KR20180091334A - Water treatment apparatus and sterilizing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water treatment device capable of sterilizing a purified water tank by using electrolyzed sterilized water, and a sterilizing method thereof. The sterilizing method of a water treatment device comprises: a sterilized water generating step of electrolyzing water, and generating sterilized water; a sterilized water supplying step of supplying the generated sterilized water to the purified water tank; and a tank draining step of draining the water stored in the purified water tank. At least one among a sterilized water concentration and the number of generation times in the sterilized water generating step and a draining time in the tank draining step can be changed according to an ion concentration of the water measured in the step of generating the sterilized water.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus and a sterilizing method,

The present invention relates to a sterilizing method of a water treatment apparatus and a water treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a water treatment apparatus and a water treatment apparatus which sterilize a purified water tank using electrolyzed sterilized water.

Generally, in the present invention, the term "water processor" refers to a device that purifies raw water supplied through a water pipe to be used as drinking water or living water. Specifically, the water processor is a water purifier, a water softener, an ionizer, a water heater, And the like. Among the various water treatment apparatuses of the present invention, the present invention will be described with reference to an example applied to a water purifier.

Generally, the domestic water purifier is composed of a first filter (applicable to a precipitation filter or a pre-carbon filter) which removes fine particles or rust residue in raw water, or adsorbs and removes residual chlorine, odor inducing substances and volatile organic substances, A second filter (applicable to a filtration filter) for removing ionic substances and microorganisms of the first filter, a third filter for improving odor removal and water taste, and the like.

The purified water obtained through the filter of the third or fourth stage can be stored in a purified water tank of about several liters to several tens of liters, and in the case of the cold / hot water purifier, it is distributed to a cold water tank producing cold water and a hot water tank producing hot water Can be supplied to the user through the drain cock.

On the other hand, since such a purified water tank is difficult to seal completely and water can be stored for a long time, bacterial or microorganisms can easily multiply through contact with the atmosphere and contamination of purified water may occur.

Further, in the case of a filter installed at the end of filters such as a third filter installed in front of the purified water tank along the flow path of water, it may cause the microbial growth inside the filter, and the possibility that the microbes may leak out through purified water is also excluded Can not.

In general, electrolytic water (electrolytic water) is water obtained by applying an electric force to an electrolyte aqueous solution such as tap water or ground water containing an electrolyte, and is also referred to as ionic water having an ionic concentration including ions. (+) Polarity, the anions dissolved in the water are collected to become acidic ionized water, and the (-) polarity collects positive ions to generate alkaline ionized water. Such ionized water is used in various fields including disinfection and sterilization because it contains various kinds of chlorides and oxidizing compounds which are sterilizing and can destroy various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, bacteria and spores.

However, in the conventional case of sterilizing the purified water tank inside the water purifier by using the electrolytic sterilized water, the sterilized water is generated by a predetermined number of times irrespective of the ion concentration of water, and sterilized water is sterilized in the purified water tank The sterilization time required for the sterilization mode is also determined to be constant so that the concentration of the other substances is low due to the low ion concentration in the water in the sterilization mode and even when the water tank is not required to be sterilized for a long time, This is not only a waste of electric charges but also a problem that the use of the water purifier is not possible during the sterilization mode which is usually continued for several hours and the use thereof is very inconvenient and the probability of the sterilization water remaining due to excessive sterilization is increased, .

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for controlling sterilization degree of water by measuring ion concentration of water, thereby preventing unnecessary sterilization, A water processor that can reduce the electricity bill, reduce the time required for the sterilization mode in which the water purifier can not be used, thereby increasing the use time of the water purifier and preventing the sterilization water from being remained by proper sterilization, And a sterilization method of the water treatment apparatus. However, these problems are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus comprising the steps of: generating a sterilized water by electrolyzing water; A sterilizing water supplying step of supplying the generated sterilizing water to the purified water tank; And a tank draining step of draining the water contained in the purified water tank, wherein the concentration of sterilized water in the sterilization water producing step, the number of times of generation, The drainage time of at least one of < RTI ID = 0.0 >

According to the present invention, the sterilizing water generating step may include a conductivity measuring step of measuring the electrical conductivity of the water, and the tank draining step may include a step of discharging the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water contained in the purified water tank And a sterilization time control step of shortening the time of staying in the purified water tank when the electrical conductivity of the water is low and lengthening the time when the electrical conductivity is high.

According to the present invention, the sterilization time control step further comprises the steps of: when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, maintaining the water level by the first sterilization time at the full water level of the purified water tank, draining the mixed water, May be maintained at a water level for a second sterilization time longer than the first sterilization time at the full water level of the purified water tank, and the mixed water may be drained when the second sterilization time is a second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity.

According to the present invention, the sterilizing water generating step may include: a conductivity measuring step of measuring an electrical conductivity of the water; And a controller for controlling the concentration of the sterilizing water in the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water contained in the purified water tank to lower the sterilizing water concentration if the electrical conductivity of the water is low and to increase the sterilizing water concentration if the electrical conductivity is high And a sterilizing water concentration control step.

According to the present invention, in the sterilizing water generating step, the sterilizing water may be generated at least once by electrolyzing a predetermined amount of the water in the closed space for a predetermined time.

According to the present invention, in the sterilizing water concentration control step, when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, the sterilizing water is generated n times, and the electric conductivity is higher than the first electric conductivity, , The sterilizing water may be generated m times more than the n times.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus comprising: a first filtration step of filtering raw water; And a second filtration step of filtering the purified water through the first filtration step. In the sterilizing water producing step, the sterilizing water is subjected to the first filtration step, then the second filtration step, And electrolysis of the above-mentioned integer.

The sterilizing method of the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may further include a third filtering step of filtering the purified water filtered through the second filtering step, wherein in the sterilizing water supplying step, May be branched and supplied to the purified water tank through the third filtration step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water treatment apparatus including a water flow inlet formed at one side and a water outlet formed at the other side; At least one filter installed in the flow path and capable of purifying the raw water; A purified water tank installed in the flow path and capable of storing purified water passing through the filter; A sterilizing module installed in the flow path and capable of generating sterilized water and supplying it to the purified water tank; A conductivity measuring device for measuring an electric conductivity of water in the flow path; And a controller for changing at least one of sterilizing water concentration, generation frequency and drainage time of the purified water tank in accordance with the electric conductivity measured by the conductivity measuring device so that sufficient sterilization is performed in the purified water tank .

According to the present invention, the control unit is connected to a drain valve or a drain pump provided in the drain line of the purified water tank, so that the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilized water contained in the purified water tank is kept in the purified water tank The time may be shortened when the electric conductivity is low, and may be made long if the electric conductivity is high.

According to the present invention, when the electric conductivity is low, the control unit may be connected to the sterilizing module to control the concentration of the sterilizing water in the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water stored in the purified water tank, The concentration or the number of times of generation can be decreased, and if the electric conductivity is high, the sterilizing water concentration or generation frequency can be increased.

In addition, according to the present invention, the sterilizing module includes a sterilizing water producing tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water; A first electrode installed on one side of the sterilizing water producing tank so as to electrolyze the water; A second electrode disposed on the other side of the sterilizing water producing tank so as to correspond to the first electrode; And a power application unit for applying electrolytic power to the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conductivity measuring apparatus comprising: a conductivity measuring unit for measuring a current value or a resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the electric conductivity of the water can be measured; .

Further, according to the present invention, the filter includes: a first filter; A second filter; And a third filter, wherein the flow path includes: a first flow path connecting the first filter and the second filter; A second flow path connecting the second filter and the third filter; A third flow path connecting the third filter and the purified water tank; And a bypass flow path connecting the first flow path and the third flow path so that water passing through the first filter in the sterilization mode can be bypassed to the purified water tank without passing through the second filter, The module may be installed in the bypass channel so as to make sterilized water a part of the water that has passed through the first filter in the sterilization mode and supply the purified water to the purified water tank.

According to the present invention, in the sterilization mode, the third valve may be installed in the bypass channel so that the sterilization water generated in the sterilization module flows to the purified water tank through the third channel.

In the sterilization mode, a part of the sterilized water generated in the sterilization module may flow into the branch flow path through the branch flow path, A check valve or a fifth valve may be installed in the branch passage so as to prevent the backflow of the sterilized water in the constant mode.

According to some embodiments of the present invention as described above, it is possible to variably control the degree of sterilization by measuring the ion concentration of water in the sterilization mode, thereby preventing unnecessary sterilization and saving the number of times of sterilization and generation of sterilization water The electricity cost can be reduced and the time required for the sterilization mode in which the water purifier can not be used can be shortened so that the use time of the water purifier can be increased and the residual phenomenon of sterilized water can be prevented by proper sterilization . Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor according to some embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor according to some other embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of sterilizing a water processor according to some embodiments of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of sterilizing a water processor according to some other embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail a method of sterilizing a water processor in accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments of the present invention are described in order to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified into various other forms, It is not limited to the embodiment. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thickness and size of each layer are exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings schematically showing ideal embodiments of the present invention. In the figures, for example, variations in the shape shown may be expected, depending on manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions shown herein, but should include, for example, changes in shape resulting from manufacturing.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

1, the water processor 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention mainly includes a flow path 10, a filter 20, a purified water tank 30, a sterilizing module 40 , A conductivity measuring device 50, and a controller 60. [

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the flow path 10 may be a kind of purified water line such as a pipe, a tube, or a guide member provided on a water path where a raw water inlet is formed on one side and a water outlet is formed on the other side . 1, a connection structure for connecting the above-mentioned plurality of filters 20 to each other, in which the raw water introduced into the raw water inlet can be transferred to the outlet A structure of the type can be applied.

In addition, for example, the filter 20 is installed in the flow path 10 so as to purify the raw water, and at least one or more flow paths 10 may be provided.

1, first, the filter 20 removes fine particles and rust from the raw water, and removes residual particles or rust from the raw water. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, A first filter 21 for adsorbing and removing chlorine, odor-inducing substances and volatile organic substances, a second filter 22 for removing most ionic substances including microorganisms and microorganisms, And a third filter 23 for the second filter 23.

For example, the first filter 21 may include a composite pretreatment filter, a precipitation filter, a line carbon filter, and the like, and the second filter 22 may include a pre- And the third filter 23 may include a composite post-carbon filter, a filtration filter, a post-carbon filter, or the like.

1, the flow path 10 includes a first flow path 11 connecting the first filter 21 and the second filter 22, A third flow path 13 connecting the third filter 23 and the purified water tank 30 and a second flow path 12 connecting the third filter 23 and the purified water tank 30, 1) connecting the first flow path (11) and the third flow path (13) so that water having passed through the first filter (21) can be bypassed to the purified water tank (30) without passing through the second filter And may include a path passage 14.

The reason why water used for electrolysis during sterilization passes through the first filter 21 without passing through the second filter 22 is that the water that has passed through the first filter 21 Water is suitable for sterilized water since it contains a considerable amount of ions, but it is suitable for sterilized water. However, since water passing through the second filter 22 contains almost no ions, it is difficult to electrolyze and is not suitable for sterilization water .

Accordingly, in the present invention, the water that has passed through the first filter (21) can be bypassed to the purified water tank (30) without passing through the second filter (22) In the process, sterilized water can be generated using the water that is bypassed.

1, a first valve V1 is connected to the controller 60 so as to connect or stop the supply of raw water to the first flow path 11 as a whole, Can be installed.

1, the flow path 10 includes a raw water supply passage 16 for guiding the raw water to the first filter 21 and a constant in the purified water tank 30 to be used by the user And an outflow channel 17 for guiding the flow channel 17 to be opened.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the purified water tank 30 may be a water tank-like structure installed in the flow path 10 and capable of storing purified water that has passed through the filter 20. The purified water tank 30 may further include a cold water tank 31 and a hot water tank 32 as shown in FIG.

1, the sterilization module 40 may be installed in any one of the flow paths 10, but is preferably installed in the bypass flow path 14, And sterilizing water to supply the purified water to the purified water tank 30.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization module 40 includes a sterilizing water producing tank 41 capable of storing a predetermined amount of water, A second electrode 43 provided on the other side of the sterilizing water producing tank 41 so as to correspond to the first electrode 42, And a power applying device 44 for applying electrolytic power to the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43.

Therefore, the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 can be electrolyzed by applying electric power to water stored in the sterilization water producing tank 41 and stopped, Various chlorides and oxides generated can be utilized as sterilization water.

2, the sterilizing module 40 is disposed in front of the sterilizing module 40, that is, the first channel 11 or the second channel 11, so as to maintain the water stored in the sterilizing water producing tank 41 in a stopped state, A second valve V2 connected to and controlled by the controller 60 may be installed in the bypass flow passage 14 and a sterilization mode may be provided at the rear of the sterilization module 40, A third valve V3 connected to the control unit 60 for controlling the sterilization water generated by the sterilization module 40 to flow into the purified water tank 30 through the third flow path 13 is installed .

Here, for example, the second valve (V2) is installed as a kind of double safety shutoff valve that is closed only when a water overflow phenomenon occurs due to a malfunction of the first valve (V1) It is also possible to omit it.

Thus, in the sterilization mode, the sterilization module 40, when the third valve (V3) is closed, applies power to the first electrode (42) and the second electrode (43) Sterilized water can be generated using the first valve (V3) and the sterilized water generated by opening the third valve (V3) can be supplied to the purified water tank (30).

However, the sterilizing water producing tank 41, the first electrode 42, the second electrode 43, the power applying device 44 and the like are not necessarily limited to the drawings, And a fine electrode panel in which one electrode and the second electrode are formed in a plurality of pairs.

1, the conductivity measuring apparatus 50 is an apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity of water in the flow channel 10, and more specifically, for example, the conductivity measuring apparatus 50 May include a current-carrying amount measuring unit 51 for measuring a current value or a resistance value between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 so as to measure the electrical conductivity of the water .

The electricity amount measuring unit 51 measures the current value between the electrodes generated during the electrolysis using the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 of the sterilizing module 40, As a measure of the resistance value, a separate measurement circuit, a measurement sensor, a measurement chipset, or the like can be applied.

Therefore, for example, if the current value between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 measured by the current-passing-amount measuring unit 51 is relatively high compared to the reference value, If the resistance value between the electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 is relatively low compared to the reference value, the concentration of ions contained in the water is high, which is presumed to be due to a relatively high content of other substances In the sterilization mode, it means that the degree of sterilization must be increased.

Conversely, if the value of the current flowing between the first electrode 42 and the second electrode 43 measured by the current-flow measuring unit 51 is relatively low compared to the reference value, 42 and the second electrode 43 is relatively high compared to the reference value, the concentration of ions contained in the water is low, which is presumed to be a relatively low content of other substances, This means that the degree of sterilization must be lowered.

1, the control unit 60 may control the sterilization module 30 according to the electrical conductivity measured by the conductivity measurement device 50 so that sufficient sterilization is performed on the purified water tank 30, A central processing unit, a computing device, a microprocessor, a storage device in which a series of programs are embedded, or the like, which can change at least one of the sterilization water concentration, the generation number of times, and the drainage time of the purified water tank 30 , A control board and various electronic components can be applied.

More specifically, for example, the control unit 60 is connected to the drain valve VD provided in the drain line D of the purified water tank 30 or the drain pump P for rapid drainage, When the electric conductivity is low, the time for which the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water held in the purified water tank 30, that is, the full water level holding time of the mixed water within the whole water tank 30, If the electric conductivity is high, it can be made long.

The drain line D may be connected to the waste water line of the second filter 22 so as to quickly discharge sterilized water from the purified water tank 30.

Therefore, for example, when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, the control signal is maintained at the water level of the purified water tank 30 by the first sterilization time and then the drain valve VD or the drain pump P So that the mixed water can be drained.

However, if the electrical conductivity is a second electrical conductivity higher than the first electrical conductivity, it is preferable that the water level is set to a level higher than the first sterilization time at the full water level of the water tank 30 so as to increase the degree of sterilization The mixed water can be drained by applying a control signal to the drain valve VD or the drain pump P.

Alternatively, the control unit 60 may be connected to the sterilization module 40 to control the concentration of the sterilized water in the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilized water contained in the purified water tank 30, If the electrical conductivity is low, the sterilization water concentration or generation frequency is decreased, and if the electrical conductivity is high, the sterilization water concentration or the sterilization water production frequency can be increased.

That is, for example, when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, the sterilization water supplied to the purified water tank 30 may be generated n times by applying a control signal to the sterilization module 40.

However, if the electric conductivity is a second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity, the sterilizing water supplied to the purified water tank 30 may be generated m times more than the n times so as to increase the degree of sterilization .

Therefore, it is possible to variably control the degree of sterilization by measuring the ion concentration of water in the sterilization mode, thereby preventing unnecessary sterilization, thereby saving the sterilization time and the number of times of generation of the sterilization water, It is possible to increase the use time of the water purifier by reducing the time required for the sterilization mode in which the sterilization mode can not be used, and to prevent the sterilization water from remaining by proper sterilization.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor 200 according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

2, a water processor 200 according to some alternative embodiments of the present invention may basically include components of the water processor 100 of FIG. 1, and in some other embodiments of the present invention The flow path 10 of the water processor 200 according to the first embodiment may further include a branch flow path 15 connecting the bypass flow path 14 and the second flow path 12. [

Therefore, the sterilizing water supplied to the purified water tank 30 along the bypass passage 14 is branched at least partially along the branch passage 15, passes through the third filter 23, Can be supplied to the tank (30).

Therefore, the disinfecting water can additionally sterilize the second flow path 12, the third filter 23, and the third flow path 13 as well as the purified water tank 30.

Here, in the sterilization mode, a part of the sterilized water generated in the sterilization module can pass through the third filter 23 through the branch channel 15, and the reverse flow of the sterilized water can be prevented A check valve CV1 may be installed in the branched flow path 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the water handler 100 (200) according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail. First, in the ordinary integer mode, the first valve V1 When the third valve V3 is closed and the third valve V3 is closed as shown by the arrow F1 in Fig. 2, the raw water is supplied to the raw water supply passage 16, the first filter 21, (11), the second filter (22), the second flow path (12), the third filter (23) and the third flow path (13) to the purified water tank Cold water and hot water stored in the cold water tank 31 and the hot water tank 32 of FIG. 2, as well as the purified water tank 30, if necessary, The valve 4-1, the valve 4-2, the valve 4-2, and the valve 4-3, and can be conveniently used through the outlet channel 17.

On the other hand, in the sterilization mode, which is performed automatically at a time of day without using a water purifier, or can be performed according to a user's selection or the like, first, the drain valve VD is opened, ) Are all drained so that sterilization preparation can be performed.

When the first valve V1 is opened to the third valve V3 as well as the first valve V1, the second filter 22 needs a high pressure due to the characteristics of the filter, and the sterilization module 40 relatively low pressure The raw water is supplied to the raw water supply passage 16, the first filter 21, the first flow passage 11 and the second filter 22 (see FIG. 2) And bypassing the first valve (V3) without passing through the third valve (V3) and the third flow path (13). At this time, the third valve (V3) It is possible to generate sterilized water at least once by electrolyzing the water using the sterilization module 40. When the sterilization water is generated, the third valve (V3) is opened and the purified water in the purified water tank (30) Sterilized water can be supplied first.

At this time, as shown by arrow F3 and arrow F4 in Fig. 2, the check valve CV1 provided in the branched flow path 15 connecting the bypass flow path 14 and the second flow path 12 A portion of the sterilized water may be branched and may be supplied to the purified water tank 30 after passing through the third filter 23 without backwashing.

Next, the electric conductivity of the water can be measured using the conductivity measurement device 50 of Fig. 1, and the sterilization time corresponding to the measured electric conductivity value or the concentration of the sterilization water, that is, the number of generation of the sterilization water, have.

Then, when a predetermined amount of sterilization water is supplied to the purified water tank 30, the purified water can be supplied to the purified water tank 30 so that mixed water having a proper sterilization water concentration can be formed by mixing the sterilized water with purified water. At this time, the process of supplying the purified water to the purified water tank 30 may be the same as the general integer mode described above.

Here, it is also possible to supply sterilized water to the purified water tank 30 first, and then supply purified water or flushing water later, but also sterilized water to supply the purified water later.

Then, when the mixed water contained in the purified water tank 30 reaches the full water level, the inside of the purified water tank 30 can be sterilized by maintaining the water level for a predetermined sterilization time.

Subsequently, the sterilized mixed water may be drained from the purified water tank 30 together with sterilized water to terminate the sterilization mode.

On the other hand, since sterilized water may remain in the third filter 23 or the tank 30, in order to remove the sterilized water remaining in the drainage process and improve the taste of the water, It is also possible to discharge the flushing water together with the mixed water or completely drain the mixed water while supplying the flushing water to the full water level while draining the flushing water.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a water processor 300 according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

3, the water processor 300 according to some other embodiments of the present invention may be configured such that a portion of the sterilization water generated in the sterilization module in the sterilization mode flows through the branch channel 15, 3 filter 23 and a fifth valve V5 is installed in place of the check valve CV1 of FIG. 2 in the branch passage 15 so as to prevent the reverse flow of the sterilized water in the constant mode . Therefore, the controller 60 can separately control the fifth valve V5 to prevent the sterilized water from flowing backward.

The water handlers 100, 200, and 300 according to various embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and may include various check valves CV2, various auxiliary devices such as pumps and corks, Can be additionally installed.

The sterilization method using the water handlers 100, 200, and 300 according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of sterilizing a water processor according to some embodiments of the present invention.

1 to 4, a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a sterilization water producing step S11 for electrolyzing water to generate sterilized water, A sterilized water supply step (S13) for supplying water to the purified water tank (30), and a tank drainage step (S14) for draining the water contained in the purified water tank (30) , The tank drainage step (S14) can be changed according to the ion concentration of water measured in the tank.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the sterilizing water generating step S11 may include a conductivity measuring step S12 for measuring the electrical conductivity of the water, and the tank draining step S14 may include: (S15) for shortening the time for which the mixed water of the purified water stored in the water tank 30 and the sterilized water stay in the purified water tank 30 when the water has a low electric conductivity and lengthening the electric conductivity when the electric conductivity is high, . ≪ / RTI >

In the sterilization time control step S15, when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, the mixed water is drained while maintaining the water level by the first sterilization time at the full water level of the purified water tank 30, The water level of the purified water tank 30 may be maintained at the level of the second sterilization time longer than the first sterilization time and the mixed water may be drained when the conductivity is the second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity.

Further, a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention may include a first filtering step of filtering raw water and a second filtering step of filtering purified water filtered through the first filtering step In the sterilizing water generating step S11, the sterilizing water may be generated by electrolyzing the purified water after the first filtering step and not the second filtering step.

The sterilization method of the water processor according to some embodiments of the present invention may further include a third filtration step of filtering purified water filtered through the second filtration step, The sterilized water may be branched at least partially and supplied to the purified water tank through the third filtration step.

5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of sterilizing a water processor according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

1 to 5, a method of sterilizing a water processor according to some other embodiments of the present invention includes a sterilizing water generating step S21 for electrolyzing water to generate sterilizing water, A sterilized water supply step (S24) for supplying sterilized water to the purified water tank (30); and a tank drain step (S25) for draining the water contained in the purified water tank (30) The sterilization water concentration or generation number of the sterilization water generation step S21 may be changed according to the ion concentration of water measured in step S21.

Here, the sterilizing water producing step S21 may include a conductivity measuring step S22 of measuring the electrical conductivity of the water, and a step of measuring the concentration of the sterilizing water in the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water contained in the purified water tank 30 (S23) for lowering the sterilization water concentration or generation frequency if the electrical conductivity of the water is low and increasing the sterilization water concentration or production frequency if the electrical conductivity is high.

Also, in the sterilization water generating step S21, the sterilization water is generated at least once by electrolyzing a predetermined amount of the water in the closed space for a predetermined time, and the sterilization water concentration control step S23 , The sterilizing number is generated n times when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, and the sterilizing water is m times more than the n times when the electric conductivity is the second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity Lt; / RTI >

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail a method of sterilizing a water processor in accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention.

1 to 6, a method of sterilizing a water treatment apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, at the start of the sterilization mode, the drain valve is opened, 30) may be drained to perform sterilization preparation (S31).

Then, sterilization water can be generated at least once by electrolyzing the water using the sterilization module 40, and sterilized water can be first supplied to the purified water tank 30 when the sterilization water is generated (S32 ).

Next, the electrical conductivity of water can be measured using the conductivity measuring apparatus 50 of FIG. 1 (S33), and the sterilization time corresponding to the measured electrical conductivity value or the concentration of the sterilizing water, that is, (S34).

Then, when the predetermined amount of sterilized water is supplied to the purified water tank 30, the supply of the sterilized water is stopped (S35), and the mixed water is mixed with the purified water to produce mixed water having an appropriate sterilization water concentration. The purified water can be supplied to the tank 30 (S36).

Here, it is also possible to supply the sterilized water to the purified water tank 30 first, and then supply sterilized water to supply the purified water later, without supplying the purified water later.

Then, when the mixed water contained in the purified water tank 30 reaches the full water level (S37), the inside of the purified water tank 30 can be sterilized by maintaining the water level for a predetermined sterilization time (S38).

Then, the sterilized water may be drained from the purified water tank 30 together with the sterilized water to complete the sterilization mode (S39).

While the present invention has been 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, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

10: Euro
11: First Euro
12: 2nd Euro
13: the third euro
14: Bypass flow
15: Branch Euro
20: Filter
21: first filter
22: second filter
23: Third filter
30: Water tank
31: cold water tank
32: Hot water tank
40: sterilization module
41: Sterilization water generating tank
42: first electrode
43: second electrode
44: Power application device
50: Conductivity measuring device
51:
60:
100, 200, 300: water processor

Claims (16)

A sterilizing water producing step of electrolyzing water to generate sterilized water;
A sterilizing water supplying step of supplying the generated sterilizing water to the purified water tank; And
A tank draining step of draining water contained in the purified water tank;
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein at least one of the sterilization water concentration, the number of times of generation, and the drainage time of the tank drainage step is changed according to the ion concentration of water measured in the step of generating sterile water. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sterilizing water generating step comprises:
And a conductivity measuring step of measuring an electrical conductivity of the water,
Wherein the tank draining step comprises:
A sterilization time control step of shortening the time that the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilized water stored in the purified water tank stay inside the purified water tank when the electric conductivity of the water is low and the electric conductivity is high;
And a sterilization step of sterilizing the water. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the sterilization time control step includes:
Wherein the control unit maintains the water level by the first sterilization time at the full water level of the purified water tank when the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity,
And a water sterilizer for maintaining the water level at a water level of the purified water tank by a second sterilization time longer than the first sterilization time and draining the mixed water when the electric conductivity is a second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity Sterilization method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sterilizing water generating step comprises:
A conductivity measuring step of measuring an electrical conductivity of the water; And
The sterilizing water concentration is lowered when the electrical conductivity of the water is low so as to control the concentration of the sterilizing water in the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilizing water accommodated in the purified water tank and when the electrical conductivity is high, Water concentration control step;
And a sterilization step of sterilizing the water. 5. The method of claim 4,
In the sterilizing water generating step,
Wherein the sterilizing water is generated at least once by electrolyzing a predetermined amount of the water in a closed space for a predetermined time. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the sterilizing water concentration control step comprises:
When the electric conductivity is the first electric conductivity, the sterilizing water is generated n times,
Wherein the sterilizing water is generated m times more than the n times when the electric conductivity is a second electric conductivity higher than the first electric conductivity. The method according to claim 1,
A first filtering step of filtering the raw water;
A second filtering step of filtering the filtered purified water through the first filtering step;
Further comprising:
In the sterilizing water generating step,
Wherein the sterilizing water is generated by electrolyzing the purified water not subjected to the second filtering step after the first filtering step. 8. The method of claim 7,
And a third filtering step of filtering the purified water filtered through the second filtering step,
In the sterilized water supply step,
Wherein the sterilized water is at least partially branched and supplied to the purified water tank through the third filtration step. A flow path in which a raw water inlet is formed on one side and a water outlet is formed on the other side;
At least one filter installed in the flow path and capable of purifying the raw water;
A purified water tank installed in the flow path and capable of storing purified water passing through the filter;
A sterilizing module installed in the flow path and capable of generating sterilized water and supplying it to the purified water tank;
A conductivity measuring device for measuring an electric conductivity of water in the flow path; And
A controller for changing at least one of sterilizing water concentration, generation frequency and drainage time of the purified water tank in accordance with the electric conductivity measured by the conductivity measuring device so that sterilization is sufficiently performed in the purified water tank;
. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein,
A drain valve or a drain pump installed in a drain line of the purified water tank to shorten the time for the mixed water of the purified water and the sterilized water received in the purified water tank to stay in the purified water tank when the electric conductivity is low , And the electric conductivity is made longer if the electric conductivity is higher. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein,
The sterilization module is connected to the sterilization module to reduce the sterilization water concentration or the number of times of production when the electrical conductivity is low so as to control the concentration of the sterilization water in the water mixed with the sterilization water contained in the purified water tank, Increases the sterilizing water concentration or the number of production times. 10. The method of claim 9,
The sterilization module comprises:
A sterilizing water producing tank capable of storing a certain amount of water;
A first electrode installed on one side of the sterilizing water producing tank so as to electrolyze the water;
A second electrode disposed on the other side of the sterilizing water producing tank so as to correspond to the first electrode; And
A power applying device for applying electrolytic power to the first electrode and the second electrode;
. 13. The method of claim 12,
The conductivity measuring apparatus includes:
A current-carrying amount measuring unit for measuring a current value or a resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the electric conductivity of the water can be measured;
. 10. The method of claim 9,
The filter includes a first filter; A second filter; And a third filter,
The flow path includes:
A first flow path connecting the first filter and the second filter;
A second flow path connecting the second filter and the third filter;
A third flow path connecting the third filter and the purified water tank; And
And a bypass flow path connecting the first flow path and the third flow path so that water having passed through the first filter in the sterilization mode can be bypassed to the purified water tank without passing through the second filter,
Wherein the sterilizing module is installed in the bypass duct so as to sterilize a portion of the water that has passed through the first filter in sterilization mode and supply the water to the purified water tank. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the third valve is installed in the bypass channel so that the sterilization water generated in the sterilization module can flow into the purified water tank through the third flow path in the sterilization mode. 15. The method of claim 14,
The flow path includes:
And a branch passage connecting the bypass passage and the second passage,
A part of the sterilizing water generated in the sterilizing module may pass through the third filter through the branch passage in the sterilization mode and a check valve or a check valve may be provided in the branch passage so as to prevent the reverse flow of the sterilized water Wherein a fifth valve is installed.

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