WO2007007932A1

WO2007007932A1 - Air removing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007007932A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002986
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji-Yong Kim
Original assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-13
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: KR20070008306A; KR100675904B1

Abstract

An air removing apparatus for an instantaneous water heating type heat exchanger, includes a main body, a diaphragm, and a check valve. The main body has, at an outer surface thereof, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and the outlet pipe is arranged underneath the inlet pipe. The diaphragm is disposed in a horizontal direction in the main body between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and the diaphragm has small holes perforated therethrough. The check valve is communicated to a top of the main body. The main body is formed of a plurality of divided members stacked into a layer. The inlet pipe is extended into the main body and communicated to an L-shaped injection pipe. The injection pipe has an inner end expanded into a semi-spherical shape. Each of the small holes of the diaphragm has a diameter of 0.5mm to 1.0mm. The check valve is constituted by a check valve casing and a valve. The valve includes a valve plate having a surface area wider than that of a stopper protrusion, and a valve shaft. The air removing apparatus of the present invention prevents a heating unit of a heater from being locally over-heated and broken or cracked. The temperature anomaly of the hot water discharged from the instantaneous water heater is reduced to thereby stabilize water temperature and protect the heater. The air removing apparatus of the present invention is provided with improved durability and operating reliability, and simple in configuration and excellent in efficiency.

Description

AIR REMOVING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an air removing apparatus capable of separating air from the water flowing into a main body and discharging the separated air to outside by using a check valve arranged in the direction reverse to the direction of a diaphragm mounted in the main body.

[2]

Background Art

[3] As an instantaneous water heater, there exist a sheath heater and a ceramic heater.

The sheath heater is formed of an iron pipe or a stainless pipe made of an iron- nichrome wire serving as a heating wire, wherein the iron-nichrome wire is filled with a heat insulation material including magnesium oxide. The ceramic heater is an N-type semiconductor which contains titanium barium trioxide(BaTiO3) as a main component, and a small amount of dopant added thereto.

[4] The ceramic heater is called as a direct instantaneous heater, and contains barium titanate as a main component, and a small amount of lanthan, yttrium, bismuth, and thurium mixed to the main component if necessary.

[5] Devices with efficiency and economic advantages are developed, and a ceramic heater having a high thermal efficiency and effect of energy saving is mainly used in a heat exchanger. In a bidet, a large water tank is arranged and water is heated through a heater and maintained at a predetermined temperature. However, such a system in the bidet has drawbacks in that power consumption increases and efficiency is deteriorated. Therefore, an instantaneous water heating type heat exchanger which has a reduced internal space and improved efficiency by permitting water to directly contact a heater is gaining in popularity.

[6] Water used in an instantaneous water heater of a bidet is filtered by a micro- filtration filter prior to inflow into the instantaneous water heater such that impurities and bacteria can be removed and improved antibacterial effects can be accomplished. However, water is mixed with air during filtration.

[7] Bidets are roughly classified into a pump type bidet and a water pressure type bidet. The pump type bidet has a large space in a water tank, which allows for a complete separation between water and air and yet causes no serious problems in a ceramic heater. In case of a water pressure type bidet, specifically in a bidet where water is instantaneously heated by an instantaneous water heater, air flows into a ceramic heater together with water. [8]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] When the air mixed with the water contacts the heater unit of a ceramic heater in an instantaneous water heater, the contact portion can be over-heated to approximately 300??, resulting in a problem of breakdown or crack at the ceramic heater. This causes degradation of durability of an instantaneous water heater, and temperature anomalies of hot water flowing from the instantaneous water heater. In a conventional proposal for overcoming such drawbacks, technical needs for eliminating temperature anomalies of water cause complexity in configuration of a device and increase in costs.

[10]

Technical Solution

[11] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air removing apparatus with a simplified configuration and a high efficiency, capable of separating air from water flowing into the apparatus and discharging the separated air to outside, thereby preventing a heater from being partially over-heated and decreasing temperature anomalies of hot water dispensed from an instantaneous water heater device. As a result, degradation of durability of heater can be prevented.

[12] To accomplish the object of the present invention, there is provided an air removing apparatus including a main body 1 having, at an outer surface thereof, an inlet pipe 11 and an outlet pipe 12, wherein the outlet pipe is arranged underneath the inlet pipe; a diaphragm 32 disposed in a horizontal direction in the main body between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the diaphragm has small holes perforated therethrough; and a check valve 20 communicated to a top of the main body.

[13] The main body 1 can be made of a plurality of divided members stacked into a layer. The inlet pipe 11 is extended into the main body, and communicated with an L- shaped injection pipe 30. The injection pipe 30 has an inner end expanded into a semi- sphere. Each of small holes of the diaphragm 32 has a diameter of 0.5mm to 1.0mm.

[14] The check valve 20 includes a check valve casing 21 with a valve stopper protrusion 26 and a through hole 27, and a valve 28. The valve 28 includes a valve plate 24 having a surface area wider than that of a stopper protrusion 22, and a valve shaft 23 for interconnecting the stopper protrusion and the valve plate. The check valve 20 further includes a spring 25.

[15]

Advantageous Effects

[16] As described above, since air contained in water is discharged to outside prior to arrival at a heater, and water mixed with air is prevented from flowing into the heater. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heating unit of the heater from being locally over-heated and broken or cracked. The temperature anomaly of the hot water flowing from the instantaneous water heater is reduced to stabilize variation of water temperature. As a result, the heater can be protected, and the durability and operating reliability of the instantaneous water heater can be improved.

[17] In addition, air contained in water cannot pass through the diaphragm having small holes, and water and air are optimally separated from each other. The air removing apparatus of the present invention is simple in configuration and excellent in efficiency.

[18]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air removing apparatus of the present invention;

[20] Fig. 2 is a plane view of the air removing apparatus of the present invention;

[21] Fig. 3 is a right side view of the air removing apparatus of the present invention;

[22] Fig. 4 is a cross section view of the air removing apparatus shown in Fig. 3, wherein (A) is a cross section view taken along the line A-A, and (B) is a cross section view taken along the line B-B;

[23] Fig. 5 illustrates part (B) of Fig. 4, where a check valve is open;

[24] Fig. 6 illustrates part (B) of Fig. 4, where a check valve is closed;

[25] Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the check valve; and

[26] Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

[27]

Mode for the Invention

[28] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[29] An air removing apparatus of the present invention can be roughly divided into a main body 1, a check valve 20, and an outlet unit 8.

[30] The main body 1 is shaped as a cylinder, and has a closed bottom surface, and a top surface where an outlet path Ia is formed. The main body has an outer surface where a fixing groove 17b is formed, and a main body flange 2 for supporting the check valve 20. The main body flange 2 is arranged upward on the top surface thereof. The main body 1 has an inlet pipe 11 formed at a lower outer surface thereof, and an outlet pipe 12 formed at the lower outer surface thereof, underneath the inlet pipe 11. A diaphragm 32 is arranged in a horizontal direction in the main body 1 between the inlet pipe 11 and the outlet pipe 12. The diaphragm 32 has small holes perforated therethrough such that the diaphragm 32 permits water to exit and does not permit air to exit.

[31] Desirably, each of small holes of the diaphragm 32 has a diameter of 0.5mm to

1.0mm.

[32] In case where the diameter of the small hole of the diaphragm is smaller than

0.5mm, water flowing through the inlet pipe 11 collides against the diaphragm and an excessive pressure is produced. This causes delay in time in supplying water into a heater and decreases water pressure. In case where the diameter of the small hole of the diaphragm is larger than 1.0mm, the diaphragm may not separate air from water, and air flows into a heater.

[33] As shown in Fig. 4, the inlet pipe 11 is extended into the main body 1 and L- shaped. The inlet pipe 11 is connected to an injection pipe 30 having an inner end expanded into a semi-spherical shape, and connected to a support rib R for endurance against a high water pressure.

[34] The expansion of the injection pipe is shaped as a concave such that water flowing through the inlet pipe 11 spreads widely and falls down and water and air can be easily separated from each other.

[35] Total height of the main body 1 can be increased since water stream is formed high by the pressure of inflow water. The concave of the injection pipe decreases height of water stream, to thereby decrease the total height of the main body 1 and reduce the overall size of the apparatus. This provides an efficiency in a bidet which has a small space for mounting of components.

[36] The check valve 20 includes a check valve casing 21, a valve 28, and a spring 25.

[37] As shown in Fig. 5, the check valve casing 21 is shaped into a cylinder and fitted into a main body flange 2. The check valve casing 21 has a pair of lower fixing shafts 16b and a pair of upper fixing shafts 16a. The check valve casing 21 has, at an inner surface thereof, a plurality of protrusions 26 for preventing the valve 28 from moving downward. The protrusions 26 having predetermined lengths are arranged with through holes 27 formed between the protrusions.

[38] The valve 28 includes a conical stopper protrusion 22, a valve shaft 23, and a valve plate 24. The stopper protrusion 22 gets caught at a top surface of the protrusion 26 such that the valve 28 may not further move downward, The valve shaft 23 is shaped as a rod, and arranged beneath the stopper protrusion 22 and in the vicinity of the protrusion 26 such that the valve 28 moves in a downward direction. The valve plate 24 is arranged at a bottom of the valve shaft, has an H-shaped cross section. The valve plate 24 serves as an opening/shutting member of the valve.

[39] The spring 25 may be eliminated from the configuration since the valve 28 moves in a downward direction by a gravity force if a pressure is not generated in the apparatus. However, it is desirable that the spring 25 is inserted between a bottom surface of the protrusion 26 and a top surface of the valve plate 24.

[40] As shown in Fig. 6, repulsive force of the spring 25 is determined by the operation where the valve plate 24 tightly contacts the check valve casing 21 when the pressure of water filling the main body 1 is applied to the valve plate 24, and the check valve 20 is converted from an opened condition to a shut condition.

[41] An outlet unit 8 includes an outlet pipe flange 10 and a discharge pipe 9. The outlet pipe flange 10 is fitted to an outer surface of the check valve casing 21, and has a fixing groove 17a formed at an outer surface thereof. The discharge pipe 9 is arranged at a center of a top surface of the outlet pipe flange, and communicated to a top of the check valve such that water flows into the main body 1 when the air is discharged from the main body 1.

[42] The discharge pipe 9 has an inner diameter larger than that of the outlet path Ia such that the pressure of water acting on top surfaces of the stopper protrusion 22 and the valve plate 24 is smaller than the pressure of water acting on a bottom surface of the valve plate 24.

[43] The amin body 1 includes the inlet pipe 11, the outlet pipe 12, and the main body flange 2. The check valve 20 is fitted into the main body flange 2 and the outlet unit 8 is coupled to the check valve through fixing shafts 16a and 16b, fixing grooves 17a and 17b, and a sealing 33.

[44] Thus-configured air removing apparatus of the present invention operates as follows.

[45] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the main body 1 is constantly filled with water such that the level of the water is higher than the height of the inlet pipe 11. When water flows into the main body through the inlet pipe 11, the water flows to an upper portion of the main body 1 through the injection pipe 30. When the air is discharged through the discharge pipe 9 from an interior of the main body, the water applies pressure to a bottom surface of the valve plate 24, thereby shutting the check valve 20. The water is blocked at the upper portion of the main body 1 and falls down by a gravity force. Here, air contained in the water is partially separated from the water.

[46] The fallen water passes through the small holes of the diaphragm 32, and the air still contained in the water is separated from the water by the diaphragm 32 and collected in the upper portion of the main body 1. The water exits from the diaphragm 32, falls down, and is discharged through the outlet pipe 12.

[47] Since the outlet pipe 12 is connected to an instantaneous water heater, the water whose air is removed by the air removing apparatus of the present invention flows into the instantaneous water heater. Here, the instantaneous water heater is equipped with a heating element including a ceramic heater such that the instantaneous water heater instantaneously heats water. [48] The water passed through the instantaneous water heater is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the hot water is discharged through a nozzle in case of a bidet. The pipe connected to the nozzle is branched off and connected to the discharge pipe 9.

[49] When the air removing apparatus stops its operation, the pressure being applied to the valve plate 24 is removed, and the valve 28 moves in a downward direction by a gravity force or a repulsive force of a spring. In addition, the check valve 20 is opened, and the water remaining in the pipe after discharge through the nozzle may flow back to the instantaneous water heater or through the outlet pipe. The instantaneous water heater has an additional check valve for preventing counter flow of the water, such that the water remaining in the pipe flows into the main body 1 through the discharge pipe 9.

[50] The discharge pipe 9 is connected to the pipeline led out from the instantaneous water heater, which is not shown in the drawings. Therefore, if pressure is formed in the main body 1, pressure is also formed in the discharge pipe 9 with a slight time difference caused due to the time taken for water filling the main body and flowing to the discharge pipe 9 through the outlet pipe 12. That is, the outlet pipe 12 has to be connected to the discharge pipe 9 through the instantaneous water heater such that pressure is generated in the discharge pipe 9 when pressure is generated in the main body 1.

[51] To operate the check valve 20 in the present invention, water pressure in the inlet pipe 11 is almost the same as the pressure of water flowing in the discharge pipe 9. The air removing apparatus of the present invention has the following four characteristics.

[52] First, the discharge pipe 9 has a diameter larger than that of the outlet path Ia such that the water pressure applied to tops of the stopper protrusion 28 and the valve plate 24 from an interior of the discharge pipe is smaller than the water pressure applied to a bottom of the valve plate 24 from an interior of the main body 1.

[53] Second, the valve plate 24 has a surface area wider than that of the stopper protrusion 22 such that the vertical pressure acting on the bottom surface of the valve plate 24 is bigger than the vertical pressure acting on the top surface of the stopper protrusion. The valve plate 24 has an H-shaped cross shape, and a bottom surface with a concave shape to receive pressure of water in an easy and convenient manner. The stopper protrusion has a conical shape.

[54] Third, the spring 25 is designed to have a minimum repulse force such that the valve 28 is reliably lowered.

[55] Fourth, the discharge pipe 9 is connected to the pipeline led out from the instantaneous water heater connected to the outlet pipe 12. Thus, pressure is generated in the discharge pipe 9 with a slight time elapse after generation of pressure in the main body 1. As a result, pressure acts on or is removed from the bottom of the valve plate 24 prior to action on or removal from tops of the stopper protrusion 22 and the valve plate 24 during operation or stoppage of operation.

[56] The above-described four characteristics allow for a normal operation of the check valve.

[57] Now, the air removing apparatus of the present invention will be explained in association with use of a bidet where an instantaneous water heater is employed.

[58] When a user presses a nozzle injection switch after stool, water flows into the main body 1 where the level of water is higher than the height of the inlet pipe 11, and the air is discharged from the upper portion of the main body 1 through the discharge pipe 9, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6. When the main body is fully filled with water, most part of the water spread widely all over the upper portion of the main body 1 through the inlet pipe 11 and the injection pipe 30 is lowered, and a certain part of the water is lowered after the valve plate 24 is applied with a pressure, to thereby shut the check valve 20. The lowered water is separated from air through the diaphragm 32, and flows through the outlet pipe 12. The water drained through the outlet pipe 12, passes through the instantaneous water heater and flows through a nozzle and the discharge pipe 9 branched off from the pipe communicated to the nozzle. Accordingly, the check valve 20 is maintained at the shut state by the above-described four characteristics of the present invention even when the water flowing into the discharge pipe 9 applies pressure to the valve 28.

[59] The air naturally separated from the water spread widely all over the upper portion of the main body 1 and the air filtered by the diaphragm 32 remain together with the water collected in the upper portion of the main body 1.

[60] When the user stops use of the nozzle, water does not flow from the inlet pipe 11 and the water filling the main body 1 flows to the outlet pipe 12. The air remaining in the main body 1 expands and the pressure applied to the valve plate 24 is removed, to thereby permit the check valve 20 to be opened by the spring 25, as shown in Fig. 5.

[61] Here, air remaining in the upper portion of the main body 1 is discharged through the outlet path Ia, the space formed between the valve 28 and the check valve casing 21, the through hole 27, and the discharge pipe 9 in sequence, as the check valve 20 opens. The water remaining in the pipe after discharge through the nozzle and the water flowing from the discharge pipe 9, flow into the main body 1 and are combined with the water remaining in the main body 1 such that the level of water in the main body 1 is constantly higher than the height of the inlet pipe 11.

[62] When water flows through the inlet pipe 11, the check valve 20 is converted into a shut state, and air naturally separated or separated through the diaphragm 32 exists in the upper portion of the main body 1. When water does not flow into the inlet pipe 11, the check valve 20 is converted into an open state such that the air remaining in the upper portion of the main body 1 is discharged through the discharge pipe 9 and water flows into the main body 1 through the discharge pipe.

[63] The air removing apparatus of the present invention is installed in an instantaneous water heater of a bidet in such a manner that the height of the air removing apparatus of the present invention is lower than the height of a water tank so as to prevent a counter flow caused due to a siphon phenomenon.

[64] Fig. 7 illustrates an assembly of the through hole 27, the protrusion 26, the spring

25, the valve 28, and the check valve casing 21 constituting the check valve 20.

[65] The main body 1 can be formed as a single unit, or an assembly of multiple separate members such that the height of the main body 1 can be adjusted in accordance with usage and condition of the air removing apparatus of the present invention.

[66] For example, as shown in Fig. 8, four separate members having closed bottoms and open tops include a first member 40, a second member 41, a third member 42, and a fourth member 43. The first member 40 has, at an outer surface thereof, the outlet pipe 12 for outflow of water. The second member 41 has an open top and an open bottom, and has an inner diameter same as that of the first member 40. The second member 41 has, at an outer surface thereof, the inlet pipe 11 for inflow of water. The diaphragm 32 with small holes is interposed between the first member 40 and the second member 41. The third member 42 is disposed on the second member 41, and has an open top and an open bottom. The fourth member 43 is disposed on the third member 42. The fourth member 43 has an open bottom and a top surface where the outlet path Ia is formed. The fourth member 43 supports the check valve 20, and has the top surface on which the main body flange 2 with the fixing groove 17b is formed in an upward direction.

[67] Assembly of the first to fourth members 40 to 43, the check valve 20, and the outlet pipe flange 10 is performed by a process of molding or press fit, or components including screw threads, fixing pieces, hinges and hinge grooves, bolts and nuts, and screws.

[68] The check valve 20 can be substituted by a solenoid valve with accuracy of opening/shutting operation through an electrical control.

[69] The invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specification, and it is believed that various alterations and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended that all such alterations and modifications are included in the invention, insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

[70] Industrial Applicability

[71] The air removing apparatus of the present invention can be used in an instantaneous water heater of a bidet or a boiler. The air removing apparatus can be used in devices which suffer from troubles caused due to inflow of air. The air removing apparatus of the present invention for removing air from water can be used in the industrial or medical field or research field.

[72]

[73]

[74]

Claims

[1] An air removing apparatus comprising a main body having, at an outer surface thereof, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein said outlet pipe is arranged underneath said inlet pipe; a diaphragm disposed in a horizontal direction in said main body between said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe, wherein said diaphragm has small holes perforated therethrough; and a check valve communicated with a top of said main body. [2] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said main body is formed of a plurality of divided members stacked into a layer. [3] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said inlet pipe is extended into said main body and communicated to an injection pipe which is formed in an upward direction into an L-shape. [4] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said injection pipe has an inner end expanded into a semi-spherical shape. [5] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each of said small holes of said diaphragm has a diameter of 0.5mm to 1.0mm. [6] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said check valve is constituted by a check valve casing and a valve. [7] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said check valve casing has a valve stopper protrusion and a through hole. [8] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said valve is constituted by a valve plate having a surface area wider than that of said stopper protrusion and a valve shaft interconnecting said stopper protrusion and said valve plate. [9] An air removing apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said check valve further includes a spring.