KR20190013283A - A water softener and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water softener, which is easily maintained by including an opening and closing sensing unit, and to a control method thereof. The water softener of the present invention, which includes a housing, an ion resin tank arranged in the housing, a regenerating container connected to the ion resin tank, and a cover surrounding the outside of the housing and located to be opened and closed, comprises: a water inflow valve for controlling inflow of raw water into a regenerating container; a residual water valve for controlling discharge of residual water in the regenerating container; a water discharge valve for controlling the discharge of softened water in an ion resin tank; a regeneration valve for controlling the inflow of regenerated water from the regenerating container to the ion resin tank; a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the water inflow valve, the residual water valve, and the water discharge valve; and an opening and closing sensing unit for sensing whether the cover is opened or closed. According to the present invention, a maintenance and management operation such as a repair of a water softener is automated to be minimized, a defect due to operation omission is solved, and furthermore, power consumption can be reduced.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a water softener and a control method thereof,

The present invention relates to a water softener, and more particularly, to a water softener that is easy to maintain and a control method thereof.

A water softener installed in a home or office has a function of chemically converting water-soluble ions contained in tap water into soft water.

In general, tap water (hard water) contains a large amount of chlorine components used in the purification process, and also contains various heavy metals (ions) such as iron, zinc, lead and mercury which are harmful to human body due to old pipes and water pollution .

Although such tap water is not fatal to the human body, if it is used as it is when washing the skin, the metal ion contained in the water and the fatty acid of the soap combine with each other to produce a metallic foreign substance. Such metallic foreign substances deteriorate the detergency of the soap, In addition, it can cause various skin diseases such as allergies by contacting the skin, and accelerate aging of the skin.

Therefore, to prevent this, a water softener for making tap water through an ion exchange resin to make soft water has been developed and used mainly for cleaning.

Such a water softener generally has an ionic resin tank for introducing raw water into the water to soften water. When the function of the ion exchange resin contained in the ionic resin tank is lowered by the use of the water softener, regenerated water for regenerating the ionic resin is generated, And a regenerating cylinder for supplying the regenerated gas to the regenerator.

Further, it is necessary to perform a maintenance work such as a case in which the regenerant in the regenerator contained in the regenerator is exhausted in accordance with the generation of the regenerated water, the regeneration is necessary, and the regenerator is separated when replacement or cleaning is required.

In the case of the maintenance work of the water softener, the cover outside the water softener is opened, the water intake and outflow are blocked, the water in the regenerator is removed, and the regeneration function of the ion resin tank is regenerated If a worker (or a user) misses a step due to inactivity or the like, there is a problem such as leakage of residual water and deterioration of a water softener when the recovery tube is separated.

Patent Document 1: KR 2014-0113161 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water softener and a control method thereof for solving problems that may occur during maintenance work of a water softener.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water softener including a housing, an ion resin tank disposed in the housing, a regeneration tank connected to the ion resin tank, and a cover that covers the outside of the housing and is openable and closable An inlet valve for regulating the inflow of raw water into the regenerator; A residual water valve for regulating the discharge of the residual water in the regenerator; An outflow valve for regulating the discharge of soft water in the ion resin tank; A regeneration valve for regulating the inflow of the regeneration water from the regeneration tank to the ionic resin tank; A control unit for controlling opening / closing of the water inlet valve, the water outlet valve, and the water outlet valve; And an opening / closing sensor for detecting whether the cover is opened or closed.

Wherein the control unit closes the inlet valve and the outlet valve and opens the residual valve when the opening of the cover is detected by the opening / closing detection unit, and when the predetermined time elapses after opening the residual valve, And when the cover is detected to be coupled to the housing after closing the residual water valve, the inlet valve and the regeneration valve are opened to allow the raw water having passed through the regeneration tank to flow into the ion resin tank as regeneration water .

Wherein the opening / closing detection unit includes a pressing unit positioned on one side of the housing so as to be exposed to the outside and to be pressed or released in response to an opening / closing operation of the cover; A magnet positioned so as to be hingeable according to whether the pressing portion is pressed or released; And a reed switch positioned on the magnetic side so as to be in contact with or spaced apart from the magnet according to the hinge movement of the magnetic.

Wherein the control unit closes the inlet valve and the outlet valve when the magnet comes into contact with the reed switch by releasing the pressure portion by the opening of the cover and opens the residual valve, When the predetermined time has elapsed, the residual water valve is closed, and after the residual water valve is closed, the pressurizing portion is pressed by closing the cover so that when the magnet is separated from the reed switch, So that the raw water that has passed through the regeneration tank flows into the ion resin tank as regeneration water.

And a display unit for displaying an open / closed state of the inlet valve, the water outlet valve, the residual water valve, and the regeneration valve.

The control method of the water softener may further include: (a) detecting that the cover is opened by the opening / closing detector; (b) the control unit closes the inlet valve and the water outlet valve, and opens the water valve; (c) closing the wastewater valve when the predetermined time has elapsed after the wastewater valve is opened; And (d) when the cover is closed after the residual water valve is closed, the control unit opens the inlet valve and the regeneration valve so that raw water passing through the regeneration tank flows into the ion resin tank as regeneration water And a control unit for controlling the water softener.

(A) contacting the magnet with the reed switch as the cover is opened and the pressing portion is depressurized; (b) closing the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve to open the water outlet valve; (c) closing the water outlet valve when the predetermined time has elapsed after opening the water outlet valve; And (d) when the cover is closed and the pressing portion is pressed after the wastewater valve is closed, when the magnet is separated from the reed switch, the control portion opens the inlet valve and the regeneration valve, And allowing the passed raw water to flow into the ion resin tank as reclaimed water.

According to the water softener and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention, the maintenance work such as maintenance of the water softener can be minimized by automation, defects due to job omission can be improved, and further, power consumption can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a cover is closed.
2 is a perspective view of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the cover is opened.
3 is a rear view of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a cover is removed.
4 schematically shows the construction of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation of the opening / closing sensing part of the water softener according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a cover closed state and an opening / closing sensing part in this state.
6 is a perspective view showing the operation of the opening / closing sensing part of the water softener according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of the opening state of the cover and the opening / closing sensing part in this state
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention.

These and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thicknesses of the lines and the sizes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be described based on the contents throughout this specification.

In addition, the described embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

The respective components constituting the water softener according to the present invention can be used integrally or separately as needed. In addition, some components may be omitted depending on the usage pattern.

First, the construction of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 attached hereto.

The water softener according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 10, an ion resin tank 200, a regenerator 300, a controller 900, an opening / closing detector 800, a cover 20, .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 is provided with a predetermined space therein, and the filter unit 100 and the ionic resin tank 200 can be accommodated therein.

The cover 20 is positioned to surround the outside of the housing 10 and the opening and closing means such as the hinge portion 22 is provided at one side of the cover 20 so that the housing 10 can be exposed by opening / do.

A through hole 11 is formed in a lower portion of the housing 10 so that the protrusion 21 penetrates through the cover 20 when the cover 20 is opened or closed. And is inserted into or withdrawn from the hole 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the filter unit 100 is located inside the housing 10 and comprises a filter for filtering raw water flowing from the outside. The filter unit 100 may be composed of various types of known filters as required.

The ionic resin tank 200 is located at one side of the filter unit 100 in the housing 10 and raw water passing through the filter unit 100 flows into the ionic resin tank 200.

The ionic resin tank 200 has a structure for softening the raw water that has passed through the filter unit 100. For this purpose, for example, an ion exchange resin such as a special polymer compound containing sodium ions is accommodated therein.

In a state where a large amount of ion exchange resin is stored in the form of minute particles in the ion resin tank 200, the raw water is continuously passed through the ion resin tank 200 and brought into contact with the ion exchange resin to generate soft water.

The regeneration tank 300 is connected to the ion exchange tank, and raw water can be introduced into the regeneration tank 300.

In the regenerator 300, an ion-exchange resin recycling material such as salt capable of generating sodium ions is accommodated.

Raw water flows into the regenerator 300 to generate regenerated water composed of NaCl components in the regenerator 300 and the regenerated water thus produced is supplied into the ion resin tank 200.

Since the Na ⁺ component of the received ion exchange resin gradually decreases due to the water-producing action by continuous contact with the raw water to be introduced, it is necessary to regenerate the ion exchange resin periodically. As described above, in the regenerator 300 The regenerated water is generated and supplied into the ionic resin tank 200, thereby regenerating the water softening function of the ionic resin tank 200.

The regeneration vessel 300 is detachably disposed from the housing 10 at an upper portion of the housing 10 and preferably a button portion 310 located between the regeneration vessel 300 and the housing 10 is pressed to the housing 10, (10) can be achieved.

The inlet valve 400 controls raw water introduced from the outside to selectively flow into the regenerator 300 and the filter unit 100 between the regenerator 300 and the filter unit 100, Adjust the amount of raw water.

The residual water valve (500) regulates the discharge of residual water in the regenerator (300). After the regeneration water is supplied from the regeneration tank 300 to the ionic resin tank 200 as described above, there may be residual water in the regeneration tank 300, that is, remnant water, and the residual water valve 500 regulates the discharge of the regeneration water.

The regeneration valve 700 regulates the inflow of the regeneration water generated in the regeneration tank 300 into the ion resin tank 200 as described above.

The water outlet valve (600) controls the discharge of soft water generated in the ionic resin tank (200).

The control unit 900 is located in the housing 10 to control opening and closing of the valves.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the opening / closing detector 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG.

The opening / closing detector 800 is located at one side of the inside of the housing 10, and detects that the cover 20 is opened or closed.

The opening / closing detection unit 800 includes a pressing unit 830, a magnet 820, and a reed switch 840, through which the opening / closing of the cover 20 is sensed.

Although the opening / closing detector 800 is located in the lower portion of the inside of the housing 10 in the present embodiment, it is not limited thereto.

The pressing portion 830 is located below the housing 10 and one side thereof is exposed through the through hole 11 formed in the housing 10.

The pressing portion 830 can be pressed against the protrusion 21 formed on the cover 20 and the protrusion 21 can be inserted into the through hole 11 by the opening and closing operation of the cover 20, Or pressed by the protruding portion 21 as it is drawn out.

The magnet 820 is connected to one side of the pressing portion 830 and is operatively positioned according to the operation of the pressing portion 830. Specifically, one side of the magnet 820 is installed through the housing 10 and the shaft 821, And is hinged about the axis 821 in accordance with the pressing by the contact of the cover 20 to the portion 830. [

The reed switch 840 is located in proximity to one side of the magnet 820 so that the reed switch 840 contacts or separates from the magnet 820 according to the hinge operation of the magnet 820 by the pressing portion 830, 10 is detected.

5, when the cover 20 is closed, that is, the water softener is in use, the protruding portion 21 is inserted into the through hole 11, so that the pressing portion 830 is pressed The magnet 820 is separated from the reed switch 840.

6, in a state in which the cover 20 is opened, that is, in a maintenance operation of the water softener, the protrusion 21 is drawn out from the through hole 11 as the cover 20 is opened , The pressing of the pressing portion 830 is released, and the magnet 820 comes into contact with the reed switch 840.

Thus, when the water softener is in use, the magnet 820 contacts the reed switch 840 only when the magnet 820 is separated from the reed switch 840 and the cover 20 is opened for maintenance, The power consumed by the opening / closing detector 800 can be reduced.

The control unit 900 is connected to the valves and controls the valves according to whether the cover 20 sensed by the opening / closing sensing unit 800 is open or closed.

The controller 900 may further include a display unit for displaying the state of each valve.

Hereinafter, a control method of the water softener including the opening / closing detector 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, it is sensed that the cover 20 is opened by the opening / closing detector 800 (S10).

When the cover 20 is opened for maintenance such as repair or maintenance of the water softener by the user, it is sensed that the cover 20 is opened by the opening / closing detector 800.

Specifically, in a state in which the water softener is used and the cover 20 is closed, the protruding portion 21 located inside the cover 20 is inserted into the through hole 11, And the magnet 820 connected to the pressing portion 830 is separated from the reed switch 840 (see Fig. 5).

In this state, when maintenance of the water softener is required, the cover 20 is opened by the user, the protruding portion 21 is pulled out of the through hole 11, the pressing of the pressing portion 830 is released, The cover 8 is hinged in the direction in which it is exposed through the through hole 11 so that the magnet 820 comes close to the reed switch so that the cover 20 is opened (see Fig. 6).

Next, the inlet valve 400 and the outlet valve 600 are closed, and the residual valve 500 is opened (S20).

The control unit 900 closes the inlet valve 400 and the outlet valve 600 to stop the inflow of raw water to the water softener and the outflow of the water softener from the water softener do.

Then, the residual water valve 500 is opened to discharge residual water in the regenerator 300.

As described above, when there is residual water remaining in the regeneration tank 300 and the regeneration tank 300 is separated without discharging the residual water, the residual water in the regeneration tank 300 is leaked before it is drained.

At this time, the display unit displays the state of the above-described valve, that is, the closing of the inlet valve 400 and the outlet valve 600 and the opening of the residual valve 500, .

Next, the residual water valve 500 is closed (S30).

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the residual water valve 500 is opened, the controller 900 closes the residual water valve 500.

At this time, the display unit displays the closed state of the residual water valve 500 to inform that the regenerator 300 can be removed.

The residual water valve 500 is closed so that the regenerator 300 can be separated without leaking of residual water to clean the regenerator 300 or refill the regenerant.

Next, after closing the residual valve 500, it is determined whether or not the cover 20 has been closed (S40). When it is detected that the cover 20 is closed, the inlet valve 400 and the regeneration valve 700, And the raw water that has passed through the regeneration tank 300 flows into the ion resin tank 200 as regeneration water (S50).

The protrusion 21 located inside the cover 20 is inserted into the through hole 11 when the cover 20 is closed so that the pressing portion 830 is pressed and the magnet 820 connected to the pressing portion 830 is pressed, By being separated from the reed switch 840, it is detected that the cover 20 is closed.

The control unit 900 opens the inlet valve 400 and the regeneration valve 700 when the cover 20 is closed by the opening / closing detector 800 as described above.

The regenerated water is introduced into the regenerator 300 through the open inlet valve 400 and the generated regenerated water flows into the ion resin tank 200 so that the regenerating function of the ion resin tank 200 Is reproduced.

As described above, according to the water softener and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention, the maintenance work such as maintenance of the water softener can be minimized by automation, defect caused by missing work can be improved, and further, power consumption can be reduced.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. And equivalents should also be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

10: Housing
20: cover
100:
200: ion resin tank
300: Regenerator
400: Intake valve
500: Residual water valve
600: water outlet valve
700: regeneration valve
800: opening /
820: Magnetic
830:
840: Reed switch
900:

Claims (7)

1. A water softener comprising a housing, an ion resin tank disposed in the housing, a regenerator connected to the ion resin tank, and a cover surrounding the outer surface of the housing,
An inlet valve for regulating the flow of raw water into the regenerator;
A residual water valve for regulating the discharge of the residual water in the regenerator;
An outflow valve for regulating the discharge of soft water in the ion resin tank;
A regeneration valve for regulating the inflow of the regeneration water from the regeneration tank to the ionic resin tank;
A control unit for controlling opening / closing of the water inlet valve, the water outlet valve, and the water outlet valve; And
And an opening / closing sensor for detecting whether the cover is opened or closed,
Water softener.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit closes the inlet valve and the water outlet valve when the cover is opened from the opening / closing sensing unit, opens the water valve,
Closing the residual water valve when a predetermined time elapses after opening the residual water valve,
And the regeneration valve is opened to allow the raw water having passed through the regeneration tank to flow into the ion resin tank as regeneration water when the cover is detected to be coupled to the housing after the reed valve is closed,
Water softener.
The method according to claim 1,
The open /
A pressing portion positioned so that one side is exposed to the outside of the housing and the pressing or pressing is released according to the opening and closing operation of the cover;
A magnet positioned so as to be hingeable according to whether the pressing portion is pressed or released; And
And a reed switch located on one side of the magnet so as to be in contact with or spaced apart from the magnet according to a hinge operation of the magnet,
Water softener.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit closes the inlet valve and the water outlet valve when the magnet is in contact with the reed switch by releasing the pressurizing unit by releasing the cover,
Closing the residual water valve when a predetermined time elapses after opening the residual water valve,
Wherein when the magnet is separated from the reed switch, the inlet valve and the regeneration valve are opened, and the raw water that has passed through the regeneration tank is regenerated as regenerated water The ionic resin tank,
Water softener.
3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a display section for displaying the opening / closing states of the inlet valve, the water outlet valve, the water remaining valve and the regeneration valve,
Water softener.
A control method for a water softener according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
(a) detecting that the cover is opened by the opening / closing detection unit;
(b) the control unit closes the inlet valve and the water outlet valve, and opens the water valve;
(c) closing the wastewater valve when the predetermined time has elapsed after the wastewater valve is opened; And
(d) when the cover is closed by the opening / closing sensing unit after closing the residual water valve, the control unit opens the inlet valve and the regeneration valve so that the raw water that has passed through the regeneration tank is returned to the ion And allowing the resin to flow into the resin tank.
Control method of water softener.
A control method for a water softener according to claim 3,
(a) contacting the magnet with the reed switch as the cover is opened and the pressing portion is depressurized;
(b) closing the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve and opening the water outlet valve,
(c) closing the wastewater valve when the predetermined time has elapsed after the wastewater valve is opened; And
(d) When the reed valve is closed and the cover is closed and the pressing portion is pressed, when the magnet is separated from the reed switch, the control unit opens the inlet valve and the regeneration valve, And allowing the raw water to flow into the ion resin tank as the regeneration water.
Control method of water softener.

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