KR20200047110A - Water dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a water dispensing apparatus on which a filter assembly having a plurality of filters is mounted. The plurality of filters are respectively mounted on a plurality of filter heads. The plurality of filter heads are fluidly connected by a connecting cap. A division wall is formed inside the connecting cap.

Description

Water dispensing apparatus

The present invention relates to a water dispensing device.

The water dispensing device is a device that supplies water, and may be defined as a device capable of taking out a desired amount of water at a desired temperature according to a user's operation.

Such a water dispensing device can be applied to various fields, but is typically applied to refrigerators and water purifiers. In particular, the water dispensing device provided in the refrigerator and the water purifier is configured to have a function to supply a predetermined amount of water according to the user's operation. Recently, a water dispensing device capable of supplying not only purified water but also cold water and hot water has been developed in the water dispensing device.

In addition, a water dispensing device having a sterilizing function that is equipped with an electrolytic cell for generating sterilized water and capable of washing fruits and vegetables has been released.

According to the following prior art, a filter assembly including a plurality of filters is provided to purify foreign substances contained in water supplied from a raw water supply pipe. The filter assembly generally consists of a pre-filter (or free carbon composite filter) and a UF filter (or UF hollow fiber membrane filter). Then, the water to be fed passes through a pre-filter and then passes through the UF filter to filter out foreign substances and other heavy metal substances.

And, according to the drawings and descriptions disclosed in FIG. 10 of the prior art below, the water that has passed through the first filter is configured to flow to the second filter immediately after passing through the connecting cap. That is, the existing connecting cap is used as a connecting flow path means for directly connecting the flow between two adjacent filters. Therefore, the water flowing into the filter passes through all the filters regardless of what the take-out mode is.

Recently, the above filter assembly is mounted on a water dispensing device in which a sterilizing water pipe equipped with an electrolytic cell is branched at a point in the water supply pipe. According to a conventional water supply flow path structure disclosed in the prior art, it is not only for drinking water extraction In the case of sterilized water extraction, water that has passed through the pre-filter and UF filter is supplied to the sterilized water pipe. In other words, since there is no configuration that allows water to selectively pass through the UF filter according to the take-out mode, water that has passed through the UF filter is taken out in all the take-out modes.

In this case, since the UF filter is unnecessarily used even in a sterilized water use mode that does not require water passing through the UF filter, the life of the UF filter is shortened.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1760210 (July 14, 2017)

The present invention is proposed to improve the above problems.

Water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a filter assembly mounted to a point of the raw water supply pipe; Drinking water pipe and sterilized water pipe branched from the outlet pipe of the filter assembly; A sterilized water faucet through which water flowing along the sterilized water pipe is taken out; And a drinking water faucet through which water flowing along the drinking water pipe is taken out, wherein the filter assembly includes a first filter, a second filter fluidly connected to the first filter, and an upper end of the first filter. The paper includes a first head, a second head fitted with an upper end of the second filter, and a connecting cap mounted on a connection portion between the first head and the second head, wherein the connecting cap is formed therein. A cap body including a partition wall dividing a flow path into a first flow path and a second flow path, a first outlet port extending from an outer circumferential surface of the cap body, and communicating with the first flow path, and an outer circumferential surface of the cap body The first oil inlet port communicating with the second flow path, the first inlet port formed at one end of the cap body to communicate with the first flow channel, and the second oil inlet formed at the other end of the cap body In communication with the can and a second water outlet port.

According to the water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention constituting the above configuration, in the case of sterilizing water extraction purpose other than drinking water extraction purpose, the connecting cap so that the water to be fed does not pass through the UF filter but only the pre-filter. By improving the structure, the life of the UF filter is prolonged, and there is an advantage that the filter replacement cost is reduced.

1 is a view showing a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention provided in the sink.
Figure 2 is a system diagram showing the internal configuration and the flow path configuration of the water dispensing device.
3 is a perspective view of a connecting cap mounted to a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cut-away perspective view of the connecting cap cut along 4-4 of FIG. 3;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the head constituting the filter assembly.

Hereinafter, a structure of a water dispensing device and a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view showing a water dispensing device provided in a sink according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a system diagram showing the internal configuration and the flow path configuration of the water dispensing device.

Hereinafter, the structure in which the water dispensing device is provided in the sink will be described as an example, but is not limited thereto, and the water processing device described below may be installed outside the sink, such as a water purifier, or as shown in the sink Note that it may be installed in the lower space.

1 and 2, a water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a kitchen sink.

In detail, the water dispensing device includes a water processing device 100 installed in a space formed under the sink 10 and a faucet 200 erected on an edge of the upper surface of the sink 10. can do. The water processing device 100 is connected to the raw water supply pipe 101, it can be understood as a device for processing water supplied through the raw water supply pipe 101 into cold water, purified water, hot water, and sterilized water.

The faucet 200 includes a faucet body 230 fixed to an upper surface of the sink 10, a drinking water faucet 210 and a sterilized water faucet extending from the top of the faucet body 230 ( 220).

The drinking water faucet 210 and the sterilizing water faucet 220 may be rotatably coupled to the faucet body 230. In addition, the sterilized water faucet 220 may be designed to rotate while maintaining a predetermined angle spaced apart from the drinking water faucet 210. This is to prevent the phenomenon that the sterilized water is misused as drinking water because the outlet 221 of the sterilized water faucet 220 and the outlet 211 of the drinking water faucet 210 are interfered or overlapped.

In addition, a drain switching valve 190, which will be described later, is built in the faucet body 230, and an outlet pipe extending to the drinking water faucet 210 is connected to one outlet of the drain switching valve 190, , The sub-drain pipe 109 is connected to the other outlet. In addition, the sub-drain pipe 190 is connected to the main drain pipe 108, which will be described later. In addition, a check valve C for preventing backflow may be installed in the sub-drain pipe 109.

Then, the faucet 200 is connected to the water processing apparatus 100 by a connecting pipe 107 and a sterilizing water pipe 103 to be described later.

The drinking water faucet 210 and the sterilized water faucet 220 may be provided with input buttons for inputting drinking water and sterilized water extraction commands, respectively. The form of drinking water taken out through the drinking water faucet 210 may include cold water, purified water, and hot water.

Hereinafter, an internal configuration and a flow path of the water processing apparatus 100 will be described.

The raw water supply pipe 101 extends from an external water supply source, and the pressure reducing valve 110, the filter assembly 120, and the flow rate detection unit 130 are sequentially disposed in the raw water supply pipe 101 in the flow direction of water.

The pressure reducing valve 110 lowers the pressure of the water so that water is taken out at an appropriate pressure.

The filter assembly 120 filters various impurities and harmful substances contained in raw water. The filter assembly 120 may include a first filter 121 and a second filter 122. The first filter 121 may include a pre-filter (or free carbon filter), and the second filter 122 may include an UF filter (or UF composite filter or UF hollow fiber membrane filter).

The flow sensor 130 detects the amount of water passing through the filter assembly 120.

The raw water supply pipe 101 connects the outlet of the first filter 121 and the inlet of the flow sensor 130, and the drinking water pipe 102 and the sterilized water pipe at the outlet of the flow sensor 130 ( 103).

Then, the second filter 122 is placed on the flow path formed by the drinking water pipe 102. In other words, the water flowing from the outlet of the flow rate sensor 130 to the drinking water pipe 102 passes through the second filter 122.

On the other hand, the sterilizing water pipe 103 does not pass through the second filter 122 and extends directly to the sterilizing water faucet 220.

The sterilizing water pipe 103 that is branched and extended from the outlet of the flow rate sensing unit 130 may be sequentially connected to an opening / closing valve V and an electrolytic cell 140 in the flow direction of water. Depending on the design conditions, a check valve (C) may be mounted between the on-off valve (V) and the electrolytic cell (140). The check valve (C) prevents the water supplied to the electrolyzer 140 from flowing backward.

In the electrolyzer 140, sterilizing water is generated through electrolysis.

The sterilizing water pipe 103 is connected to an inlet of the sterilizing water faucet 220.

Meanwhile, the drinking water pipe 102 includes a first drinking water pipe 102a connecting the outlet of the flow rate detection unit 130 and the inlet of the second filter 122, and the outlet of the second filter 122 It includes a second drinking water pipe (102b) extending from.

In detail, at the end of the second drinking water pipe 102b, the drinking water pipe 102 is branched into a hot water pipe 104, a cold water pipe 105, and a purified water pipe 106. As an example, the end of the second drinking water pipe (102b) is first divided into a hot water pipe 104 and a non-hot water pipe, and then the non-hot water pipe is again a cold water pipe 105 and a purified water pipe ( 106). Alternatively, it is also possible that the hot water piping, cold water piping, and water purification piping are configured to be divided into three branches at one point.

A check valve (C) may be installed at any point of the non-hot water pipe, and the on / off valve (V) may be mounted on the hot water pipe (104), the cold water pipe (105), and the purified water pipe (106). . Then, when any of the cold water, purified water, and hot water outflow commands are input, the on-off valve V mounted on the corresponding pipe is opened.

In addition, a flow control unit 160 may be mounted on the outlet side of the opening / closing valve V provided on the hot water pipe 104, and a hot water module 170 may be mounted on the outlet side of the flow control unit 160. have.

The flow control unit 160 may be a thermistor, and a heater is mounted on the hot water module 17 to heat drinking water flowing along the hot water pipe 104 to a set temperature.

In addition, a cold water module 180 is mounted on the outlet side of the opening / closing valve V mounted on one side of the cold water pipe 105 to cool drinking water flowing along the cold water pipe 105 to a set temperature. The cold water module 180 may include a cooling tank containing cooling water and an evaporation pipe installed in the cooling tank. In addition, the cold water pipe 105 is designed to pass through the cooling tank, and the cooling water cooled by the evaporation pipe and the drinking water flowing along the cold water pipe 105 exchange heat to flow along the cold water pipe 105. Drinking water can be cooled to a temperature lower than room temperature.

On the other hand, the purified water pipe 106 and the cold water pipe 105 and the hot water pipe 104 are laminated at the inlet end of the connection pipe 170, according to a user's command input, any one of purified water, cold water, and hot water The water of the flow along the connecting pipe 107 is discharged to the outlet 211 of the drinking water faucet 210.

In addition, the drain pipe 108 is extended to the hot water module 170 so that a part of the hot water generated in the hot water module 170 is discharged to the outside. The drain pipe 108 connected to the hot water module 170 may be defined as a main drain pipe 108, and a safety valve S may be installed in the main drain pipe 108. When the heater of the hot water module 170 malfunctions and the hot water module 170 is overheated, the safety valve S is opened for safety, and part of the hot water and water vapor are the main drain pipe 108 Through it can be discharged to the outside of the water processing apparatus 100.

In addition, a drain switching valve 190 may be mounted at a point of the connection pipe 107, and the drain switching valve 190 may be accommodated inside the facet body 230.

A sub-drain pipe 109 and a drinking water extraction pipe are connected to an outlet end of the drain switching valve 190, and the drinking water extraction pipe is connected to the drinking water faucet 210. The outlet end of the sub-drain pipe 109 is connected to the main drain pipe 108.

3 is a perspective view of a connecting cap mounted to a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the connecting cap cut along 4-4 of FIG. 3.

3 and 4, the connecting cap 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cap body 41 is formed with a flow path therein, and the cap body 41 on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 41 ) And a first outlet port 45 and a second intake port 46 extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction, and a supporter 42 extending in a direction perpendicular to the cap body 41 on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 41 ), A shield plate 43 that is formed to be rounded at a predetermined curvature at the end of the supporter 42 to cover the cap body 41, and a pair of restraining portions formed on an outer circumferential surface of the cap body 41 ( 43), and a guide portion 44 extending from an outer circumferential surface of the cap body 41 corresponding to the pair of restraining portions 43.

In detail, the first inlet port 414 and the second outlet port 415 having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cap body 41 are projected at both ends of the cap body 41, respectively.

In addition, either one of the first outlet port 45 and the second inlet port 46 may extend longer than the other. This may be understood for the purpose of preventing interference between the pipe connected to the first outlet port 45 and the pipe connected to the second inlet port 46.

In addition, the pair of restraining portions 43 are disposed at points facing each other on the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 41, and may be bent in a U-shape or a V-shape to have elasticity.

In addition, the guide portion 44 is inserted into the head of the filter assembly 120, so that the connecting cap 40 does not deviate from the head.

Meanwhile, a partition wall 413 is formed inside the cap body 41, and the partition wall 413 is located at a point corresponding between the first outlet port 45 and the second inlet port 46. Is formed. The inner passage of the cap body 41 is divided into a first passage 411 and a second passage 412 by the partition wall 413. Then, water flowing into the first inlet port 414 flows along the first flow path 411 and is guided to the first outlet port 45. Then, the water flowing into the second inlet port 46 flows along the second flow path 412 and is guided to the second outlet port 415.

5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the head constituting the filter assembly.

Referring to FIG. 5, the head of the filter assembly 120 includes a first filter 123 to which the upper end of the first filter 121 is coupled, and a second head to which the upper end of the second filter 122 is coupled. It includes (124), the connecting cap 40 is mounted to the first head 123 and the second head 124 is connected to the portion.

In detail, a first inlet 123a to which a raw water supply pipe 101 extending from an outlet of the pressure reducing valve 110 is connected is formed at one side of the first head 123. Then, a first outlet 123b is formed on the other side of the first head 123, and a first inlet port 414 of the connecting cap 40 is connected to the first outlet 123b. In addition, L-shaped connectors may be mounted to the first outlet port 45 and the second outlet port 46, respectively. In addition, the water supply pipe connected to the first outlet port 45 is connected to the inlet end of the flow sensor 130.

In addition, a second inlet 124a is formed at one side of the second head 124, and the second outlet port 415 of the connecting cap 40 is connected to the second inlet 124a. Further, a second outlet port 124b is formed on the other side of the second head 124.

In addition, the discharge end (or outlet) of the first drinking water pipe 102a of the drinking water pipe 102 is connected to the second inlet port 46, and the inlet end (or inlet) of the second drinking water pipe 102b ) Is connected to the second outlet 124b.

The flow path formed in the assembly where the first head 123, the second head 124, and the connecting cap 40 are connected is as follows.

In detail, the raw water that has passed through the pressure reducing valve 110 flows into the first head 123 through the first inlet 123, and the first filtering is performed while passing through the first filter 121, It is discharged to the first outlet (123b).

The water discharged to the first outlet 123b is guided to the first outlet port 45 along the first flow path 411 of the connecting cap 140. And, the water discharged to the first outlet port 45 flows to the flow rate detection unit 130, and the water that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 130 is the drinking water pipe 102 and the sterilization water pipe 103 ). Here, the flow rate detection unit 130 is not excluded from being disposed between the filter assembly 120 and the pressure reducing valve 110, in this case of the water supply pipe connected to the outlet of the first outlet port 45 At the end, the first drinking water pipe 102a and the second drinking water pipe 102b are divided.

If the user selects a mode for generating sterilized water, the water that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 130 does not pass through the second filter 122 but immediately follows the sterilized water pipe 103 and the electrolytic cell ( 140).

On the other hand, when the user selects a mode for taking out drinking water, the water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 130 flows along the first drinking water pipe 102a and is guided to the second intake port 46.

The water guided to the second inlet port 46 is guided into the second head 124 through the second inlet 124a of the second head 124. Then, the water guided to the second head 124 is secondly filtered while passing through the second filter 122 and then flows through the second outlet 124b to the second drinking water pipe 102b.

After the partition wall 413 inside the connecting cap 40, the water that has passed through the first filter 121 does not flow directly to the second filter 122 but is discharged to the outside of the filter assembly 120. , Only when the drinking water extraction command is input, it flows back into the second filter 122.

Therefore, in the sterilized water extraction mode in which sterilized water is generated, since the water passing through the first filter 121 does not pass through the second filter 122, the life of the second filter 122 is extended. .

Claims (8)

A filter assembly mounted at a point of the raw water supply pipe;
Drinking water pipe and sterilized water pipe branched from the outlet pipe of the filter assembly;
A sterilized water faucet through which water flowing along the sterilized water pipe is taken out; And
And a drinking water faucet through which water flowing along the drinking water pipe is taken out,
The filter assembly,
A first filter,
A second filter fluidly connected to the first filter,
A first head fitted with an upper end of the first filter,
A second head fitted with an upper end of the second filter, and
And a connecting cap mounted on a connection portion between the first head and the second head,
The connecting cap,
A cap body including a partition wall dividing a flow path formed therein into a first flow path and a second flow path,
A first outlet port extending from an outer circumferential surface of the cap body and communicating with the first flow path,
A first intake port extending from an outer circumferential surface of the cap body and communicating with the second flow path,
A first inlet port formed at one end of the cap body and communicating with the first flow path, and
And a second outlet port formed at the other end of the cap body to communicate with the second flow path. According to claim 1,
The raw water supply pipe is connected to the inlet of the first head,
Water dispensing device, characterized in that the outlet of the first head is connected to the first inlet port. According to claim 2,
The second dispensing port is a water dispensing device, characterized in that connected to the inlet of the second head. The method of claim 3,
The drinking water pipe and the sterilizing water pipe, the water dispensing device, characterized in that branched at the end of the water supply pipe is connected to the first outlet port extending. The method of claim 4,
The drinking water pipe,
A first drinking water pipe extending from a point where the drinking water pipe and the sterilizing water pipe are branched and connected to the second inlet port;
And a second drinking water pipe connected and extended to the second outlet port,
The outlet end of the second drinking water pipe is connected to the drinking water faucet,
Water dispensing device, characterized in that the outlet end of the sterilizing water pipe is connected to the sterilizing water faucet. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a flow rate detection unit provided in the water supply pipe is connected to the first water outlet is extended,
The water dispensing device, characterized in that the drinking water pipe and the sterilizing water pipe are branched from the outlet side of the flow sensor. The method of claim 5,
The second drinking water piping is branched into a hot water piping, cold water piping, and purified water piping, and then laminated at any point.
The water dispensing device, characterized in that the laminating portion and the drinking water faucet are connected by a connecting pipe. The method of claim 7,
An electrolytic cell mounted at any point of the sterilizing water pipe,
A cold water module mounted at any point of the cold water pipe,
A hot water module mounted at any point of the hot water pipe, and
A water dispensing device further comprising an opening / closing valve mounted at any point of the sterilizing water piping, cold water piping, and hot water piping.

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