US20120017627A1 - Apparatus for purifying water - Google Patents
Apparatus for purifying water Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120017627A1 US20120017627A1 US13/262,459 US200913262459A US2012017627A1 US 20120017627 A1 US20120017627 A1 US 20120017627A1 US 200913262459 A US200913262459 A US 200913262459A US 2012017627 A1 US2012017627 A1 US 2012017627A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- water
- cold water
- ice
- heat exchanger
- purifying
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 422
- 239000008213 purified water Substances 0.000 claims description 81
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001385 heavy metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
- B01D35/02—Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks
- B01D35/04—Plug, tap, or cock filters filtering elements mounted in or on a faucet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
- B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
- B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
- B67D1/0865—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons
- B67D1/0868—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons the cooling fluid being a gas
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F9/00—Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F9/20—Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/08—Producing ice by immersing freezing chambers, cylindrical bodies or plates into water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/04—Ice guide, e.g. for guiding ice blocks to storage tank
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/14—Water supply
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/08—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice
- F25C5/10—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice using hot refrigerant; using fluid heated by refrigerant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2323/121—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for purifying water, and more particularly, to an apparatus for purifying water capable of making cold water and ice cubes and providing them to a user.
- an apparatus for purifying water serves to filter harmful ingredients such as foreign materials or heavy metals included in water in a physical or chemical manner.
- a similar apparatus to the water purifier may include an ionized water apparatus, etc.
- This water purifier may be largely divided into a filtering unit for filtering contaminants from raw water, a storing unit for storing purified water having passed through the filtering unit, and a discharging unit for providing the purified water stored in the storing unit to a consumer.
- the apparatus for purifying water is supplied to homes, companies, factories, etc. due to consumers' high concerns about health and a recent bad water quality.
- manufacturers for the apparatus for purifying water present out an apparatus for purifying water having an additional function to provide ice cubes, thereby attracting the consumers' interests.
- the apparatus for purifying water having a function to provide ice cubes has a structure that a refrigerant pipe along which a refrigerant having a low temperature flows is immersed in purified water accommodated in a predetermined container.
- the purified water around the refrigerant pipe is frozen to form ice cubes, whereas the purified water accommodated in the container is cooled into cold water through heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe.
- the temperature of the cold water is determined according to a heat exchange rate with a heat exchanger until the ice cubes are frozen to a predetermined size. Accordingly, it is difficult to control the temperature of the cold water in accordance with a consumer's demand.
- the temperature of the cold water is varied according to a distance between the heat exchanger and the purified water. This may cause the temperature of the cold water provided to the consumer not to be constant.
- an apparatus for purifying water comprising: a cold water unit configured to cool introduced purified water, and to store it in the form of cold water; an ice making unit configured to make the introduced purified water into ice cubes; a first heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit; and a second heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit.
- the first and second heat exchangers may be serially connected to each other so that a refrigerant can sequentially pass therethrough.
- the refrigerant may be supplied to the second heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger.
- the first and second heat exchangers may be connected to each other in parallel so that refrigerant supply thereto can be individually controlled.
- the refrigerant supply to the first and second heat exchangers may be controlled by a three-way valve.
- the refrigerant supply to the first heat exchanger may be performed only when the ice making unit is operated.
- Whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the second heat exchanger or not may be determined according to a temperature of the cold water.
- the ice making unit may comprise a purified water container configured to accommodate therein received purified water; ice cube makers formed as a refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger is bent, and immersed into the purified water accommodated in the purified water container; and an ice cube storage portion configured to store the ice cubes separated from the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes.
- the ice cube makers may be configured to make ice cubes by freezing the peripheral purified water.
- the purified water container may be disposed so as to have an opened upper surface, and may be configured to turn upside down so as to discharge water remaining after the ice cubes have been completely made. And, the purified water container may be configured so that the ice cubes can be separated from the ice cube makers thus to be stored in the ice cube storage portion when made to turn upside down.
- the cold water unit may comprise a cold water container disposed below the purified water container so as to accommodate the remaining water therein when the purified water container is made to turn upside down.
- An upper surface of the cold water container may be formed with an inclination angle so that the ice cubes can be guided to the ice cube storage portion. And, a plurality of holes through which the remaining water passes may be formed at the upper surface of the cold water container.
- the ice cube storage portion may be positioned next to the cold water container.
- the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
- the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
- the ice making unit may comprise an ice making chamber partitioned into insulation spaces; ice cube makers installed at the ice making chamber, and configured to make ice cubes by receiving purified water; and an ice cube storage portion configured to store the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes.
- the first heat exchanger may be attached to the ice cube makers so that heat transfer can occur by conduction.
- the cold water unit may be implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water.
- the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
- the cold water unit may be implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water.
- the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
- the heat exchangers are individually disposed at the cold water unit and the ice making unit. This may allow the temperature of the cold water supplied from the cold water unit to be easily controlled. Furthermore, this may allow the cold water to be supplied to a user with a uniform temperature.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line ‘II-II’ in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of a cold water unit of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view showing a modification example of the cold water unit of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 7 is a view showing the operation of the ice making unit of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view showing an apparatus for purifying water according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view showing an apparatus for purifying water according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of FIG. 1
- FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit of FIG. 2
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line ‘II-II’ in FIG. 3
- FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of a cold water unit of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 1 An apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 .
- the apparatus for purifying water 100 comprises a case 101 that forms the appearance, and various components disposed in the case 101 and configured to operate the apparatus for purifying water 100 .
- the case 101 is formed in a hexagonal shape. However, the case 101 may have various forms for enhanced designs.
- a state displaying portion 103 configured to display, to outside, a state of the apparatus for purifying water 100 (e.g., purified water amount, hot water amount, cold water amount, ice cubes amount, temperature of hot water, temperature of cold water, whether or not an ice cube making mode is operated, etc.).
- a state of the apparatus for purifying water 100 e.g., purified water amount, hot water amount, cold water amount, ice cubes amount, temperature of hot water, temperature of cold water, whether or not an ice cube making mode is operated, etc.
- the case 101 is further provided with a discharging unit 105 configured to discharge out purified water, cold water, ice cubes, etc.
- one or more surfaces of the case 101 are configured to be opened and closed so as to clean or repair components inside the case 101 .
- a remaining water collector 105 configured to collect remaining water having not been accommodated in a container, etc. while discharging out purified water, ice cubes, etc.
- the remaining water collector 107 is detachably installed at the case 101 so as to easily remove the remaining water.
- the apparatus for purifying water 100 comprises a filtering unit 180 disposed in the case 101 , and configured to purify water introduced from a water supply source, etc.; a purified water storing unit 185 configured to store purified water passing through the filtering unit 180 ; a cold water unit 150 configured to cool the purified water supplied from the purified water storing unit 185 into a predetermined temperature, and then to store the cooled purified water therein; an ice making unit 120 configured to freeze the purified water in the form of ice cubes, and then to store the frozen ice cubes therein; and first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit 150 .
- the filtering unit 180 includes one or more filters 181 , and a filter head 183 configured to fixedly-couple the filters 181 thereto.
- the number of the filters 181 is varied according to a manufacturer's purposes.
- the purified water storing unit 185 serves to store therein water purified through the filtering unit 180 , and a maximum storage amount of the purified water is controlled by a floating valve 187 .
- the cold water unit 150 is connected to the purified water storing unit 185 by a tube thus to receive the purified water. And, the amount of the purified water supplied to the cold water unit 150 from the purified water storing unit 185 is controlled by a valve, etc.
- the purified water stored in the cold water unit 150 is cooled by the second heat exchanger 112 .
- the ice making unit 120 includes a purified water container 121 configured to accommodate therein the purified water supplied from the purified water storing unit 185 ; ice cube makers 123 configured to make ice cubes by contacting the purified water stored in the purified water container 121 ; and an ice cube storage portion 125 configured to store the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers 123 .
- the first heat exchanger 111 supplies a refrigerant to the ice cube makers 123 .
- the ice cube maker 123 immersed in the purified water stored in the purified water container 121 freezes the purified water, thereby making ice cubes.
- the first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 are implemented as a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant having a low temperature passes.
- the refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant having a low temperature passes serves as the first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 .
- the first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 are serially connected to each other so that a refrigerant having passed through one of the first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 can pass through the other.
- all the refrigerants having passed through the first heat exchanger 111 are supplied to the second heat exchanger 112 .
- a refrigerant having a low temperature is supplied to the first heat exchanger 111 thus to form ice cubes, while a refrigerant having a high temperature is supplied to the second heat exchanger 112 thus to form cold water. This may increase the efficiency of energy.
- thermoelectric elements all of the first and second heat exchangers 111 , 112 may be implemented as thermoelectric elements.
- the apparatus for purifying water 100 may further comprise a hot water storing unit 191 configured to accommodate the purified water storing unit 185 therein, and to store hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating means 193 disposed at an outer side.
- a hot water storing unit 191 configured to accommodate the purified water storing unit 185 therein, and to store hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating means 193 disposed at an outer side.
- the heating means 193 may be implemented as a heat wire.
- the ice making unit 120 includes the purified water container 121 , the ice cube makers 123 , and the ice cube storage portion 125 .
- the purified water container 121 serves to store the purified water supplied from the purified water storing unit 185 , and has an opened upper surface.
- the purified water container 121 is configured to be able to turn upside down by a motor 121 a, so that ice cubes having been completely made by the ice cube makers 123 can be discharged from the ice cube makers 123 thus to be stored in the ice cube storage portion 125 .
- the purified water container 121 has a semi-circular shaped sectional surface so as to prevent interference with other components when made to turn upside down.
- the ice cube makers 123 are implemented as a plurality of protrusions protruding from the refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger 111 so that the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 111 can be supplied thereto.
- a refrigerant guide member 111 a in the protruding direction of the ice cube makers 123 .
- the ice cube makers 123 are disposed to be immersed in the purified water stored in the purified water container 121 . Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through inside of the ice cube makers 123 is heat-exchanged with the purified water contacting outer surfaces of the ice cube makers 123 . And, the purified water around the ice cube makers 123 is frozen to form ice cubes.
- the first heat exchanger 111 is curvedly formed so as to implement the ice cube makers 123 as much as possible.
- the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers 123 are separated from the ice cube makers 123 by a heat emitting member (e.g., heat wire) disposed on an outer surface of the ice cube makers 123 . Then, as the purified water container 121 is made to turn upside down, the ice cubes are discharged out from the purified water container 121 together with the purified water stored in the purified water container 121 , thereby being stored in the ice cube storage portion 125 .
- a heat emitting member e.g., heat wire
- the cold water unit 150 and a process for separately storing the ice cubes and the purified water discharged from the purified water container 121 .
- the cold water unit 150 includes a cold water container 151 configured to accommodate therein the purified water flowing down from the purified water container 121 (so-called ‘remaining water’).
- An upper surface of the cold water container 151 may be formed with an inclination angle so that the ice cubes can be guided to the ice cube storage portion 125 .
- a plurality of holes 151 a having a size large enough to pass the remaining water therethrough, but not to pass the ice cubes therethrough.
- the ice cube storage portion 125 is positioned next to the cold water container 151 so that the ice cubes moving along the inclination plane of the upper surface of the cold water container 151 can be accommodated therein.
- an auger 125 b configured to transfer the ice cubes stored in the ice cube storage portion 125 to the discharging unit 105 , and an auger motor 125 a configured to drive the auger 125 b.
- the purified water stored in the cold water container 151 is cooled by the second heat exchanger 112 implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container 151 a plurality of times.
- the second heat exchanger 112 is preferably fixed to an outer surface of the cold water container 151 by using a material having a high thermal conductivity.
- the second heat exchanger 112 may be installed in the cold water container 151 .
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view showing a modification example of the cold water unit of FIG. 2 .
- a second heat exchanger 212 is positioned inside the cold water container 151 so as to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container 151 .
- the second heat exchanger 212 is implemented as a refrigerant pipe bent a plurality of times so as to increase a contact area with the purified water.
- a hole into which the second heat exchanger 212 is inserted is formed on a wall surface of the cold water container 151 .
- a hermetic member 153 is preferably provided so as to prevent leakage of the cold water stored in the cold water container 151 .
- FIG. 7 is a view showing the operation of the ice making unit of FIG. 2 .
- the purified water container 121 is made to turn upside down by rotation of the motor 121 a.
- the purified water stored in the purified water container 121 falls down to be stored in the cold water container 151 through the plurality of holes 151 a formed on the upper surface of the cold water container 151 .
- the auger 125 b of the ice cube storage portion 125 is rotated, the ice cubes are transferred to a discharge opening 125 c thus to be discharged out.
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view showing the apparatus for purifying water according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- first and second heat exchangers 311 , 312 are connected to each other in parallel so that refrigerant supply thereto can be individually controlled.
- first and second heat exchangers 311 , 312 are disposed so that a refrigerant having passed through an expander 318 can be supplied to the first heat exchanger 311 or the second heat exchanger 312 from a valve portion 310 a (e.g., three-way valve).
- a valve portion 310 a e.g., three-way valve
- whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the first heat exchanger 311 is determined according to whether an ice making operation is being performed or not.
- whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the second heat exchanger 312 is determined according to the temperature of cold water.
- FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view showing the apparatus for purifying water according to the third embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit of FIG. 9 .
- an ice making unit 420 of the apparatus for purifying water 400 includes an ice making chamber 421 partitioned into insulation spaces; ice cube makers 423 installed at the ice making chamber 421 , and configured to make ice cubes by receiving purified water; and an ice cube storage portion 425 configured to store the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers 423 , and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes.
- a first heat exchanger 411 may be attached to the ice cube makers 423 so that heat transfer can occur by conduction.
- a cold water unit 450 may be implemented as a cold water container 451 disposed outside the ice making chamber 421 , and configured to cool received purified water.
- a second heat exchanger 412 may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container 451 a plurality of times.
- the cold water unit 450 may be implemented as the cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water.
- the second heat exchanger 412 may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container 451 , and bent a plurality of times.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for purifying water comprises: a cold water unit configured to store cold water therein; an ice making unit configured to make the cold water into ice cubes; a first heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit; and a second heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit. Since the heat exchangers are individually disposed at the cold water unit and the ice making unit, the temperature of the cold water supplied from the cold water unit may be easily controlled. Furthermore, this may allow the cold water to be supplied to a user with a uniform temperature.
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for purifying water, and more particularly, to an apparatus for purifying water capable of making cold water and ice cubes and providing them to a user.
- Generally, an apparatus for purifying water serves to filter harmful ingredients such as foreign materials or heavy metals included in water in a physical or chemical manner. A similar apparatus to the water purifier may include an ionized water apparatus, etc.
- This water purifier may be largely divided into a filtering unit for filtering contaminants from raw water, a storing unit for storing purified water having passed through the filtering unit, and a discharging unit for providing the purified water stored in the storing unit to a consumer.
- Generally, the apparatus for purifying water is supplied to homes, companies, factories, etc. due to consumers' high concerns about health and a recent bad water quality.
- As the apparatus for purifying water is universally supplied, increased are the consumers' demands for an apparatus for purifying water having an additional function to provide hot water and cold water as well as to purify water.
- Nowadays, manufacturers for the apparatus for purifying water present out an apparatus for purifying water having an additional function to provide ice cubes, thereby attracting the consumers' interests.
- The apparatus for purifying water having a function to provide ice cubes has a structure that a refrigerant pipe along which a refrigerant having a low temperature flows is immersed in purified water accommodated in a predetermined container. Here, the purified water around the refrigerant pipe is frozen to form ice cubes, whereas the purified water accommodated in the container is cooled into cold water through heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe.
- In this case, the temperature of the cold water is determined according to a heat exchange rate with a heat exchanger until the ice cubes are frozen to a predetermined size. Accordingly, it is difficult to control the temperature of the cold water in accordance with a consumer's demand.
- Furthermore, the temperature of the cold water is varied according to a distance between the heat exchanger and the purified water. This may cause the temperature of the cold water provided to the consumer not to be constant.
- Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for purifying water capable of providing cold water and ice cubes, controlling a temperature of cold water according to a user's demand, and providing cold water having a uniform temperature to the user.
- To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an apparatus for purifying water, comprising: a cold water unit configured to cool introduced purified water, and to store it in the form of cold water; an ice making unit configured to make the introduced purified water into ice cubes; a first heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit; and a second heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit.
- The first and second heat exchangers may be serially connected to each other so that a refrigerant can sequentially pass therethrough.
- The refrigerant may be supplied to the second heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger.
- The first and second heat exchangers may be connected to each other in parallel so that refrigerant supply thereto can be individually controlled.
- The refrigerant supply to the first and second heat exchangers may be controlled by a three-way valve.
- The refrigerant supply to the first heat exchanger may be performed only when the ice making unit is operated.
- Whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the second heat exchanger or not may be determined according to a temperature of the cold water.
- The ice making unit may comprise a purified water container configured to accommodate therein received purified water; ice cube makers formed as a refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger is bent, and immersed into the purified water accommodated in the purified water container; and an ice cube storage portion configured to store the ice cubes separated from the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes.
- The ice cube makers may be configured to make ice cubes by freezing the peripheral purified water.
- The purified water container may be disposed so as to have an opened upper surface, and may be configured to turn upside down so as to discharge water remaining after the ice cubes have been completely made. And, the purified water container may be configured so that the ice cubes can be separated from the ice cube makers thus to be stored in the ice cube storage portion when made to turn upside down.
- The cold water unit may comprise a cold water container disposed below the purified water container so as to accommodate the remaining water therein when the purified water container is made to turn upside down.
- An upper surface of the cold water container may be formed with an inclination angle so that the ice cubes can be guided to the ice cube storage portion. And, a plurality of holes through which the remaining water passes may be formed at the upper surface of the cold water container.
- The ice cube storage portion may be positioned next to the cold water container.
- The second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
- Alternatively, the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
- The ice making unit may comprise an ice making chamber partitioned into insulation spaces; ice cube makers installed at the ice making chamber, and configured to make ice cubes by receiving purified water; and an ice cube storage portion configured to store the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes. And, the first heat exchanger may be attached to the ice cube makers so that heat transfer can occur by conduction.
- The cold water unit may be implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water. And, the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
- The cold water unit may be implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water. And, the second heat exchanger may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
- In the apparatus for purifying water according to the present invention, the heat exchangers are individually disposed at the cold water unit and the ice making unit. This may allow the temperature of the cold water supplied from the cold water unit to be easily controlled. Furthermore, this may allow the cold water to be supplied to a user with a uniform temperature.
-
FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line ‘II-II’ inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of a cold water unit ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view showing a modification example of the cold water unit ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 7 is a view showing the operation of the ice making unit ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view showing an apparatus for purifying water according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view showing an apparatus for purifying water according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit ofFIG. 9 . - Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
- Hereinafter, an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view ofFIG. 1 ,FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit ofFIG. 2 ,FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line ‘II-II’ inFIG. 3 , andFIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of a cold water unit ofFIG. 2 . - Firstly, an apparatus for purifying water according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
FIG. 1 . - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the apparatus for purifyingwater 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises acase 101 that forms the appearance, and various components disposed in thecase 101 and configured to operate the apparatus for purifyingwater 100. - Generally, the
case 101 is formed in a hexagonal shape. However, thecase 101 may have various forms for enhanced designs. - On a front surface of the
case 101, disposed is astate displaying portion 103 configured to display, to outside, a state of the apparatus for purifying water 100 (e.g., purified water amount, hot water amount, cold water amount, ice cubes amount, temperature of hot water, temperature of cold water, whether or not an ice cube making mode is operated, etc.). - The
case 101 is further provided with adischarging unit 105 configured to discharge out purified water, cold water, ice cubes, etc. - Preferably, one or more surfaces of the
case 101 are configured to be opened and closed so as to clean or repair components inside thecase 101. - Just below the discharging
unit 105, may be further provided a remainingwater collector 105 configured to collect remaining water having not been accommodated in a container, etc. while discharging out purified water, ice cubes, etc. - Preferably, the remaining
water collector 107 is detachably installed at thecase 101 so as to easily remove the remaining water. - Hereinafter, the construction of the apparatus for purifying
water 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 2 . - Referring to
FIG. 2 , the apparatus for purifyingwater 100 according to the first embodiment comprises afiltering unit 180 disposed in thecase 101, and configured to purify water introduced from a water supply source, etc.; a purifiedwater storing unit 185 configured to store purified water passing through thefiltering unit 180; acold water unit 150 configured to cool the purified water supplied from the purifiedwater storing unit 185 into a predetermined temperature, and then to store the cooled purified water therein; anice making unit 120 configured to freeze the purified water in the form of ice cubes, and then to store the frozen ice cubes therein; and first andsecond heat exchangers cold water unit 150. - The
filtering unit 180 includes one ormore filters 181, and afilter head 183 configured to fixedly-couple thefilters 181 thereto. The number of thefilters 181 is varied according to a manufacturer's purposes. - The purified
water storing unit 185 serves to store therein water purified through thefiltering unit 180, and a maximum storage amount of the purified water is controlled by a floatingvalve 187. - The
cold water unit 150 is connected to the purifiedwater storing unit 185 by a tube thus to receive the purified water. And, the amount of the purified water supplied to thecold water unit 150 from the purifiedwater storing unit 185 is controlled by a valve, etc. - The purified water stored in the
cold water unit 150 is cooled by thesecond heat exchanger 112. - The
ice making unit 120 includes a purifiedwater container 121 configured to accommodate therein the purified water supplied from the purifiedwater storing unit 185;ice cube makers 123 configured to make ice cubes by contacting the purified water stored in the purifiedwater container 121; and an icecube storage portion 125 configured to store the ice cubes made by theice cube makers 123. - The
first heat exchanger 111 supplies a refrigerant to theice cube makers 123. And, theice cube maker 123 immersed in the purified water stored in the purifiedwater container 121 freezes the purified water, thereby making ice cubes. - The first and
second heat exchangers - Inside the
case 101, provided are acompressor 114, acondenser 116, and an expander 118. And, the refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant having a low temperature passes serves as the first andsecond heat exchangers - The first and
second heat exchangers second heat exchangers - In the first embodiment, all the refrigerants having passed through the
first heat exchanger 111 are supplied to thesecond heat exchanger 112. - Under these configurations, a refrigerant having a low temperature is supplied to the
first heat exchanger 111 thus to form ice cubes, while a refrigerant having a high temperature is supplied to thesecond heat exchanger 112 thus to form cold water. This may increase the efficiency of energy. - Differently from this, all of the first and
second heat exchangers - The apparatus for purifying
water 100 according to the first embodiment may further comprise a hotwater storing unit 191 configured to accommodate the purifiedwater storing unit 185 therein, and to store hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating means 193 disposed at an outer side. - Here, the heating means 193 may be implemented as a heat wire.
- Next, the
ice making unit 120 will be explained in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4 . - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , theice making unit 120 includes the purifiedwater container 121, theice cube makers 123, and the icecube storage portion 125. - The purified
water container 121 serves to store the purified water supplied from the purifiedwater storing unit 185, and has an opened upper surface. - And, the purified
water container 121 is configured to be able to turn upside down by amotor 121 a, so that ice cubes having been completely made by theice cube makers 123 can be discharged from theice cube makers 123 thus to be stored in the icecube storage portion 125. - Preferably, the purified
water container 121 has a semi-circular shaped sectional surface so as to prevent interference with other components when made to turn upside down. - The
ice cube makers 123 are implemented as a plurality of protrusions protruding from the refrigerant pipe of thefirst heat exchanger 111 so that the refrigerant passing through thefirst heat exchanger 111 can be supplied thereto. - Inside the
ice cube makers 123 and thefirst heat exchanger 111, may be further provided arefrigerant guide member 111 a in the protruding direction of theice cube makers 123. - And, the
ice cube makers 123 are disposed to be immersed in the purified water stored in the purifiedwater container 121. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through inside of theice cube makers 123 is heat-exchanged with the purified water contacting outer surfaces of theice cube makers 123. And, the purified water around theice cube makers 123 is frozen to form ice cubes. - Preferably, the
first heat exchanger 111 is curvedly formed so as to implement theice cube makers 123 as much as possible. - Under these configurations, freezing occurs at the periphery of the
ice cube makers 123, and thus vapor is scarcely formed in the ice cubes. This may allow the ice cubes to be made in the form of transparent ones. - The ice cubes made by the
ice cube makers 123 are separated from theice cube makers 123 by a heat emitting member (e.g., heat wire) disposed on an outer surface of theice cube makers 123. Then, as thepurified water container 121 is made to turn upside down, the ice cubes are discharged out from the purifiedwater container 121 together with the purified water stored in the purifiedwater container 121, thereby being stored in the icecube storage portion 125. - Hereinafter, with reference to
FIG. 5 , will be explained in more detail thecold water unit 150, and a process for separately storing the ice cubes and the purified water discharged from the purifiedwater container 121. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thecold water unit 150 includes acold water container 151 configured to accommodate therein the purified water flowing down from the purified water container 121 (so-called ‘remaining water’). - An upper surface of the
cold water container 151 may be formed with an inclination angle so that the ice cubes can be guided to the icecube storage portion 125. - At the upper surface of the
cold water container 151, formed are a plurality ofholes 151 a having a size large enough to pass the remaining water therethrough, but not to pass the ice cubes therethrough. - And, the ice
cube storage portion 125 is positioned next to thecold water container 151 so that the ice cubes moving along the inclination plane of the upper surface of thecold water container 151 can be accommodated therein. - Under these configurations, when the purified
water container 121 is made to turn upside down, the ice cubes discharged together with the purified water are transferred to the icecube storage portion 125 along the inclination plane of the upper surface of thecold water container 151, thus to be stored therein. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , inside the icecube storage portion 125, may be provided anauger 125 b configured to transfer the ice cubes stored in the icecube storage portion 125 to the dischargingunit 105, and anauger motor 125 a configured to drive theauger 125 b. - The purified water stored in the
cold water container 151 is cooled by thesecond heat exchanger 112 implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of thecold water container 151 a plurality of times. - In order to increase a heat exchange rate between the
second heat exchanger 112 and the purified water stored in thecold water container 151, thesecond heat exchanger 112 is preferably fixed to an outer surface of thecold water container 151 by using a material having a high thermal conductivity. - Differently from this, as shown in
FIG. 6 , thesecond heat exchanger 112 may be installed in thecold water container 151. -
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view showing a modification example of the cold water unit ofFIG. 2 . - Referring to
FIG. 6 , asecond heat exchanger 212 is positioned inside thecold water container 151 so as to contact the cold water stored in thecold water container 151. And, thesecond heat exchanger 212 is implemented as a refrigerant pipe bent a plurality of times so as to increase a contact area with the purified water. - Preferably, a hole into which the
second heat exchanger 212 is inserted is formed on a wall surface of thecold water container 151. And, ahermetic member 153 is preferably provided so as to prevent leakage of the cold water stored in thecold water container 151. - Hereinafter, the operation of the
ice making unit 120 of the apparatus for purifyingwater 100 according to the first embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference toFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 7 is a view showing the operation of the ice making unit ofFIG. 2 . - Referring to
FIG. 7 , once theice cube makers 123 immersed into the purifiedwater container 121 have completely made ice cubes, the purifiedwater container 121 is made to turn upside down by rotation of themotor 121 a. - Here, the purified water stored in the purified
water container 121 falls down to be stored in thecold water container 151 through the plurality ofholes 151 a formed on the upper surface of thecold water container 151. - The ice cubes separated from the
ice cube makers 123 by heat fall on the upper surface of thecold water container 151. Then, the ice cubes are transferred to the icecube storage portion 125 along the inclination plane on the upper surface of thecold water container 151, thus to be stored in the icecube storage portion 125. - Then, as the
auger 125 b of the icecube storage portion 125 is rotated, the ice cubes are transferred to adischarge opening 125 c thus to be discharged out. - Hereinafter, an apparatus for purifying water according to a second embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to
FIG. 8 . - The same construction as that of the first embodiment, and its detailed descriptions will be omitted.
-
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view showing the apparatus for purifying water according to the second embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , in an apparatus for purifyingwater 300 according to the second embodiment, first andsecond heat exchangers - That is, the first and
second heat exchangers expander 318 can be supplied to thefirst heat exchanger 311 or thesecond heat exchanger 312 from a valve portion 310 a (e.g., three-way valve). - Preferably, whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the
first heat exchanger 311 is determined according to whether an ice making operation is being performed or not. - Preferably, whether to perform the refrigerant supply to the
second heat exchanger 312 is determined according to the temperature of cold water. - Under these configurations, the processes for making ice cubes and cooling cold water can be more intensively executed.
- Hereinafter, an apparatus for purifying water according to a third embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10 . - The same construction as that of the first embodiment, and its detailed descriptions will be omitted.
-
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view showing the apparatus for purifying water according to the third embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of an ice making unit ofFIG. 9 . - Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10 , anice making unit 420 of the apparatus for purifyingwater 400 according to the third embodiment includes anice making chamber 421 partitioned into insulation spaces;ice cube makers 423 installed at theice making chamber 421, and configured to make ice cubes by receiving purified water; and an icecube storage portion 425 configured to store the ice cubes made by theice cube makers 423, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes. - A
first heat exchanger 411 may be attached to theice cube makers 423 so that heat transfer can occur by conduction. - A
cold water unit 450 may be implemented as acold water container 451 disposed outside theice making chamber 421, and configured to cool received purified water. And, asecond heat exchanger 412 may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container 451 a plurality of times. - Alternatively, the
cold water unit 450 may be implemented as the cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool received purified water. And, like in the first embodiment, thesecond heat exchanger 412 may be implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in thecold water container 451, and bent a plurality of times. - It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (17)
1. An apparatus for purifying water, comprising:
a cold water unit configured to store cold water therein;
an ice making unit configured to make the cold water into ice cubes;
a first heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the ice making unit; and
a second heat exchanger configured to supply cold air to the cold water unit.
2. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 1 , wherein the first and second heat exchangers are serially connected to each other such that a refrigerant can be sequentially supplied thereto.
3. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 2 , wherein the refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger.
4. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 1 , wherein the first and second heat exchangers are connected to each other in parallel so that the refrigerant supply to the first and second heat exchangers can be individually controlled.
5. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 4 , wherein the refrigerant supply to the first and second heat exchangers is controlled by a three-way valve.
6. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 4 , wherein the first heat exchanger is supplied with the refrigerant only when the ice making unit is operated.
7. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 4 , wherein whether to supply the refrigerant to the second heat exchanger or not is determined according to temperature of cold water.
8. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 1 , wherein the ice making unit comprises:
a purified water container configured to accommodate therein water;
ice cube makers formed as a refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger is bent, and immersed into the water accommodated in the purified water container; and
an ice cube storage portion configured to store ice cubes separated from the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes.
9. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 8 , wherein the ice cube makers are configured to make ice cubes by freezing the peripheral water.
10. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 8 , wherein the purified water container is disposed so as to have an opened upper surface, and is configured to be made to turn upside down so as to discharge remaining water after the ice cubes have been made, and
wherein when the purified water container is made to turn upside down, the ice cubes are separated from the ice cube makers thus to be stored in the ice cube storage portion.
11. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 10 , wherein the cold water unit comprises a cold water container disposed below the purified water container so as to accommodate the remaining water therein when the purified water container is made to turn upside down,
wherein an upper surface of the cold water container is formed with an inclination angle so that the ice cubes can be guided to the ice cube storage portion, and
wherein a plurality of holes through which the remaining water passes are formed at the upper surface of the cold water container.
12. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 11 , wherein the ice cube storage portion is positioned next to the cold water container.
13. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 11 , wherein the second heat exchanger is implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
14. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 11 , wherein the second heat exchanger is implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
15. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 1 , wherein the ice making unit comprises:
an ice making chamber partitioned into insulation spaces;
ice cube makers installed at the ice making chamber, and configured to make ice cubes; and
an ice cube storage portion configured to store the ice cubes made by the ice cube makers, and to selectively discharge out the ice cubes, and
wherein the first heat exchanger is attached to the ice cube makers so that heat transfer can occur by conduction.
16. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 15 , wherein the cold water unit is implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool introduced water, and
wherein the second heat exchanger is implemented as a refrigerant pipe wound on an outer surface of the cold water container a plurality of times.
17. The apparatus for purifying water of claim 15 , wherein the cold water unit is implemented as a cold water container disposed outside the ice making chamber, and configured to cool introduced water, and
wherein the second heat exchanger is implemented as a refrigerant pipe disposed to contact the cold water stored in the cold water container, and bent a plurality of times.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR10-2009-0029112 | 2009-04-03 | ||
KR1020090029112A KR20100110663A (en) | 2009-04-03 | 2009-04-03 | Apparatus for purifying water |
PCT/KR2009/003896 WO2010114197A1 (en) | 2009-04-03 | 2009-07-15 | Apparatus for purifying water |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120017627A1 true US20120017627A1 (en) | 2012-01-26 |
Family
ID=42828471
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/262,459 Abandoned US20120017627A1 (en) | 2009-04-03 | 2009-07-15 | Apparatus for purifying water |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120017627A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2414062A4 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20100110663A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102413894A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010114197A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130074527A1 (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2013-03-28 | Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd | Ice making method |
US20180010837A1 (en) * | 2016-07-06 | 2018-01-11 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Stand-Alone Ice Making Appliance |
US20180283759A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2018-10-04 | David Bess | Ice Tray Assembly |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102035506B1 (en) * | 2011-12-13 | 2019-10-24 | (주)케어스워터 | Ice maker for transparent ice |
KR101491899B1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-02-09 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Water purifier |
KR101679283B1 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2016-11-24 | 에이테크 주식회사 | A Water Purifier using Heat Pipe |
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- 2009-07-15 WO PCT/KR2009/003896 patent/WO2010114197A1/en active Application Filing
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- 2009-07-15 EP EP09842734.7A patent/EP2414062A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20100110663A (en) | 2010-10-13 |
EP2414062A1 (en) | 2012-02-08 |
WO2010114197A1 (en) | 2010-10-07 |
EP2414062A4 (en) | 2016-03-02 |
CN102413894A (en) | 2012-04-11 |
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