KR20230145738A - Water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus. In particular, provided in one embodiment of the present invention is the water treatment apparatus, which comprises: a compressor which provides a compressed refrigerant; a heating unit which receives the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to generate heated hot water and the refrigerant condensed by heat exchange between the refrigerant and water; a cold storage unit which generates the refrigerant condensed by heat exchange between the refrigerant and a cold storage material for cold storage by receiving the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a first variable flow path which provides the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to one of the heating unit and the cold storage unit; a cooling unit which receives the refrigerant condensed by the heating unit or the cold storage unit to generate cold water cooled by heat exchange between the refrigerant and water before providing the gasified refrigerant to the compressor; a second variable flow path which provides the refrigerant condensed by the heating unit or the cold storage unit to one of the cooling unit or the cold storage unit; and a controller which controls the first variable flow path and the second variable flow path. Therefore, energy efficiency is increased.

Description

WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a water treatment device.

In general, a water treatment device is a device that receives water from a water source such as a tap, filters it into purified water, and then provides the purified water to a user. Such purified water can be provided directly to the user, but it can also be cooled below a certain temperature and then provided as cold water, or heated above a certain temperature and then provided as hot water.

Conventional water treatment devices are equipped with a cooling cycle that generates hot water by heating water through the condensation heat of the refrigerant, and generates cold water by absorbing the heat energy of the water and vaporizing the refrigerant after passing through the expander. Meanwhile, such a water treatment device takes a lot of time to heat room temperature water from the time a hot water generation signal is received from the outside until the room temperature water becomes hot water. As the time required to generate hot water increases, there is a problem in that hot water extraction efficiency decreases.

In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0109434 "Energy-saving direct water type cold and hot water purifier" (Patent Document 1) of applicant E&I Rohatec Co., Ltd. can preheat hot water using the refrigerant used in the cooling cycle to generate cold water. there is.

However, the cold and hot water purifier of Patent Document 1 is effective when cold and hot water are needed at the same time, but there is a problem in that hot water is unnecessarily heated even when only cold water is needed, and cold water is unnecessarily supercooled even when only hot water is needed.

Therefore, while preheating the water in advance increases hot water extraction efficiency, the cold heat of the cooled refrigerant is stored in advance while the water is preheated, and when cold water is needed later, water treatment can utilize the stored cold heat to generate cold water. There is a need for a device.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0109434 (published on October 8, 2013)

The water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention generates hot water using a compressed and heated refrigerant in the same cooling cycle, and generates cold water by absorbing the heat energy of the water and vaporizing the expanded and cooled refrigerant. The purpose is to provide a water treatment device that can increase energy efficiency by storing cold heat that is discarded in hot air and reusing it for condensation in the cooling cycle.

The purpose of the water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is to stably provide a cooling cycle by further including a condenser to provide cooling when the water heater or condenser fails to provide cooling required for condensation of the cooling cycle.

The purpose of the water treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention is to provide cooling necessary for condensation stably for a certain period of time by further including a condenser when using a cooling cycle as an ice-making system.

According to one aspect of the invention, a compressor providing compressed refrigerant; a heating unit that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant and heated hot water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water; a cold storage unit that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooled storage material; a first variable flow path providing the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to either the heating unit or the cold storage unit; a cooling unit that receives the condensed refrigerant from the heating unit or the cold storage unit, generates cooled cold water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, and provides the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor; a second variable flow path that supplies the refrigerant condensed from the heating unit or the cold storage unit to either the cooling unit or the cold storage unit; and a controller that controls the first variable flow path and the second variable flow path, wherein the cold storage unit receives the refrigerant condensed from the heating unit or the cold storage unit and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant storage material. A water treatment device may be provided that cools the coolant and provides the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor.

In addition, it further includes a hot water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the heating unit, and the controller sends the compressed refrigerant to the heating unit when the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor is lower than the hot water set temperature. A water treatment device that controls the first variable flow path to provide the compressed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor is higher than the hot water set temperature. may be provided.

In addition, a condenser that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air; and a cold storage temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant of the cold storage unit, wherein the first variable flow path provides the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to any one of the heating unit, the condenser, and the cold storage unit. And, when the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor is higher than the hot water set temperature and the temperature of the cold storage material detected by the cold storage temperature sensor is higher than the cold storage set temperature, the compressor operates the compressed A water treatment device may be provided that controls the first variable flow path to provide refrigerant to the condenser.

In addition, it further includes a cold water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cold water in the cooling unit, and the controller is configured to cool the condensed refrigerant when the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor is higher than the cold water set temperature. Water treatment that controls the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor is lower than the cold water set temperature. A device may be provided.

In addition, the cooling unit receives the condensed refrigerant and generates ice through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, and the controller operates the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cooling unit when ice generation is necessary. A water treatment device may be provided that controls the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when ice production is not needed.

In addition, a condenser that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air; and an ice-making sensor 940 that detects whether the ice is in a fully grown state, wherein the first variable flow path directs the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to any one of the heating unit, the condenser, or the cold storage unit. A water treatment device may be provided in which the controller 1100 controls the first variable flow path so that the compressor provides the compressed refrigerant to the condenser until the fully grown ice is provided. .

Additionally, a water treatment device may be provided that further includes a filter unit that filters water.

A water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention generates hot water using a compressed and heated refrigerant in the same cooling cycle, and generates cold water by absorbing the heat energy of the water with the expanded and cooled refrigerant. There is an effect of increasing energy efficiency by storing cold heat that is discarded in hot air and reusing it for condensation in the cooling cycle.

The water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of stably providing a cooling cycle by further including a condenser to provide cooling when the water heater or condenser fails to provide cooling required for condensation of the cooling cycle.

When using a cooling cycle as an ice-making system, the water treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a condenser, thereby stably providing cooling necessary for condensation for a certain period of time.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a water treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant condensed in the heating unit and vaporized in the cooling unit of the water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant condensed in the heating part and vaporized in the cooling part of the water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant condensed in the cooling unit and vaporized in the cooling unit of the water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant condensed in the condenser and vaporized in the cooling unit of the water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant condensed in the condenser and vaporized in the cooling unit of the water treatment device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the technical idea of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Additionally, when a component is mentioned as being 'connected', 'flowing', or 'supplied' to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected, flowing, or supplied to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be.

The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

As used in the specification, the meaning of "comprising" is to specify a specific characteristic, area, integer, step, operation, element and/or component, and to specify another specific property, area, integer, step, operation, element, component and/or group. It does not exclude the existence or addition of .

Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the water treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can heat water using a cooling cycle to provide hot water or cool water to provide cold water. For example, the water treatment device 1 may provide preheated water by heating water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water flowing inside, and provide hot water by further heating the preheated water. Additionally, the water treatment device 1 can provide cold water by cooling water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water flowing inside. This water treatment device 1 includes a heating unit 100, a cooling unit 200, a cold storage unit 300, a flow path unit 400, a valve module 500, a condenser 600, a throttling unit 700, and a compressor ( 800), a temperature sensor unit 900, a filter unit 1000, and a controller 1100.

The heating unit 100 may provide hot water by heating the introduced water. This heating unit 100 can receive compressed refrigerant, which is compressed refrigerant, from the compressor 800. The heating unit 100 can generate condensed refrigerant, which is a condensed refrigerant, and hot water through heat exchange between compressed refrigerant and water. This heating unit 100 may include a heating heat exchanger 110 and a heating tank 120.

The heating heat exchanger 110 may provide a passage through which a refrigerant that exchanges heat with water flows. The compressed refrigerant flowing into the heating heat exchanger 110 is condensed by releasing heat into the water contained in the heating tank 120, and the water supplied with heat energy from the compressed refrigerant can be heated and provided as hot water. Additionally, the condensed refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the water contained in the heating tank 120 may be discharged to the throttling device 700.

The heating tank 120 may provide a heating space to accommodate water to be heated. This heating tank 120 may be provided with a heated water flow path 120a through which water to be heated flows. This heated water flow path 120a may communicate with the preheating space.

The cooling unit 200 may cool water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water and provide one or more of cold water and ice. This cooling unit 200 may include a cooling heat exchanger 210 and a cooling tank 220. The cooling heat exchanger 210 may provide a passage through which a refrigerant that exchanges heat with water contained in the cooling tank 220 flows. This cooling heat exchanger 210 can cool water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water contained in the cooling tank 220. This cooling heat exchanger 210 may receive condensed refrigerant condensed from the heating unit 100 or the cold storage unit 300. This cooling heat exchanger 210 may receive condensation-expanded refrigerant, which is a refrigerant expanded by passing the condensed refrigerant through the throttling device 700, from the throttling device 700.

Additionally, the condensation and expansion refrigerant provided to the cooling heat exchanger 210 can cool the water by heat-exchanging with the water contained in the cooling tank 220 and evaporating it. This cooling heat exchanger 210 can provide vaporized refrigerant to the compressor 800. The cooling heat exchanger 210 in this specification may be referred to as an 'evaporator'.

The cooling tank 220 may provide a cooling space to accommodate one or more of water, cold water, and ice to be cooled. This cooling tank 220 may provide a cooling inlet flow path 220a through which water to be cooled flows. Additionally, the cooling tank 220 may provide a cooling discharge passage 220b through which one or more of cold water and ice is discharged. The cooling inlet flow path 220a and the cooling discharge flow path 220b may communicate with the cooling space.

The cold storage unit 300 can absorb cold heat from the refrigerant and store it, or supply the stored cold heat to the refrigerant. This cold storage unit 300 may include a cold storage heat exchanger 310 and a cold storage material 320.

The cold storage heat exchanger 310 may provide a passage for refrigerant to flow. This cold storage heat exchanger 310 can receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor 800. For example, the cooling storage heat exchanger 310 may receive compressed refrigerant in which the refrigerant vaporized in the cooling heat exchanger 210 passes through the compressor 800 and is compressed.

Additionally, the refrigerant storage heat exchanger 310 may receive expanded refrigerant that has passed through the throttling device 700. For example, the condensation and expansion refrigerant that has passed through any one of the heating unit 100, the cold storage unit 300, and the condenser 600 and the throttling device 700 may be provided to the cold storage heat exchanger 310. The condensation and expansion refrigerant provided to the cold storage heat exchanger 310 can cool the coolant 320 through heat exchange with the coolant 320. For example, the refrigerant (condensation and expansion refrigerant) provided to the refrigerant storage heat exchanger 310 may be vaporized by providing cold heat to the refrigerant storage material 320. This cold storage heat exchanger 310 can provide vaporized refrigerant to the compressor 800.

The coolant 320 is separate from the refrigerant and may be a heat medium capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant. This coolant 320 can absorb and store cold heat from the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant that loses cold heat by the refrigerant 320 may be a condensation-expansion refrigerant that passes through the throttling device 700 and flows through the refrigerant storage heat exchanger 310 in an expanded state.

As a more detailed example, the condensation-expanding refrigerant is heated as it loses cold heat by the coolant 320, and the coolant 320 may be in a cold storage state in which cold heat is accumulated. Additionally, the coolant 320 can supply stored cold heat to the refrigerant. For example, the coolant 320 placed in a cold storage state can exchange heat with the compressed refrigerant provided to the cold storage heat exchanger 310. The compressed refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the coolant 320 may be condensed by the cold heat of the coolant 320. Additionally, the temperature of the refrigerant 320 in which compressed refrigerant is condensed may increase as it loses cold heat.

The flow path portion 400 may provide a passage for refrigerant to flow. This flow path portion 400 may include a first variable flow path 410, a second variable flow path 420, a throttling flow path 430, and a compression flow path 440.

The first variable flow path 410 may provide compressed refrigerant compressed from the compressor 800 to one of the heating unit 100, the cold storage unit 300, and the condenser 600. This first variable passage 410 can be controlled by the controller 1100. The first variable flow path 410 includes a first flow path 411, a second flow path 412, a third flow path 413, a first valve 414, a second valve 415, and a third valve 416. It can be included.

The first flow path 411 may be connected to the heating heat exchanger 110 and communicate with the passage of the heating heat exchanger 110. Compressed refrigerant may flow in this first flow path 411. For example, the first flow path 411 may guide compressed refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 800 to the heating heat exchanger 110. Additionally, the first flow path 411 may be disposed between the compressor 800 and the heating unit 100.

Compressed refrigerant may flow in this second flow path 412. For example, the second flow path 412 may guide the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 800 to the cold storage heat exchanger 310. Additionally, the second flow path 412 may be disposed between the compressor 800 and the cold storage unit 300.

The third flow path 413 may be connected to the condenser 600 and communicate with the condenser 600. Compressed refrigerant may flow in this third flow path 413. For example, the third flow path 413 may guide compressed refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 800 to the condenser 600. Additionally, the third flow path 413 may be disposed between the compressor 800 and the condenser 600.

The first valve 414 may open or close the first flow path 411. The second valve 415 may open or close the second flow path 412. Additionally, the third valve 416 may open or close the third flow path 413. The opening and closing of the first valve 414, the second valve 415, and the third valve 416 may be controlled by the controller 1100.

The second variable flow path 420 may provide the condensed refrigerant condensed from the heating unit 100 or the cold storage unit 300 to either the cooling unit 200 or the cold storage unit 300. This second variable flow path 420 can be controlled by the controller 1100. The second variable flow path 420 may include a fourth flow path 421, a fifth flow path 422, a fourth valve 423, and a fifth valve 424.

In the fourth flow path 421, the expansion refrigerant that has passed through the throttling device 700 may flow. For example, the fourth flow path 421 transfers the condensation and expansion refrigerant that has passed through any one of the heating unit 100, the cold storage unit 300, and the condenser 600 and the throttling device 700 to the storage heat exchanger 310. I can guide you. Additionally, the fourth flow path 421 may be disposed between the throttling device 700 and the cold storage unit 300.

The fifth flow path 422 is connected to the cooling heat exchanger 210 and may communicate with the passage of the cooling heat exchanger 210. Expansion refrigerant may flow in this fifth flow path 422. For example, the fifth flow path 422 transfers the condensation and expansion refrigerant that has passed through any one of the heating unit 100, the cold storage unit 300, and the condenser 600 and the throttling unit 700 to the cooling heat exchanger 210. I can guide you. Additionally, the fifth flow path 422 may be disposed between the throttling device 700 and the cooling unit 200.

The fourth valve 423 may open or close the fourth flow path 421. Additionally, the fifth valve 424 may open or close the fifth flow path 422. The opening and closing of the fourth valve 423 and the fifth valve 424 may be controlled by the controller 1100.

A plurality of throttling passages 430 may be provided. One side of the plurality of throttling passages 430 may be connected to the throttling device 700. In addition, the other side of the plurality of throttling passages 430 is connected to the heating heat exchanger 110, the cooling storage heat exchanger 310, and the condenser 600, respectively, and the heating heat exchanger 110, the cooling storage heat exchanger 310, and the condenser You can communicate with (600). These plurality of throttling passages 430 may guide the refrigerant that has passed through one or more of the heating heat exchanger 110, the cooling heat exchanger 310, and the condenser 600 to the throttling device 700.

Condensed refrigerant may flow in this constriction passage 430. One of these plurality of throttling passages 430 is disposed between the throttling 700 and the heating heat exchanger 110, and the other is disposed between the throttling 700 and the cooling heat exchanger 310, and The other may be placed between the throttling device 700 and the condenser 600.

A plurality of compression channels 440 may be provided. One side of the plurality of compression passages 440 may be connected to the compressor 800. In addition, the other side of the plurality of compression channels 440 is connected to the cooling heat exchanger 210 and the cold storage heat exchanger 310, respectively, and can communicate with the cooling heat exchanger 210 and the cold storage heat exchanger 310. These plurality of compression passages 440 can guide the refrigerant that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger 210 and the cold storage heat exchanger 310 to the compressor 800. Vaporized refrigerant may flow in this compression passage 440. One of these plurality of compression passages 440 may be disposed between the compressor 800 and the cooling heat exchanger 210, and the other may be disposed between the compressor 800 and the cooling heat exchanger 310.

The heater 500 may receive heated hot water from the heating unit 100 and may additionally heat the supplied hot water. For example, the heater 500 includes one or more of a sheath heater and a planar heating heater, and may provide a heating space inside which can accommodate hot water heated in the heating unit 100. This heater 500 may be provided with a hot water discharge passage 500a through which hot water is discharged. The temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge passage 500a may be higher than the temperature of the hot water heated in the heating unit 100. This hot water discharge passage 500a may communicate with the heating space of the heater 500.

The condenser 600 can generate condensed refrigerant through heat exchange with outside air. For example, the condenser 600 may receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor 800, and the compressed refrigerant provided to the condenser 600 may be condensed by exchanging heat with the outside air. For example, compressed refrigerant can be condensed by releasing heat energy into the outside air and cooling it. Outside air may mean outside air of the water treatment device (1). This condenser 600 may provide a passage for refrigerant to flow. Refrigerant flowing in the third flow path 413 may flow into the condenser 600.

The throttling device 700 may expand the refrigerant flowing in the throttling passage 430. For example, the throttling device 700 may be an expander such as a throttle valve or capillary tube. A compressor (800) can compress the refrigerant flowing in the compression passage (440). The compressor 800 in this specification may be, for example, a 'compression pump'.

The temperature sensor unit 900 may include a hot water temperature sensor 910, a cold water temperature sensor 920, and a cold storage temperature sensor 930. Additionally, the hot water temperature sensor 910 can detect the temperature of hot water contained in the heating tank 120. The cold water temperature sensor 920 can detect the temperature of cold water contained in the cooling tank 220. The cold storage temperature sensor 930 can detect the temperature of the coolant storage material 320.

The filter unit 1000 can filter water. For example, the filter unit 1000 may filter raw water and provide purified water. For example, this filter unit 1000 may include a ceramic filter to remove rust contained in raw water. However, it is not limited to this example, and the filter unit 1000 may include well-known filters such as pre-filters, activated carbon filters, and microfilters.

This filter unit 1000 may include a plurality of filters. These plural filters may include a cold water filter and a hot water filter. The hot water filter can filter raw water flowing in the heated water flow passage 120a and provide purified water to the heating tank 120. The cold water filter can filter raw water flowing in the cooling water flow path 220a and provide purified water to the cooling tank 220.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 to 5, the controller 1100 opens and closes the first to fifth valves 414, 415, 416, 423, and 424 and compresses the compressor 800 based on the detection results of the temperature sensor unit 900. ) can be controlled.

This controller 1100 controls the first variable passage 410 to provide compressed refrigerant to the cold storage unit 300 when the temperature of hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is higher than the pre-entered hot water set temperature. You can. For example, the hot water set temperature may be 40°C to 60°C.

For example, when the temperature of hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is higher than the hot water set temperature, the controller 1100 opens the second valve 415 and operates the first valve 414 and the third valve ( 416) can be closed.

In this controller 1100, the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is higher than the hot water set temperature, and the temperature of the cold storage material 320 detected by the cold storage temperature sensor 930 is higher than the pre-entered cold storage set temperature. If it is high, the first variable flow path can be controlled so that compressed refrigerant is provided to the condenser 600. For example, the cooling storage set temperature may be -6°C to -4°C.

For example, the controller 1100 determines that the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is higher than the hot water set temperature, and the temperature of the coolant 320 detected by the cold storage temperature sensor 930 is higher than the cold storage set temperature. If it is high, the third valve 416 can be opened and the first valve 414 and the second valve 415 can be closed.

In addition, the controller 1100 may control the first variable flow path 410 so that compressed refrigerant is provided to the heating unit 100 when the temperature of hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is lower than the hot water set temperature. . For example, when the temperature of hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor 910 is lower than the hot water set temperature, the controller 1100 opens the first valve 414, and opens the second valve 415 and the third valve ( 416) can be closed.

When the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor 920 is higher than the pre-entered cold water set temperature, the controller 1100 operates the second variable passage 420 so that condensation refrigerant (condensation expansion refrigerant) is provided to the cooling unit 200. ) can be controlled. For example, the cold water set temperature may be 3°C to 6°C. For example, when the temperature of cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor 920 is higher than the cold water set temperature, the controller 1100 may open the fifth valve 424 and close the fourth valve 423. .

This controller 1100 operates the second variable flow path 420 to provide condensed refrigerant (condensed expansion refrigerant) to the cold storage unit 300 when the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor 920 is lower than the cold water set temperature. You can control it. When the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor 920 is lower than the cold water set temperature, the fourth valve 423 may be opened and the fifth valve 424 may be closed.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the controller 1100 operates the first variable passage 410 to allow the refrigerant to flow along the first cooling cycle when the temperature of the hot water is lower than the hot water set temperature and the cold water temperature is lower than the cold water set temperature. and the second variable flow path 420 can be controlled.

For example, in the first cooling cycle, the refrigerant may flow in circulation while sequentially passing through the compressor 800, the heating unit 100, the throttling unit 700, and the cold storage unit 300. As a more detailed example, when the temperature of hot water is lower than the hot water set temperature and the temperature of cold water is lower than the cold water set temperature, the controller 1100 opens the first valve 414 and the fourth valve 423, and opens the second valve 414. (415), the third valve 416, and the fifth valve 424 can be closed. Referring further to FIG. 3, when the temperature of the hot water is lower than the hot water set temperature and the temperature of the cold water is higher than the cold water set temperature, the controller 1100 operates the first variable passage 410 so that the refrigerant flows along the second cooling cycle. and the second variable flow path 420 can be controlled.

For example, in the second cooling cycle, the refrigerant may flow in circulation while sequentially passing through the compressor 800, the heating unit 100, the throttling unit 700, and the cooling unit 200. As a more detailed example, when the temperature of hot water is lower than the heating set temperature and the temperature of cold water is higher than the cold water set temperature, the controller 1100 opens the first valve 414 and the fifth valve 424, and opens the second valve 414. (415), the third valve 416, and the fourth valve 423 can be closed.

Referring further to FIG. 4, when the temperature of the chilled water is higher than the chilled water set temperature and the temperature of the coolant 320 is lower than the cold storage set temperature, the controller 1100 controls the first variable so that the refrigerant flows along the third cooling cycle. The flow path 410 and the second variable flow path 420 can be controlled.

For example, in the third cooling cycle, the refrigerant may flow in circulation while sequentially passing through the compressor 800, the cold storage unit 300, the throttling unit 700, and the cooling unit 200. As a more detailed example, the controller 1100 opens the second valve 415 and the fifth valve 424 when the temperature of the cold water is higher than the cold water set temperature and the temperature of the coolant 320 is lower than the cold storage set temperature. , the first valve 414, the third valve 416, and the fourth valve 423 can be closed.

Referring further to FIG. 5, when the temperature of the chilled water is higher than the chilled water set temperature and the temperature of the coolant 320 is higher than the cold storage set temperature, the controller 1100 controls the first variable so that the refrigerant flows along the fourth cooling cycle. The flow path 410 and the second variable flow path 420 can be controlled.

For example, in the fourth cooling cycle, the refrigerant may flow in circulation while sequentially passing through the compressor 800, the condenser 600, the throttling unit 700, and the cooling unit 200. As a more detailed example, the controller 1100 opens the third valve 416 and the fifth valve 424 when the temperature of the cold water is higher than the cold water set temperature and the temperature of the coolant 320 is higher than the cold storage set temperature. , the first valve 414, the second valve 415, and the fourth valve 423 can be closed.

This controller 1100 may be implemented by an arithmetic device including a microprocessor, and since the implementation method is obvious to those skilled in the art, further detailed description will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the water treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The water treatment device 1 may perform a preheating cold storage mode when preheating of water is necessary and cold water is not needed to be generated. In the preheating storage mode, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 may be cooled by passing through the heating heat exchanger 110. This compressed refrigerant may not pass through the storage heat exchanger 310 and the condenser 600. The refrigerant cooled in the heating heat exchanger 110 may expand in the throttling device 700 and flow into the cooling storage heat exchanger 310. The refrigerant expanded in the throttling device 700 may not flow into the cooling heat exchanger 210. The cold heat of the refrigerant flowing into the cold storage heat exchanger 310 may be heated while being absorbed by the coolant storage material 320. The heated refrigerant may flow back into the compressor 800. In this way, in the case where there is no need to generate cold water in the preheating storage mode, the cold heat of the refrigerant cooled in the heating heat exchanger 110 can be stored in the storage material 320.

Additionally, the water treatment device 1 can circulate the refrigerant along the first cooling cycle when it is necessary to produce both hot and cold water. In the first cooling cycle, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 may pass through the heating heat exchanger 110 and be cooled. This compressed refrigerant may not pass through the storage heat exchanger 310 and the condenser 600. The refrigerant cooled in the heating heat exchanger 110 may expand in the throttling device 700 and flow into the cooling heat exchanger 210. The refrigerant expanded in the throttling device 700 may not flow into the storage heat exchanger 310. The refrigerant flowing into the cooling heat exchanger 210 may be heated while supplying cold heat to water contained in the cooling space. The heated refrigerant may flow back into the compressor 800.

Additionally, the water treatment device 1 can flow refrigerant according to the second cooling cycle when there is no need to generate hot water and when cold water is needed. In the second cooling cycle, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 may be cooled by passing through the storage heat exchanger 310. For example, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 may be cooled by receiving cold heat stored in the refrigerant 320. This compressed refrigerant may not pass through the heating heat exchanger 110 and the condenser 600. The refrigerant cooled in the cooling heat exchanger 310 may expand in the throttling device 700 and flow into the cooling heat exchanger 210. The refrigerant expanded in the throttling device 700 may not flow into the storage heat exchanger 310. The refrigerant flowing into the cooling heat exchanger 210 may be heated while supplying cold heat to water contained in the cooling space. The heated refrigerant may flow back into the compressor 800. In this way, when the refrigerant flows along the second cooling cycle, cold water can be generated by utilizing the cold heat stored in the coolant 320, regardless of the temperature of the hot water.

In addition, in the water treatment device 1, while the refrigerant circulates through the second cooling cycle, the cold heat stored in the coolant 320 is supplied to the refrigerant, so that the temperature of the coolant 320 becomes higher than the cold storage set temperature. You can. In this way, when the temperature of the coolant 320 becomes higher than the cold storage set temperature, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 can be cooled by passing through the condenser 600 in the condensation cooling mode. The compressed refrigerant may not pass through the heating heat exchanger 110 and the cooling storage heat exchanger 310. The refrigerant cooled in the condenser 600 may expand in the condenser 700 and flow into the cooling heat exchanger 210. The refrigerant expanded in the throttling device 700 may not flow into the storage heat exchanger 310. The refrigerant flowing into the cooling heat exchanger 210 may be heated while supplying cold heat to water contained in the cooling space. The heated refrigerant may flow back into the compressor 800.

This water treatment device (1) utilizes the cold heat stored in the cold storage unit (300) or the condenser (600), regardless of the temperature of the hot water contained in the heating tank (120), when heating of water is not necessary and only the generation of cold water is needed. This can produce cold water. In other words, the water treatment device 1 has the effect of independently producing cold water and hot water through simple valve opening and closing control within one device.

In addition, when the water treatment device 1 needs to produce cold water, it can cool the refrigerant using the refrigerant stored in the cold storage unit 300, thereby shortening the operating time of the condenser 600. ) It has the effect of saving energy required for operation.

Meanwhile, in addition to this configuration, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor unit 900 may further include an ice-making sensor 940. Hereinafter, with further reference to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In describing the second embodiment, the differences compared to the above-described embodiment will be mainly explained, and the same description and reference numerals will be used as reference to the above-described embodiment.

The cooling unit 200 can receive condensed refrigerant and generate ice through heat exchange between the condensed refrigerant and water. For example, the condensed refrigerant provided in the cooling unit 200 may absorb the heat energy of water and be vaporized, and the water that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant may be cooled and provided as ice.

The ice making sensor 940 can detect whether the ice provided by the cooling unit 200 is in a fully grown state. For example, the ice making sensor 940 measures the ice resistance value of ice in which a predetermined amount of electrolyte is dissolved, compares the measured ice resistance value with a predetermined set resistance value, and detects whether the ice is in a fully grown state. can do.

This ice making sensor 940 is a resistance meter that calculates the ice resistance value by comparing the current and voltage flowing in the ice by a plurality of electrodes and electrodes to apply voltage to the water flowing in the ice growth space, which is the space where ice grows. may include. Additionally, an ice growth space may be formed inside the cooling tank 220. The material of the electrode of the ice making sensor 940 may include, for example, platinum.

A set resistance value may be input in advance to the ice making sensor 940. This ice making sensor 940 can detect that the ice is in a fully grown state when the ice resistance value of the ice is higher than the set resistance value. Additionally, the ice making sensor 940 may detect that ice is in a non-growing state when the ice resistance value of the ice is lower than the set resistance value.

The controller 1100 may control the second variable flow path so that condensed refrigerant is provided to the cooling unit 200 when ice creation is required. For example, when ice production is required, the controller 1100 may open the fifth valve 424 and close the fourth valve 423.

Additionally, when ice creation is required, the controller 1100 may control the first variable flow path to provide compressed refrigerant to the condenser 600 until ice in a fully grown state is detected by the ice making sensor 940. For example, when ice production is required, the controller 1100 controls the refrigerant to circulate in an ice-making cycle that sequentially passes through the compressor 800, condenser 600, throttling unit 700, and cooling unit 200. The first variable passage 410 and the second variable passage 420 can be controlled.

For example, when ice production is required, the controller 1100 opens the third valve 416 and the fifth valve 424 until ice in a fully grown state is detected by the ice making sensor 940, and then opens the third valve 416 and the fifth valve 424. The first valve 414, the second valve 415, and the fourth valve 423 can be closed.

This controller 1100 can calculate the ice making performance time by comparing the ice resistance value and the set resistance value when the ice making sensor 940 detects that ice is in an abnormal state when ice creation is required. This controller 1100 can flow the refrigerant along the fourth cycle during the ice making operation time until the ice goes from a non-growing state to a fully grown state. This controller 1100 can control the second variable passage 420 so that condensed refrigerant is provided to the cold storage unit 300 when ice production is not necessary.

Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the water treatment device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the ice-making cycle, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 800 may pass through the condenser 600 and be condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 600 may expand in the condenser 700 and flow into the cooling heat exchanger 210. The condensation and expansion refrigerant flowing into the cooling heat exchanger 210 may be vaporized while supplying cold heat to water contained in the cooling space. The vaporized refrigerant may flow back into the compressor 800.

In this way, the water treatment device 1 can be used as an ice maker as needed using only the ice making sensor 940 without changing the structure of the cooling unit 200 in the first embodiment, allowing various functions to be performed in one device. There is an effect that it can be done.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above as specific embodiments, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and should be construed as having the widest scope following the technical idea disclosed in this specification. A person skilled in the art may implement a pattern of a shape not specified by combining/substituting the disclosed embodiments, but this also does not depart from the scope of the present invention. In addition, a person skilled in the art can easily change or modify the embodiments disclosed based on the present specification, and it is clear that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

1: Water treatment device 100: Heating unit
110: Heating heat exchanger
120: Heating tank 120a: Heated water flow path
200: cooling unit 210: cooling heat exchanger
220: cooling tank 220a; Cooling water flow path
220b: Cooling discharge passage 300: Cooling storage unit
310: cold storage heat exchanger 320: cold storage material
400: Eurobu
410: 1st variable flow path 411: 1st flow path
412: 2nd Euro 413: 3rd Euro
414: first valve 415: second valve
416: third valve 420: second variable flow path
421: 4th euro 422: 5th euro
423: fourth valve 424: fifth valve
430: Throttle passage 440: Compression passage
500: Heater 500a: Hot water discharge path
600: condenser 700: throttling device
800: Compressor 900: Sensor unit
910: Hot water temperature sensor 920: Cold water temperature sensor
930: Cooling storage temperature sensor 940: Ice making sensor
1000: Filter unit 1100: Controller

Claims (7)

A compressor providing compressed refrigerant;
a heating unit that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant and heated hot water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water;
a cold storage unit that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooled storage material;
a first variable flow path providing the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to one of the heating unit and the cold storage unit;
a cooling unit that receives the condensed refrigerant from the heating unit or the cold storage unit, generates cooled cold water through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, and provides the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor;
a second variable flow path that supplies the refrigerant condensed from the heating unit or the cold storage unit to one of the cooling unit and the cold storage unit; and
It includes a controller that controls the first variable flow path and the second variable flow path,
The cold storage unit receives the condensed refrigerant from the heating unit or the cold storage unit, cools the coolant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, and provides the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor.
Water treatment device. According to claim 1,
It further includes a hot water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the heating unit,
The controller controls the first variable flow path to provide the compressed refrigerant to the heating unit when the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor is lower than the hot water set temperature, and the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor Controlling the first variable flow path to provide the compressed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when the temperature is higher than the hot water set temperature,
Water treatment device. According to claim 2,
a condenser that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air; and
It further includes a cold storage temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant of the cold storage unit,
The first variable flow path provides the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to any one of the heating unit, the condenser, or the cold storage unit,
The controller is configured to operate the compressor when the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature sensor is higher than the hot water set temperature and the temperature of the coolant material detected by the cold storage temperature sensor is higher than the cold storage set temperature. Controlling the first variable flow path to supply to the condenser,
Water treatment device. In clause 1
It further includes a cold water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cold water in the cooling unit,
The controller controls the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cooling unit when the temperature of the cold water detected by the cold water temperature sensor is higher than the cold water set temperature, and the Controlling the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when the temperature of the cold water is lower than the cold water set temperature,
Water treatment device. In clause 1
The cooling unit receives the condensed refrigerant and generates ice through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water,
The controller controls the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cooling unit when ice creation is required, and the second variable flow path to provide the condensed refrigerant to the cold storage unit when ice creation is not required. Controlling the variable flow path,
Water treatment device. According to claim 5,
a condenser that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor and generates the condensed refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air; and
It further includes an ice-making sensor that detects whether the ice is in a fully grown state,
The first variable flow path provides the refrigerant compressed from the compressor to any one of the heating unit, the condenser, or the cold storage unit,
The controller controls the first variable flow passage so that the compressor provides the compressed refrigerant to the condenser until the fully grown ice is provided,
Water treatment device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Further comprising a filter unit for filtering water,
Water treatment device.