KR20230031587A - Sterilization kit for water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterilization kit for a water purifier, which is capable of solving hygiene problems such as bacterial growth caused by residual water accumulated in a flow path of the kit. To this end, the sterilization kit for a water purifier is configured to sterilize a flow path of the water purifier, and comprises: a water inflow port and a water outflow port individually connected to the water purifier; an internal flow path connected from the water inflow port to the water outflow path within the sterilization kit; an ESD sterilization module which is connected to the internal flow path and generates sterilized water by electrolyzing water flowing through the interal flow path; and an air pump which is connected to an end of the internal flow path branched at one point and supplies air into the internal flow path so that residual water in the internal flow path is discharged through the water outlet port.

Description

Sterilization kit for water purifier {STERILIZATION KIT FOR WATER PURIFIER}

The present invention relates to a sterilization kit for a water purifier, and more particularly, to a sterilization kit having a function of removing water such as washing water or sterilizing water remaining in the kit after completion of use of the sterilization kit.

Water purifiers generally filter water using a plurality of water filters, store it in a water tank, and supply it to users. A water purifier using a filter generally includes a filter and a water storage tank. In some cases, a separate heater and a cooling system using a refrigerant are also provided at the same time to supply cold and hot water.

In addition, the water purifier includes a passage through which purified water stored in a water tank or the like moves, and a water intake cock through which purified water can be taken out to the outside. When such a water purifier is used for a long time, foreign substances contained in water may adhere to the flow path and the reservoir, and if it is not periodically sterilized and washed, bacteria proliferate inside the water purifier, especially in the flow path through which purified water passes or is stored. can contaminate the water. In order to solve this problem, water purifier manufacturers visit customers at the request of customers or when a predetermined inspection period arrives, and service personnel visit customers and use disinfectants or cleaners to clean the inside of the water purifier, which is particularly prone to contamination. We provide a service to sterilize and clean the inside of the flow path, which requires a great deal of management. To this end, a water purifier manufacturer has produced a small kit (hereinafter, a sterilization kit; 10) having a water purifier sterilization and cleaning function as shown in FIG. Purified or sterilized water flows through the water purifier flow path to clean and sterilize the flow path.

However, once the use of the conventional sterilization kit is completed, the cleaning water or sterilization water remains in the flow path installed inside the kit, and the kit is stored in a service vehicle or other place until the next use, so the remaining water accumulated in the flow path of the kit has a problem of being vulnerable to bacterial propagation. In addition, service personnel usually keep the kit in a service vehicle, but if residual water exists in the kit's flow path, there is a problem in that the residual water freezes in the winter and the kit cannot be used immediately or the kit is damaged.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sterilization kit that solves the aforementioned sanitary and damage problems by forcibly discharging residual water in the flow path of the kit to the outside.

The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a kit capable of easily removing residual water present in the internal flow path of the sterilization kit after sterilizing and washing the flow path of the water purifier.

A sterilization kit for a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a sterilization kit for a water purifier for sterilizing a flow path of the water purifier, comprising: an inlet port and an outlet port connected to the water purifier, respectively; an internal flow path communicating from the inlet port to the outlet port in the sterilization kit; an ESD sterilization module connected to the inner flow path and generating sterilized water by electrolyzing water flowing through the inner flow path; and an air pump connected to an end of the inner flow path branched off from one point and discharging residual water remaining in the inner flow path through the water outlet port by applying air to the inner flow path.

In addition, a check valve may be installed between the air pump and an end of the branched internal passage to restrict water or air in the internal passage from flowing backward to the air pump.

In addition, the water intake port side end of the inner flow path is connected to the water intake port through a water intake side connector check valve, so that water introduced into the sterilization kit may be restricted from flowing backward into the water intake port.

In addition, the water entering the water inlet port passes through the water inlet side connector check valve, the pressure reducing valve, the solenoid valve, the flow sensor, the constant flow valve, the ESD sterilization module, the check valve, and the water outlet connector check valve in sequence to the water outlet port. can be reached

In addition, a flow path is branched from the inner flow path between the water intake side connector check valve and the pressure reducing valve and is connected to the air pump through the check valve, and when the air pump is operated, high-pressure air passes through the check valve to the inner flow path. After irreversibly entering the flow path, the remaining water remaining in the inner flow path may be discharged out of the water outlet port by flowing in a direction toward the water outlet port.

In addition, the ESD sterilization module may generate sterilizing water by electrolyzing water flowing through an internal flow path.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, residual water present in the internal flow path of the sterilization kit is forcibly discharged with high-pressure air, so that residual water exists in the kit's flow path and the remaining water freezes in the winter, making the kit unusable or damaged. has the advantage of solving the In addition, it is possible to solve hygiene problems such as bacterial propagation due to residual water accumulated in the kit flow path.

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a connection state between a sterilization kit and a water purifier according to the prior art.
2 is a perspective view of a sterilization kit for a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing internal components of the sterilization kit of FIG. 2 viewed from different angles.
4 is a diagram conceptually showing the flow of water in a sterilization kit according to an embodiment 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 provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following examples may be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the present invention is as follows It is not limited to the examples. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the following drawings, the thickness or size of each layer is exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation, and the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in the drawings. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. In addition, the meaning of "connected" in the present specification means not only when member A and member B are directly connected, but also when member A and member B are indirectly connected by interposing member C between member A and member B. do. Terms used in this specification are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular form may include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, when used herein, “comprise, include” and/or “comprising, including” refers to a referenced form, number, step, operation, member, element, and/or group thereof. presence, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, elements, elements and/or groups.

In this specification, terms such as first and second are used to describe various members, components, regions, layers and/or portions, but these members, components, regions, layers and/or portions are limited by these terms. It is self-evident that These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer or section described in detail below may refer to a second member, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Space-related terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are associated with an element or feature shown in a drawing. It can be used for easy understanding of other elements or features. Terminology related to this space is for easy understanding of the present invention according to various process conditions or use conditions of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, if an element or feature in a figure is turned over, an element or feature described as "lower" or "below" becomes "above" or "above." Accordingly, "below" is a concept encompassing "upper" or "below".

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a connection state between a sterilization kit according to the prior art and a water purifier, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilization kit for a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an internal configuration of the sterilization kit of FIG. 2 A perspective view showing elements viewed from different angles, and FIG. 4 is a view conceptually showing the flow of water in a sterilization kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a sterilization kit 100 for a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present invention is a sterilization kit (100) for sterilizing a flow path of a water purifier, and is configured to include a housing (110), an intake port (120), a water outlet port (190), an internal flow path (130), and an ESD sterilization module (156). do.

The present invention is a sterilization kit 100 for a water purifier for sterilizing a flow path of a water purifier, comprising an inlet port 120 and a water outlet port 190 connected to the water purifier, respectively, and a water outlet port 190 from the inlet port 120 in the sterilization kit. ), an ESD sterilization module 156 connected to the internal passage 130 and generating sterilized water by electrolyzing water flowing through the internal passage 130, and the internal passage 130 branched at a point An air pump 140 is connected to the end of and discharges residual water remaining in the internal passage through the water outlet port 190 by applying air to the internal passage 130 .

The water intake port 120 is connected to the water purifier through a first connection pipe. When raw water flows into the water purifier through the raw water passage provided in the water purifier, large-sized foreign substances are filtered out while passing through a sediment filter installed in the water purifier. In addition, in the water purifier, for example, an inlet and an outlet are provided in the filter connection portion (c in FIG. 1) to which a filter is connected, a first connection pipe is fastened to the outlet, and the first connection pipe is the inlet port 120 of the sterilization kit 100. ) is connected to Accordingly, the raw water flowing into the water purifier passes through the sediment filter, filters out foreign substances, and then is discharged through the outlet. The raw water discharged from the outlet flows into the first connection pipe and flows into the inlet port 120 of the sterilization kit 100. do.

The water outlet port 190 is connected to the water purifier through a second connection pipe. As described above, when raw water flows into the sterilization kit 100, the raw water passes through the internal flow path 130 to be described later, becomes sterilized water in the ESD sterilization module 156, and then is discharged through the water outlet port 190. ) is fastened to the second connection pipe, and the second connection pipe is connected to the outlet of the water purifier. Accordingly, the sterilized water made in the sterilization kit 100 is discharged through the outlet port 190 and then introduced into the inlet of the water purifier through the second connection pipe.

In the housing 110 of the sterilization kit 100, the internal flow path 130 is disposed to communicate from the water intake port 120 to the water outlet port 190.

First, the intake port 120 side end of the internal flow path 130 is connected to the intake port 120 through the intake side connector check valve 151 . Similarly, the end of the water outlet port 190 side of the internal flow path 130 is connected to the water outlet port 190 through the connector check valve 158 on the outlet side. In addition, the intake side connector check valve 151 allows water to flow only from the intake port 120 toward the inner flow path 130 so that the water introduced into the sterilization kit 100 does not flow backward into the intake port 120. play a role In addition, the connector check valve 158 on the outlet side allows water to flow only from the internal flow path 130 toward the outlet port 190 so that the sterilizing water discharged through the outlet port 190 does not flow back into the sterilization kit 100. play a limiting role.

In this way, the water introduced into the sterilization kit 100 is guided to flow only from the water inlet port 120 toward the water outlet port 190 by both connector check valves, and the internal flow path 130 between these ports is a single forms one path. The internal flow path 130 is communicated from the intake port 120 to the ESD sterilization module 156 and then communicates from the ESD sterilization module 156 to the outlet port 190. On the path, the internal flow path 130 is They are connected to each other through at least one valve. That is, from the inlet port 120 to the ESD sterilization module 156 through the inlet side connector check valve 151, the pressure reducing valve 152, the solenoid valve 153, the flow sensor 154, and the constant flow valve 155 It is sequentially connected to the ESD sterilization module 156, and from the ESD sterilization module 156 to the water outlet port 190 is sequentially connected through the check valve 157 and the water outlet connector check valve 158 to the water outlet port ( 190) is connected. In this way, the internal flow path 130 forms one single flow path as a whole. Accordingly, the water entering the inlet port 120 passes through the inlet side connector check valve 151, the pressure reducing valve 152, the solenoid valve 153, the flow sensor 154, the constant flow valve 155, and the ESD sterilization The water outlet port 190 is reached via the module 156, the check valve 157, and the water outlet connector check valve 158 in sequence.

Here, the ESD sterilization module 156 electrolyzes water flowing through the internal flow path 130 to generate sterilizing water. A constant flow rate valve 155 is installed upstream of the ESD sterilization module 156 to control the flow rate of water entering the ESD sterilization module 156 .

Meanwhile, a control module and a communication module are further included in the housing 110 of the sterilization kit 100. The communication module is capable of wired/wireless communication with the water purifier, and the control module is electrically connected to the communication module to control the water purifier and the sterilization kit 100 through communication with the water purifier.

Meanwhile, the sterilization kit 100 according to the present invention includes an air pump 140 inside the housing 110 for discharging residual water remaining in the internal flow path 130 to the outside of the kit. The internal flow path 130 of the sterilization kit 100 is branched at one point through, for example, a T-shaped branch valve T, and the air pump 140 is connected to the end of the branched internal flow path 130. Also, a check valve 141 is installed between the air pump 140 and the end of the branched internal passage 130 . Water or air in the internal passage 130 may be restricted so as not to flow backward to the air pump 140 by the check valve 141 .

As an embodiment, the air pump 140 is connected to the air pump 140 through the check valve 141 by branching the flow path from the internal flow path 130 between the water intake side connector check valve 151 and the pressure reducing valve 152. It can be configured to be connected. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the outlet of the T-shaped branch valve T is coupled to the inlet of the pressure reducing valve 152, and the two inlets are connected to the intake side connector check valve 151 and the air pump 140, respectively. .

When the sterilization kit 100 of the present invention is used to sterilize and disinfect the flow path of the water purifier, as shown in FIG. and connect the water outlet port 190 of the sterilization kit 100 and the inlet of the water purifier using the second connection pipe. Accordingly, the water flowing through the flow path of the water purifier flows from the outlet through the first connection pipe and flows into the sterilization kit 100 through the inlet port 120, and the water flowing into the sterilization kit 100 flows into the internal flow path 130. ), and then discharged to the outside of the sterilization kit 100 through the water outlet port 190, and the water discharged from the water outlet port 190 flows back into the water purifier through the second connection pipe. Since the water flowing through the internal flow path 130 of the sterilization kit 100 becomes sterilizing water while passing through the ESD sterilization module 156, the sterilization kit 100 supplies the sterilizing water to the water purifier. Meanwhile, when the sterilization and disinfection operation of the water purifier is completed, the sterilization kit 100 is separated from the water purifier by removing the first and second connection pipes from the water purifier and the sterilization kit 100, respectively.

The sterilization kit 100 separated from the water purifier has residual water in its internal flow path 130, and it is preferable to discharge and remove it to the outside in terms of hygiene and freeze protection. To remove residual water, when a user (eg, service personnel) operates the air pump 140 by manipulating an input unit of an external display (not shown), high-pressure air from the air module passes through the check valve 141 and then passes through the internal flow path. 130 irreversibly enters, and the remaining water remaining in the inner flow path 130 of the sterilization kit 100 is pushed in the direction toward the water outlet port 190 within the inner flow path 130 by the applied air pressure to the water outlet port ( 190) is forcibly discharged to the outside.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the high-pressure air discharged from the air pump 140 passes through the check valve 141 and then reaches the T-shaped branch valve T. Since backflow is prevented toward the pump 140 and the flow toward the water intake port 120 is restricted by the water intake connector check valve 151, air eventually flows from the T-shaped branch valve T. It is pushed to the pressure reducing valve 152 side. After the pressure reducing valve 152, it flows along a single path passing through the solenoid valve 153, the flow sensor 154, the constant flow valve 155, and the ESD sterilization module 156, and then the check valve 157 and the water outlet It reaches the water outlet port 190 via the side connector check valve 158 sequentially. Since the air that has passed through the check valve 157 and the water outlet connector check valve 158 cannot flow in the reverse direction, it is finally discharged to the outside through the water outlet port 190. Accordingly, the high-pressure air discharged from the air pump 140 is designed to be discharged only in one direction, that is, toward the water outlet port 190 within the internal passage 130 .

What has been described above is only one embodiment for implementing the sterilization kit 100 for a water purifier according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and as claimed in the following claims, the present invention Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the invention will say that the technical spirit of the present invention exists to the extent that various changes can be made.

100: Sterilization kit for water purifier 120: Inlet port
130: internal flow path 140: air pump
152: pressure reducing valve 156: ESD sterilization module
190: exit port

Claims (6)

A sterilization kit for a water purifier for sterilizing a flow path of a water purifier,
a water intake port and a water outlet port connected to the water purifier, respectively;
an internal flow path communicating from the inlet port to the outlet port in the sterilization kit;
an ESD sterilization module connected to the inner flow path and generating sterilized water by electrolyzing water flowing through the inner flow path; and
A sterilization kit for a water purifier comprising an air pump connected to an end of the inner flow path branched at one point and discharging residual water remaining in the inner flow path through the water outlet port by applying air to the inner flow path. According to claim 1,
A sterilization kit for a water purifier, wherein a check valve is installed between the air pump and an end of the branched inner flow path to restrict water or air in the inner flow path from flowing back to the air pump. According to claim 1,
The water inlet port-side end of the inner flow path is connected to the inlet port through an inlet-side connector check valve to restrict the water flowing into the sterilization kit from flowing backward to the inlet port. According to claim 2,
The water entering the inlet port passes through the inlet side connector check valve, the pressure reducing valve, the solenoid valve, the flow sensor, the constant flow valve, the ESD sterilization module, the check valve, and the outlet side connector check valve in order to reach the outlet port That is, a sterilization kit for a water purifier. According to claim 4,
A flow path is branched from an internal flow path between the intake side connector check valve and the pressure reducing valve and is connected to the air pump through the check valve,
When the air pump is operated, high-pressure air passes through the check valve and irreversibly enters the inner flow path, and then flows in a direction toward the water outlet port to discharge residual water remaining in the inner flow path out of the water outlet port. A sterilization kit for phosphorus and water purifiers. According to claim 4,
The ESD sterilization module generates sterilization water by electrolyzing water flowing through an internal flow path, a sterilization kit for a water purifier.

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