KR20230122945A - Water purifier and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purifier and a control method thereof. A water purifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of inputting a water outlet temperature to a manipulation display unit, setting a target flow rate of water flowing into a heater unit according to the input water outlet temperature, and heating by the heater unit. and discharging hot water through a water chute.

Description

Water purifier and its control method {WATER PURIFIER AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a water purifier and a control method thereof.

In general, a water purifier is a device that converts water into safe and hygienic drinking water by purifying various harmful components harmful to the human body contained in water such as tap water or ground water through several stages of filters installed inside the main body.

A water purifier is a device that controls the flow of water by means of a mechanical or electronic valve, forming a cold water flow path, a hot water flow path, and a purified water flow path so that purified water passing through a filter can be supplied to the water outlet according to the user's choice.

The water purifier may be classified into a water tank type and a direct water type depending on whether or not a water storage tank is provided. The water tank-type water purifier stores purified water in a water tank and provides the water stored in the water tank when a user operates a water outlet. On the other hand, the direct water purifier does not have a water storage tank, and immediately purifies water when the user operates the water outlet to provide water to the user. Direct water purifiers are recognized as more hygienic and water-saving than water tank-type water purifiers, and recently, users' preference for direct water purifiers has increased.

Water purifiers provide hot water in addition to cold and purified water. In the case of a direct water purifier, there is no water tank, so the purified water is immediately heated and hot water is supplied. It does not matter if the capacity of the heater for heating the water is very large, but in order to instantaneously heat the generally flowing water, the flow rate of the water is reduced. Moreover, regardless of the hot water temperature selected by the user, the flow rate is reduced according to the highest hot water temperature. Therefore, even when the user selects hot water at a relatively low temperature, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to receive hot water because the flow rate is excessively reduced. In addition, when hot water is continuously taken in, there is a problem in that the waiting time for taking out is unnecessarily long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier that minimizes a time taken out of hot water by controlling a flow rate according to a set temperature of hot water and a control method thereof.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water purifier and a control method for reducing a waiting time for taking out when hot water is continuously taken.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A water purifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of inputting a water outlet temperature to a manipulation display unit, setting a target flow rate of water flowing into a heater unit according to the input water outlet temperature, and heating by the heater unit. and discharging hot water through a water chute.

In the step of setting the target flow rate, the target flow rate of water may be set in stages according to the outlet temperature input in stages.

In the setting of the target flow rate, the target flow rate of the water may be set higher as the input temperature of the outlet water is lower.

The water purifier control method may further include draining the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside, and the water dispensing may be performed when the hot water drained to the outside reaches a target temperature.

The water extraction step may be performed when the draining time reaches a set maximum draining time.

The water purifier control method may further include controlling the heater unit to have a variable output after the water extraction step.

A water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an operation display unit for receiving an input water outlet temperature, a heater unit for heating water, a flow control valve for controlling a flow rate of water flowing into the heater unit, and an outlet water temperature input to the operation display unit. It may include a control unit for setting a target flow rate of the flow control valve and a water chute for dispensing hot water heated by the heater unit.

According to the water purifier and its control method of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are provided.

First, there is an advantage of minimizing the time for the user to receive hot water by adjusting the flow rate according to the water outlet temperature set by the user.

Second, even if the capacity of the heater is sufficient, there is an advantage of preventing the extraction time from being extended by reducing the flow rate more than necessary.

Third, there is also an advantage that the user feels satisfied with relatively simple control by setting the flow rate step by step according to the temperature of the outlet water.

Fourth, there is also an advantage of adjusting the temperature of the water outlet while saving energy by controlling the variable output of the heater.

Fifth, when hot water is continuously taken in, there is an advantage in that the waiting time for taking out is reduced.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a pipe of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart of a control method of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above objects, features and advantages will be described later in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will be able to easily implement the technical spirit of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless otherwise stated, the first component may be the second component, of course.

Hereinafter, when a component is described as "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but other components may be present between each component. It should be understood that "intervening" or that each element may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" through another element.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

Singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or some of the steps It should be construed that it may not be included, or may further include additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when it says "A and/or B", it means A, B or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and when it says "C to D", it means no particular contrary description As long as there is no, it means C or more and D or less.

Hereinafter, a water purifier and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

1 is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a water purifier 10 according to an embodiment is for purifying water directly supplied from an external water supply source and then cooling or heating the purified water to take it out. For example, it may be a direct water type cold/hot water purifier. there is.

Here, the direct water purifier refers to a type of water purifier in which purified water is immediately extracted when a user operates a water intake operation without a water storage tank for storing water.

The water purifier 10 may have an external appearance by combining a plurality of panels. More specifically, the water purifier 10 includes a front panel 11 forming a front exterior, a side panel 12 forming both side exteriors, an upper panel 13 forming an upper exterior, and a rear exterior. It may have a substantially hexahedral shape as a whole by combining a rear panel (not shown) forming the and a base panel (not shown) forming the lower surface. In addition, a plurality of parts for water purification are mounted in the inner space formed by combining the panels.

The front panel 11 is provided with an operation display unit 14 for displaying an operating state of the water purifier 10 at the same time as a user inputs an operation command of the water purifier 10 .

The manipulation display unit 14 is provided in the form of a plurality of buttons or a touch screen and is formed to enable light irradiation with each button. When the user presses or touches a button of the operation display unit 14, light is irradiated on the selected button, so that it is possible to easily recognize whether the button is selected or not, and the function of the display unit is performed simultaneously.

The operation display unit 14 is provided with a button for selecting the type of water to be dispensed, that is, cold water, hot water, or room temperature water (general purified water), a water dispensing button, and a button for selecting the amount of dispensing water or continuously dispensing water. It is provided with a button for checking whether or not and a display unit for displaying the temperature of hot and cold water. In addition, the operation display unit 14 is provided with a button for inputting the water temperature when selecting hot water. Buttons for performing additional functions may be further included in the manipulation display unit 14, and a configuration in which some buttons may be omitted may be possible.

A water chute 15 is provided below the manipulation display unit 14 to be operated by the user to discharge water. The water chute 15 is provided so that the user can operate and discharge water. Since the water chute 15 functions to open and close the outlet for the user to discharge water, it can be expressed as an opening and closing device or an opening and closing nozzle.

The water chute 15 is configured to discharge purified water, cold water, or hot water according to the function of the water purifier 10 by a user's manipulation, and the lower side of the water chute 15, in detail, the front panel 11 A tray for accommodating water falling from the water chute 15 is provided at the front lower end of the.

2 is a block diagram of a pipe of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A water supply line L is formed from the water supply source S to the water chute 15 of the water purifier 10, and various valves and water purification parts may be connected to the water supply line L.

The water supply line L is connected to a water supply source S, for example, a faucet at home, and a water supply valve 61 is disposed in the water supply line L. The water supply valve 61 regulates the flow of water flowing through the water supply line (L). When the water supply valve 61 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply source S to the filter assembly 17, and when the water supply valve 61 is closed, water is blocked and no water is supplied to the filter assembly 17.

The filter assembly 17 generates water by purifying foreign substances included in the water supplied from the water supply source S. The filter assembly 17 may be configured by combining various types of filters, and may be configured of, for example, a pre-filter and a composite filter. The pre-filter has a built-in carbon block to adsorb and remove small-particle contaminants, residual chlorine, volatile organic compounds or odor generating factors. The composite filter has a built-in hollow fiber membrane for removing particulate matter and bacteria and an electrostatic adsorption non-woven fabric for removing particulate matter, bacteria and viruses.

A flow sensor 70 for measuring the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply line L may be disposed in the water supply line L connected to the outlet end of the filter assembly 17 . When the supply amount sensed by the flow sensor 70 reaches a set amount, the water supply valve 61 may be controlled to be closed.

The water supply line (L) extending from the outlet end of the flow sensor 70 may branch into a hot water line (L1), a cold water line (L2), a purified water line (L3) and a cooling water line (L4) at some point.

A flow control valve 62 for controlling the flow rate of water flowing into the hot water line L1 is disposed in the hot water line L1 branched from the water supply line L1. The flow control valve 62 controls the flow rate of water flowing into the heater unit 30 . A heater unit 30 generating hot water by heating water may be connected to the hot water line L1 extending from the outlet end of the flow control valve 62 .

The heater unit 30 is preferably an induction heater (IH) that heats water. The output of the heater unit 30 is controlled according to the water outlet temperature input to the operation display unit 14 . The heater unit 30 is capable of fixed output control, and variable output control is also possible by proportional-integral control of the inverter. Output of the heater unit 30 may be controlled according to the temperature of hot water measured by the temperature sensor 80 .

A temperature sensor 80 for measuring the temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water line L1 is disposed in the hot water line L1 extending from the outlet end of the heater unit 30 . A hot water valve 64 for regulating the flow of hot water flowing through the hot water line L1 is mounted on the hot water line L1 extending from the temperature sensor 80 . When the hot water valve 64 is opened, hot water heated by the heater unit 30 is discharged through the water discharge valve 69 and the water chute 15 . When the hot water valve 64 is closed, hot water is not supplied to the water outlet valve 69 and the water chute 15.

The cold water valve 65 is disposed at a point where the water supply line (L) branches into the cold water line (L2) and the purified water line (L3). The cold water valve 65 is a three-way valve, and blocks the supply of water to the cold water line L2 and the purified water line L3, supplies only to the cold water line L2, or supplies only to the purified water line L3. .

Depending on the embodiment, the cold water valve 65 is provided as a cold water valve and a purified water valve, respectively, and may be disposed in each of the cold water line L2 and the purified water line L3.

A cooling unit 20 for cooling water is disposed in the cold water line L2 from which the water supply line L is branched from the constant and cold water valve 65. The cooling unit 20 cools water by cooling water to generate cold water. Cold water cooled in the cooling unit 20 is discharged through the water discharge valve 69 and the water chute 15.

The purified water line (L3) from which the water supply line (L) is branched from the purified water valve (65) is connected to the water outlet valve (69) and the water chute (15). The purified water supplied to the purified water line L3 is discharged through the water discharge valve 69 and the water chute 15.

The hot water line L1, the cold water line L2, and the purified water line L3 are all connected to the water outlet valve 69 and the water chute 15 at the outlet end. That is, purified water, cold water, and hot water are configured to be connected to a single outlet, and may be connected to independent outlets according to embodiments.

The water outlet valve 69 is a direct-acting valve that is opened by water pressure rather than by control, and hot water, cold water, or purified water is supplied from at least one of the hot water line L1, the cold water line L2, and the purified water line L3. will be opened when Depending on the embodiment, the water outlet valve 69 may be omitted.

A cooling water inlet valve 63 for controlling water flowing into the cooling unit 20 is disposed in the cooling water line L4 branched from the water supply line L. When the cooling water inlet valve 63 is opened, water is supplied to the cooling unit 20, and when it is closed, the supply of purified water to the cooling unit 20 is blocked.

In the cooling unit 20, water is cooled by an evaporator (or other cooler) to become cooling water. Cooling water is stored in the cooling unit 20 to cool the water passing through the cold water line L2. A cooling water outlet valve 68 is disposed at the outlet end of the cooling unit 20 . The cooling water outlet valve 68 regulates the discharge of the cooling water stored in the cooling unit 20 to the outside. When the cooling water outlet valve 68 is opened, the cooling water stored in the cooling unit 20 is drained to the outside, and when it is closed, the draining of the cooling water stored in the cooling unit 20 is blocked.

The hot water line (L1), the cold water line (L2) and the purified water line (L3) may be combined with a drain line (L5) at some point. The hot water line (L1) is connected to the drain line (L5) between the temperature sensor 80 and the hot water valve 64, and the cold water line (L2) and the purified water line (L3) are connected to the drain line (L5) before the water outlet valve (69). ) is connected to The drain line L5 discharges hot water heated in the heater unit 30 in the hot water line L1, cold water in the cold water line L2 cooled in the cooling unit 20, or purified water in the purified water line L3 to the outside. .

A drain valve 67 is disposed in the drain line L5 to regulate hot water, cold water or purified water flowing through the drain line L5. When the drain valve 67 is opened, hot water, cold water or purified water is drained to the outside, and when closed, hot water, cold water or purified water is blocked from flowing into the drain line L5.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying cold water and hot water will be described.

When the cooling water inlet valve 63 is opened and water is supplied to the cooling unit 20, it is cooled by the cooling unit 20 and becomes cooling water. The cooling unit 20 may include an evaporator that cools the cooling water by evaporating the refrigerant.

When cold water selection and discharge water are input to the operation display unit 14 and the cold water valve 65 connects the water supply line L and the cold water line L2, water flows into the cold water line L2 and cools the cooling unit 20. Cold water is generated while being cooled by the cooling water, and the cold water is taken out through the water chute 15.

In the case of hot water, when the outlet temperature is selected on the operation display unit 14 and the outlet water is input and the flow control valve 62 is opened, the water supplied to the hot water line L1 is heated by the hot water heater 22 to generate hot water. do. The initially heated hot water is discharged to the outside as the drain valve 67 is opened, and then the hot water is discharged through the water chute 15 when the drain valve 67 is closed and the hot water valve 64 is opened. At this time, the flow rate control valve 62 adjusts the flow rate to supply water to the hot water heater 22, which will be described in detail below.

3 is a block diagram of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A water purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an operation display unit 14 for receiving a water outlet temperature, a heater unit 30 for heating water, and a control panel for controlling the flow rate of water flowing into the heater unit 30. Water heated by the flow control valve 62, the control unit 90 that sets the target flow rate of the flow control valve 62 according to the water outlet temperature input to the operation display unit 14, and the heater unit 30 is dispensed. A water chute 15 for discharging, a drain valve 67 for draining the hot water heated by the heater unit 30 to the outside, and hot water for discharging the hot water heated by the heater unit 30 to the water chute 15 valve 64.

The controller 90 opens and closes the water supply valve 61, the cooling water inlet valve 63, the hot water valve 64, the drain valve 67 and the cooling water outlet valve 68. The controller 90 opens and closes the flow control valve 62 and sets a target flow rate so that the flow control valve 62 adjusts the opening according to the set target flow rate. The control unit 90 opens or closes the cold water valve 65 or selects a direction to connect the water supply line L to the cold water line L2 or the purified water line L3.

The control unit 90 performs control according to a command input to the operation display unit 14 . The controller 90 controls the cooling unit 20 and the heater unit 30, and performs control according to the flow rate and temperature measured by the flow rate sensor 70 and the temperature sensor 80.

Control contents of the control unit 90 when hot water is dispensed will be described with reference to FIG. 4 .

4 is a flowchart of a control method of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The user selects the water extraction temperature using the operation display unit 14 (S210) and presses the water extraction button (S220). When hot water is selected, a specific temperature may be input as a basic outlet temperature, and the user may select the outlet temperature through the outlet temperature input button.

When the outlet temperature and outlet water are input to the operation display unit 14, the controller 90 sets a target flow rate of the flow control valve 62 according to the input outlet temperature (S230). The target flow rate of the flow rate control valve 62 for each outlet temperature input in stages is set in stages as shown in Table 1 below.

outlet temperature target flow 90℃ Base Flow - Y1 85℃ base flow 75℃ Base flow + X1 50℃ Base flow + X2 40℃ Base flow + X3

를 기본 유량으로 출수 온도에 따라 일정량을 감하거나 더하여 목표 유량을 설정한다.The controller 90 sets the target flow rate higher as the outlet temperature is lower, and sets the target flow rate lower as the outlet temperature is higher. It is preferable to set the target flow rate to a flow rate as large as possible to match the temperature of the water outlet in consideration of the output of the heater unit 30 . The control unit 90 controls the water outlet temperature 85

is the basic flow rate, and the target flow rate is set by subtracting or adding a certain amount according to the outlet temperature.

The flow rate for each outlet temperature is determined by flow rate search control when the water purifier 10 is initially installed. At the time of initial installation, the flow rate of the flow control valve 62 is set as the representative flow rate, and the target flow rate is adjusted according to the water pressure of the water supply source S to which the water purifier 10 is connected. That is, if the target flow rate of the flow control valve 62 is set as the representative flow rate and there is a difference in the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 70, the target flow rate is adjusted so that the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 70 and the set target flow rate are close. If so, the target flow rate is set as an average value over several times.

The controller 90 opens the drain valve 67 and closes the hot water valve 64 (S240). Before taking hot water, it is necessary to discharge the water remaining in the water supply line (L) and the hot water line (L1) to the outside through the drain valve (67), and the heating performance of the heater unit (30) is not sufficient for the initial hot water It is not close to the set water outlet temperature. Accordingly, the controller 90 opens the drain valve 67 and closes the hot water valve 64 to drain the initial hot water to the outside.

The controller 90 operates the heater unit 30 and opens the water supply valve 61 (S250). The controller 90 opens the water supply valve 61 so that the water supplied from the water supply source S is purified by the filter assembly 17 and then heated by the heater unit 30 . The controller 90 drains the hot water heated by the heater unit 30 to the outside.

The controller 90 determines whether the hot water temperature measured by the temperature sensor 80 has reached the target temperature or the draining time has reached the set maximum draining time (t1, t2) (S260). The control unit 90 determines whether the hot water temperature measured by the temperature sensor 80 has reached a set target temperature. The target temperature is preset according to the water extraction temperature, and may be lower than the water extraction temperature input to the operation display unit 14, but is preferably set close to the water extraction temperature.

The controller 90 determines whether the draining time is longer than the set maximum first cup draining time t1 when the hot water is being dispensed for the first cup, and determines whether the draining time is longer than the set maximum continuous cup draining time t2 when the hot water is being dispensed continuously. The controller 90 determines it as a continuous cup when the user continuously takes hot water within a set period of time. The maximum first cup draining time t1 is preferably greater than the maximum continuous cup draining time t2.

When the hot water temperature measured by the temperature sensor 80 is greater than or equal to the target temperature, or the drain time is greater than or equal to the set maximum drain time (t1, t2), the controller 90 opens the hot water valve 64 and Close drain valve 67. The controller 90 opens the hot water valve 64 so that the hot water heated by the heater unit 30 is discharged through the water chute 15 when the hot water temperature reaches the target temperature or the drain time reaches the maximum drain time. and close the drain valve (67).

The controller 90 controls the heater unit 30 (S280). The control unit 90 performs fixed output control of the heater unit 30 so that the hot water maintains a target temperature, and variable output control through proportional-integral control according to the temperature of the hot water measured by the temperature sensor 80 after a set time has elapsed. Since the flow rate is changed according to the temperature of the water outlet, the control unit preferably controls the heater unit 30 to have a variable output.

When the user's desired water extraction amount is reached or the user's water extraction is stopped, the control unit 90 closes the water supply valve 61 and stops the heater unit 30 to terminate hot water extraction (S290).

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings illustrated, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and various modifications are made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

14: operation display unit 15: water chute
20: cooling unit 30: heater unit
61: water supply valve 62: flow control valve
64: hot water valve 67: drain valve
70: flow sensor 80: temperature sensor
90: control unit

Claims (11)

inputting water outlet temperature to the operation display unit;
setting a target flow rate of water flowing into the heater unit according to the input water outlet temperature; and
and dispensing hot water heated by the heater unit through a water chute. According to claim 1,
The target flow rate setting step is a water purifier control method of setting a target flow rate of water step by step according to the output water temperature input step by step. According to claim 1,
The target flow rate setting step is a water purifier control method of setting the target flow rate of the water higher as the input temperature of the outlet water is lower. According to claim 1,
Further comprising draining the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside,
The water extraction step is performed when the hot water drained to the outside reaches a target temperature. According to claim 1,
Further comprising draining the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside,
The water extraction step is performed when the drainage time reaches the set maximum drainage time. According to claim 1,
The water purifier control method further comprising controlling the heater unit with a variable output after the water extraction step. a manipulation display unit that receives water temperature;
a heater unit that heats water;
a flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of water flowing into the heater unit;
a control unit that sets a target flow rate of the flow control valve according to the water outlet temperature input to the operation display unit; and
A water purifier comprising a water chute for dispensing hot water heated by the heater unit. According to claim 7,
The controller sets the target flow rate of the flow control valve step by step according to the outlet water temperature input step by step to the operation display unit. According to claim 7,
The control unit is a water purifier that sets a target flow rate of the flow control valve higher as the outlet water temperature input to the operation display unit is lower. According to claim 7,
a drain valve draining the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside; and
Further comprising a hot water valve for dispensing the hot water heated by the heater unit to the water chute,
The control unit opens the drain valve to drain the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside, and when the hot water reaches a target temperature, closes the drain valve and opens the hot water valve to discharge the hot water to the water chute. A water purifier that discharges water. According to claim 7,
a drain valve draining the hot water heated by the heater unit to the outside; and
Further comprising a hot water valve for dispensing the hot water heated by the heater unit to the water chute,
The control unit opens the drain valve to drain the water heated by the heater unit to the outside, and when the drain time reaches the set maximum drain time, closes the drain valve and opens the hot water valve to return the water to the water chute. A water purifier for dispensing the hot water.

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