through the water outlet valve. The method according to claim 1,
A casing forming an outer shape;
A water reservoir through which the purified water discharged from the filtration unit flows; And
And a water outlet protruding outside the casing and discharging purified water supplied to the user,
The additive supply device includes:
And supplies the additive to the purified water flowing between the water outlet and the water reservoir. The method according to claim 1,
A casing forming an outer shape;
A water outlet protruding outside the casing and discharging purified water supplied to the user;
A flow path switching valve disposed on a flow path connecting between the additive supply device and the water outlet; And
And a drain pipe connected to the flow path switching valve. The method of claim 3,
The flow path switching valve includes:
And when the additive supply device is driven, connects the flow path connected to the water outlet to the drain pipe. The method according to claim 1,
The additive supply device includes:
An accommodating portion containing the additive; And
And a piston for generating a pressure for discharging the additive to the outside of the accommodating portion. 6. The method of claim 5,
The additive supply device includes:
A driving unit for generating a rotational force; And
And a cam disposed on a rotating shaft of the driving unit to transmit power to the piston. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the concentration of the additive contained in the purified water varies depending on the rotation angle or rotation speed of the driving unit. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein a guide groove is formed at a portion where the cam and the piston meet with each other to prevent mutual departure, and the other is formed with a guide protrusion that is fitted into the guide groove. 6. The method of claim 5,
A cylinder having an inlet communicating with the accommodating portion, an outlet through which the additive is discharged, and a space through which the piston moves;
An inlet valve closing the inlet when the pressure of the cylinder increases; And
And an outlet valve that opens the outlet when the pressure of the cylinder increases. 10. The method of claim 9,
The receiving portion includes:
And a liquid mineral accommodating the liquid mineral flowing according to the pressure inside the cylinder. A water purifier for purifying water to purify water to purify water, a purified water pipe for flowing purified water discharged from the filtering unit, an outlet valve for opening the purified water pipe at the time of user's watering request, and an additive for supplying additives to the purified water pipe A control method for a water purifier including a supply device,
Requesting a user to go out;
Opening the water outlet valve;
Driving an additive supply device; And
Wherein the additive is supplied to the user in contact with the purified water discharged from the water outlet valve. 12. The method of claim 11,
Stopping the operation of the additive supply device;
Connecting the flow path of the purified water pipe and the drain pipe to the flow path switching valve; And
And the purified water flowing through the purified water pipe is discharged through the drain pipe. 12. The method of claim 11,
The step of switching the flow path includes:
A control method of a water purifier performed when a user's outgoing request is terminated.

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