RU210789U1 - DRINKING WATER DISPENSER - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to drinking water dispensers, and in particular to drinking water dispensers connected to an external water source and equipped with a device for disinfecting the dispenser with hot water. (25); an inlet solenoid valve (3) installed in the inlet pipeline (2); cold water tank (6) equipped with a cooling device (9); a hot water tank (8) equipped with a heater (10) and installed below the cold water tank (6); a cold water outlet pipe (11) connecting the cold water tank (6) to the cold water outlet (13); a hot water outlet pipe (14) connecting the hot water tank (8) to the hot water outlet (16); a first pipeline (5) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) to the cold water tank (6); circulation pump (24) for circulating hot water in disinfection mode; in this case, the first pipeline (5) is connected to the cold water tank (6) through a vertical tube (26) installed in the cold water tank (6) with an open upper end (27), the lower end of which (28) is connected to the first pipeline ( 5), and the dispenser (1) further comprises a second pipeline (7) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) to the hot water tank (8); a circulation pipe (19) connecting the hot water outlet pipe (14) to the cold water outlet pipe (11); a non-return valve (20) installed in the circulation pipe (19) that passes water from the hot water outlet pipe (14) to the cold water outlet pipe (11) and does not let water flow in the opposite direction.

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to drinking water dispensers, and in particular to drinking water dispensers connected to an external water source and equipped with a device for disinfecting the dispenser with hot water.

Prior Art

Drinking water dispensers connected to an external source are known. If the external water source is a public water supply, such dispensers may contain an additional tap water purification system, such as carbon filters. Typically, such dispensers also contain devices for cooling and heating water.

In this case, water from an external source is supplied to the cold tank, and then, from the cold tank, it enters the hot tank, which is located below the cold tank. Such a scheme is convenient in that the water flows out of the dispenser under the action of gravitational forces and the pressure in the outlet taps of hot and cold water is the same.

Drinking water dispensers connected to an external source require regular disinfection to remove microbiological contamination inside the dispenser that occurs naturally, especially if the tap water treatment system removes chlorine from the tap water. Disinfection can be carried out with chemicals, ozone and high temperature. It is known to use hot water to disinfect a dispenser, when hot water is supplied from a hot tank, by means of a pump, to a cold tank for its disinfection.

Known hot and cold water dispenser KR 101358073 B1, which contains a cold water tank, a hot water tank located below the cold water tank, a connecting pipeline connecting the cold water tank to the hot water tank; a pump located in the connecting pipeline and pumping water from the hot water tank to the cold water tank; drain pipe for draining water from the cold water tank into the sewer; and a control device that drains hot water from the cold water tank at the end of the disinfection process of the cold water tank.

In the process of disinfection, hot water flows from the hot water tank to the cold water tank through the connecting pipeline with the help of a pump installed in the connecting pipeline, and returns back to the hot water tank through the same pipeline by gravity when the pump is turned off. The disadvantage of such a dispenser is that only the cold water tank is treated with hot water, while the inlet pipeline through which tap water is supplied to the cold water tank and the outlet pipeline through which cold water is dispensed to the consumer remain untreated. Also, the disadvantage is that it is required to drain the water into the sewer from the cold tank before the start of disinfection and after the end of disinfection.

Known dispenser KR 101818711 B1, which contains a tank for cold water, a tank for hot water located below the tank for cold water, a connecting pipeline connecting the tank for cold water with the tank for hot water; drain pipe for draining water from the cold water tank into the sewer; outlet pipeline through which cold water is supplied to the consumer through the first solenoid valve installed in the outlet pipeline, an additional pipeline connecting the hot water tank and the first solenoid valve, while the additional pipeline is equipped with a circulation pump and a second solenoid valve for connecting to the first solenoid valve.

During the disinfection process, hot water flows from the hot water tank through the auxiliary pipeline, the first and second solenoid valves and the cold water outlet pipeline into the cold water tank by the action of the circulation pump, and returns back to the hot water tank through the connecting pipeline under the action of gravity. The disadvantage of such a dispenser is that only the cold water tank and the cold water outlet pipeline are processed, and the inlet pipeline through which tap water is supplied to the cold water tank remains untreated. Another disadvantage is the complexity of the dispenser design due to the introduction of an additional pipeline and an additional solenoid valve to ensure circulation of hot water in the disinfection mode of the dispenser.

Another disadvantage is that the disinfection of the dispenser leaves the outlet piping and the hot water outlet untreated and that long interruptions in the operation of the dispenser due to stagnant water will have adverse microbiological consequences.

The objectives of the utility model are to improve the operation of the dispenser disinfection system, more complete processing of the dispenser with hot water, as well as to simplify the design of the dispenser and increase its reliability.

The essence of the utility model

The technical result is achieved in a drinking water dispenser containing an inlet pipeline for connection to an external water source; an inlet solenoid valve installed in the inlet pipeline; a cold water tank equipped with a cooling device; a hot water tank provided with a heater and installed below the cold water tank; a cold water outlet pipe connecting the cold water tank to the cold water outlet; a hot water outlet pipe connecting the hot water tank to the hot water outlet; a first conduit connecting the inlet conduit to the cold water tank; and a circulation pump to circulate hot water in disinfection mode. The first pipeline is connected to the cold water tank through a vertical tube installed in the cold water tank with an open upper end, the lower end of which is connected to the first pipeline, and the dispenser further comprises a second pipeline connecting the inlet pipeline to the hot water tank; a circulation pipe connecting the hot water outlet pipe to the cold water outlet pipe; a non-return valve installed in the circulation pipe that allows water to pass from the hot water outlet pipe to the cold water outlet pipe and does not allow water to flow in the opposite direction.

Such a design of the dispenser, in particular such a method of supplying water to the tanks for cold and hot water, makes it possible to ensure the simplicity of the design of the dispenser and the ease of switching the dispenser to the disinfection mode. To switch the dispenser from the stand-by mode to the disinfection mode, it is enough to turn off the cooling device and turn on the circulation pump, without additional switching of pipelines.

Preferably, the circulation pump is installed in the second pipeline. The installation of a circulation pump in the second pipeline at the inlet to the hot water tank allows, in the disinfection mode, to improve the thermal mode of operation of the pump (water temperature 70°C) compared to the option of placing the pump at the outlet of the hot tank (water temperature 95-100°C). And the installation of a pump in the first pipeline is undesirable, since during the operation of the dispenser, the pump located in the first pipeline will be a possible place for the development of microbiological contamination.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises a cold water outlet solenoid valve installed in the cold water outlet piping and a hot water outlet solenoid valve installed in the hot water outlet piping. The presence of output solenoid valves makes it easy to control the operation of the dispenser using an internal controller.

It is convenient to provide the dispenser with a steam vent pipe connecting the top of the hot water tank and the top of the cold water tank to drain excess steam generated when the water in the hot water tank is heated. At the same time, it is advisable to install an additional solenoid valve in the steam pipe to close the steam pipe in the dispenser disinfection mode. Closing the steam wand allows you to increase the pressure in the hot water tank and thus increase the flow of hot water through the non-return valve. Do not allow hot water to flow through the steam pipe into the cold water tank.

When disinfecting the dispenser, firstly, the cooling device of the cold water tank is turned off, and secondly, the circulation pump is turned on, circulating hot water from the hot water tank through the hot water outlet pipe, through the check valve, through the outlet pipe for cold water into the cold water tank and out of the cold water tank through the vertical pipe installed in the cold water tank, through the first inlet pipe, the second inlet pipe and the circulation pump back to the hot water tank. As a result, all circulating water is heated to a predetermined temperature for disinfection. The circulation of hot water through the pipelines and the cold water tank cleans both the cold water tank and the pipelines of microbiological contamination.

Brief description of the drawings

On FIG. 1 shows an example implementation of a dispenser.

On FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the dispenser.

On FIG. 3 shows the connection of the circulation pipe.

Description of the implementation example

On FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a drinking water dispenser. The dispenser 1 is connected to an external water source 25, such as a water pipe, through the main inlet pipeline 2. An external source can be any source from which water is supplied under pressure, a water pipe, a reservoir with a pump, a pump pumping water from a well, a tap water purification system, etc. P. An inlet solenoid valve 3 is installed in the inlet pipeline 2. If necessary, a filter 4 can be installed in the inlet pipeline 2 for additional purification of the water entering the dispenser 1. The filter 4 is installed in front of the inlet solenoid valve 3. After the inlet solenoid valve 3, the inlet pipeline 2, through the first pipeline 5, is connected to the cold water tank 6, and through the second pipeline 7, in which the circulation pump 24 is installed, to the tank for hot water 8. The cold water tank 6 is connected to the first pipeline 5 through a vertical tube 26 located in the cold water tank 6, the lower end 28 of which is connected to the first pipeline 5, and the upper open end 27 is located at a given height from the bottom of the tank 6, below the set water level in the tank 6.

The supply of water to the cold water tank 6 from below makes it possible to simplify the design of the dispenser and ensure the disinfection of the pipeline through which water is supplied to the tank 6 with hot water. In this case, firstly, the water supply through the vertical tube 26 ensures the supply of uncooled water from the water supply to the upper part of the tank 6. Secondly, in the hot water dispensing mode, with a low water pressure in the inlet pipeline 2, coming from the cold water tank 5 into the hot water tank 8 will be taken from the upper part of the tank 6, where the water is less cold. And thirdly, in the disinfection mode, the inflow of hot water through the outlet pipeline 11, and the outflow through the upper open end 27 of the vertical tube 26 ensures the mixing of hot water in the tank 6, which improves its disinfection.

The cold water tank 6 is provided with a cooling device 9, and the hot water tank is provided with a heater 10. The cold water tank 6 is connected to the cold water outlet 13 through the cold water outlet pipe 11, and through the cold water outlet solenoid valve 12. Accordingly, the hot water tank 8 is connected to the hot water outlet 16 through the outlet pipe for hot water 14, and through the outlet valve-solenoid for hot water 15. The hot water tank 8 through the steam pipe 17 is connected to the cold water tank 6 The outlet pipeline for hot water 14 is connected through the circulation pipeline 19 to the outlet pipeline for cold water 11. A check valve 20 is installed in the circulation pipeline 19, which passes, at a certain pressure, water from the outlet pipeline for hot water 14 into the outlet pipeline for cold water 11 and does not let water through in the opposite direction, i.e. from the pipeline for cold water 11 to the pipeline for hot water 14. To ensure the circulation of hot water in the dispenser disinfection mode, a circulation pump 24 is installed in the second pipeline 7 in front of the hot water tank 8.

The cold water tank 6 is connected to the surrounding air space through an air channel 21. An air filter 22 is installed in the air channel 21. The filter 22 can be additionally equipped with a device for sterilizing the outside air entering the dispenser. The cold water tank 6 is also equipped with a water level sensor 23.

The hot water tank 8 is installed below the cold water tank 6. The hot water tank 8 is connected to the cold water tank 6 through the steam pipe 17. When the dispenser is operating, the hot water tank 8 is completely filled with water, in the cold water tank 6 the lower part tank 6 is filled with water, and in the upper part of tank 6 there is air. Thus, the excess steam that occurs when water is heated in the hot water tank 8 is discharged through the steam pipe 17 into the air space of the cold water tank 6. And the resulting excess air pressure in the cold water tank 6 is discharged into the outside air through the air channel 21 .

Inlet solenoid valve 3, outlet solenoid valve for cold water 12 and outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 are normally closed.

The dispenser works as follows. After connecting the dispenser 1 through the inlet pipe 2 to the water source 25 and turning on the dispenser 1, the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens, while the outlet solenoid valve for cold water 12 and the outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 are closed. Water from an external source 25 enters the dispenser 1 and, after the inlet solenoid valve 3, through the second pipeline 7 enters the hot water tank 8, and through the first pipeline 5 and the vertical tube 26 into the cold water tank 6. Displaced under water pressure the air from the hot water tank 8 through the steam pipe 17 enters the air space of the cold water tank 6, and from there through the air channel 21 to the outside. Water from an external source 25 enters both tanks 6 and 8 at the same time, but since the hot water tank 8 is located below the cold water tank 6, it is filled first. When the water level in the cold water tank 6 reaches a predetermined level, determined by the water level sensor 23, the inlet solenoid valve 3 closes. After that, the water in the cold water tank 6 is cooled to the set temperature by the cooling device 9, and the water in the hot water tank 8 is heated to the set temperature by the heater 10. Upon reaching the set temperatures of cold and hot water, the dispenser is ready for operation and goes into stand-by mode.

When cold water is dispensed, the cold water outlet solenoid valve 12 opens and water from the cold water tank 6 flows through the cold water outlet pipe 11 to the cold water outlet 13. When the water level in the cold water tank 6 falls below the set value , determined by the water level sensor 23, the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens and water from an external source 25 through the first pipeline 5, through a vertical tube 26 enters the cold water tank 6, filling it up to the set water level value.

When hot water is dispensed, the outlet solenoid valve for hot water 15 opens, at the same time the inlet solenoid valve 3 opens, water from an external source 25, through the second pipeline 7, enters the hot water tank 8, and, under the pressure of the incoming water , water from the hot water tank 8 through the hot water outlet pipe 14 enters the hot water outlet 16. 6 will also enter the hot water tank 8 through the riser 26, the first conduit 5 and the second conduit 7, thereby providing the necessary outflow of hot water.

When the water pressure from the external source 25 drops, the cold water tank 6, which is located above the hot water tank 8, plays the role of a water tower, maintaining the required pressure in the hot water tank 8. That allows you to provide the required water flow at the outlet for hot water 16.

In order to prevent water from entering the cold water tank 6 in the mode of dispensing hot water, at normal pressure of water coming from an external source 25, the diameter of the first pipeline 5 is made slightly smaller than the diameter of the second pipeline 7. It is also possible to install in the first pipeline 5, an additional normally open solenoid valve 29, as shown in the dispenser embodiment shown in FIG. 2, which will close in the mode of dispensing hot water at normal pressure from an external source 25, and open in this mode only when the pressure drops from an external source 25.

disinfection mode. In this mode, normally closed solenoid valves: inlet solenoid 3, outlet cold water solenoid 12 and outlet hot water solenoid 14 remain closed. The cooling device 9 is switched off. The circulation pump 24 located in the inlet pipeline for hot water 7 is turned on, pumping water from the tank for cold water 6 into the tank for hot water 8, from where the water, under pressure created by the pump 24, enters the outlet pipeline for hot water 14, then through the circulation pipeline 19 with a check valve 20 into the outlet pipeline for cold water 11, then into the tank for cold water 6, and through the vertical tube 26, the first pipeline 5 and the second pipeline 7, the water returns to the pump 24. The water circulating in the dispenser 1, passing through the tank for hot water 8 is heated by the heater 10. After the water is heated to the set temperature, the circulation of hot water continues for the set time. The circulation time and water temperature are determined depending on the operating conditions of the dispenser 1. For example, the circulation of water heated to 67-80 ° C for one to two hours can be carried out once a week to maintain microbiological purity in the constantly operating dispenser 1. Additional activation of the disinfection mode after long interruptions in the operation of the dispenser.

To control the disinfection process, the dispenser can be equipped with one or more temperature sensors.

On FIG. 2 shows another version of the dispenser. This variant differs from the variant shown in Fig. 1, firstly, by the presence of an additional normally open solenoid valve 18 in the vapor tube 17. The additional normally open solenoid valve 18 in the vapor tube 17 closes in the disinfection mode of the dispenser. Closing the steam pipe 17 in the dispenser disinfection mode allows you to increase the pressure in the hot water tank 8 and thereby increase the flow of hot water through the check valve 20, while preventing hot water from flowing through the steam pipe 17. The increased water pressure in the disinfection mode also reduces requirements for the accuracy of operation of the check valve 20.

Another difference of the dispenser shown in Fig. 2 is the presence of an additional solenoid valve 29 in the first pipeline 5. The solenoid valve 29 is normally open, and can be closed in the hot water dispenser mode, which can be useful if the water pressure in the inlet pipeline is excessively high. The presence of such a valve makes it possible, even in the absence of means for adjusting the inlet pressure, to avoid water entering the cold water tank during the collection of hot water from the dispenser.

In those shown in FIG. In the dispenser implementations 1 and 2, a check valve 20 is installed in the circulation pipe 19 connecting the hot and cold water outlet pipes 11 and 14. It will be clear to the skilled person that in the case where the outlet pipes 11 and 14 are located close to each other, the circulation pipe 19 may be very short or the check valve flanges can play its role.

On FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of connecting the circulation pipe 19 to one of the outlet pipes, in this case to the cold water outlet pipe 11. It is desirable that the circulation pipe 19 is connected to the outlet pipe 11 as close as possible to the outlet valve 12. Then, in the disinfection mode, hot water from the hot water tank 8, flowing through the outlet pipeline 11, will heat the water in the inlet channel 31 of the solenoid valve 12 and through it and the water in the inner chamber 30 of the outlet solenoid valve 12. Thus, disinfecting the internal space of the valve - solenoid 12. In this case, if the water outlet 13 and the body of the solenoid valve are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, for example, metal, then the water outlet 13 will be disinfected.

Thus, in the proposed dispenser, complete disinfection of the water path of the dispenser is carried out. Disinfection of the entire water path from the inlet solenoid valve 3 up to the outlet solenoid valves 12 and 15 is carried out without significantly complicating the design of the dispenser. With this configuration of the dispenser 1, only two elements are introduced for disinfection, the check valve 20 and the circulation pump 24 and, if necessary, an additional solenoid valve 18 in the vapor tube 17.

List of symbols:

1 - dispenser

2 - inlet pipeline

3 - inlet solenoid valve

4 - filter

5 - the first pipeline

6 - cold water tank

7 - second pipeline

8 - hot water tank

9 - cooling device

10 - heater

11 - outlet pipeline for cold water

12 - outlet solenoid valve for cold water

13 - outlet for cold water

14 - outlet pipeline for hot water

15 - outlet solenoid valve for hot water

16 - outlet for hot water

17 - steam pipe

18 - solenoid valve in the steam pipe

19 - circulation pipeline

20 - check valve

21 - air channel

22 - air filter

23 - water level sensor

24 - circulation pump

25 - external water source

26 - vertical tube

27 - top open end

28 - lower end

29 - solenoid valve in the first pipeline

30 - inner chamber of the outlet solenoid valve

31 - inlet channel of the outlet solenoid valve.

Claims (21)

1. Drinking water dispenser (1), containing: inlet pipeline (2) for connection to an external water source (25); an inlet solenoid valve (3) installed in the inlet pipeline (2); cold water tank (6) equipped with a cooling device (9); a hot water tank (8) equipped with a heater (10) and installed below the cold water tank (6); a cold water outlet pipe (11) connecting the cold water tank (6) to the cold water outlet (13); a hot water outlet pipe (14) connecting the hot water tank (8) to the hot water outlet (16); a first pipeline (5) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) to the cold water tank (6); circulation pump (24) for circulating hot water in disinfection mode, characterized in that the first pipeline (5) is connected to the cold water tank (6) through a vertical tube (26) installed in the cold water tank (6) with an open upper end (27), the lower end of which (28) is connected to the first pipeline (5) , and the dispenser (1) additionally contains a second pipeline (7) connecting the inlet pipeline (2) to the hot water tank (8); a circulation pipe (19) connecting the hot water outlet pipe (14) to the cold water outlet pipe (11); a non-return valve (20) installed in the circulation pipe (19) that allows water to pass from the hot water outlet pipe (14) to the cold water outlet pipe (11) and does not let water flow in the opposite direction. 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, in which the circulation pump (24) is installed in the second pipeline (7). 3. Dispenser according to one of paragraphs. 1, 2, containing a vapor tube (17) connecting the top of the hot water tank (8) to the top of the cold water tank (6). 4. The dispenser according to claim 3, containing the solenoid valve (18) installed in the vapor tube (17). 5. Dispenser according to one of the previous paragraphs, adapted for connection to the water supply. 6. Dispenser according to claim 5, containing a water filter (4) installed in the inlet pipeline (2) before the inlet solenoid valve (3). 7. Dispenser according to one of the previous paragraphs, containing an additional solenoid valve (29) installed in the first pipeline (5). 8. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cold water outlet solenoid (12) installed in the cold water outlet pipe (11) and a hot water outlet solenoid (15) installed in the hot water outlet pipe (14) . 9. A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the circulation line (19) with a check valve (2) is installed before the cold water outlet solenoid valve (12) and before the hot water outlet solenoid valve (15).

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