KR20240005813A - Sterilizing water treatment device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is applicable to the water treatment field and, for example, relates to a sterilizing water treatment device and a control method thereof. The present invention provides a sterilizing water treatment device, comprising: a water treatment unit that includes an ion exchange unit and controls the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the incoming water to discharge the water; And it may be configured to include an electrolysis module that generates sterilizing water by electrolysis by introducing water whose pH has been adjusted from the water treatment unit.

Description

Sterilizing water treatment device and its control method

The present invention is applicable to the water treatment field and, for example, relates to a sterilizing water treatment device and a control method thereof.

Hypochlorous acid is an eco-friendly disinfectant that is harmless to the human body and can effectively sterilize. Depending on the pH conditions of the raw water, hypochlorous acid exists as HOCl and OCl ^- in the sterilizing water. When it exists as HOCl, the sterilization efficiency can increase by tens to up to hundreds of times compared to OCl ^- in the ionic state.

For example, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can be produced through the electrolysis process of tap water.

At this time, the distribution of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is sensitive to the pH of the water, and as the pH increases, the production rate decreases, which may reduce sterilization performance.

In conventional sterilizing water treatment devices, there is an issue that the capacity of hypochlorous acid to generate sterilizing water from chlorine ions dissolved in tap water is small or additional salt must be added.

In addition, according to the current water electrolysis technology, there is a problem that the sterilization effect of sterilizing water is reduced due to the low production rate of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) due to the increase in pH during electrolysis.

Therefore, improvement measures are required to overcome these problems.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilizing water treatment device and a control method thereof that can increase the generation rate of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) through electrolysis in an electrolysis module.

In addition, it is intended to provide a sterilizing water treatment device and a control method that can improve the sterilizing power of sterilizing water discharged through the electrolytic module by creating a pH environment with a high presence of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic module.

In addition, it is intended to provide a sterilizing water treatment device and a control method thereof that can provide skin care water adjusted to be slightly acidic.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can produce sterilizing water and skin care water whose pH can be adjusted by applying ion exchange resin (fiber).

To this end, a device may be included that is equipped with a pH sensor and a control unit, and uses the pH sensor and control unit to sense pH and adjust the reaction amount according to the purpose of use.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem that during electrolysis of water, the pH increases and the HOCl ratio decreases, thereby reducing the sterilization effect.

Additionally, since the pH of the water can be adjusted, it can be used as skin care water by creating slightly acidic water that is good for the skin.

As a first aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a sterilizing water treatment device, comprising: a water treatment unit that includes an ion exchange unit and controls the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the incoming water to output the water; And it may be configured to include an electrolysis module that generates sterilizing water by electrolysis by introducing water whose pH has been adjusted from the water treatment unit.

Additionally, the ion exchange unit may include an ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter that supplies hydrogen ions in contact with the inflow water.

Additionally, the ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter may include at least one of a sulfonic acid group (SO ₃ H) and a carbonyl group.

Additionally, the ion exchange unit can prevent the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) from increasing due to electrolysis in the electrolysis module.

In addition, the water treatment unit can increase the rate of generation of non-ionized hypochlorous acid by electrolysis in the electrolysis module.

In addition, the water treatment unit may control water to flow at a predetermined flow rate to the ion exchange unit according to the set pH value.

In addition, the water treatment unit may include a first pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the inflow water at the front of the ion exchange unit; A flow control valve that controls the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit; And it may include a second pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the water passing through the ion exchange unit.

In addition, it may further include a control unit that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of water using the first pH sensor and the second pH sensor and controls the flow rate control valve.

Additionally, the control unit may control water to flow at a predetermined flow rate to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor.

Additionally, the control unit may control an additional flow rate of water to flow to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the second pH sensor.

Additionally, the flow control valve may be located between the first pH sensor and the ion exchange unit.

In addition, a first path switching switch may be further included between the first pH sensor and the flow control valve to bypass the influent water to the electrolytic module.

In addition, a second path switching switch may be further included between the second pH sensor and the electrolytic module to discharge or bypass the pH-adjusted discharged water to the electrolytic module.

As a second aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a sterilizing water treatment device, comprising: a first pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of influent water; an ion exchange unit that supplies hydrogen ions in contact with the inflow water; A flow control valve that controls the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit; a second pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the water passing through the ion exchange unit; a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve according to the hydrogen ion concentration of the water using the first pH sensor and the second pH sensor; And it may be configured to include an electrolysis module that generates sterilizing water by electrolysis by introducing water whose pH has been adjusted from the water treatment unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

First, the generation rate of non-ionized hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can be increased through electrolysis in the electrolysis module.

Therefore, by creating a pH environment in the electrolytic module with a high presence of hypochlorous acid, the sterilizing power of the sterilizing water discharged through the electrolytic module can be improved.

In addition, the problem that the proportion of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is lowered due to the increase in pH after electrolysis can be solved.

Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, skin care water, as an example of water used for multi-purpose purposes, can provide water adjusted to be slightly acidic.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, damage to the user's skin can be prevented by providing skin care water adjusted to be slightly acidic.

In addition, because microorganisms such as bacteria and germs have alkaline properties, they cannot reproduce in a slightly acidic skin environment, thus protecting the skin from various troubles.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, there are additional technical effects not mentioned here. Those skilled in the art can understand the entire contents of the specification and drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the ion exchange unit of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of generating sterilizing water in a sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a graph showing the characteristics of sterilizing water of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a graph showing the types of ion exchange resins of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a graph showing pH according to usage amount and time when using a strongly acidic ion exchange resin.
Figure 7 is a graph showing pH according to usage amount and time when a weakly acidic ion exchange resin is used.
Figure 8 is an operation flowchart showing an example of a sterilizing water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is an operation flowchart showing another example of the sterilizing water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is an operation flow chart showing an example of a sterilizing water treatment device according to the second and third embodiments 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 “module” and “part” 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 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, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed in this specification by the attached drawings.

Furthermore, although each drawing is described for convenience of explanation, it is within the scope of the present invention for a person skilled in the art to implement another embodiment by combining at least two or more drawings.

Additionally, when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another component, it is to be understood that it may be present directly on the other element or that there may be intermediate elements in between. There will be.

1 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in various water treatment devices such as water purifiers and water softeners. Additionally, the sterilizing water treatment device according to the present invention can be installed in a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, clothes care machine, etc.

Hereinafter, an example in which the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in or constitutes a water purifier will be described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, a water purifier including a sterilizing water function or may be provided in a water purifier.

This sterilizing water treatment device includes an ion exchange unit 140 to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the inflow water (raw water) to control the water treatment unit 100 and the pH of the water discharged from the water treatment unit 100. It may be configured to include an electrolysis module 300 in which discharged water flows in and generates sterilizing water through electrolysis.

Here, the electrolytic module 300 may constitute an electrolytic cell. Additionally, water discharged from the water treatment unit 100 without passing through the electrolytic module 300 can be used for multiple purposes such as drinking water and skin care water. Water discharged from the water treatment unit 100 without passing through the electrolysis module 300 may be stored in a separate water storage tank 500.

The ion exchange unit 140 may include an ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter that supplies hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) in contact with inflow water. That is, this ion exchange unit 140 may include a cation exchange resin capable of releasing hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ).

In this way, the treated water whose hydrogen ion concentration (pH) has been adjusted through the ion exchange unit 140 can be electrolyzed in the electrolysis module 300 to generate hypochlorous acid.

The ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter constituting the ion exchange unit 140 may include at least one of a sulfonic acid group (SO ₃ H) and a carbonyl group.

In general, when water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis module 300, pH may increase as OH ^- ions are generated at the cathode due to an electrochemical reaction. At this time, the ion exchange unit 140 can alleviate or prevent the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) from increasing due to electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

Hypochlorous acid produced by electrolysis exists in the form of HOCl and OCl ^- depending on the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and when HOCl with high sterilizing performance is applied, short-term sterilization is possible even at low concentration.

The sterilization performance of hypochlorous acid is tens to hundreds of times higher in HOCl (non-ionized state) than OCl ^- , but the presence rate of hypochlorous acid may vary depending on pH. For example, if the pH is 7.5, the HOCl presence rate may be 50%.

Therefore, the sterilizing power of the sterilizing water discharged through the electrolytic module 300 can be improved by supplying hydrogen ions through the ion exchange unit 140 to create a pH environment with a high presence of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic module 300. there is. This will be described in detail later.

In this way, the water treatment unit 100 including the ion exchange unit 140 can increase the generation rate of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that is not ionized by electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

Additionally, the water treatment unit 100 can control water to flow at a predetermined flow rate into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the set pH value.

Specifically, the water treatment unit 100 includes a first pH sensor 110 that detects the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the incoming water at the front of the ion exchange unit 140 and the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit 140. It may include a flow control valve 130 that regulates.

Additionally, the water treatment unit 100 may include a second pH sensor 150 that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of water that has passed through the ion exchange unit 140.

The water treatment unit 100 includes a control unit ( 200) can be connected.

This control unit 200 can adjust the flow control valve 130 so that a predetermined flow rate of water flows into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110.

Additionally, the control unit 200 may adjust the flow control valve 130 to allow an additional flow rate of water to flow into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the pH value detected by the second pH sensor 150.

For example, the pH for appropriate use of water can be input by the user or preset. For example, the discharged water can be used as sterilizing water or for other purposes. Here, the multi-purpose water may be slightly acidic skin care water or purified water for drinking.

In this way, when the pH for an appropriate use is input or preset, the control unit 200 measures the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the raw water through the first pH sensor 110 and then calculates the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH). You can.

Then, the control unit 200 can control the amount of water to flow through the ion exchange unit 140 by adjusting the flow rate control valve 130 according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110.

That is, the current hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the raw water can be measured and adjusted so that an appropriate amount of water can pass through the ion exchange unit 140 so that water with the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH) can be discharged.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may again measure the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water that passed through the ion exchange unit 140 using the second pH sensor 150.

At this time, if the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 does not reach the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the control unit 200 operates a flow control valve ( 130) can be adjusted.

This flow control valve 130 may be located between the first pH sensor 110 and the ion exchange unit 140.

Meanwhile, the water treatment unit 100 may be provided with a first path switching switch 120 that bypasses the raw water to the electrolysis module 300 instead of sending it to the ion exchange unit 140.

For example, the first path change switch 120 may be provided between the first pH sensor 110 and the flow rate control valve 130. Accordingly, the first path switching switch 120 operates so that raw water can be directly supplied to the electrolysis module 300 according to the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) detected by the first pH sensor 110.

In this case, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) detected by the first pH sensor 110 is low enough to generate an appropriate amount of hypochlorous acid, or the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) detected by the second pH sensor 150 is low enough to generate an appropriate amount of hypochlorous acid. It may be lower than the set value.

Meanwhile, the water treatment unit 100 may be provided with a second path switching switch 160 that passes the pH-adjusted discharged water through the ion exchange unit 140 to the electrolysis module 300 or bypasses it.

For example, the second path change switch 160 may be provided between the second pH sensor 150 and the electrolytic module 300. Accordingly, the second path switching switch 160 operates, and the water that has passed through the ion exchange unit 140 is supplied to the electrolytic module 300 according to the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) detected by the second pH sensor 150. It can be used for multiple purposes or can be discharged as is (for example, toward the water storage tank 500).

Meanwhile, in some cases, raw water may be received into the water treatment unit 100 through the filter 400. That is, the filter 400 may be optionally provided. This filter 400 may be referred to as a preprocessing filter.

This pre-treatment filter 400 may be particularly provided when an embodiment of the present invention is implemented as a water purifier.

For example, the pre-treatment filter 400 is at least one of a sediment filter (sediment filter), a pre-treatment carbon filter (pre-carbon filter), a hollow fiber membrane filter (UF membrane filter), and a reverse osmosis filter (R/O membrane filter). may include.

Here, the sedimentation filter may be an initial stage filter that removes impurities such as rust, dirt, sand, and dust. The pre-treatment carbon filter may be a filter that adsorbs and removes compounds and odors using the adsorption method of activated carbon. A hollow fiber membrane filter may be a filter that filters out bacteria and bad substances and passes water containing minerals. Reverse osmosis filters can remove impurities and minerals.

Although not shown, in some cases, a post-processing filter may be further provided at the rear of the electrolytic module 300 or at the rear of the second path switching switch 160. This post-processing filter may be optionally provided. A post-treatment filter may be provided, especially when an embodiment of the present invention is implemented as a water purifier.

These post-treatment filters may include post-treatment carbon filters (post-carbon). This post-treatment carbon filter can prevent bacterial growth and remove odors that have penetrated the water.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the ion exchange unit of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ion exchange unit 140 may include a cationic material such as an ion exchange resin or an ion exchange fiber filter. That is, the ion exchange unit 140 may include a cationic material that supplies hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) in contact with inflow water.

For example, the ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter constituting the ion exchange unit 140 may include at least one of a sulfonic acid group (SO ₃ H) and a carbonyl group. Additionally, the ion exchange unit 140 may be made of polyethylene polymer beads (PS-SO ^3- -H ⁺ ).

When this ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter meets water, ion exchange can occur.

For example, the ion exchange unit 140 may include a sulfonic acid group (SO ₃ H) as an exchange group as a cation exchange resin, and hardness substances (for example, Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ ) contained in raw water (tap water). ), the pH of the discharged water may be lowered because H ⁺ is released in exchange for H + .

In this way, according to an embodiment of the present invention, raw water such as natural water (river water, lake, groundwater, etc.) or treated water (tap water, industrial tap water, etc.) comes into contact with the ion exchange unit 140, and the pH is lowered (adjusted). ) water, for example, water with a pH of 3 to 7.5, can be discharged.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of generating sterilizing water in a sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, Figure 4 is a graph showing the characteristics of sterilizing water of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, it schematically shows the process of generating sterilizing water through electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

In the electrolysis module 300, electrolysis may be performed between an anode (310) and a cathode (320). At this time, an oxidation process may occur at the anode 310 and a reduction process may occur at the cathode 320.

At this time, a reaction such as “2Cl ^- →Cl ₂ + 2e ^- ” may occur at the anode 310, and a reaction such as “2H ₂ O + 2e ^- →H ₂ ⁺ 2OH ^- ” may occur at the cathode 320. there is. In this way, OH ^- may be generated by the reaction at the cathode 320 and the pH may increase.

Reactions that occur depending on pH in water can be divided into the two cases ((1) and (2)) below.

(1) Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HOCl + H ⁺ + Cl ^- (pH < 7)

(2) HOCl + H ₂ O → ClO ^- + H ₃ O ⁺ (pH > 7)

In other words, if the pH is greater than 7, the amount of ClO ^- may increase when electrolyzed.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of hypochlorous acid in treated water whose hydrogen ion concentration (pH) is adjusted can be adjusted through the ion exchange unit 140.

Referring to Figure 4, the sterilization performance of hypochlorous acid is tens to hundreds of times higher in HOCl (non-ionized state) than OCl ^-, but the presence rate of hypochlorous acid may vary depending on pH. For example, if the pH is 7.5, the HOCl presence rate may be 50%.

In other words, when the pH is lower than 7.5, the HOCl presence rate can be greater than 50%. On the other hand, when the pH becomes greater than 7.5, the presence rate of ionized OCl ^- can become greater than 50%.

For example, when the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) is adjusted to 6.5 through the ion exchange unit 140, the proportion of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) may significantly increase when electrolysis is performed in the electrolysis module 300.

In this way, the ion exchange unit 140 can alleviate or prevent the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) from increasing due to electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

In other words, the proportion of HOCl, which has high sterilizing performance, increases according to the adjusted hydrogen ion concentration (pH), enabling short-term sterilization even at low concentrations.

Therefore, the sterilizing power of the sterilizing water discharged through the electrolytic module 300 can be improved by supplying hydrogen ions through the ion exchange unit 140 to create a pH environment with a high presence of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic module 300. there is.

Figure 5 is a graph showing the types of ion exchange resins of the sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a graph showing pH according to usage amount and time when using a strongly acidic ion exchange resin. Additionally, Figure 7 is a graph showing pH according to usage amount and time when a weakly acidic ion exchange resin is used.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ion exchange resin included in the ion exchange unit 140 may exhibit strong acidity (sulfonic acid group) and weak acidity (COOH).

The time on the horizontal axis represents the contact time between water and ion exchange resin. As shown, in the case of a strongly acidic ion exchange resin, the pH can be seen to decrease more rapidly depending on the contact time (reaction time) with water.

Referring to Figure 6, when using a strongly acidic ion exchange resin, it can be seen that the pH decreases more rapidly depending on the contact time (reaction time). At this time, it can be seen that the slope changes depending on the amount of ion exchange resin used (1g (gram) to 5g).

Referring to Figure 7, when using a weakly acidic ion exchange resin, it can be seen that the pH decreases more gradually depending on the contact time (reaction time). At this time, it can be seen that the slope also changes depending on the amount of ion exchange resin used (1g (gram) to 5g).

Therefore, it can be seen that the desired HOCl ratio can be obtained by using an appropriate capacity of ion exchange resin and adjusting the flow rate according to the capacity and flow rate of the water purifier being implemented.

As described above, in the conventional sterilizing water treatment device, there is an issue that the capacity of hypochlorous acid to generate sterilizing water from chlorine ions dissolved in tap water is small or additional salt must be added. Additionally, the current electrolysis technology has a problem in that the pH increases during electrolysis, reducing the sterilization effect.

However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, hydrogen ions are supplied through the ion exchange unit 140 to create a pH environment with a high presence of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic module 300, thereby sterilizing the discharged water through the electrolytic module 300. It can improve veterinary sterilization.

In this way, the water treatment unit 100 including the ion exchange unit 140 can increase the generation rate of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that is not ionized by electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

In addition, the problem that the proportion of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is lowered due to the increase in pH after electrolysis can be solved.

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, skin care water, as an example of water used for multipurpose purposes, can provide water adjusted to be slightly acidic.

The most ideal skin for humans is slightly acidic skin. Depending on the condition of the oil film on the skin surface, if the pH is below 5, it is classified as acidic; if it is above 6, it is classified as alkaline.

Most skin cleansing products sold on the market are alkaline products, so they can damage the skin by washing away the skin's protective film. Additionally, skin balance may be disrupted, causing various problems.

However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, skin damage can be prevented by providing skin care water adjusted to be slightly acidic.

For example, by providing water with a pH of 5.5 to 6, which is a hydrogen ion concentration that can make the skin oil film slightly acidic, an environment can be provided to protect the user's skin and maintain moisture. Therefore, it can make the user's skin healthy.

In addition, because microorganisms such as bacteria and germs have alkaline properties, they cannot reproduce in a slightly acidic skin environment, thus protecting the skin from various troubles.

Figure 8 is an operation flowchart showing an example of a sterilizing water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a method of controlling the sterilizing water treatment device as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. For example, a method of controlling this sterilizing water treatment device can be performed in the control unit 400 of FIG. 1.

As an example, a case where pH for appropriate use is input is explained.

Referring to Figure 8, first, the pH value to be used can be input (S100). At this time, the pH value to be used may be indicated along with its purpose. For example, it is displayed whether you want to use sterilizing water or skin care water, and the pH value can be input accordingly. Additionally, this step may be optional.

Thereafter, raw water may flow into the sterilizing water treatment unit 100 (S110).

Accordingly, the pH of raw water can be initially measured using the first pH sensor 110 (S120). Then, the desired pH can be calculated according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110 (S130). That is, the appropriate pH of the water to be discharged from the sterilizing water treatment unit 100 can be calculated according to the currently measured pH and the intended use inputted above.

Next, according to the pH calculated in this way, the flow rate of water flowing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow control valve 130 (S140).

That is, the current hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the raw water can be measured and adjusted so that an appropriate amount of water can pass through the ion exchange unit 140 so that water with the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH) can be discharged.

Thereafter, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be measured secondarily using the second pH sensor 150 (S150).

At this time, if the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 does not reach the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the control unit 200 operates a flow control valve ( 130) can be adjusted.

As such, if water with an appropriate pH is discharged as a result of the second pH measurement, the subsequent process may proceed depending on whether the discharged water is for sterilization water (S160) or skin care water (S161).

For example, when the discharged water is set for sterilizing water (S160), the discharged water can be moved to the electrolyzer (electrolysis module) 300 (S170).

In this way, electrolysis can be performed using the water moved to the electrolyzer (electrolysis module) 300 (S180).

Sterilizing water with the proportion of hypochlorous acid adjusted through electrolysis can be discharged (S190).

Meanwhile, when the discharged water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 is set to skin care water (S161), water with an adjusted pH value can be discharged (S190).

This discharged water may be stored in a separate water storage tank 500.

Figure 9 is an operation flow chart showing another example of the sterilizing water treatment device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment may apply to a case where the water purifier is set for sterilizing water.

First, it can be determined whether the water purifier is set for sterilizing water (S200). At this time, if it is not set to sterilizing water, the water may be moved to the purification unit (water supply) (S201).

When set for sterilizing water, raw water may flow into the sterilizing water treatment unit 100 (S210).

Accordingly, the pH of the raw water can be initially measured using the first pH sensor 110 (S220). Then, the desired pH can be calculated according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110 (S230). That is, the appropriate pH of the water to be discharged from the sterilizing water treatment unit 100 can be calculated according to the currently measured pH and the intended use inputted above.

Next, according to the pH calculated in this way, the flow rate of water flowing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow control valve 130 (S240).

That is, the current hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the raw water can be measured and adjusted so that an appropriate amount of water can pass through the ion exchange unit 140 so that water with the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH) can be discharged.

Thereafter, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be measured secondarily using the second pH sensor 150 (S250).

At this time, if the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 does not reach the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the control unit 200 operates a flow control valve ( 130) can be adjusted.

As such, when water with an appropriate pH is discharged as a result of the secondary pH measurement, the discharged water is moved to the electrolyzer (electrolysis module) 300 (S260) and electrolysis can be performed (S270).

Sterilizing water with the proportion of hypochlorous acid adjusted through electrolysis can be discharged (S280).

Figure 10 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a washing machine, so that washing can be performed using sterilizing water in the washing machine.

Referring to Figure 10, this sterilizing water treatment device can be connected to the water supply of a washing machine.

This water supply can be divided into washing and sterilizing purposes by the third path switching switch 121.

Water separated for washing can flow directly into the drum (in the case of a drum washing machine) or the washing tank (in the case of a general washing machine).

Meanwhile, water separated for sterilization may flow into the ion exchange unit 140.

This sterilizing water treatment device includes a water treatment unit 100 that includes an ion exchange unit 140 to control the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water, and the pH-adjusted water discharged from the water treatment unit 100 is supplied. It may be configured to include an electrolytic module 300 that generates sterilizing water through electrolysis.

Hereinafter, a sterilizing water treatment device installed in a washing machine will be described. Here, descriptions of configurations that overlap with the first embodiment described above will be omitted or briefly described.

Here, the electrolytic module 300 may constitute an electrolytic cell.

The ion exchange unit 140 may include an ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter that supplies hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) in contact with inflow water.

In this way, the treated water whose hydrogen ion concentration (pH) has been adjusted through the ion exchange unit 140 can be electrolyzed in the electrolysis module 300 to generate hypochlorous acid.

The ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter constituting the ion exchange unit 140 may include at least one of a sulfonic acid group (SO ₃ H) and a carbonyl group.

As described above, the water treatment unit 100 including the ion exchange unit 140 can increase the hypochlorous acid generation rate by electrolysis in the electrolysis module 300.

Additionally, the water treatment unit 100 can control water to flow at a predetermined flow rate into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the set pH value.

Specifically, the water treatment unit 100 includes a first pH sensor 110 that detects the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the incoming water at the front of the ion exchange unit 140 and the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit 140. It may include a flow control valve 130 that regulates.

Additionally, the water treatment unit 100 may include a second pH sensor 150 that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of water that has passed through the ion exchange unit 140.

The water treatment unit 100 includes a control unit ( 200) can be connected.

This control unit 200 can adjust the flow control valve 130 so that a predetermined flow rate of water flows into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110.

Additionally, the control unit 200 may adjust the flow control valve 130 to allow an additional flow rate of water to flow into the ion exchange unit 140 according to the pH value detected by the second pH sensor 150.

The sterilizing water that has passed through the electrolytic module 300 may flow into a drum (in the case of a drum washing machine) or a washing tank (in the case of a general washing machine).

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a sterilizing water treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a sterilizer, vacuum cleaner, or clothes care machine, and sterilization, cleaning, or clothes care processes can be performed using sterilizing water in the sterilizer, vacuum cleaner, or clothes care machine.

Referring to FIG. 11, this sterilizing water treatment device may be connected to the water tank 510 of a sterilizer, vacuum cleaner, or clothes care machine.

The water supplied from the water tank 510 can be divided into general use and sterilization use by the third path switching switch 121. For example, in the case of a vacuum cleaner, general use may correspond to cleaning water. In this way, the water supplied for cleaning can be sprayed directly from the vacuum cleaner.

Meanwhile, water separated for sterilization may flow into the ion exchange unit 140.

This sterilizing water treatment device includes a water treatment unit 100 that includes an ion exchange unit 140 to control the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water, and the pH-adjusted water discharged from the water treatment unit 100 is supplied. It may be configured to include an electrolytic module 300 that generates sterilizing water through electrolysis.

The sterilizing water discharged from the electrolytic module 300 may be sprayed for cleaning.

Hereinafter, descriptions of configurations that overlap with the first and second embodiments described above will be omitted.

Figure 12 is an operation flow chart showing an example of a sterilizing water treatment device according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

The sterilizing water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a sterilizer, vacuum cleaner, or clothes care machine, and sterilization, cleaning, or clothes care processes can be performed using sterilizing water in the sterilizer, vacuum cleaner, or clothes care machine. Hereinafter, an example in which the sterilizing water treatment device is applied to a vacuum cleaner will be described.

First, water supply can be made (S300). During this water supply process, water contained in the water tank 510 may flow into the sterilizing water treatment unit 100.

This water supply can be divided into cleaning and sterilizing purposes by the third path switching switch 121.

Water separated for cleaning can be sprayed directly to the outside.

Meanwhile, water separated for sterilization may flow into the ion exchange unit 140.

Accordingly, the pH of raw water can be initially measured using the first pH sensor 110 (S310). Then, the desired pH can be calculated according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor 110 (S320). That is, the appropriate pH of the water to be discharged from the sterilizing water treatment unit 100 can be calculated according to the currently measured pH and the intended use inputted above.

Next, according to the pH calculated in this way, the flow rate of water flowing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow control valve 130 (S330).

That is, the current hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the raw water can be measured and adjusted so that an appropriate amount of water can pass through the ion exchange unit 140 so that water with the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH) can be discharged.

Thereafter, the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 can be measured secondarily using the second pH sensor 150 (S340).

At this time, if the water passing through the ion exchange unit 140 does not reach the desired hydrogen ion concentration (pH), the control unit 200 operates a flow control valve ( 130) can be adjusted.

As such, as a result of the secondary pH measurement, when water with an appropriate pH is discharged, the discharged water is moved to the electrolyzer (electrolysis module) 300 (S350) and electrolysis can be performed (S360).

The sterilizing water with the proportion of hypochlorous acid adjusted through electrolysis can be sprayed outside the vacuum cleaner (S370).

The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a sterilizing water treatment device with a high hypochlorous acid ratio and a control method thereof can be provided.

Claims (20)

In the sterilizing water treatment device,
A water treatment unit that includes an ion exchange unit and controls the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the incoming water to discharge the water; and
A sterilizing water treatment device comprising an electrolysis module that generates sterilizing water by electrolysis by receiving water whose pH is adjusted from the water treatment unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the ion exchange unit,
A sterilizing water treatment device comprising an ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter that supplies hydrogen ions in contact with the inflow water. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter contains at least one of a sulfonic acid group and a carbonyl group. The method of claim 1, wherein the ion exchange unit,
A sterilizing water treatment device characterized in that it prevents the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) from increasing due to electrolysis in the electrolysis module. The method of claim 1, wherein the water treatment unit,
A sterilizing water treatment device characterized in that it increases the rate of non-ionized hypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis module. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water treatment unit controls water to flow at a predetermined flow rate to the ion exchange unit according to a set pH value. The method of claim 1, wherein the water treatment unit,
a first pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the inflow water at the front end of the ion exchange unit;
A flow control valve that controls the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit; and
A sterilizing water treatment device comprising a second pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the water passing through the ion exchange unit. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of water using the first pH sensor and the second pH sensor and controls the flow control valve. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit controls water to flow at a predetermined flow rate to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit adjusts an additional flow rate of water to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the second pH sensor. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the flow control valve is located between the first pH sensor and the ion exchange unit. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 7, further comprising a first path switching switch between the first pH sensor and the flow control valve to bypass the influent water to the electrolytic module. The method of claim 7, further comprising a second path switching switch between the second pH sensor and the electrolytic module to discharge or bypass the pH-adjusted discharged water to the electrolytic module. Device. In the sterilizing water treatment device,
A first pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the influent water;
an ion exchange unit that supplies hydrogen ions in contact with the inflow water;
A flow control valve that controls the amount of water flowing through the ion exchange unit;
a second pH sensor that detects the hydrogen ion concentration of the water passing through the ion exchange unit;
a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve according to the hydrogen ion concentration of the water using the first pH sensor and the second pH sensor; and
A sterilizing water treatment device comprising an electrolysis module that generates sterilizing water through electrolysis by receiving water whose pH has been adjusted from the water treatment unit. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 14, wherein the control unit controls water to flow at a predetermined flow rate to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the first pH sensor. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 15, wherein the control unit adjusts an additional flow rate of water to the ion exchange unit according to the pH value detected by the second pH sensor. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 14, wherein the ion exchange resin or ion exchange fiber filter contains at least one of a sulfonic acid group and a carbonyl group. The method of claim 14, wherein the ion exchange unit,
A sterilizing water treatment device characterized in that it prevents the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) from increasing due to electrolysis in the electrolysis module. The sterilizing water treatment device according to claim 14, further comprising a first path switching switch between the first pH sensor and the flow control valve to bypass the influent water to the electrolytic module. The method of claim 14, further comprising a second path switching switch between the second pH sensor and the electrolytic module to discharge or bypass the pH-adjusted discharged water to the electrolytic module. Device.

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