KR20170125686A - Sterilizing method of water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A sterilization method of a water treatment device is disclosed. The sterilization method of the water treatment device, as a sterilization method of a water treatment device having a sterilization function of sequentially sterilizing a storage tank which stores purified water, a purified water passage and a cooled water passage which are connected to the storage tank, and a faucet which extracts purified water and cooled water provided from the storage tank through the purified water passage and cooled water passage by using sterilizing water, comprises the steps of: moving a faucet sterilization unit located at an extraction position to a sterilization position when the sterilization function is initiated; draining the purified water stored in the storage tank; supplying sterilization water to the storage tank to carry out the sterilization process in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage and cooled water passage, and the faucet; supplying washing water to the storage tank to perform the washing process in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage and cooled water passage, and the faucet; supplying the purified water to the storage tank; and moving the faucet sterilization unit to the extraction position. The sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention can perform a sterilization operation with respect to the storage tank, passages and faucet of a water purifier at a time, and can carry out the sterilization operation more conveniently since it is not necessary to mount a separate component for sterilizing the faucet.

Description

STERILIZING METHOD OF WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS [0001]

The present application relates to a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus.

A water purifier is a device for purifying raw water supplied from outside and providing purified water. A storage tank for storing purified water in a water purifier, a flow path for flowing purified water and a faucet for extracting purified water can be contaminated by bacteria or microorganisms have.

In order to solve such a problem, researches on a water purifier for sterilizing a storage tank, a flow path, and a faucet using sterilized water are underway.

However, the water purifier having the conventional sterilizing function is configured to separately perform the sterilizing operation for the storage tank, the flow path and the faucet, and in particular, for disinfection of the faucet, the user needs to manually install a separate component There was an inconvenience in performing the sterilization operation.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to more conveniently perform the sterilizing operation of the water purifier.

In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method of sterilizing a water processor.

The sterilization method of the water processor includes a storage tank for storing purified water, a purified water channel and a cold water channel connected to the storage tank, and a faucet for extracting purified water and cold water provided from the storage tank through the purified water channel and the cold water channel, A method for disinfecting a water treatment apparatus having a sterilizing function for sterilizing water using sterilized water, comprising the steps of: when the sterilizing function is started, moving a powder sterilizing unit located at an extraction position to a sterilizing position; Draining the purified water stored in the storage tank; Supplying sterilizing water to the storage tank to perform sterilization in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage, the cold water passage, and the powder; Supplying washing water to the storage tank to perform cleaning in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage, the cold water passage, and the powder; Supplying water to the storage tank; And moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position.

In addition, the means for solving the above-mentioned problems are not all enumerating the features of the present invention. The various features of the present invention and the advantages and effects thereof will be more fully understood by reference to the following specific embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform a sterilizing operation at one time on the storage tank, the flow path and the faucet of the water purifier, and it is unnecessary to install a separate part for disinfecting the faucet, Can be performed.

1 is a configuration diagram of a water processor to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
2 is a flow chart of a method of sterilizing a water processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a detailed flowchart of step S220 shown in FIG.
4 is a detailed flowchart of step S230 shown in FIG.
5 is a detailed flowchart of step S240 shown in FIG.
6 is a detailed flowchart of the step S250 shown in FIG.
7 is a detailed flowchart of step S260 shown in FIG.
8 is a detailed flowchart of step S270 shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings.

In addition, in the entire specification, when a part is referred to as being 'connected' to another part, it may be referred to as 'indirectly connected' not only with 'directly connected' . Also, to "include" an element means that it may include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The water treatment apparatus can be used for various purposes such as processing industrial wastewater or water, producing ultrapure water, or the like (including for business use) (including business use), but the present invention particularly relates to a water treatment apparatus used for drinking. In this way, the water processor for drinking water collects raw water (constant water) and generates purified water for drinking, so it may be collectively referred to as a water purifier in a narrow sense. The water purifier is configured to supply raw water (constant water) to the user, which is filtered at the filter unit, and can provide hot water and / or cold water to the user by heating / cooling the purified water at room temperature do.

In addition, not only water but also various functional water such as ionized water, carbonated water, and oxygenated water are supplied to the water handler for drinking. In addition, there are a water heater, a water cooler, and an ice maker which heat or cool water supplied from a bucket or the like or generate ice. Therefore, in the present specification, the term "water treatment unit" is used generically to refer to the water purifier, the functional water heater, the water heater, the water cooler, the ice maker, and the like and a device having a combination of these functions. However, the water purifier may be used as an example of the water processor according to the present invention.

The water processor 100 according to the present invention will be described below. The water processor 100 purifies raw water, which is introduced through a raw water supply unit W, through various filters and supplies purified purified water (hereinafter, (Hereinafter referred to as " water purifier ") in a separate storage space and then to discharge it to the outside.

The water processor 100 filters raw water such as tap water or natural water through filters provided in the filter unit 110 to remove particulate impurities, heavy metals, and other harmful substances contained in the raw water.

In addition, the water treatment apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied does not require the addition of a separate 'germicidal agent' or 'chloride', and electrolyzes the filtered water through at least a part of the filter unit 110 (Hereinafter referred to as " oxidation-reduction reaction ") to generate sterilized water containing a substance having a sterilizing function such as mixed oxidant (MO) So that the storage tank 130 and the passage through which the sterilizing water flows can be sterilized and cleaned. In addition, the water treatment apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied can electrolyze water flowing into the sterilizing water treatment unit 120 without adding a chloride such as a chloride supply unit, thereby sterilizing water containing a high- Can be generated.

1 is a configuration diagram of a water processor to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

1, the water processor 100 includes a filter unit 110, a sterilization water supply unit 120, a storage tank 130, a cold water extraction pump 140, an extraction unit 150, 160, an auxiliary tank 170, a drain pump 180, a control unit 190, and one or more valves V1 to V6. The water processor 100 may further include a sensing unit 161 as needed.

The filter unit 110 may include a sediment filter, a pre-carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane filter, and a post-carbon filter. The filter unit 110 includes at least one filter, The number and order can be changed according to the filtering method of the water processor (water purifier) or the filtering performance required of the water processor (water purifier). For example, a hollow fiber membrane filter may be provided instead of the reverse osmosis membrane filter. Such a hollow fiber membrane filter is a porous filter having a pore size of several tens to several hundred nanometers (nm), and it removes contaminants in water through numerous micropores distributed on the membrane surface. In addition, a post-carbon filter may not be provided, or a micro filter MF or another functional filter may be provided in place of or in addition to the above-described filter.

A valve V1 for controlling the inflow of raw water into the filter unit 110 may be installed at the front end of the filter unit 110. [

The sterilizing water supply unit 120 includes a sterilizing material such as an oxidizing mixed material (MO) through electrolysis using purified water through at least one filter provided in the filter unit 110 Can be produced.

In this sterilization water treatment unit 120, water is passed between electrodes having different polarities, thereby sterilizing or destroying the microorganisms or bacteria remaining in the water. In general, the sterilization of water by electrolysis involves direct oxidation which directly oxidizes the microorganisms in the anode and various mixed oxidants (MO: Mixed Oxidant) such as residual chlorine, ozone, OH radical, oxygen Radicals and the like oxidize the microorganisms.

In addition, a valve V2 for controlling the inflow of the purified water into the sterilizing water dispenser 120 may be installed at the front end of the sterilizing water dispenser 120.

The storage tank 130 may receive the sterilized water flowing from the sterilization water supply unit 120 through the filter unit 110, stores the purified water, and selectively discharges the purified water.

For example, the storage tank 130 may store clean purified water and purified water passing through the filter unit 110 and cooling a part of the purified water. In this case, a storage space for storing a constant at room temperature is formed And a second storage unit 132 for forming a storage space for storing cold water. However, the storage tank 130 may be formed as a storage space for storing only constants at room temperature, and the first storage unit 131 and the second storage unit 132 may be independent tanks.

The first and second storage units 131 and 132 may be partitioned in the vertical direction while being interconnected. The first storage unit 131 may be located on the upper side and the second storage unit 132 may be divided into the first and second storage units 131 and 132, And may be located below the storage unit 131. [ Here, the first and second storage units 131 and 132 are partitioned in a vertical direction through barrier ribs (not shown) and can communicate with each other.

The first storage unit 131 may be provided with one or more level sensors S1 and S2 for sensing the level of the constant and outputting the detection signal to the controller 190. [ Here, the water level sensor includes a low level sensor S1 for sensing a low level of an integer level, that is, a low level level at which an integer level is re-supplied in the first storage unit 131, and a low level sensor S1 for detecting an upper level, (S2) for sensing the temperature of the water. However, the number and position of the water level sensors can be changed variously according to the specific control method of the water processor (water purifier).

The second storage unit 132 is provided with a cooling unit (not shown) for cooling the purified water flowing from the first storage unit 131. The cooling unit may be a cooling coil, for example.

Meanwhile, as described above, the first storage unit 131 and the second storage unit 132 may be independent tanks. In this case, the purified water stored in the first storage unit 131 is transferred to the second storage unit 132 through a separate flow path, or transferred to the ice tray or the like to be transferred to the second storage unit 132 It is possible.

The cold water extraction pump 140 may be installed on the cold water channel for providing cold water so that the cold water stored in the second storage unit 132 of the storage tank 130 may be supplied to the extraction unit 150 .

The cold water extraction pump 140 may be implemented by a motor, for example, a DC motor capable of controlling an operation speed using an input voltage or an AC motor capable of controlling an operation speed through frequency control.

The extraction unit 150 is for providing the user with purified water or cold water provided from the storage tank 130 through the purified water passage or the cold water passage, and may be implemented as a faucet, for example.

Valves V3 and V4 for controlling purified water or cold water to be extracted may be installed on the purified water channel and the cold water channel connected to the extraction unit 150, respectively.

The powder sterilizer 160 is moved to the lower end of the extractor 150, that is, the powder sterilizer 150 under the control of the controller 190 to store the sterilization water supplied through the purified water channel and the cold water channel, Sterilization of the set is performed.

According to one embodiment, the powders sterilizing unit 160 may be configured to perform a sterilizing operation so that the extracting unit 150 can be exposed to the outside while the sterilizing operation is not performed, (I.e., the extraction position). When the sterilizing function is started, the powder sterilizer 160 moves to the lower end (i.e., sterilizing position) of the extracting unit 150 so as to cover the extracting unit 150 according to the control of the controller 190 For example, sliding).

The powder sterilizing unit 160 may be configured in the form of a tray capable of storing sterilizing water provided through the purified water passage or the cold water passage when the sterilizing operation is performed. By the sterilizing water stored in the powder sterilizing unit 160 Sterilization of the powders can be carried out.

In addition, for example, a mesh-shaped net is provided inside the powder sterilizing unit 160 to prevent the sterilization water supplied through the extracting unit 150 from quickly flowing out to the auxiliary tank 170, .

A sensing unit 161 for sensing whether the powder sterilizing unit 160 has moved to a sterilizing position or an extracting position may be additionally provided. In this case, when the sterilizing function is started, the control unit 190 may cause the sterilizing unit 160 to move to the sterilizing position so that the sterilizing operation is performed after the sensing unit 161 senses the movement. In addition, after the sterilization operation is completed, it is possible to extract the purified water after the detection unit 161 detects that the powder sterilizing unit 160 has moved to the extraction position.

According to one embodiment, the powder sterilizing unit 160 may be implemented with a magnet and a reed switch. In this case, either one of the magnet and the reed switch is installed in the powder sterilizing unit 160, and the other is a position where the access of the magnet and the reed switch can be detected when the powder sterilizing unit 160 is located at the sterilizing position For example, at the lower end of the extraction unit 150, or the like. Accordingly, when the powder sterilizing unit 160 is moved to the sterilizing position, it is detected that the magnet is sensed by the reed switch and moved to the sterilizing position. When the powder sterilizing unit 160 is moved to the extracting position, It is possible to detect that the magnet is not detected and that the magnet moves to the extraction position.

However, the sensing unit 161 may be realized by various means capable of sensing the position of the powder sterilizing unit 160 in addition to the magnet and the reed switch.

The auxiliary tank 170 may be connected to the powder sterilizing unit 160 to store sterilizing water flowing from the powder sterilizing unit 160.

The drain pump 180 is installed on the drainage line drained to the drain D from the storage tank 130 or the auxiliary tank 170 and is connected to the drainage pipe 130 through the drainage pipe 130 or the auxiliary tank 170, So that the water is drained to the drain (D). The drain pump 180 may be implemented by a motor, for example, a DC motor capable of controlling an operation speed using an input voltage or an AC motor capable of controlling an operation speed through frequency control.

Valves V5 and V6 for controlling the opening and closing of the drainage passage may be provided on the drainage passage drained to the drain D from the storage tank 130 or the auxiliary tank 170. [

The controller 190 controls the overall operation of the water processor 100 and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA).

The control unit 190 controls the opening and closing of one or more valves V1 to V6 provided in the water processor 100 and the opening and closing of the cold water extraction pump 140, the powder sterilizing unit 160, and the drain pump 180 Or the like to provide the user with purified water or cold water or sterilize the storage tank 130, the purified water or the cold water flow path, and the extraction unit 150.

Specifically, when the sterilizing function is started, the controller 190 first moves the powder sterilizer 160 to the sterilizing position, that is, to the lower end of the extracting unit 150 so as to cover the extracting unit 150, The extractor 150 is sterilized and cleaned in the order of the extractor 150 and the extractor 150 so that the extractor 150 can be exposed to the outside Can be moved.

A specific procedure for controlling the controller 190 to perform the sterilization operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG.

2 is a detailed flowchart of the step S220 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the step S230 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the step S240 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of the step S250 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the step S260 shown in FIG. In step S270 of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, when the sterilizing function is automatically or manually started by the user's operation (S210), the control unit of the water processor sets the sterilizing unit to sterilization position, that is, To the lower end of the power set (S220).

3, the control unit 190 of the water processor starts the movement of the powder sterilizer 160 to the sterilizing position (S221), and the sensing unit 161 controls the sterilizing unit 160 (S222). If the controller 160 detects the movement to the sterilizing position, the controller 160 proceeds to step S230 to perform the sterilizing operation. On the other hand, if it is not detected that the powder sterilizing unit 160 has been moved to the sterilizing position by the sensing unit 161 after a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S270 and the sterilizing function may be terminated without performing the sterilization operation .

According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the powder sterilizing unit is moved to the sterilizing position (S220), the water stored in the storage tank is drained (S230), and then the powder sterilizer is moved to the sterilizing position As shown in FIG. In this case, if it is detected that the powder sterilizer has moved to the sterilizing position, the process proceeds to step S240 to perform the sterilization operation. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S260, where water is supplied to the storage tank, The function can be terminated.

Thereafter, control is performed to drain water stored in the storage tank (S230).

4, the control unit 190 of the water processor opens the valve V5 on the drain passage and operates the drain pump 180 to start the drain of the purified water stored in the storage tank 130 (S231).

Thereafter, while the water level of the low-level sensor S1 is not sensed, that is, until the water level of the storage tank 130 falls below the low-water level sensor S1, the signal of the low-level sensor S1 is not sensed The valve V5 is closed and the operation of the drain pump 180 is stopped to stop the drainage of the storage tank 130 and then the valve V1 on the flow path to which the raw water is supplied is opened to open the storage tank 130, The water supply can be started (S233).

Thereafter, the water supply continues until the signal of the low-level sensor S1 is sensed, that is, until the water level of the storage tank 130 rises above the low-water level sensor S1. If a signal of the low- level sensor S1 is sensed , The water supply to the storage tank 130 can be stopped (S235).

On the other hand, after the water supply to the storage tank 130 is started (S233) and a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has elapsed without sensing the signal of the low-water level sensor S1 (S236) The normal sterilization operation is difficult. Therefore, the process may proceed to step S270 and the sterilization function may be terminated.

Thereafter, sterilizing water is supplied to the storage tank, and sterilization is performed in the order of the storage tank, the flow path, and the powder (S240).

5, the control unit 190 of the water processor can open the valve V2 provided at the front end of the sterilizing water supply unit 120 to start sterilization water supply to the storage tank 130 (S241).

Thereafter, the water supply continues until the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed, that is, until the water level of the storage tank 130 rises above the full water level sensor S2. When the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed (S242), sterilization of the storage tank 130 may be performed by stopping the sterilizing water supply and waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S243).

Thereafter, the valve V5 is opened and the drain pump 180 is operated to start the drain of the purified water stored in the storage tank 130 (S244).

Thereafter, the drainage is continued until the signal of the low-level sensor S1 is not sensed, that is, until the level of the storage tank 130 falls below the low-level sensor S1, and the signal of the low-level sensor S1 is not detected (S245), the valve V5 is closed, the operation of the drain pump 180 is stopped to stop the drainage of the storage tank 130, and the purified water is extracted for a predetermined time (for example, one second) After the sterilization is performed (S246), cold water can be sterilized by extracting cold water for a preset time (for example, 1 second) (S247). The reason for discharging the sterilized water to the storage tank 130 and then discharging the water until the water level of the storage tank 130 falls below the low water level sensor S1 is that the sterilized water supplied to the storage tank 130 So that the second storage part 132 and the cold water flow path connected to the second storage part 132 are sufficiently sterilized by being evenly mixed with the cold water stored in the storage part 132. Further, since the water level of the sterilized water stored in the storage tank 130 falls below the low-water level sensor S1, the sterilization time of the purified water channel and the cold water channel is set to be relatively short (for example, To perform sterilization of the purified water passage and the cold water passage. In addition, the purified water flow path sterilization (S246) and the cold water flow path sterilization (S247) may be performed by changing their order.

Sterilized water passing through each flow path is stored in the faucet sterilizing unit 160 and then supplied to the auxiliary tank 170 connected to the faucet sterilizing unit 160 It flows. In this case, after disinfecting the faucet while waiting for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes), the valve V6 is opened and the drain pump 180 is operated so that the sterilized water stored in the auxiliary tank 170 The drainage can be started (S248).

Thereafter, when it is detected that the auxiliary tank 170 is empty (S249), the valve V6 on the drainage passage of the auxiliary tank 170 is closed and the valve V5 on the drainage passage of the storage tank 130 is opened, 170) and can start the drainage of sterilized water stored in the storage tank 130 (S249-1).

Thereafter, when it is sensed that the storage tank 130 is completely empty (S249-2), the valve V5 is closed and the operation of the drain pump 180 is stopped to stop the drainage of the storage tank 130 (S249-3).

Here, if the auxiliary tank 170 or the storage tank 130 is empty, it can be determined based on the operation feedback current value of the drain pump 180. Specifically, when the auxiliary tank 170 or the storage tank 130 is empty and the sterilized water to be drained is no longer discharged, the drain pump 180 idles and the operation feedback current value of the drain pump 180 falls below a predetermined value It is possible to sense that the auxiliary tank 170 or the storage tank 130 is empty.

After the sterilization is performed in the order of the storage tank 130, the purified water passage and the cold water passage and the powder tank through the above-described process, the sterilized water stored in the storage tank 130 and the auxiliary tank 170 is completely drained .

Thereafter, washing water is supplied to the storage tank to perform washing in the order of the storage tank, the flow path, and the powder (S250).

6, cleaning of the storage tank 130 may be performed by opening the valve V1 on the flow path to which the raw water is supplied and starting the water supply to the storage tank 130 (see FIG. 6) S233).

Thereafter, the water supply is continued until the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed, that is, until the water level of the storage tank 130 rises above the water level sensor S2. When the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed S252), the wash water supply can be stopped (S253).

Thereafter, an integer is extracted for a preset time (for example, 3 seconds) to perform the purified water flow cleaning (S254), washing the powders while waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) The drainage of the washing water stored in the auxiliary tank 170 can be started by opening the valve V6 on the drainage passage of the auxiliary tank 170 and operating the drainage pump 180 (S255).

Thereafter, when it is detected that the auxiliary tank 170 is empty (S256), the valve V6 is closed and the operation of the drain pump 180 is stopped to stop the drainage of the auxiliary tank 170, , 2 minutes) (S257).

Thereafter, cold water is extracted for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) to perform cold water channel cleaning (S258). After washing the powders while waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) The drainage of the washing water stored in the auxiliary tank 170 can be started by opening the valve V6 on the drainage passage of the auxiliary tank 170 and operating the drainage pump 180 (S259).

Thereafter, when it is sensed that the auxiliary tank 170 is empty (S259-1), the valve V6 is closed and the valve V5 on the drain passage of the storage tank 130 is opened to stop the drainage of the auxiliary tank 170 The drainage of the wash water stored in the storage tank 130 can be started (S259-2).

Thereafter, when it is sensed that the storage tank 130 is completely emptied (S259-3), the operation of the drain pump 180 is stopped by closing the valve V5, and the drainage of the storage tank 130 can be stopped (S259-4).

As described above, in the case of performing the cleaning, the cleaning of the purified water flow path is performed first, the auxiliary tank 170 is drained, the drainage is stopped, waiting for a predetermined time, , It is possible to minimize the noise that may occur when draining the washing water.

In addition, unlike the above, the order of cleaning the purified water passage and the cold water passage may be changed and performed. For example, after the washing water supply is stopped (S253), the cold water is firstly extracted and the cold water channel cleaning is performed (S258 to S259-1). After draining the auxiliary tank and waiting for a predetermined time (S257) (S254 to S256).

The sterilization and cleaning in the water processor are completed through the above-described steps, and then water is supplied to the storage tank again (S260), so that the user can prepare water or cold water again.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the valve V1 on the flow path to which the raw water is supplied is opened to start the water supply to the storage tank 130 (S261).

Thereafter, the water supply continues until the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed, that is, until the water level of the storage tank 130 rises above the full water level sensor S2. When the signal of the full water level sensor S2 is sensed S262), the water supply is stopped, and the flow proceeds to step S270.

However, if a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes) has elapsed after the start of the purified water supply and the signal of the full water level sensor S2 has not been sensed (S263), the minimum water level for extracting the purified water or cold water is It is determined that the user has arrived and the process can proceed to step S270. This can shorten the amount of time the user waits for purification after performing the sterilization of the water processor.

Then, the powder sterilizer is moved to one side of the powder set so that the powder set can be exposed to the outside (S270) so that the user can extract the purified water or cold water again.

8, the control unit 190 of the water processor starts to move the powder sterilizer 160 to the extraction position (S271), and the sensing unit 161 supplies the powder sterilizer 160 to the powder sterilizer 160. [ (S272). If it is detected that movement to the extraction position is sensed, it is possible to control the extraction of the purified water or the cold water to a state where it can be extracted (S273). On the other hand, if it is not detected that the powder sterilizing unit 160 has been moved to the extraction position by the sensing unit 161 after a predetermined time, it is possible to control the extraction of the purified water or the cold water to be impossible (S274).

The method of sterilizing the water processor described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 8 may be performed by a processor provided in the water processor.

In the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the storage tank of the water processor stores both purified water and cold water, and sterilization is performed on the purified water passage and the cold water passage connected to the storage tank. However, But is not limited to. For example, the sterilization method of the water processor according to the present invention may be applied to a water processor having only one of an purified water storage tank for storing purified water and a cold water storage tank for storing cold water.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

100: water processor
110:
120: sterilized hand-made study
130: Storage tank
140: cold water extraction pump
150:
160: Powder sterilization part
161:
170: auxiliary tank
180: Drain pump
190:
W: raw water supplier
D: drain
V1 to V6: Valve
S1, S2: Water level sensor

Claims (14)

A faucet for extracting purified water and cold water provided from the storage tank through the purified water passage and the cold water passage connected to the storage tank and the purified water passage and the cold water passage are sequentially sterilized using sterilized water A sterilization method of a water treatment machine having a sterilization function,
When the sterilizing function is initiated, moving the powder sterilizing part located at the extraction position to a sterilizing position;
Draining the purified water stored in the storage tank;
Supplying sterilizing water to the storage tank to perform sterilization in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage, the cold water passage, and the powder;
Supplying washing water to the storage tank to perform cleaning in the order of the storage tank, the purified water passage, the cold water passage, and the powder;
Supplying water to the storage tank; And
And moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position.
The method of claim 1, wherein moving the powder sterilizing unit to a sterilizing position comprises:
And disposing the powder sterilizing unit on the lower end of the powder set so as to cover the powder set.
The method of claim 1, wherein moving the powder sterilizing unit to a sterilizing position comprises:
Initiating movement of the powder sterilizing portion to the sterilizing position; And
Detecting whether the powder sterilizing unit has moved to the sterilizing position,
And when the movement to the sterilizing position is sensed, proceeding to the step of draining the purified water.
The method of claim 3,
And if the movement to the sterilizing position is not sensed, proceeding to the step of moving to the extraction position.
2. The method of claim 1,
Initiating a multiple of an integer stored in the storage tank;
Stopping the drainage and starting water supply to the storage tank if no signal of the first water level sensor installed in the storage tank is sensed; And
And stopping the water supply when a signal of the first level sensor is sensed.
6. The method of claim 5,
The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the pouch sterilizing unit to the extraction position when a predetermined time elapses after the water level of the first water level sensor has not been sensed.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the sterilization comprises:
Initiating the supply of sterile water to the storage tank;
Stopping the water supply and waiting for a predetermined time when a signal of a second water level sensor installed in the storage tank is sensed;
Initiating a multiple of an integer stored in the storage tank;
Stopping the drain if no signal of the first level sensor installed in the storage tank is sensed;
Performing a water purification and a cold water extraction for a predetermined time;
Initiating a drainage of sterilized water stored in an auxiliary tank connected to said faucet sterilizer after waiting for a predetermined time;
Stopping drainage of the auxiliary tank and initiating drainage of the sterilized water stored in the storage tank when it is detected that the auxiliary tank is empty; And
And stopping the drainage of the storage tank when it is detected that the storage tank is empty.
2. The method of claim 1,
Initiating supply of wash water to the storage tank;
Stopping the water supply when a signal of a second water level sensor installed in the storage tank is sensed;
Extracting an integer for a predetermined time, waiting for a predetermined time, and starting drainage of wash water stored in an auxiliary tank connected to the powder sterilizing unit;
Stopping the drainage of the auxiliary tank and waiting for a preset time when it is detected that the auxiliary tank is empty;
Extracting cold water for a predetermined time, waiting for a predetermined time, and then starting drainage of wash water stored in the auxiliary tank;
Stopping the drainage of the auxiliary tank and starting drainage of the wash water stored in the storage tank when it is detected that the auxiliary tank is empty; And
And stopping the drainage of the storage tank when it is detected that the storage tank is empty.
The method of claim 1, wherein watering the constant comprises:
Initiating water supply to the storage tank; And
And stopping the water supply when a signal from a second water level sensor installed in the storage tank is sensed.
10. The method of claim 9,
Sterilizing method of a water processor which proceeds to the step of moving the pau sterilizing unit to the extraction position when a predetermined time elapses after a signal of the second water level sensor is not sensed after the water supply of the integer is started
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position comprises:
And disposing the powder sterilizing unit on one side of the powder set so that the powder set is exposed to the outside.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position comprises:
Initiating movement of the powder sterilizing portion to the extraction position;
Detecting whether the powder sterilizing unit has moved to the extraction position; And
And controlling, when the movement to the extraction position is detected, to enable extraction of purified water or cold water.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position comprises:
Further comprising the step of controlling to a state in which extraction of purified water or cold water is not possible unless movement to the extraction position is sensed.
There is provided a water treatment apparatus having a sterilizing function for sequentially sterilizing a fountain for extracting purified water, a channel connected to the storage tank, and a faucet for extracting water provided from the storage tank through the channel, In the sterilization method,
When the sterilizing function is initiated, moving the powder sterilizing part located at the extraction position to a sterilizing position;
Draining the water stored in the storage tank;
Supplying sterilizing water to the storage tank, sterilizing the storage tank, the flow path, and the powder in order;
Supplying wash water to the storage tank to perform cleaning in the order of the storage tank, the flow path, and the powder;
Supplying purified water to the storage tank; And
And moving the powder sterilizing unit to the extraction position.

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