KR20230167282A - Food waste disposer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a main body including a ball receiving portion in which a ball accommodating an object to be treated is provided inside, a condensate tank storing condensate generated by condensing the air inside the ball, and a condensate water tank provided outside the main body. Provided is a food waste disposer that includes an external condensate tank that stores.

Description

Food waste disposer {FOOD WASTE DISPOSER}

The present invention relates to a food waste disposer, and more specifically, to a food waste disposer capable of processing food waste so that it can be easily disposed of.

Normally, food waste must be collected in a certain amount in a food waste storage bin for a certain period of time and then discharged for separate collection.

However, because food waste discharged from homes and restaurants contains a lot of moisture and emits a foul odor, it is difficult to dispose of it.

In response to this situation, food waste treatment devices that can process food waste have appeared, but most of them are bulky and inconvenient in use, so they are not used in real life.

Accordingly, recent Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0056076, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0044110, etc. are developing food waste disposers in the form of home appliances that can be used at home, and these food waste disposers are generally Components include a bowl that accommodates materials such as food waste, wings that crush and/or stir the materials inside the bowl, and a heating device that applies heat to dry the materials inside the bowl. It includes.

When treating the object to be treated contained inside the bowl of the food waste disposer, wet steam may be generated from the moisture of the object to be treated, and the condensate thus generated may be discharged to the outside of the food waste disposer, but the object to be treated within the main body of the food waste disposer When the condensate generated from the device cannot be discharged to the outside, necessary technology is required to treat the condensate that accumulates inside the main body.

KR 10-2011-0056076 A1 KR 10-2016-0044110 A1

The present invention provides a food waste disposer for treating condensate by mounting an external condensate tank with a large capacity on the main body when condensate generated from the object to be treated contained in the bowl of the food waste disposer cannot be discharged to the outside. I want to do it.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention includes a main body including a ball receiving portion in which a ball accommodating an object to be treated is provided therein, a condensate tank for storing condensate generated by condensing the air inside the ball, and the main body. A food waste disposer is provided that includes an external condensate tank provided outside and storing the condensate.

According to one embodiment, a heating plate for heating the balls provided in the ball storage unit, an evaporator box connected to the inside of the balls provided in the ball storage unit to enable communication, and accommodating a heat exchanger, and the balls provided in the ball storage unit. It further includes a circulation fan that forms a circulating air flow in which the internal air flows through the heat exchanger and back into the interior of the ball, and the condensate generated in the evaporator box may be stored in the condensate tank or the external condensate tank. .

According to one embodiment, the external condensate tank includes a condensate inlet through which the condensate flows, and when the external condensate tank is full, the condensate inlet flow path of the condensate inlet may be closed.

According to one embodiment, it is provided to be exposed to the outside of the external condensate tank and may further include a condensate valve that opens and closes the condensate inlet.

According to one embodiment, the external condensate tank may include a bladder floating on the water surface of the condensate contained therein, and a flow path opening and closing member that opens and closes the condensate inflow passage according to the elevation of the bladder.

According to one embodiment, it may further include a guide plate that guides the lifting and lowering movement of the swim bladder.

According to one embodiment, the external condensate tank forms the condensate inflow passage, a guide member that guides the movement of the passage opening and closing member provided in the condensate inflow passage, and a guide member coupled between the bladder and the guide member. It further includes a link member, wherein the link member is axially coupled to a rotating shaft provided on the guide member, and rotates around the rotating shaft when the bladder rises to press the passage opening and closing member upward, thereby opening the condensate inflow passage. It can be closed.

According to one embodiment, the flow path opening and closing member may close the condensate inlet flow path when ascending and open the condensate inlet flow path when descending.

According to one embodiment, the food waste disposer further includes a discharge motor that pressurizes the condensate stored in the condensate tank to be discharged to the outside, and when the internal pressure of the sealed external condensate tank increases by driving the discharge motor. , the air inside the external condensate tank is discharged to the outside through the ventilation portion, so that the pressure formed inside can be removed.

According to one embodiment, the main body further includes a deodorizing filter that is connected to an exhaust pipe through which air in the condensate tank is discharged to the outside, and removes odor in the air discharged to the outside, and the air inside the external condensate tank is When the internal pressure of the external condensate tank rises, it is discharged along the ventilation unit and the pipe connected to the ventilation unit, and is discharged to the outside of the main body through the branch device to which the pipe and the exhaust pipe are connected, and the deodorizing filter. You can.

According to one embodiment, the external condensate tank may be detachable from the main body.

In addition, the present invention includes a main body including a ball receiving portion in which a ball accommodating an object to be treated is provided inside, and an external condensate tank provided outside the main body to store condensate generated by condensing the air inside the ball. Provides a food waste disposer including.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when condensate generated from the object to be treated contained in the bowl of the food waste disposer cannot be discharged to the outside, the condensate can be treated by mounting a large capacity external condensate tank to the main body. .

1 is a diagram showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer with the door open according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing a ball stored in the main body of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a view showing the front of a food waste disposer with the door omitted according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle in the machine room of a food waste processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing FIG. 5 viewed from below.
Figures 7 to 9 are views showing the disassembled bowl, evaporator box, and circulation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an evaporator box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing the air flow inside a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a circulation system of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is an exploded view of a condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing an expansion tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an expansion tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 16 is a view showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer equipped with an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 17 is a view showing the overall appearance of an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 18 is a bottom perspective view of the main body on which the external condensate tank is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 20 is a diagram showing the appearance of the bladder at each location according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 21 and 22 are diagrams showing a flow path opening and closing member that opens and closes the condensate inflow path according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 23 is a view showing a closed condensate inflow path of an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 24 is a view showing the open condensate inflow path of the external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes “unit” and “unit” for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in and of themselves. Additionally, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited. , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms.

The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

food waste processor

Figure 1 is a view showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer with an open door according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a view showing the overall appearance of a food waste disposer with an open door according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing a ball being stored in the main body of a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the food waste disposer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a main body 10 in which a bowl 50 is stored, and a main body 10 ( 10) It may include a door 20 that opens and closes the ball storage portion 12 where the inner ball 50 is accommodated.

Here, the ball 50 is a container that accommodates the object to be treated, such as food waste. The user puts the object to be treated inside the ball 50 and then places the ball 50 in the ball storage unit 12 of the main body 10. When installed, the food waste processor 1 can process the objects inside the balls 50 by drying, pulverizing and/or stirring them.

At least one guide protrusion 511 protruding from the bottom of the ball 50 is inserted into the recessed door inner groove 22 on the inner surface of the door 20 and can be seen according to the shape of the door inner groove 22. It can be drawn into the payment 12 or withdrawn from the ball receiving unit 12.

Hereinafter, we will look at each component of the food waste disposer 1.

The main body 10 forms the exterior of the food waste disposer 1, and is provided with a ball receiving portion 12 in which the balls 50 are accommodated, and various devices for processing the objects inside the balls 50. It may include a machine room.

An openable door 20 may be provided on one side of the main body 10, preferably on the front side. In this specification, for easy explanation of the present invention, the direction in which the door 20 of the main body 10 is provided is assumed to be forward.

When the door 20 is opened, the ball receiving portion 12 may be exposed to the outside, and the user opens the door 20, installs the ball 50 into the ball receiving portion 12, and then closes the door 20. By doing so, the material to be treated inside the bowl 50 can be treated by the food waste processor 1.

The ball receiving portion 12 is isolated from the outside when the door 20 is closed, and in order to prevent odors caused by the object inside the ball 50 from leaking out when processing the object, the main body 10 ) and the door 20 are in contact with each other, and a sealing member (not shown) is provided so that the ball receiving portion 12 maintains airtightness when the door 20 is closed.

A heating plate 13 may be provided on the bottom of the ball receiving portion 12.

The heating plate 13 is a means of heating the object to be heated, and can apply heat to the ball 50 and/or the object to be treated therein using electricity. The present invention is not particularly limited to the method of heating the ball 50 and/or the object to be treated therein, but the heating plate 13 heats the object to be heated in a highlighting method using a heating element such as an electric heater. can be heated, or the object to be heated can be heated using an induction method using induction heating.

By the heat applied by the heating plate 13, the object to be treated inside the ball 50 mounted on the ball receiving portion 12 can be heated and dried.

Specifically, high-temperature wet steam can be generated from a wet object to be treated inside the ball 50 by the heating plate 13, and a device for removing moisture by condensing the wet steam to dry the object to be treated is used. It may be provided in a machine room within the main body 10.

Figure 4 is a view showing the front of a food waste disposer with the door omitted according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a view showing a refrigeration cycle in the machine room of the food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a diagram showing a view from below.

4 to 6, the machine room of the main body 10 includes a compressor 48, a condenser 47, an evaporator 45, and a flow control valve ( 46) can be provided. At this time, it is desirable that the machine room is separated from the ball storage portion 12 so that only workers, not users, can access it in the event of a malfunction, and at least some areas of the outer shell of the main body 10 can be opened and closed for repairs, etc. It is desirable to implement it.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the main body 10 may include a ball receiving housing 14 forming the ball receiving portion 12, and when the ball 50 is mounted on the ball receiving portion 12, The ball receiving housing 14 can surround the ball 50 together with the door 20.

At this time, the ball receiving housing 14 has a rounded shape corresponding to the side of the ball 50 or the container body 51 so that the side can surround the side of the cylindrical ball 50 or the container body 51. You can.

By the ball receiving housing 14, the ball receiving portion 12 formed inside the ball receiving housing 14 may be separated from the machine room inside the main body 10 outside the ball receiving housing 14. However, the balls 50 are placed inside the ball receiving housing 14. When mounted, the ball receiving housing 14 may have a communication hole 141 formed through one side so that the inside of the ball 50 and a device in the machine room can be connected to each other.

The communication hole 141 formed through the ball-receiving housing 14 may be positioned to face the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50 mounted in the ball-receiving housing 14. As an example, the communication port 141 may be located toward the front side, that is, toward the door 20 (see FIG. 4).

Accordingly, when the ball 50 in the ball receiving housing 14 is mounted, the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50 is connected to a device in the machine room (for example, an evaporator) and the communication hole 141 of the ball receiving housing 14. ) can be connected to each other.

Specifically, on one side of the ball-receiving housing 14, that is, on the rear outer side of the communication port 141 of the ball-receiving housing 14, an evaporator box 451 containing the evaporator 45 may be provided, and at this time, , the opening formed on one side (for example, the front side) of the evaporator box 451 is provided to face the communication opening 141 of the ball receiving housing 14, so that when the ball 50 is installed in the ball receiving housing 14, The inside of the ball 50 may be in communication with the evaporator 45 provided inside the evaporator box 451 through the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50 and the communication hole 141 of the ball receiving housing 14. .

In this way, in the food waste disposer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator 45 and the condenser 47, which are heat exchangers, may be provided in different spaces separated by the evaporator box 451. That is, the evaporator box 451 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a box that accommodates only the evaporator 45, excluding the condenser 47, therein.

However, the evaporator box 45 accommodates the evaporator 45 in the internal accommodation space, but can be implemented so that the refrigerant can circulate with the compressor 48 and the condenser 47 in the machine room provided outside the evaporator box 45. .

By driving the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant can form a circulating refrigerant flow path (Fr) that sequentially circulates through the compressor 48, the condenser 47, the flow control valve 46, and the evaporator 45. 11 and 12, the high-temperature, high-humidity vapor drawn from the inside of the ball 50 by the circulation fan 44 changes into low-temperature, low-humidity vapor by passing through the evaporator 45, which is a heat exchanger, which A circulating air flow flowing into the inside of the ball 50 can be formed again.

Here, the compressor 48 is located between the evaporator 45 and the condenser 47 on the refrigerant circulation passage (Fr) and can pressurize the refrigerant so that it can circulate along the refrigerant circulation passage (Fr). That is, the compressor 48 can compress the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 45 and transfer it to the condenser 47.

In addition, the condenser 47 is a means of exchanging heat between the refrigerant transferred from the compressor 48 and the outside air, and the refrigerant passing through the condenser 47 can be condensed by releasing heat to the outside.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, etc., the rear side of the main body 10 may include a plurality of perforated ventilation holes 11 to discharge heat generated from the condenser 47 to the outside. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, at least one heat dissipation fan 49 may be provided on one side of the condenser 47 to forcibly exhaust high temperature air inside the machine room to the outside.

As described above, the food waste disposer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an evaporator box 45 so that the vapor inside the balls 50 that have passed through the evaporator 45 is not guided to the condenser 47. You may be blocked.

Meanwhile, a circulation fan 44 may be provided on the rear side of the evaporator box 451 provided on the rear side of the ball receiving housing 14.

Figures 7 to 9 are views showing the disassembled bowl, evaporator box, and circulation fan according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the balls 50 in the ball receiving housing 14, the evaporator box 451, and the circulation fan 44 can be arranged in series, and the circulation fan 44 is driven. As a result, the vapor inside the ball 50 can pass through the evaporator 45, which is a heat exchanger, and then form an airflow that circulates inside the ball 50 again.

Here, the type of the circulation fan 44 is not particularly limited as long as it forms a circulating air flow, but according to an embodiment of the present invention, the circulation fan 44 may be a centrifugal fan.

This circulation fan 44 may be arranged so that the rotation axis faces the front side, that is, the evaporator 45 or the ball 50, and accordingly, the evaporator box 451 provided axially forward of the rotation axis of the circulation fan 44 Low-temperature, low-humidity vapor that has passed through the evaporator 45 can be inhaled through the intake port 455.

The inhaled steam is generated by the rotation of the impeller 443, which is provided with a plurality of blades along the circumference at a predetermined distance around the rotation axis of the circulation fan 44, and is drawn into the exhaust duct 445 connected to the centrifugal direction of the circulation fan 44. can be exhausted.

That is, the high-temperature, high-humidity vapor containing moisture inside the ball 50 due to heating by the heating plate 13 is driven by the circulation fan 44, and is discharged through the vent 54 and the evaporator box 451 of the ball 50. ) can flow into the evaporator 45 inside the evaporator box 451 through the inlet 453, and the high-temperature, high-humidity vapor changes into low-temperature, low-humidity vapor as it passes through the evaporator 45, which is then circulated again. A circulating air flow path (Fa) can be formed that flows through the fan 44, through the exhaust duct 445 and the evaporator box 451, and back into the ball 50 through the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50. (See Figures 11 and 12).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation hole 54 formed on one side of the ball 50 may be a single through hole in which the air inflow path and the air discharge path are integrated.

Correspondingly, the evaporator box 451 is provided with an outlet and inlet 453 and 454 at the front, and accordingly, the outlet and inlet 453 and 454 of the evaporator box 451 are provided with a ball ( It may be provided to face the ventilation hole 54 of 50 and enable mutual communication. Here, the inlet 453 of the evaporator box 451 provides a passage through which the internal air of the ball 50 flows into the interior of the evaporator box 451, and the outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 provides an inlet 453. ), in contrast, a passage can be provided through which the air inside the evaporator box 451 is discharged into the inside of the ball 50.

The inlet 453 and/or outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 is on the front side, that is, the door 20, so that it can be interconnected with the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50 mounted on the ball storage portion 12. It may be formed to extend to protrude toward the side.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the ball 50 is mounted on the ball receiving portion 12, the inlet 453 and outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 are the vent hole 54 of the ball 50. can be interconnected with As a specific example, when the ball 50 is mounted on the ball storage unit 12, the inlet 453 and outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 are inserted and fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50. You can.

At this time, in order to maintain airtightness between the ball 50 and the evaporator box 451, a packing member (not shown) such as rubber or silicone may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the vent hole 54.

Meanwhile, the inlet 453 and outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 may be formed integrally with the vent hole 54 of the ball 50, but according to a preferred embodiment, the inlet 453 and the outlet 454 Each of the discharge ports 454 is preferably formed to be divided separately, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

At this time, the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the inlet 453 of the evaporator box 451 has a larger hole area than the outlet 454. This is because the air flowing from the ball 50 to the evaporator box 451 is air heated by the heating plate 13 inside the ball 50 and thermally expanded, but it flows from the evaporator box 451 to the ball 50. This is because the flowing air is air cooled and condensed by the evaporator 45.

In addition, the present invention is not particularly limited, but according to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet 453 of the evaporator box 451 is formed to correspond to the vent hole 54 of the ball 50, but is a portion of the inside thereof. The outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 may be partitioned by a partition wall.

For example, if the ventilation hole 54 of the ball 50 is rectangular with approximately rounded corners, the inlet 453 of the evaporator box 451 may also be correspondingly rectangular with approximately rounded corners, and in this case, the inlet 453 ) A roughly circular outlet 454 may be partitioned by a partition wall in part of the interior, and the area occupied by the outlet 454 within the inlet 453 may be smaller than the remaining area.

Meanwhile, as described above, the evaporator box 451 may be provided with an intake port 455 formed through the rear.

The fan housing 442, which accommodates the circulation fan 44 therein, includes an opening formed on one side (for example, the front side), and the opening of the fan housing 442 is the intake port 455 of the evaporator box 451. It can be arranged to face.

That is, the intake port 455 of the evaporator box 451 is formed to face the rotation axis of the circulation fan 44 provided on the rear side of the evaporator box 451, so that the circulation fan 44 in the fan housing 442 is driven. Air cooled by the evaporator 45 in the evaporator box 451 may be sucked into the circulation fan 44 through the intake port 455.

As described above, the low-temperature, low-humidity vapor that has passed through the evaporator 45 is sucked in from the axial front of the rotation axis of the circulation fan 44, and the thus sucked vapor is spaced at a predetermined distance around the rotation axis of the circulation fan 44. By rotating the impeller 443, which has a plurality of blades along the circumference, the air can be exhausted to the exhaust duct 445 connected to the centrifugal direction of the circulation fan 44.

Specifically, the fan housing 442, which accommodates the circulation fan 44 therein, may be spaced a predetermined distance from the impeller 443 and may be provided with a guide plate 444 along the circumferential direction, and accordingly, the impeller ( Centrifugal force is applied to the air sucked in from the front of the rotating shaft through the rotation drive of 443), and when the air with centrifugal force rotates and flows in one direction around the rotating shaft, the guide plate 444 can guide the air flow. .

At this time, one side of the guide plate 444, for example, a portion of the upper side, is formed with an opening, and the air rotating and flowing along the inner peripheral surface of the guide plate 444 flows out in the centrifugal direction through the opening of the guide plate 444 by centrifugal force. It can exit, and it can flow along the exhaust duct 445 provided to communicate with the opening of the guide plate 444.

Although the present invention is not particularly limited, the fan housing 442 may be provided with a guide plate 444 in the form of a partition on the inside and an exhaust duct 445 extending from an opening on one side.

Ultimately, the air flowing along the exhaust duct 445 may be introduced into the interior of the evaporator box 451 through the exhaust port 4561 provided in front of it, that is, formed on the rear side of the evaporator box 451.

In other words, an intake port 455 through which air is sucked in by the circulation fan 44 may be formed through the rear side of the evaporator box 451, and in addition, an exhaust port 4561 through which air is discharged from the circulation fan 44 may be formed through the rear side of the evaporator box 451. can be formed.

The intake port 455 of the evaporator box 451 is intended to provide a passage through which the air passing through the evaporator 45 in the evaporator box 451 flows to the circulation fan 44, but the exhaust port 4561 is used to provide a passage through which the air passing through the evaporator 45 in the evaporator box 451 flows to the circulation fan 44. ) to supply the air discharged from the ball 50 to the inside of the ball 50, and the evaporator box 451 allows low-temperature, low-humidity vapor flowing in from the exhaust port 4561 on the rear side to be directly supplied to the inside of the ball 50. Thus, the evaporator box 451 may include a connection pipe 456 that connects the rear exhaust port 4561 and the front exhaust port 454 to communicate with each other.

That is, the connection pipe 456 is provided to cross the front and rear of the evaporator box 451, so that the exhaust port 4561 and the outlet 454 of the evaporator box 451 can be connected to each other to communicate, and thus, the circulation fan The air discharged from (44) can be directly supplied to the inside of the ball (50) without directly contacting the evaporator (45) in the evaporator box (451).

Here, the connection pipe 456 is not particularly limited as long as it is used to connect the exhaust port 4561 and the discharge port 454 of the evaporator box 451 so that they can communicate with each other, but according to a specific embodiment, the evaporator box 451 is connected to the front casing. When formed by combining (451a) and the rear casing (451b), a portion of the connecting pipe 456 may extend forward from the exhaust port 4561 of the rear casing 451b of the evaporator box 451, and may be connected. Another part of the pipe 456 is formed so that the outlet 454 of the front casing 451a of the evaporator box 451 extends rearward, so that when the front casing 451a and the rear casing 451b are coupled facing each other, By this combination, a connecting pipe 456 can be provided that crosses the front and rear of the evaporator box 451.

Meanwhile, the high-temperature, high-humidity wet steam inside the ball 50 changes into low-temperature, low-humidity steam as it passes through the evaporator 45 inside the evaporator box 45. At this time, condensate generated by cooling is stored in the evaporator box 45. It can be stored inside.

At this time, the evaporator box 45 may include a condensate discharge port 452 so that the condensate stored inside can be discharged naturally or forcibly to the machine room outside the evaporator box 45 or to the outside of the main body 10.

That is, the evaporator 45 is a means of heat exchange between the high-temperature, high-humidity vapor drawn from the inside of the ball 50 along the circulating air passage Fa and the refrigerant flowing along the circulating refrigerant passage Fr. The vapor passing through is cooled, and moisture contained in the vapor when passing through the evaporator 45 can be removed.

The evaporator 45 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be of the pin&tube type, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to expand the contact surface with passing air, but the present invention does not specifically limit the type. .

Since the odor derived from the object to be treated is dissolved in the moisture removed in this way, the control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention continues to drive the circulation fan 44 at a predetermined driving speed to generate heat by the heating plate 13. The internal air of the heated ball 50, that is, high-temperature, high-humidity wet steam, can be repeatedly supplied to the evaporator 45, and accordingly, the evaporator 45 repeatedly condenses the high-temperature, high-humidity wet steam, thereby forming the inside of the evaporator box 451. It is desirable to concentrate the odor in the condensate generated from the .

Here, the control unit is a means of controlling the overall operation of the food waste disposer 1, and may include a control unit for executing various application programs in conjunction with each component of the food waste disposer 1 and performing operations related thereto. there is. Specifically, the control unit heats the object to be processed inside the bowl 50 by processing various signals or data input and output through the components of the food waste disposer 1, or by running an application program stored in the storage unit. Various operations of the food waste disposer 1 can be performed or controlled according to various embodiments, such as removing moisture from the object to be treated by driving a refrigeration cycle.

In addition, the control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention continues to operate the circulation fan 44 even after the drying process for the inside of the ball 50 is completed to supply air cooled by the evaporator 45. It is desirable to supply it to the inside of the ball 50 to cool it.

This is because, even if the inside of the ball 50 is dried, the inside of the ball 50 may still have a high temperature atmosphere due to heating by the heating plate 13, which causes the ball 50 to be pulled out from the main body 10. This is because there is a problem that may cause burns to the user.

Therefore, even after drying of the inside of the ball 50 is completed, the control unit continues to operate the circulation fan 44 as well as preferably the refrigeration cycle to cool the inside of the ball 50. It is desirable to do so.

However, in order to allow the user to process the remaining treated material that has been completed inside the ball 50 in a short time, the control unit controls the driving speed of the circulation fan 44 after drying of the inside of the ball 50 is completed. can be higher than the driving speed in the drying stroke, and the driving speed of the compressor 48 can also be higher than the driving speed in the drying stroke.

Meanwhile, as described above, the high-temperature, high-humidity wet steam inside the ball 50 drawn by the circulation fan 44 condenses inside the evaporator box 451 containing the evaporator 45, and the condensed water It can be stored.

In order to discharge condensate generated inside the evaporator box 451 to the outside of the evaporator box 451, a condensate discharge port 452 may be formed through the bottom of the evaporator box 451 according to an embodiment of the present invention. , Accordingly, the condensate generated inside the evaporator box 451 can be naturally drained to the outside through the condensate discharge port 452 by its own weight.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an evaporator box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, a condensate water outlet 452 is provided on the bottom of the evaporator box 451, and the bottom of the evaporator box 451 has at least one downward slope centered on the position of the condensate water outlet 452. It may have slopes (4511 to 4512).

Accordingly, condensate generated inside the evaporator box 451 may fall to the floor, and is guided to the condensate discharge port 452 along at least one inclined surface 4511 to 4512, thereby flowing to the outside of the evaporator box 451. It can be drained.

Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing the air flow inside a food waste disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, by driving the circulation fan 44, the high-temperature, high-humidity vapor inside the ball 50 changes into low-temperature, low-humidity vapor through the evaporator 45 in the evaporator box 451. Steam may form a circulating airflow that flows back into the ball 50 through the exhaust duct 445 of the fan housing 442 and the connection pipe 456 within the evaporator box 451.

In the process of flowing along the circulating air flow, the moisture and odor inside the ball 50 can be converted into condensate in the evaporator box 451, and the air from which moisture and odor have been removed by the evaporator 45 is returned to the ball 50. ) can be supplied inside.

The condensate generated inside the evaporator box 451, that is, the condensate in which the odor is dissolved, is drained to the outside of the evaporator box 451 through the condensate discharge port 452, as described above. The condensate outlet 452 is connected to communicate with the inside of the condensate tank 70, so that the condensate in the evaporator box 451 naturally flows into the condensate tank 70 and can be stored in the condensate tank 70. .

At this time, the condensate tank 70 or the condensate tank inlet 712 is provided at the lower part of the evaporator box 451 or the condensate discharge port 452 of the evaporator box 451, that is, at a relatively low position within the evaporator box 451. It is desirable to allow the generated condensate to naturally drain into the condensate tank 70.

Figure 13 is an exploded view of a condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, the condensate tank 70 includes a condensate tank container 71 that forms a receiving space to accommodate condensate water inside, and a tank cover 72 that covers the opening of the condensate tank container 71. may include.

The condensate tank 70 may be a built-in type provided inside the main body 10. In this case, the tank cover 72 may be fixed by a fastening means so that the opening of the condensate tank container 71 cannot be opened or closed arbitrarily. However, the present invention does not specifically limit this.

Additionally, the condensate tank 70 may include at least one water level sensor 713a and 713b to detect the water level so as to measure the water level of the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70.

For example, the condensate tank 70 may be provided with a low water level sensor 713b for detecting a low water level and a high water level sensor 713a for detecting a high water level, but may have different heights.

Accordingly, the control unit may determine the level of condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 depending on whether condensate is detected at the installation height using the low water level sensor 713b and/or the high water level sensor 713a. That is, the control unit can determine that the water level is low when the water level is detected only through the low water level sensor (713b), and can determine that the water level is high when the water level is detected through the low water level sensor (713b) and the high water level sensor (713a). If the water level is detected only through the sensor 713a, it can be determined that there is an error in the water level sensor.

In addition, a condensate tank inlet 712 may be provided at the upper part of one side of the condensate tank 70 and connected to enable communication with the condensate discharge port 452 of the evaporator box 451, and at the bottom or lower part of the condensate tank 70. A condensate tank outlet 711 may be provided to discharge condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 to the outside.

As described above, the height of the condensate tank inlet 712 of the condensate tank 70 may be lower than the height of the condensate outlet 452 of the evaporator box 451. Of course, the height of the condensate tank inlet 712 may be provided at a higher position than the height of the condensate tank outlet 711.

Here, a discharge motor 75 that pressurizes the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 to forcibly discharge it to the outside may be connected to the condensate tank outlet 711.

The discharge motor 75 has an inlet 751 and an outlet 752. The inlet 751 may be connected to the condensate tank outlet 711 of the condensate tank 70, and the outlet 752 may be connected to the condensate tank outlet 711 of the main body 10. It can be connected to an externally extending pipe (not shown).

As the discharge motor 75 is driven, negative pressure is generated at the intake port 751, allowing the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 to be sucked in, and conversely, positive pressure is generated at the discharge port 752 to pressurize the intake port 751. The condensate sucked through can be drained to the outside of the main body (10). That is, as the discharge motor 75 is driven, the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 can be discharged to the outside of the main body 10, and as a result, the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 can be emptied.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit drives the discharge motor 75 as needed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the level of condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 is high, or periodically or serially. By driving the discharge motor 75 during the operation process, the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 can be forcibly discharged to the outside of the main body 10.

Of course, on the contrary, when the discharge motor 75 is not driven, the condensate in the condensate tank 70 may not be drained but may accumulate and accumulate.

Meanwhile, a first ventilation hole 721 may be provided at the upper part of the condensate tank 70 as a passage through which air in the condensate tank 70 is exhausted to the outside.

The present invention is not particularly limited, but the first ventilation hole 721 may be formed through the upper surface of the condensate tank 70. Specifically, the first ventilation hole 721 may be formed through the tank cover 72 of the condensate tank 70.

At this time, the first ventilation hole 721 not only provides a passage through which the air in the condensate tank 70 is exhausted to the outside, but also provides a passage for external air (for example, the machine room within the main body 10 or the air outside the main body 10). ) can provide a passage for inflow.

Accordingly, the condensate flowing in through the condensate tank inlet 712 is stored inside the condensate tank 70, but here, the condensate tank inlet 712 is connected to communicate with the condensate outlet 452 of the evaporator box 451. Since the condensate tank inlet 712 is connected to communicate with the first ventilation hole 721, the circulating air flow (ball 50 - evaporator box 451 - The pressure in the circulation fan (44) can be eliminated.

That is, the inside of the evaporator box 451 is connected to the inside of the condensate tank 70, and external air flows into the condensate tank 70 or the evaporator through the first ventilation hole 721 formed through the condensate tank 70. Since some of the air in the circulatory airflow may be introduced into the box 451 or, conversely, may be discharged to the outside, if a pressure change occurs in the closed circulatory airflow, the pressure can be removed.

Meanwhile, since the odor generated from the object to be treated is concentrated and dissolved in the condensate, there are few odor-causing substances in some of the air in the circulating air discharged to the outside through the first ventilation hole 721.

However, even if the air containing odor-causing substances is exhausted to the outside, even in a small amount, it may cause discomfort to the user. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a deodorizing filter 60 is connected to the first ventilation hole 721. You can.

The type of deodorizing filter 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can adsorb and remove bad odors in the air, but for example, it may be a filter containing an adsorbent made of activated carbon, or a filled type ( It may be in powder type, powder type, etc.) or block type, but may be a combination of one or two or more types of filters.

However, the block-type filter is formed by compressing a powder-type filter by heat and pressure. Rather than a filled filter in which air escapes between the powders and the filter function deteriorates, the deodorizing filter 60 according to a preferred embodiment is a block-type filter. It could be a type filter.

This is because, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate of air flowing through the deodorizing filter 60 is small, so it is desirable to use a block-type filter with relatively excellent filtration performance.

This deodorizing filter 60 is provided to be detachable and replaceable in cases where the deodorizing ability is reduced or the expiration date has expired, but is located in a position within the main body 10 that can be easily accessed by a user or worker, for example, the main body ( It can be located in front of 10).

Accordingly, the user or worker can remove the part of the outer shell of the main body 10 that corresponds to the deodorizing filter 60, remove the existing deodorizing filter 60, and install the new deodorizing filter 60.

To this end, an exhaust pipe 91 may be provided to form a path through which air flows between the first ventilation hole 721 of the condensate tank 70 and the front deodorizing filter 60. That is, one end of the exhaust pipe 91 may be connected to the first ventilation hole 721, and the other end of the exhaust pipe 91 may be connected to the deodorizing filter 60.

Ultimately, some of the air in the circulating airflow circulating between the ball 50, the evaporator box 451, and the circulation fan 44 is transferred from the evaporator box 451 to the condensate tank 70, as shown in FIG. 11, And the condensate is discharged to the outside through the first ventilation hole 721 of the tank 70 and along the exhaust pipe 91. At this time, the condensate is discharged to the outside through the deodorizing filter 60 located at the end of the exhaust pipe 91. Not only can odor-causing substances in the air be adsorbed and removed, but the pressure generated in the closed circulation passage can thereby be removed.

Specifically, when the air inside the ball 50 is heated by the heating plate 13, a positive pressure atmosphere can be formed in the circulating air flow, and accordingly, some of the air in the circulating air flow flows into the first ventilation hole of the condensate tank 70. By being discharged to the outside of the main body 10 through the exhaust pipe 91 and the deodorizing filter 60 connected to (721), the positive pressure in the circulation passage can be removed.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 11, outside air can be provided to the condensate tank 70 or the evaporator box 451 through the first ventilation hole 721 along the exhaust pipe 91 through the deodorizing filter 60. In this way, when negative pressure occurs in the closed circulation passage, the pressure can be removed.

That is, the air in the circulation passage is cooled and condensed by the evaporator 45 to form a negative pressure atmosphere in the closed circulation passage, and the interior of the condensate tank 70 is also created with a negative pressure atmosphere by driving the discharge motor 75. may be formed, and as a result, outside air may be introduced through the deodorizing filter 60. The outside air introduced into the deodorizing filter 60 flows into the evaporator box 451 or the condensate tank 70 through the exhaust pipe 91 and the first ventilation hole 721 connected thereto, so that the negative pressure in the circulation passage can be removed. .

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an expansion tank 80 is provided between the condensate tank 70 and the deodorizing filter 60 to remove moisture in the air discharged from the condensate tank 70. .

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an expansion tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the expansion tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the expansion tank 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided on the flow path that exhausts the condensate water from the condensate tank 70 to the deodorizing filter 60, and discharges water from the inside of the main body 10 Moisture in the air discharged to the outside can be removed.

Specifically, the expansion tank 80 may include a communication hole 82 through which air flows in from the outside to the inside, and also includes a second ventilation hole 83 through which air in the expansion tank 80 is discharged to the outside. can do.

Here, the communication hole 82 of the expansion tank 80 may be connected to communicate with the first ventilation hole 721 of the condensate tank 70, and the second ventilation hole 83 of the expansion tank 80 may be connected to the exhaust pipe. By being connected to allow communication with (91), the air in the condensate tank (70) sequentially passes through the first ventilation hole (721), the communication hole (82), and the second ventilation hole (83) and the exhaust pipe (91). It can be discharged to the outside through the deodorizing filter 60.

The expansion tank 80 is provided at the upper part of the condensate tank 70, specifically, the communication hole 82 of the expansion tank 80 is provided at a higher position than the first ventilation hole 721 of the condensate tank 70, and communicates with each other. It is desirable to connect it so that air without moisture can naturally flow from the condensate tank 70 into the expansion tank 80.

Additionally, the second ventilation hole 83 of the expansion tank 80 may discharge air from which moisture has been removed from the air introduced into the interior through the communication hole 82.

At this time, the present invention is not particularly limited, but according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second ventilation hole 83 of the expansion tank 80 allows air that does not contain moisture to be discharged through the second ventilation hole 83. (83) may be located at the top of the expansion tank housing (81), and on the contrary, the communication hole (82) connected to enable communication with the first ventilation hole (721) of the condensate tank (70) is connected to the expansion tank housing (81). ) can be located at the bottom of the.

That is, the air flowing in from the communication hole 82 at the bottom of the expansion tank housing 81 has its moisture removed and can be exhausted through the second ventilation hole 83 at the top, and at this time, the expansion tank 80 In order to remove moisture in the air introduced through the communication hole 82, a dehumidifying member may be provided inside the expansion tank housing 81. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the expansion tank housing 81 ), by providing at least one partition 85 for dehumidification inside the expansion tank housing 81, moisture in the air flowing into the expansion tank housing 81 can be removed.

Specifically, the partition wall 85 is provided on the flow path of air flowing from the communication hole 82 in the expansion tank housing 81 to the second ventilation hole 83, and may block part of the flow path.

The partition wall 85 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is preferably formed to extend downward by a predetermined length from the inner upper wall of the expansion tank housing 81, and the partition wall 85 may be formed by one or a combination of two or more. (see 85a and 85b in FIG. 15), and in this case, the two or more partition walls 85 may have different sizes or lengths.

According to a specific embodiment, the positions of the communication hole 82 provided on the lower side of the expansion tank housing 81 and the second ventilation hole 83 provided on the upper side are, as shown in FIG. 15, the expansion tank housing ( 81) are arranged alternately with respect to the center of the longitudinal direction, and the communication hole 82 and the second ventilation hole 83 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (△d) based on one side of the expansion tank housing 81. can be placed. At this time, between the communication hole 82 and the second ventilation hole 83, at least one partition wall 85a, 85b formed downward may be provided on the inner upper wall of the expansion tank housing 81.

Accordingly, when the air introduced through the communication hole 82 is discharged through the second ventilation hole 83, a portion of the flow path may be blocked by at least one partition wall 85a, 85b, thereby preventing moisture. In the process of flowing from the communication hole (82) to the second ventilation hole (83), the contained air collides with the partition wall (85) and bypasses it, so that the moisture in the air is separated and dehumidified, and then flows through the second ventilation hole (83). It can be discharged to the outside through

Additionally, the second ventilation hole 83 of the expansion tank housing 81 may have a smaller hole area than the communication hole 82. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the diameter r2 of the second ventilation hole 83 may be smaller than the diameter r1 of the communication hole 82.

Accordingly, when the air introduced through the communication hole 82 is discharged through the second ventilation hole 83, the pressure may be lowered due to the narrow hole size of the second ventilation hole 83, and accordingly, the dew point may be lowered. As it is lowered, moisture in the air flowing inside the expansion tank housing 81 can be removed.

In this way, the condensate generated inside the expansion tank housing 81 flows into the condensate tank 70 through the communication hole 82 located at the bottom of the expansion tank housing 81 and through the first ventilation hole 721 connected thereto. It can flow and collect inside.

To this end, the inner bottom surface of the expansion tank housing 81 may include slopes 86a and 86b inclined downward toward the communication hole 82.

Ultimately, when the air passing through the inside of the expansion tank housing 81 flows, the moisture in the air can be removed and dehumidified, and thus the air applied to the deodorizing filter 60 through the expansion tank 80 is dehumidified. Since it is in a dried state, the lifespan of the deodorizing filter 60 can be improved.

External condensate tank

Meanwhile, as described above, the food waste processor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention heats the moisture of the object to be treated inside the ball 50, releases it into the air, and then condenses the wet steam using the evaporator 45. And the condensate thus generated can be stored in the condensate tank 70.

The condensate stored inside the condensate tank 70 can be discharged to the outside along the pipe extending outside of the main body 10 when the discharge motor 75 is driven. However, if the condensate cannot be discharged to the outside, the main body ( 10) A condensate tank with a larger capacity than the internal condensate tank 70 may be required.

In response to this request, as shown in FIG. 16, the food waste disposer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a condensate tank 70 that stores condensate generated in the main body 10 inside the main body 10. ) In addition, it may include an external condensate tank 100 provided outside the main body 10 to store condensate.

Figure 17 is a view showing the overall appearance of an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 17, the external condensate tank 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank 110 having a substantially enclosure shape with a receiving space for storing condensate inside, and a water tank 110. It may include a first cover 130 that opens and closes the opening.

Although the present invention is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the external condensate tank 100 provided outside the main body 10 is provided so that it can be attached or detached from the outer surface of the main body 10.

As a specific example, the outer surface of the main body 10 and the outer surface of the external condensate tank 100 are connected to each other by a groove (or hook) and a hook coupled thereto, by a metal material and a magnet, or by attachment and detachment means such as Velcro. It may be detachable or removable.

Meanwhile, the shape of the water tank 110 is not particularly limited as long as it has a receiving space inside, but an opening may be formed on one side, for example, the upper side.

Moisture and/or odor generated inside the main body 10 can flow into the water tank 110 through the opening and be stored, and the odor stored inside the water tank 110 can be released to the outside through the opening. It can be discharged into the main body 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a handle portion 111 that can be held by a user may be provided on the outside of the water tank 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external condensate tank 100 is provided on the outside of the main body 10, and since the user needs to move the external condensate tank 100 to dispose of or clean the internal condensate, the external condensate tank 100 The tank 100 may further include a handle 111 so that the user can hold it.

Accordingly, as a specific example, a handle portion 111 may be provided on the outside of the water tank 110 in various shapes such as a protruding and/or concave shape on one side so that the user can hold it.

Meanwhile, a first cover 130 that can open and close the water tank 110 may be provided at the opening of the water tank 110. That is, the opening of the water tank 110 can be closed by seating or coupling the first cover 130 thereto.

The present invention is not particularly limited, but the first cover 130 may be hinged to one side of the opening of the water tank 110, and the first cover 130 rotates around the hinge axis, so that the water tank 110 The opening can be opened and closed.

That is, the first cover 130 has a shape corresponding to the opening of the water tank 110, and the first cover 130 opens and closes the water tank 110, and condensate and/or air in the water tank 110. A packing member (not shown) is provided between the first cover 130 and the water tank 110 to prevent (or odor) from leaking out, so that the first cover 130 and the water tank 110 face each other. It is desirable to have watertightness and airtightness in the part where it is used.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a second cover 120 may be further included on the first cover 130 to form an exterior appearance by covering the first cover 130.

As will be described later, first and second fitting devices 1011 and 1021 and/or first and second pipes 101 and 102 may be provided on the first cover 130, where the first and second pipes 101 and 102 may be provided on the first cover 130. A second cover 120 may be provided on the first cover 130 to cover the fitting devices 1011 and 1021 and/or the first and second pipes 101 and 102 to prevent them from being exposed to the outside. there is.

Although the present invention is not particularly limited, the second cover 120 may be hingedly coupled to one side of the first cover 130, and the second cover 120 may rotate around the hinge axis to The upper surface can be opened and closed.

Accordingly, a coupling button 121 capable of being coupled to the first cover 130 may be provided on one side of the second cover 120, for example, on the side opposite to the hinge axis, and the coupling button 121 may be connected by operation of the coupling button 121. By being coupled to or separated from the first cover 130, the second cover 120 can be attached or detached from the first cover 130.

Meanwhile, the first cover 130 may be provided with at least one fitting device 1011, 1021 through which fluid can flow in and out, and at this time, the fitting devices 1011, 1021 include a pipe 101 through which fluid can flow, By combining 102), fluid can flow between the main body 10 and the external condensate tank 100, specifically the inside of the water tank 110, along the pipes 101 and 102. That is, the fitting devices 1011 and 1021 are provided to penetrate the first cover 130, and the inside and outside of the water tank 110 to which the first cover 130 is coupled are in communication through the fitting devices 1011 and 1021. It can be connected to make it possible.

The user connects the pipes 101 and 102 to the fitting devices 1011 and 1021 or separates the pipes 101 and 102 from the fitting devices 1011 and 1021, thereby attaching the external condensate tank 100 to the main body 10. It can be attached or detached.

At this time, according to one embodiment, the fitting devices 1011 and 1021 provided on the first cover 130 include a first fitting device 1011 for the flow of condensate and a second fitting device for the flow of air (or odor). The fitting device 1021 may be provided separately, and each of the first and second fitting devices 1011 and 1021 includes a first pipe 101 that forms a flow path through which the main body 10 and condensate flow, and the main body ( 10) and the second pipe 102 forming a flow path through which air flows may be combined.

Therefore, the first fitting device 1011 can be used interchangeably with the term “condensate inlet” as a part through which condensate flows into the interior of the external condensate tank 100, and correspondingly, the second fitting device 1021 is a part of the external condensate tank 100. This is the part where the inside and outside air of the condensate tank 100 communicates and can be used interchangeably with the term “ventilation part.”

Accordingly, the condensate formed inside the main body 10, specifically the condensate stored in the condensate tank 70, flows along the first pipe 101 by driving the discharge motor 75 to the external condensate tank 100. It can flow inside and be stored.

In addition, positive pressure is formed inside the external condensate tank 100 by driving the discharge motor 75, and due to this positive pressure, air (or odor) in the external condensate tank 100 flows along the second pipe 102. Thus, it can be supplied to the deodorizing filter 60 through the main body 10, specifically, the exhaust pipe 91 within the main body 10.

Specifically, Figure 18 is a bottom perspective view of a main body on which an external condensate tank is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first pipe 101 coupled to the first fitting device 1011 of the external condensate tank 100 is connected to the discharge motor 75 connected to the condensate tank 70 within the main body 10. By being connected to the discharge port 752, when the discharge motor 75 is driven, the condensate in the condensate tank 70 can be drained into the interior of the external condensate tank 100 along the first pipe 101.

In addition, the second pipe 102 coupled to the second fitting device 1021 of the external condensate tank 100 is connected to enable communication with the deodorizing filter 60 in the main body 10, thereby forming a sealed external condensate tank ( When the internal pressure of 100 increases, the air in the external condensate tank 100 may be guided to the deodorizing filter 60 along the second pipe 102.

That is, when pressure is applied to the inside of the external condensate tank 100 sealed by the discharge motor 75, the internal pressure of the external condensate tank 100 may increase, and the raised internal pressure of the external condensate tank 100 is The air in the external condensate tank 100 can be naturally removed by being exhausted to the deodorizing filter 60 along the second pipe 102. In addition, since the air in the external condensate tank 100 is discharged to the outside through the deodorizing filter 60, it is possible to prevent bad odors from leaking to the outside.

However, as described above, since the deodorizing filter 60 can be connected to the exhaust pipe 91, one end of which is connected to the condensate tank 70 or the expansion tank 80, to enable communication, in this case, the second pipe 102 Can be connected to enable communication with the branch device (91a) provided at any point of the exhaust pipe (91).

Specifically, the branch device 91a includes an exhaust pipe 91, one end of which is connected to the first ventilation hole 721 of the condensate tank 70 or the second ventilation hole 83 of the expansion tank 80. The other end of the confluence pipe 911, one end of which is connected to be communicable with the deodorizing filter 60, and the other end of the second pipe 102, one end of which is connected to be communicable with the second fitting device 1021, may be connected. . Accordingly, the deodorizing filter 60 can be connected to communicate with the condensate tank 70 or the expansion tank 80, as well as be connected to communicate with the external condensate tank 100.

Meanwhile, as described above, the external condensate tank 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank 110 and a first cover 130 that opens and closes the opening, and at this time, the first cover 130 opens and closes the opening of the water tank 110. (130) may include a condensate inlet into which condensate stored in the condensate tank 70 within the main body 10 flows.

Condensate may flow into the interior of the external condensate tank (100) through the condensate inlet, but depending on the level of condensate in the external condensate tank (100), condensate in the external condensate tank (100) may flow back through the condensate inlet, etc. there is.

In order to prevent backflow of condensate in the external condensate tank 100, the operation of the discharge motor 75 may be stopped depending on the level of condensate in the external condensate tank 100, but the external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention It is desirable to physically close the condensate inflow path of the condensate inlet of the tank 100 according to the level of the condensate inside, that is, when the condensate is full.

Among the terms used in this specification, the condensate inflow flow path refers to the flow path through which condensate flows into the interior of the external condensate tank 100. As well as the flow path through which condensate flows into the condensate inlet, condensate flows into the guide member 134, which will be described later. may include euros.

Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 19, in order to close the condensate inflow passage of the condensate inlet, the condensate water inlet passage can be closed from the outside by operating the condensate valve 1012. However, an external condensate tank according to an embodiment of the present invention ( 100) can close the condensate inflow passage from the inside using the float 132, which rises and falls depending on the level of the condensate contained within, that is, floats on top of the condensate contained within.

In order to close the condensate inflow passage from the inside, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the external condensate tank 100 includes the bladder 132 and a passage that opens and closes the condensate inflow passage in conjunction with the movement of the bladder 132. It may include an opening and closing member 135.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, when the condensate in the external condensate tank 100 is collected and the water level rises, the bladder 132 floating on the water surface of the condensate also rises, and the rising bladder 132 By this, the flow path opening and closing member 135 can be pushed upward and close the condensate inflow path formed in the vertical direction.

Specifically, a link member 133 may be coupled to the bladder 132 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and at this time, the passage opening and closing member 135 inserted into the hollow portion 1344 of the guide member 134 is The lifting movement can be guided by the hollow portion 1344 of the guide member 134, and ultimately, the upper end of the link member 133 coupled thereto according to the lifting movement of the swim bladder 132 is guided by the guide member 134. By pressing the lower end of the inner flow path opening and closing member 135 upward, the condensate inflow flow path can be closed.

Below, we will look at each component in detail.

The bladder 132 is an air bladder containing air inside, and thereby the bladder 132 can float on the surface of the condensate in the external condensate tank 100.

The swim bladder 132 is not particularly limited in its shape as long as it accommodates air therein, but may have a shape with a relatively wider cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction to ensure buoyancy of the condensate on the water surface.

Reference numerals 132c to 132a shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 indicate the position of the swim bladder 132 according to the water level of condensate in the water tank 110, and reference numeral 132a indicates the position of the bladder 132 when the condensate in the water tank 110 is at full water level. This is the position of the bladder 132, and reference numeral 132c indicates the position of the bladder 132 when the condensate in the water tank 110 is at a low level.

A guide plate 131 may be provided to guide the movement in the vertical direction when the swim bladder 132 rises and falls depending on the level of condensate.

As shown in FIG. 19, the guide plate 131 bent approximately in a 'ㄷ' shape can be coupled to the bottom of the first cover 130, and at this time, the swim bladder 132 is located inside the guide plate 131. By being interposed so as to be able to move up and down, the guide plate 131 can guide the up and down movement by preventing the bladder 132 from moving left and right when the swim bladder 132 moves up and down.

Meanwhile, a link member 133 may be coupled to the bladder 132.

The link member 133 is provided between the bladder 132 and the flow path opening and closing member 135, or between the bladder 132 and the guide member 134, and allows the upward and downward movement of the bladder 132 according to the level of the condensate. It can be delivered to (135).

The link member 133 is not particularly limited in shape, but is approximately an 'L' shaped plate, one end of which can be combined with the swim bladder 132, and a rotation shaft hole 1331 perforated at the other end. (1331) is axially coupled to the rotation axis 1345 of the guide member 134, so that the link member 133 and the swim bladder 132 coupled thereto can be lifted and rotated around the rotation axis 1345.

Reference numerals 133c to 133a shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 indicate the position of the link member 133 according to the water level of condensate in the water tank 110, and reference numeral 133a indicates when the condensate in the water tank 110 is at the full water level. is the position of the link member 133, and reference numeral 133c indicates the position of the link member 133 when the condensate in the water tank 110 is at a low level.

Meanwhile, one side of the guide member 134 is coupled to the condensate inlet or the first fitting device 1011 to provide a condensate inflow passage so that condensate flows into the external condensate tank 100 through the first pipe 101. can do.

The guide member 134 may have a hollow portion 1344 forming a condensate inflow path inside, and the hollow portion 1344 is an insertion tube extending long toward one side outside the guide member 134, for example, toward the top. It is provided to communicate with (1342), and when the insertion pipe (1342) is inserted and coupled to the condensate inlet or the first fitting device (1011), the condensate flowing along the first pipe (101) is connected to the insertion pipe (1342). It can be allowed to flow into the interior of the external condensate tank 100 through the hollow portion 1344.

At this time, a passage opening and closing member 135 may be provided within the hollow portion 1344 of the guide member 134, and the passage opening and closing member 135 guides the lifting and lowering movement along the hollow portion 1344 formed elongated in the vertical direction. Thus, the condensate inflow passage can be opened and closed as the passage opening and closing member 135 moves up and down. Specifically, when the passage opening and closing member 135 rises, the condensate inflow passage formed in the vertical direction may be closed, and conversely, when the passage opening and closing member 135 descends, the condensate inflow passage may be opened.

However, so that the flow path opening and closing member 135 inserted into the hollow part 1344 does not close the hollow part 1344 even when it is lowered, that is, the condensate flowing in through the insertion pipe 1342 is prevented from closing the hollow part 1344 and the flow path opening and closing member. In order to pass through (135), it is preferable that the substantially bar-shaped channel opening/closing member 135 has a plurality of wings extending in a radial direction on the outer circumferential surface, so that condensate water can flow between adjacent wings.

In addition, the upper end of the passage opening and closing member 135, that is, the distal end facing the insertion tube 1342, is made of an elastic material so that the passage opening and closing member 135 can be in close contact with the condensate inflow passage when rising. It is desirable to pressurize the insertion tube 1342 during upward movement to make it watertight.

Ultimately, the guide member 134 is fastened to the first cover 130, and the insertion pipe 1342 is inserted and coupled to the first fitting device 1011, thereby connecting the external condensate tank 100 through the first pipe 101. A condensate inflow passage through which condensate flows into the inside can be provided, and in this case, the unillustrated reference numeral 1343 of the guide member 134 is used to fix the first cover 130 and the guide member 134 to each other. A thread for fastening to a coupler (not shown) may be indicated on the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 134 inserted into the bottom of the cover 130. As shown in the drawing, the thread is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tube 1342. It can be.

Meanwhile, the guide member 134 may have a guide groove 1346 at the lower end, which is recessed in the vertical direction, with a plate-shaped link member 133 interposed thereto to guide the lifting and lowering movement of the link member 133.

Accordingly, the rotation shaft hole 1331 of the link member 133 is axially coupled to the rotation shaft 1345, and when the link member 133 is lifted and rotated around the rotation shaft 1345, the guide groove of the guide member 134 Since the link member 133 is interposed at 1346, the lifting and lowering movement of the link member 133 can be guided.

Corresponding to the rotation shaft hole 1331 of the link member 133 interposed in the guide groove 1346 of the guide member 134, a rotation shaft 1345 formed through a penetrating portion is formed on one side of the guide member 134, and the guide member ( The rotation shaft 1345 of 134) and the rotation shaft hole 1331 of the link member 133 may face each other and be coupled to each other.

Ultimately, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the float 132, which moves up and down according to the level of condensate in the external condensate tank 100, raises and rotates the link member 133 along the rotation axis 1345, but the guide The link member 133, which moves upward along the groove 1346, can close the condensate inflow passage by pressurizing the passage opening and closing member 135 in contact with the upper blade 1332 upward (see FIG. 24), and on the contrary, The upper part of the link member 133, which moves downward along the guide groove 1346, does not press the channel opening and closing member 135 upward, thereby allowing the channel opening and closing member 135 to separate from the insertion tube 1342. Thus, the condensate inflow passage can be opened (see Figure 23).

Meanwhile, as described above, in order to secure the buoyancy of the bladder 132, the bladder 132 may have a large cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction, and as the condensate water level rises, the bladder 132 rotates around the rotation axis 1334. When rotating upward, the bottom of the first cover 130 does not block the rise of the swim bladder 132, so that the first cover 130 moves at least a portion of the bottom, especially at least the swim bladder 132 and the swim bladder 132 when the swim bladder 132 moves upward. It is desirable to form the bridle space 130a as a recessed groove in the contact portion.

This is because the guide member 134 is fastened to the first cover 130, and the link member 133 coupled to the bladder 132 is rotatably coupled to the guide member 134, so that the first cover 130 ) This is because the bottom can lower the maximum rising point of the swim bladder 132.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to block condensate from flowing into the condensate inlet or prevent condensate from flowing back through the condensate inlet, a condensate valve (1012) is installed so that the user can open and close the condensate inlet at will. ) may include.

The condensate valve 1012, specifically the handle of the condensate valve 1012, is preferably provided to be exposed to the outside of the external condensate tank 100 so that the user can operate the condensate valve 1012.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the condensate valve 1012 is provided at a point of the first pipe 101 connected to the first fitting device 1011, and the condensate valve 1012 is operated by the user to open the first pipe 1012. It is desirable to allow (101) to be opened and closed.

Therefore, for this purpose, it is preferable that the handle of the condensate valve 1012 is provided at a position corresponding to the handle outlet 122 formed through the second cover 120 and exposed to the outside.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pipe 102 is opened and closed by a user's operation at a point of the second pipe 102 connected to the second fitting device 1021. Another exhaust valve (not shown) may be provided, but if the internal pressure of the external condensate tank 100 increases while the exhaust valve is closed due to malfunction, the external condensate tank 100 may be discharged due to high pressure. Since damage or danger may occur, it is preferable that an exhaust valve is not provided at the ventilation hole of the external condensate tank 100.

Ultimately, the user operates the condensate valve 1012 to close the first pipe 101 and separates one side of the fitting device equipped with the condensate valve 1012, the pipe connected to the main body 10 or the external condensate tank 100. By doing so, the external condensate tank 100 can be safely separated from the main body 10.

Above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described later rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present invention. must be interpreted.

1: Food waste processor 10: Main body
11: Ventilation hole 12: Ball storage unit
13: Heating plate 14: Ball receiving housing
141: communication port 20: door
22: Door inner groove 34: Driving device
44: circulation fan 442: fan housing
443: Impeller 444: Guide plate
445: exhaust duct 45: evaporator
451: Evaporator box 451a: Front casing
451b: Rear casing 4511~4512: Inclined surface
452: Condensate outlet 453: Inlet
454: outlet 456: connection pipe
4561: exhaust port 46: flow control valve
47: condenser 48: compressor
49: Heat dissipation fan 50: Ball
60: Deodorization filter 70: Condensate tank
71: Condensate tank container 711: Condensate tank outlet
712: Condensate tank inlet 713a, 713b: Water level sensor
72: Tank cover 721: First ventilation hole
75: discharge motor 751: intake port
80: Expansion tank 81: Expansion tank housing
82: communication hole 83: second ventilation hole
85: bulkhead 86a, 86b: slope
91: exhaust pipe 911: confluence pipe
100: External condensate tank 101: First pipe
102: second pipe 1011: first fitting device
1021: Second fitting device 110: Water tank
120: second cover 121: combination button
122: Handle exposure opening 130: First cover
131: Guide plate 132: Swim bladder
133: Link member 1331: Rotating shaft hole
1332: Top blade 134: Guide member
1342: Insertion tube 1344: Hollow part
1345: Rotation axis 1346: Guide groove
135: Channel opening and closing member

Claims (12)

A main body including a ball receiving portion in which a ball accommodating the object to be treated is provided therein;
a condensate tank that stores condensate generated by condensing the air inside the ball; and
an external condensate tank provided outside the main body to store the condensate;
A food waste disposer including. According to claim 1,
a heating plate that heats the balls provided in the ball storage unit;
An evaporator box connected to the inside of the ball provided in the ball storage portion to enable communication, and accommodating a heat exchanger; and
a circulation fan that forms a circulating airflow in which the internal air of the balls provided in the ball storage unit flows back into the interior of the balls through the heat exchanger;
Including more,
The food waste disposer, wherein the condensate generated in the evaporator box is stored in the condensate tank or the external condensate tank. According to claim 1,
The external condensate tank includes a condensate inlet into which the condensate flows,
A food waste disposer, wherein the condensate inlet flow path of the condensate inlet is closed when the external condensate tank is full. According to claim 3,
A condensate valve provided to be exposed to the outside of the external condensate tank and opening and closing the condensate inlet portion;
A food waste processor further comprising: According to claim 3,
The external condensate tank is,
a swim bladder floating on the water surface of the condensate contained therein; and
A flow path opening and closing member that opens and closes the condensate inflow path according to the elevation of the bladder;
A food waste processor comprising: According to claim 5,
A guide plate that guides the lifting and lowering movement of the swim bladder;
A food waste processor further comprising: According to claim 5,
The external condensate tank is,
A guide member that forms the condensate inflow passage and guides the movement of the passage opening and closing member provided in the condensate inflow passage; and
A link member coupled between the swim bladder and the guide member;
Including more,
The link member is axially coupled to a rotating shaft provided on the guide member, and rotates about the rotating shaft when the bladder rises to press the passage opening and closing member upward, thereby closing the condensate inflow passage. processor. According to claim 7,
The flow path opening and closing member closes the condensate inflow path when ascending and opens the condensate inflow path when descending. According to claim 1,
The food waste disposer further includes a discharge motor that pressurizes the condensate stored in the condensate tank to discharge it to the outside,
When the internal pressure of the sealed external condensate tank increases by driving the discharge motor, the air inside the external condensate tank is discharged to the outside through the ventilation portion, and the pressure formed inside is removed. . According to clause 9,
The main body includes a deodorizing filter that is connected to an exhaust pipe through which the air in the condensate tank is discharged to the outside, and removes bad odors in the air discharged to the outside;
It further includes,
The internal air of the external condensate tank is discharged along the ventilation unit and the pipe connected to the ventilation unit when the internal pressure of the external condensate tank increases,
A food waste disposer, characterized in that the waste is discharged to the outside of the main body through a branch device to which the pipe and the exhaust pipe are connected, and the deodorizing filter. According to claim 1,
The food waste disposer, wherein the external condensate tank is detachable from the main body. A main body including a ball receiving portion in which a ball accommodating the object to be treated is provided therein; and
an external condensate tank provided outside the main body to store condensate generated by condensing the air inside the ball;
A food waste disposer including.

Images